All right, we know this is supposed to just run Tuesdays and Thursdays, but we decided that we were too eager to finally get this first round overwith so we can start the second round tomorrow. (SI's curious pick of Mr. Wade made us decide to speed up the process a bit.) So, this is the final first round matchup, and it's the one many have been waiting for: The return of Barbaro, whose omission from the Deadspin Hall of Fame still rankles many out there. His inclusion here almost forced us into calling this the Sports Mammal Of The Year, but we thought that perhaps a bit too precious.

If you still want to vote for any of the other first-round matchups — and you can find them — today is your last day: All polls end at 10 a.m. ET tomorrow morning, with the second round also commencing tomorrow. So vote while you still can.

Anyway, our combatants today, in the final first-roundup matchup, are No. 3 seed Barbaro, who is everywhere and everything, and former Miami broadcaster Lamar Thomas, the No. 14 seed and decided underdog. (Especially considering that his famous video has been pulled off the Web.) But let's see how she goes.

No. 3 Seed: Barbaro
2006 Highlights
Crashed out at the Preakness.
Inspired some amazing letters (and haiku!).
Banged a woman, fictionally.
Didn't die. In fact, got, uh, a few more letters.

No. 14 Seed: Lamar Thomas
2006 Highlights
Redefined the notion of a "homer" announcer. Was fired.
Hell 2 Da Naw!

So, go vote: Who advances to the Elite Eight?

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That was Miami Hurricane player Anthony Reddick apologizing for his helmet-swinging role in the brawl against FIU. I'm pretty sure someone wrote that for him... and they must've just scribbled it really quickly and illegibly, because he seemed to be struggling with it. For some reason.

I hope he's just really bad at speaking in front of people, and that the educational system hasn't failed him quite as badly as it appears. I also hope he's really good at football, otherwise, upon the completion of his college football career, he might have to settle for some kind of a job where they'll hire anyone... like, oh, I don't know... Miami Hurricanes football TV analyst.

Back To You In The Booth, Lamar [Deadspin]

But while Russ Hodges' radio call is readily available, Thomas' soon, probably, won't be. Comcast Southeast has already cut it from its pay-per-view rebroadcast of the game, and Thomas hasn't been heard from since. At least in person. We wouldn't be surprised if the YouTube version disappeared soon as well, as their Google overlords continue to prepare earth for colonization. Soon it will be as if Thomas was erased from the landscape, his very existence merely a rumor. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

After his NFL career, Thomas reportedly did apply for an assistant's job with the Hurricanes earlier this year. Thomas may have been a superstar in his new broadcasting career if he had used words such as, 'This is what a lot of 'Canes are thinking right now,' as a preface to Saturday's remarks. Instead, we got a certain 'Canes mind-set unfiltered, and Thomas got himself fired. That came Monday, after the fight with the Thomas soundtrack became an instant YouTube.com classic. These words from Thomas, on the telecast as the fight continued, will linger longer than anything (University of Miami president Donna) Shalala says.

Meanwhile, happier news. After Lou Piniella came to his defense on Tuesday, Steve Lyons is getting a portion of his job back. Fired by Fox for, well, we're not sure what during game 3 of the ALCS, FSN Prime Ticket says that he will return as the part-time TV announcer for the Dodgers. In a statement, Fox said: "And that's what we're talkin' about. You don't come into the Fox booth, baby. We've had a couple of down years, but you don't come in here talkin' smack."

UM Feeling Media Backlash [Miami Herald]
1951 National League Playoff [MLB.com]
Brawl Will Finish Off Miami's Coker [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Lamar Thomas Speaks [Kind Of] [Deadspin]
Piniellla Say Lyons Was Just Kidding [Yahoo! News]

Here is his supposed response:

first of all anyone who has ever met me knows my passion for the program. The University of Miami made me the person that i am today. I have NEVER shied away from speaking my opinion. Yesterday I saw a struggling miami football group become a TEAM. This is my second year working for Comcast Sports Southeast, and I really enjoy it. Recently this year I was pulled aside and told I needed to be more pro UM, because i was being to hard on the KIDS. Yesterday I watched our KIDS play a team that came into the OB for one reason, to make a name for its program. FIU WAS NOT GOING TO GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT. AT first they were very physical,and that was to be expected because 90 percent of FIU's KIDS had dreams of being a Cane. But then their frustration set in, after James Bryant turned up the heat with his physical play. Cheap shots then pursued. I WAS PROUD OF THOSE KIDS FOR STANDING UP FOR THEIR BROTHERS. I do not agree with the swinging of the helmets. Nor the media only pointing out our KIDS. But if you know anything about this program, WE ARE THE TEAM THAT EVERYONE HATES. ON to what i said, I was so hyped in the booth I let my emotions take over. Do I have to apologize for sayin what I said? HELL 2 DA NAW ! Im going to make this simple, FIU tried to push us around and we fought back. From that point on for first time this year, WE look like A team trying to Destroy the opposition. I said i wanted to get on the elevator and go down to the field. LOL, I'm 36 years old what hell would i have accomplished. I did say you cant come into our house and try to slap us and not get slapped back. which is true so............. I'm not a coach ! My job is to talk. For our broadcasts which are made for U of M fans, I'm supposed to add insight. And by golly I gave it, because if that was during my tenure we would have invited FIU to Tamiami Park to get it on(FRIENDLY GAME OF SANDLOT FOOTBALL,OF COURSE) LOL. As you notice, I've called them KIDS. Lets not forget that. For most of these KIDS, The U is their FAMILY. Some people spoke of my lack of professionalism, but this wasnt ESPN, ABC, TBS or PBS. Im not supposed to be neutral. Folks that watch this want to hear about the U, past and present. Listen If You wanna say I wouldnt Be a good coach because of my passion, Go ahead, thats your opinion. Maybe later on in life i will finally send in my resume. But right now I'm having too much fun running my mouth. OH yea I also enjoy chatting with our True fans. And for the ones who love to be very critical of me and the team. so be it . KEEP ON KEEPIN ON ITS YOUR OPINION. GOD BLESS AMERICA ITS ALL THE ABOUT U, BABY!I LOVE TO TALK YA!

