Just a Walk in the Park for Brees

Brees never broke a sweat on Monday Night in his house

Edit the Top 5 NFL teams

Top NFL teams (since end of MNF)
Saints (11-0) +2
Vikings (10-1) -1
Colts (12-0) -1
Chargers (8-3) +1
Bengals (8-3) unranked

Today's Scuttlebutt

• State lines of the weekend
• Top NFL teams
• Top College Football teams
• Top NBA teams
• Top NHL Teams
• Top 5 dangerous College Football Players
• Pick of the Night
  
• Quote of the Day

Stat Lines of the Weekend

Denario Alexander - Missouri

15 rec 233 yrds 1 TD - W 41-39 vs Kansas

Golden Tate - Notre Dame

10 rec 201 yrds 3 TDs - L 38-45 vs Stanford

Carlos Boozer - Jazz

26 pts 12 reb 7 ast 1 stl 1 blk - W 108 - 92 vs Blazers

Charles Woodson - Packers

7 tackles 1 sack 1 force fumble 2 int 1 TD - W 34 - 12 vs Lions - Thanksgiving!

Brett Favre - Vikings

32/48 - 392 yrds 3 TDs - W 36-10 vs Bears

Monday's top 5's

NFL Teams

Vikings (10-1) +1
Colts (11-0) -1
Saints (10-0) -
Patriots (7-3) -
Chargers (8-3) -

College Football Teams
Texas (12-0) -
TCU (12-0) -
Florida (12-0) +1
Cincinnati (11-0) +1
Alabama (12-0) -2

NBA Teams
Lakers (13-3) +1
Magic (14-4) +1
Suns (14-3) +1
Hawks (12-5) -3
Cavaliers (12-5) unranked

NHL Teams
Blackhawks (16-6-3) +1
Sharks (18-6-4) -1
Devils (17-6-1) +2
Flames (16-6-3) -
Penguins (18-9-0) unranked


This Week's Special - Top 5 dangerous players in College Football

Toby Gerhart - RB - Stanford

Gerhart is a workhorse back who is not afraid of contact. In fact this guy goes after contact. It is amazing this guy didn't end up on the other side of the ball as a linebacker or safety. You instantly know why he doesn't play defense when you watch his highlight reel. Toby has sneaky speed and almost always needs two or three defenders to take him down. He SHOULD win the Heisman Trophy this year and will at least be in New York for the presentation. Similar player - Mike Alstott

Golden Tate - WR - Notre Dame

Whether lining up at running back, in the wildcat, wide receiver, or punt returner, Golden Tate is just seconds away from doing something you have never seen before. With freakish video game like quickness and surprising strength for his size, Golden Tate is possibly the best all around player in college football today. He might also have the most appropriate name for the school he plays for as well. Similar player - Percy Harvin

C.J. Spiller - RB - Clemson

Clemson's CJ Spiller has probably single handedly won half of Clemson's 8 games this season. He is everything you want in a running back. Good size, blazing speed, power, and the big play ability. While most running backs take a rest on special teams this guy showcases some of his greatest skills returning kicks. Rumor has it Clemson does not use pride stickers because Spiller would have to start putting them on his shirt and pants. Similar player - Larry Johnson

Tim Tebow - QB - Florida

Tim Tebow is very dangerous because you have no clue what he is going to do from play to play. He can run you over, juke you out of your jockstrap, throw a jump pass over your head, or throw a bullet past your ear. With the size of a linebacker it is almost cheating that this guy is allowed to play the quarter back position, and play it this well. With two National Titles under his belt, a Heisman trophy, and possibly a third Title this season, Tim Tebow has proven himself and his team as one of the greatest to ever play college football. Similar player - no one

Jeramiah Masoli - QB - Oregon

Just watch a replay of the Oregon USC game a couple weeks back and you will know why this guy is so dangerous. I'm sure he has heard, "Your too short to play QB" one thousand times in his life and he has definitely proven everyone of them wrong. He is probably a better runner than your favorite team's running back and just about as good a passer as your teams quarterback. His versatility and leadership abilities are crazy good. This guy is simply fun to watch play football. Similar player - Maurice Jones Drew with a good arm

