Experts & Clowns: Discussing the BCS, the Celtics, Scott Boras and the Patriots

Welcome to the sixth installment of Experts and Clowns, where four AC sportswriters tackle today's hot sports issues. Before we go any further, let's have a moment of silence for the Indianapolis Colts, the poor team that was soooo disrespected. The team that was up by 10 points in the fourth quarter in its own stadium and couldn't close the deal.

Okay, thanks for showing the no-more undefeated Colts the respect their fans so clearly crave. Here's our panel:

Nick Meyer recently surprised us all by filming an article about Vaseline. He's still welcome on our panel, I think.

Jake Emen will advise you on how to run your non-profit Web site. And there's absolutely no truth to the rumor that these were for-profit enterprises before he got there.

Zac Wassink graces us all with his presence. Women adore him and men want to be him. His skin is flawless, his posture is perfect and he has never lost one of the debates he holds with himself.

And you all know me - I am the Walrus; coo coo cajoob!

Which one loss team most deserves to go to the BCS title game if they win out and would an undefeated Kansas team deserve the nod over all of them??

Jake - Well this isn't going to be very creative, but it's LSU... and that really isn't up for debate in my mind. The resume and the quality of schedule speaks for itself; and there preseason ranking (I will note that I am against preseason rankings) all but ensures them a spot in the championship game if they win out. Kansas doesn't deserve to be in the title game if they go undefeated, unless LSU, Oregon and West Virginia all lose. If Kansas wins out, and Missouri remains ranked where they are until that game, Kansas has a legitimate shot.

Zac - Uhh...Let's see if I understand this. Kansas is 9-0. The "0" resembling the fact that Kansas has yet to lose a game, correct? I thought so. End of discussion.

Nick - The nod has to go to LSU because they've had the toughest road. They've had an incredibly difficult stretch lately and some tight games but still keep coming out on top. And the SEC title game will be difficult, especially if it's a rematch with Florida.

Oregon is a great team but their defense is suspect and they haven't been tested as much.
Kansas would need to beat Oklahoma and Missouri soundly to warrant consideration because their schedule has been much easier than LSU's. It's not fair but it's the way it will be.

Brian - Delaware State only has one loss and no one is talking about them. Shaheer McBride is just one touchdown pass away from John Taylor's all-time school record, the offensive line has allowed just eight sacks all season and the defense is the strength of the team. Oh, wait, they're FCS. So, what Nick said.

Are the Celtics the team to beat in the East with their All-Star trifecta?

Zac - The Celtics are 2-0. They've played two games all season. Two. Team to beat in the East? Indiana is 3-0. As is Detroit. Since those two teams technically have better record wouldn't they be the "team to beat?" Come on.

Nick - It's way too early to tell right now, but so far I like what I see. Garnett looks reborn in Boston and motivated to make a run at his first-ever NBA Finals. Remember Garnett never had much of a supporting cast in Minnesota beyond older guys like Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell.

The Big 3 in Boston seem to complement each other well but they jury's still out on their supporting cast.

Brian - If everything breaks right, the Celtics can win the East. But what are the chances that happens? Any injury to the big three of KG, PP and RA and their hopes are shot. They are all on the wrong side of 30 and KG has more mileage on him than most guys who are 31. I still like Chicago, despite the dreadful start, and Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana and even Miami still are legitimate threats to win.

Jake - No, they are not the team to beat and I don't anticipate them being that way. They have a great three man team and no depth beyond that. Paul Pierce doesn't play defense. Ray Allen doesn't play defense. Kevin Garnett can't guard everybody on the court. Sure, everything is just peachy in Boston now, but what about in a playoff game when Pierce or Allen gets called for that final play? What if one of them misses in that scenario? That could spell disaster. Detroit still has a solid nucleus and Chicago has the defense (and a possible best-player-in-the-league addition on the way) to be a tough out in the playoffs; and we all saw what Lebron could do if given the opportunity. Sorry Boston, you'll have to settle for the lowly Patriots and Red Sox to get your thrills.

If you were a baseball player, would you hire Scott Boras as your agent?

