The Sporting News articles from December 2001

The Sporting News archives from December 2001

Sportingnews.com.
December 3, 2001... Your vote counts Who's the player of the year in college football? Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey? Or perhaps it's a defensive star, such as North Carolina's Julius Peppers. Well, don't settle for what other people have to say; log on and...

Sporting news radio.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Talk minus the trash He has become the on-air representative of sports fans across the nation, covering the issues of the day with hard-hitting commentary. Yes, he's stubborn. Yes, he's opinionated. But the debates are productive. He's Papa Joe...

Hey, didn't you used to have a passport to Pasadena? (Caught On The Fly: fly@sportingnews.com).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... You-n-Fly know the Garden party's over. Clock's tick, tick, tickin' on Coach Jeff Van Grumpy's tenuous tenure. He's fed up, and Cablevision suits're startin' to stare at the standings and a No. 8 (7 tops), playoff seed. Circle December 15, the...

On showboating in the NFL. (Sound Bites: heard on the air from Sporting News Radio program hosts).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... On showboating in the NFL: "If you're duckwalking into the end zone, the NFL should repeal the touchdown. You start taunting at the 6-yard line, that's a personal foul, and we'll assess the foul from there and you're back to the 21-yard...

On the Giants and Barry Bonds. (Sound Bites: heard on the air from Sporting News Radio program hosts).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... On the Giants and Barry Bonds: "This guy will be challenging Hank Aaron's record in four or five years, and you don't want him doing it in a Braves uniform or a Yankee uniform. You want him doing it in a Giants uniform, because that's...

On MNF's limited air time of the Korey Stringer ceremony. (Sound Bites: heard on the air from sporting news radio program hosts).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... On MNF's limited air time of the Korey Stringer ceremony: "This never happens if Roone Arledge... was still running the show. Shame on ABC. It's reluctance to show anything more than a voice-over snippet of the tribute to Korey Stringer...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (Caught On The Fly: fly@sportingnews.com).
December 3, 2001... 1 December. Which tradition do you enjoy more, Rockefeller Center's lighting of the tree or opponents' lighting of the Giants' secondary? 2 62-36. On the bright side, Huskers fans, Eric Crouch's tuxedo for the Heisman ceremony? It's a...

Let Rome have The Last Word. (Remote Patrol.
December 3, 2001... Blahblahblahblah. Thanks to Oprah/Sally/Ricki/Montel/Maury/Geraldo/Leeza/ Rosie, we were ripe for a sports-talk flood. ESPN has replaced UpClose with Unscripted and Pardon The Interruption (5 and 5:30 p.m. ET, respectively). Fox Sports Net...

Static. (Remote Patrol).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... * Sing a Song of Kleenex: No one clamored for a Brian's Song remake (Sunday, 7 p.m. ET), but ABC's cover of the 1971 tearjerker at least offers more contrast than Gus Van Sant's Psycho did to Alfred Hitchcock's. Instead of James Caan, Sean...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... `Bud Selig, go back to Milwaukee. You have your new park. Hire the next Sal Bando, draft the next Antone Williamson, give guaranteed money to the next Teddy Higuera. Please. If you love the game, this is what you would do'.--Gary Johnson Ross,...

He's no Babe. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2001... I agreed with Michael Knisley's article in the November 19 issue about Mark McGwire until the following: "Nobody--not Aaron, not Babe Ruth... nor anybody else--hit home runs with the panache, power and glory that McGwire did. His home runs...

Weigh-in: which free agent is the best catch? (Voice Of The Fan).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... With several big fish in the free-agent pool, the home run king could have some competition for the top dollars, but Ed Donnelly of Albany, N.Y., is sticking with Barry Bonds. "The best free agent is Bonds, especially if you could ink him...

The wild, wailing west. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2001... Why must we suffer through the continual (and very tiresome) Pac-10 whining about lack of football respect? First, the East Coast is blamed for it, then the media, then the polls, and now, amazingly, the BCS (TSN, November 12). The Pac-10...

Lobos? Or low blow? (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 3, 2001... I must take offense to your comments about New Mexico's football program (TSN, November 19). The facilities are not "horrible." In the last 10 years, UNM has made great improvements to the facilities, and when they were completed, they were...

