Dirk should dip

The Dallas Mavericks are making history left and right. So why is their franchise forward Dirk Nowitski contemplating the free agent market this summer? Easy...it's all the wrong history. A history that overshadows Nowitski's brilliant twelve year career with Dallas. The Mavericks became the first team in NBA history to lose in the first round of the playoffs as a number one seed and number two seed since the first round went to seven games. The Mavericks are also the first team to win at least fifty games for ten consecutive years without winning a title. All under Nowitski's watch, all in his prime. I give owner Mark Cuban credit for attempting to surround Dirk with the talent to bring Dallas a championship, but it just hasn't worked. Avery Johnson didn't work. Jason Kidd didn't work. For all of Cuban's efforts, it's just not working. If Nowitski has a true desire to become a champion he must leave. Dirk, my man, you should dip. Lebron James is not coming to Dallas. Neither is Dwyane Wade. Now it's time for Dirk to think about himself and his legacy. You can either be Patrick Ewing or John Stockton, loyal to the end but never getting it done. Or you can be Clyde Drexler, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, three long time franchise players who took on lesser roles with different teams late in their careers and cemented their legacies with championship rings. The choice is yours Dirk, I think you should dip.

Dirk should dip

The Dallas Mavericks are making history left and right. So why is their franchize forward Dirk

Who will be this year's Titans?

The Tennessee Titans started the 2008 season 10-0, and finished with the best record in the league at 13-3. They entered the playoffs with the number one seed and home field advantage. They also ran into a red hot rookie quarterback Joe Flacco and his Baltimore Ravens (no diss to Ray Lewis). Those same Ravens face the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, this year's number one seed. It's not like it hasn't happened to Peyton manning before. The 2005 Colts were a number one seed and fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, that team was far more explosive than this year's Colts.

The New Orleans Saints are the nfc number one seed. They have far from resembled a dominate team lately, losing their last three after starting 13-0. The Arizona Cardinals roll into the Big Easy on all cylinders, well at least offensively. And let us not forget the beat down they put on heavily favored Carolina in last year's playoffs. That was a Cardinal road game as well. History does not fare well for a number one seed vs number one seed Super Bowl. I certainly do not anticipate this year being any different.

09 unkind to Cinderella

2009 was the year of the giant. The year of the favorite. In fact, if Cinderella's ball was in 2009, she would have never gotten out of the carriage. The underdog captivates the average fan, and reaches that part of us that "think we can". The underdog was a mere after thought in 2009, a year dominated by the name you know.

The Florida Gators starting things off in January by winning their second national championship in 3 years and third overall. All galaxy quarterback Tim Tebow kept the Gators front and center all year, and they delivered. The following month, the Pittsburgh Steelers won their record sixth Lombardi Trophy as they knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The victory was their second in four years. North Carolina continued their dominance over men's college basketball with their fifth national title and second under coach Roy Williams. Their victory over Michigan State was a blowout, which is fitting because the Tar Heels started the season ranked number one.

The Los Angeles Lakers won their fifteenth world title against the underdog Orlando Magic. Head coach Phil Jackson won his record tenth championship, and Kobe Bryant won his fourth overall title. The victory was no surprise, as the Lakers were clearly the best team all season. The New York Yankees finished 2009 off by winning their twenty seventh World Series title, cementing themselves as not only the team of the year, but the team of the decade. In short, Cinderella was shown no love in 09. 2010 starts off with Alabama winning their eighth national championship, and head coach Nick Saban winning his second with as many teams. You guessed it, Alabama was a four point favorite. With the nfl playoffs underway, recent trend is telling me to bet the farm on the Cowboys.

QB comeback curse strikes again

The football gods have once again been unkind to the great college quarterback who shuns the NFL for a quest at a BCS title. Texas Longhorns qb Colt McCoy was the latest to fall victim last night against Alabama in the BCS title game. McCoy was knocked out of the game on his fifth offensive play. Not only did the Longhorns lose the game, McCoy's NFL draft stock could take a hit as well depending on the severity of the injury. Millions of dollars could hang in the balance. He is certainly not alone.

Oklahoma's Heisman trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford said no to the Detroit Lions in hopes of a college championship. Bradford's season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, and the Sooner's title hopes went up in flames. So did any hopes of a number one draft pick, and subsequent contract. Florida's Tim Tebow returned for his senior year after winning the Heisman and two titles in a three year span. True, Tebow's professional desire may not be the NFL Hall of Fame, but his quest for back to back titles fell short. Tebow was also not perceived as "effective" as years past, finishing a distant last in the Heisman ballot.

On the flip side, when you look at the early careers of rookie quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford you could only deduct that forgoing their senior years were great moves. What I am suggesting is politically incorrect. All of you juniors that have NFL scouts salivating, go! Don't look back.

De ja vu for Young, Collins, Titans

In 2006, rookie quarter back Vince Young watched the Tennessee Titans stumble out of the gate to an 0-5 start. Veteran starter Kerry Collins was ineffective, throwing six interceptions to only one touchdown. Owner Bud Adams, a vocal Young supporter, more than whispered that he would like to see his prized first round quarter back on the field. Head coach Jeff Fisher yielded, and named Young the starter in week 6. The Titans went on to win eight of their last eleven and finished within a game of the playoffs. Young went on to the cover of NFL Madden as rookie of the year.
Fast forward to 2009, a cold and miserable day in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots just put the finishing touches on a 59-0 beat down of Tennessee. Vince Young watches the Titans stumble to an 0-6 start from the bench...again. Veteran starter Kerry Collins was ineffective, throwing eight interceptions to only 5 touchdowns. Owner Bud Adams voiced his "opinion" that Young should be on the field. Jeff Fisher yielded...again. The result? A five game win streak and an Offensive Player of the Week award for Young. The Titans have dug themselves quite a whole again, but remain in the playoff hunt. Titans players are hoping that history will exceed itself.

Young takes streak back home

The resurgent Tennessee Titans take their three game win streak to Reliant Stadium when they face the Texans on Monday night. Vince Young takes his road to redemption tour to his home town of Houston, with the national spotlight as his back drop. The Titans have played extremely well with Young in the lineup, but the 0-6 start kept it back page news. Monday Night Football will change that, for better or for worse. There will be plenty of people watching and waiting. Waiting to see a comeback, a train wreck, or another meltdown. This is not just another game if you're Vince Young. You have an opportunity to show that you're back and better than ever. You also have the opportunity to be the next big bust. Pressure brought by the nature of the quarterback position lead to Young's meltdown. We'll soon see if he has learned anything from his humbling time away. Young and the Titans are both looking to repair their images. A win and 4-0 record as a starter would certainly help.