Day 47: Ken Griffey, Jr., Ricky Stanzi, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and more

HEADLINES

1) The Seattle Mariners and Ken Griffey, Jr. have agreed to a one-year deal that will allow Griffey to play his 22nd season in the MLB. Should Griffey have retired or was this a good idea for Griffey?

Ben: I would have preferred he retired, but he's still a decent hitter, and a good name for a struggling team to bring in fans. Griffey has earned the right to retire when he wants, so if the Mariners offered him a contract, I support Junior coming back and playing. I doubt he's anything more then a 100 game starter, with something around 350 at bats -- but he's got my support on one more season.

Boz: I have to lean towards the side of saying that Ken Griffey, Jr. should have probably retired. He only hit .214 with 11 home runs last season and he will be turning 40 this month. I loved watching Griffey play in his prime and no one knows what his career numbers would have been had he avoided all of those injuries he had while playing his heart out on the field. He's become a part-time DH and fourth outfielder for the Mariners and I have to wonder if his desire to win a championship is keeping him in the game.

For the Mariners, it's actually not a bad move. Griffey has seemed to have accepted his limited role and hasn't complained about not getting as much playing time. It can't hurt to have the veteran leadership in the locker room and have him to give some guys a day off or provide a pinch-hit at-bat.

2) Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi has been listed as doubtful for the remaining two games of the season. Can the Hawkeyes still win the Big Ten and secure a spot in the Rose Bowl without Stanzi?

Ben: I doubt it. If they hang in the beginning of that game this weekend, there is a chance the defense holds strong and forces a few big turnovers then they might have a good chance of pulling off the upset and almost guarentee Iowa the Big Ten title.

Boz: I'm in between, but I am leaning towards no. Redshirt freshman James Vandenberg (don't get him confused with the guy from Varsity Blues) didn't look real good against Northwestern at home when he took over after Stanzi's injury. Now he has to go into Columbus and take on a tough Buckeye defense. I can't see them getting past Ohio State. However, the reason why I am in between on this is because it seems like Kirk Ferentz is the Tony LaRussa of college football, meaning he gets more out of lesser talent. My prediction is that I'll be welcoming the Hawkeyes to the Valley of the Sun for the Fiesta Bowl.

3) Former Laker great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar publicly stated that he is being treated for a rare form of leukemia, being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in December. What are your thoughts on this serious news?

Ben: I'm sad to hear Kareem is afflicted with this disease, but happy to hear its treatable and there is a good chance he could pull through. Again, it's sad news -- but Magic Johnson has stayed strong through HIV and Kareem can do it to.

Boz: You obviously start by wishing the best for Abdul-Jabbar and I'm sure everyone sends their thoughts and prayers to him and his family, I know that the Sports Desk definitely does. The positive is that the doctors said that CML is treatable with the proper medication and monitoring, which is encouraging. It's also good to see that Abdul-Jabbar is going to become a spokesman to create awareness for the disease. Kareem was a great player and a better embassador for the game of basketball. The NBA would benefit from him being around as long as possible.

4) Jeff Jordan was suspended for two games by the NCAA for playing in a non-sanctioned event this summer, which was apparently a 3-on-3 tournament, while he wasn't officially on the team. Is this a fair suspension?

Ben: Yes. You break the rules, you should be punished. This is a Dez Bryant situation. I don't care how stupid the rule is -- it is in place for a reason. Jordan is not going to be missed in the two games, but I'm still happy they enforced the suspension.

Boz: Jordan left the team after last season and then decided to rejoin the team this season. He played in the 3-on-3 tournament during that time that he decided he was done with basketball. The rules are the rules and it's not like Jordan will be dearly missed during the first two games of the season against SIU-Edwardsville and Northern Illinois.

OVER/UNDER

1) Brady Quinn makes the start for the Browns this week. Over or under 1.5 touchdowns for Quinn on Monday night?

Ben: UNDER. The Browns haven't scored two touchdown this season as a whole.

Boz: UNDER. He's still on the Browns and he's going against the Ravens defense. That's all I need to say.

2) Tom Brady and Peyton Manning square off against one another on Sunday night. Over or under five total touchdowns between the two of them?

Ben: OVER. Best QB's in the league with pass-first offenses. High scoring.

Boz: OVER. These are two of the best quarterbacks in the league and I think the two of them light up the scoreboard on national tv.

3) The SEC referees have been under fire the last couple weeks for missed calls. Over or under two missed calls for the SEC refs this weekend?

Ben: OVER. The SEC refs are TERRIBLE -- they will mess something up.

Boz: UNDER. I got to imagine that the SEC wants to get this problem under control and will put the referees under a close eye. The refs will get it right this weekend.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: I want to say thanks to family members that are currently overseas - specifically my cousin PFC Andrew Tarchinski who has been back and forth between Afghanistan and homeland over the last 3 years or so. I really appreciate everyone serving in the armed forces, especially my cousin because we miss him and hope he comes home safe.

Boz: Instead of wishing anyone a happy birthday today, I want to thank anyone who has served, will serve or is currently serving in war. I want to thank them for laying their lives on the line for our country.