Despite the shares turmoil stemming aint no mountain high enough recalls from Gilbert Arenas’ recent comments or Antawn Jamison’s delayed return, Brendan Haywood has shown himself to be the heart and soul the team lacks as a whole.But for whatever reason, no one is talking about the man in the middle.Last season, Haywood was available for just six games Before that he had to split time with Etan Thomas. He never got the chance to shoulder the load of full-time starter. This season has been a completely different story.His stats don’t jump off the page like Dwight Howard’s, but Haywood’s importance to the Wizards is undeniable.Haywood is averaging 10.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game this season. He is 0.2 points off his career best from 2007-2008 and is ahead of his career bests in rebounds and blocks.Despite the modest totals, he has done more than just pad his own statistics.In nearly every game this season, the Wizards have struggled to put together long runs of good offense. They go on an eight-point run, and then turn the ball over on a quick shot or bad pass.

Haywood has been there to give Washington ample opportunities to compete in games.So far this season, Haywood has yet to total fewer than seven rebounds in a game and has pulled down five or more offensive rebounds in eight different games . He has also grabbed nine or more rebounds in 11 games this season.If there was ever a player deserving of some credit for not quitting, it is Haywood.It would be easy to point to Haywood’s poor free throw shooting as a shortcoming for the Wizards, but he is hardly alone in that respect arne ness . The team is shooting under 75 percent, which puts them in the bottom third of the league.The fact is, Haywood has been there every night, playing his heart out when some players seem content in doing just what is expected of them.Everyone expects Arenas to put up 15 or more shots a game whether he makes any or not baby love . Everyone expects Jamison to total 20 points and 10 rebounds every night, but no one expects Haywood to average a double-double for the season.A feat that will likely be overlooked because of the focus paid to the “Big Three.”The Wizards have long relied on the reputation of the “Big Three” that really only played together extensively for a little over a season chain reaction . Haywood has been a rock at center when he has been on the floorHaywood has experience and an unsung leadership role that is often glossed over because he isn’t an explosive scorer or an attention seeker.He is quietly putting together the best season of his career even though the Washington Wizards can’t delegate between attempting to be a defensive team or just running up and down the court trying to outscore everyone. Playoffs or not, Haywood deserves some recognition for the consistency he has displayed over the rough start to the season..

Last season the Utah State Aggies were dangerously close to the ultimate snub.  It would have been akin to the hot cheerleader getting stood up at the prom .  Personally, I didn?t see why the NCAA Committee was in such a fuss.  After all, the Aggies had won nineteen in a row.  They were 24-1 and ranked at one point.  Had a good inside-outside combo with Jared Quayle and Gary Wilkinson.  A very underrated coach in Stew Morrill.  OK, so they lost to Boise State.  Everybody?s due for a bad night.  But those folks at the RPI made some of those committee nervous.  What if they don?t win the WAC tournament?  Do all of those wins against the likes of Cal-Irvine and Houston Baptist mean anything?  Wouldn?t the people rather see a seventh-place team from a Power Six conference that is rich in athletic funds take the floor?  Well, this year the committee doesn?t have to worry about Utah State.  I ranked the Aggies in my BP Top 40 in the preseason.  I was subsequently smacked back to reality following their losses to Utah and Northeastern.  This year the Aggies have to win the WAC tourney to return to the Dance.No, this year the committee may be wringing their hands over a team that has only spent five previous seasons in D-1 and has never had an RPI above 273.I?m talking about the Northern Colorado Bears.The who?  C?mon, nobody?s heard about the guys from Greeley?  They currently sit at 7-0 and all of those victories came on the road until last night?s home debut against Colorado State.  They weren?t even on the radar to win the Big Sky conference but have to be considered the favorite.  The only name team on their schedule for the rest of the year is Oklahoma, which is another team the Bald Prophet is guilty of overranking this season (but I wasn?t the only one, admit it).Therein lies the problem.  I?m not going to spew forth crazy talk about the Bears going undefeated but they could have a very similar season to Utah State.  Right now, their RPI sits at 58.  That may rise a bit if they keep winning but I can?t see it getting above the 40s, especially when you consider the Big Sky is the 18th-ranked conference in RPI-land (and that will likely drop).  So what happens if the scenario plays out?  Bears win the regular season title?  Face Idaho State or Eastern Washington in the first round of the Big Sky tournament?  They all wish they were skiing instead?  Fumble?Look at this way, fellas.  The NIT?s a step in the right direction. come see about me . Reggie Bush May Not be a Saint in 2010Bush has fallen out of the elite tole he once had in the Saints backfield and isn’t even a marquee player as a receiver anymore diana roos . He did shine in his last game three weeks ago, but is battling knee issues once again, as he has for the past two seasons.The Saints are reportedly likely to cut their losses and move on, as they have plenty of “actual” running backs that can step up in place of the over-hyped star.Jamal Lewis to be Shut Down For 2009?Rumors are circling Lewis, who wasn’t at Wednesday’s practice, that he could be done for the season diana supremes . Lewis has battled on-going injuries all season, mainly to his ankle and hamstring, and had said earlier in the season that he wanted to retire.This isn’t the best way to send out a running back, but back-up Chris Jennings has been impressive in spot duty this year, and Eric Mangini might consider taking the fast-track to making his offense more explosive.Ben Roethlisberger Expected Back For Week 13Roethlisberger has been cleared by medical professionals and appears set to re-enter the Steelers starting line-up this week.Big Ben was getting some criticism from Hines Ward for playing it safe and sitting out last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, so maybe his return will appease his star wide receiver.His presence doesn’t necessarily mean offensive fireworks, however, as Pittsburgh will be going up against a stingy Oakland Raiders secondary.Clinton Portis Done For Season?Portis voiced his uncertainty about his progress from a concussion he sustained weeks ago, and suggested in a radio interview that it may be best for him to sit out the remainder of the 2009 season.We concur, as it’s a risk as it is, and the Redskins aren’t in any shape at 3-8 to think about the playoffs. If they plan on bringing Portis back as their feature back again next year, extra rest could do wonders for his banged-up legs.DeSean Jackson Not Looking Good For Week 13D-Jax was open about his feelings about playing this week, saying that he blacked out after sustaining a concussion last week, and that he didn’t feel he “could go” in Week 13.If he can’t make it this week, the Eagles are reportedly considering Reggie Brown as the starter opposite of Jeremy Maclin, while third receiver Jason Avant, who has been impressive lately, should get some decent grind.Atlanta Cuts Jason Elam, Signs Matt BryantElam, 40, has been very under-whelming for much of the season, as he’s missed four field goals from 39-yards or close, and had missed two field goals in the last three weeks.Bryant is a fairly safe option, and should be able to field decent fantasy production. However, with the Falcons facing the Eagles without both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, you may want to wait a week to use him. .