Brian - I guess it would depend upon where I was in my career. If I was an amateur player looking to avoid the dregs of the league, then yes I would. Because many teams will avoid drafting a Boras-represented player and they can slip in the draft to stronger teams yet still get top dollar. Look at Jered Weaver. When he was coming out of college Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Tampa Bay all passed on him because Boras was his agent. He got above-slot money and now finds himself on one of the best teams in baseball. Is there an agent in the game besides Boras who could have pulled that off?

But if I was an impending free agent I think I would want somebody else. Sure, Boras got A-Rod the monster contract but in the process he went from one of the game's most-respected players to immediate scorn, both inside and outside the game.

I have no doubt there's a huge difference between $200 and $250 million, but I would gladly leave some dollars on the table in exchange for other things, such as playing in the area of the country that most appealed to me or with teammates and a manager that I respected or on a team that could win it all. Boras put A-Rod in Texas with Buck Showalter. While he maximized salary, the real bottom line is he struck out with everything else. I'd want more from my agent than just the mega salary.

Jake - If I'm a known quantity, an established player in the big leagues, then yes, without hesitation. Why shouldn't I? He will get me more money than anybody else, and get me in the place where I want to be. But if I was a projected top draft pick, I wouldn't come close to this guy. Sure, you have all of this talent, but nobody knows if you will actually pan out. Many teams boycott Scott Boras' players in the draft on principle alone and I don't want that happening to me. Just get me in a good organization with an honest signing bonus and that's just fine.

Zac - Of course I would. As an athlete I want my agent to get me the possible deal. I know that Boras would do just that because the best deal for me is the best deal for him, percentage wise.

Nick - Sure, why not? There are tons of teams out there now willing to overspend for players like the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and even the Detroit Tigers.

As long as there's a market, teams keep overpaying, and the salary cap doesn't exist, Boras will continue to squeeze as many bucks out of people as he can and that's good for his clients.

Seriously; who's going to beat the Patriots?

Nick - I'm having a hard time finding a team on their schedule that can beat them. I'd say a free-wheeling team like Buffalo on the road would have a shot but Belichick has a bye-week right before them (this week), so that's not going to happen.

Pittsburgh at home could be a little tough but only if Tom Brady gets a ton of pressure in his face and that's not likely to happen.

The Giants have the ability to get in Brady's face in the last game but I doubt Eli Manning and co. will put up enough points considering the pressure the Pats' defense can bring.

I'm calling it now, actually: 16-0.

Brian - If both Brady and Moss stay healthy, no one is beating the Patriots. I just hope they go back to stomping people again. What was up with taking a knee at the end of the Colts game? This was their biggest rival and the Patriots decided to show them mercy? Show that to the teams that need it, like the Dolphins or somebody. Kick the crap out of your closest rivals and make them question if they belong on the same field.

Jake - The Steel Curtain will. Seriously, we talked about who as the most underrated/overlooked team in the league, and seriously I said Pittsburgh. After this Monday night, and really the last month, that doesn't look like such a bad call. Big Ben is clearly a top-tier quarterback right now, Willie Parker can change the game around and that defense, well, they'll hit stop you, shut you down, taunt you and then hit you even harder the next time out. Oh, and the Colts will win the near-inevitable AFC playoff rematch with a healthy Marvin Harrison.

Zac - There are three realistic teams that could topple the Patriots. I think the Bills in Buffalo on prime time could be that "trap game," especially after the game in Indianapolis. Pittsburgh is a pretty good team that will give the Patriots a run for their money. The team with the best chance, though, is the New York football Giants. If the Patriots head into New York for the final game of the year with a 15-0 record will they risk injury to Brady by starting him against one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the NFL? There's a good chance that the game will actually mean something for the Giants so they'll be playing at full throttle. Should be exciting to watch.

Thanks for reading! We hope you learned something or had a laugh or two. If you made it this far, all four of us would appreciate you leaving a comment about something we wrote. Agree with any of us and that individual will recognize your good taste. Take us to task on one of our viewpoints and you'll definitely get a response. This is an interactive column. We've done our part; now it is up to you.