Upon further review. (Voice Of The Fan).
December 3, 2001... NASCAR mandated head and neck restraints in October, more than eight months after Dale Earnhardt's death. The time gap was incorrect in the November 19 issue.

Driving force: after being slowed for three years by a knee problem, Jerome Bettis is back--and maybe even better--as the defense-busting `Bus' and is steering the Steelers toward the playoffs. (NFL).
December 3, 2001... When you played pickup football as a child, there usually was one big, fat kid in the bunch. Lots of times, he was surprisingly quick for his size, and if you gave him the ball, the other players soon tired of trying to knock him down. You...

Big, physical receivers are power tools. (Insider).
December 3, 2001... Receivers were not designed to bloody lips any more than military police were designed to intimidate travelers. But times are changing. San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Knapp points out that because so many defenses have...

The sudden impact of Butch Davis.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Nobody is comparing Cleveland coach Butch Davis to Bill Parcells. Nor should they--yet. But there are similarities between the two coaches, including the ability to influence team attitudes, the willingness to adapt and, finally, the skill to...

Week 12 matchup: Isaac Bruce vs. Ray Buchanan.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... The only proven way to slow down the Rams' offense is to get consistent pressure on QB Kurt Warner. In the Rams' 34-31 loss to New Orleans in Week 7, Warner was sacked twice and hurried into four interceptions. In a near-loss to the Giants,...

Draft watch. (Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Centers Barring any top juniors coming out, this will be a lean crop of centers. The senior class has no first-round prospects, and probably only two first-day prospects. 1. Seth McKinney, 6-3, 294, Texas A&M. A scrappy fighter with...

Draft dish by the war room. (Insider).(National Football League college draft)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... RG Andre Gurode and RT Victor Rogers sure made a statement in Colorado's stunning 62-36 win over Nebraska last Friday. More than 70 percent of CU's 380 net rushing yards came behind seniors Gurode and Rogers in one of the most dominating...

League leaders. (Insider).(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... LEAGUE LEADERS RUSHING Atts. Yds. Avg. TDs. Bettis, Pit. 206 991 4.8 3 C. Martin, NYJ 212 983 4.6 10 Green, G.B. 188 938 5.0 5 R. Williams,...

TSN scoreboard. (Insider).(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... TSN SCOREBOARD NFC EAST PHI WAS NYG ARI DAL W-L 6-4 5-5 5-6 4-6 2-8 Pct. .600 .500 .455...

Game previews.(football)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Patriots at Jets In recent seasons, this matchup was dubbed the "Tuna Bowl" because of the number of ties both teams had with Bill Parcells. That tag does not apply much anymore. The Jets have a completely fresh look under coach Herman...

Fantasy source.(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... If you are planning a postseason run in your league, now is the time to prepare your roster, not when the playoffs begin in a couple of weeks. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of winning--assuming you make the playoffs, of course....

AFC East.
December 3, 2001... Buffalo Bills www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bills ROOM FOR BRYSON MORRIS: The emergence of rookie RB Travis Henry has resulted in diminished roles for Shawn Bryson and Sammy Morris, the team's top two running backs last year. Henry leads...

AFC Central.
December 3, 2001... Baltimore Ravens www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens A CALL FOR BOREDOM: It might not be pretty to watch, but the team must return to a run-dominated offense. There are too many weaknesses at running back, offensive line and quarterback...

AFC West.
December 3, 2001... Denver Broncos www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/broncos WELL-TIMED RETURN: RB Terrell Davis is ready for yet another comeback. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, Davis is expected to play Sunday...

NCF East.
December 3, 2001... Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals ROCK BOTTOM: The defensive line situation has never been worse; no team in the league is playing with less talent. Schemes and trickery helped cover the problem through the first...

NFC Central.
December 3, 2001... Chicago Bears www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bears OUTSIDE SURPRISE: WR Dez White has been a pleasant surprise this year as Marcus Robinson's replacement on the outside. White struggled early with a drops problem. But he came alive after...

