This week's short list of sports figures who, if we operated in a meritocracy, would be forced to return a portion of their game checks for sub-par performances.
1) Patrick Crayton
Yes, we gave the Cowboys receiver props on Monday, but when you talk such smack during the week, then produce a three-catch, 27-yard day plus two key drops in a loss, that screams for a non tax-exempt deduction from the final paycheck.
2) Peyton Manning
Two picks in the red zone in the playoffs is bad enough, but to do it and allow a Norv Turner-coached team to reach the AFC Championship is Ray Finkle-esque.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars
They blitzed 0.02 times against the Patriots, thus allowing Tom Brady enough time on each pass play to go through all his reads, transfer money into his ING Orange account, buy a Steve Grogan game-worn jersey on e-Bay, get new license plates from the DMV and feed his baby boy who lives in California all before actually throwing and completing a pass 27 of 28 times. I understand the Patriots are talented on offense, but at least try to blitz maybe once or twice.
Paybacks appears every Tuesday afternoon. Email your nominees throughout the week.