Sports Lite

Happy New Year everybody. Great news. Tiger Woods says he’s going to turn over a new fig leaf this year. …

Nice effort by the Big Ten on New Year’s Day. In the aftermath of the disaster, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State have been transferred from the Leaders Division to the Laughingstock Division. …

So another NFL regular season is in the books. Not that, you know, they shouldn’t bother with the playoffs, but Bill Belichick has already prepared his Lombardi Trophy acceptance speech: “Um, thank you.” …NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that, due to technical difficulties and the Pats’ dominance, there will be no darkhorses in this year’s playoffs. …

Big news out of the Bay Area. According to a source he once tried to strangle, Tom Cable is history as the Raiders’ head coach. …So why would they dump the Cable Guy? Apparently, Al Davis wasn’t comfortable finishing 8-8. He’s hoping to return to the glory days of 4-12. …

Not that the Colts aren’t serious contenders, but when asked the other day if he were ready for the postseason, Peyton Manning said yes, he knew all the lines to his next commercial. …

Memo to New Yorkers digging their way out of two feet of snow: If it makes you feel any better, LeBron is really upset that he took his talents to South Beach instead of the South Bronx. …

Free-agent first baseman Derrek Lee has signed with the Orioles, but just so you know, it’s not about the money. It’s about a chance to be 10 games out by early May. …

By the way, have you seen Blake Griffin play? The kid jumps faster than the price of gas. He’s so good, the Clippers are thinking of skipping the formalities and letting him go free agent at halftime of their next game. …Not that the Clips are the only L.A. team with issues. We haven’t seen anything as old and slow as the Lakers since O.J.’s white Bronco was rolling down the 405. …

Chris Bosh says he deserves to be an All-Star. And LeBron and D Wade must agree since he has to get their permission to say anything. …

Sure enough, the fallout from Jayson Werth’s ridiculous seven-year, $126-million contract has begun. Henceforth, they’ve agreed to be known as the St. Albert Cardinals. …

The Broncos, coming off their first-ever 12-loss season, are putting John Elway in control of personnel decisions. Shows you what I know. I thought the Broncos needed a quarterback in his 20s. …

One final thought: TCU is headed for the Big East, Dallas is leading the NHL’s Pacific Division, the Big Ten has 12 teams and the Big 12 has 10. And we’re worried about the economy?