The Sporting News articles from November 2002

The Sporting News archives from November 2002

Running into history. (Sportingnews.com).
November 4, 2002... With the NFL career rushing record in the spotlight, let THE SPORTING NEWS serve as your quarterback, handing off a collection of tales and photographs of the best all-time running backs. TSN's Pro Football's Greatest Running Backs is a tribute...

Double the fun. (Sporting News Radio).
November 4, 2002... Tune in weekday afternoons to the Peter Brown Show, where if it's round, Peter will give his all to convince you it's square. And co-host Scott Wetzel brings his own strong opinions to the table. The result is a high-energy, passion-filled...

`Hey, didn't you used to be Jon Gruden, offensive genius?' (Caught On The Fly).
November 4, 2002... * Welcome to COTF, where the stove's, hot year 'round. * There's a lot to like about T-Tech's Kliff Kingsbury, including his size (6-4) and accuracy (zero picks in 70, count 'em, ATTs vs. Missouri, which goes to show you there's no D-B in...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (TSN Sights).
November 4, 2002... (1) The World Series. I knew it had gone on too long when I dreamed John Doe, Malcolm and I were talking about Firefly as we car-pooled to Boston Public with Bernie Mac. (2) Emmitt Smith. As he neared the mark, he admitted to some...

On why Emmitt Smith is so successful. (Sound Bites).
November 4, 2002... "The thing that Emmitt does is he trusts the play. He will try and take the ball into the line of scrimmage before he makes his decision whether to cut back or cut out or stay in line with the flow of the play. He gives the play a chance to...

On the future of the BCS. (Sound Bites).
November 4, 2002... "The BCS is headed for disaster--I hope. Three or more undefeated teams or a handful of deserving teams with one loss should be the death knell for this misbegotten system." Papa Joe Chevalier can be heard 6-10 p.m. weekdays.

These Angels laugh last: Anaheim never had won a postseason series, so few took the Angels seriously before the playoffs. But their slam-bam offense and relentlessness led them to the World Series championship. (The World Series).
November 4, 2002... Robin Williams, zany comic and Giants fan--not necessarily in that order--is chumming up to Bobby Bonds, the father of baseball's most ridiculous slugger. The two embrace, chat and provide a cool scene for those fortunate enough to be hanging...

You don't have to like Bonds to appreciate him. (The Closer).
November 4, 2002... As I watched during the World Series with my jaw on the floor, I couldn't think of another player who has done the things Barry Bonds has in the past two years. He has parlayed his success into a reputation as the most feared hitter of our...

It's time to promote the game. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... Quick, name the World Series favorite next season. Not the Angels--if they return the same rotation. Not the Giants--if they lose manager Dusty Baker and/or second baseman Jeff Kent. Not the Yankees, not the Braves, not anyone. "What's...

American League.
November 4, 2002... ANAHEIM ANGELS RF Tim Salmon, rebounded from the worst season of his career in 2001 and hit .286 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs this year, despite missing six weeks because of a deep bone bruise in his hand. Salmon's bat-speed problems were a...

National League.
November 4, 2002... ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS With only four sure starters--LHP Randy Johnson and RHPs Curt Schilling, Miguel Batista and John Patterson--the offseason priority is adding a starting pitcher. The team is reluctant to push LHP prospect Mike Gosling from...

Year of the dawg: having scratched beneath the championship surface since it last won the SEC in 1982, Georgia is all the way back--assuming it finally can break through against Florida. (College Football).
November 4, 2002... After all those years with all that talent and all those excuses for not getting it done--bad luck, bad coaching, bad karma--this is different, and you can see it in their eyes. The clock is winding down in the season opener on a sweltering...

Irish's success is all in the details. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... At one end of the Notre Dame sideline, Irish coach Tyrone Willingham stands alone. Art crossed, head facing downward, mouth pulled in a thin, taut line. Willingham is disgusted. His Fighting Irish have just failed to recover an onside kick. ...

