Sown, reaped: Mouthy Ryan fosters a team of blowhards

Lotta hot air: Jets coach Rex Ryan reaps what he sows. A blowhard without dignity begets loud-mouthed players with no class. It's almost laughable to think that if the Colts were to trade or release Peyton Manning, a consummate pro, he would want to play for the clownish Jets.

Idle thought Though the Packers are only the fifth team in NFL history to finish the regular season 15-1, they seem to be receiving a little of the ho-hum treatment from the national media. Season-long excellence, I guess, bores some people.

On tap Today against Hofstra, it wouldn't hurt Blaine Taylor's Old Dominion basketball team to bring a little of its road-warrior mentality back to The Ted.

Soaring With a career-high 27 points, including nine of ODU's 11 overtime points, to go with 12 rebounds and only one turnover in the victory at Delaware, Kent Bazemore turned in his finest college game. I'm wondering if it wasn't the gaudiest performance by an ODU player since Alex Loughton put up 45 points in a 2003 double-OT loss to Charlotte.

Our guy Not to be selfish, but should Marty Schottenheimer get the Tampa Bay Bucs head coaching job, writing about the Virginia Destroyers just won't be the same.

A big one Prepare to feel old. On Monday, Muhammad Ali turns 70.

Hoops du jour After going 2 for 10 from the free-throw line to help keep Virginia in the game, Duke big man Mason Plumlee skipped media interviews Thursday night and went back on the floor for more free throws. Perhaps Plumlee's role model is the Magic's Dwight Howard, who was 21 of 39 the same night after Golden State intentionally sent him to the line.

Early review Even for all the hype Duke receives, it's rare when a Coach K team is overrated. This one is. Duke lacks a vivid point guard and a dependable scorer at any position, and its defense isn't up to the standards of past Blue Devils editions. Right now, this isn't a Final Four team.

Overdone Are the electronic media obligated to relentlessly refer to former Baylor QB and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III as RG3? Sounds like the name you'd give to a robot.

Wondering Can a player lose the Heisman Trophy the season before? Because I think LSU's Tyrann Mathieu just did in the loss to Alabama.

Run-down Once upon a time it would have been bigger news when talents like Alabama's Trent Richardson or Virginia Tech's David Wilson entered the NFL draft. But that was before running backs were reduced to relative role players and wide receivers became the most coveted offensive weapons outside of quarterbacks.

Musings New England's alleged playoff prowess is open for discussion this week. You can't take for granted that the Patriots will show up big tonight against Denver, not when Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have lost their past two playoff games - all to lower seeds - at Foxborough. Do you think this puts more pressure on the Pats?

Trivia When Eli Manning and Aaron Rodgers take the field Sunday, it will mark the first-ever playoff meeting between quarterbacks who have already won Super Bowl MVPs. Not an important milestone; it's just a little surprising this hasn't happened before.

Numbers game Home field in the playoffs can be overrated, but don't tell that to the Ravens, who are 8-0 this season in Baltimore and have won 18 of their past 19 at their Inner Harbor nest.

Revealed Sports Illustrated's profile of Michael Jordan's former high school coach uncovers the oft-repeated myth that MJ was cut from his varsity team. As a 5-foot-10 sophomore, Jordan was placed on the JV to give him more playing time. His coach never doubted his talent, but the varsity, a state playoff team, was loaded with seniors, including at guard. Read the story. See if you don't think that by milking the myth, Jordan hasn't done his old coach a disservice.

Bob Molinaro, 757-446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com

Twitter@BobMolinaro