Tim Thomas' inexcusable absence

The Boston Bruins visited the White House today to commemorate their 2011 Stanley Cup title. One prominent member of that squad was absent, however, in goaltender Tim Thomas. Thomas chose not to join his teammates at the White House as a sort of political stand.

Thomas released the following statement today on his Facebook page:

"I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.

This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.

This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT"

To me, this is not the time or the place for Thomas to take such a stand. He is right, he is entitled to his political beliefs. However, his stance took the spotlight off of a big day for the rest of his teammates and organization. Everyone else that I read quotes from spoke glowingly of the visit.

Regardless of how Thomas or anyone else feels about the Obama administration, going to the White House is a celebrated tradition. In my view, the only reason to boycott such an occasion is if a President were to remain in office following a Watergate-type of scandal (which I don't anticipate happening, by the way). I don't think anyone was going to assume Thomas was a Democrat just because he went to the White House with his team in celebration of winning a major championship.

Thomas certainly could have found a more appropriate avenue to voice his displeasure with President Obama and the current administration. Yes, this stands out more, but the message it sends is that Thomas considers his views more important than those of his teammates. In my view, it also paints him as delusional and out of touch with pro sports and society as a whole.

Thomas is entitled to his thoughts, but through his actions he placed himself above his teammates, which is just the latest in a long line of selfish acts by star athletes.

Late game blunders help shape Super Bowl

Kyle Williams fumbled two punt returns, both leading to crucial scores by the New York Giants, who defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in overtime yesterday at Candlestick Park to advance to the Super Bowl. The Giants will face the New England Patriots in a rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, which was won in dramatic fashion by the Giants to end the Patriots' bid for an unbeaten season.

The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20, thanks to a badly missed 32-yard field goal attempt by Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff with 11 seconds to go in the game. After having some time to settle down (I was rooting for the Ravens and the 49ers yesterday), I do feel bad for Cundiff and Williams.

But, what a way to lose. I guess it's fair to say that athletes are human and have moments where they simply come up short. It's gotta hurt to know that your team still could have had a chance to go to the Super Bowl if not for your mistakes. I feel bad for both of those guys. Both contributed to their teams and certainly aren't solely responsible for the losses. It just leaves a sour taste in your mouth to be so close to victory and come up short in such a big game.

As for the Super Bowl, I see it being a close game. And... I'm going to take the Giants again in a bit of an upset. This team, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning have a penchant for coming up big in big games, especially when people aren't exactly counting on them to win. Plus, the Giants won at New England in the regular season in dramatic fashion. That game, as much as any, shows that the team has the it factor.

All that being said, a number of Patriots players and coaches doubtless are motivated by such a devastating loss in the 2008 Super Bowl, not to mention a tough home loss to the Giants in the regular season. I expect a hard-hitting, smash-mouth, intense, close game from both sides, but I am going with the Giants to win it all.

Jiggy Watkins dismissed from Runnin' Utes

Utah point guard Jiggy Watkins has been dismissed from the team. Watkins was clearly Utah's best player throughout the season on what is a struggling team. I don't imagine things will get much better for the Runnin' Utes the rest of the year. However, without knowing all the facts, it appears to speak highly of coach Larry Krystkowiak that he would be willing to stand up to his best player even when he has to know it could mean substantially more struggles the rest of the year.

It appears that Watkins repeatedly broke team rules. It's important for any coach to establish discipline on his team. I'm hoping the Utes do make some strides the rest of this year and have a better season next year. Utah (4-13, 1-4 Pac-12) hosts Arizona (12-6, 3-2 Pac-12) tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. MT. The game is not available on TV in Salt Lake City, although it will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.

College basketball season heating up

College basketball season is cranking up. I'm rather excited that there are still three undefeated teams remaining at this juncture of the season. There is #1 Syracuse (19-0, 6-0 Big East), #3 Baylor (17-0, 4-0 Big 12) and #12 Murray State (18-0, 6-0 Ohio Valley). Of the three, I think Murray State easily has the best chance at finishing the regular season unbeaten. That's simply because their schedule is the easiest of the three. The Ohio Valley is hardly the Big East or the Big 12.

Tonight is one of the bigger games of the season to date. Baylor is on the road at #7 Kansas (14-3, 4-0 Big 12), playing in Allen Fieldhouse, which is traditionally one of the toughest places to play in the country. I think the Jayhawks end up taking this one, ending the Bears' perfect season. Even if Baylor does end up winning this one, their schedule still contains a number of significant hurdles.

Syracuse looks more equipped to make a longer run, but I don't see them making it through the Big East unscathed, even if the league isn't as tough as usual this year. Frankly, I don't see Murray State finishing unbeaten either, as the Racers have already had a number of close calls. But it sure would be a lot of fun if they entered the NCAA Tournament without a loss. Anyway, I'm getting ready to watch Kansas and Baylor on ESPN in a few minutes.

2nd round NFL playoff picks

Here's a look at the second round NFL games this weekend:

Saints at 49ers, 2:30 p.m. MT, FOX: I really want to pick the 49ers, especially at home, but my head says the Saints will win this game because of their incredible offense. San Francisco's defense is really strong and it will need to play well in order to keep the Niners in the game. Alex Smith and the offense will have to make sure they get touchdowns and not field goals in the red zone. I think the Saints win in a close one, 27-21.

Broncos at Patriots, 6 p.m. MT, CBS: I don't think the Broncos have any shot in this game. The Patriots are just too good and too seasoned. Even if the game was in Denver, the Broncos would be a long shot, but with the game in New England, there's is just no way I see an upset happening (as much as I would like to). Patriots win big, 38-14.

Texans at Ravens, 11 a.m. MT Sunday, CBS: The Texans will be lucky to get more than 10 points in this game, with a third or fourth string quarterback going against a notoriously stingy Baltimore defense. The Ravens will feed off the home crowd and win this one handily, 24-3.

Giants at Packers, 2:30 p.m. MT Sunday, FOX: The Giants have been playing well the last few weeks and gave the Packers a run for their money in the regular season in the Meadowlands. I think they will make this game closer than a lot of people are expecting. However, the Packers are going to be tough to beat at home and have a great quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. I'll take Green Bay, 35-28.

The NBA big market problem

I'm tired of NBA players deciding that they just can't play for the team that drafted them. Dwight Howard is the latest in the line of many. Seriously, just suck it up and play. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Deron Williams all seemed to want out of smaller markets. Anthony in particular wrecked most of the Nuggets' season last year.

I for one, would like to see the Magic just make Howard play out his contract and if he doesn't like it, just de-activate him. I realize the Magic would prefer to get something in return for Howard. But, it sure would be cool if they just took a stand. NFL teams have done stuff like this before when athletes have been training camp holdouts. Keyshawn Johnson, Joey Galloway and Michael Crabtree all come to mind. I don't think any of those three came out of the situation in a more favorable public light than when they entered in. I wouldn't mind some of the public humiliation come to NBA players who are crying and moaning while still under contract.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat

Happy New Year everybody! I sure feel bad for the kickers for Stanford and Virginia Tech the past couple of nights. Both missed kicks in overtime that led to their teams losing. They're just young guys and it hurts me to see them have to go through that, even though I'm not exactly a huge fan of either team. I guess as the saying goes, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

If defeat wasn't so tough, victory wouldn't taste so sweet on the other end. Just watching one of Michigan's players choking up as he talked about the long journey that eventually led to winning the Sugar Bowl this season, shows how awesome sports can be. Players put so much work in on both sides, and the feelings are pretty intense on both ends of the spectrum after such big games.