Marshawn Lynch's mother is a woman I'd like to meet. Talking about what is going on with her son lately, Delisa said she's ready to take some control.

"Whether you're 22 or 52, I'll do it."

She said aside from the money and fame that has altered his world, she thinks it is time for him to grow up and stop hanging out with the wrong people. Amen!

Lyynch is meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell today to receive a wrist slap and a game suspension(s) for pleading guilty to illegal gun charges.

Imagine how open Goodell's calendar would be and the amount of free time he would have if more young NFL players parents paid attention to what they were doing and called their sons out for messing up. I know at 18, an individual is an adult and by the time college is over, most should be able to make responsible "adult" decisions. I also know that most 18 year olds don't turn into multi-millionaire's by the time they are 22-23. A little guidance goes a long way...

Now about those brackets of yours... I was in the studio yesterday with Mad Dog discussing some college hoops. He has some interesting ideas about who to watch out for and his picks to make it in the Final Four. Do you agree?

For those who are flipping coins at the desk trying to fill out a work bracket, before you waste 20 bucks on just guessing, maybe take a look this.

I spoke with Lindsey Vonn today... If you somehow have missed hearing about her (my little sister had to use wikipedia) I can promise, come next February that will not be the case. A few weeks ago in Lake Tahoe, CA I hosted the ADT Sports Update while reporting for the Winter Dew Tour. After getting through some hockey highlights, a Syracuse game and some NBA scores I ended the update talking about Vonn's latest accomplishment.

Today she held a satellite media tour from Park City, UT. Normally those are hard interviews to do because by the time it gets to you: A) the person being interviewed has been doing them for just under oh say three hours B) it's completely unpersonal and awkward and C) because of awkwardness it results in lame questions and static answers. Fortunately that didn't happen when we spoke. She is a cool girl and someone younger girls can legitimately look up to. Lindsey Vonn. You will be seeing and hearing much more about her over the next few months.  

One last thing... New York Magazine's Daily Intel has an interesting take on a recent article on Alex Rodriguez by Details Magazine. The man conducting the interview meets with Alex and then 12 hours later the story breaks about his steroid use. Now in this article Alex is freaking out over admitting which of Madonna's lovely songs is his favorite. Personally, I'd be more concerned about the photo shoot.

Well done. Good job by me. It's the end of the day and I finally got around to writing a blog. It was a beauty. Almost finished and wham!

I accidentally pressed CTRL V and deleted the whole thing at the last minute before I pushed save. You'd think this is the first time I've ever used a computer.

The same thing happened to me in college while writing a paper. The goal was to start at 15 pages and then reduce the final story down to two pages. At page 11, I lost the entire thing. My teacher said: "Sometimes when you have to start over, you wind up with a product that is better than what you originally had." I hated her for saying that.

Speaking of hate...

I don't care to hear anymore about Jay Cutler and the Broncos. Over it. This is a professional multi-million dollar organization. Start acting like it, all of you.

Lane Kiffin could learn a thing or two from his new home-state of Tennessee: some southern charm. It goes a long way. That is one circumstance where I openly admit, I'm happy Steve Spurrier won that battle.

FSU takes on Georgia Tech Friday night in the quarterfinals. FSU is ranked at No. 22. GT is in last place in the ACC and is 12-18. Don't you dare mess this up 'Noles!

Speaking of the 'Noles...No, I don't blame Bobby Bowden for what has gone on at FSU. It's absolutely insane to think that he would know what was happening in the first place. Give me a break. The system, which was run by the academic department not the athletic department, was corrupt. No question, individuals from several sports made bad decisions, decisions that should not be excused. Should FSU be penalized? Absolutely. But do I think the NCAA is fair by stating: "The committee does not get into whether or not you have a famous athlete or a famous coach and a record is involved. The committee adjudicates the facts as they are presented. There's no thought whatsoever given to a student-athlete's performance or a head coach's record." 

