Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, where perspective is everything.
For example, after the week we had, 30 degrees feels downright balmy. A few thoughts to consider before we put on our shorts and tank top and head outside for a stroll before the Marquette-Wisconsin battle this afternoon.
Doing the right thing: Tiger Woods announced, once again via his Web site, that he is suspending his golf career indefinitely in order to work on the marital problems caused by his serial infidelity, which was exposed in the last two weeks.
While that seems like the right thing to do, given Tiger's marketing commitments the carefully-constructed image we've seen unravel since Black Friday, you have to question whether some part of this decision was designed to appease anxious sponsors.
Woods' dizzying fall from grace will lead to a lot of navel-gazing by folks in tweed jackets with patches on the elbows and pipes in the ashtray. They all will wonder about the line between public and private obligations for uber-celebs, but when the next juicy story comes down the pike everyone will jump at it.
That's the soup we're in.
Rookies should be seen, not heard: Packers defensive lineman B.J. Raji got a lesson in media relations this week. Raji honestly answered a question about his counterpart in the Bears-Packers matchup, Olin Kreutz.
Raji opened the debate by telling Journal Sentinel reporter Greg Bedard, "It's nothing physical, it's all technical. I'm stronger than the guy. I mean, that's not really talking [smack]; he's just fast. That's not his game, really, strength. He's more trying to out-leverage you, get around you. Once I get the feel of that then the game will come a lot easier.
"It's not going to take me a whole [game] to get used to him moving. Football's football. He's not going to change the way he plays because there's a new nose on him. He's going to play the way he's been playing. So what I watch on film, it's probably going to help me out the most, actually."
When Chicago reporters asked Kruetz for his reaction on Friday, he seemed incredulous. "Is that his exact quote, or are you guys changing the quote a little bit?" he asked before taking aim at the rookie.
"Is that his expertise after [10] games in the NFL?" Kruetz asked, adding "That's the way young players are nowadays, they are all pretty much clowns. After 10 games, he probably thinks he's the strongest guy in the NFL."
Look for Fox to get some mileage out of this tomorrow.
Bragging rights: The Wisconsin-Marquette matchup will hinge on the Badgers' ability to contain Golden Eagles forward Jimmy Butler, who just might be the best athlete on the court today. Marquette must slow down Trevon Hughes, whose big game went for naught in a stunning loss to UW-Green Bay.
Thumbs down to Kelly for the classless manner in which he left.
First, he told his players he wasn't talking to people in South Bend. Then said they'd be the first to know if he did take a new job. The players were the last to know. Cincinnati now enters the biggest game in the history of the program with a void at head coach.
The NCAA should take steps to prevent such situations in the future. And, the Bearcats' freshmen and sophomore players should be allowed to transfer without having to sit out a year.
Of course, a playoff in college football might alleviate this type of scenario. If Kelly's team had a chance for a national title, he would have been invested in winning the bowl game to pump up his price.
Tweet-up... or down: Former Brewers catcher Jason Kendall, who signed with Kansas City this week, is getting barbecued on Twitter. Think of all the Chuck Norris riffs you've heard, then substitute Kendall's name and variations on the "he can't hit" theme. An example: "Brian Wilson saw Jason Kendall hit and wouldn't get out of bed for a year." Another: "In 13 states, the penalty for walking Jason Kendall is death ... from embarrassment."
Larry King Lounge: I spoke to Robin Yount for awhile yesterday about my Hall of Fame ballot, but am still wrestling with it. Tune in to this space next week for the results.... Bucks guard Michael Redd returns to the court tonight against Portland. Redd, who has been bothered by a sore patella tendon, claims that he's back to stay this time.... How weird are things in New England this year? One of the guys who dresses up as the Patriots mascot has been suspended after being arrested in a prostitution sting in Providence.... What happened to the Steelers?... Must be a lot of guys on vacation at ESPN. Rick Reilly is co-hosting "SportsCenter."... Looking for a good laugh? Check out the voting for the NBA All-Star Game. Tracy McGrady is No. 2 among guards in the Western Conference. He hasn't played all year. McGrady may be getting votes from China, where people love the Rockets and Yao Ming. But, that doesn't explain why Vince Carter is a starter in the East and Allen Iverson is making a good showing.... Seth McClung will be missed in the Brewers' clubhouse. Nobody in the past 15 years has been as happy to play in Milwaukee as McClung.... If you're looking for something to do tonight, check out the Wave game at the U.S. Cellular Arena and stick around afterward for "Genesis: Rewired," Daryl Steurmer's new project. Guaranteed good time.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
