Ok LeBron....we get it

Here we go again with this LeBron stuff. Sometimes I seriously question if the things that come out of his mouth are not 100% scripted. It has to be....no one of that stature can be so unaware. A few days ago LeBron James started a buzz when he said that he doesn't rule out a possible return to Cleveland some day. Really? Only boo boo the fool would believe that, so why would he say it? Because that's what LeBron does!! He's gonna make you like him...even if you hate him for it.

LeBron loves to be liked. He loved the courtship and media coverage of his pending free agency. I'll throw New York a wink, tell Cleveland that I love her. I'll even give New Jersey a pity date. I'm already dating Miami ...but we can still be friends can't we? Um...NO!! That's literally like dumping your girlfriend, then asking her to forgive and forget in the event that you possibly want her back some day....down the road. Why in the world would LeBron hint that he would want to be anywhere else but Miami for the remainder of his career? Because that's what LeBron does! (Not four...not five...not six...remember that?) Think it's not a calculated move by James then check out this direct quote when asked what Miami fans should think about his comments about returning to Cleveland some day...

"But it's all about this season for me and it's all about playing with this Miami Heat team and trying to win an NBA championship. The fans of Miami shouldn't be worried about anything at this point."

At this point?

When should the Miami fans start to worry...when it's opt out time again? This is the kind of stuff that makes the Kendrick Perkins of the world hot under the collar. A need to be "accepted" by Cleveland fans in the event that he returns home to play again. Meanwhile...his current teammates will have to answer, deflect, and defend the actions of James for the remainder of the season. LeBron James is one of the best athletes in the world and seems to be good people. But like in everyday life...a "need" to be liked will turn people off. LeBron is not being picked on....he asks for the attention. He brings this on himself. follow @plcolter

Linsanity or Tebowmania?

Let's be honest people. Who in their right mind thought anything in sports would come remotely close to Tim Tebow and the mania that surrounded him this season? Well...something did. Welcome to the nba Jeremy Lin!! If you don't know who Jeremy Lin is....google him real quick then pick back up at the next sentence. Everybody is comparing Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow, and for good reason. Both were told they were not good enough to compete on a professional level, and were put in the lineup out of desperation. Both lifted their team with their play, going on long winning streaks when they got their shot. Both appear humble, and both have energized their teams, fans, and cities with their charisma. For my money though, Linsanity is the bigger story.

With all due respect to Tebowmania (and it was a juggernaut), the nfl would have thrived without it. There were several other compelling stories as well. The Colts demise without Peyton Manning. The Packers quest for an undefeated season. Drew Brees and his record setting year. Cam Newton's rookie campaign. And who could forget about the dream team Eagles and all their drama. The nfl, Tebowmania removed, would have still been compelling. The nba without Linsanity is....um...well.....NOTHING!!! What else is going on in the nba that's worth talking about? The Mavs are the most boring defending champion I have ever seen. Nobody can make a basket...the scores look like Big Ten conference game scores. Hell...nobody even cares about the Heat and the big 3. We saw them get beat down last June and will have no interest in them until this June. I'm a die hard Grizzlies fan...and I'd rather listen to the games on the radio. The offense is that unwatchable. I am officially a member of the Linsanity fan club. The nba stated that Lin has been added to the all star weekend festivities. I guess David Stern is offiacially a member too. follow @plcolter

Tiger suffering from "Post Bully" syndrome

As you well know, Tiger Woods came up short Sunday at Pebble Beach. After a strong start Tiger's game failed him, and he slid further down the leader board. Phil Mickelson, who was paired with Woods on Sunday, actually won. You don't have to be a golf expert to know that Phil Mickelson was known more for losing to Tiger than for any of his on course accomplishments. Then it hit me....post bully syndrome! And that may spell trouble for a return to Tiger domination. So what's post bully syndrome?