Say it with me, Pac-10: `we're no. 2!'.
November 4, 2002... Just a few weeks ago, I thought the Pac-10--which seemed to have the most good teams from top to bottom--was the best conference in college football this season. Well, there has been some serious slippage. Oregon has zero ability to defend the...

Conference call. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... Those wacky Iowa fans. It wasn't so long ago they were steamed over losing favorite son Bob Stoops to Oklahoma and forced to settle for Kirk Ferentz as coach. Now all they have is a coach the NFL wants and what could become one of the best...

This week's spotlight: handicapping the title races.
November 4, 2002... Florida State and NC State control their destinies but the Wolfpack has two big road games looming (at Maryland and Virginia) before finishing the season against FSU. For the 'Noles, not even this week's game at Wake Forest is a gimme....

Pickin & grinnin'.
November 4, 2002... Georgia (8-0) vs. Florida (6-3): Welcome to the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, where the tales grow longer with each libation. Have you heard the latest? Gators fans, following the lead of new boss Ron Zook, say Steve Spurrier left the...

Scouts' views: observations from the sidelines.
November 4, 2002... If Ell Roberson had anybody close to former Wildcats Quincy Morgan or Kevin Lockett at receiver, you wouldn't be able to stop Kansas State. He's head and shoulders above Jammal Lord at Nebraska. Roberson can throw the corner route and crossing...

No doubting Thomas: the Bucks believe moving Tim Thomas into the starting lineup is the first step toward putting the problems of last season behind them. (NBA).
November 4, 2002... Facing the most difficult decision of his professional career two summers ago, Tim Thomas stashed himself in a Miami hotel suite to choose between a six-year, $67 million offer to become a starter on a bad Bulls team or to return to the...

From zeroes to preseason heroes. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... It's not the kind of thing you need pointed out after one of your better games as a professional, one in which you were aggressive offensively, solid defensively and came away with 17 points on 8-for-9 shooting. That's the performance...

Atlantic division. (Eastern Conference).
November 4, 2002... BOSTON CELTICS Tony Delk has emerged as the starting point guard in place of Kenny Anderson, who was sent to the SuperSonics in the C Vin Baker deal. Shammond Williams, who arrived in the Baker trade and battled Delk in camp, will come off the...

Midwest division. (Western Conference).
November 4, 2002... DALLAS MAVERICKS Picking up PF Popeye Jones was a good move. He will offer much needed help on the boards, although he was hindered by injuries in camp.... Coach Don Nelson has threatened to fine players who don't communicate on defense.......

Richardson calls a wise timeout. (College Basketball).
November 4, 2002... It had been too long since last we were visited by this Nolan Richardson, the Richardson who knows where he is headed and the path he must travel to arrive. We caught a glimpse of him in March 2000, when his Arkansas Razorbacks shocked the...

Thinking ahead: Tony Stewart's focus is the Winston Cup championship, not the season full of distractions in his rearview mirror. (NASCAR).
November 4, 2002... Tony Stewart enters the last three races of the season on the fast track to his first Winston Cup championship. Somewhere in his mind, he must be wondering whom to thank first when he reaches the podium during the awards banquet in December in...

The circle K pit stop. (Advertorial).
November 4, 2002... Kevin Nervegna Kevin Nervegna, a 27-year-old native of New York, grew up watching the races at Watkins Glen, Pocono and Dover, but three years ago he was as far from a career in NASCAR as anyone could get. After graduating from Ithaca...

Driver reports. (NASCAR).
November 4, 2002... NASCAR driver reports are written by Lee Spencer. They appear in the first issue of each month and provide the lowdown on the teams TSN considers the top five title contenders. For the most recent TSN Power Poll and the Winston Cup standings,...

The 2003 season: time for a tune-up. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... Where has the season gone? Has it really been almost nine months since Sterling Marlin climbed out of his car when the Daytona 500 was halted by a red flag? It seems like only yesterday that Jeff Gordon was sporting a goatee, Kevin Harvick was...

