Well … on that fateful night in Fayetteville, Arkansas Petrino’s misgivings that had stalked and haunted him not only caught his heels and held on … they devoured his entire being … and those that he “loved.”  Not sure how the man thought his lies would see him through this scandal, or how he could be so out of touch with basic moral civility … but it’s evident that he had convinced himself that nothing stuck to his slippery self.  Not even lying on a police report … or to his boss … or to his family!  This unfortunately was a sooner than later lifestyle and at its core is the most sad and despicable of persons.  I feel awful for his family and for the fiance of the woman he was cavorting with … and I’m sure she wasn’t the first.

The other side of this coin is what will happen to the man who took the country by storm in 2011-2012, Tim Tebow?  According to the Bronco brass he will be placed on the trading block as soon as Manning’s contract is signed and sealed.  So, the question is. what does the market bear for Tebow?  Where will Tebow intersect on the microeconomic supply and demand graph.  Prediction here is that they will be able to trade him for a 4th to 5th round draft pick and he will find a career as a perennial NFL super-specializer.  A good match may be Philly or maybe the Patriots can find a uber-creative way to promote his unique athletic prowess.

All in all it’s been clearly documented that Elway needed a reason to be rid of Tebow.  He now has the best reason!

The oft maligned power forward from Atlanta has endured some emotional baggage throughout the first several years of his career, but the talent, although raw, has been obvious.  His athletic prowess has been off the chart, however his court awareness and shot selection has been a source of some scratched heads for those in his circle.  It seems thought, that over the last several games things have begun to turn for Josh.  When the Hawks have needed someone to “Rise Up” he’s been the one to take it on his shoulders.  Over the last 8 games Smith has average 20 ppg and 13 rpg but even more impressive and promising for the Hawks brass has been his willingness to put the team on his shoulders and let them feed of his youthful excitement for big game moments!

I think that this emergence of Josh Smith will pay great dividends as this season winds along for this Hawks team who have lacked some instinct and desire in games this year when down early.  Don’t think you’ll see that anymore if Josh can continue his current path of consistent, more mature basketball play.  Oh … and check out this posterization he provided as he led the Hawks over the Thunder last night (just ignore his whiff to begin the set)!!

Although the hard copy of the MVP award goes to Eli Manning for a yeoman’s effort going 30 for 40 and just under 300, the most difficult judgement of the game belongs to Laird Hayes. On a grand stage that Madonna borrowed just a bit earlier he stared down Mario Manningham as he was getting ridden out of bounds, while snatching Manning’s pass from the Indy dome air. Hayes had about the time it takes a hummingbird to flap twice (maybe three times) to make the judgement – and he hit a home run. Bill Belichick challenged – just for the hey of it – and the challenge was denied. From there the NY Football Giants drove the field and Ahmad Bradshaw commenced to stagger over his own brake system into the end zone for the right to be victorious.

Let’s give a nice round of … well … just check out the video of the play and you decide!!!

If you’re thinking this is made up … it’s not.  This just happened to high school senior Justin Taylor who officially accepted Tricky Nicky’s offer in February of 2011.  Because of some new scholarship rules that were levied by the SEC this past year, Alabama found themselves in the position of having to cut some chaff.  Taylor was the fringe player, who because of a knee injury that he’s currently rehabing and because of other recruits that the Alabama staff deem better, still on the board, he received the unfortunate news that he was the odd man out.  Now, this 18 year old kid has to wrap his head around this and decide if he trusts what is currently being sold him … which is … you just hang out for a year; rehab … get a job … and we’ll be here for you next year with a scholarship ready and waiting.  Wait … didn’t he make a commitment earlier this year under the same promises.  We all see where that got him.  His commitment was not honored … his commitment to this Alabama staff held no water.

Way to Roll Tide … this ain’t the pros Saban!  These are high school kids you’re playing with … not millionaires!

All tongue in cheekness aside, I must say that as much as Tim Tebow is good for the NFL, the Denver Broncos defense is the real hero around the Mile High City nowadays.  Yes, Tebow has provided some magical moments in later stages of the last several games and has in effect morphed from someone that looks as if a linebacker playing quarterback to someone who looks like an All-Pro quarterback playing quarterback.  It is truly sensational and I could easily be convinced something straight out of a L’Engle fantasy novel.  Since Tebow has taken over the offense the defense – with the exception of Detroit (L) and Minnesota (W) – has been fairly stellar.  Now we must lend truth the situation by mentioning that the last several games weren’t against offensively scary units … the Bears, the Jets & the Chiefs.  However, John Fox’s defense has been getting the job done and it seems the 4th quarter is go time for Tebow to pull out the magic hat and get that rabbit.

I do also want to address the deeper more meaningful aspects of this phenomenon.  Since finding a stage as a Florida Gator, Tim Tebow has been touting the name of Christ from the highest mountain … and I am all for it.  As Christians we are commanded to declare the name of Jesus; not because we have to but because it is inate within us.  It should be our overwhelming desire to make the name of the Lord known in the circles that God has given us influence within.  In Tebow’s case, the Lord has given a large sphere to communicate towards and his faithfulness is to be commended … not condemned or judged.  It’s been since Michael Vick that an NFL personality has been so polarizing, and I’m not sure that an NFL player with such poor “fantasy numbers” has ever received so much lovin’.  I for one am grateful that Vick has left the limelight and Tebow has entered.  I love that people are talking about his love for Jesus … I love that Tebow exists to succeed in order to lift high the Holy God!

Now I must say that the “Tebow-ing” is a bit much but I don’t credit the branding to him … that’s an ESPN thing.  I say Tebow … keep on glorfying the name of the Lord!!

S0 … what’s the key here??  LSU has been rolling over their opponents in fine dominating fashion this year drubbing Oregon, West Virginia, Florida, Auburn & Arkansas while handling Alabama in a Tuscaloosa classic!  Georgia has … well, really beaten no one overly impressive.  They have had some fine wins over Mississippi State, Florida, Auburn and Ga. Tech, but they also lost to Boise and at home to South Carolina.  The line on this game will probably open around two touchdowns and stay there until game time, and here’s why.  LSU’s defense and special teams are outstanding and very opportunistic.  Their offense is tough and wants to beat you down until your state is broken.  The coaching staff – Les Miles – is a bit on edge and is the tough minded, keep the foot down mind power that drives the on field players and their game attitude.  All roads seem pointed to an LSU victory on this upcoming Saturday … however … the Dawgs will show up … and not to lose!  The Dawgs can and will win if and only if their defense matches up with the Tiger offense with the same brutal toughness - both physically and mentally.  On the offensive side Richt & Bobo will need to pull some tendencies out of their bag that include both aggressive and unexpected schemes to keep the Tiger defense off balance.  Should the Dawgs staff pull some creative schemes together that are both purposeful and well executed then this game could get interesting.  Don’t sleep on the Georgia offense as Aaron Murray has had them rolling of late and has thrown for a slew of TD passes in the last 4 weeks.

All that said … we’ll all know in 6 days!!