Keep your eye on Ryan Whitney, #19 for Pittsburgh in your program. Great young defensman out of Scituate, MA and Boston University. Ryan’s younger brother Sean has one more year at Cushing and then will be headed to Ithaca next year to suit up for the Big Red. No idea if he’s as good as his brother, but supposed to be a very good player. I met him last summer, and while he claims to have enjoyed going to Ruloffs on his recruiting visit, I’m sure Pep and the boys will work that out of his system in, oh, about three days after his arrival on campus.

Oh, wait, I forget… the rest of the world see’s the beauty of a game of keep away on the pitch - but we ugly Americans don’t. Look… when Cody was six years old, he played soccer. Sometimes, the goalie would go a whole game with getting a shot on goal. I love my kid, and I support his every endeavor - but I’m able to admit that it’s boring when that happens… whether its children or (highly-paid) adults.

But Beckhams’ in the States now - so he’ll bring soccer to its rightful place amongst the (three or) four major sports in America…. right Reverand Lovejoy? Yeahhhhh….. suuurrrreeee!!!!!

On a related note, the Stanley Cup playoffs are quite simply the *best* playoffs of any sport… bar none - and its not even close. I suppose we could debate the point - but anyone who thinks otherwise is a moron… just so we’re clear. In short, the enticing dichotomy of physical and graceful play, due to the high level of intensity and athletic ability, which concludes with a handshake line-up at the end of (up to a) seven-game series where both teams have left everything on the playing surface. It is just the best of what sports should be. Period.