NFC West.
December 3, 2001... Atlanta Falcons www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/packers LINE OF LUXURY: One reason the Falcons can reach the playoffs is that they have had enough consistency on the offensive line to clear the way for different skill players to take the...

Grinding to a halt: Florida's defense is stuffing opponents, giving its coordinator a breather and making the Gators doubly dangerous. (College Football)(Cover Story).(Cover Story)
December 3, 2001... This is the grind for Jon Hoke. Every day, every obstacle, every opportunity. This is the grind for a man who accepts a job in which there are no excuses, only results. A job in which the slight crease for error shrinks with each toss of his...

In league title games, cost outweighs profit. (College Football/Insider).
December 3, 2001... It's early December, which means it's time for conference championship games in which teams from the SEC, Big 12 and MAC play for outright titles. It also is when a team's season can be ruined by playing a game that isn't necessary. And that's...

TSN power poll: the TSN power poll is determined by TSN editors. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... TSN POWER POLL The TSN Power Poll is determined by TSN editors. Rk. Team (last week) W-L Last week 1. Miami (1) 10-0 W, 65-7 vs. Washington 2. Florida (3) 9-1 Idle 3. Texas...

Big game preview. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Tennessee at Florida 4:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS Tennessee game keys: * Slow it down. If this becomes a shootout, Tennessee is in big trouble--the Gators average 539.6 yards and 45 points per game. * Stuff the run. The Gators will be...

Matt Hayes' six picks. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Army 24, Navy 14 Cadets QB Jenkins, WR Comeaux too much for Middies. Texas 30, Colorado 27 TB Benson wears down Buffs; Texas defense eventually solves CU ground game. LSU 26, Auburn 20 QB Davey, WR Reed do just enough to beat fading...

Rose garden. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... The wild events of last weekend left things strangely clear-cut in the race for the Rose Bowl. But nothing is absolute. THRIVING Miami Will bloom if: It doesn't get overconfident. The season finale at Virginia Tech is full of...

Conference call. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... BIG EAST CONFERENCE Ed Reed, Miami He plays on a team with a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, running backs with breathtaking moves and wide receivers with blazing speed. Shoot, even the offensive linemen get more attention...

This week's spotlight: most valuable players. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE Maryland QB Shaun Hill. Hill isn't the prettiest thrower or the most physically impressive quarterback, but he gave Maryland exactly what it needed--smart, consistent play--for its surprising run to the ACC title....

More shaky than solid: Cedric Bozeman's debut in Maui leaves much to the imagination, but he still has time to become the point guard UCLA needs. (College Basketball).
December 3, 2001... Mr. Smooth glides up the court, surveys the defense and calmly signals the play. Guarding him is Jason Williams, the best there is--but not on this night. Eighteen-year-old Cedric Bozeman, poised and, to use his favorite word, solid, lulls...

Common causes for uncommon events. (College Basketball/Insider).
December 3, 2001... As the term suggests, preseason magazines are written during and for the preseason. They are designed to guide you from November to April, never infallible but ideally well informed. They are not supposed to be rendered obsolete the moment the...

Conference call. (College Basketball/Insider.(basketball players Reggie Evans, Erwin Dudley)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... BIG TEN CONFERENCE PF Reggie Evans, Iowa It's called the "Rodman drill," a simple exercise named after a not-so-simple player but one who defined rebounding excellence during his era. "Basically, you just throw the ball up and see...

This week's spotlight: best rebounders (College Basketball/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE Travis Watson, Virginia. Girth and wing span allow Watson to prosper despite being undersized. Listed at 6-8 but more like 6-7, he has been the ACC's shortest starting center the last two years. He piled up 33...

Defensive stats need to be improved. (Insider).(baseball statistics)
December 3, 2001... Manager Bobby Cox estimates that Andruw Jones saves the Braves 100 runs a season, claiming that his center fielder has "RBIs in his glove." The exact number of Jones' RBIs is well-chronicled. His most obscure offensive statistics are reported...

N.L. Baseball.(analysis of National League teams and players)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... N.L. East ATLANTA BRAVES: Rookie Marcus Giles did a solid job replacing Quilvio Veras at second base last season, hitting .262 in 68 games. But the club plans to move SS Rafael Furcal, who missed most of the second half following surgery...

