The Sporting News articles from February 2002

The Sporting News archives from February 2002

Sportingnews.com.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Big Dance lessons Gonzaga looks like a lock for the NCAAs, but what about Paul Westphal's Pepperdine squad, which has beaten the Zags? Or other bubble teams? Each week, TSN's Field of 65 dissects which teams should fill out the bracket if...

Sporting News Radio.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Bowled over Sporting News Radio takes you live to New Orleans for 70-plus hours of programming leading up to the Big Game, including a Super Bowl edition of The Bill Parcells Show and a special postgame show from inside the locker rooms....

Hey, didn't you used to be John Madden's co-pilot? (Caught On The Fly).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... * Proof positive for Nets fans (both of 'em) that their team has arrived was when MJ paid a Meadowlands visit. No, not that MJ (he had to show up), but Michael d. Fox, not to mention Spike Lee, Michael Strahan and a bandwagon full of other...

On Mike Tyson. (Sound Bites).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... "The only difference between Mike Tyson and the WWF is, in the WWF, after all the nonsense and shenanigans, you are at least guaranteed a great fight." Rick Ballou can be heard 10 p.m.-2 a.m. ET Monday through Friday.

On Duke basketball. (Sound Bites).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... "It would be nice if the best team in the country, the Duke Blue Skirts, would go on the road and play someone in their building. Take a look at Arizona's schedule or Michigan State's." Peter Brown can be heard 9 a.m.-1 p.m. ET Saturdays...

On the future of the Ravens. (Sound Bites).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... "With their salary-cap problems--and it's my understanding they're going to have to let 13 players go--I think you have seen the last of the Ravens as we know them. I think there are going to be multiple changes." Bill Parcells can be heard 5-6...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... 1 Super Bowl 36. Good news: There's no off-week. Bad news: That could keep America from finding out how long Tom Brady has been a white quarterback. 2 The Lakers. They've developed a nasty habit of losing to last-place teams such...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... `I understand exactly where Peter Clark is coming from in his article about the baseball Hall of Fame (TSN, January 21). But Cy Young has to make the list. So make it the top 26 and put him near the top, will you?'

Weigh-in: The sunshine state's supreme team. (Voice of the Fan).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Florida will have Rex Grossman back and Ron Zook running the defense. Florida State will have more experience than last season. But Miami remains the college football team to beat in Florida. "Yes, the Hurricanes lost key players from the...

Too much contraction. (Voice Of The Fan).(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Peter Clark has a very valid point. Cooperstown spots should be reserved for truly great players, not just "very good" players or "a bit above average" players. However, limiting membership in the Hall of Fame to only 25 people seems too...

Jordan rules, indeed. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 4, 2002... Thanks for the great article on Michael Jordan and the up-and-coming Wizards (TSN, January 21). His Airness is not the player he was five years ago, but he is wiser and smarter than ever. Now the young kids around him are following his...

Bleeding orange. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 4, 2002... Thanks for your comment about the Orangemen being underrated (TSN, January 21). The team and coach Jim Boeheim never seem to get the credit they deserve from the national media. It really should be no surprise they are on their way to 20 wins...

Reverse angle. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 4, 2002... I read the "Jordannaires" sidebar with amusement. You highlighted the fact that many of Jordan's teammates from 1998 are no longer in the NBA. But what has Jordan done since that last shot in Utah? Steve Kerr won a championship ring with the...

Upon further review. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 4, 2002... Patriots running back Robert Edwards blew out his knee in a flag football game at the Pro Bowl after the 1998 season. The sport he was playing at the time of the injury was incorrect in the January 28 issue.

The NBA ties that bind. (Remote Patrol).(National Basketball Association contracts with Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, AOL Time Warner Inc. and TNT)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Once heralded for having the sharpest antennae in commissionerdom, David Stern has morphed into The Cable Guy. Divulging the NBA's 2002-08 TV pact--starring Disney's ESPNs, co-starring AOL Time Warner and TNT, street value $4.6 bill--he sounded...

Static. (Remote Patrol).(Fox Super Bowl Sunday)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... * Previewing Fox's Super Bowl 36: Average cost of a 30-second spot is $2 million, down from $2.1M the last two games.... It's Fox's third Big Game, but its first with the 1st and Ten line and a digital (but still non-HDTV) simulcast.... Fox...

