November 2007 Archives

A source who's often been correct for me in the past whispers that the next head coach at the University of Arkansas will be Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville. Whether or not that happens, we already have a situation in which half of the coaches in the SEC West (Houston Nutt, Nick Saban and Tuberville) have coached at another SEC West school. And you wonder why the Black Football Coaches Assocation has its undies so scrunched up?

If Tuberville is headed to Fayetteville, guess who becomes the longest tenured coach in the SEC West? That's right, the only black head coach in the conference, Mississippi State's Sly Croom.

Sean Taylor, Continued

Questions and notes regarding the death of Sean Taylor:

--Why are the Miami police so eager to proclaim that Taylor's death appears to be nothing more than a "random act" of burglary and/or robbery? Do they truly believe that or are they trying not to show their hand?
--Did the person or persons who broke into Taylor's home know that he did not possess a firearm? To me, it seems that way. If I burgled an upper-end home, even if I had no idea who lived there, and noted that the bedroom door was locked, what would compel me to kick it in and start shooting? How would I know that the person on the other side of the door wasn't standing there with a loaded gun?
--Why, if you were robbing a home at just after 1 a.m., would you force your way into a bedroom? Wouldn't you be looking to avoid a confrontation with the homeowner? Almost be relieved that they'd locked the bedroom door so that you could root around the other rooms? Or did you think that the most valuable items were in the bedroom? And if that's the case, after having shot the homeowner, why would you flee?
--Let's try to examine this as a burglary with intent to rob valuable items: You enter the home. You scrounge around for anything you can take. You notice the bedroom door is locked and you already saw vehicles in the driveway. Someone is in the bedroom. So why force your way inside? And once you do, why do you shoot? Is it because Taylor rushed at you with the machete in his hand? Why surprise the homeowner? Why not announce, if you want what's in the bedroom, that they should open the door or get down on the ground if they don't want to be shot? And, barring all that logic, once you shoot the homeowner, why do you flee? Why not take what you can from the bedroom? You certainly aren't worried about the girlfriend.
--Was the shot aimed at Sean Taylor's leg? At his groin? Was it just a random shot?
--Where did Taylor get the machete? I'm not naive enough to not realize that NFL players, most among pro athletes, are fascinated by exotic weapons and movies like "Braveheart", "Gladiator" and "Scarface". But it would be interesting to learn how Taylor came to possess it. And why he did not carry a gun.
--A commenter on my longer blog noted that Taylor seemed to come from a solid, stable, two-parent home. Acknowledged, and understood. But too many young African-American males do not. And being as high-profile an athlete as Taylor was, growing up from birth to the NFL in a city like Miami, he certainly had many friends and hangers-on who grew up in less than stable environments.
--Finally, on the eve of the last game to be played in the Orange Bowl, here's a sobering piece of breaking news:

http://www.miamiherald.com/459/story/326720.html

Despite the imminent loss, what a game for Aaron Rodgers in defeat and Tony Romo.

Should be an interesting postgame.

A 4-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton from Tony Romo makes it 34-24. The touchdown was set up by an iffy pass interference call on Tramon Williams against Miles Austin.

Williams did make contact with Austin's shoulder while the ball was in the air and that seemed to slow Austin down. The two men got their legs tangled and both fell. The call was a long time coming as the officials huddled before calling the 42-yard penalty.

Aaron Rodgers is going to need a big drive now and there will no doubt be significant pressure applied by Dallas.

7:46 remains.

Drew Bledsoe begat Tom Brady. Drew Bledsoe begat Tony Romo. Could Brett Favre begetting Aaron Rodgers.

Since the 38-year-old Green Bay icon left with an injured right elbow in the second quarter, Rodgers has been almost impeccable in relief, turning a 27-10 blowout into a 27-24 ballgame. He's 11 for 14 for 130 yards.

And T.O. just juggled a touchdown pass into the arms of Al Harris to cost Dallas a touchdown and give Green Bay the ball back.

It's getting verrrrry interesting here.

Have we yet seen the replay of the play where Brett Favre -- NFL icon -- injured his throwing arm in a matchup of 10-1 teams?

C'mon, NFL Network, help us out here...replay it, folks.

Greg Jennings scores and it's 27-17.

The Packers training staff just put a compression sleeve on Favre's right forearm. Favre still has yet to even attempt a toss on the sideline. If it were any other player, he'd have gone in for an X-ray by now. Meanwhile, Favre's backup Aaron Rodgers hasn't been bad. He's got GB at the Dallas 16 with 2:04 left in the half. It's 27-10.

He's still getting his inner right forearm worked on and massaged. One difference between the NFL Network and a normal broadcast. We haven't seen a shot of Favre on the sidelines yet on TV that I've seen. A network would have by now gone to a split screen.

This is HUGE news. Not only are the Packers imploding with Favre lighting the match, Favre's ironman streak could be in jeopardy. It's not wise for a quarterback to try and gut out an arm injury, especially if his team is essentially in the playoffs.

Finally, a Favre shot. He's checking to see how swollen it is.

He's got a right arm injury and his return is questionable. He is on the sidelines with a trainer working on his lower right arm. It looks like the trainer is just holding something on it.

Frankly, I wouldn't be the least stunned if it's not fractured.

He came through VERY hard on the throw.

Oh, and Dallas scored again so it's 27-10.

Not a good series for Ol' No. 4. Favre threw up two punts -- both of which should have been picked by Dallas -- then had a completion, then got his arm whacked and ball came out short and got picked.

Favre hurt his arm and Aaron Rodgers is limbering.

See, here's the thing. If Brett Favre WANTS to throw a pass with a rusher in his earhole, without looking downfield and into triple coverage, he's earned that right I suppose.

But if he's going to do that on his team's third possession in a road game between 10-1 teams for absolutely no good reason, get picked off setting up a touchdown that will put his team down 13-3 with 1:14 left in the game, he deserves to be criticized. Harshly.

And that's what he just did. So do me a favor...sing me no songs about Brett Favre's grit and swashbuckling, gunslinger mentality if Green Bay has a late-game comeback that falls short. He put them in the spot where they needed to come back.

Dallas just added another field goal, a 51-yarder by Nick Folk. Tony Romo just threw behind TO on a third-down crossing pattern as he came from left to right. Owens tried to make a one-handed catch and failed. Though it was on his back hip, two hands would have gotten the job done.

6-3 Dallas.

To honor slain Redskins corner Sean Taylor, both teams are wearing decals with Taylor's No. 21 on their helmets.

The second Packers drive just went no where. Ryan Grant got creamed on second down and Favre got harassed by Anthony Spencer on a third down incompletion.

6:49 left in the first.

On third-and-5 from the Packers 7, Dallas just handed off on a draw to Julius Jones who gained 3 yards. Help me out. Why is a team with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten and a guy who can run and buy time like Tony Romo running draws in the first quarter on third-and-5 inside the 10? Even if guys guess wrong, it's not like they're going way downfield.

Stupid playcall by Jason Garrett. It's 3-3.

And Al Harris on Terrell Owens is the early cb-wr matchup. And Owens just caught a pass ovr Harris' head that Harris seemed to pry loose for a fumble recovery. But the refs ruled his forward progres stopped and hence, there will be no challenge it appears.

Nope. Wait yup. Ok, they're challenging whether or not the pass was complete or not. It's definitely complete.

Wasted challenge. Mike McCarthy over his head.

Mason Crosby just ripped through a 48-yard field goal to cap the game's first drive.

Green Bay lucked out on two plays -- first, James Jones fell on an out pattern on the game's second play and Jacques Reeves nearly had a pick six. Next, Brett Favre got strip-sacked by DeMarcus Ware but fortunately for Cheese heads, Ware was offsides.

For a good stat-driven breakdown on tonight's game, check out the boys at Cold Hard Football Facts...they go bananas with the numbers and write with a sense of humor.

I personally disagree with their prediction for tonight but it's a good read.

There must be 300 fans on the Cowboys sideline. That's one of those VIP deals whee the owner lets all the people who pay tribute to hang on the sideline and snap pictures of each other sniffin' and grinnin' while warmups go on behind them.

And how would you too get a chance to do that?

Pay up, buddy.

Dallas is in their throwback unis with the white helmets. Which is a good look. The Pack are in their white jerseys and they've opted to wear the yellow helmets.

We haven't yet gotten the rest of the inactives.

We'll keep you posted on that mess.

Bad news from the joint with the hole in the top...the Packers defense -- which will be stretched to its limits -- will be without cornerback Charles Woodson and pass-rush specialist Kaberr Gbaja-Biamila.

That's a tough recipe for dealing with a Dallas passing attack that can go on you a little bit.

Love shack, baby, love shack,
love shack, baby that's where it's at....

Moments after I read a brutally honest and necessary column by Jason Whitlock of FoxSports.com, I opened my emails to see that my friend Mike had read it, too. He sent me a link to the column and a simple note of "Amen". Which is eerie, because that's the exact word I'd uttered to myself upon having finished reading it.

Here's Whitlock's column, in case you have yet to read it.

Who killed Sean Taylor and why is unknown to us at this point. But the fact that Taylor is a Miami Hurricane is both ironic and symbolic. The Miami Hurricane program is to college football what hip hop has been to popular music, and this isn't about it being a good thing or a bad thing. But it is a cultural thing.

The Canes' rise during the 1980s was embossed by victories over two of the oldest and accomplished (read: whitest) programs in the history of college football: Nebraska and Notre Dame. On January 1, 1984, the upstart Hurricanes beat Nebraska, 31-30, in the Orange Bowl in one of the very best football games ever played. But it was more than that. It was a changing of the guard.

Miami was a commuter school. Its players were loud and brazen and, yes, intimidating. Two seasons later the Hurricanes swamped Notre Dame, 58-7, the second-worst loss in school history. Gerry Faust was already out as Irish coach by then, but that game was the nadir of Notre Dame football in the post-World War II era.

With those victories, and subsequent ones over Oklahoma, the brash and, let's not forget, highly talented, Hurricanes introduced college football to an entirely new culture. Miami, like many of the black athletes who peopled its roster, had no history of which to speak. So when the Hurricanes walked into the Big House or Notre Dame Stadium, they were not awed. They did not speak in hushed or reverent tones. Instead, the Canes just walked in and kicked ass.

And they were even scarier in their own 'hood, the Orange Bowl, where they won 58 consecutive games over a ten-year span.

What's all this have to do with Sean Taylor? Maybe nothing. But Miami's impact upon college football has been no different than hip-hop's on popular culture. Miami was the first school--or first Division I-A school, I should say--where black players could be black. You could talk smack at Miami, and your head coach wasn't going to admonish you for showing up your opponent. You could showboat and that was okay, as well. You could show up to a pre-Fiesta Bowl cookout in fatigues and equate the game to war and then walk out on that cookout and, well, if Tom and Martha in Iowa didn't understand what that was all about, forget those crackers.

