Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff

1) I truly hope the American athletes don’t embarrass us with their boorish behavior at the upcoming Olympics in Beijing.

Why does it seem only our best and brightest act like jerks upon winning gold medals? Remember the spring relay team prancing, posing, flexing their muscles and sticking out their tongues in Sydney, Australia? All while draping an American flag around them, no less. I can’t think of another athlete from a different country doing anything similar. Oh, and when you’re on that medal stand, can you at least pretend to pay attention to the anthem? Not to paint all American athletes with a broad brush, but that 1% certainly ruins it for the other 99%.

2) How great is it that Brett Favre will play against the Patriots twice this year?

Obviously, the Jets have fooled themselves into believing they’re a legit playoff threat this year, or else they wouldn’t have sought such a short-term solution to their long-term quarterback problem. Will Favre help the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS win a game or two? Probably, but even if he gets them to the post-season, you can be assured he’ll eventually cost them a playoff game with a stupid interception. Eric Mangini wants a quarterback who can manage a game and not make mistakes that cost his team field position, never mind games. Boy, did they give him the WRONG guy!

3) What a difference a year makes when it comes to the Boston Celtics!

True, the Green became popular as soon as they traded for Kevin Garnett, but winning a title has raised their national profile to an entirely different level. The C’s will appear on national television 25-times this upcoming season. 25-times! 30% of their games! Included in that number is an opening night matchup against LeBron and the Cavaliers and a Christmas Day showdown in Los Angeles against the Lakers.