While I don't think it has come to fruition yet, I am a big fan of what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have proposed to do. With a shortage of offensive linemen, especially at the guard position, the Bucs have decided that they will sub in a few defensive players in those spots.

While players often switch sides of the ball in college, it is much less common in the pros, and especially not with the caliber of players that the Bucs propose using. Tackle Warren Sapp, one of the best in the league and arguably in the history of the NFL, is the Bucs' first choice for one of these vacancies. This move might be derided by many, because it leaves the Bucs open to criticism if Sapp were hurt while playing on the offensive side of the ball; but I like the idea nonetheless.

In the early days of the NFL many players were two-way players, but it is virtually unheard of now. Other than the occasional stint by a cornerback as a wide receiver, or a defensive tackle in the "jumbo" formation, players are not used on both sides of the ball. The game has changed too much, and the players are too highly paid for them to risk an injury when they are not in their primary position.

But, who would be a better option than Sapp? As one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league, he knows better than most players what it takes to be an effective defensive tackle, and he has the physical ability to play both tackle positions at the same time. Sapp would give the Bucs at least an adequate replacement, while also providing a dominating force on the defensive side of the ball.

Sports have become so specialized in recent years that some NFL teams have different kickers for kickoffs and for field goals, baseball teams have left-handed relievers that never face more than one batter, and hockey teams have players whose only goal is to fight the enforcer on the other team-well, I guess that last one is an old tendency. I think this trend, while good on the whole, is detrimental when certain players show the clear ability to play multiple positions, and do it at a high level. People forget that Babe Ruth was also a pitcher and that Charles Woodson won a Heisman as a two-way player. It would be a great benefit for teams to go back to two-way players in the right situation.

Snake eyes

With the baseball playoffs starting this week, it is finally time for me to make my postseason predictions. This is the best time of year for baseball fans because every game has tremendous meaning, and this year should be no different, as there are a number of tremendous matchups that should occur.

In the American League, I expect the A's and the Yankees to battle it out for the title. The Angels have had a tremendous season, but I don't think they have the firepower to overcome the Yankees. The Yankees have had too much success over the years, and their lineup is too strong for the upstart Angels. In the other first-round matchup, the A's should easily take down the Twins. The Twins, supposedly America's team, are not as good as everyone suggests. They have a number of holes in their lineup and pitching rotations, play in the weakest division in the major leagues, and have little postseason experience. They will fall to the Athletics, especially considering how poorly they play against lefthander pitchers, of which the A's have two great ones in Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. In the ALCS, we will see the same matchup as the last two years in the division series, but this time I think the tables will be turned. The A's, despite losing their best player to the Yankees in the offseason, have the pitching necessary to beat the Yanks. The Yankees still have the psychological advantage, but on a position by position breakdown the A's have the clear advantage, and the aging Yankees have had down years from many of their so-called "superstars."

The National League looks to be much more complicated. There doesn't seem to be one team that is better than the others from top to bottom, but each team has its own strengths and weaknesses. The Braves have a great pitching staff, as usual, but their lineup has a number of holes. The Cardinals have a great lineup and a good defense, but only one ace pitcher. The Giants have Barry Bonds, but considering that he won't get pitched to in the playoffs, he won't make much of a difference. The Diamondbacks have the best two pitchers in the league, but especially with the loss of Luis Gonzalez, their offense is weak.

That said, it will come down to the best two pitching staffs in the NLCS. The Braves and the Diamondbacks will meet there, and I suspect this year will have one of the lowest scoring playoff series in history. The starting pitching in that series-Johnson, Schilling, Maddux, Glavine and Millwood-could be the best to ever grace such a stage, and the D'Backs will prevail because they have the best two pitchers of the group. Their offense will struggle to score runs, but not many will be needed.

In the World Series, the A's will take down the Snakes, because three aces is always better than two. The A's have a better lineup, by leaps and bounds, and their pitching is just as good if not better. It should be a good series, because Schilling and Johnson will win a few games, but the A's should emerge victorious.