A.L. Baseball.(analysis of American League and Nationa League baseball players and teams)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... N.L. West ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: The club wants to add a situational lefthanded reliever this off-season. The Diamondbacks had two lefties in the bullpen for most of 2001, but Greg Swindell was more effective against righthanded hitters...

Sutter was just what the 'Hawks needed. (Insider).(Brian Sutter, coach of the Blackhawks)
December 3, 2001... Brian Sutter was not Blackhawks G.M. Mike Smith's first choice when he went out looking for a new coach last May. Former Panthers G.M. Bryan Murray was. But Sutter put team execs into a trance. In an interview that lasted eight hours, Sutter...

NHL Eastern conference first-quarter report cards.(evaluation of National Hockey League teams)
December 3, 2001... Atlantic Division NEW JERSEY DEVILS: There is no question this isn't the same Devils team that was one game away from winning the Stanley Cup in the spring. An inordinate number of odd-man situations are popping up in the New Jersey zone,...

Western conference.(evaluation of National Hockey League teams)
December 3, 2001... Central Division CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Winning through hard work is a simple idea, really, but coach Brian Sutter has brought more to the team than just a work ethic. He has prepared the players well, given them roles and made them...

2001 TSN NASCAR Awards: the inaugural selections, as voted on by Winston Cup teams. (NASCAR).(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... DRIVER OF THE YEAR Jeff Gordon Love him or hate him, you have to respect Jeff Gordon. His accomplishments in the last seven years--four Winston Cup championships, 58 career wins and 39 pole positions in 293 starts--are enough to earn...

These owners push the right buttons. (Insider).(racing car owners)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... Perhaps 2001 should be remembered as the year of the owner in NASCAR. Even though drivers still made the majority of the headlines, it is difficult to remember another season during which so many owners, some faced with unusually trying...

Blazers are meeting lowered expectations. (Insider).(Portland Trail Blazers, and other professional basketball news)
December 3, 2001... The good people of Portland are catching on. For the first time in more than two seasons--a string of 104 games--the Blazers played at home, and good seats still were available. It was November 20, a game against the Rockets. Tipoff was...

As bad as it gets. (Insider).(teams ranking at the bottom of the National Basketball Association)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
December 3, 2001... Shaq can squabble with his coach all he wants. The Lakers are still No. 1. There's no disputing that. But who's No. 29? Now that's a dishonor worth debating. No. 27: Grizzlies Lowlight: Trading for flashy but erratic guard Jason...

Good at being bad. (Insider).(fewest team victories during basketball season)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... The Grizzlies, Bulls and Cavaliers are early candidates to threaten the 76ers' record for fewest victories in a season--nine, in 1972-73--but it takes more than early-season struggles to break the mark. Since '72-73, 33 teams have won fewer...

One on one with ... Sam Cassell. (Insider).(basketball player)(Brief Article)(Interview)
December 3, 2001... As part of the Bucks' "Big Three," point guard Sam Cassell helped Milwaukee win the Central Division and advance to the Eastern Conference final last season. In his ninth year, Cassell, 32, is the oldest and most experienced of the Bucks' top...

Brad who?(basketball player Brad Miller)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... Every season has its share of early surprises, but when the Nets and Warriors are winning and Brad Miller is the best center in the Eastern Conference, it's time to take a closer look. Surprises with staying power. (Brad who?) The...

NBA Eastern Conference.(basketball notes)
December 3, 2001... Atlantic Division BOSTON CELTICS: The team must push to keep its fast break in the game. This is an athletic team built for speed, but sometimes the Celtics slip into a halfcourt game and cause themselves all sorts of difficulties. When...

NBA Western conference.(basketball notes)
December 3, 2001... Midwest Division DALLAS MAVERICKS: C Wang Zhizhi joined the team after completing his basketball obligations in China but immediately was placed on the injured list with right Achilles' tendinitis. Wang missed all of training camp, and the...

