The Front Row: Cheaters

Camera-gate and HGH: This story doesn’t make any sense.

Why would New England Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick do something as stupid as using a camera in broad daylight to steal signals from the New York Jets’ coaches?

The Patriots might be the most talented team in the NFL. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned every head coach before the season not to do this. Goodell has proven that he will not tolerate any foolishness.

Yet, Belichick still felt like he needed this extra edge.

How does a coach, especially one widely considered to be at the top of his profession, risk his career and reputation for something so silly?

If Belichick is willing to let the late David Halberstam write a book about him, surely he is the type of man who is concerned with how history will remember him.

Instead of “genius,” Belichick’s name is currently associated with a much nastier word—“cheater.”

This mess, coupled with Rodney Harrison’s positive HGH test, has cast a dark cloud over the Patriots.

Once regarded as the model sports franchise, the Pats are swirling with controversy.

Even if they win the Super Bowl this year—which I think they will—the 2007 season might be the year America turned against the New England Patriots.

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Oden is out: This is just awful.

Portland Trail Blazers’ fans were on cloud nine in June, after selecting Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick.

Oden was considered to be the next great center by nearly every repuitible scout.

At 19, Oden already possessed an NBA-ready frame, incredible quickness and a likable personality.

Oden was going to be the centerpiece of Portland’s promising rebuilding plan.

Now, Oden will miss the entire 2007-08 season with microfracture surgery on his right knee.

There isn’t a more terrifying two-word phrase in the NBA than “microfracture surgery.” Well, except for “Ron Artest.”

Players from Kenyon Martin to Anfernee Hardaway have seen their explosiveness diminish considerably after microfracture surgery. Only Amare Stoudemire and Jason Kidd has bounced back strong from this procedure.

To make matters worse, Portland fans—who were already victimized by the Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan fiasco in 1984—will have to watch No. 2 pick Kevin Durant light it up 175 miles to the north in Seattle.

Let's hope Oden heals quickly and kicks butt during the 2008-09 season.

Check page B2 for more details on Oden’s surgery.