Tuesdays with Smitty: Random thoughts and observations from Thanksgiving Weekend.

Long title to this article – then again this it was a nice long weekend for me. Unfortunately work calls, and I still can’t figure out a way to get rich and stay home writing on Pickin’ Splinters for a living. Someday… someday. But this weekend was everything it was hyped to be – good food, good company, warm fires at the Edgemere mansion, cold brews and lots of sporting events around the country. From the weekend I walked away with a lot of thoughts and observations.  So here we go:

1. Thanksgiving is a special day for the NFL.. Not that Sundays aren’t during the NFL season. But on Thanksgiving – you get a free pass to eat way too much food and watch – FOOTBALL. So how did the NFL schedule 3 horribly-matched games on a day it has full reign over? All 3 games were over by halftime and in 2 of the games, they were over by the end of the 1st quarter. I understand tradition, but until the Lions get their act together, their privilege to Thanksgiving football should be revoked.

2. After the listening to and reading about “Where will LeBron James go to in 2010” babble for way too long, it was nice to hear Charles Barkley come out and call what it was : disrespectful to the Cleveland Cavaliers and a distraction. I agree with Charles – no matter where LeBron plays, he is going to be mega-superstar. So do the NBA a favor and stay in Cleveland. But I was disappointed to hear LeBron react to Barkley’s comments by calling Barkley – “stupid”. C’mon LeBron – listen to the old-school and respect the Cavaliers and the NBA. Let 2010 take care of 2010 – when it gets here. Tomorrow, I think I am going into work and talk about going to a competitor in 2009 – I wonder how they will take it.

3. Has there been a linebacker duo like LaMarr Woodley and James Harrision of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL? If the Steelers offense is healthy and effective, I am thinking the Steelers – not the Titans – are the team to beat in the AFC.

4. Officially add Dick Jauron to the hot seat for NFL coaches. Losing 6 of their last 8, topped by a loss at home against the San Fransisco 49ers, has people in Buffalo restless. Especially when Bill Cowher looks uncomfortable sitting next to Shannon Sharpe.

5. Is Oregon’s running game that good – or did Oregon St just throw up an air ball? But Saturday night, there were 2 games with over 100 points in each game. So much for defense in college football.

6. I think that the NCAA should fine every coach that pines for votes to get his team in the BCS – a la Bob Stoops. The BCS system needs to be on an even ground – so no campaigning from any coach. Let the records and results speak for themselves. Any fines can go towards building a scholarship fund for students who can’t afford college without any assistance. Furthermore – when a team scores with 30 seconds left in a game – when up by more then 10 points – it should count against them. What ever happened to sportsmanship and just taking a knee?

7. I like the talk on this site about a playoff system in college football. I don’t think it is fair that unless you are in the Big XII or the SEC – if you lose one game, you don’t have a chance of getting to the BCS title game. Teams in conferences such Pac-10, Big 10 or the ACC shouldn’t be penalized if teams in their respective conferences are not as strong as in other conferences. Only in the Big XII and the SEC are you guaranteed a 1 loss record and a chance to get in the title game. There is something wrong with that picture.

8. I heard an interesting question on ESPN today – of the two embattled Bill Belichek proteges – who deserves to keep his job – Charlie Weis or Romeo Crennel?  Weis has looked out-coached all year and it was never more evident than last Saturday against USC.  Crennel did a great job last year against a easier schedule for the Browns. This year – his team was exposed for the team really is – not that good and full of holes. Crennel has a GM that made a poor decision with Derek Anderson and made some questionable personnel moves. I think of the two – Crennel should get another chance.

9. This off-season was meant to be Scott Boras’ masterpiece. His ninth symphony or his Mona Lisa.  Could the economy be ruining his plans? There is talk that the Yankees and the Red Sox are starting to feel the pinch. If so – how about the rest of MLB?

10. Names I am sick of and won’t spend too much oxygen on them – Plaxico Burress and Stephen Marbury. Oh and thanks Plaxico for making Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson look like angels.. Just great.

11. Hedo Turkoglu is the most underrated NBA player.. Right Casey?? Insert Casey rolling his eyes and saying, ” I didn’t say that”. Somewhere in Alaska, Wally is chuckling. Trust me, this went on for hours over the weekend.

12. Did you know that you have to treat cats the same way as humans when it comes to a urinary tract infection? Antibiotics and then Cranberries. And that my friends, is your Animal Planet Tip of the Week.