NCAA taking Title IX too far

Here's something that all sports fans should be aware of. And a lot you out there probably don't care about anything concerning women's sports, but I'm going to make you care.

Every women's college basketball program across the country has something in common. They all use men as practice players. The men are usually students who couldn't make the men's hoops team. Sometimes even in-shape professors join the mix. All of them are a vital part of any successful women's team because the men are usually bigger, stronger and faster than the women, which ultimately helps the women compete come game day.

But get this. Last week the NCAA's Committee on Women's Athletics proposed a ban on the use of male practice players in women's intercollegiate athletics. And do you know why? Because the CWA says men are taking away opportunities away from women to participate in practice.

I can speak from firsthand experience on this one because I spent a lot of time on the sidelines during scrimmages - scrimmages in which a guy played my role against the first string.

Truth be told, I would have preferred to actually run with the first string rather than watch a bunch of guys do it instead.

But the guys made our team better. It's hard to simulate game competition in practice, but men help in that because they're not afraid to bang around on the boards or try and pick a point guard's pocket.

Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt has one rule for the men practicing against her hoops team: On a fast break, never go strong to the hole. Always take a pull up jumper. That's because the men and women go so hard agaist each, that's the one play where both players could get injured.

So what do these guys get for the hours they put into practicing with the team? Nothing. Well, maybe they'll get a pair of shorts or, if they're lucky. Beyond that, there aren't any perks. Other than making a women's team better.

Title IX is the primary reason for the CWA's uproar and I think this is an example of taking the legislation too far. Almost to the point of abusing it. Show me a study that having men in practice negatively impacts the 12th woman on a roster and then I'll listen. Leave Title IX out of this until you've done your research.

So as a former 12th woman on Div. 1 roster, I say leave the guys alone. They're improving women's sports with every box out and hard pick.

A.I.'s answer

I finally can rest easy. Allen Iverson has found a new home to hang his headband, one mile above sea level.

The Denver Nuggets were the final "answer" for A.I. (How many times have you read that pun today?)

We all know the Nuggets will put Iverson to good use as half of their team is sidelined. And when I say half of their team, I'm only talking about Carmelo Anthony.

So what will Iverson get out of this trade? He's due the rest of his $18 million this season, and a combined $40 million through the 2008-09 season.

I'm glad to see this is about a championship and not just about the money...

Not that it matters too much, but the Sixers will get Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two first-round picks in 2007.

But what no doubt really sinched the deal for the Nuggets is that they get Ivan McFarlin. Yeah, I don't know who he is either.

Hopefully by now you've sensed a lot of sarcasm is this entry. Here A.I. demands a trade and then joins a team that was just involved in an idiotic on-court fight. This is the NBA at its finest.

As for me, I could care less how the Nuggets do. I'd rather watch Sean Taibi (see above) and his Northern Colorado hoops team take on Weber State anyday.

NBA knuckleheads and Bridget sacks Brady

NBA knuckleheads
It was just your average fight at Madison Square Garden only minus the boxing ring.

Thanks to a hard foul at the end of Saturday night's Nuggets/Knicks game, another NBA knucklehead fest broke out.

Sucker punches. Takedowns. Shirt pulling. Again, this is the NBA, not the WWE.

The best of the worst was when superstar Carmelo Anthony threw a right cross while being restrained by a Nuggets assistant coach.

When the fight was all said and done, 10 players were shipped off to the showers and, in a move straight out of Hoosiers, Knicks coach IsiahThomas had old Ollie shoot the technicals.

Bridget sacks Brady
New England Patriots hottie, I mean, quarterback Tom Brady and actress Bridget Moynahan called it quits after three years together.

Tear drop. Sniffle.

What's "The Answer"?

Imagine this. Earl the City Worker shows up to the Podunk U.S.A. Sanitation Center one day and tells his boss, "You know. I've been thinking. I should go work for another city. It's in the best interest of everyone involved. I mean, I'm not happy. You're not happy. So let's make a change."

I think two words would promptly come to Earl the City Worker's boss's mind. The same words that have now immortalized The Donald in reality TV lore. "You're fired!"

So why is it that the average joe has to endure lousy jobs in lousy places for lousy pay while NBA cry babies can get exactly what they want (like a new team) by whining loudly enough?

"The Answer" is we live in a crazy world where the likes of Allen Iverson can up and clean out his locker one day and demand a trade the next.

Don't get me wrong. Iverson's not the first pro athlete to throw a hissy fit like this. Remember when good ol' Keyshawn Johnson abandoned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mid-season?

Maybe the fans should get a say in all this. Maybe Earl the City Worker's also a season ticket holder, and perhaps he would like to see A.I. suck it up and stick out the season.

Or maybe Earl would like the opportunity to stick it to Iverson and be the one to tell him, "Sorry Mr. Iverson. You can't quit. 'Cause you're fired!"

Is RB the MJ of NFL?

I just watched Saints running back Reggie Bush turn an everyday, nothing special screen pass into a 40-yard touchdown. Bush followed blocks, scampered, juked and faked two Dallas defensive backs right out of their Nikes.

Now let's think back to the 2006 NFL Draft when the Houston Texans had the No. 1 draft pick...do you remember who they chose? Frankly, I don't remember and don't care. But I can tell you who they didn't pick. And that's something that will haunt Texans fans forever.

Now here's something for your sports appetite to nibble on. Michael Jordan was the third overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, right after Hakeem "The Dream" and a fellow named Sam Bowie. Sam Who-ie? Exactly.

Bush could turn into the MJ of the NFL. So everytime he turns a run-of-the-mill play into a touchdown, Al Michaels will be inclined to bring up the Houston Texans (as he did in the Saints Sunday Night Football game).

I know I heard that Sam Bowie reference a few times over the years when Hir Airness faked hapless defenders right out of their Nikes.

In with Troy, out with BCS

The Heisman hype all season long has finally led up to the big day in NYC. But that hype has been replaced with a sure winner in Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.

This might turn out to be the biggest landslide victory in Heisman history. Anyone who would vote for Brady Quinn is either a die-hard Domer or has a crush on the dreamy-eyed QB.

One thing that isn't so clear cut is the National Championship. I do think Ohio State will take it, but does Florida deserve the chance to upset the undefeated Bucks?

As long as that question lingers, I say ditch the bogus-ness of the BCS and let there be March Madness - college football style.

Big bucks (and I don't mean OSU's offensive line) are keeping bowl season alive and allowing the championship game matchup come down to advanced calculus.

Refs shouldn't decide the outcome of a game. And neither should mathematicians.