8 Fearless Sports Predictions for Late Winter

In life, you can only count on two things: death and taxes.

In the sports world, things are a little less cut-and-dry. 

This isn't WWE, we like our sports unscripted, unpredictable and spontaneous. 

How amazing was the last day of the 2011 baseball season? Or how many people last fall really thought the Giants had a prayer of making the playoffs, let alone winning the Super Bowl? And if more than two percent of you knew who Jeremy Lin was prior to the NBA season, you're either lying or you need a hobby.

Tiger Woods Will NOT Win a Major in 2012

I don't claim to be a huge golf fanatic nor do I know a whole lot about the game. Then again, there are a few of you (based on your reader feedback) who think I don't really know much about anything!

What I do know is that its not 2008 anymore. Life doesn't stand still; even for sports immortals.

There is nothing to suggest that this Tiger is going to suddenly become the old Tiger. 

Last year, fellow golfer Greg Norman doubted that Tiger would ever win another Major; stating that Tiger's body language, along with the outside distractions and pressure, was too much.

For sure, it looks as though the Jack Nicklaus record of 18 majors is certainly very safe for the foreseeable future!

Mark Sanchez Will Take a Step Forward in 2012

As a depressed lifetime NY Jets fan, I am hardly a huge Mark Sanchez fan.  But he's also not Ken O'Brien or Brooks Bollinger.

Without a doubt, he took a step back in 2011 after leading the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games in his first two seasons out of USC.

Last time I checked, he doesn't play defense. And the brutal performance of the Jets' defense in games against teams such as the Dolphins and the Broncos had nothing to do with him.

Two things will make Mark Sanchez a better QB in 2012:

Bringing a new offensive coordinator in former Dolphin coach Tony Sparano will definitely help.  No one shed any tears when former OC Brian Schottenheimer left and I think letting Sanchez take more control of the offense as well as making it less predictable will lead to more productivity.

There is also no doubt in my mind that the Jets will bring in an established QB in time for training camp to push Sanchez and make him sweat a bit.  Whether its Jason Campbell or Chad Henne, the goal will be to make Sanchez feel a little pressure to elevate his game. 

Former backup QB Mark Brunnel may have been a good mentor, but he wasn't going to start and he was like, what, 45?

The Wilpons Will Not Sell the Mets

The Wilpons will continue to be the most despised owners in New York City, as they will arrogantly refuse to sell the team despite lingering financial issues and a lower quality product on the field.

Its going to be a long summer in Flushing!

David Wright Will Be Playing Elsewhere Later in 2012

The Mets will not make the same mistake with David Wright as they did with Jose Reyes.

I don't believe the Mets had any intention of re-signing Reyes after the 2011 season and wound up keeping him for meaningless September games only to see him waltz down to South Florida.

They got promising pitching prospect Zack Wheeler back from the Giants in the deadline trade that sent Carlos Beltran to the Giants.

The Mets will get a whole lot more for David Wright, especially if his numbers go up with the new fences at Citi Field and they can continue to build for 2014.

Andy Roddick Will Continue to Do Nothing in 2012

For the 25 people that follow tennis, Andy Roddick has a hot wife in model Brooklyn Decker, but he is a total punk.

He talks a good game but what has he done lately?

Currently ranked 31st in the world, he is about to be overshadowed by up-and-coming players John Isner, who is about to crack the Top Ten, and Mardy Fish.

Roddick hasn't won a major since capturing the US Open title in 2003.

Where have you gone, John McEnroe?

The Yankees Will Not Win the World Series in 2012

Yes, the Yankees went out and got Michael Pineda from the Mariners and signed Hiroki Kuroda from the Dodgers.

When it comes to the playoffs, its all about pitching.  The Yankees are still counting on CC Sabathia to win 19+ games and pitch like an ace in the playoffs.  Forget the meaningless Wednesday game against the Orioles, its all about October baseball.

Will Kuroda handle pitching in the competitive AL East versus the comfort of the NL West?

Will Pineda be the guy from the first half of 2011 or the mediocre guy from the second half?

Will Nick Swisher and Mark Teixeira ever get a clutch-hit in October?

Don't forget the Angels, Tigers and Rangers all improved their teams as well. And I think the Sox will play hard for Bobby V, at least in the short-term.

And Jeter, A-Rod and Mariano, (okay not Mariano), are all getting older!

Definitely not a cake-walk to a title in the Bronx!

The Knicks Will Lose in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs

If the NBA season ended today, the New York Knicks would be the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Is there any reason to think they could beat the Bulls (or the Heat) in a potential first round matchup?

I also think the Anthony/Stoudemire experiment is no longer a work-in-progress, but rather something that is not going to ultimately work out.

At least Jeremy Lin will be back next year and they can retool.

Ron Gardenhire Will Be the First MLB Manger Fired in 2012

Ron Gardenhire is definitely on the hot seat — (Dusty Baker of the Reds, too)!

Over his 10-year career the Twins have been to the playoffs six times.  They've won a grand total of six games, with four coming in one series.  They haven't won a playoff game since 2004, being swept in '06, '09 and '10.

Last year they lost Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau for a significant time due to injuries.  They let Michael Cuddyer walk.  Is Danny Valencia the 3rd baseman of the future or just an average player? 

The division is tough and if things don't break their way, I could totally see the Twins in the AL Central cellar. 

This is a team that needs to get off to a fast start in April.