Of course, none of the Miami image--the fatigues; Luther Campbell on the sidelines, paying out rewards for great hits; the 7th Floor Crew, etc.--would have mattered if the Canes were not an excellent football team. Which, over the past 23 years, they have been more often than not. It's not just the outstanding talent that has strutted onto the field at the O.B.--just a partial list would include Michael Irvin, Bennie Blades, Michael Barrow, Warren Sapp, Ed Reed, Willis McGahee, Jeremy Shockey, Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, Dan Morgan, Ray Lewis, Russell Maryland, Cortez Kennedy, etc., etc., etc.--in that era. It was their confidence that blew you away. Miami was never, ever meek.
The Hurricanes never backed down from a fight, figurative or literal. And as the years passed even the most traditional and/or racist college football fans would have to grudgingly give Miami--to use a term that wasn't around before Miami became "The U"--its props. And let's allow that Miami has long been a "black thing". The famed 1988 game at Notre Dame, which was dubbed "Catholics vs. Convicts"? Wasn't that just a euphemism for "Whites vs. Blacks"? Sure, the Irish were led by an African-American quarterback that day--and all season--but only Miami played football as expressively as Run D.M.C. belted out "Walk This Way."

None of which is to blame Sean Taylor for his own murder. Nobody knows what happened. But what you see a lot in Miami football is a lot of what Whitlock, in his essay, either explicity writes about or implies in his essay. Believe it or not, there are college football fans who have grown up having never known a pre-Hurricane world. They do not realize that players never used to believe that "everyone was disrespecting us" before a big game. That there was a time when cornerbacks and wide receivers didn't treat every minor triumph as if they'd just won the Super Bowl.

That all began with Miami. Heck, if Miami had never come along--though it would have, somehwere-- we wouldn't have an "excessive celebration" penalty. Whitlock, in his essay, talks about black culture in a sense being cannibalistic. That black-on-black violence is out of control, and that maybe Sean Taylor's death will propel the African-American community to at last face that fact and rise up against what Whitlock calls "the black KKK."

I'm a white man living in the largest urban area in the country. I don't know everything about black culture, but I live in New York City and I follow big-time athletics for a living, and so what I'm about to write may not be politically correct, but tell me if it isn't factually correct: by and large, what I observe among too many young black males is a grasp for self-esteem that wasn't nurtured in them as children. The bling, the guns, the smack-talk, the misogyny--all aspects that are celebrated frequently in hip-hop music--emanate from a feeling of powerlessness. You don't see white athletes thumping their chests--well, you didn't used to, but now so many young white people want to be black that you do see that.

All of it, to me, stems from insecurity. From a need to be recognized. You will reckon with me, they seem to be proclaiming. The reasons for all of this go all the way back to the slave ships, of course, and I don't have the time, nor the educational background, to explain all of the reasons behind that attitude here. But what you see on the street--the over-arching priority of not being disrespected; the urge to flaunt your wealth or whatever else you have going for you; the complete absence of self-deprecation or humility--is exactly what you saw at Miami.

Is it a coincidence that not a few Miami players have been involved in violent deaths, two of whom have been victims in the past thirteen months? That the greatest hip-hop stars of the past decade, Tupac and Biggie, were murdered violently, their homicides never solved, and that quite likely the shooting deaths of Hurricanes Bryan Pata and Sean Taylor may never be solved? Maybe.

On Wednesday Jalen Rose and Marcellus Wiley appeared on ESPN2's "First Take", and both talked about how big-time athletes are targets. But c'mon. We don't really believe that. I don't. Big-time African-American athletes who live the P Diddy lifestyle are targets. Peyton Manning isn't a target. Tom Brady isn't a target. They may be famous and have the same problems other celebrities such as George Clooney or Lindsey Lohan have in terms of privacy, but they aren't targets. Mostly because they did not grew up in environments where many of their African-American teammates did, have not been exposed to the same people or situations.

And this isn't strictly a black-or-white issue. There was an outstanding feature on HBO's "Inside the NFL" last Wednesday about the Jones brothers, running backs Thomas (Jets) and Julius (Cowboys). The Jones were raised by a pair of utterly devoted parents, their mom a coal-miner, in the predominantly white (and poor) town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Thomas graduated from Virginia and Julius from Notre Dame, as you probably know. The Jones--the parents, two sons and five sisters--are a close-knit family and all seven kids even made a written pact to stay in touch with one another at least once a week as grown-ups.

Listening to Thomas and Julius speak, it became evident how little they needed to thump their chests. How apparent it was to them that they owe their success not only to themselves but to the people who provided for them. Watching it all, there was only one answer that was obvious: the difference was love. They knew they were loved as children, and it shows in how they behave as adults.

When the piece on the Jones brothers ended, HBO cut to the studio where Costas, Carter, Collinsworth and Marino were seated. Collinsworth, who I agree with only when I'm breathing, was the first to speak: "All's I can say," said Collinsworth, "is let's hear it for parents getting it done."

Exactly.

But Hannah!! That was so quick.

After five years on the CBS Early Show, Hannah Storm is leaving the show.
Or was pushed out. (?)
One can never really tell.

Staying on the subject of mixing sports with celebrities in Hollywood...

How do we feel about this?

Dissapointed?
Exactly how I felt.
Its just that I thought Matthew McConaughey got all the sports parts.
Jake is just too... too... I don't know.
But I know enough to say he is NO Joe Namath.

After reading this story, are you more shocked to find out that:

A) Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo are dating?

B) Her dad set it up?

or

C) She's recording a country album?

For me, personally, I just can't get over option C. Ya'll.

And you don't even have to be A) registered, B) 18 or C) interested in politics.

Just sports.

Go to this link and click on your choice for best -- oopss sorry -- greatest college football coach of all time.

The Chiefs have had enough. Having watched Justin Medlock and Dave Rayner wash out as field goal kickers this season, Kansas City has signed veteran kicker John Carney to a one-year deal.

Chiefs cock 'o the walk Carl Peterson said, "With the results of our offense it calls to find a very experienced and accurate field goal kicker. John Carney fits that description and we’ve admired his performance over many years in the NFL."

Rayner was 12 for 18 from beyond 30 yards. On Sunday, he missed a 33-yard fourth quarter field goal that would have put the Chiefs up 10 points. On the next Kansas City drive, coach Herm Edwards eschewed a field goal attempt from 40 yards on fourth-and-1 and the Chiefs running play got stuffed in a 20-17 home loss to the Raiders.

In 20 NFL seasons dating back to 1987, Carney's kicked for Tampa Bay, the Rams, Chargers, Saints and Jaguars. He filled in for Josh Scobee in Jacksonville this season and was 9 for 11.

*************

The Patriots will activate veteran wide receiver Troy Brown today or tomorrow. The 15-year veteran and career Patriot opened the season on the PUP list. He started practicing with the team 20 days ago and the team had until tomorrow to either activate him or place him on the injured list.

Brown, 36, is joining a roster chockful of wideouts so his biggest role over the final weeks of the season may be on special teams. He has 557 career receptions for New England.

***************

Tim Graham of the Palm Beach Post is reporting that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams 2007 season is over after one game and four carries. He tore a pectoral muscle when he was stepped on by Steelers rookie Lawrence Timmons. That's one way to dissuade him from inhaling.

****************

Ravens running back and former University of Miami running back Willis McGahee on former Miami teammate Sean Taylor who died Tuesday morning.

"Sean was a great player, but more importantly a special person. When a senseless tragedy like this happens close to home, it really makes you think about the people in your life. This is much bigger than football life is precious and you are reminded of that every day. I know he is in a better place, and my prayers are with his family."

*************

Jason LaCanfora of the Washington Post has done a tremendous job this week on the very difficult Sean Taylor story. So too has Post writer Amy Shipley who's on the ground in Miami.

This is sounding less and less like this was a crime perpetrated by someone who merely wanted to relieve Taylor of some money and possessions.

A Post article online this afternoon said that Taylor family lawyer Richard Sharpstein, "has provided details in various interviews. He said Taylor and his fiancee, Jackie Garcia, were asleep with their 18-month-old daughter when they were awakened by noises in the house. Taylor reached for a machete or other form of knife he keeps nearby in case of emergency, Sharpstein said. He told CNN that Taylor then locked the door of the bedroom, but an intruder kicked the door in and fired twice, striking Taylor once in the upper leg."

I can't imagine what'd it be like to lose a loved one in the way Sean Taylor was taken from his family, friends, and teammates today.

I understand many people have opinions on the situation. It is human nature. I'd also like to believe that when moving forward, people will remember to use a certain amount of respect towards the tragic situation.

Regardless of speculation as to what might have happened, who was involved, the motive, and certain life choices made by Taylor... my small opinion is that it is important to remember what actually happened.

That a 24 year old man was shot and killed suddenly. In the flash of a moment, his life taken. And left behind were people who cared and loved him very much. All this at a time of year when we are supposed to be thankful for what we have and aim to give to those who have less.

When the evidence comes out, there will be a right moment and time to voice opinions on what might have led to this. In the meantime, my heart goes out to his family, daughter and friends.

No matter what, 24 is never an age where your life should end.

Head coaches at various college football programs are dropping, dropping, dropping!

So what do you do when your number one guy says "See ya!" You go steal away great talent from other schools. Great talent that is itching/looking/ready/willing to jump into the hot seat. Naturally, its the thing to do.

Normally I would not be concerned. Bobby Bowden is to FSU what Santa is to Christmas. Connected forever. Foorrreeevvveerrrr.

But this! This! This news is a little rise for concern. A little.

Turns out Jimbo Fisher, the man Bobby fought long and hard to get to come to FSU, isn't exactly happy. (After this season and our offensive woes, I can't/don't blame him.) And with alllllll these schools, (GEORGIA TECH) looking to steal away some talent, Fisher knows his name has been dropped more then casually as a candidate.

According to WARCHANT.COM, FSU wants to do all that it can to keep Fisher put. And if that means possibly setting up a path to make him the NEXT head coach.. then that is a real possibility.

Rumor has it Bobby is looking at a final contract. Some say 5 years. Probably closer to the 2-3 range. A key component is the bonus at the end of the contract... which would be if retirement is in fact chosen, a cool $1 million paycheck would be in the mail.

Gonna be an interesting week in Tally.

Sean Taylor, the Washington Redskins safety and -- perhaps more tellingly in this circumstance, a University of Miami product -- is reportedly fighting for his life in a Miami hospital after being shot in his home early Monday morning.

Was this random violence visited upon Taylor by an intruder outside his South Miami Dade home as early reports are indicating?

Or was he shot in the groin at the backdoor of his million dollar home for some other reason? Taylor was no stranger to guns. And, sadly, University of Miami football players -- past and present -- are too often intimate with deadly violence. Violence and too many University of Miami football players are intertwined like strands of DNA.

It was little more than a year ago -- November 7, 2006 -- that Miami senior Bryan Pata was shot to death at his apartment. In July of last year, another Miami player, Willie Cooper, was shot in the buttocks by an intruder outside his home. His roommate, teammate and current New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather, returned fire. There was the infamous brawl between Miami and Florida International in 2006.

