A Season A Decade in the Making

I held off all season to say anything, afraid to jinx them, but I think it's safe now, because the Tampa Rays are in the playoffs.
They could win the World Series.
This is a good team. And still, luck has everything to do with it. How else would you explain a team that was perennial basement dwellers, gets off to a unbelievable start, loses two of their best players, keeps on truckin, clinches their first ever playoff appearance, and is now in the drivers seat of a division with two of baseballs most dominant teams.
Let's just call it karma.

Second, about all this talk about the Tampa not deserving this team due to the attendance. For the first decade of their existence the {devil} rays have not mattered. To put this into perspective, the team that came into the majors with them, the Diamondbacks, have already won the World Series. Also, while the writers are complaining about the Rays attendance, the two-time Champion Marlins are playing to 56 fans a night.
Wait till next year.

Above all else, I just can't believe how things have changed since the days of Boggs, and McGriff. Times are changing, and maybe the AL East is a three headed monster now...

NFL's LeBron and Melo

First off, I know this is a ludicrous statement. Personal rivalry's are much more rare in the NFL than in the NBA. There are less players in the NBA and it is more personal (smaller playing surface, no pads or helmets).

What I am saying is Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden could be the next Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The best at their positions, and their respective teams battling for the number one spot.

For this to happen two things need to take place:
#1 Both Peterson and McFadden would have to become the full-time starter, and thrive on it.
#2 Both teams would have to greatly improve. Because, lets face it, Oakland will not be in the Super Bowl this year or next. Minnesota is alot closer to that goal than the Raiders

As for the LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony thing: they do have several similarities. Both were stars before they made it pro: A.P at Oklahoma, and Run DMc at Arkansas, where the two came in 2nd for Heisman voting. Both were drafted as the face of the franchise. Although not as much as LeBron for Cleveland.

This will take time. Oh yes it will take time. But on a talent level it is there. 2012 Super Bowl: Raiders vs. Vikings!