Marshall Faulk, Rams. (Player Of The Year).(St. Louis Rams)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Asking a defensive player if he would rather see Marshall Faulk line up as a running back or as a receiver is like asking a vegetable hater to choose between broccoli and Brussels sprouts. It's a distasteful dilemma. Whether he is running...

Dick Jauron, Bears. (Coach Of The Year).(Chicago Bears)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Before the season, the expectations were that Dick Jauron might be updating his resume this month fired as coach of the Bears. But the only updating Jauron needs to do is to include THE SPORTING NEWS NFL Coach of the year. Jauron...

Kendrell Bell, Steelers. (Rookie Of The Year).(Pittsburgh Steelers)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... It's not an easy accomplishment for a player to stand out among the Steelers' traditionally stellar linebacker corps, but Kendrell Bell managed to do it in his first NFL season. A second-round pick (39th overall) out of Georgia, Bell...

The gods must be crazy. If you're looking for a sign from above, the Patriots are the pick. But forget that. The Rams have too much talent to let masterful Bill Belichick get the best of them. (Super Bowl Preview).(Superbowl 36; New England Patriots v. St. Louis Rams)
February 4, 2002... The signs from the football gods are everywhere. They keep pointing to the Patriots, this inexplicable group of opportunistic players who have ridden a gifted coach, a little bit of luck and a huge portion of grit to within one victory of the...

Patriots vs. Rams: the war room breaks it all down.
February 4, 2002... When the PATRIOTS have the ball Patriots run offense vs. Rams run defense Against the Steelers' top-rated run defense last week, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis called 18 more passing plays than running plays. That will change this...

Most valuable Patriot: hard working Troy Brown can beat you in lots of ways--even with a lateral.
February 4, 2002... Rarely is a common man capable of such uncommon accomplishments. The beauty of New England wide receiver Troy Brown is he appears no different from you and me. His presence wouldn't cause a buzz in a shopping mall. He's not particularly...

A long way from the Ruins: Rams cornerback and leader Aeneas Williams is one win away from completing an improbable NFL journey.
February 4, 2002... According to an interpretation of Greek mythology, Aeneas was a Trojan warrior who, after the fall of Troy, escaped carrying his aged father on his back and wandered for years before founding a territory that later became Rome. Aeneas...

Peering into a prospect's mind. (Insider).
February 4, 2002... One of the most overlooked and underrated aspects of draft evaluations is the interview. Without it, each player report is as incomplete as a deck with 48 cards. At the Senior Bowl last week, the Bucs allowed THE SPORTING NEWS to sit in on...

A perfect union. (Going deep).(Tony Dungy, coach of Indianapolis Colts)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... In essence, Colts owner Jim Irsay said, I don't care the cost, hire Tony Dungy. Imagine, amid this knee-jerk frenzy of coaching changes, an NFL owner exercising some common sense. This is a move that should be creating all kinds of concern...

Draft dish. (Insider).(football)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Few players hurt themselves more in the week of practice leading to last Saturday's Senior Bowl than LSU QB Rohan Davey. After saying he planned to come in weighing 240 pounds, Davey tipped the scales at 251--and turned off a number of NFL...

AFC. (NFL).(American Football Conference)
February 4, 2002... Baltimore Ravens www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens FAREWELL? The team exposed Jamie Sharper and WR/KR Jermaine Lewis in the expansion draft. Houston likely will select Sharper, an underrated weakside linebacker. The Ravens are hopeful...

NFC. (NFL).(National Football Conference)
February 4, 2002... Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals SECOND THOUGHTS: Coach Dave McGinnis and his offensive staff face important decisions at backup quarterback. Dave Brown is an unrestricted free agent, but he would like to return to...

A year to remember: at the Olympics, NHL team loyalties will mean nothing, love of country will mean everything, and memories of 1998 will heat up the competition. (Olympic Preview).
February 4, 2002... Nearly four years have passed, but Brendan Shanahan remembers the advice like he heard it yesterday. He remembers Team Canada teammate Steve Yzerman telling him to take deep breaths before he became the fifth and final participant in a tense...

