Monday Morning Second Guessing

What a terrific way for the golf season - which as we all know, never actually ends - to unofficially conclude, at least for Canadians. The day was gorgeous, and Mike Weir and Tiger Woods staged an intriguing tug-of-war, with Weir coming out on top. This should give Weir a boost in confidence, but he won't be able to dodge the reality that he finally beat Tiger only when it didn't really matter, in the equivalent of NBA garbage time. I mean, can anyone honestly say that if all the marbles had been on the line that Weir would have beaten the world's No. 1 player? That doesn't make the achievement worthless, just more of a building block than the historic triumph some will make it out to be. . .In just another illustration of how the popularity of golf far overpowers that of tennis these days in North America, Weir is being heralded as a hero for winning a meaningless match in an over-hyped team event while Frank Dancevic managed to generate just a little bit of notice for knocking off the world's No. 3 player, Andy Roddick, at the final of an important event in Indianopolis in August. . .While the CFL is suddenly without a truly exciting quarterback, at least partly due to injuries, suddenly the NFL is brimming with them. Now, I've never liked the Dallas Cowboys, but if you don't like Tony Romo, you don't like fun, let alone football. Along with Vince Young and Brett Favre, he's the signal caller most enjoyable to watch this season. . .28 other NHL clubs are absolutely thrilled they weren't asked to go to London to start the season. . .You could play this one any way you want. But if Vesa Toskala had to beat out Andrew Raycroft for the No. 1 goaltending job with the Leafs, well, he didn't. If that's the logic that decides it, Raycroft gets the nod Wednesday night. . .By the time consideration for Canada's 2010 Olympic team rolls around, Mike Cammalleri's name should be front and centre, precisely the type of nimble, little man who was missing in Turin. Imagine Cammalleri and Sidney Crosby skating together. . .New Jersey is still kicking the tires on veteran D-man Danny Markov. The Leafs should be as well if they could maneuver the cap space. . .I like the Devils. But nine games on the road to start the season is a tough baptism for Brent Sutter. . .Another year lost, another free pass for J.P. Ricciardi. No wonder this guy looks cool as a cucumber all the time - he obviously is under no pressure to actually win. . .Creating a Grey Cup buzz in Toronto in November will be a lot easier if the Argos can get to the big game. They'll likely have to win a game in Winnipeg to do it, but it sure looks like a distinct possibility after the Blue Bombers looked very, very ordinary on the weekend. . .There's gotta be another league the U of T Varsity Blues footballers could play in. . .A-Rod ends up with 156 RBIs. But he'd better not go 0-for when the post-season begins. . .Two Blue Jay performances truly worth noting this season? Matt Stairs and Dustin McGowan. . .Jay McKee only played 23 games for the St. Louis Blues last year in the first year of a lucrative free agent contract. Now, he's out a month or more with a fractured right foot. . .MSG has dubbed the NHL an "illegal cartel" in a lawsuit over internet rights. But Jim Balsillie was too much trouble for Gary Bettman?. . .Can't say LeBron James was fabulous hosting Saturday Night Live. But he was okay, about as good as Peyton Manning. . .Watching the huge crowd for a stirring finale in the women's World Cup of soccer made one think that this is what women's hockey had hoped to create, but never really could because of the absence of more than two truly competitive teams. Moreover, it demonstrates the power of soccer on an international stage. . .Seeing Brazil and Germany joust in the final made it clear that after giving non-traditional soccer powers like the U.S., Canada and Norway a head start, the traditional powers are now taking over the women's game as well. The opening Canada had for a few years is probably now gone. . .Watching the Brazilian women handle the ball seemed to illustrate a cultural difference. They treat the ball as their friend; Canadian men and women treat it like a grenade, something to be tamed and feared. . .I'd like to care, but I just don't care whether San Diego or Colorado wins today's wild card showdown. . .Trent Edwards just looks a lot more like an NFL quarterback than J.P. Losman, who looks more like a CFL guy to me. . .What a bittersweet season for Tom Glavine. He exults in his 300th win, then gets pounded on the final day as the Mets complete a historic collapse. . .The new Flyers captain will either be Simon Gagne or Jason Smith, it appears. Smith was acquired over the summer, and it shows you how he's perceived internally that he could be a candidate to wear the "C" so soon for his new team. . .Would have liked to have seen more pre-season action for Justin Pogge. Just to get a peek at the future, assuming he's still the future.

Comments

[chris]

I'm sure as president of the "Mike Weir Sucks" club, you were duty bound to say something negative about Weir's play this weekend, Cheeseboy.

Face facts, Mike Weir made Gary Player look like a genius by selecting him to the International side as he was the team's best player this weekend. He outplayed guys like Tiger, Phil, Furyk, and he gave golf fans in Canada something to cheer about wildly. All that with the spotlight shone intensly on him in Montreal. If it wasn't for Weir, there wouldn't have been a President's Cup played here in Canada.

So dump all over him all you want. I for one was proud of what Mike Weir did this weekend. I'd hate to think of how that arrogant loudmouth Stephen Ames would have handled it if he was in Weir's shoes. Especially going up against Tiger Woods.

[Steve]

Damien, buy a paragraph break or two.

[scott]

Damian,can't believe you think weir's match was garbage time!.The cup could still have been won,although improbable,Remember Brookline?.Give the guy his due!,he played his best golf in 2 years on a national stage against the worlds best!..The only thing I can't believe is he'd say this win might be bigger than the master's,don't think it compares.

[Kevin]

Do you really think that Tiger Woods was trying any less hard or with any less desire to win than any other time, just because of the team standings? Golf is all about individual achievements and while it was a team event, to take anything away from Weir's victory is senseless and unfair.