"Yes, I know Cutler stinks and we have no shot with him, but I love money more than winning." (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

Peppers prefers poor passing performances. The biggest name available was snatched up in haste by the pass-rush desperate Bears. This was a move that the Bears absolutely had to make because without a draft pick until the third round this year there was no way they could have found someone to help them immediately and for some odd reason they believe they have the talent and ability to win now, which in my opinion is completely off-base. Or maybe it’s simply they have to win now or else Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo will be out of a job. This was the only move the Bears could make so you have to give them kudos for having their priorities straight, but I am a little wary of exactly how effective he’ll be in Chicago. Peppers would have been perfect with a team that already had an effective pass rusher so he could take attention away from them while they flourished on the other side and he could use his freakish athletic ability to beat double-teams. But Alex Brown and an aging Adewale Ogunleye coming off of an ACL injury aren’t exactly what I would consider dangerous. That’s why I think Philadelphia and New England would have made more sense. Also consider that as a pure speed pass rusher he is at his best when he can pin his ears back and do nothing but rush the passer, since his run stopping ability is suspect, and that usually happens when you’re winning. But if you actually watched any of their games last year you’ll know that the Bears were rarely winning and in fact were often put at a disadvantage because their quarterback likes to throw the ball to the other team. So when faced with either playing with Tom Brady or Donovan McNabb, two guys who rarely throw picks, he decided to trust his championship hopes with Jay Cutler. I guess it really is all about the Benjamins, baby.

Antrel Rolles into the Big Apple. The moment the Cardinals set him free, Rolle became one of the biggest names on the market. While the Bears and Dolphins were also interested in his services, the Giants made him their top priority after their defense was a disaster in the second half of the season and their safety play was a big reason why. CC Brown and Aaron Rouse were terrible so they jumped at the chance to bring in a big-time playmaker to hopefully team up with burgeoning star Kenny Phillips; that is if Phillips can overcome a disastrous knee injury. Rolle cited playing with the fellow U product as a major reason he came to New York and if Phillips does indeed return at full strength the Giants safeties may go from liability to quite possibly the best tandem in the league.

David Garrard won't have to worry about Kampman any more. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America)

Kampman likes anonymity. Coming off an ACL injury many teams were wary of Kampman, but not the Jaguars who have been seeking a legit pass rusher for what seems like the past decade. They have tried everything in recent years, trading up to the eight spot in the 2008 draft to select Derrick Harvey and then followed up with Quentin Groves In the second round, yet both have been underwhelming so the Jaguars felt they had to do something drastic and paying Kampman big bucks was that move. Kampman is a high-motor guy who gives everything he’s got and will be the perfect example for Groves and Harvey. Since he has never been a straight speed guy and relies more on strength, leverage and technique, he shouldn’t struggle as much as some think he might in returning from his injury. The only problem here might be no matter how well he performs will anybody care or even notice since he decided to go from small market Green Bay to small market Jacksonville. The one big difference between the two though is that while people care about football in Wisconsin, Jaguars fans aren’t too concerned about even showing up at the stadium. Maybe Kampman can change all that.

Curious choice for Chester. The Bears must have thought that since they already had their wallets opened they should just dump money at whoever was willing to put up with the inconsistent Cutler. That’s the only way that Chester Taylor agreeing to play alongside Matt Forte makes any sense to me. I don’t understand why either side thought this was a good idea. Taylor is the same kind of player that Forte is, except older and way more expensive. So if they were looking for a change of pace guy that would complement Forte perfectly they certainly missed in all regards. Also, what many believed was that Taylor would want to relocate to a place where he had a chance to start in the twilight of his career, so choosing the Bears makes even less sense there. Forte was a stud in his rookie year and then struggled last year running behind quite possibly the worst offensive line in football but still has loads of potential and the Bears are still enamored with him. So unless Taylor just wanted to stick it to the Vikings I can find no other reason why this makes sense because moving to Chicago doesn’t give him a better chance to start and in fact lessens his chances of winning a Super Bowl; a very curious decision for a running back on the downside of his career.

Cromartie's sick athleticism is worth the risk.

New York may soon be no-fly zone. When the Jets traded for the fertile Antonio Cromartie the rest of the AFC East must have let out a collective gasp. Cromartie has been off his game the past few years and is definitely not the most phyical guy and a pretty poor tackler. But what he does do is bring an extremely aggressive style that fits in perfectly with what the Jets do. He won’t be asked to do too much in run support and with Darrelle Revis on the other side he’ll see a ton of action and should be able to near his 2007 league-leading interception numbers. The risk of course is that he is a wreck off the field and ensuring that he plays every Sunday and isn’t involved in a custody battle or suspended by the league for being stupid. But the risk is worth the potential reward here because if Cromartie can play at a level even remotely close to his 2007 self, the Jets just improved their already tough defense tremendously. Their AFC East counterparts might want to consider turning to a power run game.