Olympic preview. (NHL).(National Hockey League)
February 4, 2002... Canada COACH: Pat Quinn. G.M.: Wayne Gretzky. PREDICTED FINISH: Gold. FINISH IN 1998: 4th. GOALTENDERS: What's a good team without a goaltender controversy, anyway? When Patrick Roy, the goalie with the most victories in NHL history,...

A shocking end to the Hitchcock mystery. (Insider).(hockey coach Ken Hitchcock, National Hockey League news)
February 4, 2002... I'll never forget walking down the hallway in Buffalo and bumping into Canucks G.M. Brian Burke and what he said after the Stars beat the Sabres, 2-1, in triple overtime of Game 6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup finals. "Wow!" Burke said. "The Stars...

Half full: with 50 percent of the season finished, some unexpected teams and players have reason for optimism heading into second half. (Midseason Report).(National Basketball Association)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Hoo-wee, some season, eh? Funny how time flies--one day it's August, you're sipping lemonade on the back porch, and nothing seems more important than whether free agents Fred Hoiberg and Olden Polynice will be signed. Next thing you know, it's...

Midseason report eastern conference. (NBA).(National Basketball Association)
February 4, 2002... Atlantic Division BOSTON CELTICS: After years of losing, the team has learned that it can be good, especially when it plays defense, keeps turnovers down and moves the ball. When the Celtics are in close games, they usually pull them out,...

Western conference.(National Basketball Association)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Midwest Division DALLAS MAVERICKS: The team proved it can win without SG Michael Finley (hamstring). SF Dirk Nowitzki and PG Steve Hash increased their scoring, and SGs Adrian Griffin, Johnny Newman and Greg Buckner plugged the gap in...

Early birds no more: Kansas, which has made quick March exits in recent years, now has the pieces to win it all, thanks to a three-guard lineup and a more focused Drew Gooden. (College Basketball).(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... The Allen Fieldhouse crowd has shrunk from 16,300 to two, but Drew Gooden still is performing. It has been an hour since his latest on-court treasure, and now he has a story to tell, one about Oklahoma, Kansas' spirited but defeated opponent...

Speed comes slowly to Stanford. (Insider).(Stanford University, basketball)
February 4, 2002... It is a few minutes after Stanford again has claimed Pauley Pavilion as its own, this time defeating UCLA with feet rather than forearms, and someone is compelled to ask Mike Montgomery how it feels to at last coach a team blessed with speed....

TSN Power poll.(college basketball)(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... POWER POLL The TSN Power Poll is determined by TSN editors. Through Saturday Rk. Team (last week) W-L Most improved from last season 1. Duke (1) 17-1 Mike Dunleavy (12.6 to 17.4 ppg) 2. Kansas...

On air ball: a calendar of events.(college basketball)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... Friday 1 Pitino South Florida at Louisville, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN January was unkind to Rick Pitino, who endured a hospital stay, four C-USA defeats and the loss of two players. Brown at Harvard, 7 p.m. ET, www.whrb.org (audio) ...

Overrated.(regional bias and college basketball)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... East Coast bias. It wasn't East Coast bias that kept Iowa in last week's USA Today ESPN Top 25 coaches' poll despite seven losses in 20 games. (Iowa is not on the East Coast.) It wasn't East Coast bias that got John Chaney's Temple squad, then...

Underrated.(the Pac-10 - college basketball)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... The Pac-10. The SEC has the best teams from top to bottom. The ACC has the glamour and greatness of Duke and Maryland. But the Pac-10 has the best race going, with Sam Clancy and USC leading six legitimate contenders. It's not a hollow...

Player of the week: C Emeka Okafor, Connecticut.(college basketball)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... A cross-country trip in the middle of the conference season can be trouble, but the trip to Arizona didn't bother Okafor, a 6-9 freshman. He nearly completed a triple-double (19 points, 15 rebounds, nine blocks) and led the Huskies to a 100-98...

Power has its price. (Baseball).(trading of players, contracts)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... The trade of Jeromy Burnitz intensified an increasingly relevant debate: How damaging are strikeouts to a team's offensive performance? Not that damaging, according to the Mets' Steve Phillips, the general manager who acquired Burnitz. ...

