The Baker’s Dozen

1. Is it just me or did Roger Clemens look overly fidgety and nervous during his interview with Mike Wallace on “60 Minutes?” The story prior to Clemens’ piece was a former mob executioner who admitted to killing at least 20 people and he was as cool as they come. Rocket, the truth shall set you free.

2. How ballsy was it of Brian McNamee to e-mail Clemens and ask to use his fishing equipment a week before the Mitchell Report came out? “By the way Rocket, I’m about to destroy your legacy, but where do you keep the good bait?”

3. Illinois junior running back Rashard Mendenhall will be the best pro back in this year’s crop in the NFL Draft. The kid blazed past USC defenders in the Rose Bowl and had an amazing season this past year eclipsing 120 yards in eight of Illinois’ 13 games and scored 17 touchdowns.

4. Another top pro prospect from the Rose Bowl was USC’s middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. At 6-foot-3, 250 lbs., show me a better linebacker prospect in the country. This kid was everywhere and despite being a potential top-10 pick in the 2008 Draft, he says he’s coming back for his senior year. USC opponents cringe at the thought. You can plug this kid into the middle of a defense and be set for a decade. I haven’t seen a better college linebacker in quite some time.

5. McD and Phillips might not like to hear this, but the Chargers have no shot at beating the Colts in Indianapolis without the services of Antonio Gates. Gates was carted off the field during Sunday’s AFC Wild Card contest against Tennessee and his expression told the story. Toe injuries aren’t easy to shake off and Gates is most likely out, meaning the Chargers’ chances of dethroning the reigning champs have vanished.

6. I was disappointed with the new “American Gladiators.” Laila Ali scares me and Hulk’s pants were just a tad too tight for HD. One hour was enough for me. I remember the good old days without all the pizzazz. Sometimes you just can’t recreate greatness. Take “Psycho” and “Planet of the Apes” for example.

7. Bob Sanders deserved the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year undoubtedly. No one player means more to a defensive unit than Sanders. Albert Haynesworth had a great year and the yardage allowed in games he doesn’t play for Tennessee is staggering compared to when he is in there. But the Colts allowed the fewest points in the league this season with linebackers named Rocky Boiman, Freddie Keiaho, Tyjuan Hagler and Clint Session. Not to mention Dwight Freeney missed much of the year. Sanders is omnipresent and absolutley dominates games. Best defensive player in the game, HANDS DOWN!

8. Good thing no one was watching the GMAC Bowl last night. Final score: Tulsa 63, Bowling Green 7. Almost as bad as “American Gladiators.”

9. I’m like a pig in shit with the announcement by Warner Bros. to go exclusively with Blu-ray and drop HD DVD all together. I’m heavily invested in Blu-ray and Sony, so glad to hear the war is coming to an end. Now, if Universal and Paramount can just read the writing on the wall.

10. Who the hell got Nancy Grace pregnant? Here’s for taking one for the team…

11. Huggy Bear is going to do just fine at West Virginia. Meanwhile, John Beilein is fighting an uphill battle at Michigan. The Wolverines (4-10) are painful to watch at times…except for when they are losing to Harvard and formerly embattled Michigan coach Tommy Amaker. I think the phrase is “poetic justice.” But I just think that’s damn right hilarious.

12. Politics and sports should be separated just like politics and religion…whoops. With that said, Barack and McCain are going to take New Hampshire. Hill-dog will spin her third place finish as a victory and continue to be an eyesore and Mike Huckabee will continue to scare rational thinking Americans for months to come (Chuck Norris not included). I mean the man knows more about the Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy than Pakistan, but then again so do most Americans…

13. (courtesy of Phillips) You know this scene unfolded somewhere Saturday night:
“Hey Byron, weren’t you the starting quarterback for the Jaguars a while ago?”
“Yeah man, whatever. Do you want fries with that?”