User Tackle

Not My Guy

2008-03-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

Jerry Jones is mental if he signs Adam "Pacman" Jones.

Apparently, Dallas has upped their offer for Pacman after Tennessee rejected their initial proposal of a late-round draft pick, adding an unnamed player to the mix. I don't blame the Titans for wanting more. Pacman was, after all, the 6th overall pick in the 2005 draft. But make no mistake, Tennessee wants him gone, and they know they're not going to get equal on-field value for him.

There's no denying Pacman's skills between the lines. He's a game-changer; a shutdown corner and an electrifying punt returner. In a vacuum, he would be a valuable asset to the Cowboys. But this ain't no vacuum, and his numerous run-ins with the law (6 arrests since May 2005) are reality. It's not worth ruining a cohesive locker room for a guy that has proven to be anything but trustworthy and accountable. Cancer, I believe, is the word I'm looking for.

It's priorities, that's all. Pretty simple. I think Pacman's list goes something like this:

Party
Anything but football
Football

And that's his choice. This is America, but if I was Jerry Jones, he ain't on America's team.

Report: Pacman to Cowboys "Imminent"

Cowboys Sweeten Offer for Pacman

He's Going Nuts and Ribbeting!

2008-03-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

It usually pains me to watch sports coverage on local network affiliates, but this highlight of the first round thriller between Duke and Belmont from NBC 17 in North Carolina is fantastic. The chicken cracks me up.

So it's not fantastic, but it's better than the typical shmo trying to do a basketball highlight when it's obvious to everyone but him that he's never watched a game in his life. "Duke wins the match!"

My 2008 NCAA Tournament Picks

2008-03-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

Final Four:

I love the senior leadership of guards Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. And they're lethal from distance, combining for 186 3-pointers during the regular season. Tennessee's ability to consistently hit the trey makes them extremely dangerous because they can quickly dig themselves out of holes, or put their opponents in one. The Volunteers are deep and they play without a conscious. The key to their run will be the effectiveness of sophomore forward Tyler Smith.

The Jayhawks lead the nation in scoring margin (21 ppg), and they do it with a deep, talented roster that shares the wealth inside and out. Leading scorer Darrell Arthur is a monster in the paint if he can stay out of foul trouble. Kansas plays suffocating defense; they led the Big 12 in scoring defense, blocked shots, steals, and defensive field goal percentage. It's time coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks shed their recent tournament curse and live up to their potential as a Final Four team.

UCLA has been to the Final Four the last 2 years, and now they have the inside presence of Pac-10 freshman and player of the year Kevin Love, who can also step back and shoot the 3. PG Darren Collison is lightening-fast, and loves to create in the lane. The Bruins have shown the ability to lock down on D in key spots, and their favorable road to San Antonio makes them the obvious choice out of the West. The health of glue guy Luc Richard Mbah a Moute's sprained left ankle will be a key factor in whether or not the Bruins cut down the nets in San Antonio.

Texas has already beaten Kansas, Tennessee, and UCLA (my 3 other Final Four teams) this season. The Initials--D.J. Augustin and A.J. Abrams--make up the best backcourt and the scariest 1-2 punch in the tournament. Coach Rick Barnes relies heavily on Augustin, especially in crunch time, and Abrams is a deadly spot-up shooter. Forward Damien James is a banger in the paint, and he will have to carry some of the load offensively for the Longhorns to go all the way.

Final Two:

National Champion:

Awkward, Baby! With a Capital A!

2008-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Robert Montgomery Knight looked like he was ready to kick Richard J. Vitale's head off. I only wish Vitale was in-studio so Knight could have choked him out.

That was exactly the sort of awkwardness that I was talking about in this post. Rece Davis did a great job utilizing the kiss-ass comment as a tension-breaker. And how many times have we seen Digger touch Bobby in the last 5 days? About 11,256 times, I'd say. Somewhere in there.

Bracket Fever

2008-03-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

I, like most of you, will get absolutely no work done this week. I relish this time; a time when brackets take priority over all. There's something liberating about not caring for anything but a piece of paper with 65 universities and 4 regions on it. It inspires genuine enthusiasm across the country.

Right now, my brackets are empty. The box in the middle is empty. They're filled with opportunity, though. They're ripe with potential. This piece of paper is my vehicle for showing everyone that I'm smarter than them. That I saw the upset before it happened. The ultimate "I told ya so." Tangible, irrefutable proof of superiority. It's sport epitomized in bracket form.

This is what it's all about. The excitement, the drama, the intrigue, the passion. It's madness, and I love it.

One Sentence Says It All

2008-03-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods is not human. I mean seriously. I can't write anything that hasn't been said, but I feel compelled to write something. That birdie putt on 18 was unreal. It was the first time in 7 years that he's had to nail a bird on the final hole to win a tournament, which is just another testament to how incredible he's been. Go Tiger.

User Pick 6: Friday

2008-03-14T13:34:00.001-07:00

Joe Lunardi lost to his 9 year-old daughter in an office pool last year. Joey Brackets my...(USA Today)

Gotta love Gatorade's "League of Clutch" ad campaign. Sidney Crosby is the latest to be immortalized. (Fanhouse)

Top NCAAB coaches give their tournament favorites. Ben Howland picks UCLA. (Sports Illustrated)

The FBI is monitoring Facebook for illegal NCAA tournament gambling. Didn't I send that application to everybody last week? (Sporting News)

Gus Johnson reads the criticism, and it hurts his heart. I love you Gus! (Deadspin)

Golf Analyst David Feherty was hit by a truck. "He didn't want to hit the car on the left, so he ran over the cyclist on the right," Feherty said. (ESPN)

Moneyball 2.0

2008-03-13T20:49:00.000-07:00

My 2008 Yahoo! fantasy baseball team has been drafted. Leave a comment and let me know how astoundingly inept you think I am...

Round	Pick	Player	Position
1.	(6)	Matt Holliday	OF
2.	(15)	Johan Santana	SP
3.	(26)	Ichiro Suzuki	OF
4.	(35)	B.J. Upton	2B,OF
5.	(46)	Russell Martin	C
6.	(55)	Travis Hafner	1B
7.	(66)	Rafael Furcal	SS
8.	(75)	Ryan Zimmerman	3B
9.	(86)	Chris Young	SP
10.	(95)	Jason Bay	OF
11.	(106)	Kelvim Escobar	SP
12.	(115)	Paul Konerko	1B
13.	(126)	A.J. Burnett	SP
14.	(135)	Howie Kendrick	2B
15.	(146)	Kosuke Fukudome	OF
16.	(155)	Joe Borowski	RP
17.	(166)	Ian Snell	SP
18.	(175)	Andruw Jones	OF
19.	(186)	Geovany Soto	C
20.	(195)	Derek Lowe	SP
21.	(206)	Evan Longoria	3B
22.	(215)	Todd Jones	RP
23.	(226)	Gary Matthews Jr.	OF

My Quick Smells Like French Toast

2008-03-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

French toast? I did not see Pete Carroll coming.

View the 60-second version here. Or I guess you could just scroll down. Either way, man. They both work, so I guess it's up to you. Make the right choice. I'm going to bed.

Tommy Bowden Sucks

2008-03-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember the uplifting story of Ray Ray McElrathbey, the Clemson running back who adopted his younger brother, Fahmarr, to save him from a crack-head mother and a father with a severe gambling problem. McElrathbey, who was at Clemson on a scholarship, didn't want his 11 year-old brother to go through the same hardships he did, so he became his legal guardian. The normally heartless NCAA even granted McElrathbey a waiver allowing him to accept money via a public trust fund to support Fahmarr. But earlier this week, Tommy Bowden informed McElrathbey that his scholarship would not be renewed, even though he has 2 years of eligibility remaining.

McElrathbey missed the entire 2007 season with a knee injury, and was cut (a) because of Clemson's plethora of running backs and (b) because the university needs to stay under the scholarship maximum of 85. McElrathbey was expendable.

But one scholarship for an extra tight end isn't going to determine whether or not the Tigers get a BCS bid. It's just not. The loss of one scholarship will, however, have a tremendous impact on the lives of two people.

Look, I get it. Bowden made the what he believed was the best move for the program. He has a job to protect, and it's painfully obvious that winning is paramount, and the lives of others outside of football are secondary.

