Nov. 9
I was recently sitting down at breakfast at The Broken Egg in Siesta Key Beach, Fla., enjoying my eggbeater omelet. I almost spit out my eggs and juice when I read the Associated Press preseason All-America team.

	Jason Williams (22) and Duke face Maryland on Thursday for the first time this season.

Usually, I enjoy seeing All-America teams posted. This AP team listed five outstanding college basketball players: Duke guard Jason Williams, Illinois guard Frank Williams, Stanford guard Casey Jacobsen, Missouri forward Kareem Rush and Kentucky forward Tayshaun Prince. I certainly respect every poll and every voter who casts a ballot.

But the problem I have with this type of selection is simple: who rebounds, who plays in the lane, who gives them post play? Come on now, are you serious?

When Major League Baseball announces its All-Stars, are there nine Randy Johnsons or nine Derek Jeters? Of course not; players are picked by position, with outfielders, infielders, etc. For football All-America teams, are 11 quarterbacks chosen?

Let's be honest here and make sure the voters designate by position. Pick the best of the best by point guard, scoring guard, power forward, swing forward and center. To me, that is logical ... maybe I'm wrong, and I've been wrong before, but I feel this makes sense.

Whenever I pick my All-Rolls Royce team, I pick by position. Sure, I would love to have Frank Williams on my first team! But can you pick him over Jason Williams in the preseason?

Who knows what will happen by season's end -- and the postseason All-America team is the one that counts, baby!

Still, preseason teams stimulate interest and create excitement. Here's my preseason All-America team (by position): Jason Williams at the point, Jacobsen at the scoring guard, Rush at swing forward, Iowa's Reggie Evans at power forward and Maryland's Lonny Baxter (the widebody and human space-eater) at center. Williams is my preseason Player of the Year.

How could the AP pick these teams without going by position? Just a little early season rant, baby!