Post bully syndrome is what a former tough guy goes through once he (or she) is finally whipped.....and it ain't pretty. Mike Tyson had the most infamous case of bully syndrome, and it didn't start with his first ever loss in Japan. Mike Tyson lost his bully card in his first fight with Evander Holyfield. Tyson was physically dominated by Holyfield in that loss. It wasn't just the punches that made Mike Tyson the baddest and most feared boxer on the planet. It was his confidence...that mental edge. You knew when he stepped in the ring the opponent was scared. Holyfield took that from Tyson, and the fallout was well...you know.

Pat Summit and the University of Tennessee women's basketball program terrorized the ncaa for not just years...but decades. Summit had the best assistants, resume, and players. UT won 8 national titles from 87-08. Then came the University of Connecticut. The Huskies were just as tenacious and confident as Tennessee. UCONN ultimately dethroned the Lady Vols to start their own dynasty. Pat Summit's teams have been a shell of itself since. They even lost in the first round of the ncaa tournament for the first time in Summit's 30+ year career a couple years back.

The fact that Tiger lost to Phil Mickelson puts him on my bully syndrome radar. Tiger was in Mickelson's head for years...racking up win after win in the process. Not only did Mickelson beat Woods (who was playing well prior to Sunday), he beat Woods while being paired with him. Mickelson has a huge psychological advantage over Woods now. That could change the complexion of the entire season. I hope it's not bully syndrome....but it sure looks like it. follow @plcolter

Peyton's new place should be?

I think it's safe to assume that Peyton Manning will be in a new uniform this fall. Manning has let it be known to any potential employer that you can get him on the cheap. Peyton is letting everyone know that he just wants an opportunity to prove he's still the best. I commend him for that, and if he does return to his mvp self (and that's a big if) then someone has just won the lottery! So where should Manning go? A couple of names have surfaced.

Water coolers across America are speculating that Washington is the front runner....yeah I know...I'm just as shocked as you. Let's just put it out there...the Washington Redskins are the Oakland Raiders of the nfc. Your only requirement to be on the roster is to be... 1) A one hit wonder or...2) Washed up. I am not calling Manning washed up, but you have to agree this is the worst possible scenario to be in as a free agent. Washington would no doubt pay him, and in true fashion find a way to mess it up. They'll overpay for some old washed up help for Manning and send that man out with injuries. Please don't sign with the Redskins Peyton, you deserve better!!!

Arizona has been an intriguing water cooler destination for Manning, and for good reason. First, second, and third of all, the Cardinals have Larry Fitzgerald locked up for a long time. They play in a dome and in a weak division. Peyton Manning at 50% is better than the remaining starting qb's in the nfc west combined! The Cardinals flourished with veteran Kurt Warner. Could Manning catch lightning in a bottle again for Arizona?

I hope the destination Manning will chose is his couch. Or at worst, an nfl set on Sunday mornings. Look Peyton, you have nothing left to prove. Go out on top and with all of your senses. You have multiple mvps and records, and you have your title. Sponsors are lining up to throw money at you and you appear to be a savvy business man. Your legacy is in place. You had a great year in 2010 and do not have historical footage of being carried off the field for the last time. This isn't a high ankle sprain we're talking about here. Don't risk it Manning....it ain't worth it. follow@plcolter

The unsung hero from Super Bowl XLVI will be?

Super Bowl XLVI is finally here! The greatest championship event in sports has promised three things since the turn of the millennium. Great individual performances, close games, and unsung heroes. It seems that every year a "lesser known" player comes from nowhere to make the plays we never forget.

As a native Nashvillian it pains me to write this....but who will ever forget Tennessee coming up a yard short in the 2000 Super Bowl? In a game that featured Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, a young Eddie George, and the late great Steve McNair, it was little known linebacker Mike Jone's tackle of Kevin Dyson at the one yard line that haunts me to this day!