A.L.(Amercian League baseball)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Anaheim Angels www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/angels MORE REPAIRS: RHP Derrick Turnbow, a Rule 5 draftee in 1999, underwent surgery last week to insert a pin in his right forearm. Turnbow broke his arm last season and had surgery, but...

N.L. (Baseball).(National League)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Arizona Diamondbacks www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/diamondbacks HELP FROM HELLING: With the addition of free-agent RHP Rick Helling to the rotation, versatile RHP Miguel Batista can return to the bullpen if RHP Todd Stottlemyre or...

Hendrick formula works well. (Nascar).(Rick Hendrick, National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 4, 2002... Rick Hendrick is not your typical used-car salesman. Sure, he probably could sell air conditioners in Iceland, but it takes more than marketing skills to become a giant among auto dealers and the owner of a motorsports empire that has won...

A race with no finish line. (College Football).(Florida Gators' Ron Zook and other news)(Brief Article)
February 4, 2002... The words are frantically flying as they always do. One thought overrunning the next, each begging for a hint of hesitation in Ron Zook's gotta-have-it, gotta-get-it world. This is high energy. The calendar is loaded, the meter is ticking and...

The super bowl: big game, bigger party.(Brief Article)(Excerpt)
February 4, 2002... In 1972, my father was certain the Redskins would go to the Super Bowl. Before the season even began, he had designed a Super Bowl VII ring: a square ruby stone, inlaid with a gold Redskins medallion, around which were 14 diamonds (one for each...

Sporting news radio. (This Week).
February 11, 2002... On the island Sporting News Radio's own Brian Baldinger is in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. Tune in this weekend for Brian's special reports live from the Marriott at Waikiki Beach and Aloha Stadium, plus interviews with this year's Pro Bowl...

Sportingnews.com. (This Week).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... What offseason? SportingNews.com just-launched its NFL Draft Central with scouting reports on more than 500 players, a Draft Dish and a full seven-round mock draft that is continually adjusted based on the latest news. Find out where...

`Hey, didn't you used to be an uninterrupted NHL season?' (Caught On The Fly: fly@sportingnews.com).
February 11, 2002... * Welcome to COTF, more prime real estate that refuses to license any Mike Tyson activity. * Out in Boltland, Marty Schottenheimer and John Butler could be prime arm-wrestlin' partners, as whispers from Mike Riley's regime say the front...

On MLB contraction. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting News Radio program hosts).(Major League Baseball)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... "Major League Baseball still thinks contraction is possible for 2002. Yeah, and I'm going to win the 2002 Miss America Pageant. Just when you think Bud Selig and his cronies can't possibly make themselves look any more foolish..." Kevin...

On the NBA all-star game. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting News Radio program hosts).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... "No runs, no hits, no hustle. Let the record show that I'd rather watch paint dry or the Food Channel than watch the NBA Slam Dunk contest." Chet Coppock can be heard 7-11 p.m. ET Saturdays and Sundays.

On Pat Summerall leaving Fox. (Sound bites: heard on the air from Sporting News Radio program hosts).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... "Summerall and Fox collectively took the high road. In our business, that's really good to see because often times breakups can be bitter in sports television." Tim Brando can be heard 2-6 p.m. ET Mondays through Fridays.

Bob Hille's starting 5. (TSN Sights).
February 11, 2002... 1 The Winter Olympics. I'll be watching, if for no other reason than I know Jacques Rogge will never consider contracting small-GNP countries. 2 The NFL offseason. Mark your calendars: It's a week from today. 3 Football...

Choice voice. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 11, 2002... `Dairy Queen was wise to "hire" Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to manage one of its stores for a day. Had DQ hired Bud Selig as manager for a day, the unfortunate company would have quickly joined Enron in bankruptcy court'. --John Hall, Elizabeth,...

Weigh-in: diamond visions. (Voice Of The Fan).(baseball)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Provided baseball manages to put aside internal differences, some interesting divisional races should develop in light of off-season moves. The Yankees appear to have a firm hold on the A.L. East, but the defending champion Diamondbacks...

