Sports Thread For 12/18/09: The Runthrough

The legend that is Martin Brodeur continues to grow (Photo from Getty Images)

The runthrough before Sports Saturday:

The fine levied on Brandon Jennings shows just how strict and dumb the NBA and sports organizations are in regards to Twitter.

Another Republican athlete.

It is a little silly, just like with the World Cup, to fully predict who will win in the Round of 16 for the Champions League. We don't know who will get hurt, and which teams will fall out of form when the competition resumes in February. But you can clearly say that the pressure is on Jose Mourinho, who's Inter Milan side were dealt another cruel draw. Last year they "deserved" to play Manchester United, Mourinho said after a very disappointing group campaign that saw them finish runner up to Panathinakos.

But by finishing second to Barcelona in the clear "Group of Death" in this year's installment, Inter will have to face their manager's former club Chelsea in a tie that has all the merits of at least being a semifinal. Instead, a cruel draw for both.

I don't think there is any Yankee fan that won't say they are going to miss Johnny Damon. But for him and Scott Boars to think they were going to get a two year, $26 million contract from the Yankees was utterly laughable. To play a diminished outfielder $13 million for 24 more months of service was just not good economics, even for the Yankees.

Of course they could have afforded him. But why pay Damon that much money (or even the 2 year, $20 million contract) when you can give Nick Johnson a one year, $5.5 million and avoid paying more luxury tax, as they did)?

DeMarcus Ware's injury, even if he plays, is a damaging blow to a struggling Cowboys team already up against it. Without him, Drew Brees looks to possibly have another 130.0% quarterback rating on Saturday.

Thank goodness the calendar has worked where the tennis season will actually start the next year. Sometimes with New Year's Day falling on Monday, the tennis year has a tendency to start on December 30 in previous years. Always been a pet peeve of mine.

Speaking of tennis, great news to see Atlanta will replace Indianapolis on the ATP World Tour (and start as the US Open Series opener)

And to close, Martin Brodeur is truly a human marvel to behold.

That's the sports thread for today.