From there, the line of violence can be drawn through Taylor himself -- accused of wielding a gun at a man and repeatedly hitting him during a fight that broke out after Taylor and some friends went looking for the people who had allegedly stolen his all-terrain vehicles in 2005 -- to Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' being tangled up in a double murder outside an Atlanta nightclub in 1999, to Lewis' roommate Marlin Barnes being bludgeoned to death in April of 1996, on down to stupidity like rapper Luther Campbell of 2Live Crew offering bounties to Miami players for big plays back in the 1990s.

The University of Miami football community's also had its share of random tragedy. Bills tight end Kevin Everett's near-fatal neck injury in the opening week of this season. Former Miami star Jerome Brown was a Pro Bowler for the Eagles when he was killed in a car accident at the age of 27 back in 1992. In 2002 and 2003, former Canes Chris Campbell and Al Blades died in car accidents as well.

As Taylor, the son of a Florida police chief and father of an infant child, fights to stay alive to see tomorrow, you think of them and pray for him. And yet, inevitably, you also shake your head at the violence surrounding individuals who played football for the University of Miami. So much that it's long gone past being a coincidence or a minor trend.

And it makes you look for a quote you remembered reading. The one from former Miami and current Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason. The one he uttered in July of 2006 after Cooper was shot, "We're targets because we play for the University of Miami. ... These guys, they know who we are."

From the sound of this, the folks at THE ONION sure aren't going to be watching tonight's Steelers vs Dolphins game.

BRISTOL, CT—The advertising, promotions, and publicity departments of cable sports network ESPN are being lauded for refusing to simply give up on attempting to promote the upcoming lackluster Miami-Pittsburgh Monday night matchup, instead turning in what some are calling a "championship-game level of hype." "Our business is all about blowing things out of proportion, but rarely do we see a game as one-sided as this given this kind of dedication," said Advertising Age columnist Alan Quensbury. "Talk about turd-polishing... I'm in awe. My mind says it'll be hard for Steeler fans to stay awake through the blowout, but the ESPN people have made me believe it'll be one for the ages." ESPN promotions personnel have responded to the praise by saying they were "just doing their jobs" and that they will issue a full statement of thanks after "Monday night's classic clash of tradition-rich AFC powerhouses."

As for me.... my whole entire Fantasy Football season depends on the skills of one man: WILLIE PARKER. Please let Fast Willie find the end zone many many times. PLEASE!!!!

BRISTOL, CT - Craig Kilborn, the former host of The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn, actor from the film The Benchwarmers, and SportsCenter anchor from 1993 to 1997, was spotted at 5:30 a.m. this morning broke, homeless, and passed out in front of ESPN's SportsCenter studios.

Funny article from THE ONION.

If you're keeping score, at least three coaches whose teams played Notre Dame this season will not be returning to their jobs in 2008: Lloyd Carr, who retired from Michigan; and Chan Gailey of Georgia Tech and Ted Roof of Duke, both of whom were fired this morning. Keep an eye out for Karl Dorrell, UCLA, to join this list...based largely on how the Bruins do next weekend versus Southern Cal.

Thoughts before boarding a plane bound from SF to JFK:

--More people probably recognize Wesley Welker now than Wesley Walker . Welker, by the way, was not initially offered a college scholarship and was not drafted by the NFL. New England's perfect season was basically preserved last night by a former 6th-round draft pick and a former non-draftee.

--NBC's own Al Michaels, about midway through Sunday night's Eagles-Pats tussle, said, "The Patriots find themselves in a dogfight...poor choice of words."

--Are you like me? When you see the headline "NFL Player Shot" is your first thought, Florida State or Miami?

--The problem with the hotel bill not naming what movie you watched is that when you actually do purchase "Superbad", some expense account overlord automatically assumes you just watched "Hot Busty Nurses" anyway.

Laurence Maroney just banged in from the 4 yard line to give the Patriots a 31-29 lead with 7:20 left. We'll see if A.J. Feeley can finish off what's been a bang-up night with a drive to retake the lead.

My bet....no...but I give him a puncher's chance...maybe 35 percent.

Brady just hit Wes Welker down to the Eagles 4 and have first-and-goal. Welker has 12 receptions for 140 yards - both career bests.

Patriots outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin is out for the rest of the game with a foot injury and corner Randall Gay has a back injury that leaves him questionable for the rest of the game.

The Pats held on third down and get the ball back with 12:09 remaining.

The Eagles just held on fourth-and-4 as Brady threw wild over the head of Wes Welker. The Eagles take over at their own 33 with 13:36 left. New England is not a crisp machine. And Bob Kuechenberg is wide awake and just called Mercury Morris out of a deep sleep and told him to get over RIGHT AWAY!

Eagles defensive lineman Trent Cole just wandered across the line before the Patriots were set to punt on fourth-and-3, giving New England a first down. We'll see what the Patriots do with the gift as the fourth quarter begins with New England down 28-24 beginning the fourth quarter.

What a performance by A.J. Feeley who's now 21 for 31 for 276 yards with three touchdowns and a pick. The Eagles offense has outscored New England's 28-17 so far. And nobody saw this coming.

He just hit Reggie Brown inside Randall Gay on third-and-goal from the 4 to make it 28-24 Philadelphia.

Bad miss by New England kicker Steve Gostkowski from 32 yards away to pee away a chance for the Pats to put up points after they got to the Philly 4.

Randy Moss got called for offensive pass interference - an easy call - to back New England outside the 10. Brady then threw behind Wes Welker on a little slant and heat got to Brady on third down to lead to Gostkowski's miss.

With the Eagles playing both safeties back on a third-and-12 play, the Patriots sprung a quick screen to Wes Welker in the slot and he did the rest turning an 8-yard gain into a 42-yard gain showing some bizarre balance to stay upright and get down to the Eagles 4.

The Patriots escape to their locker room with a 24-21 lead at halftime having seen their offense outscored by Philly 21-17 (Asante Samuel's interception return was the other New England score).

With the Eagles devoting five and six defensive backs to the field and New England - going without a huddle - and trying to throw through the Philly defense, the Pats are having success but blitzes and hard licks on wide receivers are taking a toll.

Meanwhile, the Eagles played lights out in the first half and trail by a field goal.

Tough business.

I'll tell you this, the buzz in the press box is one of heavy surprise/shock and writers who three hours ago were lamenting covering another dull blowout by the Pats are enjoying the storyline.

A.J. Feeley's feeling it so far. He's been making quick and accurate decisions to counter New England's blitzes and has found soft spots in the Patriots pass defense.

And Feeley just completed a third-and-10 touchdown pass to Greg Lewis to make it 21-17. Lewis has now scored twice.

Somebody elbow Bob Kuechenburg and tell him things are getting interesting.

On 15 of the first 20 plays (that weren't incompletions, the ball went to Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.

Clearly the Eagles plan was to get it in the hands of Westbrook, the kind of small, quick, jitterbugging back the Patriots have trouble corralling.

From Juqua Thomas' premature burial of Tom Brady on New England's first drive to an aborted pass by wide receiver Jason Avant to a successful onsides kick, the Eagles are clearly going to go down punching in this one.

It's 14-14 with 9:21 left in the half and the Patriots are on the move.

The Patriots, by the way, have one designed run so far in their three drives.

Juqua Thomas just bodybagged Tom Brady. Put him in a frontal bear hug after walking past Nick Kaczur and landed all of his 250 pounds on top of the league's best player.

Brady got to his feet quickly ambled about a little more on the next snap then took the next snap.

Since the hit, he's gone 4 for 5 for 57 yards and scrambled 12 yards for a first down.

Brady's response to Thomas' hit was similar to one after he got decleated by Buffalo corner Nate Clements knocking his helmet off. That time, Brady merely stood up, found the pieces of his helmet and walked back to the huddle.

He's a tough hombre.

Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was not on the field for the Eagles second drive and defensive end Richard Seymour didn't come in until the goal line situation.

The Eagles just went 77 yards in 14 plays in seven minutes and change to tie the game at 7.

The Eagles have a little drive going down to the Patriots 21...which likely means the interception return for Randall Gay will be that much longer.

The Patriots have begun their Tysoning of the Eagles as Asante Samuel picked off A.J. Feeley and returned it 22 yards for the touchdown to make it 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.

The spread in Vegas was 23 and change and the Pats are already making headway on it.

That was Samuel's third regular season touchdown on an interception return.

By taking care of the Texans today, 27-17, the Browns put themselves in excellent position for an AFC Wild Card.

Check it out...Cleveland's now 7-4 and the Titans -- who began the day tied with Cleveland, got blown away by the Bengals 34-6. So now the Titans are 6-5.

With the Bills and Ravens losing, they're two games up on those clubs. Kansas City lost to go to 4-7. The Broncos could get to 6-5 or 5-6 depending on how their game with the Bears goes (it's 13-13 right now).

The Browns trail the Jags (8-3) for the other wild card spot which - as Jax goes to see the Colts next Sunday - could change hands.

Cleveland closes with some weak sisters down the stretch.

They're at Arizona and the Jets then host Buffalo are at Cincy then close at home with the 49ers.

Who spent last Sunday extolling the resilience of the Giants? This blog.

Who said that Eli Manning was a ball of resourcefulness? This blog.

Who alleged that these New York Giants were well-positioned to deal with the loss of key players because they weren't sniping, sniveling little worms? That was this blog too.

This blog may have gotten it wrong.

Eli completed two passes to Dwight Smith for 112 yards and a touchdown and also threw touchdown passes of 37 and 20 yards to Chad Greenway and Darren Sharper. All those targets play for the Vikings.

"I didn't play well obviously," said Manning who went 21 for 49 for 273 yards with a touchdown and four picks in the 41-17 loss. "It wasn't a matter of confusion they just made a lot of good plays."

From there, Manning went on to three times say that he was - to borrow a phrase from The Big Lebowski - "out of his element."

"It wasnt good," said Manning. "You throw four interceptions, it's never a good day. Every one has it's own story."

Right..."Once upon a time, Eli felt some pressure..."

Anyway, the Giants went into this game without Matthias Kiwanuka for the first time and - again - without monster back Brandon Jacobs. How much their absence impacted the Giants is unclear since so much was given away by Manning.

"I wish there was some simple explanation for this game but there isn't," said Giants coach Tom Coughlin. "In the National Football League, you cannot wrap it up and hand it to the guy across the field and we did. You won't be able to win a football game when you give away three scores on interceptions and have another returned to the 8. Obviously, I did a very ppor job of getting them ready to play. I would have liked to have seen how this game would have played out if we did not provide them with a gift wrapped win."

Asked his level of concern for Manning, Coughlin said, "My level of concern is how fast he's gonna bounce back. People are in shock right now. He'll bounce back. He's bounced back before."

The 7-5 Giants are at Chicago and at Philly the next two weeks. All's not lost but, with the injuries, the Giants couldn't afford to -- as Coughlin said -- giftwrap a game.

The neckties could be tightening in Gotham after all.

