Christmas Wish List: Sports Edition

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas everyone. As you sit there, drinking your eggnog, playing with your new toys and watching the Rocky marathon on Versus, I am glad you took the time to check out this post.

As the title suggests, I have created a short Christmas list for the sports world. Since I knew Santa couldn't fulfill it, I didn't bother sending it to the North Pole. But I do hope still that some of these things happen, sooner rather than later. Some of these are selfish things while others are what I know others are wishing for as well.

1. Playoffs in college football - I know I'm not alone in this one. There are tons of people, including our President-Elect, that want to see this happen. High schools do it. The Pros do it. And every other division does. But for some reason, the FBS will not turn to a playoff system. Until it does, every year, fans, players, and coaches will be left wondering if the BCS champion is truly the National Champion. Some say a playoff system would devalue the regular season. Okay, maybe that's true. But you know what a playoff system would do? Increase the validity of the national champion. That's what should matter.

2. Falcons In The Super Bowl - Wouldn't it be a great story? Just like the Rays, the Falcons have come outta nowhere and are now in the playoffs. And like the Rays, they are going into the playoffs with some momentum. And in this day and age when it seems that a team from either NY, Boston, or LA is in the championship, wouldn't it be great to have a team like the Falcons in the big game? Just to break the monotony of the three major cities. Now, put a team like Pittsburgh, Tennessee or Indianapolis on the other side and we got ourselves a fun Super Bowl once again.

3. OU to be competitive in the MAC - It's hasn't been the greatest start for John Groce at OU. But hard for me to blame him when he's got the talent he has. No knock on some of them, who deserve to be playing ball at a school like OU. But most don't. And while I don't think OU has a chance to win the conference, it'd just be nice to be competitive in every game. Have teams actually have to gameplan for us. Have opponents fear coming to the Convo. That's all I want for now. Is that asking for too much?

4. New early entry rule in the NBA - This needs to change ASAP. When the NBA first announced they were changing the rule, I was excited, thinking it would mean changing it to the NFL rule of 3 years minimum out of college. But when they came back and said just one year, I was outraged. Because now, the NBA is single-handedly ruining college basketball. Coaches are merely renting players now like movies. They don't really get a chance to mold them. Not to mention also these players aren't maturing before they get the millions of dollars that come with being drafted. Change the rule soon, because who knows? Make them stay for 3 years and they may stay for all 4. Get an education. Become better people. And least importantly, become better basketball players.

5. Indians rebounding in 2009 - It was a rough go last season for the Tribe. Injuries piled up quick. Week-long slumps turned into monthly slumps. And the bullpen imploded. Plain and simple. But the end of the season, specifically September, provided hope for Tribe fans. for once, they looked like a contending team. Now with Kerry Wood at the end of the bullpen and a team (hopefully) coming into this season with some momentum, let's hope this team can put the pieces together and make another playoff run.

6. MLB Salary Cap - I've never been one to really advocate for this. Especially in recent years as the teams that have spent the most haven't necessarily been winning all the titles. But after watching the Yankees spend money as if there's no tomorrow really opened my eyes. There needs to be a cap. Now granted, the Yankees still might end up 3rd in the AL East. But the fact that they can stockpile this much talent on one team is starting to just be unfair. Maybe it's the Barack Obama in me but I think MLB needs to "spread the wealth". A salary cap has made the NFL, NBA and yes, even the NHL more exciting. Time to change MLB.

7. Blue Jackets Make The Playoffs - This is asking for a lot, I know, but it's about time. This is easily the best CBJ team yet. Loaded with young talent, wily vets and solid netminders, this team has the pieces. But as usual, they are falling short of expectations early. So will it change? I doubt it but man, it'd be nice if it did. The loss of center Derick Brassard hurts a lot but there's still enough talent there to keep the playoff dream alive. Hockey in Columbus won't survive if it only has teams that play 41 games at home each season. Now is the time Jackets.

That's all. Again, I'm not asking for that much. Just a couple of rule changes, playoffs spots, and better results. Before the year is over, I will have my top ten sports moments of the year. Hope you'll come back and check it out. Until then, enjoy the rest of the holiday season and of course, those bowl games!