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The Hockey News has an interesting ranking of the Leagues General Managers in their current issue. Number one is, of course, the magic man of Detroit, Ken Holland. Brian Burke ranked seventh while the tarnishing of Glen Sathers reputation continues with a tawdry 28^th place ranking…the Beat Poet turned me on to a wicked website last night, www.NHLplayoffrace.com. The site uses clear, bright charts to breaks down the race for the post season in the Eastern and Western Conferences. In a glance you can see who is poised to roll into May with a swagger and who will be cringing on the sidelines. Of course I had to take a gander at the Leafs and, well, miracles won’t happen in this particular instance…an interesting letter to the editor in yesterday’s Globe highlighted the hypocrisy of Don Cherry, loud, dumb and foul, criticizing Alex Ovechkin for calling attention to himself. Hasn’t that been Cherry’s modus operandi for years?…Ovechkin leads the NHL with 475 shots in goal. Second, 128 shots behind, is Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes…can it be? Rumours have the Calgary Flames already growing concerned with the locker-room effect of the wildly unpopular Olli Jokinen. This story isn’t over yet, Jokinen is no sure thing to lead the Flames to playoff glory…as NFL prospect Andre Smith prepared for his 40 yard dash in front of scouts he suddenly ripped off his shirt. Smith is a stud offensive tackle weighing 340 lbs. Scouts reported the resulting display of jiggling man boobs and abdominal blubber was so revolting that some scouts might downgrade Smith on the basis of an immature act. Check out this weeks SI for the photo evidence…I’m reading “Boys Will Be Boys”, a fascinating recounting of the Dallas Cowboy history. Michael Irvin comes off as the ultimate egotistical ingrate, passing his down time with an endless stream of hookers and cocaine. Yet, through that torrent of bad habits, he retains an iron will and discipline on the field. He refuses to leave practice, every day, until he has caught 50 consecutive passes. The book suggests Irvin was the real leader of the Boys, but that those who imitated his off field proclivities were doomed to failure…Terry Holt, ex of the St Louis Rams, is in negotiations to join the Jacksonville Jaguars. It would be a tremendous pickup for the Jaggies. Holt has laboured for a dreadful franchise the last few years but is still capable of All Pro level performance…I like the impact each and every NFL games has on a teams playoff prospects. The CFL is a laughingstock amongst serious fans of football for the way they’ve watered down their product. Having said that, I do believe the intensity and breadth of off season programs has rendered the need for four preseason games irrelevant. Surprisingly, I mean I’m shocked I’m thinking this way, I’ll support the extension of the gridiron schedule…I read Mitch Albom’s splendid column on the decline of Detroit and was quite moved. So, what the heck, I thought I’d read his “Tuesdays with Morrie”. Sure wish I hadn’t…the Los Angeles Clippers are negotiating a personnel role for Isiah Thomas. Simply put, these are the kinds of decisions that keep bad teams bad…so a guy walks into a bar. No, no, not just any guy, he’s an NBA player. Bar cordons off an area for said gentlemen, who proceeds to treat his entourage to some refreshments. Big time fun ensues. The tab, a nice chunk just south of five hundred bucks arrives and the erstwhile big shot slaps down his VISA. The tip? Zero, nada, an empty little square where the gratuity should reside. Good riddance, Jamario Moon…shouldn’t we cut Chris Bosh some slack? Then new father has met his child twice, as in two times. Now that’s commitment! And he met her in a hotel and, well, we all know how kids love hotels. Don’t let them grind you down, Chris!…the Juan Manuel Marquez - Juan Diaz fight was as good a scrap as I’ve seen in years. Marquez was bullied and pounded by the larger Diaz but, with his opportunity for financial windfalls on the line, he simply refused to lose. Fight of the Year? If not, we’re in for a helluva good year…