LSU lost.
Missouri is your new number one.
Just another crazy week in College Football.

Check out the new AP Rankings.

FSU was embarrassing last night. UF dominated, no question.

Fortunately, I only caught part of the game in the airport while I waited to catch my plane from Florida back to NYC. It was too much to handle. At one point, I sent a text to my brother and sister who were in Gainesville for the game and said: "Hope you are at least out having fun."

Yet there is a slimmer of glistening light in this dark hole known as our season this year.This piece of news goes to show one thing: God is a Seminole.

*ok ok ok... not really. Just so you know, I don't want the guy to be hurt. That sucks.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens25nov25001517,0,460039.storyhttp://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens25nov25001517,0,460039.storyAs the Lions season falls into a graveyard spiral, the sniping has begun in earnest.

Nicholas Cotsonika of the Detroit Free Press has Lions wide receiver Roy Williams complaining about the playcalling of offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

This Lions team is completely delusional. I was at the Giants game a week ago when they never got inside the New York 30 then had the gall to maintain that they were the better team. The level of focus among the Lions wide receivers is deplorable. Shaun McDonald had five drops against New York including the one that turned into the game-sealing pick. Rookie Calvin Johnson was butterfingered against the Packers in the Turkey Day loss and Jon Kitna is gritty but inaccurate.

Eh, nice story while it lasted. Let the sniping begin.

******

Brian Billick is confident he's part of the Ravens future even as his team sinks deeper into a dysfunctional 2007. Hensley also mentions that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti was on the sidelines for a portion of last week's game against the Browns. Apparently, that was the first time he wasn't in the owner's box according to Hensley.

Good for Bisciotti. Before you make a move - or decide not to - it's incumbent on you and your millions (and your fanbase) to gather as much information as you can with your own eyes. And even if football lifers roll their eyes and get territorial about the owner of the team being TOO involved, that's what happens when you're a couple hundred million deep into something.

***********

In his Star-Tribune blog, Kevin Seifert says Adrian Peterson won't play in today's game against the Giants. Peterson was lobbying head coach Brad Childress for a shot to go today despite injuring a ligament earlier in the month.

***************

The Lou Groza Award committee need not worry about watching this game. Four field goals have been attempted, and all have been missed.

These are two extremely evenly matched teams, something neither side probably wants to hear.

Trevor Laws needs three fourth-quarter tackles to break Steve Niehaus' record. Zibby needs two tackles to reach 300.

Jimmy Clausen has now attempted 100 passes without an interception.

Robert Hughes just took a handoff near midfield, saw nothing in between the tackles, and bounced the run around left end for 44 yards down to the Cardinal 8. Two plays later Hughes scored to put the Irish ahead, 21-14.

On the day, Hughes has 136 yards on 18 carries. He's the first Irish true freshman to gain 100 yards in back-to-back games since Allen Pinkett (who's here today, for Westwood One) did so in 1982. I'm off to cover the final five minutes from the field. Thanks for reading. Especially you, L.A.

Stanford's kicker, Derek Belch, just missed his fourth field goal of the afternoon. Granted, none were close (all in the 40s), but this is no longer even an exciting play.

ND has the ball. On this series, I predict:

1) A running back will slip.
2) The Irish will attempt a deep ball on Stanford corner Kris Evans that will fall incomplete.
3) I will stab myself in the eyeballs with a pen.

Stanford is the campus that developed LSD, and there must be traces of it still in the press box...because I just thought I heard that UCLA was beating the Leaflet and his No. 9 Oregon team 16-0. UCLA!?!

UCLA will beat Oregon? This Stanford team beat USC?

Neil Hayes, after Clausen's most recent incomplete bomb pass, reports that Clausen now has over 1,000 yards in incomplete passes today.

Aaaaand, Clinton Snyder just pressured Clausen into the proverbial "ill-advised throw", which was intercepted. First-and-ten Stanford at the ND 45 with 9:55 to play. Hey, anything but overtime.

T.C. Ostrander just got drilled by Brian Smith on a pass to Makr Bradford. Playu went for 23 yards, but Ostrander may have to come out. You know how Notre Dame does in California this season versus 3rd-string quarterbacks. Wait. Pritchard is returning.

Johntourager L.A. insists that Notre Dame needs to win so that Stanford can back to being a "women's basketball school". I thought Stanford was a 20-something-IPO-billionaire school.

Please, Lord, whatever you do...no overtime.

I've made this point before, and you know how I feel: Reply blows. The name of our Monday column may be "Upon Furher Review", but that's the only place it belongs. Stanford made a nice interception in the first half and Grimes just made a miraculous catch, and both were overturned. All replay does is delay the game while still guaranteeing that both teams will get screwed. As my colleague Neil Hayes just said to me after they overturned Grimes's catch, "Why do they have to turn every play into the Zapruder film?"

When they elect me Overlord of College Football, I promise we'll get rid of instant replay first...and then we'll re-admit the fumblerooski.

Stanford band iShuffle: "Blue Collar Man", by Styx.

It was, as they say in baseball, a "bang-bang" play, but Notre Dame just came out on the short end of a "further review" play yet again. On 3rd down Stanford QB Tavita Pritchard made a pretty upfield scramble for a gain of 19 yards. Near the end of the play Terrail Lambert was barreling toward him. Pritchard went down, but not soon enough. Lambert's hit knocked Pritchard's helmet off and knocked him out of the game. Pritchard fumbled and Kyle McCarthy recovered for the Irish before the ball went out of bounds.

The refs reviewed the call and rules that Pritchard's knee was down. Again, it's not so much about who is wrong or right. It's the complete disruption of the rhythm of the game. It's the spellcheck atmosphere that pervades every referee's call, or lack thereof. And it's the fact that your first instinct is usually correct, and that that element, the human element, is being entirely disregarded.

Tackle update: Tom Zbikowski now is 8th all-time in tackles for the Irish. He needs 42 tackles to move into 7th place, highly unlikely. Trevor Laws has six tackles today. That gives him 110 for the season. Laws needs four to break the school record for most tackles in a season by an Irish lineman.

To answer Johntourager L.A., the Stanford band's halftime show was tame for them. They did a salute to physical fitness, where a few band members feigned a collapse while running and then the entire band laid on their backs and bench-pressed their instruments. Where is the insubordination and utter disdain for all things sacred that we've grown to love, such as the reenactment of the Irish potato famiine?

If you want some fun mailbag reading, read my buddy Michael Rothstein's mailbag from earlier this week. Some readers seem not to understand that it's not Mike's job to root for the Irish. This much I know. I'm going to start ripping the Irish more if it means more people than just my friends will write me.

http://jgwebblogs.typepad.com/notre_dame/

The Irish offense has had its two longest plays of the season in the first half, and the latter could not have been more timely. Down 14-7 with less than two minutes to go in the half, the Irish faced 3rd-and-20 from their own 41. Clausen faded back and threw a screen pass to 4th-string tailback Junior Jabbie. The senior raced around right end, got the corner, and made the nicest play of his career, a 44-yard run down to the 15. Three plays later Travis Thomas scored on a 1-yard run.

14-14 at the half, and Notre Dame's leading rusher (Hughes), receiver (Duval Kamara) and passer (Clausen) are all true freshmen.

I'm going down to the field to experience the Stanford band up close. Will report back in a bit.

Pretty play near the end of the first half that windes up going nowhere. Bruton intercepts a desperation pass by Stanford, laterals it to Zibby, who laterals it to Walls, who laterals it back to Zibby, who scores as time expires. Might have been the Irish highlight play of the season. Except that way upfield Trevor Laws was called for a personal foul.

What would have been a huge momentum swing and a 21-14 Irish lead at halftime becomes instead just an INT.

Scenes from halftime: Joe Montana and his wife, Jennifer, sitting on the Irish bench. Joe may be the greatest clutch Irish QB in history, but he still wears a look on his face that says, "I cannot believe I went to Notre Dame and yet my wife is this smokin'."

A an old man seated in the first row waved me over. I think he said that his name was Sal Musso. "Son," he told me," I"m ninety years old. How long am I going to have to wait before Notre Dame fields a respectable team again?"

The Stanford band members, not all but some, use masking tape to create some interesting signs on their jackets and vests. Some of my favorites:

WHY MUST THEY FIGHT?
2B VS -2B?
RUSTY TROMBONE

The Stanford student section. They all wear red shirts that read "The Red Zone". Nice, but you expect more from this bunch.

David Grimes just made one of the most amazing touchdown catches you will ever see. He was wide open and Clausen overthrew him. Grimes laid out for the catch, grabbed the ball with his fingertips, and somehow kept his hands elevated when his body hit the turf. Unbelievable catch.

Now the play is under review and the refs overturned it. Honestly? Bastards. That's all I can say. No matter whom you root for, that was not only a special, special play, but it was legit. Whoever overturned that call deserves to have their vehicle overturned. Awful.

Notre Dame has just lost its third fumble of the game's first 20 minutes. And two of those fumbles came in the red zone, which hoits. Fullback Asaph Schwapp entered the game with nine carries on the season, but for some reason Charlie made him the feature back on the last series. On Schwapp's third carry, he fumbled the ball. That's his second fumble of the season, or one every six carries.

So, Stanford took over on its own 13, and then once again Trevor Laws imposed his will on the game. Laws sacked Tavita Pritchard for an eight-yard loss on first down, was held on second down, and forced a hurried duck pass on third down. Trevor Laws...the coaches should just show the rest of the Irish film of him all week. This is how you play football.

Stanford band: "Our House", by Madness.

On first down Clausen just threw a bomb along the right sideline to Kamara. Intercepted. Taht's four turnovers in fewer than 21 minutes. Wait Reversed. Second down.

I may be wrong here, but the last time Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh was on the opposite sideline from Notre Dame, he was the Michigan QB in Lou Holtz's first game as Notre Dame coach. It was September, 1986.

Michigan, ranked 3rd, barely escaped an unranked Irish team, 24-23. John Carney missed a potential game-winning 43-yarder as time expired.

Tom Zbikowski just intercepted a pass that bounced off the chest of Stanford's Richard Sherman. Zibby reeled it in at about the 16 and he should have scored on it, but he slipped. This is the first season that Zibby has yet to score a TD for the Irish, and that might have been his best opportunity.

--Keeping you up to date on the Stanford band playlist: After the Cardinal scored a 1-yard TD, the band, as is its tradition, played "All Right Now" by Free, a song that has been around since before any Stanford students were born. Heck, almost since before I was born: 1970.

During the last timeout, they just played "Holiday" by Green Day. I wish I could fit the entire Stanford band in my rental car.

Notre Dame just went for it on 4th down from their own 37 and despite the presence of three tight ends, the play got blown up behind the line of scrimmage. The Irish D held, though, as Stanford gained just six yards and will attempt their second 48-yard field goal of the day.

No good.

ND scored two plays later on a Clausen keeper from two yards out.

Notre Dame 7-0, late in the first quarter.

--During a first quarter timeout, the Stanford band is playing Cake's "Short Skirt, Long Jacket". They really are too cool.

