With certain sports topics you feel like you're living the same day over and over again.

The lack of original thought problem originates from the media. The media heavily influences how people view sports and shapes their perspective. That's not to say the media influence is exclusive to the sports world because we see it in all facets of our culture: music, fashion, cars, etc. From my perspective I see too many sports fans accepting what the sports media tells them too willingly at face value. Just because it's written in the newspaper doesn't make it true. For example do you realize when a sports writer comments that they heard from a reliable source that a potential deal may go down, the "source" they often refer to is simply another writer's column in a different paper? So for instance if the Lakers and Pistons are rumoured to be making a trade the "source" quoted will be a writer from the LA Times or the Detroit Free Press. It's as simple as that. One person writes something and everyone eventually picks up on it, like a rumour being started in high school.

Here are just a few other recent examples of topics that have irked me for one reason or another, whether it be lack of questioning of why it's happening, a lack of original thought or just plain ignorance.

	"Man, you realize people have no idea what they're talking about?"

Buccaneers Defence: This has been a topic of discussion for the entire season. Expectations were high that the best defence in football would dominate once again this season led by a string of pro-bowlers and Defensive Player of the Year Derrick Brooks. The Bucs have struggled mightily this year in all aspects of their game, but I have yet to hear an educated answer as to why. The overwhelming response I hear from the media and fans is that the unit is overrated. Here's another perspective: The team suffered three major injuries and one free agent loss to the defensive unit. Brian Kelly (led the league in interceptions), John Lynch (perennial Pro Bowler) and Shelton Quarles (2002 Pro Bowl MLB) all missed significant time. With stringent salary cap measures in the NFL a team cannot afford to divest money into quality backups, hence when injuries occur a team suffers. The loss of Mike Alstott has also been a significant factor for the Bucs defensive play. The Bucs have lost many of their games in OT or the 4th quarter because the offense doesn't keep the ball on the field long enough. Alstott was a terrific clock killer in the 2nd half of games. You can liken him to Mariano Rivera in the way he pounded the opposition and closed out games.

Senators Struggles: In Ottawa this topic has received round the clock coverage through all of the media outlets. Day-in and day-out the topic is discussed in the exact same manner. Waking up in the morning and reading the paper or listening to the radio becomes an exercise in deja vu. I feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day but instead of hearing "I got you babe" I hear Daniel Alfredsson's comments about last night's game. For a captain he sure is at a loss for words all the time. Most common quote you'll hear from Alfredsson about the slump: "I don't know what to say." That's great. Your captain can't find the words to boost the spirit of the team. Does anyone else see a problem?

This may seem like nitpicking but it's something that has been recycled time and time again and I don't believe it's even true. Ever since the Senators lost 3-2 to the Devils in game seven of the Eastern Conference finals, fans and local media have been quick to point out that the Sens were only one goal away from reaching the Stanley Cup finals. If you think about it, weren't they really two goals away? If they got one goal it ties up the game and a second goal would be needed in OT to win.

European Bashing: The bashing of European hockey players, as a whole needs to end. It's a form of discrimination and segregation. Yes, a bulk of Europeans dive and draw penalties. I've already discussed this in a previous commentary on diving mentioning how they're influenced by their upbringing in soccer. When you hear someone say: "The problem with today's hockey is too many Europeans." It simply comes across as just another statement that people hear and accept on a regular basis. Think about it this way: replace the word Europeans with a race or religious sect and you'll see how slanderous and ignorant the comment sounds.

Useless statements: A typical line you'll see a sports scribe write is: "It says here that this player will get traded…." It says here? Of course it does, where else does it say it, the classifieds? I mean why even state that? That would be like me spelling out each word phonetically for you in my commentaries. Please give the readers some credit.

I'll end with a contradiction of original thought and use someone else's line. As radio personality Jim Rome always says on his show: "Have a take and don't suck." Fans need to stop accepting the media's message so willfully because often the media's takes suck. I'm not immune to the pratfalls either but at least I'm aware of it. There should be a 12-step program for sports journalists to buck the trend of offering up uninteresting opinions. I'm at least at Step 2; I've recognized the problem and make attempts to steer clear of it. That denial stage is going to be a tough one for many journalists to get through.