Sports, men's pro basketball, professional football, college football, golf, soccer, all other sports, hockey, sports

If you were Corey Pavin would you be considering Watson or Couples for your Ryder Cup captain's picks?

At match play, why not? Do you think they're playing well enough? Are they experienced? Are they good for young guys to be around?

The New York Islanders' controversial owner Charles Wang came up with an idea about a play-in game in advance of the annual National Hockey League playoffs that was sure to be rejected by general managers' meetings this past week -- and it was. But just because Wang got too fanciful with his suggestion doesn't mean there wasn't some merit to the germ of his idea.

On the same day that there's a story in the New York Post saying Tiger Woods has hired former presidential press secretary Ari Fleischer to help him prepare for the media onslaught he'll face whenever he returns to the PGA Tour,, there's also a story about notorious and outrageous radio shock jock Howard Stern hosting a "Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant."

And the winner is...

One week of NFL free agency is in the books, and two of the biggest shoes still haven't yet dropped.

Brandon Marshall is still a Denver Bronco, and Terrell Owens is still a free agent.

Ohio State's Jim Tressel ripped up a stereotype recently. A football coach who wears sweater vests and describes his job as a ministry doesn't necessarily endorse the longstanding code of silence for gay athletes.

In an interview with Outlook Columbus magazine, Tressel very eloquently explained that an openly gay player would be welcome in the Buckeyes locker room.

The Monday-night pro-wrestling wars have resumed -- and the winner of the first battle couldn't be any more clear-cut.

World Wrestling Entertainment's "Monday Night Raw" dominated the Monday debut of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's "Impact" on Spike TV. "Raw" drew a 3.4 rating (roughly 4.8 million viewers) on USA Network compared to "Impact's "1.0 (1.4 million).

The first public indoor ice hockey game was played in Montreal's Victoria Skating Rink on March 3, 1875, before 40 spectators. Today, nearly 135 years later to the day, hockey is still trying to find a foothold in the United States.

Brandon Crawford amassed quite a stack of nicknames during his time at Ball State.

"Crawdaddy" was a popular one among teammates. "Crawfather," too. And "Uncle."

"Or just, 'Hey, Old Man," Crawford said.

The National Hockey League, which like professional football has been plagued by concussions, may be ready to take a stand this week on hits to the head.

"You people in Pittsburgh really have a lot of nerve calling us 'Baltimorons' ... "

They're right.

At least for now there no longer is any justification to make fun of the Ravens or their faithful fans, no matter how enjoyable the experience.