The Irish have fumbled and lost the ball on both their drives thus far.

Trevor Laws just blocked a 48 yard field-goal try by Stanford. As my colleague Tim Prister asked an hour ago, "Is this going to be the game where Laws finally tries hard?"

This from Deadspin: "Weather report for today's ND-Stanford game: sunny, in the mid 50s, with a likely chance of a smug front moving in for about three hours or so."

--Oh! Did you see the punt play in yesterday's Arkansas-LSU game where the ball hit the ground and the Arkansas gunner was in perfect position to down the punt at about the LSU five? The ball bounced right between his legs and then into the end zone.

On the first play from scrimmage, Robert Hughes goes off left tackle almost untouched, bursts through the secondary and gets Notre Dame's longest gain of the season, 45 yards.

And we're all wondering in the press box if James Aldridge will transfer directly to Cincinnati or attempt to enroll at Northern Illinois first. Hughes runs mean. He's having a great opening drive. And just as I type that, he fumbles after catching a swing pass. No 43 for Stanford, Chike Amajoyi, made the tackle and recovered the fumble. Clinton Snyder caused it. Too bad for the Irish: It had been a smooth drive up until that play and the Irish were on the Cardinal 7. That was the first fumble of Hughes' career.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I saw Brandon Walker nail a 50-yard field goal (minus helmet and pads) in pregame warm-ups.

The Stanford media guide, unlike Notre Dame's is chock-full of personal information about the players. The most popular film among Cardinal players? Gladiator , which 13 Cardinal players listed as their favorite. In second place was 300 , which ten players listed. The Cardinal's three top QBs liked "Ace Ventura" and "Dumb and Dumber" best.

Here's how you know it's Stanford: One Cardinal player answers the "In ten years, I'd like to be'...question with "Playing in the NFL or an orthopedic surgeon." What? You can't do both?

It's 12 minutes before kickoff, and the only crowded sections of this stadium are the Notre Dame fan sections and the press box. Yes, it's Thanksgiving break, but the Stanford student section is about ten percent full.

Overheard in the press box: "Look at those cheerleaders. They're hot and they're all going to be doctors."

--Honestly, I think there are more Stanford students in the library this moment than at this game. Then again, LSATs are next Saturday. This crowd of, I'm guessing about 23,000, is definitely pro-Irish.

--Update: Cretin-Derham Hall lost in the Minnesota 5A Prep Bowl last night to Eden Prairie, 50-21. Incoming five-star Irish wideout Michael Floyd plays for Hall.

--Also, Notre Dame upset North Carolina in women's soccer playoffs today...that's a rematch of last year's national title game, which the Tar Heels won. So, UNC loses, but you should still buy Tim Crothers' book on Anson Dorrance, "The Man Watching".

--This game was originally scheduled to air on ESPN2, but on Thursday the WWL moved it to ESPN. So that's a 3-7 team hosting a 2-9 team on ESPN. I mention this for the benefit of everyone who writes each week wondering why NBC is devoting three hours of television to the Irish. Please direct your complaints to Bristol this week.

--Statistical equity:

Stanford's leading rusher, Anthony Kimble, has gained 429 yards this season. Notre Dame's leading rusher, James Aldridge, has gained 463 (on 26 more carries).

Stanford's leading receiver, Mark Bradford, has 39 catches. Notre Dame's leading receiver, John Carlson, has 37.

Stanford's leading passer, T.C. Ostrander, is completing 55.3% of his passes. Notre Dame's, Jimmy Clausen, is completing 55.9%.

Negative Incentives

As you probably already know, the Irish need to win today to avoid having the worst record, percentage-wise, in school history (excluding the 1887 team that went 0-1 in the school's first "season" of play). Also, to avoid being the first ten-loss squad in school history.

Here are some offensive statistical "incentives":

The fewest yards on offense the Irish have averaged per game since the NCAA began recording the stats in 1946 is 220.0 in 1963 (when the Irish finished 2-7). The Irish enter today's game averaging 235.8 yards per game.

The fewest points per game? 12, also in 1963. Currently the Irish are averaging 16.0 points per game after scoring 96 points in their last three.

The fewest rushing yards per game? 125.69, last year (the BQQB Effect). 71.5. Colleague Pete Sampson notes that the Irish need to rush for 840 yards today to just equal their previous worst. Even if Adrian Peterson joins them today, that ain't happening.

A Lap Of Stanford Stadium

Just finished doing a lap around Stanford Stadium...I love that every bench has a personalized butt spot and a back to it. If you've tried sitting on the wooden benches at Notre Dame Stadium, you know that each space was designed for Kerri Strug to be comfortable. Here, a regular-sized human can actually sit without exchangind kidneys with his neighbor.

By the way, I thought it was against the law for a California Pac-10 stadium to be anything but a bowl. That's what was striking me as odd about Stanford Stadium (SS). It has a second tier, unlike the Rose Bowl, L.A. Coliseum and Memorial Stadium.

---Four degrees of ND-Stanford: ND alum Nicholas Sparks wrote "The Notebook", which starred Rachel McAdams, who also appears in "The Family Stone" with Luke Wilson, who appears with Stanford alum Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde".

--This would be a good time to note that my good buddy from high school, Sorp , who is a Stanford alum, has a website worth checking out. As bright as anyone I've ever known, Sorp is an attorney but also invented an electric car that has its own patent...he's also a poet and author and playwright, my favorite title being "The Happiness Manifesto". Check out the website for Sorp's invention when you have a chance:

www.vehicularity.com

How about yesterday's games, while we have a moment? Has there been a better day of football all season long?

--This is just me thinking, but I'm guessing the LSU football team is going to resemble the cast of 28 Days Later next weekend in Atlanta.

--Flags in Starkville, Mississippi, are at half-mast today. Ed Orgeron was just fired.

--I woke up with a sore neck this morning. That came from watching Hawaii's Blaze Soares nail that Boise State rusher in the backfield last night. Man, was that a blast hit. It was like watching a rhinoceros have a head-on collision with a bunny.

--One reason the fans in Aloha Stadium are so rowdy: they serve beer. I was there for the Hawaii Bowl last Christmas Eve, and that's what struck me--that and the brilliant sunlight. You cannot buy beer inside Notre Dame Stadium, or in most--if not all other--college football stadiums, but at Aloha you can drink beer and have some awesome polynesian food, too. Life is good on the islands.

--Let me iterate once more for effect: This is a gorgeous little stadium. It's not as epically huge as a Michigan Stadium or Neyland Stadium, but there are no bad seats, the field is in absolutely sublime condition, and it seats 50,000 fans quite cozily (the old version sat 85,000...not that half that many regularly attended).

By the way, here's just one example of the aesthetics of "The Farm", as Stanford is known (because it was built on founder and former California governor Leland Stanford's farm):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Stanford_University_Quad_Memorial_Church.JPG

Let's do a battle of famous non-sports alumni, shall we?

STANFORD

Reese Witherspoon*
John Steinbeck
Chelsea Clinton
Jennifer Connelly*
Ted Danson
Edith Head*
Herbert Hoover
Ken Kesey
Phil Knight (MBA)
Ted Koppel
Robert Mondavi
Charles Schwab
Fred Savage
Sally Ride
William Rehnquist
Jack Palance
Sandra Day O'Connor
Sigourney Weaver

*Oscar winners (and babes, at least two of 'em)

also, the co-founders of Google (Larry Page and Sergey-Brin), the co-founders of Yahoo! (David Filo and Jerry Yang), the founder of NetFlix (Reed Hastings), the CEO of Microsoft (Steve Ballmer) and the co-founders of Hewlett-Packard (William Hewlett and David Packard). Oh, and Vinton Cerf , the father of the internet.

So, not bad, Stanford.

Now, NOTRE DAME

Phil Donahue
Nicholas Sparks
Regis Philbin
George Wendt ("NORM!"...who did not graduate)
Josiah Bartlett*

*fictional

Don't feel bad, Domers. Stanford's pretty unbeatable in the famous alums department. Only UCLA really comes close. And the big boys back east, Harvard and Yale.

(Hoping you read that headline and now that horn section that opened that early '70s sitcom is swimming through your mind).

Greetings from the Alto of Palo! I'm the second one in the press box this morning--that dadburned Jeff Jeffers from WNDU also beats me here-- and I love the view (pardon me, "vista") that I have here today. I've not been inside Stanford Stadium since 1994, when the Cardinal were playing then top-ranked Arizona here. Back then the stadium had a track encircling the field and a seating capacity that the denizens of this fine university could never hope to satisfy.

But, as you probably know, moments after Notre Dame edged past the Cardinal two years ago, salvaging a BCS bid, the bulldozers motored in and the stadium renovation began. What we have before us now is a beautiful, Home Depot Stadium-style field. The stadium is sunken into the ground. It's two tiers of seats that completely encircle the greass field. Behind the upper tier of both end zones us are grass promenades and benches. I'm not sure if those benches are reserved--they must be--but it's a totally cas atmosphere.

From where I sit in the press box, I can look east toward the hills of the east bay. Yesterday I spent a few hours on campus. If you've never been here, Stanford must be (cover your eyes, Domers) the most beautiful campus in the country. Or at least in the top five. My favorites would be Stanford, Notre Dame, UCLA and Princeton. I'm not talking about college towns; I'm talking about the campus itself.

Just beyond the football stadium sits Stanford's track, where some of the greatest middle-distance runners of the past few decades have run. And you can run there yourself--as I did yesterday. It's pretty and quaint and there's a great little souvenir store ("The Stanford Track House") just beyond one corner of it. After doing a few laps around the track, I ran through campus and then onto the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, which is 1,200 acres of hilly brush. There's a paved loop road, I'm guessing about five miles in circumference, that is ideal for running.

And it really is wild land out there. I passed a sign that warned "Active Mountain Lion Area". I didn't see any mountain lions, though. A few cougars, but no mountain lions.

Are you watching this game!?!

Arkansas-LSU!!! Why do people prefer the NFL, again?

Quick thoughts:

--Kirk Herbstreit is a terrific analyst, but is there anyone better than the man he replaced as Brent Musberger's partner for the ABC prime-time telecast? Gary Danielson is working this game, along with that old Hobbit from Middle Earth, Vern Lundquist, and he is off-the-charts astuteness-wise.

-- Before the game I wondered, in the weekly picks, if Arkansas' Darren McFadden could set himself up for the Heisman by rushing for 200 yards and perhaps throwing a touchdown. McFadden ended regulation with 174 yards, two TDs rushing and one passing. But Arkansas is going to have to win this in OT for McFadden to have a shot.

--Houston Nutt may have finally put the nail in the coffin to the rule of allowing coaches to call timeout from the sidelines. LSU was facing 4th-and-goal at about the five near the end of regulation. The Tigers set up five wide, put QB Matt Flynn in the shotgun formation. Danielson, my man, smelled a QB draw (and he was right). Flynn scored on the play. Nutt, however--and haven't you been waiting all season for a coach to do this--called timeout just before the snap and the score was nullified.
And now Les Miles had to come up with another fourth-down trump card. Luckily, this is LSU, and nobody comes up aces more often this season, so they scored on the ensuing play. But what if they hadn't? What if LSU had been somewhat robbed of a shot at the BCS championship game because of Nutt's sideline timeout call? Can we change this rule before New Year's Day? Is there anyone in favor of it?

