NFL Plan

Instead of playing an 18 game season, the NFL should add 8 teams (for a total of 40 teams) and have 16 teams make the playoffs each year. Also, the NFL should add a second bye week. This would make way more money for the NFL than an 18 game season would. And, players wouldn't have to play two extra games a year. Plus there would be a lot more jobs for players.

Under this plan, the league would have 8 divisions with 5 teams each. 8 wildcards would make the playoffs in addition to the 8 division winners.

Having 40 teams would dilute the league a little bit, the average team would not be as good or make as much money. However, I think it would make the NFL better. The great individual players would have more opportunity to make big plays and have big games. Imagine Barry Sanders running against NFL teams that were closer in talent level to the top college teams. Also, the NFL as a whole would make more money.

In addition to the above, the NFL should add a salary cap with a luxury tax and a rookie pay scale.

Oh, obviously, San Antonio should get one of those 40 teams. = )

The Worst Kind of Nerd

It's a little known fact that the worst kind of nerd is a sports nerd and Joe Lunardi could be the king of all sports nerds. He's such a big nerd that even the on air personalities of ESPN give him crap.

Today is the biggest day of the year in Joe's life. It's when the 65 teams are selected for the big tournament (if you don't know what I'm talking about you live a sad life). Joe will get more airtime today on ESPN than maybe anybody else.

Somehow (probably through sports nerd wizardry) Joe has figured out how to determine what teams are selected on "Selection Sunday". Last year he got all 65 right. Some people suspect he has a mole on the inside of the selection committee.

I only have to wonder how long Joe's depression will last. It has to be a bummer to go back to your "normal" life after being a Sportscenter regular for a week.

Clippers' Column on ESPN

This is a hilarious column on the Clippers' loss to the Cavs last night:

A dumbfounding night in the 'Dumbleavy Era'

I think the best part is:

1:28: Something completely awesome happened here that they missed on the telecast. As the Cavs were bringing up the ball and everyone was screaming for the Undertaker to remove Kaman, he called for Camby, who rose off the bench with one of the single greatest faces of all time: Anger, dismay, confusion, disbelief, hostility, you name it. I have been attending games since I was 5, and I have NEVER seen a more bummed-out player enter an NBA game than Marcus Camby. Ever.

Hahahahahahahaha.

Sports is an Insane Part of Life

Here are some sort of crazy things that happened in sports this week/last night:

1. Netherlands beats the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic twice.
   
   The roster of the Netherlands has about $400k in MLB contracts for this year.
   
   The Domican Republic has $83m in MLB contracts for this year.
   
   This has to be one of the biggest upsets in the history of sports.
   
   
2. DePaul beats Cincinnati in the Big East Tournament.
   
   DePaul was 0-16 in Big East regular season play. How in the world did they win this game?
   
   
3. North Dakota State made the big dance in the first year they were eligible.
   
   There are schools that have been playing basketball for forever and haven't made the NCAA tournament.
   
   
4. Clippers blow big lead to the Cavs.
   
   The worst pro franchise going right now and for many years was up 69 to 52 at the start of the 4th quarter against the best team in the NBA. Somehow they got outscored 35 to 14 in the 4th quarter and blow the game. That's just how the Clippers roll. Don't try to understand it.
   
   If you know a fan of the Clippers, give them a call today and check to make sure they are ok.
   
   Billy Crystal, start rooting for the Kings already.
   

Astros Have a Rough Game

Check out this screenshot of ESPN's scoreboard page for the Astros/Yankees game today.

The Astros aren't doing very well. Somehow, in the 7th, they scored -1 runs. I've never seen a team score a negative run. I imagine what happened is that one of the Astros hit a home run and ran all the way around the bases in the wrong direction, that is, the player ran from home to third to second to first and then back home. That player will probably need to be coached up some. I hope it wasn't Lance Berkman.