Astronomers tell us that stars are born at the rate of a nanosecond. Newly anointed sports stars are birthed at the same rate; the only difference between the two is that the terrestrial stars sometimes take millions of years to form, while sports stars take only seconds.
One case in point (although there are hundreds to choose from) is Eli Manning, the pubescent quarterback of the New York Giants.

Star Manning has played 17 games to date in his budding NFL career with mixed individual results. Yet the amount of air time and media coverage he has gotten is nothing short of extraordinary, and he is treated like royalty. To Manning’s credit, he clearly has not embraced his ascendancy, but that has not stopped us from embracing him.

Only a population starved for immediacy and unappreciative of deserved accomplishment could compare Manning to his older brother Payton. Or is it that there is only so much we can say or write about established stars before boredom begins and a "been there done that syndrome sets in." There would be nothing left to read, write or watch.

It is interesting to see the comparative ascendancy of movie stars as well, who suddenly burst upon the silver screen in one film, only to become the new love of the writers of the many magazines and televisions programs. No previous film work, no distinguished resume, but a star is born.

And so it is with pubescent sport stars -- borne to the front of sports pages in that nanosecond.

It has been reported and documented that we are a populace with a short attention span. Clinical observation has suggested that we need the next big story or star to deflect us from our own uncomfortable internal state and the media obliges us. Our escapist needs are fulfilled, and we scream, cheer, hoot, holler and debate.

I have always felt that sports provides for us a wide range of our psychological needs. However, most recently it has been disturbing to see how many more of us know the names of sports stars than our political leaders in Washington. A most recent television commercial even touts and encourages this fact.

Whatever happened to experience and, "Let’s wait and see?"

I guess we have to wait and see.

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens has just been suspended which should not come as any surprise. Owens who has to put it mildly had a troubled existence in Philly, appears to be confronting a number of issues.

Players like Owens are actually very insecure. Their need to speak out, as well as their on field antics ( and Owens has a long history in this arena as well) are often fueled by their deep seeded need for recognition. Keep in mind Owens complained that his 100th touchdown catch was not properly celebrated.

Moreover, Owens has played with an Eagle team that has featured a lot of talent. Perhaps his need to separate himself from this group and be seen as the elite player, has also caused him to speak out in a less than enhancing manner.

Donovan McNabb is a pretty fair quarterback to say the least, and has earned his stripes in the game. The fact that Owens would make McNabb a target speaks to his fragility.

People like Owens have great difficulty dealing with any slight or criticism, which makes walking away from an altercation with the likes of a Hugh Douglas almost impossible.

All in the service of making him feel better about himself.

What a shame. Owens' body of work and articulate persona have gotten him a ton of accolades and attention. Apparently this was not enough.

On Kobe and Phil

A while back I was interviewed about my thoughts on the potential reunion of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant. This is why I thought Phil and Kobe will "co-exist"--as Jackson is clearly now in charge. I still believe this to be the case.

"Kobe Bryant is damaged goods," said Dr. Richard Lustberg, a New York-based sports psychologist. "In many ways, he'll never be viewed the same. (Losing) has led to his power being diminished within the organization. He is no longer a pristine figure. Kobe doesn't have the respect of that team. They tolerate him, but he's not well loved in the locker room. When Phil left, he did so with a very bad taste in his mouth. But now he no longer has to worry about the downside or risk of dealing with Darth Kobe."