--I don't know if Houston Nutt is nuts, but his offense sure is fun to watch. How did these Razorbacks, with McFadden and Felix Jones and Marcus Monk and Peyton Hillis, lose four games this season? I know it's the SEC, but there's just no way.

-- What was Arkansas thinking on their final drive of regulation? Jones returned the kickoff to the 45 yard-line and the Hogs went run, run on the first two plays. Suddenly there are 20 seconds left in regulation? Even on the 4th down play, there were nine seconds remaining. Danielson suggested the home run ball, which is the first thing we've disagreed upon all day. Why not just have a wideout do a crossing pattern of about 15 yards and flood everyone else deep. The wideout catches the pass and is ordered to fall as soon as he catches it. It's college, so he would be down and that would stop the clock. Then hustle out the field goal team as the refs are moving the chains. Is that not doable?

--Can we just play the BCS Championship Game at Tiger Stadium, please? It seats more people than the Superdome and I've yet to see a boring game there this season. I don't even care if LSU does or doesn't make it. Death Valley is college football. That's where I'd play the game. Fans can bus or Hummer limo an hour west on I-10, no?

--Darren McFadden just scored a TD to start the second overtime for the Hogs. That's three rushing TDs, one passing TD, closing in on 200 yards rushing, and a potential upset of the No. 1 school in the nation. I still have Tebow number one on my Heisman list, but McFadden is 1-A now.

--LSU has offensive players named Hitt and Zinger. College football is the best.

--Was that a bathroom break that sent Matt Flynn into the locker room after regulation? I saw that he took a nasty hit to his right shoulder, but he was barely inside the bowels of the stadium long enough to do anything other than empty his own. Did they retape his shoulder? What?

--Over on ABC, Colt McCoy is being physically abused yet again and Jack Arute is sporting the world's scroungiest goatee. Colt McCoy. The last time I saw anyone take a beating like that, candy came out of them.

--Tackling LSU's Jacob Hester is like trying to tackle a runaway pig.

--It's now 42-42 as we start the third overtime. Hmmm, three overtimes. Wonder if anyone in Baton Rouge is having flashbacks. Let's wait until this one finishes before we speculate on what might happen if the Tigers lose. In terms of the BCS championship, that is. I do know this, though. If LSU loses, I'll take the SEC East champion in the SEC title game next Saturday and you can have LSU.
And something tells me that, as we are watching, folks in towns like Slidelll and Opelousas and Bogalusa are cursing Lloyd Carr right now.

--Craig Steltz of LSU. He and Ali Highsmith are defensive studs. Tackle Glenn Dorsey seems to be everyone's favorite defensive player, NFL draft-wise, but Steltz and Highsmith are gamers. About two years ago, back in the fourth quarter, Steltz saved a Razorback TD on a reverse to Felix Jones by overruning the play. Steltz was outnumbered three to one by Hog blockers, and he realized his only chance was to take away the sideline and force Jones back inside. That he did, in effect nullifying Jones' downfield blocking. Saved a touchdown on the play.

--Peyton Hillis, who's been a work horse in overtime, just scored Arkansas' third overtime TD. Seriously, I know Arkansas has had injuries this season, but how did this offense not earn this team nine or ten wins this season? They're doing this against LSU's defense, after all.

--How wild is this? Arkansas just scored its two-point conversion with McFadden on the sideline. Shades of Reggie Bush sitting out USC's 4th-down play versus Texas two Rose Bowls ago, but this time it worked.

--ESPN is now negotiating with CBS to begin simulcasting this one on ESPN Classic. Why not? Listen to the LSU crowd. Pretty silent. Are they just worn out? Or are all the flasks empty?

--Brandon LaFell scores. Now LSU must go for two. It's 50-48, Arkansas, and I'm not even sure this will be the day's second-highest scoring game. Colorado already depantsed Nebraska, 65-51, while Boise State and Hawaii are warming up in Honolulu.

-ARKANSAS WINS!!!! 50-48, Razorbacks. And as the Hogs' Richardson intercepts Matt Flynn's pass in the back of the end zone, my friend Moose phones and begs, "I mean, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?!?"

Here's what it means:

--LSU, which had not lost in its home state since September 26, 2005--and had not lost at home in regulation since a 19-7 loss to Florida on October 11, 2003-- is not going to the BCS Championship game in New Orleans. Laissez les mauvais temps rouler.

--LSU remains the best team in the nation in two overtimes or less.

--Ladder golf aficionados in Morgantown, W.V., and Columbus, Ohio, are checking early January flight fares to New Orleans. Here's how it plays out. If Texas, down 14 to Texas A&M late in the fourth quarter, loses, then the winner of tomorrow night's Missouri-Kansas "Border War" likely faces Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game. If the Mizzou-Kansas winner also wins the Big 12, they're in the BCS championship game.

--Ohio State is done playing. The Buckeyes are suddenly HUGE Connecticut fans. If the Huskies defeat West Virginia tomorrow, Ohio State is likely the other team in the BCS title game. If West Virginia wins, the guess here is that the Mountaineers, currently third in the BCS rankings, will be headed to the Crescent City.

--The winner of tonight's Hawaii-Boise State game is basically in as a BCS bowl team. Or at least they oughta be.

--Here's where it gets wild. What if Missouri beats Kansas and then loses to Oklahoma? Do any of those three Big 12 teams make the BCS title game? Does a two-loss Oklahoma team deserve a BCS title shot any more than a two-loss SEC champion, be it LSU or--potentially--Georgia? In that case it would be West Virginia versus Ohio State?

And what if UConn defeats West Virginia? Then what? The Buckeyes and whom? Does Southern Cal edge its way back into the conversation? Does Kansas, as the only remaining one-loss team, get a shot versus the Buckeyes? Hawaii, though undefeated, just will not climb high enough to get a shot...although it would be an entertaining game, wouldn't it?

Here's all I can tell you for sure right now: There's no definitive No. 1--or No. 2--team this season. Five No. 2s have lost, and now three No. 1s have fallen. The closest we have remaining to perfection is Kansas. Assuming West Virginia wins, they belong in my mind ahead of Ohio State based on the quality of their loss. The Mountaineers lost on the road and without their best player most of the game. The Buckeyes, with everyone healthy, lost at home. Illinois may be better than USF, but South Florida was playing fantastic football back in September.
Also, I can tell you that the BC title game may not be the 2006 Rose Bowl (Texas-USC), but there's not a team I've just mentioned that is not fun to watch. Every last one of them: Kansas, Mizzou, WVU, Ohio State, Southern Cal, even LSU, they're all big fun.

--P.S. Watching the ABC telecast of Texas-ATM machine (I mean, check out the helmets). Jack Arute is conducting an awkward post-game interview with a white-haired Big 12 coach who is establishing a new benchmark for being taciturn. Who set the clock back to 2003?

We're shuttin' down the blog. We need to do our snappy NFL blitz and have it in by 10 in the am so put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Bobby Petrino's whipping challenge flags all over the yard and having no success.

First, after an Indy touchdown, the Falcons had a mild drive going when Antoine Bethea blew up a Falcon, popping the ball loose. He made the pick then fumbled/lateraled to Bob Sanders who returned it into Atlanta territory.

Petrino was going to challenge the pick but that wasn't worth challenging. Whether or not Hayden's knee was down before the fumble would have been.

Later, after a catch by Anthony Gonzalez on the sideline, a play was run by the Colts then Petrino tried to challenge a play late.

Mike Carey was about to grant the challenge then realized a play had occurred.

Ben Utecht just scored and it's 21-13. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Falcons missed chance to gain even more momentum.

After a third-and-1 stop by Atlanta, DeMarrio Williams ran into Hunter Smith on the ensuing punt and Indy got a drive extender.

The Falcons were irate but Williams slid right under Smith and, as Smith came back to the ground, he landed on Williams and fell.

An easy call. The punter's got to be given a place to land.

Atlanta got a field goal off the long Norwood kickoff return and has a 13-7 lead.

Joseph Addai is questionable to return with a neck injury suffered on his second carry.

Atlanta has the ball at the Indy 41 already thanks to a long kickoff return by Jerious Norwood and a 15-yard late hit penalty applied to Colts defensive lineman Darrell Reid.

The Colts can't cover kicks. Punts. Kickoffs. Can't cover 'em. And they can't protect Peyton Manning right now either. And he's responding with a mild case of panic.

Indy just got a touchdown pass to Dallas Clark wiped out by a facemask penalty on a severe facemask by tight end Bryan Fletcher.

The Colts got down inside the Atlanta 20 on a nice pitch-and-catch with Anthony Gonzalez. It's now second-and-goal from the 23 and Manning hits Reggie Wayne for the TD.

Addai just got dinged and hasn't yet returned then on third down, Peyton Manning threw left for Reggie Wayne on the sidelines and he was so well-covered it looked intended for rookie CB Chris Houston. Manning got away with it and the Falcons are pinned on their own 4 to start the drive.

After his second carry of the night, Colts running back Joseph Addai got hit a glancing blow and was down for a period. Bryant Gumbel blissfully talked away introducing the Atlanta defense while Addai lay there for 15 seconds.

Not like the injury might be noteworthy or anything.

Addai looks like he got a little whiplash action.

Roddy White (!) just ran past corner Donte White and caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Joey Harrington on a third-and-2 play. The Colts were whistled for offsides on third-and-7 to bring up the third-and-2. They already have three penalties and there's 3:44 left in the first quarter.

This is a very dangerous game for the Colts tonight...Atlanta is playing without a care in the world.

Prediction? Indy will be trailing at the half.

Oop and Manning just got sacked on third and 6 to end the Colts first drive.

Second-and-10 from the Indy 16. The Falcons have picked up two fourth downs and are slugging downfield on the ground.

Colts look....ehhh....

Now for their 18th play...third down and 10 and Joey Harrington threw way high.

He missed two receivers in the end zone and the Falcons settle for a field goal.

Nice drive but it should have been 7.

This blog's been keeping an eye on the Packers-Lions game while doing pre-feast stuff around the house.

Some impressions...

1. I don't much care how tough Jon Kitna is. He makes some of the dumbest decisions. On Detroit's last drive, while down 14-9 just before the break, the Packers were in the midst of blowing up a screen pass designed for T.J. Duckett. Kitna kept retreating though and rolling to his right while the plodding Duckett got closer and closer to the sideline. Finally, Kitna threw the ball to Duckett while being pulled down from behind. The pass was dropped - fortunately for Detroit because it would have been a loss of about 5. And Kitna was dropped as he threw and twisted his ankle. When the screen is going bad, throw it out of bounds in the general direction of the receiver.

