View From the Stands-February 25th, 2009

It has been a while since I did a VFTS blog on a national scale, so I thought it was about time to bring it back.

First, however, if you do not already do this, I am now on Twitter under the name ng11787, so if you want updates on when new blogs are available, just follow along on the site. It is also a great way to stay up to date with other outlets, such as al.com, ESPN, and even applications about Alabama Athletics.

• Tiger returns to the Tour, faces tough draw in WGC. For the first time since last June, Tiger Woods, still the world's No. 1 player, will tee it up today in his first professional tournament since his knee surgery. Woods, who won the 2008 U.S. Open on a torn ACL, is now at full health and strength, and has apparently been working on his short game. During his rehab, Tiger was limited with how many full swings he could take, so he spent more time on the green, often something that has been his weakness. In other words, the world's best player has gotten better. As for his draw, Tiger has an easy play today against Brendan Jones, but it gets a little tougher as the week will go on. In his bracket, Tiger has Retief Goosen, his probable Thursday foe, as well as former Masters champions Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir, plus Camillo Villegas and Geoff Ogilvy. There are always upsets in a match play tournament such as this, but the stronger players are always ready to make a run. The question is, how ready is Tiger?
• Birmingham's Davis Cup lineup announced, Roger Federer not on the roster. When Birmingham learned it had beat out Las Vegas for the rights to the first round Davis Cup matches between Switzerland and the United States, many fans were drooling over the prospects over a Roger Federer versus Andy Roddick match-up during the weekend. Last week, however, Federer backed out of the first round matches, saying he needs time to heal a back injury. As if I didn't need another reason not to like Federer, he managed to give me one. I have never been a Federer fan, always seemed a little cocky, and he is worse than Chad Johnson for not acting like you have been there before. Through thirteen career Grand Slam titles, there is no difference in celebration between No. 1 and No. 13. Robert Horry has a ring for everyday of the week, yet you didn't see him crumble like a New York Mets division lead in September when he won No. 7. Nonetheless, Andy Roddick will still be there for the U.S., as well as James Blake and Mike and Bob Bryan will anchor the doubles team. This lineup is the same the U.S. has used for eleven of the past twelve matches in Davis Cup play, which will take place March 6-8.
• Marbury and the Celtics are actually in talks. Remember about a month ago when Stephon Marbury, that cancer of a player who pulled a Mike Tyson and tattooed his cranium, said that he and Celtics were in talks? Remember how the Celtics responded hell no quicker than Florida snapped on Lane Kiffin? Well, now that Marbury and the Knicks have agreed to a buyout, it seems as if there was some truth to Marbury's claim. Reports are starting to circulate that Boston is now looking into adding Marbury to their lineup. Marbury has not played in a game since last April 16th, and has somehow managed to remain in the news over the past seven months. He is a career 19 points, seven assists player, but how will the layoff affect his play, and how will his attitude affect the Boston locker room? Apparently Danny Ainge and Co. are willing to take a chance on the two-time all star, but it may not be in the best of interest for the Celtics repeat chances.