By Michael Coleman

The Jets and Giants are both 2-0.   I foolishly chose them both to lose.  I just thought that Tom Brady would out gun the kid, Mark Sanchez.  My biggest mistake was not counting on the Jets defense.  Let’s face it–in years past  the defense was like swiss cheese. But as long as the Rex Ryan swagger is employed by the D unit, Sanchez will be alright.  He’s allowed to make mistakes–after all he’s still just a kid.

As for the Giants, I figured their brand-new-stadium NFC East rivals (and just the fact that Texas IS football) would prevail.  I mean, how could the Cowboys lose?  Oh yes, that’s right–4 turnovers by the Boys, including 3 picks by Tony Romo.   We know about the smashmouth-fullness of the Giants, but the 2 minute drill under Eli Manning was superb.  John Elway-esque.

Now the Jets play the Titans. The Giants play Tampa.  We’re pretty sure of the outcome in that one, but the Jets-Titans matchup looks easy on paper.  Afterall the Titans are 0-2.  Still, I think they’ve got some juice in them. We’ll see.

Phil Mickelson turned 39 Tuesday, and golf fans are delivering a lasting gift of touching support, with many donning pink in recognition of his wife Amy’s battle with breast cancer.

One gentleman told me that he could sense through articles that Amy Mickelson is a person of substance.

Phil was embraced overwhelmingly by the fans back in ‘02 at the Black. Expect that support to be even stronger this week.

Mickelson’s press conference today naturally focused on his wife. He says she told him to go out and win because she needs trophy in her hospital room.

I have a hunch that, with an attitude like that, she’ll beat cancer.

The day began with rain, rain and more rain. But having been at Bethpage State Park from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., I saw the day and crowds grow. The weather was really a non-factor, until we broadcast our evening newscast.

As dark storm clouds built over Bethpage Black, we re-positioned our set up away from a tall tree nearby to avoid any unfortunate incidents.

But afterwards, when all was safe and the shows were executued, wouldn’t you know the sun came out — just like the fans did most of the day, rain or shine.

By Michael Coleman

There was a Phil Mickelson sighting, but we didn’t see him.  We tried.  Photographer Dan Jacobsen and I felt like cops staking out Phil.  We found a spot on 14, hung out there for about an hour and fifteen minutes. When security bounced us, he was actually the second guy from security to approach us.

The first guy didn’t seem to care to much about us being there.  Afterall, he didn’t say leave.  I even told the second guy that he had to understand we had to come to the course and give it a shot.  Even if that meant ruffling a few feathers, but that didn’t happen.  Sometimes having a camera by your side does more damage than good.  At least the USGA guy said he didn’t mean to run us off.  He was just doing his job.  As were we.

By Michael Coleman

If there was ever a time to consider paying college athletes, it is now.  Look at the NCAA basketball tournament, both men and women. The dazzling plays these student athletes deliver bring a lot of national and international attention to their schools. And then there’s the advertising they do.

Everytime you see them run up and down the court they’re selling sneakers, Nike, Adidas, Reebok, you name it. Soft drinks are also in the mix. Everybody gets a piece of the action –except for the student athlete. And the argument that they get a free education is old and tired.  First of all, the education isn’t free, and even if it were, the NCAA would still be getting the better part of the deal.

If you have doubts, consider John Calipari. He is about to sign the richest contract in college basketball coaching history, Why?  Because he’s a good coach and was able to recruit top players that made a school like Memphis, rich in basketball.

Because of this and his solid record in the big dance, he gets wooed by another deep-pocketed school that can offer him the moon.  Kentucky lured him away with guaranteed bonuses and a package deal worth nearly 35 million.  He gets to move on while the kids he recruited to go to Memphis – believing he’d be there when they graduate – are left wondering if his replacement will come anywhere near to fulfilling their dreams.

It’s time that school presidents, athletic directors, coaches and the NCAA develop new rules that allow everyone involved to get a piece of the pie.