Fine, being famous should not count. I'll tell you what should count: character. Maybe there should be thought given to the character of a head coach. Do not treat this man as if he has held no value or done an enormous amount of honorable things for college football. Do not toss aside what he has meant to this sport. Do not dismiss 40 years of his career. Do not declare he is equal to all college coaches. Those things are valuable, necessary and should be considered. By the way, the information that was 'presented' was done so by the university itself. It's clear the school has taken the necessary steps in order to clean this mess up. The NCAA is throwing around their weight and would like to re-write the books. Coach Bowden should not be treated this way. 

Gregg Rosenthal just looked at me and said: "Save it now!" Our office is empty and the next train doesn't come for another hour. I tell him I've saved it six times already. He responds: "Good. Well, you know... this time it's probably better." Is this a joke?

Pitt is currently up by three against WVU. Pitt is my favorite team in the Big East. Last year at the tournament I adopted them as my team because FSU wasn't in the picture and I liked how they played.

Buzzer Beater is back. This week we discuss Stephon Marbury and if Danny Ainge gives good credit card. Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Have a good night...

For those of you who watched the FSU-UF game on Saturday, you might have noticed the "Did You Know" stat on ABC referring to the true origin of Gatorade. Simply, the graphic said the drink was created by Florida State not Florida. My little brother texted me as soon as he saw it. I'd never heard that one before and was hesitant to believe it. Then Awful Announcing posted this.  

Including: "The University of Florida is so concerned about this new revelation that they are supposed to issue a press release later today, perhaps to quell what has become the hottest new smack talk in Florida."

I'm pretty sure their reputation is safe. Gatorade belongs to them. That game was awful, as in 45-15 awful. And rumors have now surfaced about job security for Chuck Amato and Mickey Andrews. Swirling is that both Amato and Andrews will be gone after the bowl game. Again RUMORS but where there's smoke...

There was an article written after the game about a particular play, the throw-back pass. Here you go...

"Florida called a throw-back pass from Tim Tebow to tight end Aaron Hernandez in the waning seconds of the first quarter. The play called for Tebow to roll left, stop, turn and throw a pass back to the right to Hernandez, who the Gators hoped would be alone in the flat.

There was risk involved.

The ball floated through the rainy sky for about 30 yards, and if a Florida State defender was alert and nearby, the possibility of a long interception return for a touchdown existed.

However, it turned out perfectly for second-ranked Florida, as Hernandez caught the imperfectly thrown pass and scored untouched.

Hernandez said he wasn't surprised the play was successful.

"We knew we were going to run it because the past few weeks other teams used it against Florida State and it worked," Hernandez said. "We put it in our playbook and it worked."

I've always been a fan of Mickey Andrews, standing on the sidelines, smacking his gum, yelling at his boys. The defense is one part of the Noles game that hasn't completely fallen apart. But maybe it is time... Time for coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher to usher in a new staff consisting of the people he wants and needs to get this program back on track.

Or Florida can continue on with their win streak of 8 straight wins against FSU.

Along with that of course, Jimbo, must stay as coach to usher in his new staff.

Just another rumor out there floating around.

TV might be one of the hardest industries to figure out "how to do it". How do you start? Where do you look? Who out there can give some insightful advice? I've always been compelled by people's stories and career paths, the most interesting part being how it all happened. When I graduated college, I couldn't find a job right away. I spent a solid four months sending out resumes and working as a substitute teacher. (That's a whole other post, let me tell you.) Easily, I had some free time on my hands and I spent most of it reading anything within my grasp about the different paths people in the industry took to get jobs. I still do it. In fact last night I met up with one of my producers and a friend who works with us at NBC to watch the Steelers-Bengals game. Somehow we got on the subject of books and somehow I confessed to reading AUDTION by Barbara Walters. Note to the ladies, boys + Barbara = non-stop ragging on you. Granted I can see why they wouldn't read it but I see it as researching the industry I'm in.

Today I was on Deadspin and clicked on a story about ESPN's Michele Tafoya. She did a podcast for ON THE DL. If you have any interest in sports, TV, you're a woman wanting to work in both, you're a guy who likes her, whatever it may be I suggest to take a listen. She's pretty open and has very interesting things to say.

Now if you have an interest in just being entertained... watch Matty Blakes show this week. He manages to get the whole work crew in on his act, which is a talent in itself. Both Clifton and Ed (our co-workers) dress up in the most ridiculous pilgrim outfits. It's pretty funny.