Heart and smarts: he's not the fastest or strongest or most dazzling back of all time. But Emmitt Smith is the most prolific, thanks to his relentless pursuit of football immortality and his knowledge of how to achieve it. (NFL).
November 4, 2002... Rarely has any athlete relished his pursuit of history as much as Emmitt Smith. Unlike other contemporaries--Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds are exhibits 1 and 1A--Smith embraces the attention, courts the acclaim, understands the obligations...

Revitalization of a Relic: Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe is up to his old tricks, throwing the long ball and pumping life into a career and a franchise that needed rescuing. (NFL).
November 4, 2002... That smile. Bills receiver Eric Moulds never saw it when Drew Bledsoe was a Patriot, not even in the good times. Bledsoe acted so serious, so businesslike. Doesn't seem to be having much fun, Moulds thought. That smile. Moulds sees it a...

Carter has lost speed, not savvy. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... The Dolphins should send some Florida sunshine, perhaps in the form of a crate of oranges, to Mike Tice, Butch Davis, Mike Martz and HBO president Ross Greenburg. Each deserves a big thank you for helping to ensure receiver Cris Carter was...

Brady. (advertisement).
November 4, 2002... Tom Brady's brilliance continues in NFL GameDay[TM] 2003, where he'll take the helm for the Patriots again. This time as the starter, not the young kid waiting for a break. One thing's for sure: he's the guy that every other team is gunning...

Put Emmitt's record in pencil.
November 4, 2002... If Barry Sanders had decided to keep playing, we wouldn't be praising Emmitt Smith and his record-breaking achievement. Sanders, not Smith, would have reached Walter Payton's career rushing mark first and would have distanced himself from...

Scouts' view: observations and opinions from two NFL pro scouts, one from each conference.
November 4, 2002... I don't know how the knee injury will affect Brett Favre, but before he got hurt, I thought he was playing better than he had in the last three years. Over the last few seasons, there were probably three or four throws a game that he really...

Week 9 matchup: by the war room.
November 4, 2002... Ron Stone RG, 49ers vs. Sam Adams LDT, Raiders With center Jeremy Newberry likely having to spend most of his time helping rookie left guard Eric Heitmann in his battle against John Parrella, Ron Stone will be on his own against...

League leaders. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... RUSHING Atts. Yds. Avg. TDs. Holmes, K.C. 190 857 4.5 13 McAllister, N.O. 171 836 4.9 7 Tomlinson, S.D. 174 785 4.5 7 R. Williams, Mia. 163 711...

TSN scoreboard. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... TSN SCOREBOARD NFC EAST PHI NYG WAS DAL W-L 4-2 3-3 3-4 3-5 Pct. .667 .500 ...

Fearless forecast. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... Miami at Green Bay. With Jay Fiedler sidelined, the Dolphins must rely more on Ricky Williams to get their offense going. He should be effective running inside against Green Bay's defense, but it will be difficult fro him to keep up with What...

Fantasy source. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... The question came up over a cold one the other day: Who is the best running back in NFL history? With Emmitt Smith chasing, then eclipsing Walter Payton's all-time rushing mark, it was a hot debate--but not one resolved by numbers alone. (The...

AFC. (NFL).
November 4, 2002... Baltimore Ravens www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens SMASHING SUB: Backup QB Jeff Blake can boost the offense despite limited repetitions with the first team. Blake threw for 298 yards against the Steelers while filling in for the...

NFC. (NFL).
November 4, 2002... Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals SHIPP COMES IN: Coach Dave McGinnis is a firm believer that a team needs a definite No. 1 running back. Though Thomas Jones is that player, he'll likely share the position with...

Counting the beans in Boston. (Insider).
November 4, 2002... Bruins fans can rest easy about the future because management is doing all it can to take care of the seasons ahead. As for the now? Well, it could be good, if everything goes right. But today might have to be sacrificed for the greater good....

