Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: Federer vs. the Pats

By Dan Shanoff
Today’s Calls: Federer vs. the Pats, Bill Belichick vs. the Media, Kevin Love vs. his home state, Tim Floyd vs. O.J. Mayo, the Heat vs. Futility, Monta Ellis and Baron Davis vs. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, Allen Iverson vs. Tracy McGrady, Jose Canseco vs. Magglio Ordonez, Joe Flacco vs. Matt Forte, NHL All-Star Game vs. All-American Football League Draft, Kelly Tilghman vs. the Public and More!
The Opening Pitch: What can Roger Federer’s stunning loss in the Australian Open semifinals tell us about the Patriots in the Super Bowl?
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I would argue that Federer’s place in the Aussie Open finals was considered even MORE of a lock than the Pats beating the Giants next Sunday.
Federer had appeared in 10 straight Grand Slam finals. He was the 2-time defending Aussie Open champ. (If the Patriots are lucky, they might be considered the “Federer of the NFL.”)
And Federer lost in straight sets.
Straight. Sets. To Novak Djokovic, a fine enough player but who was given no realistic shot of beating Federer.
Now, what can this teach us about the Pats’ presumptive perfection? Consider the chance that anyone -- anyone -- gave Djokovic heading into his match with Federer. Sort of like the chance people are giving the Giants vs. the Pats (Djokovic got even LESS of a chance).
If the greatest tennis player of all time can lose in straight sets in the semis of a Slam event he has owned, it is even more reasonable that the Pats can lose to the Giants.
Tom Brady Watch: “Portray it however you want.” That was Bill Belichick to the media horde after Brady didn’t practice on Thursday. Hmm: Maybe there’s something to all this talk about his foot, after all.
Either that, or Belichick is already playing mind-games with the media and the Giants coaches. It’s a long way until next Wednesday’s deadline for official injury reports -- and, even then, don’t get your hopes up.
I remain baffled that anyone would think that -- gimpy ankle or not -- Tom Brady WOULDN’T PLAY in the Super Bowl. Would Brady’s limited effectiveness give the Giants a puncher’s chance? Eh ... maybe.
College Hoops: Upset in the Top 10! Arizona stuns Wazzu in Tucson. The story of the game was Arizona’s season-high 12 3s. “We can beat anyone in the country right now,” Chase Budinger claimed.
More Pac-10: Kevin Love had 26 and 18 to lead UCLA to a bounce-back win at Oregon, Love’s home-state. Despite UCLA’s loss to USC last weekend, Love is still my No. 1 college hoops player in the country.
CBB Mid-Major Mania: Xavier crushes Dayton. Yes, but longtime reader/commenter Scott wants me to remind everyone that 2 of Dayton’s top 3 players are injured.
O.J. Mayo Mini-Scandal: Surprise, surprise: Tim Floyd eats it for OJ. What else could he do on behalf of the player whose rep walked into Floyd’s office unannounced and told the coach that Mayo would play for USC.
College Hoops Weekend Preview: Gonzaga at Memphis in yet another tough non-conference test for the Tigers ... One more: UConn at Indiana and Eric Gordon ... Intrastate battle when Ole Miss plays at Mississippi State (4-0 in the SEC) ... Can Maryland play giant-killer for a 2nd-straight weekend? The Terps host rival Duke.
Last Night’s NBA Dud: Miami loses 15th straight. If the Heat wanted to stop their crazy losing streak, playing the Spurs wouldn’t be the way to start. Did you ever think a champ two years removed, featuring one of the Top 3 players in the NBA, would be reduced to this?
Last Night’s NBA Stud(s): Monta Ellis (39 pts) and Baron Davis (25) out-dueled Richard Jefferson (34) and Vince Carter (29) in a wild 2-point Warriors win in Oakland, featuring a 39-point 4th quarter from the home team.
NBA All-Star Vote Results: A.I. is I-N! Iverson surged past T-Mac in the final days to claim a starting spot for the West, along with teammate Carmelo, Kobe, Yao and Duncan.
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In the East, let the Dwight Howard Eastern Conference All-Star Starting Center Dynasty begin. Howard was rewarded for his monster season with his first-ever start, teaming with KG (the leading vote-getter, unsurprisingly), LeBron, Wade and Kidd.
Some say fan voting for All-Star starting lineups is lame: I love it, and this season, NBA fans proved they can deliver a mix of popular favorites, rising stars -- and at least one comeback.
NBA Dunk Contest: I WAS all about Dwight Howard, right up until I heard about Rudy Gay letting fans put their own dunks on YouTube, and he would take the best one and re-create it in the Dunk Contest. Hmm ... where’s that guy who does the 720? (h/t: Henry Abbott)
Jose Canseco vs. Magglio Ordonez: Yes, in fact, Ordonez WILL be in Canseco’s new book, which should be subtitled “How Much Will You Give Me Not to Put Your Name In This Book?” Actually, that would be an AWESOME subtitle.) Canseco claims that either Ordonez’ reps or MLB killed his book deal with his last publisher. Is the book “Vindicated” or “Delusional?”
Clemens vs. Congress: Meeting with investigators pushed back from Saturday until Feb. 5. Who had the “over?”
MLB Offseason: Yankees follow through on their youth movement and lock up Robinson Cano for 4Y/$30M.
Senior Bowl: I’m not sure that any players are going to make-or-break their NFL Draft fortunes in the game itself (they did that during workouts this past weekend, particularly Delaware QB Joe Flacco and Tulane RB Matt Forte). But it’s your last college look at plenty of names you’ve been following on Saturdays the last few years.
Speaking of the NFL Draft, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland says the team is willing to deal the No. 1 overall pick. Any takers? I think the question is how badly Jerry Jones wants Arkansas’ Darren McFadden, and whether he’s willing to package the Cowboys’ TWO first-round picks to move up to get him.
NHL All-Star Game: Buzz or Zzz? Compare the buzz around the NHL All-Star Weekend to the buzz around the Senior Bowl. Actually, compare the buzz around the NHL’s midseason event to the buzz around the NHL’s own Winter Classic last month. Just doesn’t register to the casual fan. (Then again, neither does the NBA All-Star Game or the NFL’s Pro Bowl.)
Who’s going to emerge as the Mel Kiper of the AAFL? The All-American Football League (AAFL), the pro football minor league based on college loyalty, will hold its first-ever draft on Saturday. So does that mean a team from Florida won’t draft a “need” if that player happens to be from Michigan? (I have to admit: I’m totally fascinated by the AAFL.)
The Last Word: Goes to Kelly Tilghman, on her return to air on the Golf Channel:
“Over the last two weeks, I’ve taken this time to reflect and truly understand the impact of what I said. While I did not intend to offend anyone, I understand why those words were hurtful. I am terribly sorry for any hurt that I’ve caused. I would like to express my deepest apologies.”
“I’m sorry ... for any hurt” is often a non-apology apology, sort of like “I’m sorry YOU got upset,” rather than “I’m sorry for MY error.” In this case, between Tiger vouching for her and the way Golfweek’s coverage actually eclipsed the original story, she seems sincere.
Dan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.↵