My friend Roy, who is perhaps the biggest Florida State fan I know, passed along this story to me today. It was written by Stewart Mandel, whom I had the chance to meet back at last years Big East Tournament when we sat next to each other during the game. The subject is Myron Rolle, the FSU safety and pre-med student who holds a 3.75 G.P.A.

Oh yes, and a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

But what happens when education clashes with sport? The dilemma: 32 spots and a chance to study at Oxford OR play, this your final season, in the game that will (most likely) decide the ACC Atlantic Division? Maybe you are wondering why there has to be a choice? Can't he just have both? Sure...

Except both are decided on the same day.

Read here... to learn what decision Rolle makes. And then pass it on to athletes who perhaps are in search of what a true role model should be.

Would you want your teammate to make the same choice?

...As in what was this weekend and my sports teams.

I should never have done it. Even while I was doing it, I thought to myself: "Jinx." Then I went and did it anyways. When FSU beat Virginia Tech, I got excited. I looked at the rest of the schedule and counted games the Noles could and should win. I had us beating GT, Clemson, BC, close call with Maryland and then losing to Florida (see I was trying to be realistic). Shoulda known betta!

Saturday afternoon (ME: getting ready for a wedding, darting between the bathroom and the TV): FSU takes a loss to Georgia Tech after fumbling the would be game winning touchdown in the final minute of the game. Sigh. A brief stint in the Top 15 is over, now back to clinging to the bottom of the Top 25.

Switch to the Fighting Irish.. ND lets the game get tied in the fourth. After four OT's, FOUR!, and Brandon Walkers missed field goal, Pitt's kicker makes it and wins. My motive? The weekly ND shows are much easier to do when the Irish win.

Saturday night (ME: attending a wedding, pestering my roommates boyfriend to check for scores on his phone): I rooted for my "other" college football team- Texas. All looked pretty decent right up until Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree connect to create one of the most unforgettable moments in college football. One second left and plus seven...for Tech.

Sense a pattern here?

Sunday afternoon (I get home from doing Fantasy Fix and turn on the TV to see stats for Sage Rosenfels): Immediately I text Gregg and learn Matt Schaub of the Texans busted his knee. He's out, Sage is in. Not that I have a problem with Sage or that I expected them to beat the Vikings, but we were on a three game winning streak!

Now before you tell me "Well maybe you should like better teams..." the loss (all of them) is bad enough. And so a new week begins...

Switching to baseball... I made sandwiches with Ryan Howard on Friday.

In 6th grade I loved Celine Dion and Matthew McConaughey. Today, half of that duo would still be legit. But regardless, at the tender age of 11, there aren't words available to describe the possibility of meeting the one person you admire most. Yesterday, a sixth grader at George G. White Middle School in NJ had the kind of day no kid forgets.

Chase entered and won the "Bring an NFL Player to Work" contest. The prize? An NFL player in the area arrives in a limo and takes the winner to school where together the two promote the importance of fitness. Chase told me of all the players he could choose, Amani Toomer of the NY Giants was the one he wanted to meet the most. Lucky for him, Amani was the player assigned to hang out with the winner.

While those two were hanging out at Chase's home, enjoying a nice breakfast (fruit) and posing for pictures, the faculty and students at the school were itching for any sign of the limo. I was hanging out in the principal's room. Well, me and John Discepolo of CBS 2 and Otis Livingston of WNBC 4. There aren't really that many spots in a middle school for people who are over five feet to stand and not get noticed or in the way.

A great prank... all of the kids were brought into the auditorium and were waiting for the arrival of Amani and Chase. Otis, being a little funny, walked in waving as if he was the man all the kids were waiting for. The place erupted into cheers; I burst into tears of laughter. It was hilarious.

After the official visit was over, Amani and I sat down to speak. I said, "Of all the times you are referred to as a role model, when you walk into a school like this and see the kind of reaction these kids have over you, does it re-emphasize the impact you have?" He responded by saying of course but then went on to say how it's amazing to him that someone whom he's never met or heard of before could be that happy to meet him. I asked him when he was in sixth grade, who would he have wanted to bring to school with him? He thought for a second, smiled and said: "Jerry Rice."

