I’ve always been a pretty avid fan of the NFL, but as of lately, something has really kept me away from football media. Due to several disagreements with the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Chad Johnson has chosen to ditch practices as a way to show that he wants to be traded. I think trading him would be a bad idea. Instead, they should fire him. What this man is doing along with other problematic receivers such as a younger Randy Moss in Oakland, Hines Ward and his dispute with QB Ben Roas of recently, and of course the infamous Terrell Owens is a strain on everything the game of football is about. Playing football was once about hitting another person as hard as you possibly can, and yet these few can only sit there and whine about it.Maybe it’s not all Chad Johnson, though. I think Cincinnati does have something to do with why he’s so unhappy because it’s definitely nothing new there. Along with Chad Johnson, receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh is also skipping some of the Bengals practices. A few years ago running back Corey Dillon was looking to be traded away from Cincinnati as well. Afterward he won the Superbowl with New England, so just maybe it is the city’s problem.Obviously this isn’t the first time some jerk player has been all over the media for displaying his disputes with his team. It’s almost expected these days, and personally that’s a little sickening. Chad Johnson says it’s because Cincinnati doesn’t respect his talent. If a team as desperate as the Bengals doesn’t respect real talent, then who will? If you want to show that your upset about playing football for money, next time show someone else Chad Johnson.

OCU’s women’s basketball team lost in their first round against Harris-Stowe. The Stars were a heavy favorite, being a No.1 seed vs a No. 8 seed. This disappointing loss ended the hopes of a title run for the team a bit earlier then anyone would have expected. OCU had lost their last match-up with Harris-Stowe back in November. This leaves the normal nagging question of: Did they under prepare for what they thought as going to be an easy early tournament win? Did the coaches/team forget that they had lost to Stowe and over looked them to a higher ranked game later in the tourney?These questions arise in any sport when a high ranked team gets knocked off by a underdog. Such was the case today when 10th ranked Davidson beat out 2nd ranked Georgetown in the NCAA Men’s tournament. It was an epic underdog comeback that eluded to the ever famous “David vs Goliath” battle.With the passion and drive that makes College playoffs exciting to watch, also due to the lack of a salary and endorsements for the athletes, a thought comes to my mind; Which due you prefer to watch, College or Pro playoffs?  

It’s mid-March and time for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The sports guys at OCU have a group set-up through espn.com and have each made a bracket. Who will claim their fame as the best to know college basketball? We tried to get a friendly wager of a prank or something done to the loser, but I believe it fell through. Up sets play a huge role in determining how your bracket selections will do. So with a little research and a risky choice, taking the under dog at the right time can pay off big in the end. Sometimes the best pick is just a right away gut feeling first choice pick, but those are hard to make. With the regionals set-up, UNC and Texas do not have to travel far to play their games. Will this aid in their struggle through the tourney? Will the shorter distances provide a better fan base, and possibly a slight home court advantage? Watch the tournament and find out.

Remember when you were young and you had that birthday party that you can never forget? Some come later than others. On Friday, Billy Crystal will be turning 60, and for his birthday he will be playing professional baseball with the Yankees as #60. The director and producer of the movie “61*” about Roger Maris and his race to 61 homeruns will be living out his dreams this Thursday when the Yankees take on Pittsburgh Pirates in an exhibition match. I think more ball clubs should pick up on this trend. It is a sure way to benefit both sides, granted that Crystal doesn’t catch a ball with something other than his glove. While making rich people that much happier and ensuring that ticket sales are through the roof, the Yankees are also showing a very community involved side of the team for rewarding someone who is quite obviously one of their biggest fans. What’s the worst that could happen besides losing a petty exhibition match against the Pirates anyway? Who knows? Maybe Billy Crystal will turn out to be a pretty good ball player after just a few sessions with Roger Clemens. - Jordan Crossley, Sports Editor 

Spring has come and with it golfers caved up inside begin to crawl out and dust off their clubs. This changing of seasons also signifies a great event in the growing sport, The Masters. The first of and by far the most watched golf major in the season. This amazing week happens at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia on April 7-13. This prestigious golf course is home to some of the toughest golf in the world. With lightning quick greens that slope at over 130, meaning shots won’t hold well on the greens and putts can be blown by holes. The Eisenhower Tree on the 17th, named after the former President and his habit of hitting into the tree. The stunning beauty of the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes, known as Amen Corner, is a pivotal point in the course where scores there can, have, and will decide winners of the tournament. The winner of the Masters not only takes home a large sum of money and prestige, but he also obtains on of the coveted green jackets. Last years winner Zack Johnson was not just a rookie but a David among a huge field of Goliaths, including Tiger, Phil, Ernie, and many others. He played a brilliant final round with a stern face that showed only the signs of victory. He had a remarkable season following his win at the Masters, with a win at the AT@T Classic and ten other top ten finishes. Could this year be another year of the Tiger? Will another up and coming star beat out the seasoned vets? What is for certain is that the tournament will produce exciting drama filled with spectacular shots. 

After 17 seasons in the NFL, Brett Favre is retiring. The three-time MVP and multiple record holder including most career touchdown passes, passing yards and victories has finally called it quits. Sure, I’ve seen it coming for years.Most quarterbacks buckle after just a few seasons let alone the outstanding number Favre put up. Still I can’t help but feel like I wasn’t ready for him to leave.Maybe if he had gotten another Superbowl ring this year, no one would have been shocked to see him ascend to the clouds right then and there. Instead, he has left at a critical time for the young Packers. Green Bay came into this last season with something to prove; no one believed that such an inexperienced team led by the most experienced quarterback (that’s not a compliment) would stand a chance. That was before they had a phenomenal season. Unfortunately, they fell short against the Giants like all of the other NFL teams. Now, they have a chance to be the best, or at least second best since the Patriots’ Randy Moss is returning for three more seasons. However, without Favre the Packers will go back to the big hopes team that just lost it’s way. That was the impact he had. Even though Brett Favre was 38, he played like it was just another backyard football game. He will always be known as one of the greatest to play the game, respected by teammates and opponents alike.