Remember that old song, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", or the Mariah Carey hit "All I want for Christmas is you"?
Well, nevermind "you" or "my two front teeth". I am going to share with you MY sports Christmas list. This is a list of all the things I would like to have happen in my next sports year.
--A new starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. I don't care if it is a veteran from another team that the Bills trade for like Michael Vick, Matt Flynn, Colt McCoy or if it is a young high 1st or 2nd round draft pick. Someone who could be ready to step in and start right away and build the future around. If this isn't the year to draft and develop a QB, then go with the veteran.
--While I'm at it, I'd have the top inside linebacker in the NFL draft be available for the Bills. Perhaps Manti Teo, Georgia's Alec Ogletree or 'Bama's CJ Mosley. Whoever it is better be fast as lightning and a tackling machine. Is it too much to dream that the Bills could land Vick or Flynn and have Teo fall to them?
--A resolution between the NHL players and the owners and an end to the NHL lockout. I don't miss the NHL as much as many fans in the NHL cities, but for their sake and the good of the sport, I hope the players and owners come to an agreement, and play at least a shortened season and playoffs.
--An all-star caliber defense-first stay at home defenseman for the Rochester Amerks. Even though the NHL is locked out, I hope the Sabres keep an eye out for any players in Europe who want to come back to play in the states or pursue a possible trade with another AHL team to shore up the defensive liabilities with this Amerks team.
--That Tim Tebow is aquired by the Jacksonville Jaguars, like Chris Mortenson of ESPN says is a "virtual certainty". Then, I hope the Jags immediately name him their starting quarterback for 2013, and not hand him some backup role like he had this year with the Jets. The Jaguars would then immediately become my new favorite team again (as they were from 1997 to 2001).
--A power hitting free agent 1st baseman or outfielder that the Twins would sign and send down to the Red Wings for most or all of the year. Perhaps a guy like Nick Johnson or Don Kelly. Austin Kearns, Lyle Overbay and Luke Scott are all still available and might be willing to play in triple A if they can't hook on with a big league club who would find a spot for them.
--A 2nd national championship for the Syracuse Orange. There are no dominant teams in NCAA basketball this year like there usually is, so it's wide open. The Orange could be as good as anyone in the country and is always a tough out with that 2-3 zone. If they are playing at the top of their game and healthy come tournament time, they'd stand as good of a chance as anyone.
--Derrick Rose return to the starting lineup of my favorite team, the Chicago Bulls. I'd then love the Bulls to once again get the #1 seed in the Eastern conference, like they had last year when Rose got hurt. This year, in that scenario, things could be different and they could actually defeat the Heat on their way to a 7th championship, but first since the Jordan era.
--That Alex Rodriguez comes back from his hip surgery sometime after the all-star break and starts hitting like he hasn't hit in years. Say what you want about A-Rod, I'd still rather see him atop baseball's all time home run list instead of Barry Bonds.
--To win one of my fantasy baseball leagues. I am in two fantasy baseball leagues, one AL and one NL league. I have not won my NL league since 2004, and haven't won my AL league since 2009, and finished in the cellar last season. It's about time I win at least one of them again.
--To win one of my fantasy football leagues. I am in two league and a co-owner in a third. I have not won either of my fantasy football leagues since 2004 and 2001 respectively. Not only that but I have been around the .500 mark in each league over the last five seasons combined. In the league I am a co-owner in, we have lost the Championship game three of the last four years. We are the Buffalo Bills of fantasy football. It's about time I had a juggernaut that wins a title again. I'm so due, I'm like a pregnant woman in the 10th month.
--Finally, I hope that this sports blog blows up with tons of new readers. Keep on coming back, a couple of times a day. Even if you have already read it, and tell all your friends to do the same thing ok? Bookmark my page, and click on it liberally.
I hope you all got everything you wanted for Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!!!!
to make a holiday donation to help fund clinical reseach trials for my blinding eye disease, please go to www.curechm.org
