The NFL "saves" us from the lull in the sports schedule

There's something to be said about America. We love our football. It hasn't even been a month since the Super Bowl, and yet some fans are going into withdrawal. What better to appease the insatiable? The NFL Combine! In a bit of a down period in sports (with 2010's Olympics being an exception), the American sports fan looks for something to fill their need. With the NBA in the thick of their schedule after the All Star break, NCAA hoops not quite at March madness and the MLB not quite at Opening Day, the combine falls at the perfect time for those looking for some water cooler fodder. (Did you know you can bet on the combine? Should I take the over or the under on the line for Ndamakong Suh's 40 time at 5.02 seconds?)

ESPN and the NFL Network isn't helping this situation, bringing in "Insiders" and "experts" every day to update us on the draft stocks of quarterbacks we've been seeing for years. Really, all of a sudden Jimmy Clausen is ranked higher than Sam Bradford, based on some workout? Please. The only story I'm moderately interested in is the change in Tim Tebow's throwing motion, only because I'm intrigued by who he is, who will draft him, and how he will fare in the NFL. It's good that he's realized that he wouldn't be able to make the jump to the NFL on his personality, he actually needs to be able to throw a 15-yard out route and hit a streaking wide receiver on a post route, with the likes of Julius Peppers or Dwight Freeney breathing down his neck.

I don't blame Colt McCoy, Bradford and Clausen for finding their own reasons not to compete in the combine. They've been such public figures in the football realms for years now, that I think more exposure will only allow scouts to nitpick and create reasons not to draft them so high. Working out in the comfort of their school's own pro day is the way to go, without the poking and prodding from NFL scouts and doctors at the combine. Sure, the combine is good for players trying to prove why they should be drafted, but for those who already know they are first round picks, I can only see the combine at hurting their stock.

Teams need to decide who they want based on film and game scouting. I understand the precautions that teams need to take with top-5 picks, as they are investing a great deal of money in these young men. But 40-times don't compare equally to game speed and bench press reps don't prove you can run block. The NFL serves a certain purpose, but it really doesn't need all the coverage it is getting.

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger...

I get it. Tiger Woods is sorry. He's sorry he can't navigate his own driveway. He's sorry he got caught cheating on his wife with a dozen or so women. He's sorry he makes oodles of money so he can disappear for months and still be the richest person in entertainment. At this point he doesn't need golf or his sponsors nearly as much as they need him. And believe it, Tiger is well aware of that. Last Friday's press conference was solely scheduled to serve a purpose, which was to "apologize" to everyone with a blank, emotionless gaze into the camera. He said what he needed to say. Tiger admitted that he "was unfaithful...had affairs...cheated" and is the only person to blame. Oh really Tiger? We've all been saying that since November, and it took you until the middle of February to come out and say anything.

Sure, he wrote something on his website stating he has had "transgressions" and that was written by some publicist, for sure. But neither that nor this press conference is nearly enough. When you become the face of a sport, and in almost all cases transcend that sport, a certain amount of responsibility falls on your shoulders. When you agree to be a spokesperson for national brands, you agree to conduct yourself in a certain manner. While Tiger has every right to tell the media to stay away from his wife Elin and his children, the media has to responsibility to back down from Tiger. Many of them have jobs solely because Tiger has made golf relevant again. Tiger needs to come out, answer questions, and be a man. Organizing some mockery of a press conference, which by the way, the Golf Writers Association of America needs props for boycotting, or going on 60 Minutes to talk to Barbara Walters isn't nearly enough.

If he wants to be one of the faces of our society, he needs to come out and face our society. Tiger isn't done facing the music just yet.

Stadium or Sofa?

While sitting with my friends watching the Super Bowl and hearing one of them talk about the Winter Classic hockey game he went to the day before at Camp Randall, I began to think about which sports are good to watch in person, and which are better to experience live. I've been to all sorts of sporting events in my life, both in the college and professional ranks, and there is definitely a difference for some sports, and I've developed a preference for watching certain sports live or on TV. Here's a rundown of these different sports and a little explanation why.

FOOTBALL
-Believe it or not, actually watching the game much better on TV. Granted, there aren't many things that can compare to a Lambeau Field or Notre Dame Stadium tailgate, or Wisconsin pregame, once you get inside the stadium, the game doesn't compare to on your couch. The way that stadiums are set up, most people can't afford a close enough ticket to be able to really see the whole field, and for at least half the game, your team is working as hard as they can to move the ball as far away from your seat as possible. On TV, you never have that problem. The yellow first down lines on TV as well as the other statistical information on screen are an added bonus too. Plus, no lines for the bathroom and a stocked fridge. Having only one game a week allows you do devote your time to your couch and your remote on Sundays. Another big key is never having to deal with the elements. If it's sleeting in Buffalo or a blizzard in Cleveland, it will always be a crisp 68 degrees in my living room.