Brackett back in Indy. The Colts have historically let their linebackers walk when their contracts expire and just find another small, quick, athletic linebacker to plug right in. But Brackett was a little different than those other guys. He was the heart and soul of their defense and he was one of their better defenders against the run, which has been an area that they have struggled with this entire decade. Brackett may also have struggled in a new situation where he may have been asked to do too much, especially with the contract he may have garnered so this was the perfect move for both teams and a marriage that should last a long time. or at least until another small, quick, athletic linebacker comes along.

Megatron’s new sidekick. Ever since they drafted Calvin Johnson second overall in the 2007 draft, the Lions have been searching for a legitimate #2 receiver to put opposite him. Well, they’ve finally found that guy in Nate Burleson. I absolutely love this move because now the Lions have the firepower they’ll need to overcome the deficits their defense is bound to put them in. Burleson is still relatively young at 29 and is a precise route runner with great hands and he should thrive opposite one of the most imposing receivers in the league in Johnson. He should have no problem exploiting the single coverage he’ll face due to Johnson’s superior skill set and they should form a formidable duo for the next five years or so and with budding superstar Matthew Stafford chucking them the rock expect Ford Field to be the home of one of the more exciting offenses in the league. Now all they need is a left tackle and the Lions could get respectable in a hurry.

New Dolphin Dansby was a coveted player for his play-making ability.

Dolphins Drop Dollars on Dansby. Dansby was one of the most coveted players available and the Dolphins treated him as such, making him the highest-paid inside linebacker in the league. He is a sure tackler and has a knack for making plays; basically the ideal Bill Parcells player. With the departure of Joey Porter and uncertainty facing nose tackle Jason Ferguson, Dansby should come in and immediately assume the leadership role. The Dolphins still need to address the safety position and may need a pass rushing linebacker, but signing Dansby allows them a bit more freedom in the draft. This was a coup for the Dolphins and Dansby should pay immediate dividends.

Robinson returns home. The Falcons secondary was an absolute disaster last year so while they prefer to build through the draft they feel like they have most of the pieces in place to compete for a championship and needed an immediate fix to their secondary woes. Enter Georgia native Dunta Robinson. Though not a top-notch corner, he is head and shoulders above what they have on their roster and was the best option available in a weak market. He is still young and has a ton of upside and will provide an immediate upgrade to a dismal unit that should also receive a boost with the return of William Moore, who was lost to injury in the preseason, as well. Their pass rush is still lackluster so Robinson may not be afforded the same luxuries he had in Houston when he had the advantage of playing behind Mario Williams, but his arrival should allow the Falcons to concentrate solely on finding one of those types of players in the draft. Any way you look at it this was a move the Falcons had to make and improves their chances of competing with the pass-happy Saints for the NFC South crown.

Let the Schwartz be with you. The Lions had one of the worst defensive lines in the league last year, if not the worst. But in a 24-hour period they have drastically improved the unit and all the credit has to go to Jim Schwartz. The former Titans defensive coordinator decided to enlist the services of his former charge Kyle Vanden Bosch, securing his services with a witching hour recruiting trip to Nashville to lure KVB to no-man’s land. But not only did he lure KVB, he also traded for Corey Williams and the pair of them improve their defensive line a hundred-fold. Corey Williams will be better of playing tackle in the Lions 4-3 than he was as an end in Cleveland’s 3-4 and though KVB may be past his prime, he will immediately be their best pass rusher and should be a valuable mentor for their young defense. When your team is young and not used to winning, you can’t go wrong bringing in a winner with a workmanlike work ethic and positive attitude. For the first time since drafting Barry Sanders, the Lions front office has actually done something right with KVB, Williams and Burleson.

Boldin is a perfect fit for the rugged Ravens. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

Getting Bold-in B-More. After years of rumors, the Cardinals finally decided to part ways with disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin. With the emergence of Steve Breaston and Early Doucet there was no better time than now for them to deal him and as he was entering the final year of his contract they had to get something in return for him since they had no chance of resigning him even if they wanted to. The Ravens were the perfect landing spot for him too because they have a legitimate chance to win now and joe Flacco is extremely talented, he just needed some talent to throw to. While Donte Stallworth should be able to stretch the field (or so they hope since that has been said about him for the past few years yet has still to find a place that he could stick since he’s stunk so bad, and oh, yeah, he killed someone), Boldin will be a much better version of Derrick Mason, providing Flacco with a reliable possession receiver with the big-play ability that they didn’t have with Mason. You have to like this move for all parties involved, especially the Ravens who were able to secure him to a long-term deal as well that didn’t cause them to break the bank. Boldin will be a perfect fit in the locker room as well because Ray Lewis and the Ravens brass prefer tough guys who are willing to play through injuries and lead by example and Boldin is as tough and hard-working as they come.

Jones-ing in KC. Since it has taken me so long to post this due to work and utter laziness, I was able to include the recent signing of Thomas Jones in Kansas city. Jones provides the Chiefs with a bigger back to pair with the speedy Jamaal Charles, giving the Chiefs a potent backfield combination. Charles had a breakout year last season but the Chiefs still worry he isn’t big enough to carry the load over a full season. While Jones is getting a little long in the tooth and struggled in the playoffs last year, he is in phenomenal shape and with Charles in the fold he won’t be asked to carry the ball 20+ times a game like he did in New York. While Charles should wear teams down with his speed, Jones can come in and punch them in the mouth or Jones can start the game, wear them down and let Charles come in and blow them away. Either way you look at it, this was a smart move for the Chiefs and one that should make them more competitive while they try to fill in the pieces and build for the future.

I know you are all sick of reading me right about now since that was a ridiculously long post but for those of you who want to read an interesting story about a D-II prospect at the combine, head over here and check out the story of Tony Washington. Jenna Laine does an excellent job and you’ll be glad you did.

2009 Campaign: 70-92, last place, NL West

Having Brandon Webb go down in the first game of the 2009 season provided more than enough foreshadowing for a team that would be the only one in its division to have a losing record. The good news is, Webb is back, and the beastly country boy is set on making up for lost time. He will need to show he’s still the ace, and if he is, that will make Dan Haren one of the best # 2’s in baseball. The problem is that the Diamondbacks didn’t really have a well balanced offensive lineup in 2009, and not much seems to have changed since then.

Key Arrivals: RHP Edwin Jackson (trade w/ Detroit), RHP Ian Kennedy (Trade w/ Yankees), 2B Kelly Johnson (FA)

Key Departures: RHP Max Scherzer (trade w/ Detroit), LHP Doug Davis (FA), 1B Chad Tracy (FA)

2010 Outlook: The starting pitching in the desert is more than capable of keeping their team in games. Jackson is coming off a very nice year in Detroit and Kennedy will have a chance to flourish in the back of the rotation without having to worry about the pressures he dealt with as a Yankee. The bullpen is mediocre at best, with Bob Howry and Aaron Heilman setting the stage for closer Chad Qualls. But as I mentioned, it’s the offense that will be the downfall. Chris Johnson, Stephen Drew, Kelly Johnson, and Mark Reynolds are all guys who can be good pieces on a team that already has established veteran hitters. But as a packaged deal of starters all on one team, it does not bode well.

Jobu Says – One Jobu for Arizona, and competing for a last place finish. In competitive division, more tributes are necessary to keep up, and Diamondbacks continue to look more like Cubic Zirconia Backs. (Editor’s note: Jobu’s words, not mine.)

(Remember, for more on Jobu rankings, click here.)

2009 Campaign: 85-77, 3rd place, AL West

In 2009, the AL West was LA and everyone else. The Mariners did, however, come away with a winning season, thanks in large part to ace Felix Hernandez and perennial hit-machine Ichiro. Although there’s nothing to show for their 2009 efforts, management took the necessary steps to add some important pieces like Ian Snell and Jack Wilson prior to the trade deadlines.

Key Arrivals: RHP Cliff Lee (trade w/ Phillies), 3B Chone Figgins (FA), OF Milton Bradley (trade w/ Cubs), 1B Casey Kotchman (trade w/ Red Sox)

Key Departures: Erik Bedard (FA), Adrian Beltre (FA), Russell Branyan (FA), Kenji Johjima (Japan), Brandon Morrow (trade w/ Blue Jays), IF/OF Bill Hall (trade w/ Red Sox)

2010 Outlook: Last year’s AL West division was set before the season even began. The Angels were far and away the best team in the division, with the Mariners, Rangers, and Athletics struggling to be a factor from the beginning. However, after the Angels’ season ended at the hands of the Yankees, they found themselves at a crossroads, and they subsequently had to cut ties with aging veterans like Vladimir Guerrero and free agent players like Chone Figgins and John Lackey. In doing so, they created an opportunity for the Seattle Mariners, who already had several pieces in place, to make some adjustments that have them potentially taking this year’s AL West title. Seattle management answered the bell, and they answered it with conviction.