Pick of the Night

New Orleans Saints -2 vs New England Patriots

Tonight's game has been talked about for the past month, and hyped for the last week. The Patriots are back to playing like the Patriots of a couple years ago, minus the 4th quarter of the Colts game, and the Saints are still undefeated. If I could see any two teams play each this week, this game would be in the top five match ups I would choose. Behind maybe Saints vs Vikings, Saints vs Colts, Vikings vs Colts. Now with the pick. First off the -2 means nothing to me in football. Rarely are games won by 2 or less so the spread is useless in this situation. This game should be a shoot out with two great offenses. I am predicting the Patriots getting off to a fast start and taking a lead into halftime. New England has been a poor second half team this year while the Saints have been incredible in the second half and especially the fourth quarter. The pats are not making the adjustments at half that their opposition is. See Jets, Broncos, Colts games against the Patriots. I see the Saints staying close at half and taking off in the second half and winning this game by 10.

Saints over Patriots - Scuttlebutt Record - (4-4)
Last weeks pick, due to thanksgiving holiday, Titans +4 over the Texans resulted in a win as the Titans won another one 20 - 17.

Quote of the Day

"Remember these two things: play hard and have fun."

Tony Gwynn

Joe Mauer wins AL MVP

Joe Mauer's sideburns have just been dethroned as the catchers most valuable possession. Mauer received 27 of 28 first place AL MVP votes on his way to becoming the 6th catcher all time to win the award and first since Ivan Rodriguez. His Major League leading .365 avg ranks second best all time among catchers. In addition to his average, Mauer lead the AL in OBP and slugging percentage. Mauer now has 2 batting titles (2008, 2009) and now an MVP.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer near-unanimous pick as AL's MVP (sports.espn.go.com)

Stat lines of the Weekend

Shane Vereen - California

42 att 193 yds 3 TD 1 rec 10 yd - W 34 - 28 vs Stanford

Brady Quinn - Browns

21/33 - 304 yds 4 TD - L 37-38 vs Lions

Artsiom Parakhouski - Radford

23 pts 14 reb 3 blk 2 ast - L 104 - 67 vs Duke

Paul Pierce - Celtics

33 pts 9 reb 6 ast 2 blk 1 stl 6 3pm - W 107 - 105 vs Knicks

Terrell Owens - Bills

9 rec 197 yds 1 TD - L 15 - 18 vs Jaguars

Monday's Top 5s

NFL Teams

Colts (10-0) -
Vikings (9-1) -
Saints (10-0) -
Patriots (7-3) +1
Chargers (7-3) unranked

College Football Teams
Texas (11-0) -
TCU (11-0) +2
Alabama (11-0) -1
Florida (11-0) -1
Cincinnati (10-0) -

NBA Teams
Hawks (10-3) +1
Lakers (10-3) unranked
Magic (11-3) unranked
Suns (11-3) -3
Nuggets (9-4) -1

NHL Teams
Sharks (16-5-4) -
Blackhawks (15-5-2) unranked
Capitals (13-5-5) +1
Flames (13-6-2) -1
Devils (14-6-1) -3

Pick of the Night

Tennessee Titans +4 AT Houston Texans

Are you ready for some football! Football night in America is here with the red hot Titans, winners of three in a row, vs the underachieving Texans. Despite the 35 points per game with Vince Young, I still like the Texans to win this game. Week two the Texans beat the Titans in a close but high scoring game 34 - 31. Tonights game could be very similar. Expect a high scoring game that wont be decided until the second half of the 4th quarter. Because of the spread, I am going with the Titans. They may lose the game by three but they will win with the 4 points they are getting.

Titans over Texans - Scuttlebutt record - (3-4)
last pick Mavericks -10.5 over the Kings resulted in a lost as the Mavericks only beat the surprising Kings 105 -102.

Quote of the Day

"I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok."

