8 Resolutions For Bay Area Sports This New Year

Now that we've all indulged heavily on delicious treats, both edible and inedible, it's time to rejoice in what we've seen over the past two weeks. It is definitely not time to focus on the moves your favorite baseball team may or may not have made, and it's definitely not time to focus on the egg that your favorite college football team may or may not have laid in San Diego. No, no, no.... instead, we'll focus on the positives. Though they may be few in number, there have been great things going on in the sports world over the last two weeks even if you're an East San Francisco Bay Area fan like I am. So, in case you've been stuffing your face with figgy pudding over the last two weeks, here's your friendly sports update.... of positives....



Even I feel bad for this poor guy

1. The NBA started... the Warriors have hope.
2. The Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Outback Bowl made for a memorable day-after-New-Year's-Day.
3. The 49ers are in the playoffs.

So hey, we've got that going for us. But fear not, this year provides new hope for everyone, and here's a list of 8 resolutions our hometown teams and fans should make to help them succeed in the new year.

1. Giants fans - don't be upset with not winning the 2011 World Series.

Look guys, I love you. But come on, you won it all only a year ago. This year was not the end of the world. You played meaningful September baseball. Fans of other teams can barely remember what that was like. You've got a team in 2012 that could do it again, albeit with some question marks, but it's a roster you can easily live with. Be happy, and maybe be nicer to A's fans who mean you no harm.

2. A's Fans - Enjoy your team.

Look, the 2012 Oakland A's are not likely to be the eventual World Series champions. Let's all come to terms with that. I promise I will if you do too. However, if you enjoy watching a group of youngsters play the game with zeal and vigor, then this team may be for you. So, show up to games, cheer them on. They won't play too many more games in Oakland if the sources are correct. So go enjoy some baseball with no expectations, and maybe you'll come away still having seen something great.

3. Oakland Raiders - Get a secondary, get some discipline.

They gave up a whopping 31 touchdowns through the air this year and committed franchise records in penalties and penalty yards. Want to know why Tim Tebow made the playoffs? The Raiders couldn't get out of the way of themselves. I mean, it didn't help that Campbell and McFadden were both out for the second half of the season. Losing Ford and Moore for significant time didn't help either. Still, things might have been different had they been able to hold their opponents to a few less points. Look for the Raiders to look for some secondary help in the upcoming draft.

4. 49ers Fans - Be humble.

This one goes out to Frankie. Look, we all love the 49ers. Just remember, we've been here before, and we should act like it. If they win it all, celebrate, but with respect. If they don't make it, remember that they exceeded expectations this year, thank them for the ride, and get ready for next season. There's no reason for us all to be like obnoxious Pittsburgh fans.

5. Warriors - Find a center.

The Warriors will never be an elite team until they acquire a franchise level center. Lee is a solid power forward, but Biedrins, Brown, and Udoh aren't the answer in the middle. We all know that the backcourt is more than solid, but they're going to need a center to beat the Dwight Howards of the world. The west is wide open this year, and I really do believe the Warriors have a shot at the playoffs. I just want that magic big man in the middle to come and solidify the team as an elite one.

6. Sharks - Make it to the finals.

They come so close every year. I, along with a few other people in the Bay Area who are aware a hockey team exists in San Jose, really want this team to succeed, and to put San Jose in the limelight, so that all those Detroit fans will stop mocking us. Hopefully, this resolution takes hold.

7. California Bears - Develop a quarterback

I am a Jeff Tedford supporter. I believe that you can't be upset at a head coach who over the past decade has become the winningest coach in the school's history. Yes, we want to take it to the next level. For that, Cal needs an elite QB, and they haven't had one since Aaron Rodgers. Tedford has brought us the facility to attract more elite talent, and maybe Zach Kline will be the answer to our hopes and dreams. Either way, the resolution stands that a quarterback must be the number one priority.

8. Stanford Cardinal - Don't forget about your quarterback

Dear David Shaw, next time you have the consensus number one NFL draft pick under center and three timeouts with about 45 seconds to play from the 2, use him. Yes, you had a great kicker, but he was a freshman, and had never been forced to make a kick on that stage yet. Use your senior leader, or be more conservative and punch it in with Taylor, who had been unstoppable for most of the game. It was terrible play calling on display, and I'm sure he didn't learn that from Harbaugh. Don't even get me started on using a wildcat formation.... Resolved: play to your strengths.

Song of the post:

I was going to do the top songs of 2011 by the Billboard charts, but saw that it was Rolling in the Deep, and didn't want to listen to it again. So this one goes out to a friend with much more interest in current music than I do. So: the best indie song of 2011: