Give me a break

I am as happy as the next guy that the NFL settled their incredible problems (trying to split up $9 billion must have been difficult), it is frustrating to me that we have to watch football on Sportscenter like its the week leading up to the Super Bowl. Hey guess what, at 10 AM players can show up. That's a report that everyone cares about. What the Jets are going to do to follow up Rex Ryan's guarantee for a SB victory... IT DOESN'T MATTER! Tell me about this a week before the season starts and it's actually relevant. I don't care if Ryan is "Amped up" and leaving voicemails to all the season ticket holders. Everyone should be excited. Heck, I know that I'm looking forward to Fantasy Football just as much as the next guy, but give me a break.

We had some tremendous baseball games last night, and the fact that the Indians and Angels game is pushed to the bottom of the order so we can hear Adam Schefter talk about NFL free agency. The Royals beat the Red Sox in 14 innings last night, and yet all we got to see baseball-wise is the Yankees beating the Mariners and the Rangers offensive outburst over the Twins. I hope that this isn't a preview of what lies ahead until the season starts, but I fear like us baseball-first fans are screwed.

This made me think about the other lockout that looks to be no where close to cutting a deal, the NBA. I'm excited about this. Why?  Because 1) the NBA is flawed and the only part of the season worth watching is the Playoffs and 2) we'll get to see more HOCKEY! I am one that absolutely loves hockey and the way those guys play the game. I have told people time and time again that hockey players are the best professional athletes in the world. Why? Well listen here... You have a game of hard-hitting action for 60 minutes, much like football. You have high-speed, non-stop action, like the NBA (in the playoffs), except harder because they're doing everything on ice. You have hand-eye coordination, with a tiny puck being handled by a stick, bringing a baseball edge to the game. It's really a combination of all the "major" sports of the USA. You could even argue it has some soccer qualities too, seeing as the endurance quality of hockey is a major part of the game, just like in the beautiful game. Hockey is awesome, and I think that with the NBA lockout we might see a rise in interest in the NHL, which would make life more fun for me!

I want to add that I have been eagerly watching this Sportscenter to see the Jason Kipnis walk-off single in the improbable ninth-inning come back. I'm hearing all about how offensive linemen are the unsung heroes of the NFL, and have yet to see one of the best plays of Monday. How about Kipnis getting his first hit in the form of a walk-off single to right field? That should be a story in the first 20 minutes of a Sportscenter.

I'm happy that we'll have football in the fall... but give me a break!