Tom Brady gets all of the credit and notoriety for the Patriots Super Bowl dominance last decade, but unknown place kicker Adam Vinatieri made clutch field goal kicks in each victory. The Patriots just happened to win each championship by three points. The 06 Super Bowl was all about Jerome Bettis returning home to play his last game in Detroit. Unknown backup running back Willie Parker actually stole the Bus' show with a memorable touchdown run. I'm sure that Seattle fans would call the referees the unsung hero for the Steelers though.

The 08 Super Bowl was all about the Patriots high powered offense and quest for a 19-0 season. No one remember a single play from Tom Brady and his offense. We only remember David Tyree's helmet catch in the closing minutes of the Giants upset. The following Super Bowl was supposed to be the coming out party for Larry Fitzgerald, the best wide receiver in the league that year. Although Fitzgerald had a great game, we only remember Santonio Holme's tip toe catch to secure a Steelers victory.

The 2010 Super Bowl featured two great offenses and two great quarterbacks in Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. The Saints' hero was actually little known Tracy Porter, who returned a Manning pass 74 yards for a game clinching touchdown. The Saints won their first ever title. And last year, little know Green Bay backup receiver Jordy Nelson exploded for a big game to bring the title back to title town. This year's Super Bowl has no shortage of star power...who will be the unsung hero this time? follow @plcolter

Who needs the win more....Brady or Manning?

Tom Brady. The only unanimous mvp in nfl history. A man with three world titles and numerous accolades. A sure fire first ballot hall of famer. This man has accomplished it all, so Sunday's Super Bowl is just gravy for Tom right? Wrong!!!! In fact, Tom Brady needs this win to cement his legacy more than Eli Manning. And for a few reasons.

Any one who watched Tom Brady compete or conduct an interview knows that he wants to be the best. He wants to be the best quarterback who ever did it. A second straight loss on the big stage would severely jeopardize that possibility. The gold standard is Montana and his five rings. Bradshaw is a close second, and every one else is pretty much lumped together. Brady has to get a least four rings to get some separation, and a loss would squash that all together. Tom is not getting any younger, and there's no guarantee this is not the last hoorah for the Patriots as we know them. It happens to every dynasty eventually.

I'm also sure that Brady does not want to become the nfl's version of Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt, for all his dominance could not consistently beat Bill Russell in the games that mattered. Brady is 0-for against Eli Manning in the big one. A second Super Bowl loss and third loss in a row head to head could cause those whispers to start. "Brady was a beast...but he couldn't beat that Eli..."

Brady would never publicly admit this, but I'm betting he wants to get a post "spy gate" ring before he hangs the cleats up for good. Say what you want, but the Patriots had a losing playoff record post spy gate. A loss here would be all the ammunition a detractor would need if Brady doesn't get it done here. As if you needed any more reasons to watch the Super Bowl. follow @plcolter

Tale of Two Mannings

This time last year Peyton Manning had just completed a 4700 yard, 33 touchdown season. He was also division champ, his seventh of the past eight. Peyton Manning was the unquestioned 1A to Tom Brady as the league's best qb. Eli Manning was well...Eli. We all knew that Eli had talent, but we never seriously considered him among the elite. The Giants Super Bowl victory a few years back was credited more to the defense than anyone else. Eli just happened to have a once in a million dumb luck play go his way when that ball stuck to David Tyree's helmet. Peyton was still big brother and Eli was the other Manning. What a difference a year makes.

Today Eli Manning is heading to his second Super Bowl and is playing quarterback better than anyone right now. He knocked off the number one and number two seed, both on the road. Eli has been smart, tough, and clutch. He has been playing at an mvp level. Peyton faces an uncertain future for the first time in his entire football career, not just nfl career. The Colts are going to draft Andrew Luck with the number one pick. It's unlikely they will keep both, so Manning may be cut. I never though I would type those words. And to make matters worse, Peyton has not been physically cleared to play. His future is a complete mystery.

If Eli wins his second championship this Sunday, do we put him in Peyton's class? Should we? With the uncertainty of Peyton's health and his lack of playoff success, Eli could easily surpass him as the number one Manning brother. How fitting the game will be played in Peyton's place.
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