What began as a single car accident early last Friday morning has turned into a media circus full of scandal for the most popular golfer of all time.Early reports of a scuffle between Tiger Woods and his wife Elin roused questions about the accident and if it really was just a driving error.There were rumors that Woods was having an affair and that the single car accident was somehow related to this fact.Now, five days after the incident, Woods has openly admitted that he has in fact had an affair.Woods stated, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart . I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect do you know where you re going to lyrics . I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings.” Now reality sets in.To most fans, Tiger Woods and other sportsheroes are somehow on a different level than the rest of us.Their ability to excel in certain areas of their lives, mainly their profession, somehow gives us the impression that they have it all together—as if this world actually does have superheroes.But this perception seems to be disproved time and time again by actions that prove to be merely human.The fact is even if a person seems to have it all together, we are all human and are capable of doing imperfect and harmful things.No one is exempt from this fallacy, and no matter how hard we try, there will be a time when we will all have to look in the mirror and see the person we are, not the person people think we are.Today it’s Woods’ turn to gaze in that mirror.Many people will look at this situation with disgust, saying, “I can’t believe he would do such a thing,” but this statement is unjust.There is no justification for the actions, but there is no reason to believe that just because he can hit a golf ball better than any of us that he somehow has the power to overcome the temptation that this world offers.There was only one person in human history with that power, and last I checked, he hasn’t made his return.The situation is disappointing, and I’m positive that Woods is sincere with his open apology. I’ll be interested to see how Woods handles this situation and where he’ll go from here.We’ve all made mistakes and have done things we regret every day is a new day . Victory comes in realizing that nothing will fix past behavior, but you can use the lessons from that behavior to better shape the rest of your life going forward.Today we realize that Tiger Woods isn’t perfect Welcome to the club, Tiger. everyday is a new day . A report offered by Dean Legge of Dawg Post has stated that Logan Gray will be moved to wide receiver prior to the bowl game. This move ends any speculation that Logan will be the front-runner for the starting quarterback spot in 2010 and likely marks the start of Aaron Murray’s tenure at Georgia. In response to the move of Logan Gray, the Dawgs have offered Lassiter High School quarterback Hutson Mason a spot in this year’s signing class Mason is a Georgia native and the state’s No. 1 prospect at his position. Mason passed for 4,522 yards, 55 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 13 games this year. There are those who feel that the decision to move Gray to wide receiver could cause him to sever his ties and transfer but, as of now, there aren’t any indications of that being the case. Georgia can now begin to focus on the competition for who will be No. 1 on the depth chart next year?Zach Mettenberger or Aaron Murray. The odds on favorite would seem to be Murray, the highly-touted and uber talented cherry of the 2009 class.

He showed a bit of his elite-level talent in last springs G-Day Game but was redshirted in favor of Joe Cox.If he does win the job outright, he will certainly come into a better situation than the departing Cox did this season and will be working with more seasoned offensive weapons.One year removed from their freshman seasons, Branden Smith, Orson Charles, and Washaun Ealey will all offer a nice set of options for either Murray or Mettenberger.  Add to that  junior A.J . Green’s healthy return and you have to feel good about our chance to rebound and put more points on the board in 2010. So, what is the short and sweet of what Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger have to offer?Aaron Murray is a pro-style quarterback with the athletic ability to make plays both in the pocket and on the run if we hold on . He has a great arm and is capable of throwing just about any pass you want him to throw with relative ease if we hold on together . He’s heady and makes good decisions with the ball. His frame is a bit lanky, much like Cox, but he’s a tough kid and can hold his own against the biggest of linemen.Zach Mettenberger is a big guy with a big arm . He’s got a bit of a gunslinger’s mentality, a la Matthew Stafford, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of making good decisions in the pocket.  His ability to read defenses and make the proper adjustments to the pass-rush make him especially dangerous to those playing zone or man coverage. If Mettenberger has a weakness, it’s his tendency to be too confident in his arm. He has been known to force a pass or two and that led to some costly interceptions during his high school days. Neither quarterback will have a problem getting the ball down the field next season. As for Gray’s future with Georgia, that has yet to be seen.