Are we hooked on hype?

With the amount of coverage that the Terrell Owens fiasco got, you would have thought that the Eagles caught him naked in the locker room with John Madden. I can see why the Eagles let him go. Owens will never be happy until he’s making more than his quarterback. He groused in San Francisco with an All-Pro in Jeff Garcia and he did the same with Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. I hope he can find his happy place now that he’s out four game checks (an appeal might reduce that) and will get paid for the rest of the season to sit at home.

By the way, Madden’s new man crush is on Tom Brady. Brett Favre, Madden has a new boy.

Let’s move on to more important things, like my fantasy teams. In the AUFL I only need 65 points from Edgerrin James to win. Chances aren’t in my favor. If I lose I’m 4-5 and in real danger of not making the playoffs for the first time ever. What’s my problem? Joe Horn has been terrible. I drafted the duo of Trent Green and Jake Plummer and neither has been great. Plummer was great last week but I benched him. Julius Jones, my second-round pick, has been injured, which means that I’ve had to start Kevan Barlow three weeks in a row. With Plummer, Edge, Jones/Barber, Horn, Drew Bennett (once he gets healthy) and L.J. Smith should see me through to the playoffs.

In dynasty league number one I started 0-4. I’m on the verge of going to 5-4 and taking the division lead. The duo of Jake Delhomme and LaDainian Tomlinson has helped a lot. I have a small lead on my opponent but I have four Colts to his one tonight. In my other dynasty league my 2-6 record had me thinking of Matt Leinart or Reggie Bush in the 2006 rookie draft. I’m winning this week. Both leagues are so deep (53-man rosters) that I was thrilled to pick up Samkon Gado last week. He’s the first Packer running back to get 20 carries in a game. At the least he’s trade bait.

I also have other excellent news. Tomorrow is the final day at my current job. I (finally) got a permanent position elsewhere. I’ve been at one job for nearly nine years, so an entirely different corporate culture should be interesting. Not having to turn in a time sheet for the first time ever is priceless. I feel a little bad for my co-workers, as they’re going to have to do extra work for a while. At the same time, this is an excellent opportunity that might not be life-changing, but it’s certainly career-changing. I feel like I actually might have a career.

Mlb.com finally sent my White Sox locker room t-shirt. All of the White Sox have already put their shirts, hats, and other such trinkets in storage. The hat might come in before Spring Training. Oh yeah, Frank Thomas just had his contract bought out. The team picked up Cliff Politte’s option but let go both of their designated hitters (Carl Everett was also bought out). They must be saving their pennies for re-signing Paul Konerko to a long-term deal.