A Weekend Recap: 12-9-12

Here is a quick look at the weekend that was in sports:

- Navy beat Army for the 11th straight season.  Unfortunately, instead of concentrating on Navy's joy, all CBS did was show Army's QB, Trent Steelman, breaking down on the sidelines after his team fumbled away a win.  I felt bad for the kid.  The broadcasters felt bad.  And yet the producers insisted on keeping the camera on him.  At some point, we have to remember that college football players are just kids, like we all were.  They should not have to endure the same type of media scrutiny and coverage that the pros do.  Show Tom Brady emotional on the sideline after a game.  That's fine.  He has chosen to make himself a public figure and his play made him a superstar.  Steelman is a kid whose football career ended that day, and will now go off and defend all of us.  The least we could have done is shown a little class and let him cry in peace.  Shame on you, CBS, and shame on us for letting it get this bad.

- The Redskins beat the Ravens, with Kirk Cousins throwing the game tying TD pass.  Go figure.  RG3 hurt his knee, but it should be fine (according to reports).

- Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning are in a 2-man battle for Comeback Player of the Year.  They are also the leaders for the MVP.  This is crazy.  I give it to Manning just because he already led his team to a division title, but I think splitting both awards wouldn't be a bad idea.

- Johnny Manziel won the Heisman.  He wasn't my pick.  I would have voted for Manti Te'o.  Honestly, if the best defensive player in football, who led the #1 team in the country to the title game after overcoming huge personal losses mid-season, AND happened to go to Notre Dame (ergo having the massive fanbase and exposure) can't win the Heisman, it really should just be an offensive award.  No pure defender will win it if Te'o didn't with his resume and reputation.

- Syracuse is going bowling!  This isn't really big news, since we knew a few weeks ago.  The real news is that we will be playing West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl.  For those unfamiliar with the rivalry, we have played WVU every year since 1955.  Last season, we destroyed them on national TV, and then they went to the Big XII.  Everyone thought the rivalry was done.  Not so fast my friend!  Yankee Stadium, December 29th, the Steinbrenner Trophy is up for grabs.  The only shame is that the Schwartzwalder Trophy, which Cuse and WVU have been playing for since 1993, will not be at the game.  Orange coach Doug Marrone said Cuse will keep it out of respect for the bowl game.  Of course, I only say its a shame if we were to win the bowl game.  If we lose, screw it, we get to keep the Schwartz!  You want it? Schedule us!

- The Rays and Royals pulled off a huge trade tonight.  KC is sending some of its best prospects to Tampa for James Shields and Wade Davis.  I have no idea if this will help KC at all, because they still don't have great hitting and have to play in the same division as the Tigers and White Sox, but it is great for the Rays.  They were shopping Shields and Davis anyway.  Now, they get some very highly ranked prospects.  They keep rebuilding.  You have to think that, at some point, they will be back in the World Series.  Hopefully after the Nationals win.  Speaking of my team...

- The Nationals signed Dan Haren to a one-year deal.  I love this move.  They didn't have to trade anyone away for Shields, and get a pitcher who (when healthy) is just as good.  Haren is a 3-time All Star who would be a #2 on any other team.  For us, he is our #4 or 5, depending on how well Ross Detwiler does in a full season.  The only move left for the Nationals, after trading for Denard Span to solidify the outfield and give us a true leadoff man, is to solve the issue at first base.  Do we re-sign LaRoche?  Do we trade Morse?  I wish we could keep everyone, of course.  Just bring me that title, Nats!

- There is still no hockey.  There will not be hockey this year.  Just accept it.  There is no incentive for the players to cave because they can make just as much money playing in Russia or Europe.  The owners, in my mind, don't understand this.  It is a shame, of course, because what is my spring without the Caps getting my hopes up only to choke in Game 7 of Round 2 in the playoffs?

- There is still the NBA.  To be honest, I haven't been following it much because the Wizards are awful (though they beat the Heat) and because football is still going on.  I understand the Lakers aren't doing well, but the Knicks are.  It is December, so we shouldn't make any huge conclusions yet.  I just know that the most interesting story in the NBA is about a team changing its name...

- The New Orleans Pelicans?  Really?  Ok, let's be real for a second.  In a fair world, the New Orleans team would be able to buy back the name Jazz from Utah.  Utah doesn't have any jazz.  Hell, I don't even think they are allowed to play music in Utah!  I imagine the entire state is like the town from Footloose.  So, New Orleans gets to be the Jazz.  Charlotte could decide if they got "Hornets" back or stayed the Bobcats.  Then, the question would be what to name Utah's NBA team.  My answer?  The Hornets!  Stay with me now.  Utah is (apparently) The Beehive State.  Doesn't it make sense that they would be called the Hornets?  Ignore the Bobcats, and just do a straight up name switch between New Orleans and Utah.  Everyone wins!  David Stern is retiring right?  Let me be the new commish.  I will get this done.

- Manny Pacquiao got knocked the f- out on Saturday night.  With 1 second left in Round 6, Juan Manuel Marquez connected with a strong right that dropped the (former) best fighter in the world.  He went down hard.  He ended up being fine, but Marquez made a huge statement by knocking Pac-man out.  If you can find the highlights of the fight somewhere, do so.  It was fun.


That's all I got tonight.  Enjoy your week!