Now that I know Bootsy is also a huge fan, it's officially Aziz Ansari week (more information below) on the blog.

  • Men's Curling "skip" John Shuster has really grown in infamy thanks to this social networking world we live in where no embarrassment goes unnoticed.  The good news: I see "Dancing with the Stars" in his future or if he really takes the Olympic choke hard, "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew."
  • Great reality show idea: "Athlete Rehab with Dr. Sports Psychologist."  How has this not happened yet?  I once interviewed Dr. Jim Loehr, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute, who famously helped speed-skater Dan Jansen achieve his gold medal dreams six years after infamously choking them away.  He'd be perfect for this.  How great would it be to see Shuster go through rehab and then win gold in 2014?  You're welcome ESPN...
  • The U.S. Women's Hockey team won their semifinal 9-1.  The rest of the world is sexist.
  • Gary Bettman is threatening to pull NHL players from the Olympics after this year.  Bettman is one of those people who I assume is always wrong, even though I'm not well-researched on the topic.  Why would we want to make our stars marketable in front of an actaul TV audience with a passionate rooting interest?  Good call commish
  • I don't think I'd want my hypothetical son to play for Jim Calhoun.  He seems like a downright irascible person, but he can coach.  I left the Huskies for dead two weeks ago, but sure enough, Calhoun has returned from his health timeout and run off three key wins in a row, including resume builders against top 10 foes Villanova and West Virginia.
  • The Oregon Ducks are handling success well.  Yikes!  They're ringing in spring practice by throwing a new kid off the team each day.  At least Chip Kelly means business.  The contrast between Kelly and Urban Meyer is startling.  When LeGarrette Blount punched someone in the face, he was suspended for two/thirds of the season.  When Brandon Spikes gouged an opponent's eye, Meyer came down with a ferocious one half penalty and then caved to A WHOLE GAME under media pressure.  Now, Oregon LB Kiko Alonso was arrested for DUI and has been benched for the season.  Florida's Carlos Dunlap was charged with the same infraction and was dealt the Gators maximum punishment (apparently) ONE WHOLE GAME. 
  • Ducks WR Jamere Holland spoke out against the penalty on Facebook and he was thrown off the team by Kelly.  Holland was chucked off USC by Pete Carroll in 2007, so he's now a two-time loser, but he's fast and talented.  So, Kelly deserves some credit for risking a talent drop-off for the sake of values in a win first, second and third college football climate.
  • Sadly, without that win-at-all costs mentality, the Pac-10 will never compete with the SEC.  Now, there's a story that gets plenty of coverage.
  • Position players report this week and Dodgers camp is off to a swinging start.  Manny Ramirez is already talking his way out of Los Angeles.  L.A. has been a playoff contender the last two seasons, but unless Joe Torre can work some magic, they're headed to the NL West basement with San Diego this season.  The ownership situation is untenable and the pitching staff is too thin.  They can hit as long as Manny shows up, which does not sound good.  "I know I'm not going to be here next year," Ramirez said yesterday.  Can you elaborate?  "I don't know.  I just know I'm not going to be here."  He's so good with words.
  • Now that he's on the open market, Julius Peppers is a prime NFC East target.  The Redskins have the cash, the Cowboys love the splash and the Giants and Eagles are built on the pass rush (I'm outta rhymes). 
  • The Twitter world dared to question LaDainian Tomlinson's Canton candidacy yesterday.  Are you kidding?  Actually, after the Hall of Fame debacle this season, maybe they are right to be skeptical.  L.(D.)T. was the best back of his generation...end of story.  I could give you a list of stats, but the eye test is more than enough.
  • The Chargers need a running back desperately.  Unfortunately, this is a weak draft class for backs.  Cal's Jahvid Best is top of the mocks, but I'd worry about the durability of a Best-Darren Sproles combo going into next season. 
  • Back to Aziz Ansari week.  I actually don't watch "Parks and Recreation" (sorry Aziz, but I gave it a shot and the first season started too slow), but I always liked him because we share a food interest on Twitter.  Well, we don't really share it.  I follow him and he talks about good restaurants and then I go eat there.  Speaking of which, I'm on a quest for the best burger in Los Angeles.  Already considered: Umami Burger, 8 Oz. Burger Bar, Father's Office, Apple Pan and of course In N' Out.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions.
  • Anyway, Comedy Central is running his stand-up from last year "Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening" and he kills it.  So, I shall treat you to a clip a day this week from Aziz.  (Warning: Explicit language and yadayadayada...it's funny.)