Keep McElrathbey on the team until his scholarship is up, and follow through on a commitment you made to a kid in a unique situation. It's about more than football. It's about life. Responsibility. Integrity. You're teaching students, Bowden, and your lesson sucks.

My Better is Better Than Your Better

2008-03-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

I'd be the first to admit that I choose Nike every time, and their advertising is 100% responsible. I can't get enough.

The song is "List of Demands" by Saul Williams. I can see this commercial doing for him what the iPod spots have done for others.

Hey Tiger, Grab My Sticks

2008-03-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine if Eldrick was your caddie? Apparently Buick can. They just started a promotion in which the grand prize winner will have Tiger Woods as their caddie for 9 holes at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif. Umm, that might not be such a good idea.

I can already see the hack that wins this contest. He shows up in his red Nike polo with pit-sweat dripping down to his hips, and he can barley stand because he's knees keep smacking together. He's got white foam sticking to the corners of his mouth. His first 3 tee shots go OB, and he ends every sentence with "ey, Tige?".

"What are you thinkin' here, ey Tige?"
"Gotta love ditchin' the wife for the boys, ey Tige?"
"Who's your dentist, ey Tige?"
"Remember that time when you ... That was crazy, ey Tige?"
"Kelly Tilghman's pretty hot, ey Tige?"

Don't be surprised if Tiger drops Buick as a sponsor immediately after this contest. Good luck, Tige.

He's Definitely On Something

2008-03-08T12:18:00.000-08:00

That's just weird.

Scoring Differential Gives Trophy Potential

2008-03-06T13:51:00.001-08:00

I like defense. I won't write it, but you know what defense wins. You know.

In the NBA, scoring differential is a defining defensive measurement. It shows the difference between how many points you score and how many you allow. There have been 61 NBA champions, and 34 of them led the league in scoring differential.

Coincidentally, my top 5 contenders are the 5 best teams in terms of scoring differential in the NBA. I've listed them in that order, not necessarily in the order of my liking. Ultimately, one of these teams will become the 62nd NBA champion. Here's why:

Boston (+9.78): The Celtics have the best record in the NBA, and they're the best defensive team in the league. This is not a coincidence. Head Coach Doc Rivers keeps his guys motivated night-in and night-out on both ends of the floor. Kevin Garnett has brought the team together, igniting a fire under the C's while putting out any egos that flare up. The addition of PG Sam Cassell was enormous for a team that was lacking depth and experience at the position. The knock is their lack of post-season experience, but with a likely No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court throughout, they might be able to overcome it.

Detroit (+7.70): I like Detroit, when they're motivated. They have the best starting 5 in the NBA, and they present mismatches all over the floor for any team. Billups, Rip, Rasheed, and Tayshaun get all the love--and deservingly so--but the key to the success of this team has been their depth and Head Coach Flip Saunders' utilization of it. Jason Maxiell, Jarvis Hayes, and Rodney Stuckey have been exceptionally productive off the bench, adding an element to this team that they haven't had since they won it all in 2004-05. If they're motivated, Detroit is one of the toughest outs in a 7 game series.

L.A. Lakers (+7.19): Two words and three letters: Kobe Bryant, MVP. The most lethal player in the league; he can take over at any time. The Lakers are the sexy pick to be the last team standing right now. We all know about the addition of Pau Gasol and what that has meant for this team. He's been unbelievable, but Gasol's a little soft on D for my taste, which might cause some problems in the playoffs against an elite big. The Lakers seem to have the right mix of star and role players, and it will be interesting to see the impact guys like Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza have when they get healthy. The Phillip Factor can't be overstated, either.

Utah (+5.90): My dark horse. I'm a big Deron Williams fan. He knows when to distribute the ball and when to shoot it better than anyone. The early-season addition of Kyle Korver went relatively unnoticed, and he's been great coming off the bench. Carlos Boozer is the most underrated superstar in the game today, and an absolute monster on the glass. The Jazz gained experience from their run to the Western Conference finals last season, and they're very capable of doing that again. Utah has the best home-court advantage in the NBA, with a 27-3 record at EnergySolutions Arena. They are, however, the only team on this list that is under .500 on the road, which is worrisome.