Don't quit your day job. (Voice Of The Fan).
February 11, 2002... I just finished reviewing your football preview issue (TSN, September 3) to see how you guys did. Needless to say, you guys missed by a mile. Not one of your experts even came close to picking the AFC matchup of the Steelers and Patriots. ...

Chafing under the cap. (Voice Of The Fan).(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 11, 2002... Because of salary-cap restrictions, the Ravens stand to lose several starters from their record-setting defense and other key players (TSN, February 4), which magnifies a major flaw in the current free-agency system. Baltimore could lose...

Spurrier and the NFL. (Voice Of The Fan).(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 11, 2002... * Hey, Dan Pompei: Don't you think we should wait until Steve Spurrier coaches at least one pro game before we hail him as the greatest NFL coach since Vince Lombardi (TSN, January 28)? David Housewright Roseville, Minn. * I understand...

Upon further review. (Voice Of The Fan).(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 11, 2002... Pitcher Curt Simmons once said, "Trying to throw a fastball past Henry Aaron is like trying to sneak the sunrise past a rooster." The quote was incorrectly attributed in the January 21 issue.

Daytona cuts off Olympics. (Remote Patrol).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... We interrupt the Winter Games of the Salt Lake Olympiad--the maxi-series budgeted to win Nielsen wars 17 straight days for NBC and turn profits of $75 million or trillion--to bring you flag-to-flag coverage of the Daytona 500, live and in color...

Static. (Remote Patrol).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... * Grading on a curve: Fox's Super Bowl 36... B. The tearful swan song of Pat Summerall-John Madden... A+. Madden's second-quarter proclamation, "The Rams are winning the game, but the Patriots are winning the battles"... A. Terry Bradshaw...

Standing Pat: its dramatic upset of the mighty Rams in a classic Super Bowl was a triumph for the underdog, but New England's recipe for success (yawn) means the rest of the NFL will be. (NFL)(Cover Story).(Cover Story)
February 11, 2002... The Patriots dared to dream. They dared to think they could win a Super Bowl when few thought likewise. They dared to believe they could finish off a season improbable to conceive, much less execute. They dared to accept the challenge of...

Silencing the Rams: the Patriots' excellent defensive staff kept the Rams' offense off-balance with an unpredictable plan that reduced the blitzes and increased the hits on Marshall Faulk. (NFL).
February 11, 2002... If Super Bowl 36 was indeed a chess match between Mike Martz and Bill Belichick, it was won in part because Belichick had extra pawns. With a package of seven defensive backs against four receivers, the Patriots were able to suppress the...

Family matters: by putting individual attention aside from the start of the season to the finish of Super Bowl 36, the Patriots came together as a team--and as champions. (NFL).
February 11, 2002... It started at the beginning, this we-are-family philosophy of the Patriots. There was a miscommunication during the pregame introductions before their season opener in Cincinnati on September 9, and the public address announcer did not...

NFL is no island for misfit quarterbacks. (Insider).
February 11, 2002... Even in the age of the mobile passer, college quarterbacks who are two-way threats can be positional misfits in the NFL. This year, Indiana's Antwaan Randle El and North Carolina's Ronald Curry are considered receivers by most teams....

AFC. (NFL).(football)
February 11, 2002... AFC East BUFFALO BILLS: The signing of QB Alex Van Pelt to a five-year deal indicates the team is committed to him as its starter. Van Pelt, who has respect in the locker room, may not be the most gifted passer, but he understands the...

NFC. (NFL).(football)
February 11, 2002... NFC East DALLAS COWBOYS: Owner Jerry Jones says he wants to incorporate principles of the West Coast offense into the team's scheme; new offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet, who played and coached under Bill Walsh, is just the guy to do...

Draining the Marlins dry. (Baseball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Two weeks before the start of spring training, the Marlins had no manager, no general manager and no owner. They had no idea if they would stay in Miami, relocate to another city or cease to exist in 2003. And, worst of all, in the opinion of...

N.L. (Baseball).
February 11, 2002... N.L. East ATLANTA BRAVES: Pitching coach Leo Mazzone says his early throwing program has played an integral role in the team's pitching success by building arm strength, which helps prevent soreness and injuries. More than a dozen...

