The Drive:  I have to be honest—when the sports networks put aside hours to bring in experts to discuss what they think Michael Vick should—and shouldn’t do upon his release, I have to turn it off.  The guy just spent 19 months in a cage, and former players turned broadcasters are waxing poetic with advice. Uh, no thanks. Let’s just see how it goes for him. I really don’t care what an ex-offensive lineman who’s never had to sleep in a cinderblock room thinks. If coaches, players, people who actually know the guy want to weigh in, OK. But otherwise this one is all Mike.  My only real thought is his future does begin today—not when he’s free of Federal custody on July 20th. He’ll be under a microscope, and every minute will count.

The Fairway: It’s been enjoyable to watch J.J. Redick become a viable part of Orlando’s team. Tonight the Magic battle the Cavs in Game one of the Eastern Conference Finals. He’s averaged about 25 minutes per game since the tail end of the Sixers series.  And here’s what I know—that guy can still shoot the rock. From anywhere! Why not use him when you need him. It’s about time. I realize he doesn’t always fit the game plan, but clearly he can be an asset.

The Green:  What devastating news about Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy. She’s been diagnosed with breast cancer and he’s leaving the tour indefinitely while she gets treatment and possibly surgery.  Cancer has run roughshod through my family, and any form of it is a personal issue with me.  Treatment and survival rates for that particular cancer have dramatically improved in recent years and that’s the good news. The bad news is we are still without a cure.

The Jar:  They could not be a more deserving winner of the Don Holliday Memorial Scholarship than Amber Altice. The William Byrd Senior has literally persevered through some incredibly tough life situations—and has earned that twenty thousand dollars a couple of times over. They lost their home to a house fire, then lost it again in a divorce. Somehow she managed to be number one in her class of 281 and a varsity starter on the softball team. She’s headed to Virginia Tech and I for one want to wish her——normal luck. She’s had enough of the bad, I’m guessing ‘normal’ will feel like the best kind for her. And if it turns out to be “Good” luck..then all the better. Congrats.