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The Hornets are right on schedule, no matter what happens the rest of this season.

That's right. Right on schedule.

The 2009 draft was outstanding. Picking up a pair of top shelf talents like rookie guards Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton was a real coup. The two combined for 56 points in Sunday night's loss at Dallas.

Here's what the Hornets need to do. Be competive the rest of the season, win at least 41 games and don't make the playoffs. That's right don't make the playoffs.

The Hornets need to find their way into the lottery. Lots of crazy things can happen with the bounce of the lotto balls. And, you can't win if you don't play.

What if: the Hornets moved up in the lottery and could land a power forward like New Orleanian Greg Monroe or Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins? What if the Hornets could move up and select a shooting guard like Kansas' Xavier Henry Henry or Ohio State's Evan Turner. Both are elite swingmen, something the Hornets need desperately.

I would like to see the Hornets draft a big man. Defense and rebounding are what the Hornets need to make the next step.

The Hornets are quickly remaking their roster. And, in the summer of 2011, they will shed $30 million in payroll.

If they add another outstanding player in the draft, to go along with their two super rookie guards, and veteran core, the Hornets will be right on schedule. Whether they make the playoffs or not.

Thursday night Mandeville gets another chance at unbeaten Southwood.

The Lady Cowboys are 35-0.

Last year in the first round of the state playoffs, Southwood jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the first two minutes and cruised to a 55-43 win. This year, the Skippers say they are ready for the rematch.

Head coach Troy Ricks said he has asked a lot of his players. Ricks said his team worked on handling full court pressure since practice began in the fall. Said Ricks, "in the beginning we couldn't even get the ball up the court."

Ricks said his team can now play under pressure. And, that will be key for a team that has 6 sophomores or freshman in its first seven.

How much has Mandeville grown up? Much, already. The Skippers are making their first Final 4 appearance under Ricks since he took over as head coach in 1991.

It has been a special journey. One that can become even more so Thursday at 6:30 pm in Hammond.

Departures in the NFL don't often go like this: the head coach and general manager who made the decision to release the quarterback are holding back the tears. And, the quarterback who was let go, is bawling his eyes out in front of the media core.

That was the scene Friday in Carolina as the Panthers and Breaux Bridge's Jake Delhomme parted ways.

Few athletes in any sport are as universally respected as Jake. He's respected for his just plain common decency, his honesty, and his tenacity. Friday, Delhomme said what few athletes would every say: the other guy (in this case, Panthers quarterback Matt Moore) played better than me. Said Jake of 2009, "I had a bad year."

Delhomme's fall from grace in Carolina was swift. The Panthers were the two seed in the NFC playoffs in 2008, but lost their divisional playoff game at home to Arizona. Delhomme played terribly in that game, a trend that continued in 2009. Delhomme threw 23 interceptions in his last 12 games as a Panther.

Delhomme, 35, says he plans to continue to play.

Jake Delhomme represents one of the biggest personnel mistakes in Saints history. If Delhomme had started the final 3 games of the 2002 season, in place of an ailing Aaron Brooks, Jim Haslett's Saints would likely have made the playoffs.

Jim Haslett wasn't the first coach to understand estimate Jake Delhomme. At Tuerlings Catholic, Delhomme performed brilliantly. The big schools spurned him. He starred at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Delhomme signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He was cut several times. He also played in NFL Europe.

Delhomme, 35, says he plans to continue to play. Comebacks are part of Delhomme's DNA. As the sting, wears off, he'll be preparing for yet another.

Scott Fujita had no choice. He had to take the cash and run.

Fujita will be 31 in April. This is his last chance for a big contract in the NFL. And for a linebacker who played solidly but not spectacularly in 2009, a 3 year $14 million deal from the Cleveland Browns was too good to pass up.

In 2009, Fujita combined on 58 tackles, had 1 sack and forced 2 fumbles.

Fujita had value that wasn't all numbers. He was a steady veteran and a leader in the lockerroom.

But, the Saints chose not to pay him what Cleveland offered. So, he took the cash and ran.

He did what he had to do.