The Drive:
      By now, you know the facts. Hats off to Rams and Bulldogs, especially..for coming from what can only be termed “mid-majors”..and reaching the promised land.  I think we have finally reached a point where the playing field is somewhat level—Experienced teams from these schools are the equal to perhaps more talented—but younger teams at the BCS size schools. This situation is perpetuated by the “one and done” rule..which allows college players the ability to leave for the NBA after one season. That keeps the major programs reloading..while the Butlers and VCU’s of the world take solid talent and refine it, season it..and you have Butler. And VCU. and to some extent Old Dominion, Xavier, even Gonzaga. Makes things interesting, that’s for sure. That said, Connecticut is the only one of remaining four I have in the Final 8.  Not sure what that means, other than I guess I thought they would have a shot.

  The Fairway:
      It hasn’t happened to the public yet…but it will. That uneasy feeling that comes with the knowledge that NFL football is headed into the labor dispute abyss. We should know more after the April 6th hearing, but it looks like both sides are digging in for the long haul. Awesome! My gut tells me that it will take the real prospect of the loss of the season to get these two closer together. In the meantime, the draft will go on, and everybody will act like its business as usual—but it’s clearly not.

  The Green:
      Spring hasn’t quite sprung, but Spring football is here in the college ranks. The Hokies will be grooming a new quarterback, and at Virginia, I fully expect a huge jump up the learning curve for coach London’s gang. The Hokies will be looking to sure up the linebacker position after Lyndell Gibson’s departure, and the offense will get a good long look at Brookville product Logan Thomas, and a heavy dose of David Wilson.  And of course, our first look at Coach Beamer’s son Shane coaching for the Hokies.

  The Jar:
    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.——Ernest Hemingway