As I mentioned already, the Mariners were buyers at last year’s trade deadline, wheeling and dealing for a solid # 3 starter in Ian Snell and capable shortstop Jack Wilson, who will be replacing the once touted Yuniesky Betancourt. Seattle also pulled off the first big move at the winter meetings by acquiring speedster Chone Figgins, and he will complement Ichiro nicely at the top of the lineup—expect the table to be set early and often. Even more impressive, they aggressively targeted Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee, and along with Felix Hernandez, may have the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball. Add to these acquisitions a decent DH in Ken Griffey, Jr., who might just be revitalized for a homecoming tour, and 1B Casey Kotchman, who will provide much more contact than feast or famine power hitter Russell Branyan, and this might be a big season for fans in the Pacific Northwest.

In the end, even though Seattle parted ways with some important pieces—Bedard, Beltre, JohJima, and Hall—they more than adequately replaced them, and in many instances, improved.

Jobu Says –Three Jobus for Seattle. They give what they can, Jobu looks kindly upon them by helping them win AL West. (Remember, for more on Jobu rankings, click here.)

Ok, I realize that, in my haste, I started posting MLB 2010 reviews of teams to refresh your memory of offseason acquisitions and trades without really calling attention to the unique way it’s going on here. It all started a few weeks ago when I saw Major League for the 100th time and then unsuccessfully tried to find online a Jobu doll.

You see, Major League is probably in my top five movies of all time, and I honestly don’t understand how any true baseball fan could disagree. Of course there are the other, more sentimental movies like Field of Dreams and Bull Durham, but I’m more of a comedy guy myself, and Major League delivers nonstop entertainment in that area. But I digress…

I’ve already started the AL West, and I’ve entitled my postings “Your MLB 2010 Preview: Name of Team,” but I’ve given this some thought and it has to change to reflect the Jobu ratings, which I will fully explain here.

If you haven’t seen the previews yet, here’s what you’ll get: a quick recap of the team’s ‘09 season, a reminder of who the team acquired and lost in the offseason, and my prediction as to where the team is headed in 2010. But, most importantly, you’ll get a Jobu rating of 1-4 Jobus. Here’s how that shakes out:

One Jobu = No cigars or rum offered to Jobu. Fear stays in bats, the team stays in the basement.

Two Jobus – Rum was taken from Jobu, and not enough was replenished. Lack of replenishment means no playoffs for these teams.

Three Jobus – Jobu’s was offered rum or cigars, but not both. Jobu is pleased and takes fear from some bats, but others are on their own. Some of these will be playoffs teams, and some will just miss.

Four Jobus – These teams have offered Jobu his fill of cigars and rum. Jobu has taken fear from all bats, and these team will prosper because of Jobu’s appreciation. They are playoff favorites.

Anyone can create their own power rankings, and many other outlets do. But only here will you find the predictions of Jobu — and if anyone can ever find out where I can get my hands on a legit Jobu doll, I implore you to contact me.

Shortly after midnight, Peppers will be a very happy, and rich, man.

Midnight stands just about an hour away and as soon as the clock strikes 12, expect a fast and furious free agency period to begin. With an uncapped year being ushered in simultaneously, this year’s class is a watered-down version of what it could have been had we not run into the labor strife that has now befallen us. But that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t some worthwhile guys on the market and as soon as the midnight hour is upon us expect them to be off the market very quickly. But then, who knows. John Clayton said that he expects a lull after the initial storm with teams trying to get a feel for the market and their financial situations, which have just gotten a bit more tenuous. But as I anxiously await the witching hour, let’s take a look at the key guys on the market and where I expect them to land. A quick note: I only included unrestricted guys because almost all of the restricted guys received tenders that will scare away most teams and it is very hard to predict which teams will be crazy enough to try and outbid said player’s current team and give away said compensation as well.

Chester Taylor, RB, Vikings. I’ll start with the hardest one to decipher. The Vikings want to keep him but he wants to start. He may be over 30 but has only started on full season in the league and can probably give a team two solid years of starting production. But if he was to stay with the Vikings he could elongate his career even more and be in the Kevin Faulk mold. I think his desire to start will override the Vikings offer and my shot in the dark is he’ll sign with the Texans who need running back badly to get over the 8-8 funk they’ve been in the last few years.

Terrell Owens, WR, Bills. As much as I’d love to see him in Cincinnati with Chad Johnson (and no, his ridiculous explanation for not changing his name back doesn’t hold water with me), I think he’s needed more in Baltimore where he can help the contending Ravens make a run in the final few years he has left.

Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers. Bryant was spectacular in 2008 but had been troubled in the past, which is why the Bucs laced the franchise tag on him last year to see if his ’08 season was fluke. According to them it was, but he doesn’t think so. He has boatloads of talent but has been a problem in the locker room and off the field so naturally he would be a match for the Bengals who desperately need someone to pair with Chad Johnson.

Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles. Westbrook doesn’t have nearly what Taylor has left but once Taylor bolts for Houston, look for the Vikings and former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress to peg him to fill Taylor’s vacated spot. He could be effective spelling Adrian Peterson and the Vikings love versatile playmakers, regardless of if their best days happen to be behind them.

Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers. The Eagles make a ton of sense and I’ve also heard about 10 other teams floated around as possibilities (one of which had the Giants dishing out %100 million over 7 years, which would be a monumental mistake). But I think the Bears will somehow find a way to get it done. Their pass rush has been nonexistent and without a pick in the first two rounds the only way they can get better immediately is through a trade or a big FA signing. Enter Peppers who could reenergize a fan-base still reeling over the Cutler fiasco.

The underrated Kampman would provide a boost to the Eagles front line.

Aaron Kampman, DE, Packers. Kampman is severely underrated and has been one of the league’s most productive players over the last decade. He was forced to move to OLB when the Packers switched schemes last year and he was visibly unhappy and the missed the last few weeks of the season with an injury. But when healthy he is a beast and will upgrade any defensive line. This is where I see the Eagles going, pairing him opposite Trent Cole and forming one of the better tandems in the league.

Karlos Dansby, LB, Cardinals. I would love to see Dansby sign with the Giants, but after shelling out so much money last year in free agency and getting very little in return, I see them being a bit more conservative. That will allow the Dolphins to swoop in on the playmaking linebacker.

Dunta Robinson, CB, Texans. Robinson will take advantage of a weak cornerback class and get paid way more than he should, but he is still a productive player. The Titans and Cardinals would make sense, but I see the Jets flying in to pair with Darrelle Revis and forming the best secondary in football. Well, I did until they just traded for Antonio Cromartie. So with that being the case, I guess I’ll have to go with the Titans. Wow, that totally took me off guard and I am now flustered. Damn.

Leigh Bodden, CB, Patriots. For those of you who don’t know about Bodden, he is a pretty darn good cornerback and might last a little longer than he should on the market. He could definitely help a team that sorely needs help in the secondary and there are a lot of them in a league that is moving more and more towards a passing league as the years go by. One of those teams is the team he played on last year, the Patriots, which is why I don’t understand why they’d let him walk. They might let him fish a little but eventually I think they’ll reel him back him and help bolster a young secondary that gave up too many big plays last year.

Darren Sharper, S, Saints. I know he hasn’t signed yet, but can you see a Sharper leaving the Saints after winning the Super Bowl and at the age of 35? Yeah, me neither. Sharper will remain after exploring the market and finding nothing as appetizing as remaining on Bourbon Street.

Brackett means too much to the Colts for them to let him walk.

Gary Brackett, LB, Colts. The Colts don’t want to lose him because he is the heart of their defense. But someone else might outbid them and lure Brackett away. But if he cares about winning while making decent coin, he’ll resign with Indianapolis and have his best chance at a title.

Jamal Williams, NT, Chargers. The Chargers cut the mammoth nose tackle loose because he’s aging quickly and missed most of last year with an injury. But Williams is still enough of a space-eater that a 3-4 team on the verge and who think they can still compete would be willing to reach for him. That’s why I think even though the Bills are transitioning to the 3-4 this year, the Cardinals make more sense who even without Kurt Warner believe they’ll be right back in the mix.

Antrel Rolle, S, Cardinals. A good and productive player, the Cardinals had to let him go because he was way too expensive for the position he played. He would definitely improve almost any secondary he joined and one that is in dire need of a safety is the Giants. I know I said they’d be conservative, but I think they’ll make a run at him and hope Kenny Phillips returns, giving them the best set of safeties in the league.

Kerry Rhodes, S, Jets. Rhodes would be a great fit, and a much cheaper option than Rolle, for the cross-town Giants, but since I have the Giants opting for Rolle, I see Rhodes signing in Philadelphia where the Eagles could also use safety help since Macho Harris is clearly not the answer and there’s been a hole ever since Bran Dawkins flew the coop.

Keith Bulluck, LB, Titans. Mr. Monday Night has been a playmaker his entire career with the Titans, but injury concerns and advancing age has earned him his ticket out of town. But I don’t think it will take him long to catch on with another team. I know there are a lot of teams that could use linebacker help, but none more than the Lions, who could also use his leadership on defense. It also doesn’t hurt that Lions coach Jim Schwartz was his coordinator in Tennessee. 

Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Jones had the best two seasons of his career after passing the magic age for running backs of 30. But he still has something left in the tank despite his poor performance in the playoffs when he was hindered by injuries. He can still be productive in a time share. It is painfully obvious that nobody like former Jets more than Eric Mangini and I think he can convince Mike Holmgren to bring Jones to the Browns to team up with Jerome Harrison, especially since he should come rather cheap.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers. One of the greatest running backs in the history of the game, Tomlinson is clearly out of gas at this point in his career. But Mike Shanahan loves him after getting burned by him during his stint in Denver and since they will reportedly release Clinton Portis, I guess it makes sense for the Redskins to replace an aging back with a little left in the tank for one with absolutely none. Only in Washington, where the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Vasquez being given his proper send-off from the Comcast Center. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

I just wanted to follow up on my previous post on Maryland stud guard Greivis Vasquez and I don’t care if you want to read about it or not, but did you really think that I wasn’t going to write anything about that ridiculous game last night? I told you all to tune in last night on ESPN and witness what I was talking about in the article and I hope you all did because Vasquez was everything I said and more and in the process shut the door on Jon Scheyer and should now be, without question, the ACC Player of the Year.

But seriously, that was a hell of a game last night wasn’t it? Maryland raced out to a 14 point lead early in the first half before Duke wiped it away in a span of about two minutes and then took the lead at the start of the second half only to have Vasquez and Maryland feed off the crowd and put them away in the final minute (and I would be remiss not to mention the excellent coaching job done by Gary Williams where he decided to rest Vasquez for a period longer than I can ever remember knowing that he would need him at his freshest down the stretch and he couldn’t have been more right). Maybe it was just me and my rabid fandom, but it was one of the better games than I have seen in a long time (for  some excellent takes on the game and Vasquez check out this, this, and this).

There were spectacular plays from both sides and since everyone hates Duke there’s no need to mention theirs, but Landon Milbourne posterizing Brian Zoubek and Jordan Williams’ thundering dunk on two helpless Dukies after a deft no-look pass from General Greivis, were Top 10 worthy. Yet none defined the game, or Vasquez’s entire career, more than his floater falling away from the lane in the final minute to ice the Devils and incite a riot on the floor and in the streets of College Park (if you didn’t actually see it, check it out).

Vasquez makes the ill-advised unbelievably entertaining and downright impressive. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Vasquez started to dribble down the lane before he decided to go to his right and despite being draped by two defenders he left his feet and for the millionth time in my life I said, “WTF Greivis, why the hell would you do that?” But like he has done so many times he simply found a way to will himself and his team, as well as one of the most ridiculous shots you’ll ever see, to their goal. The ball hit the rim, seemed to hang in their air for a few seconds and then fell through the net. And just like that Maryland had erased a six game losing streak to their most-hated rivals and put them in the improbable spot of being tied for ACC-lead with one game to go for each team.

As soon as the horn sounded, the gold-clad crowd hit the court and a raucous celebration ensued, simultaneously celebrating a victory over the hated Blue Devils and the rollercoaster career of one of the greatest players to ever don a Maryland jersey. College Park might very well be GARYland, but last night it flew its flags at half mast for General Greivis and his storied career.

So I’m sorry Mr. Scheyer, you had a good season, but in the immortal words of KRS-One, the race is over, the race is over, bibbidy-bye-bye, the race is over.

Or something like that.

Vaquez can be maddening, but he has hushed many of Maryland's critics this season.

If it wasn’t for a certain hockey game on Sunday afternoon, the game of the weekend would have been the one that took place at Cassell Coliseum on Saturday night between the visiting Maryland Terrapins and Virginia Tech Hokies. After both teams battled through two overtimes, Maryland ultimately prevailed and solidified their status as one of the hottest teams in the country. But it was more than just a great game; it was a microcosm of Maryland’s basketball program of the past four years, all of which have primarily focused on a certain fiery guard from Venezuela.

I know that 95% of the country didn’t watch the game because unless you live in College Park or Blacksburg, the only way you could have seen it was on your computer on ESPN360 and unless you happen to be a huge ACC fan or went to Maryland (as I did) or Virginia Tech, you probably didn’t give a damn enough to sit in front of your computer in your office crushing beers to calm you nerves. Well, I’m pretty sure its obvious that’s exactly what I did and what this game did is what every Maryland game has done to me over these past four years and that’s give me more highs and lows than the trajectory of Robert Downey Jr.’s career. The reason for this is simple and circles right back to the aforementioned Venezuelan guard, Greivis Vasquez.

