An educational weekend

Every once in a while, I’m wrong.

It’s tough for me to admit it, as it is for most people. But, in the rare times when it does happen, I try to own it, learn from it and move on.

So in the interest of self-improvement, here we go:

Pete Carroll

I didn’t watch a second of Washington’s 16-13 win over USC Saturday, so maybe someone who did can answer a question for me.

If your stud freshman quarterback can’t play, and you replace him with another stud freshman who’s terrible why wouldn’t you ask Mitch Mustain – a former Parade All-American with a perfect record as a college starting QB – to put down the clipboard and go win the game?

It seems like hubris to me from Carroll, who might have seen such a move as an admission of poor player evaluation on his part.

Maybe now we know why he threw such a hissy fit when he lost…

Mark Sanchez

ESPN and FOX were comparing the former USC starter to Joe Namath in the pregame shows Sunday, so I can only imagine the praise that will be flowing like the Mississippi from the talking heads after Mr. GQ led the Jets to a 16-9 win over the Patriots in the Meadowlands.

I say he led them, but really, it was an outstanding defense that flustered the other Mr. GQ, Tom Brady, into mistakes. And without his personal security blanket, Wes Welker, Brady didn’t handle the blitz very well.

So, to sum up: Sanchez is pretty good, the Jets defense is really good and Rex Ryan might not be the pro version of…

Lane Kiffin

I have to say it. When I saw that 29-point line in the Tennessee/Florida game, I thought it was out of whack.

As in way too low.

But Kiffin, who’s been tossing one-liners at Florida since swapping Raider black for Tennessee orange, had a brilliant game plan.

By running the ball between the tackles all day while milking the clock and making Tim Tebow stand on the sidelines and watch, he kept the score down.

Toss in a stellar defensive gameplan from his dad, and Tennessee sent a warning shot across the bow to the rest of the SEC.

Personally, I think he’s a bit of a punk. But when Lane Kiffin gets some players – and according to the early reports, he is – watch out.

Absentee blogger

I’ve been naughty.

I’ve been away for a while, blogging away in other place while neglecting the place, here, where it all started.

Unacceptable behavior on my part, I must say.

Sorry.

Anyway, let’s hit a few high notes:

Yankee scuffle

Anybody else think that MLB is just plain getting lazy?

Maybe you read about Jorge Posada and Jesse Carlson’s dust-up the other night in the Bronx. Anyway, MLB handed out four-game bans to both yesterday, then reduced them to three when both players promised not to appeal.

What, is Bud Selig too busy to hold a hearing in New York?

And the $2,500 fine to Posada? Steve Czaban did the math this morning and it’s the equivalent to a $12 fine to a guy making $60,000 a year.

Laughable.

Personally, I think fighting in baseball should be treated the same as it is in hockey. One-on-one. Anybody off the bench gets a 25-game ban.

Bingo. Problem solved.

Tressel under fire

Ohio State fans get the idiots of the week award for blaming coach Jim Tressel for the loss last week to Southern Cal.

It’s not a mystery as to why Ohio State has trouble winning games against USC and Florida. It’s really quite simple.

The Trojans and Gators have better players.

I guess beating Michigan every year and dominating the Big 10 isn’t enough for some Buckeye fans.

Get over it.

Age is just a number – but not for running backs

Will Tomlinson rebound?

I like LaDainian Tomlinson. Really, I do.

But I avoided him during my two fantasy football drafts, and you should have done so as well.

Why?

He’s 30.

I know what you’re thinking. 30’s not that old, right?

If you’re a tree, it’s actually quite young.

Of course, LT2 is not a tree.

Nor is he a spring chicken.

It’s a fact that NFL running backs hit a steep decline at age 30. Need some proof?

Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Edgerrin James and a host of other backs with Tomlinson’s skill set started trending downward after hitting the big 30.

But to me, the biggest indicator of his diminishing skills in a simple one.

The Chargers are shelling out north of $6.5 million to his backup, Darren Sproles, after slapping the franchise tag on him during the offseason.

If LT2 was still the same back he was three years ago, that would not have happened.