Could IT Be? ... No

Up 70-41 early in the third quarter, a road win against a good Dallas Mavericks team (18-12) seemed inevitable.
Coming back from 10, 15, maybe 20 down seemed possible, but not 29.
Wait, it's the Timberwolves, who have traded away Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury, Brandon Roy for Randy Foye and O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love, drafted Will Avery, Paul Grant and Ndudi Ebi and illegally signed the definition of mediocrity, Joe Smith.
Sure enough, Dallas used a 22-2 run to cut it to nine at 72-63 and a 22-7 run to start the fourth quarter propelling it to a 107-100 win.
This game epitomized better than any other game I have ever witnessed what this franchise represents: Mismanagement and failure that perhaps CAN get worse.

Payback

The state of Minnesota got payback Sunday, as the Vikings eked passed the Bears for their first division title since 2000. Remember, the White Sox defeated the Twins in a one-game playoff to claim the Central Division and earn a berth in the playoffs.
Not much else here, but hey, the more you know.

Vikings Get Giant Freebee

With the season on the line, the Vikings couldn't have drawn a more fortunate matchup.
The New York Giants, having wrapped up homefield advantage throughout the playoffs after defeating Carolina the week before, had nothing to play for, nothing to prove.
Bruising starter Brandon Jacobs didn't play and Eli Manning didn't take a snap in the second half.
Tom Coughlin's bunch wanted to win, just not with their top players on the field.
Minnesota, seeing the opportunity to earn a postseason berth under its own control, took advantage, winning a division title for the first time in eight years.

Champs? Hardly

Poor execution
Band of unworthy young men
Humiliation

The result, a 42-13 loss to an average Florida State team in the Champ Sports Bowl.

(A Haggy Haiku)

Unlovable Losers

On Wisconsin, On
The season of jokes and grief
No fight, just defeat

(A Haggy Haiku)

Sticking to the Plan

In an offseason where the New York Yankees are shelling out hundreds of millions of dollars to acquire top free agents and other teams are scrambling to bring in new talent via trades and signs, the Minnesota Twins brought back utility infielder Nick Punto.
Punto, the player who hit .210 in 2007 and who averages a home run once every 168 at-bats and an RBI every 13.3 at-bats.
Drives you crazy, right?
Well, it shouldn't.
The Twins are sticking to the plan I set aside for them earlier this offseason: Resign key players and develop talent.
Over the past 12 years Minnesota has had a difficult time landing a productive free agent. The front office knows what it will get out of Punto (good defense and speed on the bases). Plus, he's extrememly affordable ($8 million over two years).
Look what the Twins did in 2008 with a limited payroll and Punto, coming within one game of the postseason. Expect similar results this year.
By saving now, Minnesota can spend later when the contracts of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Scott Baker, Joe Nathan and others approach expiration.

Making History

Don't look now, but Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is in the midst of making history.

In addition to astonishing the nation by leading Atlanta back into contention, Ryan boasts a quarterback rating of 92. That's good for ninth in the NFL this season. Doesn't seem too significant at first glance, but it's the second-best mark among rookie signal callers ... ever.

Only Dan Marino posted a higher efficiency, passing for 2,210 yards and 20 touchdowns to just four interceptions, while completing 58.4 percent of his attempts for a rating of 96.

You could make the case what Ryan has done is more impressive than what the legendary Dolphin did in his first year.

Marino didn't start until the sixth game of the season, giving him time to learn the system and accustom himself to life in the NFL. Ryan was the Falcons starter from Day 1.

The learning curve for quarterbacks in the NFL is typically one to two years.

With Marino and Peyton Manning to look to as examples as long as health remains on Ryan's side, who knows, maybe some day his jersey will be hanging in the Georgia Dome.

Better yet, in Canton.

Hard to Say No

C.C. Sabathia couldn't turn down another year added to an already phonebook sized contract. He joined what many perceive as "the enemy," the New York Yankees, signing a seven year, $161 million contract Wednesday.
The kicker for Sabathia, who took three days to decide his future after the Yankees first make a six year, $140 million offer, was the addition of an opt-out clause.
If Sabathia isn't satisfied with the Bronx, or his family just doesn't quite feel at home in baseball's largest market, he can walk away a free man following the 2011 season.
Seems as though some of that undue stress of playing in New York has dissolved. Just in time, too. Now Sabathia must find a school for his eldest child to attend and a place to live.
After this transitionary period is over maybe seven years in one place won't sound too bad.

CC-ing the Entire Picture

In these tough economic times, the New York Yankees are heavy spenders.
Only the one being sought isn't quite sure he wants to be bought.
Prized free agent pitcher C.C. Sabathia has sat on the Bronx Bombers' 6-year, $140 million contract for two days.
What gives, you ask?
Sabathia isn't sure New York is the right fit. He's from Northern California and prefers the West Coast. He wants his wife to be happy and his two kids, ages five and three, to (eventually) get a good education in a welcoming environment. Moreover, Sabathia is determining if the stresses of the Big Apple are worth an extra year and a few million dollars.
Mundane thoughts to mull over for "Joe the Plumber" when a new job in a new city emerges, they're hardly ever (publicly) discussed in professional sports. The draw is typically the richest contract and that alone.
While Sabathia may yet choose New York to call home for six years, it's the thought that counts.

T-Jack Fine For Now

Don't get too excited.
Tavaris Jackson, after all, was playing the starved Detroit Lions (no further explanation is needed).
Still, he completed eight of 10 passes, including the game-winning touchdown toss to Visanthe Shiancoe and finished with a personal-best 143.8 passer rating.
Not bad for a guy sworn to ride the bench so long as Gus Frerotte could stand.
Pending the health of Frerotte's back, Jackson may get his first start since Week 2 and that forgettable 18-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Even if T-Jack somehow removes all doubt that he can be a starter in this league, no logical reasoning says he can be the starter in the postseason.
Jackson getting rattled in games + trying to be perfect=Playoff disaster not too disparate from that 41-Egg drubbing in 2001.
Frerotte makes more mistakes. That's because he takes more chances. A slower, less skilled Brett Favre, Frerotte slings the ball downfield without trepidation, remorse or hesitation. The thought of a poor throw or decision passes as a shooting star.
When Frerotte can stand, he, not Jackson, should lead.

Badgers Survive Scare

Wisconsin picked up a quality win Monday night, defeating Virginia Tech as part of the 10th annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge, but not without a scare first.
Trevon Hughes hit a leaning runner with .9 seconds remaining to lift Wisconsin to a 74-72 win.
The Badgers led throughout, but a 14-5 run capped by A.D. Vassallo’s sixth 3-pointer pulled the Hokies even with under 10 seconds to play.
Vassallo finished with 30 points, including 24 in the second half in a losing effort.
No doubt the Badgers played well, hitting free throws down the stretch and shots throughout (24-of-48 from the field). The team also showed improvements must be made.
Sometimes good defense isn't enough to stop a hot shooter. On this night, Vassallo was aided by a much too slack Badgers team. It didn't force Vassallo to put the ball on the floor or get enough bodies on him beyond the arc in the game's closing minutes. And Jon Leuer committed the cardinal sin of crunch time: He fouled a Hokies shooter in the act.
Nitpicky details aside, Wisconsin proved it is a competent team that is well coached.
Although the Badgers aren't ranked, expect them to be in the running once again for a Big Ten title.

Howling Timberwolves

Fresh start, bar set high
No zen, lineup out of sorts
Losses mount, Wolves howl

(A Haggy Haiku)