2. Calvin Johnson was supposed to be a can't-miss wide receiver prospect and I bought in based on the billing. He needs to figure out just what kind of wideout he's going to be -- speed guy or angular guy. He doesn't seem to get enough separation and I think it's because he wants to jump over people and be a long strider. He can be both. Randy Moss is. Terrell Owens is. Johnson was supposed to be in their class.

3. The Packers have lost Charles Woodson and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila for stretches today. Wondrous as Favre (and my personal new favorite little dude wideout Greg Jennings) have been, if they start getting dinged on defense to key guys like that (or Nick Barnett or Aaron Kampman) the bloom comes off a little bit.

4. As I predicted (which was as hard as predicting that night follows day) the Packers have been battering Kitna. According to Fox, In 19 attempts, Kitna's been sacked three times, hit six times and hurried seven times.

5. I've always wondered - do sacks and hits count in the hurry category? And how hard do you have to be hit to be hit...two hand touch with a little push?

My colleague, friend and fashion adviser, Alan Abrahamson , opined on David Beckham on his blog yesterday. You should check it out. It's all about, well, now that the MLS season has concluded ("HOUSTON DYNAMO!! WOOO!!!!"), how do we assess the impact and importance of one Mr. David Beckham...and Posh.

Here's my two quid on the subject...

If I owned the Galaxy, I would have saved the Becks money and simply hired Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra. They work well together on the pitch, have more of an upside over the next ten years, and both of them have a crush on their coach...which makes for intrigue, which sells newspapers, which brings fans to the Home Depot Center.

Or, I would have renamed the team the Los Angeles Galaxy Quest and installed Tim Allen as coach. Can't you just see Alan Rickman's mug on the big screen at games, after each goal scored against them, proclaiming, "By Grapthar's Hammer, by the Sons of Warvan, you shall be...avenged!"

So Lloyd Carr has announced his retirement as Michigan coach.

You just wonder: is there more to this than the criticism that comes with an 8-4 season?

For instance, how's his health?

On Boston radio station WEEI, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was challenged about the lopsided scores his team has been winning by.

There's been a lot of hue-and-cry about New England continuing to score points in the second halves of games they were already comfortably ahead in.

Brady, who does a call-in bit in the morning with hosts John Dennis and Gerry Callahan (both of whom have been critical of the Pats pouring it on), had this to say..."We're still trying to make improvements and we're trying to play extremely well. We're not trying to win 42-28, we're trying to kill people. We're trying to blow them out if we can. You want to build momentum for each week. You don't want to be up 42-7 or 35-7 and all of a sudden you look up and it's 35-21. We don't want to be part of that. You don't want to go into the next week realizing that for the last 18 minutes of the game your team

So get this...in my Boston Globe this morning I see a Mike Vick note saying that, due to Vick's "deteriorating financial condition" prosecutors asked US District Judge Henry Hudson to set aside money for the care and feeding of the dogs found on Vick's Surry County property. That stipulation was part of Vick's sentence.

How much money have they ultimately requested?

$928,000.

As of October 2, 49 dogs seized from Vick's home last April were in "custody." One was going to be euthanized because of excessively aggressive behavior during attempts to evaluate it and a history of aggressiveness.

On October 16, Hudson approved the neutering of the remaining 48 dogs and gave the OK to implant them with microchips.

He also appointed a Valparaiso University law professor, Rebecca Huss to be the guardian/special master for the dogs.

Between the evaluations, kennel-housing, neutering, microchips and Huss, do we arrive at a total doggie daycare cost of nearly a million dollars?

Something tells me the $19,333.33 that each of the 48 remaining dogs will have set aside for them won't be carefully spent. But that's just cynical me.

Check this from Our Man On The Left Coast, Alan Abrahamson...

Alan, do me the math - I'm not much for fancy cipherin' - how much per minute did Lord Becks earn this year?

And, since you have NOTHING better to do pre-Thanksgiving that peel taters, who made more in 2007...Becks per minute or Roger Clemens per inning.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

As cruel and awful as what Michael Ron Mexico Vick did to those dogs--and there's nothing funny about that--I am intrigued and amused by his turning himself into jailers three weeks before sentencing. That entire concept had eluded me for the first 41 years of my life. Now, though, Vick has opened a whole new realm of punitive possibilities to me. Here's what I emailed G.A. earlier today:

I like this whole idea of being able to turn yourself into prison and begin serving time before you've been sentenced. Can we just begin doing that before we've even committed a crime? Like, I'll just do a week in the joint in January cuz nothing's going on here, anyway. Or, what if I cannot find a reasonable holiday fare to Miami? Can I ask to be extradited since I'm planning to pull a heroin deal there next year?

Naturally, G.A. had a thought on the subject, and just as naturally, his was more amusing:

Excellent. Pre-extradition. You could have appointments: we can get you in for a third-degree felony in February, which isn't really peak season, so could have you out of there in like 30 days, max. If you end up not committing the crime, they keep the time served in escrot for you. Rollover prison time. I could run for office in south Florida on this platform alone.

The Houston Dynamo have won the MLS Cup! Again!

Big whoop.

I could have sworn I was told, repeatedly, that this was going to be the summer soccer became relevant in this country.

It didn't. And -- sorry, soccer crazies -- it never will.

It was only a few short months ago, beneath a broiling Southern California sun, that I was watching Posh herself, Victoria Beckham, sashay across the Home Depot Center pitch in stiletto heels and sheath dress. Moments later, here came Becks himself, David Beckham, heralded far and wide as the savior of the MLS and as the future of American soccer.

For zaniness, that news conference might yet be the all-timer. The only other one I've been at that even merits consideration is the happening in Sydney at the 2000 Summer Games, when C.J. Hunter and Victor Conte took center stage, Marion Jones made a choreographed cameo and then, from the wings, out popped celebrity lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.

At any rate -- now that the summer of Beckham is over, what, really, can we say that he accomplished? He played 252 minutes for the Los Angeles Galaxy in five MLS games; he scored no goals; mostly, he was hurt. The Galaxy didn't even make the MLS playoffs. And Houston won.

Do you know anyone who cares?

Not me.

"Tim Tebow is going down this week. Ya'll put that down, that is our attitude."
-Geno Hayes, FSU linebacker
Best part of Thanksgiving:
-hanging with my family.
-the great food.
-lots of wine.
-Florida is warm which means nice days at the beach.
-FLORIDA STATE-FLORIDA game.

Each team coluld be 0-11 and it wouldn't matter. It's the last game of the season and it's the one you want to win.
Let the trash talking begin.

Fact: Every sports fan has a rival.
Fact: Rivals are not friends.
Fact: I hate the Gators.

Today however let us play a little hypothetical game. Lets say one day I'm walking down Broadway and suddenly out of absolutely nowhere I get struck by a lightning bolt. (Cause it is proven that a strike of lightning can transform you) And this particular bolt happened to be the tacky color of orange and blue. I fall to the ground and am knocked out.

Fast forward to six minutes later. I'm surrounded by people trying to help me. They ask me questions I should know the answers to in order to make sure I am ok.

"What is your name?"
"Tiffany." -check.
"Where were you born?"
"Houston, Texas." -check.
"Foods that you hate?"
"Pickles and all purple foods." -check.
"Who is your favorite football team?"
"The Florida Gators." -uhoh.

GASP...

The Lions got the ball back and had one last crack to win over the Giants but a Jon Kitna pass intended for Shaun McDonald ricoched off McDonald's hands and was picked off.

I'm heading down to kick through the wreckage.

Jon Kitna just threw deep on second-and-10 from his own 49 and got picked off in the end zone by James Butler. Now there's 1:49 left and the Lions have two timeouts left.

Detroit is soon to be 6-4.

Lions rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson just picked a 35-yard touchdown pass out of the hands of Giants corner Kevin Dockery to make it 16-10 with 4:34 left.

It was Johnson's third catch of the game. The other two each went for 5 yards.

Johnson hadn't scored a touchdown since the Lions second game of the season.

The Giants have gone up 16-3 in this deathly boring game between 6-3 teams. There's 11:15 left. Even though the Lions have moved the ball some they have only gotten inside the Giants 30 yard line once.

Kitna just hit Roy Williams for 30 yards to get it out to midfield.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs is done for the day. He has a hamstring injury. His day ends with 54 yards on 11 carries.

Reuben Droughns will be getting Jacobs' carries through the final quarter.

With a 41-yard field goal, Jason Hanson just passed Lou "The Toe" Groza for 10th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list.

Talk about an assualt on the ears. The good people at Ford Field can't let a second pass without either a promotion, ad, PSA or song blaring at brain-rattling volume. It's freakin' ridiculous.

Meanwhile, the Lions just got on the board with a 41-yard Jason Hanson field goal to make it 10-3 and then they immediately gave up a 68-yard kickoff return to Giant Ahmad Bradshaw.

Lions right tackle George Foster was out for the last series, replaced by Blaine Saipaia. No injury was announced so my assumption is the Lions coaches were able to see what my beady little untrained eyes picked up on too.

Foster can't block.

The Colts are tied with the Chiefs 3-3 as their game in Indy nears halftime and Colts president Bill Polian is probably looking to jack somebody up.

Peyton Manning is 6 for 16 for 62 yards with a pick (his seventh in the past two games) and Adam Vinatieri's missed two field goals in the first half which, after last Sunday's backbreaking miss, is cause for real concern.

He missed from 49 and 38 before hitting from 27.

The Colts have recovered two Chiefs fumbles deep in KC territory and have just the one field goal to show for it.

After running the ball four times on their first drive of the game, the Lions have gone back to the air almost exclusively.

Detroit's got 16 yards on eight carries and Jon Kitna is now 7 for 13 for 94 yards through the air.

Neither route is getting the Lions much in the way of results.

Even though Kitna's only been sacked once, he's been under heavy pressure much of the half and his decision-making and ball security have been poor. Twice he's gotten away with throwing incomplete and wild while being sacked when taking the loss would have been the reasonable decision.

Oh, and George Foster can't handle Michael Strahan. And we're talking about the Lions right tackle not the former Reds slugger.

With the Giants on the move in Detroit territory, wide receiver Sinorice Moss was stripped by Kenoy Kennedy at the Detroit 21. Kennedy recovered, snuffing the drive.

Meanwhile, the Giants main wide receiver, Plaxico Burress came off the field and ranted first at head coach Tom Coughlin then at nobody in particular after the Moss fumble.

Burress so far has one catch for 9 yards and Giants quarterback Eli Manning misfired on two attempts in Burress' direction on the opening drive.

Cause if you do, you'll find this article to be nothing short of hilarious.

DA GREAT WHITE HYPE blogged a HIlls type version of the Yankees talk with Alex Rodriguez.

Enjoy!

Matthias Kiwanuka broke his left fibula on the second play from scrimmage today. The Giants linebacker was rolled up on by Michael Strahan

That will end Kiwanuka's season. The second-year man out of Boston College had 45 tackles and 4.5 sacks in the Giants first nine games.

Kiwanuka's backup on the depth chart is Reggie Torbor.