Shaq

Celtics reign over?

Vince and his 26 help the Magic knock off the suddenly old Celtics

Everyone knew that acquiring Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and now Rasheed Wallace over the last couple of seasons to go along with Paul Pierce makes the Celtics an old team. But these older guys are very good, mature, and have a the rings to prove it (minus rasheed). Suddenly their stacked roster doesn't look like the Eastern Conferences best. Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard is looking like the new Big 3. Later in the year it could be the Big 4 when a healthy Jameer Nelson is back.

Boston lost a defensive battle Friday night and pre-season predictions of 72 wins are looking more like a pipe dream than a possibility . With younger and better looking teams such as the Magic, Hawks, and Cavs playing better as the young season goes on, the Celtics are looking less like a Champion and more like a just another contender. There is no reason to panic and jump ship as a Celtic or a Celtic fan, but the days of breezing their way through the regular season and most of the playoffs seem to be gone.

Take your Pick

Here is a look at the new proposed mural to replace the "We are all Witness" (scroll down) mural currently up in down town Cleveland. The new proposed mural reads "Prepare for Combat". The Cavs have rejected the new mural saying it needs to have more to do with the Cavaliers (currently no indication of who Lebron is playing for) and less warlike.

Which do you choose?

New "Warrior" Lebron

Classic "Witness" Lebron

credit "Ball Dont Lie" for reference to story

Friday's Scuttlebutt

• Stat Line of the Night
• College Three Pointer
  
• Play of the Week
• Pick of the Night
• Quote of the Day

Stat Line of the Night

DeMarcus Cousins - Kentucky

27 pts 18 reb 2 stl 2 blk 10-15 FGM-ATT

Last Nights Nugget

The 3 Ball, a comebacks sidekick

Watch any college basketball game and you will realize how big the three ball is. A twenty point underdog can hang with the best of the best if they rain threes all game. Some of these kids playing today get scholarships purely for their 3 point shooting ability. In the NBA it is tough to survive in the league with only one skill (see Redick college and Redick NBA). No matter how far out the NCAA moves back the line, every underdog will still throw up a quarter of a 100 of them through out the game.

The most common time to see the three ball attempted is in comeback attempts. We saw it last night in the Carolina Ohio State game. North Carolina lead most of the way by a 15ish point margin. Ohio State was struggling from everywhere especially from beyond the arc. In the last ten minutes they caught fire and began slowly getting back into the game by draining some rainmakers. Eventually the lead was cut to 3 but UNC was able to knock down a couple key free throws to fend off the feisty Buckeyes.

If the three ball is falling the game is never over.

Play of the Week

Richard Jefferson flying high on Oden and the Blazers. Bill Walton would be proud.

Besides the obvious power and beauty of RJ's soon to be released poster, Oden gets credit here for not going for the block. In the past Oden plays defense like the fouls are turned off in a video game. Going for the big swat no matter the situation. Oden made a smart play. Gave up the 2 points rather than kill his own minutes by getting a dumb foul.

Tonight's Pick

Sacramento Kings +10.5 AT Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki is playing out of his mind lately and I don't see the 5 and 5 Kings slowing him down. Although the Kings are playing pretty good without all star Kevin Martin, I don't like their chances against Jason Terry and Dirk in Dallas on a Friday night, even with the 10.5. This is Dirks league right now so I'm not about to pick against him.

Dallas over Kings - Scuttlebutt record (3-3)
last pick Panthers -3.5 over Dolphins resulted in an L with the Dolphins winning the game 24 - 17.

Quote of the Day

"Never underestimate the heart of a champion"

Rudy Tomjanovich

New Mardi Gras Unis for the Hornets

Something has got to get people to go to Hornets Games.
9/10 for an alternated jersey score

Thursday's Scuttlebutt

• Stat Line of the Night
• Henry's Hand ball
• Weekly Bad Ass
• Tonight's Pick
  
• Quote of the Day

Stat Line of the Night

Elton Brand - Sixers

19 pts 11 reb 6 blk 2 ast 3 stl

Last Night's Nugget

Thierry Henry's Left Hand

World Soccer power France got their game winning and World Cup clinching goal in the final minutes over underdog Ireland last night. Henry received a free kick on the goal line crossed it over to Gallas who knocked it in the net to send them to South Africa. This all sounds fine and good, but the only problem is Henry received that free kick with his left hand. The ball was out of reach of Henry's body as it was heading out of bounds for a goal kick when Henry saved it with his hand to keep the play going.

