I wasn’t sure if the Friday Sports Stir was anything people wanted to read, but I realized that it’s something that I do want to write, so here’s to the return of the Friday sports column.

The valley is somewhat deserted this week as spring break has decimated worker productivity it seems like it does every year.  Generally the most head-shaking question I get asked revolves around not if I”m going somewhere, but where I’m going.  Well, my business uses the school district a lot for information, but not so much that they’ll give me a week off every year, so I generally stay put.

This week being stuck in the valley it’s been a pretty grumpy time.  The winter absolutely refuses to go away and every other time you happen to peek out the window, it’s snowing again.  I’ve complained to the point where I think my co-workers tune me out, and that’s a little embarrassing.  So as I was complaining to my wife about it, she reminded me that as she was doing some research, she came across some info in the Independent 75 years ago this week and it was, yup, complaining about the weather.

Complaining that we don’t live in Boca in the spring, a Star Valley tradition.

Anyway, here are some thoughts that have been making my brain pulse over the past few days in the sports world.

• Jay Cutler – I’ll admit this was much more compelling that wondering where Brett Favre and his Wranglers were going to end up last year.  My team, the Washington Redskins, have tried to sit out the exciting off-season portion of things for the past couple of years.  Not anymore.  “Chainsaw” Dan Snyder is one of those guys who you can imagine saying: “I always get what I want,” and more often than not, he does.  That’s why I was genuinely surprised when it was reported the ‘Skins were interested and then Cut-n-run went to Da Bears.  The Bears? Really?  Who knew that the folks in the Windy City felt they even needed a QB.  Anyway, now the D.C. coaching staff finds themselves having to reassure Jason Campbell and let him know he’s their guy.  Luckily for them, he seems like he’s much more professional than Cutler.  For reference, that means the starting QB’s in the NFC North are Sage Rosenfels (they think), Aaron Rogers, Daunte Culpepper/rookie victim 2009 version in Detroit and Cutler.  This isn’t even close is it?  I know they gave up a lot, (1st rounders in 2009 and 2010, plus a 2009 third rounder and Kyle Orton) but the Bears go through quarterbacks like most guys go through socks.  I think Jim McMahon is their all-time leading TD passer and he’s well under 200 for his career in Chi-town.  If some receivers can emerge to take off the pressure, which they did better than I thought they would in 2008, just imagine what Matt Forte might have up his sleeve in his sophomore campaign.  As for Denver, I”m not sure what they’re doing.  Pat Bowlen looks an awful lot like Jerry Reinsdorf lately, meaning, he seems willing to trade a perennial playoff contender for, well, something else.

• Prima Donnas – Speaking of the NFL, I know receivers have a rep for being divas, but they’re turning into quite a surly lot.  Plaxico – gun charge, Stallworth- killed a man while DUI, Marvin Harrison – gun charge and we haven’t even talked about Terrel Owens.  The one that stands out the most right now is Stallworth.  Yes, he seemed contrite while apologizing on television, but he was legally drunk when he ran over a man and killed him.  He might very well be trading Cleveland Brown for penitentiary orange in a few months.  However, the thing that disturbs me isn’t just that this happened, but that people don’t seem to think he’s worse than Michael Vick, who was recently released.  Look, I like dogs, I grew up with a couple and missed them when they died, but we’re talking about a guy who killed a human being in a negligent way, and someone who murdered dogs for entertainment.  They’re both grisly charges, but one of them denies a family of a father and a family member, so why isn’t it getting more press?  As for Vick, things are already really bad in Detroit.  Massive layoffs and an 0-16 team.  Do you really think they’ll let Vick’s past get in the way if they think he’s reformed and could give the citizens a reason to forget their troubles for three hours?  That’s what I’d do if I was the Lions.  Of course, I wouldn’t have hired Matt Millen either.  If you want to have a really good read, click here for Mitch Albom’s piece titled the Courage of Detroit.  Who says sports writers can’t be touching?  It will have you cheering for the Lions this year unless you’re dead inside.

• NCAA Tournament Bracket -  Well, call me the victim of the Wyoming bias.  I thought Cheyenne native James Johnson and Wake Forest could cause some real damage. . . like Final Four damage.  Well, despite that bad quadrant, I’m still tied for the lead in the Independent bracket, which has close to 30 entries.  This year is a matter of heart versus mind.  My heart tells me Villanova or MSU would be grand, but the mind says that UConn/North Carolina is the likely match up.  Time will tell if I win the pool (which has no money), or I get beat by one of the kids who stuffs the newspaper.  It’s happened before.  For my money, I’ll be pulling for ‘Nova this weekend, just because their coach is going up against three guys who’ve already won a championship.  I’m a Wyoming fan, of course I’m cheering for the underdog.

• Star Valley spring sports – I’m very excited about the new facilities.  The weather has dampened my enthusiasm lately, because it may cause more cancellations.  For the record, the cancellations last weekend were at Casper’s request, not ours.  I’ve never thought I would become a soccer fan, and I’m still far from it, but I have come to a real appreciation of their efforts at the high school level.  They run anywhere from 3-6 miles during a contest, and there is a lot more contact than I thought there would be some four years ago.  Weather permitting (and no, the field isn’t heated for those of you who might think it’s a miracle) the boys will play Evanston in Tuesday, with the Lady Braves playing Kelly Walsh and Natrona on Thursday and Friday.  In addition, the Dave Draney Invitational will hopefully be on Saturday the 11th for a pretty darn full week of SVHS sports.  Come on out and make some sweet “spring” noise, and you just might find something else you like.

Have your own thoughts on what’s stirring the sports world?  Use the comment section below and share it with us.