Every weekend NFL players run onto a field surrounded by tens of thousands of fans wearing their jerseys and screaming their names. I don't think that situation is intimate enough to register on a consistent basis what those players mean to little kids like Chase. It's a cool contest (going on throughout the country) and I think both sides get rewarded. The athletes are reminded (and probably warmed to know) that what they represent to young kids goes beyond big hits and scoring TD's. And the kids.. well who could forget a day like that?

I'll link to the interview once it's up.

I turned on my computer this morning at 1:30 a.m. and then hopped in the shower. When I returned the first headline I saw made my heart plummet.

First, back during a time when I had a life, say around May (?) we had an Olympic training seminar for the on-air talent. It was designed to introduce the new and old, address the goals for the games, serve up some kool-aid and open our eyes to the major stories of the summer.

Michael Phelps was one.

Liu Xiang was the other. His name (pronounced Loo Shawn) was used in sentences like:

"1.3 billion people are counting on him."

"He has the weight of an enitre country on his shoulders."

"To these people, he's bigger then Yao Ming."

"It will be the moment of the Olympics."

Now, I'm not sure about you but I can't relate to any of that. As the oldest of four, I remember feeling responsible for my two sisters and brother if I was babysitting and that was pressure. But this?! Unfathomable.

However, and it happens so often, the athlete forced to take on the pressure normally succeeds. See: Michael Phelps. We expect it and they deliver. So what happened with 25-year-old Liu?

Football. How I almost forgot about you! If there's one thing the Olympics brought to the sports world this past weekend, it is a relief from the 24-7 stalking of Brett Favre. Just as I write this, I turn on ESPN First Take and what are they discussing? A phone interview with yet another Brett update. Well, so much for that. And for that matter, I'm glad to hear Aaron Rodgers wasn't dreadful against the Cincy Bengals and did it without Ryan Grant and Greg Jennings!

We shot a bunch of college football previews late last week and hopefully will have them up soon. As a girl who grew up in the south (kind of) I love the college game. Georgia. As I read more and more about this team I can only think to myself: "What could have been..." Mark Richt left FSU and took our offense with him. In turn it is the Bulldogs surrounded by talk of a potential run at a National Championship this year. But, like last year, it's going to be a crazy scramble for anyone to come out on top in January.

In the NFL, here's a video from Lake Tahoe with the question: "Who are you taking, Peyton or Brady?" Which QB do QB's and players from the league take?

And in Super Bowl news, The NY Post's Page Six is starting rumors. Please, fingers crossed, I wish I wish, let this come true... Could the Boss be performing?

I'm like a grandma. I wake up early, eat at 5 p.m. and get all tucked into bed as Bob Costas' voice sings me good night.

These hours I'm telling ya! So basically I sleep while all the good stuff happens. (Not that I'm complaining. For most of my co-workers sleep is now in the category of: Things I Used To Do.) I'm awake for everything sabre, water polo and badminton. Nothing a few highlights can't fix and after watching those, I'm all set to go. It's as if I saw it live anyways. No one at my house is up so the results aren't given away. Try as I may (I even set the alarm last night for 10 p.m. so I would wake up to watch Michael Phelps go for three.) but apparently three texts and two missed calls later, I still missed all of it.

1:16 (in the a.m.) and my alarm goes off. About 20 minutes later, grandma finally crawls out of bed. It's a habit by now to automatically turn on the TV and the computer at the same time, then hop in the shower. Afterall, I want to see what everyone else got to watch last night!

At this point I honestly don't know if I dreamt it or if someone told me right as it happened, but Phelps is now 3-3. Sweet. Awesome but no surprise, right? Kid hasn't lost that event in some like 400 years. But what threw me for a loop this morning was the title: GYMNASTICS: U.S. Men's win bronze. What?! Seriously? Yes, they were hoping for a bronze. They also had everything from their fingers to their toes crossed in hopes of anything being put on their neck. Of course, that wasn't the only thing to happen. BUT... that was a huge win for the boys. HUGE.

Well done Team USA.