The whole team and country of Ireland argued and showed their disagreement towards the refs who missed an obvious call. The refs were having none of it. In a sport that so many fans live and die with every pass and minute that goes by, this call is kinda a big deal. If this happens in America, you know the first thing on everyone's mind is Replay? Not sure what the paper's and media is saying in Ireland or the rest of the World where soccer is king, but certainly Ireland would like some sort of explanation to how Henry got away with what he did.

Thursday's Weekly Bad Ass

Pete Dunham

School teacher, devout West Ham fan, loving uncle, Bad Ass. Pete Dunham is this weeks Bad Ass. Pete grew up competing on the soccer pitch, but eventually his competition took place on the mean streets of England as a Soccer Hooligan. Pete Dunham was the leader of the Green Street Elite in the movie Green Street Hooligans (highly recommend this one). What made Dunham stand out as a Bad Ass hooligan was his swagger and confidence. It also helps when your go to move is the head butt. If you remember Scuttlebutt loves the head butt.

Pete Dunham's most bad ass moment was when he put himself in the face of danger to save his sister and law and her child. In a street brawl that could have ended in in the standard way of bruises, broken bones, and cuts rather than death, Pete put his life on the line. The "bad guy" and rival soccer firm (hooligan) leader started to make a move during the fight to capture and kill Pete's sister and law, Pete called him out and used some of these %#@%$. Enough to get him hotter than George Brett in the pine tar game. The man's anger overcame him and caused him to take it out on Peter. He proceeded to beat the living &#$%@ out of Pete in the face, the sister was able to get away, and live her life violence free. Pete would die there on the ground smiling and laughing the whole time. This is by far one of the most bad ass deaths I have ever seen and ever will see. It was this moment I knew that you Pete Dunham, are a Bad Ass.

Pick of the Night

Carolina Panthers -3.5 AT Miami Dolphins
For the second week in a row we get Thursday night football on the NFL network. Both teams come in needing a victory and the Dolphins will have to do it without their best player in Ronnie Brown. Rickey Williams is now responsible for putting the wild in wildcat. The panthers are playing closer to expectations after nearly beating the Saints two weeks ago and controlling the game against the Falcons all the way to a victory. I'm going with the hot hand here in the Panthers in a game that should be dominated and decided on the ground. Carolina is a bit better than the dolphins in closing out games which could be the deciding factor.

Panthers over Dolphins - Scuttlebutt Record - (3-2)

last pick Cal State Fullerton +15 over UCLA resulted in a W with Cal State not needing the 15 pts and getting the win 68 to 65 in double OT.

Quote of the Day

"Booze, broads and bullshit. If you got all that, what else do you need?"

Harry Caray

Tuesday's Scuttlebutt

• Stat line of the Night
• Last Nights Nugget
• Tuesday's Weekly Match up
  
• Remember When?
• Pick of the Night
• Quote of the Day

Stat Line of the Night

In honor of the unofficial start to the college basketball season....

John Wall - Freshman - (5)Kentucky

19 pts 5 ast 2 reb 3 stl - W 72 - 70 vs Miami (OH)
Game winning shot with under a second to go

Tuesday's Nugget

College Basketball is Back!

Midnight after Monday Night Football, ESPN began its 24 hour marathon of its first televised Mens College Basketball games. Here at Scuttlebutt, college basketball just might be our favorite sport. Here is a nice list of a few of the reasons why.