If you can make it through that, you get a cookie. And nope: Not PBS.

Could just be made-up message board stuff ... but we don't think so, honestly.

HELL 2 DA NAW! [Scout.com]

Meanwhile, over at FIU, Chris Smith (tackled and punched Miami holder Matt Perrelli) and Marshall McDuffie Jr. (kicked Perrelli in the head) were both thrown off the team by their school (they get to keep their scholarships). In addition, FIU upgraded 16 of their one-game suspensions to indefinite suspensions. And further sanctions could be issued by Miami administrators as well. If all of this sounds a bit double-secret-probationish to you, you're not alone. What is an indeifnite suspension? Depends on how long it takes for the public outrage to subside, we suppose.

No word yet on Ned and his Crutches of Destruction.

Miami head coach Larry Coker (who regained his senses on Sunday and finally began being contrite) and his FIU counterpart, Don Strock (just, you know, kind of clueless), appear to be in no danger of being fired. But broadcaster Lamar Thomas, the former Hurricanes wide reciever and television "color analyst" who enjoyed the fight just a little too much, was officially canned on Monday by Comcast Sports Southeast. The network has edited out his comments from the broadcast, and we're pretty sure they also burned his house, hauled off the debris and salted the earth where it stood. So, that's three bodies so far. Are you not entertained?

In most cases like these, however, it's really the children who suffer. Witness the "Join a Team, Not a Gang" page on the Hurricanes athletic site, which a reader pointed us to today. Let's just say it's ironic, in the worst sense of that word. The post includes the chilling caption: "The Miami Dade Police Department will bring about 700 children to the Miami vs. FIU football game as part of the program." Oops.

"So you see kid, when they come to the OB talkin' noise from across the ocean over there, don't forget to stop by the sideline and get an extra helmet. One for wearing, and one for swinging. Get it?"

Join A Team Not A Gang [University of Miami Athletics]
Fallout From Miami-FIU Reverberates [Sun-Sentinel]
Ex-Hurricane Taken Off The Air [Miami Herald]
Judgment Day [Miami Herald]
Back To You In The Booth, Lamar [Deadspin]

So it may not come as a surprise to anyone that more suspensions have come down following the steel cage match between the University of Miami and Florida International football teams on Saturday. A total of 31 players have been dinged — and must sit out their respective games this weekend — 18 from FIU, and 13 from Miami. You've likely seen the video, witnessing the carnage yourself. (Why is everyone pounding on the Miami placekick holder?) But were you paying attention to the audio portion of the proceedings?

As the fight unfolded, color analyst Lamar Thomas seemed to be as fired up as the players, at one point exclaiming "I feel like taking the elevator down to the field and getting involved myself!" Thomas went on: "You don't come into our house talking smack!" And so forth. Because that's what a play-by-play commentator wants from his partner, to be able to look down on the field and see him brawling with the players.

Anyway, we got a couple of e-mails asking the musical question: "Is that the same Lamar Thomas who played for the Hurricanes and the Dolphins?" Yep. And he wasn't exactly a solid citizen. Thomas' rap sheet includes:

• Arrested and jailed for aggravated battery for attacking his pregnant fiancee with a deadly weapon.

• Arrested for violating probation.

• Detained for brandishing a handgun and threatening suicide, prompting authorities to check him in to a mental institution.

• Did jail time for again violating probation related to the battery charges, when he was arrested for choking
his fiancee. His six-month old son was present at the scene.

But don't forget that it was also Thomas who was the victim of "The Strip," shown in the video above, in which Alabama's George Teague ran him down and took the ball just as Thomas was about to score a touchdown for Miami in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Perhaps this is the source of the pent-up rage?

Well, at least Thomas didn't make a joke about Lou Piniella stealing his wallet. Now that would have been serious.

School Officials Suspend 31 Miami, FIU Players [MSNBC]
The Only Thing Dumber Than Swinging A Helmet Is Not Wearing One [Deadspin]

(UPDATE: Thomas is going to be "disciplined," and they're not sure what that means yet.)

(SECOND UPDATE: Thomas has been fired. And we'll see how long that YouTube video lasts, for that matter.)