Warner, Jamison, McGwire, and random observations on the wonderful world of sports

In the words of the great San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler, here are my deep thoughts, cheap shots, and bon mots:

---Yesterday in Glendale, Arizona, a new classic was born. The Packers and Cardinals put on one hell of a show in the final game of wild card weekend, a wildly entertaining 51-45 affair won by Arizona, the highest scoring playoff game in NFL history. Instead of celebrating after the game, Ken Whisenhunt's team took a nap.

---It was a truly stellar game that featured Herculean performances from the two quarterbacks. Trailing 31-10 in the third quarter, Aaron Rodgers orchestrated a comeback for the ages, all but destroying memories of Brett Favre in the process. Seriously, if there were still any Green Bay fans pining for the days of Favre prior to yesterday's game, they must have emerged exhilarated by Aaron Rodgers by game's end, even in defeat. Aaron Rodgers should never again have to live in the shadow of Number 4. As great as Rodgers was, however, his Arizona counterpart was even better.

---Retirement rumors have swirled around Kurt Warner for years, but after his stunningly efficient air attack yesterday, in which he threw for 379 yards, 5 touchdowns, and no interceptions, there is no question that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank. I know I'm often accused of hyperbole, but can you think of a better playoff performance by a quarterback in recent memory? I didn't think so.

---Thank God for Packers-Cardinals, because the other three games were downright unwatchable. The Cowboys dominated the Eagles (proving me wrong---again), the Ravens crushed the Patriots, and while the Jets only beat the Bengals by 10 points, the outcome of the game was never in doubt. When the Cardinals jumped ahead of the Packers 31-10, this wild card weekend had the potential to be duller than the screen adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice".

---The divisional round of the NFL playoffs brings us Jets-Chargers, Ravens-Colts, Cardinals-Saints, and Cowboys-Vikings. All juicy matchups, and popular belief suggests that Dallas-Minnesota will be the best game. However, I think the most intriguing game is Baltimore-Indianapolis. The Ravens' bruising style of play may be enough for them to pull off the upset. If the Colts are to win, they better find a way to slow down Baltimore running back Ray Rice, one of the most unheralded, exciting players in the league.

---In other NFL news, Pete Carroll has left USC to coach the Seattle Seahawks. If there were ever a time to leave the USC athletic program, the time is now. USC has had so many athletic scandals, even John Calipari thinks the school has gone too far.

---On to the NBA now, where Antawn Jamison deserves praise for his classy speech to Wizards fans before Friday's victory over the Magic. Jamison passionately apologized for the whole Gilbert Arenas firearms debacle, promising that the Wizards will play their hearts out the rest of the way to win back skeptical fans. Jamison's speech served as further proof that the vast majority of NBA players are indeed great guys who can and should be viewed as role models. Skeptics like to point to the Arenas incident as evidence that the NBA is a thuggish league, and that's simply nonsense.

---The Rasheed Wallace experiment has been a major disappointment for the Boston Celtics thus far. Sheed played well in yesterday's road win over the Raptors, but he has come nowhere near to reaching his full potential in a Celtics uniform this season. His declining stats pose some cause for concern, but his seemingly deteriorating physical condition is a more worrisome sign. Doc Rivers better hope Sheed comes around, because I don't think the Celtics can beat the Cavs in the East with an unproductive Rasheed Wallace.

---Clippers? Playoffs? Two weeks ago it seemed unfathomable that the Clips would have a shot at the playoffs, but now it is certainly a possibility. Baron Davis is showing the same high level of play that he exhibited during those glorious seasons in Golden State, Chris Kaman continues to be a legitimate offensive threat, and role players like Rasual Butler are all assuming their roles nicely. With the NBA debut of a healthy Blake Griffin looming for Los Angeles, the Clippers are one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

---As for the other L.A. team, rumor has it that the Lakers are pondering a trade that would send Andrew Bynum to Toronto in exchange for Chris Bosh. Bosh is indeed an elite player, far better than Bynum, whom I still believe is overrated. However, I don't think this trade would improve the Lakers. The Lakers are already set at the power forward position with Pau Gasol, and adding Bosh would simply cause too much unneeded congestion at the forward spot. Thus, Bynum is a better fit in the Lakers system. A far more ideal location for Chris Bosh would be Miami, where he could be the Robin to Dwayne Wade's Batman. If Bosh lands in South Beach, the Heat would be instant championship contenders.

---Kudos to NBA legend Charles Barkley, the greatest personality and analyst in all of sports, for his jovial performance as host of "Saturday Night Live". While Barkley was clearly out of his comfort zone, his engaging charm made the show a lot of fun to watch.

---Big news in baseball today, as Mark McGwire finally admitted steroid use. Should Big Mac have come clean sooner? Of course. Did he make a fool of himself in front of Congress a few years ago? Yes. But here's hoping his admission today will move us past the steroid era and allow us to focus on McGwire's illustrious career on the baseball field. Loyal readers know that I have never been bothered by the steroid era. Steroids or not, Mark McGwire is one of the greatest hitters of all-time, and he deserves a spot in Cooperstown, along with the likes of Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, and any other Hall-of-Fame-caliber player who has been accused of using PED's. This ain't the Hall of Morals, folks.

---Speaking of Cooperstown, congratulations to Andre Dawson for his election to the Hall of Fame. Dawson is one of the most multifaceted, exciting players the game has ever seen.

---I'll finish with an appreciation of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl, whose Volunteers upset the previously undefeated, top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks yesterday on the hardwood. Pearl's energy and passion on the sideline is infectious. Any time you have a chance to watch a Tennessee basketball game, take it, because you will be wowed by Pearl's genuine love for the game. If only more coaches in sports had Pearl's vivacious spirit.