Hometown Boy Harnish This Year's Mr. Irrelevant

One of the most unique storylines of the NFL Draft every year is finding out who Mr. Irrelevant will be. For those of you who don't know who Mr. Irrelevant is, he is the last player selected in the draft overall. The winning player gets to enjoy Irrelevant Week at Disneyland and gets to be in the parade and other festivities. Paul Salada, who founded Irrelevant week in 1976, got to make the announcement of this year's lucky man. What made this year's selection especially interesting is that the pick belonged to the Indianapolis Colts, the same team who had the very first overall pick of the draft. This has only happened twice before, when the Philadelphia Eagles did it in 1949 and the Houston Texans had it happen in 2002.

The Colts thought through this decision and decided to choose someone they thought would have been gone by this point. The player they chose was Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish. Harnish had an excellent career playing for the Huskies. He finished with 8,944 passing yards, a 61.9 completion percentage, 68 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions. He also ran for 2,238 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 11,927 yards of total offense ranks third in MAC history. Harnish set 30 school records an Northern Illinois, was a two-time all-MAC selection, chosen the conference's MVP this season, and led the Huskies to the league title. Having played at Norwell High School in northeastern Indiana, Harnish couldn't have been happier to be selected by his favorite team, the Colts.

Harnish isn't the only happy one because the Colts needed quarterback depth badly. Of course, they got Andrew Luck with the number one overall selection in the draft, but they only had two quarterbacks on their roster prior to the draft. One was career backup Drew Stanton, who was acquired in an offseason trade from the New York Jets. The other was Trevor Vittatoe, a virtually unknown second year quarterback out of UTEP. Harnish should get his chance to prove he deserves to be on the roster come Week 1. With the Colts content with a need filled, Harnish happy to get selected, Colts owner Jim Irsay decided to make at least one more person happy. On his Twitter, he offered to give $5,000 to the person who correctly predicted who Colts would make Mr. Irrelevant. Irsay announced that Billy Cardwell from Kokomo, IN was the winner. It appears as though today is a good day to be an irrelevant Hoosier. Just ask Harnish and Cardwell.

Prospects Harper and Trout Get Called Up

Probably the two best prospects in all of baseball, both received call ups to the majors for Saturday's games. Young phenom Bryce Harper will make his Washington Nationals debut. Harper has been hyped since he was young due largely to exemplary physical abilities, such as very strong power from the plate and a equally strong arm. He skipped his final year of high school and played a year of semi-professional baseball to become eligible for the draft. Harper was selected #1 overall in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Nationals. Despite his only being 19 years old, the Nationals are convinced that the youngster can produce right away. Injuries to their two best hitters, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Morse, kind of forced the issue of a need for the big bat. That is exactly what they've got in Bruce Harper. Now, we have to see if he is ready for the majors.

The Los Angeles Angels' hitters have struggled throughout the lineup this season. The front office decided something had to be changed. The veterans have been terrible this season, and as a result, the Angels cut veteran outfielder, Bobby Abreu. The open roster spot will be filled by prospect stud Mike Trout. Trout played some in the majors this past season. This season, the 20-year-old was destroying Triple-A ball. Trout was hitting for a .403 batting average and a 1.091 OPS so far this season. The Angles want to be playoff contenders, but for that to happen, they must get this offense on track. Trout has the capability and talent to help make that happen, but it is matter of how soon. If you are an Angels fan, you better be praying that is sooner, rather than later.

2012 NFL Draft First Round Hidden Gems

3. Arizona Cardinals - Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame

Floyd isn't the most explosive receiver in the draft, but the Cardinals don't need him to be. They already have that in veteran star Larry Fitzgerald. Floyd instead uses his size and strength to make plays. Fitzgerald probably loves the pick because it will take some of the double teams off him. Floyd will fit in nicely as the number two receiver behind Fitzgerald. It also allows Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet to play as the slot receiver, a position he will be more comfortable in. Having three solid receivers, will take some of the pressure off the Cardinals quarterbacks, who struggled at times last season. It will also help open up lanes for the team's running backs and play action off of that. Floyd will learn a lot from playing with Fitzgerald. The two could blossom into another dynamic duo of receivers in the desert for the Cardinals.

