Fallen angels and silver linings: Sizing up 2007

Finally. The holidays are over. Life returns to quasi-normal. I have recovered from temporary insanity. (At least I hope it was temporary.)

2007 was not a good year in sports in this guy's household. Or maybe it was. I haven't decided yet. Well let's figure this out.

We'll go with the bad news first.

The Fallen Angels: (Not that any of these were previously uplifted angels. It's the name of my blog. Work with me people.)

• Mike Vick. He electrocuted and hung dogs. I have two dogs, KG and MJ, whom I love very much. Let's just say I don't approve. I only wish my level of revulsion was higher.
  
• Torii Hunter. OK, he's not fallen, but he is now an Angel.
  
• Marion Jones. Such a beautiful, charismatic girl. Such a phenomenal athlete. I so wanted to believe that those five golds in Sydney were legit.
  
• Roger Clemens.
  I so don't believe your denials. There's plausible deniability. This ain't it.
  
• Tim Brewster.
  He came in talking about bringing Gopher Nation to Pasadena. That Rose Bowl turf he brought in as a reminder of that goal sure withered fast during the worst season in Gopher football history. 1-11? Seriously? 1-11!
  
• Brad Childress.
  As I recall, Mike Tice, who was undercut by a tightfisted owner with both his roster and his coaching staff, went 9-7 two years ago and won a playoff game at Lambeau Field the year before that. Congratulations, Major Dad. With a major upgrade on defense and the best rookie running back since, oh, Eric Dickerson, you guided the Vikings to a level of competence and mediocrity a notch below your hamstrung predecessor.
  
• Kevin McHale.
  Well, at least he didn't give away KG. He got 20 cents on the dollar!
  
• Carl Pohlad. Can't blame him for not spending any more money on payroll. He's not getting a brand-new, state-of-the-art, taxpayer-funded ballpark in 2010.
  
• Barry Bonds*.
  
• Floyd Landis. I really wanna believe you Floyd. And it's not just because I'm predisposed to distrust the French.
  
• Tim Donaghy. As if enough people didn't already think the NBA was fixed. A ref betting on the games is great for the integrity of the game. (Meeting in the Commish's office, circa 1995. "Hmm, we got the Pacers and the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Well, boys, you know what to do. … If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere. New York, New York!) Not that I'm bitter or anything.
  
• The BCS. Who out there wouldn't have liked to see Georgia or USC (the two hottest teams in the country right now) have a shot at the title? Nah, a playoff system won't work! My only consolation is if I live to see 80 (and I won't), there's a 1.5-percent chance that I'll see a college football playoff in my lifetime.
  
• Brad May. That blindside sucker punch of mild-mannered Swede Kim Johnsson in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs was unconscionable. I hope you have nightmares of the Boogeyman, because he's coming to get you, you thug.
  

The Silver Linings:

• Matt Niskanen. It's been a long time since a Ranger made it big time. It's been fun to watch a kid I covered extensively in hockey, football and baseball, succeed at the highest level. And he's a good kid, too. All the better. Looking forward to watching him play the Wild tonight.
  
• Randy Moss and Tom Brady. My favorite hook-up since Brangelina. (Just kidding.) But goodness are they, as my buddy J.J. would say, "Fun to watch!" You couldn't have scripted it any better Saturday. Trailing 28-23 to the Giants with their perfect season on the line, Brady unloads a bomb to a streaking Moss for a 65-yard touchdown. Not only does the play lead to a 16-0 record, but also the TD pass is Brady's 50^th and the TD catch is Moss' 23^rd of the season, both NFL records. I just got goose bumps on my goose bumps.
  
• Adrian Peterson. All Day.
  
• Kevin Garnett.
  As much as it hurt to see him go, KG's finally found his happy place. The Celtics are 27-3! Good gracious. Here's to KG hoisting a championship trophy at the end of this season. Da Franchise deserves it.
  
• Marion Gaborik. Five goals in a game. What a talent. Now if he can just stay healthy…
  
• Reggie Miller. As much as I would have loved to see you come back and play the Smiling Assassin off the bench and win a ring with KG, you'll always be a Pacer. I guess I can live with that. (Then again, why didn't you come back? Whyyyyy?)
  
• The Ohio State University. This inclusion is just for my buddy Super Dave. Then again, reaching the national championship game in a rebuilding year is nothing to sniff at. Especially after Florida smoked 'em in last year's title game. (Sorry, Dave. Couldn't resist.)
  
• Marion Barber III. He's 1B to Laurence Maroney's 1A as my favorite Gopher of all time. Most ferocious running back in the NFL.
  
• Virginia golf and BEST baseball. The Devils ran away with the state championship in boys' golf while Casey Hill won an individual crown. And my alma mater (Babbitt-Embarrass) made me proud with a state trip of their own.
  
• Virginia basketball. The boys and girls are a combined 18-0 this season. Must be that Blue Pride. Or something in the water.
  

I'm sure I'm forgetting a fallen angel here and a silver lining there, but then again 2007 wasn't exactly my bread-and-butter year. All in all, I think it comes out a wash. Well, better than a wash since I am the quintessential eternal optimist.

I always look for the silver lining. Cuz I'm Mr. Brightside.