There's nothing left to prove.
November 4, 2002... Look at Barry Bonds. He's the next hitter. Everyone looks at Barry Bonds in the on-deck circle because we have not seen anyone like him before. He has a metal rod in his hands, moving it the way he'd move a bat, moving it slowly, waiting....

Your inside edge. (Sportingnews.com).
November 11, 2002... Is your fantasy football team playoffs material, or are you left scrambling for roster additions each week? SportingNews.com's Fantasy Football Weekly Forecast can do the hard work for you, providing analysis of every key player and letting...

Every matchup, every week. (Sportingnews.com).
November 11, 2002... Let SportingNews.com be your guide to the second half of the NFL season. Log on, and you'll find our experts' picks for each game, keys to success, player scouting guides and more, all for a reduced midseason price. Go to www.sportingnews.com/...

Bobbing for football. (Sporting News Radio).
November 11, 2002... College Football Today is your ticket to the hottest NCAA gridiron action. Each Saturday, Bob Berger and Bob Stelton bring you highlights from the biggest games, up-to-the-minute scores and interviews with the best coaches and players. Grab...

`Hey, didn't you used to be one of those unbeaten teams?' (Caught On The Fly).
November 11, 2002... * Sure, sure MLB's talking about preventing dugouts from turning into daycares, but don't look for the kiddie crackdown to transfer to other sports. After all, how would da Bulls fall out their bench? * Speaking of da Bulls, early-season...

Bob Hille's starting 5. (TSN Sights).
November 11, 2002... (1) NFL injuries. You thought the transactions column's four scariest words were "out for the season"? Try "signed QB Jeff George. (2) Managerial hirings. As of last week, the Cubs' job still was open. The stumbling block:...

On recent late hits in the NFL. (Sound Bites).
November 11, 2002... "The (coaching) rule in football is see what you hit; it also is hit what you see. And I think it's real aggressive play on the part of the safeties in an effort to separate the receiver from the ball up in the air. The only recourse the...

On the mets' new manager. (Sound Bites).
November 11, 2002... "I've got one tip for Art Howe: Pack a switchblade when you walk into Shea Stadium. This place is brutal--world-class violent. Howe hasn't botched one double switch, and the New York press already has declared him a 24-carat-gold disaster." ...

More hoops than Wham-O. (Remote Patrol).
November 11, 2002... ESPN doesn't own college basketball. It just seems that way. While CBS holds rights to the holy grail of March Madness, ESPN Inc. literally owns tournaments--the Jimmy V Classic(s), Big Ten-ACC Challenge, Big Ten-Big 12 Women's Challenge,...

Grading on a curve. (Static).
November 11, 2002... Grading on a curve: NBA on ESPN premiers... A-. Samuel L. Jackson's historic welcome, "Stretch, drink plenty of fluids and For God's sake keep your hands to yourself."... F. Safe-but-sane theme song... B-sharp. Graphics: A for dramatics, C...

The buzz. (Static).
November 11, 2002... The buzz: To clear its conscience over games running past midnight ET, MLB will consider replaying Fox's World Series telecasts the next afternoon on cable and/or the Internet.--F.Q.

Do not adjust your set. (Static).
November 11, 2002... Do not adjust your set: HBO's latest think piece, O.J.: A Study In Black and White (November 12, 10 p.m. ET) tackles race relations in O.J. Simpson's time via interviews with the usual subjects (Jim Brown, Harry Edwards) and a few unusual ones...

Soundbitten. (Static).
November 11, 2002... Soundbitten: "What if I just beat the hell out of you behind your car?" --Charles Barkley to TNT sidekick Ernie Johnson, who teased Barkley about not having a championship ring.--F.Q.

Over the top: a proliferation of points. A yield of yards. A plethora of passes. An offensive explosion has define the first half of the season. Here's why. (Midseason Report).
November 11, 2002... Ask someone in the NFL "What's up?" and you might get a more involved answer than you expect. Points are up. Through eight weeks, the scoring average per game is 44.4, compared with 40.4 through the same point last season. In fact, teams...

