Weekend TidBitz

I'm going to share a few TidBitz (get it?). This will consist of a few topics I comment on briefly.

Manti Te'o Girlfriend Hoax-Is anyone else completely confused/bored by all of this? I feel like I need to put everything on a huge whiteboard to analyze all the facts/stories to decide what I really think. I wish Te'o would do an on-camera interview or press conference. Having Jeremy Schapp from ESPN discuss the off-camera interview he had with Te'o is not only unfair to Schaap, it also misrepresents what Te'o might be trying to say. Additionally, reading transcripts of their interview, with Schapp giving his opinions puts me to sleep. As embarrassing as it would be for Te'o, if he's telling the truth, he should call a press conference and just deal with this head-on.

Lance Armstrong-I think it's great Lance Armstrong has come out and finally admitted to most of his wrongdoings. Also, there is no denying how much he has done for cancer research and fundraising, while also being a major inspiration to people fighting cancer and for cancer survivors. Even in the light of his admission of guilt, there is no question he has made a very large positive footprint in this world.

Still, with watching the interviews he had with Oprah this week, I can't help but feel he is going through the motions. He appeared rehearsed and scripted, and lacked the type of emotion you would expect from someone who has deceived millions of people. I honestly didn't realize how many people he took to court to protect his lies. Nor did I realize how many times he used the reputation of his foundation as collateral to prove he never doped. Forgiveness for Lance? Sure, I can do that. But, is he 100% sorry? I'm not sure he is yet.

NHL-HECK YA. The NHL is starting up again today after a half-season lockout, and I am part of the 1% of Americans that actually care.  I have always been a big fan of the NHL, and there is no question the NHL has the most exciting playoffs in professional sports.

As far as my team, I will admit, I am a bandwagon Minnesota Wild fan. Part of my reluctance to go "all-in" on them season in and season out, still lies in the fact that I miss the North Stars, who left Minnesota in 1993. Since the North Stars left in the early 90's, I have become a fan of certain players rather than teams. From Chris Chelios and Peter Forsberg to Chris Pronger and Zach Parise, I have followed players, and in turn, the teams they were playing for.

As Barry Melrose has picked the Wild to go to the Stanley Cup Finals, and with the signings of stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, I might go from Bandwagon to Diehard Fan this year.

NFL Championship Games-Oh ya, there are two great games on tomorrow in the NFL playoffs. I still don't know who I want to win, as I have no vested interest in any of the teams. Colin Kaepernick was fantastic last week, but it's hard to see him running as well as against the Packers. He'll have to make some big throws for the 49ers to win. The key to the 49ers/Falcons game will be watching the stingy 49ers D against the extremely talented receiving corp for the Falcons. I think the 49ers lack of kicking game will be the reason the 49ers lose. My prediction:

Atlanta Falcons: 30
San Francisco 49ers: 28

For the Patriots/Ravens game, it's hard to bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs. Still, if anyone can do it in the AFC, I think the Ravens could figure a way to eek one out. Joe Flaaco appears extremely calm going into this game, which I think is a great sign for the Ravens. Unless the Ravens force 2 or more turnovers, they will lose. I don't see Tom Brady throwing any INT's, and his teammates shouldn't let him down. My prediction:

New England Patriots: 38
Baltimore Ravens: 24

Boxing-Random thought-what happened to the popularity of Boxing? I remember when I actually knew who the Heavy Weight Champion was. That was like 15 years ago when Lennox Lewis was still fighting. Have I just quit paying attention, or do less people actually watch those pay-per-view bouts like they did when I was little?

Nascar-Anyone reading ever watch a full Nascar race? Just curious...if I'm going to keep a sports blog going, I better talk about "the race", when there is one of course. If no one cares, I probably will remain uninterested in racing.

Still, the best Nascar joke ever came from my friend Pat McRaith:

Why did Dale Earnhardt die?
-God needed a driver.

Special note: Happy 8 month wedding anniversary to my wonderful wife, Cailin. You're a huge blessing in my life, and thanks for watching sports with me.