Pageantry
Upsets
Big Dance
Digger's Highlighter
Dicky V
Game on TV all the time
Conference tournaments
Diaper Dandies
Jim Valvano
Bobby Knight

Storming the court
Cameron Crazies
Cutting down the Nets
Living and Dying by the three ball
Gus Johnson
Cinderella and her slipper
Duke Carolina
Big East basketball
Playing with heart
Cheerleaders
Gonzaga
the play in game
Filling out your bracket
and of course...

One Shining Moment

Tuesday's Matchup

2005 vs 2009 National Champion North Carolina Main Three

The players at question are 2005's Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants, and Sean May vs 2009's Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Tyler Hansbrough.

Both squads are very similar. Speedy point guards that could get up and down the court faster than the camera could pan in Felton and Lawson. Swingmen with pure jump shots in McCants and Ellington. And go to big men in May and Hansbrough. Both threes came in as diaper dandies and started right off the bat. To help determine my decision we will compare player to player individually at each position.

Rashad McCants vs Wayne Ellington

Rashad certainly started off as the better player. Rashad became the leader of the pack coming in with May and Felton. His game translated well from high school to college as he was able to both get to the hoop and hit clutch shots from the outside. McCants shouldered the load early in his freshman and sophomore years as Felton and May caught up later.

Ellington came into North Carolina with established star Tyler Hansbrough already in place. This took some of the pressure off of him and Lawson their freshman year. Ellington started his Tar heel career as purely a shooter. A streaky shooter at that. When on, he was unstoppable. Great at working for an open shot and just as great in hitting it. His only problem was he did not add much to the offense when his shot was not falling. As his game developed his shot grew more consistent and he became a more all around player while keeping the silky smooth jumper.

Edge goes to McCants by the slimmest of margin

Lawson vs Felton

This is by far the closest match up of the three. I swear Lawson modeled his game exactly after Mr. Raymond. Both flew with the ball and developed an outside game towards the end of their stays at Carolina. Lawson seemed to be a little more confident in himself in the clutch than Felton. While Felton was more likely to get the game winning assist, Lawson had no problem taking the ball to the hoop or pulling up for the 15 footer. It would be easier to pick Lawson in this battle because of the recent success in both college and the NBA but I am torn so much that this one is a toss up. Were calling this one a push.

May vs Hansbrough

Sean May was the anchor to the title team in 2005. He was the guy that Roy Williams leaned on throughout the tournament and in the Title game. May suffered some injuries like any other hard nosed big man and missed some games. No matter the injury he came back stronger every time. May had the fundamentals and just looked good while taking over a game.

Tyler Hansbrough can be summed up by this. He always found a way. Tyler threw up the most awkward looking shots, usually getting fouled, and seemed to always make them. Hansbrough was the ultimate bulldog on the court and never backed away from any challenge. Blood was just an accessory to the uniform for Tyler. He is the all time ACC scoring leader and the All time free throw attempt and makes leader. These things don't happen all on hard work. Hansbrough had game. What gives Hansbrough the edge over May is how he carried the team his freshman year after the 2005 team left. Tyler turned a team thought to miss the NCAA tournament into a top seeded team by tourny time. As the new recruits came in Hansbrough was still the go to guy. Whether it was to help his draft stock, help the teams overall weaponry, or both, Tyler developed a nice mid range jumper to top off his skill set. He may go down as the greatest Tar Heel of all time and that makes it very hard for Sean May to put up a good fight in this match up.

Edge goes to Tyler and his accolades over Sean May.

With that we have one edge going to 2005, one edge going in favor of 2009, and a push. Therefore for Scuttlebutt's first ever match up, we have a tie. These three guys play each other in a game of 3 on 3 and it may never end.

Remember when?

Vince Carter Puts on a Show

The dunk contest was gone. The hype was no longer in the building since the days of Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Spud Webb. Year after year poor performance after poor performance, the dunk contest lost its luster. That is until Air Canada threw his name in to the competition. The year was 2000, and for one night Vince Carter ruled the basketball world. Rumors of changing the dunk contest or getting rid of it all together were rumbling around the all star break. Vince Carter saved the dunk contest, one spectacular dunk after another.

