Things to watch this weekend:

– How bad is Travis Hafner's knee and is this the time when the Tribe breaks away from the pack by handling the Yankees?

– Does John Daly make a move and return to the center stage in golf or is it only Tiger's world at the PGA Championship?

– Anyone want to play quarterback? UA and the Browns are looking but so far haven't found what they are looking for.

– Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. break from his Anna Kournikova drought — lots of endorsements, no wins and maybe no Chase for the Cup?

– I must admit that I am surprised how easy the Tigers and Indians have allowed the races to tighten in the American League. With the resent poor play by the AL Central leaders, the Mariners and Yankees are now only a half behind the Tigers for the wild card. And don't forget the Twins, who are just 4 1/2 behind the Tribe. Should make September interesting but it didn't have to be this way for either the Indians or Tigers.

– The Browns can point to good signs at camp, including big back Jamal Lewis seeming to have something to prove. But with Orpheus Roye getting hurt, Ryan Tucker getting suspended, Brady Quinn causing bad PR league-wide, something doesn't smell right, and I am not talking about the Stadium.

– Dario Franchitti's crash at Michigan International Speedway shows just how well all racing cars are built these days. Take a look at ESPN for the video.

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. draws the most fans to the race track and to the souvenir shop but right now, he would not be in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. It is kind of like the NBA not getting as much attention whent the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers all are not in the playoffs.

– Mike Tomlin won his first game with the Steelers on Sunday in Canton. He won't remind many of Bill Cowher, but astute observers might see a little Chuck Noll in the rookie head coach.

– Ohio State football is No. 10 in the coaches' poll behind Wisconsin and Michigan in the Big Ten. Seems about right for a team that doesn't know who will be quarterback.

– Tiger Woods … really, whatelse can you say? Maybe it is time for a statue next to the historic water tower at Firestone.

The baseball draft on TV was conducted very poorly. Instead of following the lead of the NHL or NFL, baseball had few if any of the players at the draft. Without the photos of the players holding the jerseys with the GM, what do you have? Nothing.
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sweepstakes will be heating up the next two weeks. I still like Ginn Racing in a surprise. … By the way, Visa denies that it is entering NASCAR, but that probably would be the only way for Junior to end up with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The Cavs need to be active in the offseason to get some more weapons for LeBron James and Mike Brown.
C.C. Sabathia is starting to look more and more like a Cy Young winner and like a very rich man. The Indians need to ride his arm this season to playoff success.
Is anyone watching the French Open?
Or the Belmont Stakes?
We already know few watched the Stanley Cup Finals.
I think I like Danica Patrick's chances in a fight with Dan Wheldon.
Has anyone seen Barry Bonds, I think he is missing.
Speaking of Bonds, it is time for Hank Aaron to stop commenting on the home run chase. He said last week that he wasn't sure how to spell Bonds' name. Now Hank, don't be stupid. Stay above this fray of steroids talk.
The U.S. Open is looking like it might have a winner near double figures over par, if the players are telling the truth after practice rounds at Oakmont C.C. in Pittsburgh. Watching Tiger Woods and the rest of his golfing mates struggle should make great TV.

LeBron James was fouled, but the Cavs can't wait to take the last shot. Go for the throat! … Danica Patrick will win an IndyCar Series race but not this weekend's Indy 500. … The Indians, Tigers, Angels and Red Sox will be the playoff teams in the American League. … Charlie Frye will be the starting quarterback for the Browns, and Brady Quinn will sit unless Frye and Derek Anderson get hurt. … Jamal Lewis is an ancient 27 and will show it this season. … Kent State football will make a run at the MAC title game. … Jimmie Johnson will win the Coca-Cola 600 because he does just about every year. … Expect the David Beckham talk to pick up after the holiday. His arrival to MLS is two months away. … The Yankees are done, and Joe Torre will not survive the season.

Ottawa will beat Anaheim in six games to win the Stanley Cup. … David Stern had to cringe when his next two potential superstars ended up in the Northwest with the Trail Blazers and SuperSonics winning the draft lottery's top two spots. Greg Oden will go to the Blazers and Kevin Durant to the Sonics. … Will anybody see them play? … Despite all of the offseason moves, the Patriots will not win the Super Bowl. No team has bought the Super Bowl, like you can a World Series. … Barry Bonds won't break Aaron's mark until late July at the earliest. … C.C. Sabathia will sign with the Dodgers after next season for $140 million over seven seasons. … Travis Hafner will sign a contract with the Indians, something like $75 million for five years, maybe more. … USC despite having so many players back will not win the BCS title. … Tiger Woods will win the U.S. Open next month at Oakmont C.C., near Pittsburgh. … Wait until you all see the changes to that great course.

The Cavs have a plan, and they followed it perfectly in Game 1. It is amazing when you have a plan and stick to it how far it can take you. Now to win a title, I think the offense might need to get a little better. But there is nothing saying that that can't happen this year.

The Browns drew media from all over to cover Brady Quinn's presence at minicamp. I will say it again. Phil Savage was desperate when he made the move for Quinn, and now he is going to be under more scrutiny than every before.

We often talk about windows of opportunity in sports. Well, the Indians' window is wide open, and they need to follow C.C. Sabathia right through it this year. C.C. is on track for his first Cy Young and probably will become the first $20 million per season pitcher in history after completing his deal next season. The Tribe's window might be just this season because all of the talk next season will center on C.C. and his contract status.

Jimmie Johnson and Tiger Woods won again. No surprises with either. Again, having a plan and following through. It does work, if you have the right plan.