San Antonio (+5.40): Forget Boston. The Spurs have the real Big 3, with rings to prove it. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan are the deadliest post-season threesome of this decade. They, more than anyone, know it's not about how you get there, it's about how you finish. They will miss Brent Barry's sharp shooting, but then again with the way Ginobili has been playing lately, maybe they won't. The Spurs have been as far under the radar as a team with 4 championships in the last 9 years can be. Head Coach Greg Popovich has the playoff formula down to a T, and his team is healthy and making their late-season push. Look out.

All of those teams have their own ingredients for success. Most importantly, they play great defense, and they're not afraid to grind it out and play half-court basketball. I'm not picking a winner yet, but when I do, it will be one of the 5. Guaranteed.

Michael BEASTly

2008-03-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

Kansas State forward Michael Beasley is clearly the best player in college basketball, but Sports Illustrated announced today that North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough is their Player of the Year. [Insert buzzer here]. Wrong answer.

Beasley is averaging significantly more points and rebounds per game than Hansbrough (check the links above), and he's doing it in a tougher and deeper conference; the Big 12.
Beasley, 6-10, has 48 blocks so far this season. Hansbrough, 6-9, has 9 (9!). Beasley can defend the perimeter and the block. Hansbrough can only do the ladder.
Beasley has made 33 three-pointers this season, shooting nearly 40% from beyond the arc. Hansbrough is 0-5 from distance this season. Beasley has a better all-around game.
Hansbrough is white, Beasley is not.
Hansbrough has 15 double-double's this season. Beasley has 26!
Hansbrough has scored 30 or more points only 3 times this year. Beasley has done it 13 times, including 3 games with 40+.
Hansbrough's nickname is "Psycho T". Psycho T? The hell? Hands-down the worst nickname ever. Beasley goes by "B-Easy".
Beasley will be the first overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. Hansbrough will be battling for a roster spot.

Okay, okay. Hanbrough's top-ranked Tar Heels (28-2) are tied for first place in the ACC, and are poised to seize the No.1 seed in the East come tourney time. Meanwhile, Beasley's third place Wildcats (19-10) have lost 4 of their last 5, and are battling just to get into the field of 65.

Here's the spine of my argument for Beasley: Take him away from K-State, and they're below .500, easy. If you remove Hansbrough from UNC, they're still a solid NCAA tournament team and battling for supremacy in the ACC. So not only is Beasley a better player, but he's more valuable to his team. SI is trippin'.

Tribute to Brett Favre, the Interception King

2008-03-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

A fresh perspective on Favre's retirement. Who could forget his 6 picks in the 2002 NFC Wildcard game? Enjoy.

The Guy to Replace the Guy

2008-03-04T17:33:00.000-08:00

Aaron Rodgers has the unenviable task of replacing Brett Favre as the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. And you know what? He can do it.

In week 13 last year, the 10-1 Packers went to Dallas to take on the 10-1 Cowboys in one of the most hyped games of the year. Favre left with an elbow and shoulder injury in the second quarter, and in came Rodgers. On the road against the best team in the NFC at the time, Rodgers went 18-26 for 201 yards and a touchdown. That was in just over a half, mind you. Even though the Packers lost, Rodgers gained confidence and flashed the ability to play at the highest level.

Rodgers has been Favre's understudy in Green Bay since he was drafted in 2005. He's had 3 seasons to stand on the sidelines and watch one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Three seasons to watch Favre in practice, see the way he interacts with teammates and coaches, sit with him in the film room, and witness his preparation week-in and week-out. That has to be worth something.

And it's not like he's taking over a bad team. The Packers have plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball. Rodgers already knows Mike McCarthy's West Coast offense, now all he has to do is execute and trust the weapons around him--like running back Ryan Grant--to make plays. Wide receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Koren Robinson make up one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. Rodgers is money, baby! He's so money and he doesn't even know it.

Cheeseheads need to be patient and let this guy develop, unless they'd like to go on a never-ending search for a quarterback to replace the legend (cough, Miami!). Rodgers can't be Brett Favre, but with a little experience, he can be a winner in Green Bay.

Sacrificin' the Bod

2008-03-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

No way! Some guy at a charity softball game at Northern Michigan University. Sweet grab.

ESPN Goes Hollywood

2008-03-03T15:14:00.000-08:00

ESPN is expanding its empire. The cable, Internet, radio, and magazine giant is collaborating with Creative Artists Agency and Walt Disney Studios to produce and distribute theatrical films with sports themes. ESPN also hired 30 filmmakers to produce one-hour mini-movies to appear on the channel starting in September 2009.

Entering the film industry is an ambitious endeavor by the World Wide Leader, considering that sports movies are among the most difficult to execute. There is almost no demand for sports pictures internationally, which is the main reason that studios shy away from them in the first place. ESPN has put out 6 made-for-TV films since 2002, and none of them were very good.

Another reason that sports flicks aren't funded is because women, not men, usually make movie-going decisions. So if couples won't see the movie in America, and nobody outside of the U.S. has any interest, why waste the capital? It's going to be difficult for ESPN to make $$$ in a genre that has proven not to be a lucrative one.

On the TV side, I'm more optimistic because it seems like more of a realistic undertaking. It will cost less money, and fill a void in their cable programming. Production should be able to move relatively quickly, allowing some storylines to be recent and relevant, peaking interest and ratings alike. Couple that with the huge advantage that ESPN has with their advertising capabilities, and I think it's a recipe for success.

Wrap-up: Movies-->No, TV-->Yes!

Moss is a Must

2008-03-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's Sunday morning, and Randy Moss is still a free agent. The New England Patriots already lost wide receiver Donte Stallworth to Cleveland, which they can overcome, but loosing Moss is not an option.

I can't understand why the two sides haven't come to an agreement, considering it is in the best interest of both sides to keep the status quo. The delay is definitely not helping New England. Bernard Berrian, the second-best receiver on the market, signed a $42 million contract with the Vikings, with $16 million guaranteed. Moss is obviously two classes above Berrian, and now he has a gauge to measure any offers that come in. Tom Brady must be worried.

But why would Moss want to leave Brady? He's the best quarterback in the NFL, and they both had record-breaking seasons in their first campaign together. The Patriots organization is a perfect fit for Moss. His flamboyancy and often lackluster attitude are throttled by head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriot Way. He stays quiet and gets the job done, something that I don't think would be possible for him anywhere else. Did I mention Tom Brady is the quarterback?

Oddly enough, Moss doesn't seem to be in a rush to stay with the Pats. He is reportedly listening to offers from other teams, and he even contacted former Minnesota Vikings teammate and fellow free agent Daunte Culpepper about a possible reunion on a team with needs at wide receiver and quarterback. Tom Brady must be nervous.

After loosing Stallworth and star cornerback Asante Samuel to the Eagles, failing to lock up No. 81 would be devastating to the AFC Champs. The Pats need to focus on retooling an aging defense with holes in the secondary, and if they loose Moss, the wide receiver position will become an immediate concern. Tom Brady won't be happy.

Thank God for the Mat!

2008-02-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

Wai-wai-wait a second. YOU try running at full speed, hitting a trampoline, flipping 6 times, then dunking. You wouldn't try that? Me neither. Idiot.

The Real Deal

2008-02-29T14:22:00.000-08:00

I miss boxing, but this is too much. Mike Tyson, 41, and Evander Holyfield, 45, are considering a third clash. That's almost as nauseating as Floyd Mayweather's WWE appearance.

Man, what happened to boxing?

I'll tell you what happened: UFC happened. But other than that, America stopped caring. We don't glorify boxers like we used to. Boxers aren't getting multi-million dollar endorsement deals like guys in caps, helmets, baggy shorts, or racing suits. Boxing isn't on SportsCenter every night, which explains why Mayweather needs the limelight of professional wrestling and Dancing With the Stars to get his fix.

Young athletes aren't exposed to boxing, and they don't seek it out because there's no glamour; boxers don't have the celebrity status attached to them that many do in other sports. And it's not offered as a high school sport, which is a contributing factor.

Here's the bottom line: America's premiere athletes don't box. They majority of them play football, basketball, and baseball. Someone will need to do for boxing what Sidney Crosby is doing for hockey for that to change. Until then, we're stuck with strange heavyweights in their 40's.