Vince stole the show, and he stole it early. Windmills, elbow hangs, between the legs, 360, 2 handed free throw line, you name it he had it. The night was no longer a contest but a showcase of the amazing skills possessed by a single man from North Carolina.

Pick of the Night

Cal State Fullerton +15 AT UCLA - Special late night (early morning) pick to kick off ESPN's 24 hour marathon of college basketball. By the time you read this you will probably know the winner of this pick.

Honestly, I know next to nothing about either one of these teams. The only thing I know is UCLA is a basketball school and they should win this game. A lot of good teams come out shaky to start the season in college basketball, including number 5 Kentucky needing a last second shot from top recruit John Wall to beat unranked Miami of Ohio. I'm taking Cal State tonight. UCLA unranked could be in for a battle and and have a tough time covering the spread.
Cal State Fullerton over UCLA - Scuttlebutt record - (1-2)

last pick Ravens -11 over Browns resulted in a W with Ravens covering the spread with a 16 - 0 victory.

Quote of the day

"I asked a ref if he could give me a technical foul for thinking bad things about him. He said, of course not. I said, well, I think you stink. And he gave me a technical. You can't trust 'em"

- Jim Valvano

Monday's Scuttlebutt

• Stat lines of the Weekend
• Monday Bullets
• Weekend Double dose of Nuggets
• Monday's top 5's
• Pick of the Night
• Quote of the day

Stat Lines of the Weekend

Brandon Jennings - Bucks

55 pts 5 reb 5 ast - W 129-125 vs Warriors


Charles Woodson - Packers

9 tackles 2 forced fumble 1 sack 1 interception - W 17 - 7 vs Cowboys


Chris Johnson - Titans

26 att 132 yrds 2 Tds 9 rec 100 yrds

Dexter McCluster - Ole Miss

25 att 282 yrds 4 Tds 4 rec 42 yrds

Monday Bullets

• Maurice Jones Drew kills fantasy owners nation wide when he takes a knee at the one yard line to help his team run out the clock for a victory over the jets.
• Double Nickel,Brandon Jennings goes for 55 against the Golden State Warriors including 29 in the third quarter alone.
  
• Bill Belichick's gamble on 4th down helps Manning and the Colts finish off come back victory over the Patriots.
  
• Dwyane Wade hits game winning three pointer against the Nets Saturday night.
• Stanford rolls through another top ten Pac 10 team beating USC 55 to 21.
• Titans owner Bud Adams shows the Bills what he thinks of their team in the Titans 3rd straight victory on Sunday.
• Manny Pacquiao beats Miguel Cotto in a 12th round TKO setting up a much wanted fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather.
• The ageless Randy Couture gets unanimous decision victory over Brandon Vera on Spike TV in Manchester England.

Double Dose of Nuggets

Give Credit where Credit is due

The headline everyone saw when they woke up and turned on ESPN over their bowl of frosted flakes this morning was probably something like this, "What was he thinking!". This of course referring to Patriots coach Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on 4th and 2 from their own 28 yard line up by 6 with just over 2 minutes to play. The Colts stopped Brady and his bunch before scoring the game winning touchdown, Manning to Wayne, with 13 ticks left on the clock. What every Monday morning quarterback is talking about today is how Belichick made a dumb call and blew the game. What people should be talking about is the Colts defense.

In a game that featured 477 total yards by the Patriots and 375 yards passing from Tom Brady, the Colts defense showed up when they had to. A first down on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th down tries would have clinched the game and bragging rights for the Patriots. Ten yards is all that was needed by the potent Patriots offense. The Colts stepped their play up and stopped the Pats on 3rd and 4th and 2. Making a stop on perhaps the decades greatest team, quarterback, and coach is easily one of the best defensive series of the season.

Only God himself knows whether or not Peyton and his Colts still win last night's game if the Patriots punt, but what we do know is the Colts can play D when it matters and MVP Peyton Manning still runs the most clutch and undefeated offense in the NFL.