Gloom, doom and domination.(college football coach Gilmour Dobie)(Brief Article)
December 3, 2001... On November 20, 1903, the Nez Perce warrior Chief Joseph walked the sideline to watch a football game at the University of Washington. He smoked a cigar. After Washington defeated Nevada, 2-0, Chief Joseph said, "I saw a lot of white men...

Sportingnews.com. (This Week).(hockey and basketball news)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... You've got hockey mail: Trying to figure out why the Avs and Devils are off to slow starts? Or maybe you just want to know when to put Mario Lemieux in your fantasy lineup. If so, then Ultimate Hockey SportsMail is for you. Each weekday you'll...

Sporting news radio. (This Week).(sports event radio coverage)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... You heard it here first Sporting News Radio broadcasts the announcement of this year's Heisman Trophy winner live from New York. College Football Today will be live from New York, 1 p.m.-7 p.m. ET Saturday and Coppock on Sports will continue...

Hey, didn't you used to be Pat Riley? (Caught on the Fly: fly@sportingnews.com).(brief sports notes)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Fly hears MSU honcho Tom Izzo izn't so sure what do to with PG Marcus Taylor, who might be better off as SG Marcus Taylor. Running the 1 is easy when you've got Charlie Bell and Jason Richardson on the wings, but a little different when you...

On the Steelers' quarterback. (Sound bites: heard on the air from SPORTING NEWS RADIO program hosts).(radio commentary on football player Kordell Stewart)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... On the Steelers' quarterback: "On last week's cover... we had Jerome Bettis, who is a great story. But someone ought to write... about Kordell Stewart because he's the poster child for determination. To quote Micky, Davy, Peter and Mike,...

On the Jim Mora/Peyton Manning issue. (Sound bites: heard on the air from SPORTING NEWS RADIO program hosts).(radio commentary excerpt)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... On the Jim Mora/Peyton Manning issues: "I don't think there's much you can hide in football, and I think Jim Mom is a real candid guy, and he came out and he said that he felt like the turnovers were the reason they lost. Now I don't think...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (Caught on the fly: fly@sportingnews.com).(brief notes)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... 1 The SEC Championship. By way of explanation to Atlantans, "sold out" means fans have bought every ticket. 2 Carolina hoops. Michael Jordan helped recruit some of these kids... which, come to think of it, might explain why...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... `I suggest that the Detroit Lions immediately change their team nickname to the Kittens. They are a `purr-fect' 0-11.' Got a comment? The Sporting News would love to hear from you. Write Voice of the Fan, 10176 Corporate Square Drive,...

While you were sleeping ... (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... Being a fan of the Mid-American Conference, I was disappointed to see Terrence Jackson rated as your 2002 Heisman sleeper for the MAC (TSN, November 26). Marshall's Byron Leftwich is the best quarterback that many people have never heard...

Weigh in: receivers with the right stuff. (Voice Of The Fan).(fans' choices for best wide receiver)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Asking our readers to pick the NFL's best receiver this year resulted in about as much consensus as a Congressional debate on the budget. But here are some nominations. "Hands down, it is David Boston," writes Tim Syrek of Kalamazoo, Mich....

He's just misunderstood. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... You gave Clarence Gilbert the "Most Overrated" award for the Big 12 in your College Basketball Preview (TSN, November 19). I think you owe him and all Missouri fans an apology. He led the Tigers to the Guardians Classic tournament championship...

Raider raves. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... Great cover and article on coach Jon Gruden (TSN, November 26). It's about time this talented coach gets the recognition he deserves. He has took a talented but undisciplined team that was flailing in mediocrity and gave it leadership and...

The tuna nets a fan. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... The first thing I look for when I open my copy of THE SPORTING NEWS is a sound bite from coach Bill Parcells. I never liked "The Tuna" when he was on the sideline with the Patriots or the Jets, but listening to what he has to say, I understand...

Steamed about the roast. (Voice Of The Fan).(Letter to the Editor)
December 10, 2001... To whomever thinks that Kansas got roasted in the Maui Invitational (TSN, December 3): KU lost to Ball State by 2 points. In my books that's not roasting a team. KU has a good chance of reaching the Final Four this season. Bryan Stroth...