ADVANTAGE: SOFA

BASEBALL

-America's Pastime was meant to be experienced in the ballpark. With 81 home games every year, it's easy to find a day that works for you and seats that fit within your price range. And if you thought tailgating was fun for football, imagine enjoying your brats and burgers on a warm summer evening rather than a brisk, fall Sunday morning. To me, nothing beats eating peanuts and sunflower seeds in a park, watching and talking baseball with your friends. There's no commercials to sit through, and time between innings to me is as interesting as the game itself. Watching hitters and pitchers warm up, seeing where the defense aligns, and T-shirt cannons make the in-stadium experience far superior to at home.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

BASKETBALL

-Unlike football, the basketball court is small enough where basically any seat in the arena can see all of the action. And also unlike football, the action is continuously back and forth so every seat gets to see the same amount. But in basketball, there is no clear cut winner. To me, there is no better television event than the first round of March Madness. But then again, I'm going to be more interested in a NBA or NCAA game that I attend rather than watching it on TV. One cool aspect of basketball is that, if you are close enough, you can hear the verbal interaction between coaches, players, and referees that you don't pick up on at home. Plus, if you're at the arena, you never have to hear Dickie V.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM (slightly)

HOCKEY

-I'm not an avid hockey fan, and I don't watch a whole lot of hockey on TV. I've watched some playoff series, specifically when Crosby or Ovechkin are involved, and those are really only watchable in HD. However, whenever I get the opportunity to watch hockey in person, I jump at the chance. Being able to see the whole ice is a great advantage to watching the camera try to follow the puck. Plus, cheering on a fight live is much better than in your recliner.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

SOCCER

-HDTV has put watching soccer on TV above watching it live. The camera angles are wide enough that you can see a good portion of the field, and then HD is clear enough to be able to distinguish players from one another and follow the ball. Also, with soccer, the announcers are normally knowledgeable enough to keep you informed about the intricacies of what is happening, like if there is a wing streaking down the sideline or a defender that may have been taken out and hasn't gotten back on D. Watching the 2006 World Cup final in HD was one of the more memorable sporting events I've ever seen on TV, which is why I'm excited to watch the 2010 Cup from my living room.

ADVANTAGE: SOFA

NASCAR:

I've never been to a NASCAR race, but everyone who has will tell you that the trackside experience is far superior to on TV. Seeing the tens of thousands of fans that pack those racing grandstands, I'm not going to argue. I can see where they are coming from, as NASCAR would be an event that appeals to your sense of sight, sound, and smell, unlike other sports.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

TENNIS/BOWLING/POKER/DARTS, etc.:

Much better on TV, because you can change the channels during commercials or when you get bored.

Badgers have the pieces to go far in March

There was really little doubt in my mind that Wisconsin was going to beat Michigan State last Tuesday night. I personally witnessed the Badgers beat then #4 Purdue in Madison in the beginning of January, so I've seen what a Kohl Center crowd can mean to UW. So after watching Bo Ryan's boys take it to the Spartans, I became even more convinced that the Badgers can go far in March Madness. They have all of the pieces you need, especially coaching and intangibles. The only thing holding them back is if those pieces don't fill the roles they are supposed to. Here’s what the contributing players for Wisconsin need to focus on to reach the team’s potential come tournament time.

Starters

Trevon Hughes, PG

-Needs to be a scorer for UW. Get to the rim, draw fouls, and have a consistent midrange jumper.

Jason Bohannon, SG

-Hit the open three. Doesn't need to create own shot, terrific at the catch-and-shoot. If he has to dribble, shot fake on the perimeter and drive to the rim.

Tim Jarmusz, SF

-Defense, intangibles, and the occasional open three.

Keaton Nankivil, PF

-Stretch the defense. Capable of hitting the open three, but shouldn't rely on it. Big body inside on defense.

Jon Leuer, C

-Focus on staying near the blocks. Needs to let the game come to him, cannot get sucked into forcing shots to try to get his points. The Badgers have not been overly successful when Leuer puts up a lot of points. (18 in loss to Gonzaga, 26 in loss to UWGB, 21 in loss at MSU)

Bench

Jordan Taylor, G

-My favorite Badger. Excellent production off the bench, taking minutes from Jarmusz, and spelling the other guards that get in foul trouble. Needs to stay confident taking the big shot down the stretch.

Ryan Evans, F

-Drive to the rim. Capable of getting close layups and short range jumpers. Another scoring threat off the bench, depth in the front court.

Mike Bruesewitz, F

-Big banger off the bench. Rebound, hustle, defense. The type of player that every successful team has.