2. New England Patriots - Chandler Jones, DE Syracuse/ Dont'a Hightower, ILB Alabama

You can always count on the Patriots at least mulling over some trade options. Head Coach Bill Belichick is a draft genius and mastermind when it comes to orchestrating these trades. In this year's draft, the Patriots made two trades to move up in the first round. The Patriots knew all along that they needed defensive help in the draft. Both first round picks look to fill in those wholes. Their first selection, Chandler Jones, lacks the flashiness of many first rounders, but offers nice upside as a pass-rusher. As lesser known commodity, probably because of playing at Syracuse, Jones offers flexibility the Patriots love. The Patriots also love the versatility and athleticism of their second pick, Dont'a Hightower. Hightower has great size and strength to play the linebacker position. He defends the run exceptionally well and his tackling ability is quite strong as well. He fits the Patriots

Ward's Overtime Goal Caps Off Series

Photo Credit: Brian Babineau/Getty Images

Despite being among the Stanley Cup favorites the past four seasons, the Washington Capitals could not seem to garner success in the playoffs. This season, the Capitals got off to a slow start, and it cost head coach Bruce Boudreau his job. The Capitals improved some, but inconsistency plagued the team. There was doubt late in the season that this team would even make the playoffs. They put together a late run and made it in as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Their reward was that they drew the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins.

The Capitals refused to be intimidated. For once, they were the underdogs and didn't have the pressure of the highest of expectations. The Capitals seemed to use this to their advantage. Every time the Bruins would get a win, the Capitals had a response. But then in Game 6, the Bruins staved off elimination by winning in overtime. This meant it all came down to a must-win Game 7. Would the Capitals have another response to the Bruins? Goaltender Tim Thomas and the Bruins owned Game 7s last season and hoped to do the same this year. Matt Hendricks opened up the scoring in the first, giving the Caps a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Tyler Seguin found the equalizer for the Bruins on a nice physical hustle play. The two sides had opportunities the rest of the way, but this one was headed for overtime.

This didn't really come as a surprise because this is the fourth out of seven games in the series that went to overtime. Early in overtime, the Bruins tried to dump the puck in, but the play was broken up by the Capitals. Former Bruin Mike Knuble gained control and ripped a shot. Thomas made the nice save, but gave up the rebound. Joel Ward was right there to put the backhanded winner in the net. Just like that, the Capitals actually won a playoff series, and the defending champions were ousted. Maybe for once, the Capitals have saved their best play for the playoffs. It is still too early to tell, but this series win alone was nice when you consider the ups and downs this team has gone through this season.

Ten Men Enough for Chelsea to Advance

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Chelsea came into today's UEFA Champions League semifinal with a 1-0 lead. Everyone expected the favorite Barcelona to roll over the Blues in the second leg at Camp Nou. Everything seemed to be going according to plan in the first half for Barcelona. They scored the first goal of the second leg on some beautiful  passing off a corner. Sergio Busquets was the goal scorer. Then, they caught a break when Chelsea captain John Terry made a foolish decision in the 37th minute. He thought he could get away with kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the hamstring, but the assistant referee spotted the blatant foul and Terry was immediately sent off with a red card. Terry complained, but the call was obvious, and Chelsea was left having to play with only ten players the rest of the way. Barcelona made them pay quickly for Terry's rash action. Some more nice passing led to a Andres Iniesta goal, which put the Spanish club up 2-0 in the second leg and 2-1 in the aggregate.

Things seemed to go further down hill for the Blues when Ramires picked up a yellow card for complaining, which meant he would miss the final if they made it. However, in the stoppage time of the first half, Ramires made amends for his mistake when he scored on a beautiful chip shot to pull Chelsea even on aggregate. The goal meant Chelsea would go through to the final if the score remained the same because the tiebreaker is away goals (which Chelsea gained as a result of the Ramires goal). That goal may have been exactly what Chelsea needed because they came out the second half focused and locked down defensively. That was until a crafty move by Barcelona forward Cesc Fabregas drew a penalty kick for Lionel Messi. Messi looked set to put Barca in the lead in the aggregate, until his blast ricocheted off the crossbar.

Barcelona kept their foot on the accelerator, seeking the goal they so desperately need. Petr Cech and the Chelsea defense refused to give in. In the 82nd minute, Barca looked like they had their goal, but Dani Alves was called just offsides. Only a minute later, they had another fabulous opportunity when Messi made a nice cut inside and let it rip. This time his shot struck the post. The opportunities continued for Barcelona into the stoppage time. Barca substitue Cristian Tello lost the ball in the Chelsea box, so the Blues cleared down field. Fernando Torres tracked it down and found space around him. He broke for the goal, dribbled around Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, and tapped it in for the sealing goal.