College Football Parody

College Football is currently a 6' 8" 275 lb. man wearing a children's small t shirt, the two just do not fit. The t shirt being the current BCS bowl game system and the man being the potential and parody that is happening in college football today.

College football is so much bigger than what the current system allows it to be. We see it every weekend. Stanford more than doubling up USC, TCU and Boise State laughing at competition as they stay undefeated, Ole Miss manhandling a Tennessee team that took both Florida and Alabama (the nations top two teams) to the wire. Gone are the days of dominating undefeated seasons. Teams cant blow out their schedule to an undefeated National Championship anymore. There are too many great young athletes playing for many good to great teams across the country.

We have seen it in college basketball for years. More and more small conference teams (see Davidson, Gonzaga, George Mason, Western Kentucky among others) are getting better and better players to help them compete against the so called power houses. College football is experiencing something similar. Unlike college basketball's event of the year, the 64 team tournament, college football crowns its champion by voting.

There are so many great athletes and teams that need to be put on the big stage in some sort of tournament in college football. The increase in great football players going to college leaves more and more of a selection for schools up and down the ranks. There is parody in college football that the suits are not letting us see. College football has such a great product it is failing to unleash and give it a shirt that fits.

The day these old men wipe the money away from their eyes and showcase the true talent in their sport with a season ending tournament, is the day college football becomes the greatest sport to follow and watch. Instead, half way through the season only about 5-6 teams fans can realistically root for a championship. As for the rest of us, bring on the "insert company name here" Bowl presented by"insert company name here".

Monday's REAL Top 5s

NFL Teams

Colts (9-0)
Vikings (8-1)
Saints (9-0)
Bengals (7-2)
Patriots (6-3)

College Football Teams

Texas (10-0)

Alabama (10-0)

Florida (10-0)

TCU (10-0)

Cincinnati (10-0)

NBA Teams
Suns (9-2)
Hawks (8-2)
Blazers (8-3)
Nuggets (7-3)
Heat (7-2)

NHL Teams

Sharks (14-4-4)

Devils (14-4)

Flames (12-4-2)

Capitals (12-4-4)

Avalanche (12-5-3)

This Weeks Special - Top 5 NBA Players Right Now

Steve Nash - PG - Suns

Suns Point guard and famous Canadian, is taking over the league similar to his back to back MVP seasons from years ago. His Suns are currently 9 - 2 with wins over both the Heat and the Celtics in their buildings. Nash is leading the league in assists by almost 2 full assists per game than next best guy (Derron Williams).

Lebron James - SF - Cavaliers

The chosen one, King James, Akron Hammer, whatever you want to call him just make sure you call him good. Averaging 27 - 7 - 7 on a team that is starting to get on a roll would be the easy pick for number one if it wasn't for Steve Nash's resurgence (did he ever really go away?). Lebron's outside jumper has improved from last year and so has is ability to handle the "where will you be next year " question he hears anytime theres a Mic in his face.

Dwyane Wade - SG - Heat

Dwyane Wade's Heat are a top NBA team despite having a supporting cast equivalent of The Hills. Wade and his Heat do so much more with less than any other successful team in the NBA. Hitting a game winning three pointer against the Nets Saturday night certainly doesn't hurt your ranking either.

Carmelo Anthony - SF - Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony, the third member on this list from the 2003 draft class, just might be the best scorer in the NBA today. Carmelo's Nuggets, the surprise team in the western conference finals a year ago, are looking better than ever. Carmelo is playing like an MVP and not even Kobe's Lakers could slow him and his team down. Melo has yet to drop below 20 points in a game this year and continues to be beastly on the boards.

Kevin Durant - SG/SF - Thunder

Kevin Durant is quickly emerging as one of our leagues elite players. The debate two drafts ago of Durant or Oden is looking more one sided than than a Muhamma Ali Dustin Diamond fight. Durant is making believers out of doubters and creating more room on the Thunder bandwagon every night. Durant can get at it on the boards just about as good as he can score, NBA Jam players watch in awe as he lights it up on a whim.