Highlighted by the Peyton Manning announcement Monday that he is suiting up for the Denver Broncos this season, here are some of my observations from around the sports world.
• Manning in means Tim Tebow is out. The former Florida Gator standout was put on the trade block early last week as Manning joined the Broncos. I liked Tebow to land in Jacksonville or Miami but he was dealt to the New York Jets. That deal was a weird one after they gave incumbent Mark Sanchez an extension. They did need a backup but I bet Sanchez gets benched less than four games in. That or the Jets will not be that great because of all the hype now surrounding them.
• Tebow will be playing in NFL Europe or in the CFL in three years. I love the quarterback’s heart and determination but don’t think the NFL has quite the same opinion.
• New Orleans was hit hard by the NFL for offering its players incentives for taking opponents out of games. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for a year, the team lost draft picks and other personnel were reprimanded. The NFL made an example out of the Saints but you have to believe this sort of thing is happening across the board. I was shocked at the discipline dealt out.
• The Tim Hortons provincial mixed curling championships are being held in Watrous this week and weekend. Teams from across the province headed to this town. Hats off to a great event.
• There were a bunch of upsets in this year’s March Madness tournament. The national basketball event in the United States proved once again that just because you are ranked high doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to move on. Ask Duke who took a huge blow in the opening round and was out of the tournament.
• I took Kansas and BYU to make it to the finals in the NCAA tournament.
• Baseball fans are getting pumped up about another season. I am taking part in my annual ball draft, about which I really know nothing. Unfortunately, my record in the fantasy drafts would be comparable to some of those abysmal ones of the ‘Jays that people have witnessed in the past.
• From what I am hearing, Toronto may have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs this year in the majors.
• I still can’t wait for golf season to start.
• The NHL playoff race is going to come down to the wire. With less than 10 games to go, it will be a good finish. Early last week there were seven points separating eighth and 13th in the eastern division. In the west, two points separated seventh and 11th.
• I hope the Jets make it into the playoffs this year.
• Of course, I hope Calgary gets into the postseason but when they lose to the two worst teams in the league, especially at this point in the year, then they almost don’t deserve it.
• My early favourites to win: Nashville and Pittsburgh.
• The WHL playoffs look to be good. Saskatoon gets a tough Medicine Hat crew while what could be a beauty of a series has the Regina Pats up against the Moose Jaw Warriors.
• The Humboldt Broncos are rolling in SJHL action. The team should be in fine form as they host this year’s RBC Cup.
