COLUMN: A wish list for 2010

So here’s my wish list for 2010.

This column is being written as Urban Meyer resigned as Florida’s head coach and then came back with a “not so fast,” opting for a leave of absence instead. Should make for an interesting 2010 in the SEC as Georgia tries to become relevant again in the conference.

Here’s the wish list for 2010:

•A Bulldog victory over Georgia Tech in 2010. The ugliness between the two schools is arguably at its worst in years. Yellow Jacket coach Paul Johnson, doing his best impersonation of a Georgia Tech fan, did nothing to stay above the fray with some pointed comments after UGA’s 30-24 victory in November.

•Another title for Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and company. The L.A. Lakers are the most entertaining NBA franchise, so here’s hoping they get another trophy. For those keeping score, that would make 11 titles for L.A. coach Phil Jackson.

•Brett Favre flat-out telling us he’ll play in 2010 instead of his usual summertime waffling. Besides, who’s going to take another “retirement” seriously?

•Georgia avoiding uniform changes in 2010. Wearing odd black helmets and pants as a motivational tactic against Florida was a Cocktail Party foul.

•Tiger Woods returning to the PGA Tour. His image has taken a major nosedive, but come on, who wants to see Scott Verplank win the Masters?

•At least a .500 record for new University of Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox this season. That’s quite a stretch given the Bulldogs’ cast of players and the fact that they reside in a stacked SEC East. But Fox’s Dogs already have a quality win (Illinois) and are running the same triangle offense the L.A. Lakers employ. So that’s a start.

•The Atlanta Braves putting together some sort of postseason run in 2010.

•LeBron James signing with the New York Knicks in the offseason. King James’ contract is up with Cleveland after this year, and a game as big as LeBron’s belongs in the Big Apple.

•Dale Murphy’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It won’t ever happen, but for what it’s worth, consider this: his offensive numbers are comparable to hall of famers Ryne Sandberg and Gary Carter.

•Embattled Georgia quarterback Joe Cox moving on to coaching in 2010 if that’s what he wants to do. Though Cox struggled mightily at times this year, we saw glimpses late of what Cox could have done with the luxury of a good running game to back him up.
Through it all, we could appreciate Cox’s candor and his guts.

Ben Munro is a reporter for The Madison County Journal.