The Observer, February 8, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 16
Pro Sports Roundup
After the final whistle of the Super Bowl blew, the column that you all have come to wait on every week with bated breath came to an end as well. But do not fret. From here on out I will be your source for the top sports news stories from each week. From baseball free agency to the NBA playoffs, you'll find it here.
NFL
The Patriots were denied perfection this past Sunday, losing the Super Bowl 17-14 to the Giants. Probably one of the biggest upsets ever, the Giants were able to overcome major odds to win. Though Eli did have a great drive at the end and won the MVP, the award was really deserved by the Giants defensive line. Constantly pressuring Brady and putting him on his back, the D-line forced throws people had not seen Brady make all year: bad ones. I really did not see this coming, but I can't say that I am unhappy that it did. Big ups to the Giants for taking down the favorites.
NBA
The big news this week in the NBA is the Miami Heat's decision to trade center Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns' for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. To me the obvious question is, "What is Steve Kerr (Suns GM) thinking?" Shaq is in his declining years in the NBA. With his points and minutes going down while his fouls and money-owed continue to rise, his worth in this trade is not equal to that of Marion. For example, Shaqueezy is owed $40 million over the next two seasons! Also, Shaq's body has been slowing down this season and I don't think he would fit in well with the Sun's fast-break running style of basketball. Although it is going to be fun to see Marion run with D. Wade in Miami, this trade just does not make sense for the Suns.
College Sports
There are two big stories in college sports this week: Bob Knight retiring mid-season and signing day this past Wednesday. The decision by Bob Knight to retire mid-season sounds a lot like quitting if you ask me. He got his 902nd win and now he's headed out. According to Knight, it will make the transition to the next coach, who happens to be his son, smooth. It seems like a smooth cop out to get out of coaching. But is giving up on a team mid-season deemed ok by today's coaches? Recently, Bobby Petrino gave up on a miserable Atlanta Falcons team midway through his first season to run back to college ball at Arkansas. Maybe it's a Bobby thing, maybe it's just a coincidence, but it doesn't seem right for coaches to not follow through on their contracts.
This Wednesday was signing day for high school football players, but the top-ranked quarterback in the nation, Terrelle Pryor, chose to wait to make his decision. The fate of our beloved rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes rests on this young man's decision. The newest Michigan Man, Rich Rodriguez, is banking on Pryor to run his spread offense scheme. If he does choose Michigan, the Maize and Blue will once again be on top of college football, but if Pryor decides to go to OSU or elsewhere, it could mean trouble in Ann Arbor.