The future of Sunday ticket. (Remote Patrol).(NFL Sunday Ticket, sports satellite television service)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Brethren, I've experienced heaven (or is it nirvana?) on autumn sabbaths. This exalted state rests between channels 701 and 715 on DirecTV--hallelujah, NFL Sunday Ticket! The view from my Barcalounger is glorious. See, I don't just watch the...

Static. (Remote Patrol).(television coverage of sports)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... * Having it both ways: As a proprietor of regional networks and national sports such as ACC Sunday Night Hoops, Fox Sports Net sometimes trips on a fine line. D.C. viewers were cut away from the last 4:30 of an Oklahoma State-Oklahoma football...

5 o'clock: stop for a moment at three games that eclipsed all others and cleared the national championship picture--a bit. (College Football).(Cover Story)
December 10, 2001... It's 5 o'clock in Blacksburg, Va., and only a steam room on steroids must be hotter than this. Miami offensive lineman Vernon Carey steps out of the shower, having wasted 10 minutes of his young life. First, a tough game against Virginia Tech....

The Heisman candidate who is fit to print. (College Football/Insider).
December 10, 2001... I am staring at my 2001 Heisman ballot. Near the top, I'm instructed to PLEASE PRINT. I guess they want to make sure they can decipher my choice. My printing is a strong suit. Just ask my old kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Williamson. The struggle...

Are you kidding me? (College Football/Insider).(Bowl Championship Series)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Out of the tunnel: Quick, someone pass out the Big Orange kewpie dolls. The BCS boys need all the help they can get. In a perfect world, Tennessee beats LSU in the SEC championship game, the Rose Bowl gets No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Tennessee,...

Inside Recruiting: linebackers. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... INSIDE RECRUITING LINEBACKERS Recruiting analyst Bobby Burton ranks the top 25 senior prospects. Rk. Name Ht./Wt. 40 yd. Town/High school 1. Ricardo Hurley 6-3/235 4.5 Greenwood, S.C./ ...

It's go time for the Wizard of Oz and Roy Kramer. (College Football/Insider).(Roy Kramer, Bowl Championship Series coordinator)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... The Wizard of Oz somehow fooled everyone. SEC commissioner and BCS mastermind Roy Kramer has managed to do the same. Wizard of Oz The Wizard: The Wizard: The Wizard: A The Wizard: Pay no Follow the heart?...

Recruiting dish. (College Football/Insider).(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Recruiting junior colleges seems a good idea to first-year coaches who think their teams need a quick infusion of talent. For example, Pete Carroll and Southern California last week accepted a pledge from MLB Danny Urquhart of L.A.'s Southwest...

The end all: by not worrying about sacks, Michael Strahan has become the NFL's most complete and dominant defensive lineman and is bull-rushing toward the season sacks record. (NFL).(football)
December 10, 2001... When it comes to collecting cars, Michael Strahan doesn't skimp on quality. His fleet includes a 1992 Mercedes 500 SEL, a Porsche Turbo, a 1998 Bentley Continental T coupe and his personal favorite, a limited edition, 1990 "arrest-me-red"...

Happily ever after returns to Slash's tale. (NFL/Insider).(football)
December 10, 2001... Once upon a time, THERE WAS A YOUNG BOY WHO PLAYED BALL IN PITTSBURGH. THEY CALL HIM SLASH. HE WAS HAPPY AND CAREFREE. HE WOULD RUN AND PLAY AND LAUGH, AND NO ONE COULD CATCH HIM. ONE DAY SLASH CAME TO PLAY AND FOUND THAT EVERYTHING HAD...

Draftwatch. (Insider).(football)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... Defensive ends As usual, the defensive end class has a lot of undersized prospects. No senior figures to go near the top of the first round. 1. Kalimba Edwards, 6-5, 251, South Carolina. Excellent speed rusher who is efficient against...

Draft dish by the war room. (Insider).(football)(Brief Article)
December 10, 2001... QB Antwaan Randle El garners most of the attention in the Indiana backfield, but 212-pound RB Levron Williams had a terrific season. More important, he shook the tag of being a "soft" runner. By running harder, staying healthy and carrying a...