Chelsea could hardly contain their excitement after the final whistle blew. Viewers could hardly believe what they just witnessed. Despite having only ten men, being without their best defender, and playing at Camp Nou against the best club team in the world, Chelsea pulled off the improbable. They managed to come from behind, scored two goals, and kept Barcelona from scoring, despite being down a man since the 37th minute. Chelsea has a slew of imperative players suspended for the final, but they will cherish this unlikely upset win for today. For Barcelona, it is nothing but sheer disappointment. The best club team in the world fell to their rival Real Madrid in El Clasico over the weekend and have now been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by an undermanned sixth place EPL team. Both losses came at Camp Nou and are truly inexcusable. Barcelona had every opportunity they could ask for, but they could not put the ball in the net when they needed to against Chelsea. Chelsea should be commended for their valiant effort. They certainly deserve their spot in the UEFA Champions League final.

Jazz and Suns Battle for Final Playoff Spot

Photo Credit: Chris Detrick/The Salt Lake Tribune

There is just one spot remaining in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. That is the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The two teams contending for the spot are the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns. It just so happens that those two teams square off Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. The task appears to be simple on paper for the Jazz. If they win the game, they are in the playoffs. What makes it more difficult is their drought against the Suns, against whom they have lost seven consecutive times.

The Utah Jazz are in the position they want to be in. They hold the one game edge over the Suns in the standings. That is why a win Tuesday night will lock up their playoff spot. The Jazz are being led by their stud post man Al Jefferson right now. Jefferson was named Western Conference Player of the Week for this past week. In three games, he had three double-doubles and averaged 20.0 points per game, 15.3 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, & 2.0 blocks per game. Big Al helped lead the Jazz to victory in all three of those games last week. He will need to play extremely well again Tuesday night to help his teammates. The Jazz could still make it into the playoffs with a loss, but life is much easier if you don't go through the back door.

The Phoenix Suns continue to be led by wily veteran point guard Steve Nash. The supporting cast has changed, and gotten worse frankly, but Nash's consistency has been the glue holding this team together. Nash is a creative genius. His ability to create a shot for himself and craftily find teammates for easy baskets is what makes him so good. Nash is averaging 12.5 points per game and 12.5 assists per game against the Jazz this season. The Suns certainly won't back down against the Jazz Tuesday night.

There  is clearly a lot riding on Monday's game for both teams. Both teams desperately want that last playoff spot. Who will get it? That remains to be seen.

Metta World Peace Makes Mockery of His Name

ABC Screenshot

We thought Ron Artest, or Metta World Peace as he is called now, had changed who he was as a person. We were sadly mistaken. Ron Artest first became famous as the instigator who started the 2004 brawl that took place in the Palace of Auburn Hills when playing for the Indiana Pacers. For that incident, he received an  86-game suspension. Since then, he had supposedly changed who he was. He changed his name to Metta World Peace, gave away thousands of dollars to charities, and won the NBA's citizenship award. All looked good, until he showed his utter lack of self-control once against in today's highly emotional game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With 1:39 remaining in the second quarter, World Peace made a slam dunk to draw the Lakers to within one. He celebrated by beating his chest excessively, and then carelessly elbowed Thunder guard James Harden in the back of the head violently. The blow knocked Harden to the floor, where he lay for several minutes. Upon viewing the video evidence, the officials obviously ejected World Peace from the game.

World Peace and the Lakers are of course deeming the incident an accident. How anyone can believe that is nonsensical to me. The elbowing looks to be completely on purpose. Even if it was not, World Peace still has to be punished. Think about an example of killing someone. Even if it is an accident, you are going to prison. World Peace has to be punished either way. The play was ugly and unruly and deserves to be punished as such. The NBA needs to make an example out of World Peace. I believe the minimum punishment should be a suspension for the entirety of the playoffs. There is a chance that Harden could be out that long, which means World Peace should be as well. Personally, I think that he should be banned for life. This is the second major incident in his career.The NBA has tried to cleanup its image since the 2004 brawl, and here is the same player soiling that image once again. World Peace is simply a player who cannot control his emotions and body and is a danger to the well-being of other players, coaches, officials, and fans. For their protection, World Peace must be punished, and in my opinion, heavily so.