Vasquez was spectacular in this critical ACC matchup. He dropped 41 points, was 10-10 from the line, grabbed seven boards and dished six assists. But he was also frustratingly inconsistent and maddening at times. He might have scored 41 points, but he did it on 13-33 shooting and was 5-15 from three-point range. Those aren’t percentages that will have NBA scouts drooling come June. But for this Maryland team, he is exactly what they need to navigate what is often one of the most treacherous conference schedules in the nation.

Vasquez is a polarizing player for many reasons. I love him most of the time but there are times when I simply want to throw my beer at the TV and wonder what the eff he is doing out there. He can make the spectacular play, but often he believes that he is the only guy on the team that can make a play and he throws up one of the most ridiculous shots that you’ll ever see. Basically what I’m saying is that his shot selection could use a little more discretion. But then again I can understand where he is coming from. For the majority of his time in the Maryland program, Vasquez was unquestionably the team’s best player and it wasn’t even close. Yes, he played with some good basketball players, but none possessed the talent that Vasquez does, so maybe he was right in assuming he was the only guy that could get it done when it mattered. But part of being great is not only taking over games in crunch time, its also trusting the guys around you to make plays when they are in a better position to do so than you are (as Cliff Tucker did in one of the most thrilling finishes of the season against Georgia Tech a few days prior).

Vasquez was simply too much for the Hokies and might have put some distance between himself and fellow ACC POY candidate Delaney. (Matthew Creger/The Diamondback)

His polarizing nature also comes from his extremely fiery personality. I have yet to see a player in college basketball possess the desire that he does; if there is they sure don’t show it like he does. Vasquez wears his passion on his sleeve and I can clearly see how that could rub some people the wrong way. But it is also the kind of thing that Coach Gary Williams loves because he is the same kind of guy. If you’ve ever watched a Terp game you know what I’m talking about. Williams furiously paces the sideline vacillates between crouching like a tiger and animatedly flailing his arms as if he was drowning; the whole time sweat pouring down his face and exposing some of the most disturbing pit stains more fitting of a fat kid in a spelling bee. I don’t know if there is a more perfect fit in the country right now than that between Williams and his star pupil.

So while at times Vasquez drives me crazy, and I’m pretty sure I can speak for the rest of the Maryland fans out there, there is no one in the country right now that I’d rather see leading these Terps (minus John Wall of course but one-and-done players aren’t Gary’s style). He has a knack for having his best performances in the biggest games and this VT game Saturday night was no different. The perfect example was last year against the eventual champion North Carolina where he dropped a triple double against the top-ranked Tar Heels in leading Maryland to an improbable upset victory and propelling them into the NCAA tournament. Last year he led the team in scoring and assists and without the presence of a legit big man he was also the team’s top rebounder. This year, with a little bit of a bigger lineup, he has dropped to third in rebounding, but he still leads the team in points (19.5) and assists (6.4). He also happens to be second in the ACC in scoring, right behind VT guard Malcolm Delaney who he convincingly outplayed on Saturday, tops in assists and regardless of his sometimes horrendous shot selection, 10th in FG%; not to mention third in FT%, eight in steals, fifth in 3PT% and fourth in assist-turnover ratio, as well as the historic feat of being the only player in ACC history with 2,000 points, 700 assists and 600 rebounds. In all honesty, and I’m not being a homer here, there may not be a more complete player in the country.

So basically after almost 1,000 words what I’m trying to say is that, yes, Vasquez pisses me off to no end at times, but more often than not, like he did on Saturday night, he comes through when it counts and makes the journey worthwhile. He’s one of the best leaders in the nation and if you hate Duke, like I’m pretty sure most of the country does, than you should definitely tune in to ESPN on Wednesday night to watch Vasquez, a leading ACC player of the year candidate, put on a show against one of his most hated rivals, and yes, Vasquez always comes to play when it’s against the ACC’s blue bloods from Durham. He’s a triple-double waiting to explode and with a chance at the ACC-crown on the line (which is another testament to him as nobody before the season thought Maryland had a shot), I have no doubt in my mind that Vasquez will be at his usual best, barely taking a breather and screaming at whoever will listen or nobody in particular (it doesn’t matter as long as he’s screaming apparently). It has become readily apparent that Vasquez will always without a doubt show up and give everything he’s got; the only real question is, will anyone else?

We go from first to worst in the AL West.

Oakland is a dismal place for sports fans these days. Al Davis did his part in making the Raiders unwatchable, and the Athletics are catching up in that race in a big way.

