**1. What do you think should be done with Bill Belichick and the Patriots concerning the whole Spygate issue?**

Zach

I think they should be inches from having the first perfect season of the 16-game NFL schedule format, and the first perfect season since the 1972 Miami Dolphins, only to have it taken away by a Manning. Wait, that already happened.

Sheena

Who really knows how much time and energy was put into this effort in the last decade. Even if someone were to miraculously get an honest confession out of Belichick, no punishment can really take away the legacy that the Patriots have achieved. He’s already been fined $500,000 on top of the team’s $250,000 fine and was stripped of a first round draft pick, so this issue just needs to die out. But I’m sure the chants of “Cheaters!” as heard at last month’s draft won’t be the last time Belichick is reminded of the scandal. It’s enough punishment to last his career.

Erica

I don’t think there is anything that can be done. What is done is done, so let’s move on. Belichick and the Patriots’ name may be tarnished a little and their image may be damaged, but I don’t think the NFL is actually going to make them forfeit any previous games. I did think it was hilarious how Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan compared Belichick and the Spygate scandal to Richard Nixon and Watergate. Priceless.

Allen

Nothing. If Belichick wants to videotape his opponents when they’re in the shower then let him. What? Oh, he didn’t do that? What did he do again?

**2. The NBA playoffs have had a trend this year of teams winning at home, resulting in a lot of game sevens. Why do you think this year’s postseason has had a higher number of home wins than many previous playoffs?**

Zach

Because the teams are very, very, very evenly matched (especially in the West). This means that one or two plays can make a difference in games, meaning home court advantage is that much more important.

Sheena

The number of home wins in this year’s playoffs is ridiculous. Ridiculous to a point where given the price of gas these days, the road team shouldn’t even bother showing up. As far as this year being the special case, though, I don’t think anything’s really going on that’s different than previous years. Sure, the home crowd can get intimidating and the referees’ calls are always magnified on such a huge stage (the home team in the Utah-Los Angeles series is averaging 42 free throws a game to 25 for the road team — come on!), but what it comes down to is probably just a mental block along the way.

Erica

I think home teams feel more comfortable playing and shooting on their home courts. All I can say is the Lakers won game six in Utah, broke the spell and are going to win the championship.

Allen

It’s probably as simple as “all the teams in the playoffs are good.” That’s why they’re in the playoffs in the first place, and if you add the fact that most teams play well at home, it all makes perfect sense. No conspiracy here.

**3. UEFA Champions League Final of Manchester United vs. Chelsea is one of the biggest sporting events in the world.  ESPN2 is airing it live today.  Do you think this kind of coverage will increase interest in soccer in the United States or is ESPN wasting precious airtime?**

Zach

I think British football will never be an American sport. We have American football for that. That said, there are soccer fans in the United States who would be delighted to watch that game, so ESPN isn’t wasting it’s time by airing it. As long as we get our pigskin, Americans will be happy.

Sheena

First of all, this isn’t even really ESPN — it’s ESPN2, the channel of cheerleading competitions and bowling tournaments. I definitely think that this year’s final is a phenomenal matchup, though — one that will undoubtedly, if it hasn’t already, cause a lot of stir among fans on both sides — but that’s Europe. Well, Europe and the rest of the world, with the number of soccer fans ranging in the billions. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt for the United States to catch up.

Erica

I don’t think ESPN is wasting precious airtime. The game is going to be on in the early afternoon, so at least there is some kind of sporting event to watch while waiting for basketball to come on later. Thank goodness ESPN is going to show the UEFA Champions League on cable TV and not Major League Soccer.

Allen

Wait, ESPN is showing European soccer instead of professional bowling and women’s golf? This is madness!

**4. Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi admitted he wears a gold thong to get him out of a hitting slump, and that it works.  Giambi also said teammate Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon wear a thong as well, when in a hitting hole. Why do you think baseball is more superstitious then other sports, and do these superstitions actually work?**

Zach

Baseball players are definitely superstitious, but you would have to be to play a sport where half of your performance is determined by nine other guys. As a pitcher, you can have a terrible fundamental day, but if no one hits the ball or if your team fields really well, your day will actually be a success. The same goes for hitting. You can smash 10 line drives into gloves and get your only hit on a blooper. In a sport determined by so much luck, I would wear a gold thong too.

Sheena

From the Curse of the Bambino to eating three chicken dinners a day on game days ­— Wade Boggs, for those of you wondering — baseball and superstition go hand in hand. It’s more of a psychological comfort than anything else (hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.), but it’s doubtful that these superstitions really enhance any sort of skill. As for why this happens more in baseball than other sports, well, there’s just so much more downtime in the game that players had to think of something to keep them busy.

Erica

Giambi also said he shares his thong with teammates, and that is just disgusting. I don’t see how wearing a thong is going to help you perform better. The Yankees are in a huge slump all together, and I think they need something more than thongs if they want to move out of last place.

Allen

If my memory serves me correctly, Giambi not only wears that thong but he doesn’t wash it and leaves it in other players’ lockers so they can wear it too. I don’t know about baseball being more superstitious, but I have to say that some players are just sick and twisted.