A.L. (Baseball).
February 11, 2002... A.L. East BALTIMORE ORIOLES: The team made its first significant trade of the offseason by acquiring CF Chris Singleton from the White Sox for prospect CF/2B Willie Harris. This strengthens the team's defense considerably, allowing Melvin...

Are you experienced? You had better be. (College Basketball).
February 11, 2002... The distance between Alabama and Auburn most often has been measured in miles or touchdowns, but now the schools are separated primarily by years. The Crimson Tide is deep in juniors who understand how to play basketball at the Division I...

TSN Power poll: through Saturday. (College Basketball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... TSN POWER POLL Rk. Team (last week) W-L Top Recruit for 2002-03 (hometown/JC) 1. Duke (1) 20-1 PF Shelden Williams (Midwest City, Okla.) 2. Kansas (2) 19-2 PF Jeff...

On airball: a calendar of events. (College Basketball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... ON AIRBALL A calendar of events FEBRUARY 9 Connecticut at St. John's, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Saturday Hatten Don't be fooled by the Storm's sub-.500 Big East record. JC transfer Marcus Hatten (19.5 ppg,...

Overrated. (College Basketball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Brett Nelson, Florida. The pro scouts have been terribly eager to get their hands on Nelson, but his obvious skills often fail to translate to production. Nelson, a junior, hasn't significantly improved since the close of his freshman...

Underrated. (College Basketball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Dan Dickau, Gonzaga He has shown that a point guard can be a prolific scorer without neglecting his responsibility to run the offense. He declines to force shots when not getting clear looks at the basket; he had seven or fewer 3-point...

Player of the week. (College Basketball).(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... G Dwyane Wade, Marquette Matched against the nation's best defender, Cincinnati senior Immanuel McElroy, Marquette sophomore Dwyane Wade (6-4, 210) buried the Bearcats with a series of quick-trigger jumpers after losing McElroy on screens....

Ruling class: master recruiter Mack Brown helps Texas consistently bring in top talent, but the Longhorns' 2002 group--led by highly lauded quarterback Vincent Young--might be one of the best recruiting classes ever. (College Football).
February 11, 2002... Texas coach Mack Brown is a man in motion. With just days to go before February 6--national signing day--a to-do list races through his head. Who does he need to call today? What recruits are coming to campus this weekend? What home visits...

A waiting game that's too long. (College Football).(too few African American head coaches)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
February 11, 2002... If it were up to Georgia running backs coach Tony Pierce, the outgoing head of the minority issues committee of the American Football Coaches Association, there would be no need to talk about why there aren't enough black head coaches in...

Reaching for the stars: if the skilled offense displayed at the YoungStars game is any indication, the NHL galaxy is going to get a whole lot brighter. (NHL).(hockey)
February 11, 2002... Marian Gaborik is asked by a fan dressed in Minnesota Wild colors if he could pose for a photo during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. The sophomore left winger agrees. After the photo is taken, the fan's digital camera immediately displays the...

Kariya's talent never wavers. (Insider).(Paul Kariya of Mighty Ducks)(Brief Article)
February 11, 2002... Paul Kariya still laughs about a commercial he shot several years ago in which he is sitting at a Southern California restaurant, inconspicuously firing food with a spoon at customers at another table. One shot; a pea to a man's shirt. ...

Headstrong: Steve Nash can be stubborn about his hairstyle (there isn't one) and his endorsements (the fewer, the better). But that singlemindedness has made him one of the league's best point guards. (NBA).(Dallas Mavericks star)(Interview)
February 11, 2002... There is a scene in J.D. Salinger's novel, The Catcher in the Rye, where Holden Caulfield is on a date with old flame Sally Hayes. Sally tells him he should really change his hair, because his current cut is "corny" and, if he changed it, his...

The Lakers' troubles won't matter in June. (NBA).
February 11, 2002... We've come a long way since the post-championship glow of last June, but in some ways, we have not made a whole lot of progress. Back then, after the Lakers dusted off Philadelphia to claim a second consecutive championship, L.A. team...

Eastern Conference trading season preview. (NBA).
February 11, 2002... Atlantic Division BOSTON CELTICS: Although the team ended last week with a three-game losing streak, G.M. Chris Wallace says a trade-deadline deal is unlikely. Boston has not made a move at deadline time for the last two seasons. The...