Midseason reports. (AFC).
November 11, 2002... Baltimore Ravens www.sportingsnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: With or without ILB Ray Lewis, the defense must continue to carry the team. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has picked up where predecessor Marvin Lewis...

Midseason reports. (NFC).
November 11, 2002... Arizona Cardinals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/cardinals WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: The team's most important offensive weapons, QB Jake Plummet and WR David Boston, have not played up to expectations. Plummer has been inefficient and...

Changing their minds and more. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Let's hope what has happened this season with the Steelers, Jets, Redskins and Cowboys is the start of a trend, not a hiccup in the NFL's way of life. So much about the league continues to change; why not the way quarterbacks have been pampered...

Scouts' views: observations and opinions from two NFL pro scouts, one from each conference. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Everybody says the AFC West is the best division, and it is record-wise. But you wonder what kind of toll playing in that division is going to take on the team that wins it. With San Diego, Denver and Oakland having to play each other--and now...

Week 10 matchup. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... by the WAR ROOM Michael Vick OB, Falcons vs. Kendrell Bell RB, Steelers Just 18 months after being the first player picked in the 2001 draft, Michael Vick already has established himself as the NFL's most exciting player....

Pushing to be perfect. (I-Formation).
November 11, 2002... I'll never lead the league in anything. Nothing an offensive lineman does on the field is measured or graded by the official NFL statisticians. That's fine. But when I make a perfect block, it's as satisfying to me as scoring a touchdown is to...

A call for consistency. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... When Emmitt Smith ran 11 yards to pass Walter Payton on the career rushing list, did you notice the block by Cowboys rookie receiver Antonio Bryant? Bryant dived into the back of a Seattle safety, leading with Iris helmet. That hit was about as...

League leaders. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... LEAGUE LEADERS RUSHING Atts. Yds. Avg. TDs. Holmes, K.C. 190 857 4.5 13 Tomlinson, S.D. 186 845 4.5 8 McAllister, N.O....

TSN scoreboard. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... TSN SCOREBOARD NFC EAST PHI NYG WAS DAL W-L 6-2 4-4 4-4 3-6 Pct. .750 .500 ...

Fearless forecast. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Oakland at Denver. The well-rested Broncos have a versatile offense that will give the Raiders' defense fits in a Monday night clash. With a mix of deep balls, strikes over the middle to tight end Shannon Sharpe and outside running from rookie...

Fantasy source. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... The season is now half over. Or, to put a new spin on an old adage, half begun--depending on your point of View. What do we know now that we didn't know two months ago? Surprisingly little, actually. The Patriots were doubted, then touted,...

Georgia duo is hard to beat. (Draft Watch).
November 11, 2002... Georgia's bookend tackles, Jon Stinchcomb and George Foster, are among the highest-ranked senior offensive line prospects. Both could end up as starting left tackles in the NFL. The top senior tackles: 1. Jordan Gross, 6-4, 305, Utah....

Something old, something new: a healthy Jamal Mashburn's return to form has the union between the Hornets and New Orleans off to a blissful start. (NBA).
November 11, 2002... Helen Mashburn was skeptical. For days, doctors had tried to explain the cause of the illness that had stricken her son, Jamal. It started as a simple stomach virus, but viruses pass quickly. This did not. This illness made Jamal constantly...

Hamilton doesn't give a rip about the future. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... It has been 3 1/2 years since the Wizards made Richard Hamilton the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft, and Hamilton still remembers his first conversations with Wizards officials, still remembers his introduction to the franchise. "It...

Eastern conference. (NBA).
November 11, 2002... Atlantic Division BOSTON CELTICS Club patriarch Red Auerbach questioned the team's physical toughness following an 0-2 start against the Bulls and Wizards. For coach Jim O'Brien, that undoubtedly translates into a need to emphasize defense...

