Sports Week In Review

It’s been a very busy and eventful week in the world of sports. Rather than focus on just one story, I thought it might be fun to take a tour of some of the stories that made it interesting. I have no idea where this might end up, but if you can stick with me you might find that you’ll enjoy the ride…

Peyton Manning was finally released by the Indianapolis Colts. I know; who could have seen that one coming, eh? Certainly, being released by the Colts was a shock…but it wasn’t a surprise. Did anyone REALLY think that Jim Irsay was going to pay Manning a $28 million roster bonus- especially given the uncertain health of his neck? Manning says he’s not done playing football, and he may well have a few productive years left in his 35-year-old arm. There’s every possibility that lingering issues from his four neck surgeries may prevent him from ever taking another NFL snap. The question is whether the Colts are being savvy or silly…and not even Newt Gingrich can divine that answer.

The fun part of l’affaire Manning is that fans get to engage in all manner of conjecture concerning where Manning will hang his helmet. No matter what, nothing will be official until Rob Lowe tweets about Manning’s destination…

I wouldn’t waste much energy feeling sorry for the Colts; their cupboard won’t be bare for long. If there’s one sure thing in this world, it’s that Andrew Luck will be under center for Indianapolis on Opening Day.

The end of the Peyton Manning era in Indianapolis reminds me of a line from an old Eagles song:

They will never forget you

‘til somebody new comes along

The uncertain condition of Manning’s neck won’t stop NFL teams from promising him the sun, the moon, and the stars. Denver, Miami, Washington, and who knows how many other teams will be bidding for Manning’s services. I’ve even heard rumors about the…wait for it…

Seattle Seahawks. Lord knows the Seahawks could use an honest-to-God NFL-caliber quarterback. Whatever the question might be, Tarvaris Jackson isn’t the answer. The bigger problem, though, is that neither is Peyton Manning. That isn’t Manning’s fault, of course; the Seahawks would certainly be a better team with Manning under center. The problem is that the Seahawks just aren’t a very good team, and they’re certainly not prepared to protect an aging quarterback who could be timed in a 40-yard dash with a sundial.

Given the questions surrounding Manning’s neck, he needs to have an offensive line that can protect him. The Seahawks might be up to the task…or they might not be. Can a relatively immobile 35-year-old quarterback afford to take that chance? If I were Peyton Manning, I’d happily come to Seattle for a visit. No one should be thinking he’s ever going to see the inside of the Seahawks’ locker room on Opening Day.

The excitement surrounding Peyton Manning might be big news in the NFL. Closer to home, it’s March…which means that it’s time for the annual flight south for the…

Oregon Ducks.  Yep, it’s almost as predictable as Greg Oden sitting on the end of the Trail Blazers’ bench in a suit that costs more than most of the cars I’ve owned. The Duck do just enough during the Pac-12 regular season to set fans to thinking that they might actually have a shot at securing an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Hopes and optimism begin to creep upward, fans begin to believe…and then the Pac-12 tournament gets underway and the Ducks fail the test.

Perhaps there’s something about the bright lights of L.A. that distracts the Ducks. Or perhaps they, once again, just aren’t ready for prime time. No worries; I hear the NIT is all sorts of fun this time of year (The winner gets to cut down the nets and celebrate being #69!!). Being that they’re college students, the Ducks can always salve their disappointment by enjoying some killer weed that just happens to be named after…

Jeremy Lin. Not that Lin, being a straight arrow, would endorse his namesake bud, of course, but it’s called Linsanity OG. It’s available at a legal dispensary in L.A., and it’s very good stuff. Or so I’ve been told.

Speaking of the aforementioned weed, if you’re an NBA player and you fancy yourself partial to the chronic, you might find your value adversely impacted come the…

NBA trading deadline…or, as I like to call it, “Where conjecture, feverish projections, and silly, unsubstantiated rumors go to die.” Every year ‘round about this time, NBA fans find themselves caught up in the fever. As far as the Blazers are concerned, I’ve heard a number of rumors. Let’s see…there was Jamal Crawford going to Minnesota for Michael Beasley, a first-round draft pick, and two snow blowers. Then there was the one that had Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, and Marcus Camby going to Boston for Rajon Rondo.  Haven’t the Celtics embarrassed the Blazers enough already? (28 turnovers? Really? I’ve played on junior high school teams that didn’t turn the ball over that much.)

Another rumor had Felton going to the Lakers straight up for Steve Blake; THAT one I could get behind. Blake fit in well during his two previous stints in Portland; there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t do it again. Whether that might be enough to lead the Blazers to the playoffs is a question I’ll leave to other, more nimble intellects to debate.

Clearly, the Blazers need to resolve their precarious point guard predicament. One very solid game in Minnesota does not make Raymond Felton the answer to the Blazers’ question. And, no, that question isn’t, “Boy, getting rid of Andre Miller sure was a great idea, eh?”

Even if Portland makes a move and obtains a more solid, reliable point guard, Portland does not automatically become a playoff team. There’s still the woeful outside shooting, the absence of rebounding, and a collective lack of passion and commitment. Trailing the Celtics by 43 in Boston is not the trademark of a team with an excess of spirit and dedication. That’s not something that can be fixed by making a trade or two in mid-March.

Things could be worse, though…we could be saddled with the…

Sacramento Kings, the punch line to the NBA’s longest-running joke. Last week, the Maloof brothers and Sacramento Mayor (and former NBA All-Star) Kevin Johnson nailed down a deal on a new arena for the Kings. This is a good news/bad news situation for NBA fans in Sacramento. The good news is that Kings fans will be guaranteed an NBA team for at least the next 30 years.

The bad news is that the NBA team in question is the Sacramento Kings, perhaps the most ineptly run homage to perennial futility the league has to offer. Since moving to Sacramento from Kansas City, the Kings have been the NBA’s Washington Generals. They’re the organization every team on a losing streak looks at as a “slump buster.” How bad are the Kings? Even the Washington Wizards get excited when the Kings come to D.C.

So, what have we learned today? Well, Peyton Manning’s not going to be calling Century Link Field home. The Ducks’ basketball team will learn to love the NIT. It really is possible to use “Jeremy Lin” and “getting high” in the same sentence. The NBA trading deadline really isn’t the solution to what ails the Trail Blazers. And we should all be grateful that we don’t call Sacramento home.

Lest I forget, the Timbers open their 2012 MLS season tonight. That really does make the world seem like a better place, doesn’t it??