Knight Joins ESPN

2008-02-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

Watch that video before you read this!

I knew this day was coming. Bob Knight, the winningest coach in Division I men's college basketball, has been hired by the World Wide Leader as a studio analyst. [Insert irony here]. Knight is famous for speaking his mind. He once likened the press to "vultures" and described them as "one or two steps above prostitution". Welcome to the busiest corner on the block, Mr. Knight.

Incidents aside, Knight is the truth. He'll be phenomenal on TV once he gets the hang of it. Some people think it's just getting in front of a camera and giving your opinion, but it's much more than that. At his best, Knight is polarizing and insightful, but usually analysts are redundant and bland until the green wears off. Knight will be part of a panel and have to find his niche within the dynamic of the group. During this feeling-out period, awkwardness will ensue, and consequently be broken by a kiss-ass comment directed at Knight (the over-under is 12 for the first show). His transformation should be entertaining.

Here's my advice: Forget the X's and O's, Knight. You're now getting paid to run the TV triangle: Buzz-->Ratings-->Money. I'm sure you can handle it.

Best Fit for Barry

2008-02-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

Amid the talk of Barry Bonds to Tampa Bay, I began thinking of the most realistic place for him to go. Gotta be in the American League where he can be a real contender, which rules out the Rays.

Seattle. The Mariners need a big bat if they're going to score enough runs to compete with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (that's still annoying) in the AL West, so they have motivation to sign him. And Seattle made a big splash this off-season, adding left-handed ace Erik Bedard (3rd in the AL in strikeouts last year) from Baltimore, leaving them with one of the scariest 1-2 punches in baseball with Bedard and emerging righty Felix Hernandez.

The offense, though, is another story. Seattle does have the best leadoff man in the game in Ichiro Suzuki, but their big stick, Richie Sexon, batted .205 with just 21 homers last year. "Big stick". Bonds could be the RBI machine that this lineup is missing.

Manager John McLaren is entering his first full season as manager, and has everything to gain. There is no "face of the franchise" to publicly condemn the move. Plus, the city is disgruntled over the Sonics' inevitable relocation to Oklahoma City, and hungry for a player to put the M's over the top. Bonds is not the saving grace, but he'll get on base and score runs.

Critics point out the circus that is Barry Bonds and the detrimental effect he can have on a clubhouse. This is valid. But the media spotlight is relatively dim in the Pacific Northwest, and if he's productive, the players, fans, and organization will embrace him. Bonds could blend in, pad his stats, and lead Seattle into the playoffs. Assuming, of course, he can stay healthy.

Liar, Liar

2008-02-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice if the Department of Justice held professional athletes to the same standards as regular citizens? Department of Justice, right? Just checkin'. All too often, professional athletes' long money and celebrity status get them out of legal situations Average Joe wouldn't have a prayer in.

Roger Clemens, whose sworn testimony directly contradicted that of Brian McNamee, could be investigated for perjury, which carries a sentence of 5 years in prison ... per-lie. Athletes don't need to be role models, but they do need to be held accountable while under oath. The DOJ has a perfect opportunity to make an example out of the Rocket and send a message to athletes everywhere: You are not above the law.

I couldn't waltz up on Capitol Hill and knowingly give falsities under oath without serving hard time, so why should Clemens be exempt from the repercussions? Because he has more strikeouts than me? Please. If the forthcoming investigation incriminates Clemens (and if it doesn't we've got bigger problems), action must be taken. Tell Barack I said it! He'll be on his second term by the time this gets resolved.

Singapore

2008-02-26T23:42:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Singapore! I've been accepted to Nanyang Technological University, which happens to be one of the top journalism and media schools in Asia. I leave towards the end of July, and I'll be there until the beginning of December. I'm going to live in the dorms for $150 a month (sure beats SD) and travel as much as possible. In fact, I get a week off from school just to cruise up to Tokyo, into Thailand, down to Australia ... anywhere I want! The downside: There's a possibility I'll miss the MLB Playoffs and the majority of the NFL regular season. But I'm hoping there will be a place with a satellite where I can watch the games in the middle of the night. If not, there's always the internet.