5 x 5

If there's one constant in today's society, it's that the American people love lists. It sparks debate. It brings people together. Lists are just guaranteed entertainment. That being said, I composed five lists of five different topics. Now, these aren't rankings(That, my friends, will be coming to you once a week as Gabe and I will be sparking national debate once a week on various topics throughout the year. So stay tuned for that). These lists, however, are more a compilation of various thoughts running through my head. Here goes:





5 Things I Don't Understand.....



1......how the state of New York turned a blind eye to the Abner Louima assault, the Amadou Diallo murder, the Rodney King beating and various other indiscretions over the years but are suddenly anxious to throw the book at a guy who shot himself in the leg in a nightclub?



2.......why the Atlanta Braves' best plan to compete in a deep NL East was acquiring two of the four best players off a Pittsburgh Pirates team struggling to stay over .400.



3......why the Lakers were so arrogant in their dealings in re-signing Lamar Odom, a man who sacrificed personal achievements to come off the bench in a contract year.



4......why the Yankees or Red Sox weren't willing to overpay if it meant securing the best pitcher in baseball, Roy Halladay.



5......why Carlos Boozer isn't a member of the Miami Heat right now.





5 Things That Made Me Laugh



1. The Erin Andrews' 911 Call: First off, I loved how she tried to big time the operator by mentioning how she's all over the news in her introduction and then proceeded to describe herself as the girl who was filmed naked in her hotel room. Secondly, two reporters sitting on your front lawn does not make you Britney Spears, Ms. Andrews.



2. Michael Crabtree's holdout threats: Crabtree was one of the top prospects in this past April's draft, but slid because of, among many things, a ongoing perception that he's somewhat of a diva. Now, the 10th overall pick, is willing to sit out the season until the Niners meet his demand of Top 5 money. First off, assuming he agrees to a deal, the time he would lose in this meaningless standoff is only going to cost him going forward as he'll enter camp way behind in his adjustment to the pros. Secondly, public displays of greed like this aren't exactly going to go over well if Crabtree re-enters the draft next year. Do you think a team picking in the Top 10 is going to grab Crabtree when they know he's going to be a pain in the ass to sign? Michael, you've done nothing in the pros and you already come into the NFL with a lot of questions about your durability, your speed, and whether you were a product of a spread offense, so just shut up and play.



3. As Gabe mentioned earlier, Phil Mickelson's business plan of buying up Waffle House restaurants. Phil, if you really want to go to a place where you can eat without Tiger lurking over your shoulder, you should have bought a Denny's.



4. Eli Manning's contract: A fringe Top 10 QB making Top 3 money? 16 million dollars a year for a QB with no receivers who can't throw in the wind? Look, Eli's a solid QB, but the guys most responsible for his success are either on their way to jail with a hole in their leg or playing on the other side of the ball.



5. Laker fans thinking Ron Artest is an upgrade over Trevor Ariza: No team was willing to give Artest, a headcase who has been pushed out of four NBA cities, more than a two year deal in the offseason. The Lakers gave him 5 years and it came at the expense of Ariza, who would have done everything Artest can do.....except better and for cheaper and without killing your team chemistry in the process. We'll see how much the fans of Showtime will love watching Artest's overrated defensive skills get exposed.....or watch him snap on Kobe after Mamba gives him one of those trademark snarls he's been shooting at Pau Gasol the last 18 months.

5 Predictions For 2009 You Can Take To The Bank

1. The recent Rashard Lewis failed drug test scandal will inevitably lead to at least one story pairing the word "steroids" and the name "LeBron James". When you're as freakishly strong and fast as King James and stories like this Lewis fiasco surface, it's not going to be too long before some lazy journalist starts to let the accusations float.

2. Roy Halladay will be a member of the Boston Red Sox by Christmas.

3. Brett Favre will be a member of the Minnesota Vikings by Thanksgiving

4. Packers GM will eventually realize he isn't strong enough to deal with another QB circus and go against his better judgement by passing on the acquisition of Michael Vick. Vick will then sign with the Washington Redskins after Jason Campbell tears a hammy trying too hard in his contract year.

5. The Cardinals will defeat the Yankees in 6 games to win the World Series and the discussion of whether Albert Pujols is the greatest player of all time will hence forth commence.

5 Fantasy Football Sleepers

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb, Tony Romo and Peyton Manning. All of these guys(and maybe even a couple more) will go ahead of Rodgers in your fantasy draft and Rodgers will once again outperform every one of them with the exception of Brees.

2. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: He's too big and too fast to not finish as one of the Top 3 or 4 fantasy RBs by season's end.

3. Deon Butler,WR, Seahawks: This year's Eddie Royal. Yeah, I said it.

4. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: Last year, he was overhyped. This year, he's undervalued and possibly healthy. Plus, there's a reason why we know Fred Taylor as "Fragile Fred". If you're getting him after Round 8, he's a steal.

5. Earl Bennett, WR, Bears: He's probably the Bears' best receiver and he has chemistry with Cutler from their days at Vanderbilt.

5 Fantasy Busts

1. Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Just because the Giants think the world of him, doesn't mean you should.

2. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: It goes without saying, but guys who miss precious training camp and preseason time tend because of contract squabbles tend to start slow out of the gate.

3. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: Take away his huge game against New England in Week 3, he finishes with 800 yards and 6 TDs. Now, he'll be losing carries to rookie Pat White. Never was a fan and I'm still not.

4. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Cardinals: Um, we're not 10 days into August yet and he's already hurt.

5. Cowboys Defense: They're a wee bit thin in the secondary and their front seven leaves a lot to be desired. Plus, they're playing in a division with some aggressive offenses and their other opponents don't look very promising for them either(@ N.O., San Diego, Carolina, @ Green Bay).

----Dave