2009 Campaign: 75-87; last place, AL West

Last season was forgettable at best for the Oakland Athletics, who looked like a AAA team more than an MLB team. Perhaps Billy Beane needs to adjust his Moneyball strategy to keep up with the times, because not much is going right in Oakland these days.

Key Arrivals: OF Coco Crisp (FA), OF Jake Fox (trade w/ Cubs), 2B Aaron Miles (trade w/ Cubs),  OF Michael Taylor (trade w/ Blue Jays)

Key Departures: 1B Bobby Crosby (FA), 1B/DH Nomar Garciaparra (FA), Jack Cust (FA), 2B Adam Kennedy (FA), RHP Brett Tomko (FA)

2010 Outlook: When Coco Crisp is your big acquisition, things are not going too well. There’s lots of young talent, such as RHP Vinny Mazzaro, 3B Jake Fox, and OF Rajai Davis, but young talent can only take a team so far, and there’s no guarantee that any of those players live up to their potential. Unless Oakland personnel has miraculously caught lightning in a bottle, a-la the ’93 Marlins, it’s going to be another long year in Oakland.

Jobu Says: One Jobu; no cigars or rum offered. Fear stays in bats, team stays in basement.

The cold and dark days of February, which at points seemed like they would linger on forever (at least in the Northeast), have finally receded, making way for the glorious arrival of spring. Aside from a steadily improving forecast, some excellent college basketball, and the birthdays of both Brandon and myself, March is also that special time of year when the boys of summer return.

If you want a black-and-white analysis of every new prospect and the inevitable prediction of every major analyst calling for a playoff picture that resembles the 2009 campaign, then by all means, look elsewhere. But if you want to read some candid opinions on every MLB team, complete with how Major League star Jobu’s thoughts, then I’d recommend coming back here and visiting every day this month. I’ll prepare you for the 2010 season by reminding you who ended up being shuffled in the winter meetings, which impact players will be returning from injury, and why your team may or may not have a chance to surprise the masses.

2009 Campaign: 97-65; 1st place, AL West

The Los Angeles Angels have been a playoff staple over the last decade, and last year was no different. A healthy mix of veterans and youth, a strong pitching staff, and a capable manager, the Angels had a strong regular season and took care of the Red Sox in the wild card round of the playoffs. Unfortunately for LA, they didn’t have the firepower to compete with the eventual World Champions, and lost to the Yankees in 6 games.

Key Depatures: SP John Lackey, 3B Chone Figgins, DH Vladimir Geurrero, RHP Kelvim Escobar

Key Arrivals: OF Hideki Matsui, RHP Fernando Rodney

2010 Outlook: A lot of familiar faces are gone from the Angels. John Lackey cashed in on his free agent signing with the Red Sox; Chone Figgins did the same in Seattle; and the aging Guerrero looks to DH for the Texas Rangers. I don’t blame the Angels for not re-signing the inconsistent John Lackey, as I do not believe he is worth the 5 year, $85 million contract he received from Boston. However, it does leave a void at the top of the rotation, as Lackey was still the best pitcher on the staff. The other big loss was Vlad, and although he still has something still left in the tank, he is no longer the terrorizing offensive force he used to be. The free-swinging demeanor still remains, but he seems to miss a lot more now.

All that said, I do believe the Angels should have held onto speedster Chone Figgins. For 4 years, $36 million, he is worth the risk. He a prototype #1 hitter, and his speed also makes him a constant threat on the basepaths. In addition to providing a spark to the lineup, he has tremendous versatility in the field, and is capable of playing nearly every defensive position (except pitcher and catcher, of course). On the flip side, he does present an injury risk, but this should not enough where it should have deterred LA from competing with Seattle when they swooped in very early on at the winter meetings to acquire Figgins.

The Angels attempted to keep their squad at a playoff-caliber level by going out and acquiring FA Hideki Matsui, but this doesn’t appear to be a worthwhile move to me unless they make it to Game 6 of the World Series. Godzilla still has the ability to strike at any time, but his monster-like presence rears its ugly head less frequently than ever. His 2009 campaign was nothing to write home about, and he did a nice job of leveraging one very important game into a nice $6.5 million, one year deal.

Fernando Rodney adds a little punch to an already impressive bullpen, but its certainly not enough of a move to counter the loss of the overpriced Lackey. LA will be reliant on last year’s late season acquisition Scott Kazmir and the home grown Ervin Santana, both of whom have tremendous potential but have struggled mightily with consistency.

Jobu Says: Angels take too much rum and not replace. Lack of replenishment mean no playoffs in 2010. 2 Jobus mean they still good but not good enough.