Western conference. (NBA).
November 11, 2002... Midwest Division DALLAS MAVERICKS PG Steve Nash spent a week working out with the Canadian national team in the summer, then skipped the World Championship in an effort to avoid burning out again. Nash says the break has left him fresher...

`We need to change': NHL commissioner Gary Bettman talks about what is happening on--and off--the ice in an exclusive Q&A. (NHL).
November 11, 2002... Hockey Insider Kara Yorio sat down with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and discussed, among other things, the success of the new hurry-up faceoffs, the labor situation and the possibility of the league's players participating in the 2006...

The man who changed the game. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Casual hockey fans might know Roger Neilson because of his trademark loud ties or his recent battle with cancer. Others might recognize him from his time spent behind the benches of any of the eight NHL teams for which he has been a head coach....

Free agents will strike it poor. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... It might be awhile before there is another $17 million slugger, $15 million starting pitcher or $2.5 million fourth outfielder. Impact players such as Indians first baseman Jim Thome always will command major contracts, but for the second...

A.L. scouting reports. (Baseball A.L. Free agents preview).
November 11, 2002... ANAHEIM ANGELS The team will have a slow winter. Three Angels are free agents: reliever LHP Dennis Cook and reserve OFs Alex Ochoa and Orlando Palmeiro. Cook, 40, is coming off shoulder surgery and is expected to retire. The Angels are likely...

N.L. scouting reports. (Baseball N.L. Free agents preview).
November 11, 2002... ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS The team will probably lose more free agents than it signs. It will attempt to keep CF Steve Finley--a multiyear offer has already been made--and 1B Greg Colbrunn. And a deal will be worked out with 1B Mark Grace after his...

10 years after: the points race isn't as tight as it was in 1992, but--like in '92--a new generation of drivers is taking over at the top. (NASCAR).
November 11, 2002... Richard Petty scrunched up his face for a moment, underneath his wrap-around shades and the black cowboy hat blossoming with a spray of feathers. He wanted to make sure he got the words right as he recollected the clever benediction to his...

The circle K pit stop. (Advertorial).
November 11, 2002... Ryan McKinney Racing was a family affair for Indiana native Ryan McKinney, who grew up helping his uncle run his car in the Modified Series at Anderson Speedway. Having earned his family racing spurs, McKinney went on to work as a...

In racing, it's sack the crew chief. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Another week, another crew chief change--well, not exactly. After Atlanta, three teams announced changes involving crew chiefs. Cal Wells will replace veteran wrench Mike Beam with race engineer Roy McCauley on Ricky Craven's No. 32...

Sideline pass: we shadow Washington State's Mike Price on game day. You can't get any closer to the field or to the head coach. (College Football).
November 11, 2002... Mike Price is walking again, pacing back and forth and wearing a rut in the FieldTurf at Martin Stadium. The Washington State offense is dragging, the sun is setting, and it's turning bitter cold in the Palouse. And the damn back judge just...

Hey, Dorsey: hands off that Heisman. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Forget about trying to figure out how the BCS works. And don't bother debating which conference is best. The more perplexing question as we head down the home stretch is this: Who will win the Heisman Trophy? I'll tell you who shouldn't:...

Lose one, not always done. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... A week ago, we were talking about eight unbeaten teams, seven in BCS conferences. That's more unbeatens than there were so deep into a season since 1971. But after a few upsets, instead of watching for how many unbeaten teams remain, we're...

Conference call. (Insider).
November 11, 2002... Maybe the college football gods were protecting Miami after all. How else can you explain the wild weekend of upsets that somehow has sorted out what could have been a big BCS mess? Then again, it's not over yet. There are three unbeaten...

Pickin' & grinnin'.
November 11, 2002... Virginia Tech (8-1) at Syracuse (3-6): Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, the player who put Virginia Tech football on the map, recently was asked about his best attributes. His answer: "I have two weapons: My legs, my arms and my brain." ...