Giants running back Brandon Jacobs caught a little checkdown pass from Eli Manning and went for 34 yards and just had a nice 11-yard gain as the Giants are at the Detroit 17.

Giants linebacker Matthias Kiwanuka just got his left ankle rolled on by Michael Strahan on the Lions second play from scrimmage and he was helped off the field. Given the ugly twist of the leg, his return may not be too hasty.

Lions free safety Idrees Bashir went down while blocking on the opening kickoff with an apparent knee injury and he was just carted off the field.

Want to get in the heads of the opponent before kickoff?

Make them take the field accompanied by Abba's Dancing Queen. That's what the Lions did. Hysterical.

All right, it's the start of make or break week for the Lions.

By Friday morning, they can be 8-3 or 6-5. With the Giants in town today and the Packers here on Thanksgiving, the Lions at least have the opportunity to do their damage at home where they've been very tough in 2007 (4-0).

The matchup to watch today is Lions right tackle George Foster trying to fend off Giants defensive end Michael Strahan. The Lions lead the NFL in sacks allowed (40) and the Giants have 32 in nine games.

The Lions are a home underdog today and should be after last week's embarrassing loss to to the Cardinals.

The Irish are currently pitching a shutout with 10:57 remaining. Notre Dame has not shut out an opponent since November 23, 2002, when the Irish beat Rutgers 42-0 during the first year of the Tyrone Willingham era (hey, he wasn't such a bad coach, after all). Since then the Irish have been shut out four times, three of them at home. Michigan blanked the Irish twice, Southern Cal once and Florida State once.

Oddly, three of those four shutouts had the identical score: 38-0. The fourth, via the Seminoles, was 37-0/

Robert Hughes is the new ND student body favorite. Every time he carries for positive yardage, a loud "Huuuuuuuuuuuuughes!" emanates from the northwest corner of the stands.

They're beginning to do the wave and it is raining...both our firsts for the 2007 season at Notre Dame, thankfully.

Duke just went for it on fourth down at midfield and missed. Here's thinking that Charlie is jonesing to put another TD--or three--on the board before this one's over.

The two big developments today:

1) Jimmy Clausen has learned to tuck it and run for positive yardage when the heat is on in the pocket.

2) The Irish have discovered a three-headed tailback in speedy Armando Allen, leg-churning Robert Hughes, and powerful James Aldridge. Again, you have to consider the competition, but all three of these guys look as if they belong in the backfield. So my only question is how come Charlie never has two of them in at the same time? Wouldn't that make it more difficult for the defense to key on one back all the time? Especially when Asaph Schwapp, the fullback, has all of zero carries this afternoon?

--As I typed that, Hughes just ran for 33 yards, mostly on improvisation.

You know what's cool? Duke point guard Greg Paulus has an older brother (whose name I don't know) and that older brother has a father-in-law named Pat Haden. NBC's Pat Haden. Kinda cool.

Duke's actual back-up QB is named Zack Asack , a name that sounds more apt for an Irish QB. Too bad Asack, a former starter, no longer has the job. The Zack Asack Attack! would make a sweet T-shirt. It still may be a good band name.

Thought I'd supply you with some jump-off-the-page halftime numbers....

Duke: 1-7 on 3rd downs

Duke: 25 yards rushing on 13 carries

Clausen: 13-23, 169 yards, 2 TDs (not quite Tebowesque, but not bad)

Slices of pizza I've eaten: One...I'm keeping an eye on the post-game spread

Time of possession: Notre Dame 18:59, Duke 11:01

Duke's best rusher: Re'quan Boyette, 14 yards; Notre Dame's: Robert Hughes, 39 yards.

and the most important number...

Fumbles: Duke, 2 (both lost); Notre Dame 0.

Tuba players (we counted): Duke 2, Notre Dame 16.

Also, this great stat from the AP's Tom Coyne....Notre Dame has never lost to a team that finished the season with seven or more losses.

Jimmy Clausen just fired a laser to David Grimes for the game's first score. The pass covered 25 yards, and Clausen split two safeties to find Grimes running a post pattern. Grimes dove and caught the pass right at the goal line.

The 59-yard drive included a pair of 25-yard plays: Grimes' catch and Robert Hughes' 25-yard rush on 4th-and-inches at the Duke 49. What makes that noteworthy is that Hughes' run was Notre Dame's second-longest of the season and Grimes' catch tied for ND's longest TD pass of the season.

And as soon as I type that Jimmy Clausen just threw a second 25-yard TD pass, to Duval Kamara. Suddenly, it's 14-0 Irish.

Nice for Notre Dame, but it's inexplicable (as in, not explicable) why Duke would call a screen pass on third down in their own territory with less than :30 remaining in the half. The Irish have no timeouts, so it wasn't as if ND was going to be able to stop the clock. Go into halftime down 7-0. Instead, the Irish have what equals their largest lead of the season with a 14-0 lead at the half....

Meanwhile, in the student section, it's an all-out marshmallow barrage...mostly among the seniors. Tradition really never does graduate.

This is like watching a boxing match between Felix Unger and Les Nessman.

Notre Dame waited until playing its worst opponent to play its worst half of the season...and that's saying something. It may not be their worst half--who has time, or the will, to comb through the candidates--but they look positively inept.

As Mr. Haden just said, "Just bad football."

Tomorrow afternoon, on this very field, Keenan Hall faces Stanford Hall for the men's interhall football championship. That will surely be a better game, in terms of execution. Oh, and in women's interhall football, Cavanaugh faces Welsh. That will be a more physical game.

The Irish have already committed two dumb 15-yard penalties inside the Duke 10-yard line. Eric Maust just nailed a beauty punt that was fielded on the Duke 7, and the returner slipped and fell. Even though the returner was already on the ground, Notre Dame gunner Mike Anello , brimming with too much enthusiasm, went in for the hit. Anello nearly entirely missed the Dookie--the Irish cannot even commit personal fouls competently-- but it was a late hit. Fifteen yards.

The Irish are shooting themselves in the foot...but missing their foot.

Are you as sick of instant replay as I am? The more I watch college football games this season, the more weary I grow of it. We don't see instant replay once a half. Not once a quarter even anymore. Did you see the Oregon-Arizona game on Thursday night? And now this one. It's as if every potential fumble and every sideline pass needs to be reviewed.

Sure, getting it correct is important...but so is getting home before Sunday. As Pat Haden just said on-air as a Duke fumble was being reviewed (and why is he being so pro-Duke, by the way!), "I've gotten home from games in less time than this, and I live in California."

Here are my problems:

--Even with replay, the game is far from perfect. Last Sunday night in the Colt-Charger game, a Colt linebacker made a great interception in the endzone, got up untouched, and ran it all the way back to the Charger six yard-line. But, a ref had whistled the play dead. So we sat through five minutes of review to not even fully correct the zebra's mistake: they gave Indy the INT, but they had to take the ball out on the 20.

--Certain plays cannot be reviewed, such as the obvious offensive pass interference we all just saw.

--Finally, it all evens out in the end. With our without instant replay, occasionally you're going to get screwed on a call. It's just that with instant replay, you constantly disrupt the flow of the game. If we have to keep instant replay--and I'm for abolishing it; baseball has no instant replay, sometimes an ump misses a call (Colorado Rockies Matt Holliday's game-winning slide versus the Padres in the one-game playoff, for example), and life goes on-- let's limit it to the last five minutes in a game on scoring plays. That's good enough for me.

Is it a good sign that the man who runs Notre Dame's offense is named "Charlie" and the man who runs its defense is named "Brown"? AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

--Duke warmed up in their traditional road white jerseys and blue pants, but then they've returned to the field wearing the 1916 Cumberland uniforms. Nice touch there.

--One of the more physically impressive specimens on the sideline prior to each home game is (present company exlcuded) is local high school senior Braxston Cave , whose first name will drive copy editors nuts for years to come. Cave, a center at Mishawaka Penn High School, is 6-4, 295 pounds and has verbally committed to the Irish. I like that he wears his letter jacket and on the back it just says "CAVE". Will his nickname be "Caveman" or will we just jump it directly to "Geico"?

--For the first time in my two years' blogging, I have audio for the NBC telecast (courtesy of our peerless production man, Randy). So I can listen in to Tom and Pat and blast them for being too complimentary to Notre Dame's opponent, just like you guys do.

--On your two-deep chart today, please note that Alex Flanagan is out (maternity leave) and subbing for her is Craig Sager...wearing the most muted colored blazer I've ever seen him in.

--Duke wins the toss, and is deferring both to the second half and its law school acceptance.

On 3rd-and-11 the Irish just converted perhaps their nicest 3rd down of the season, a 41-yard pass to John Carlson. As millions of viewers simultaneously proclaimed, "Where has that been all year?", Carlson ran straight down the middle, split the safeties and caught a pretty pass. Duke blitzed, but ND's backs picked it up.

Carlson carried two tacklers down to the four, got to his knees and signaled first down. And for that a ref threw a flag. Back to the 19 yard-line.

On the following play, Clausen should have been flagged for intentional grounding, but for some reason the refs did not flag that. I have a hard time believing that was not a make-up call.

Walker misses a 30-yard field goal attempt wide right. If the Irish had had first-and-goal at the Duke 4, this might have been a different story.

(that would be Duke middle linebacker Michael Tauiliili, whose vowel-laden name will give Tom Hammond fits this afternoon)

Odd Notes:

--Notre Dame entered its final home game of last season having won nine of its previous ten games. It enters its final home game of this season having lost nine of its ten previous games.

--It's unlikely, but should the Irish lose this week to Duke and win next week at Stanford, they'd follow the blueprint of the school's two previous two-win teams (1963, 1960) of having only beaten California-based Pac-10 schools in those seasons. In '60 the Irish beat California in their seaon-opener and Southern Cal, in L.A., in their final game of the year. In between they lost eight straight. In '63 they beat USC and UCLA on consecutive weekends in South Bend.

--Best sign I saw this morning: a man about my age was wearing a "Play Like A Champion Today" sweatshirt, but he'd put masking tape over "Today" and replaced it with "Next Year".

--In case you didn't see Johntourager Fred Shaheen's comment below, here's the link to Lou Holtz's pep talk for Notre Dame that first aired on ESPN two nights ago:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/video?id=3112943

Is there an Emmy category in which Lou's pep talks this season can be nominated? They're awesome.

--Is this the worst network televised game, in terms of both teams' records, that has ever been? I'm checking into the records of Army and Navy to see if that is the case.

--Troubling stat for Notre Dame fans. As much as they'd like to believe the offense has improved--and there were signs of stability in the second half a week ago-- Notre Dame's three longest pass plays and three longest running plays of the season all took place in September.
The longest play from scrimmage since the Purdue game was John Carlson's 28-yard catch on the first play from scrimmage against Air Force last week--which he fumbled and lost (Robby Parris also had a 28-yard grab versus Boston College). The longest run since September was James Aldridge's 16-yarder versus the Falcons last week.

--Kirk Herbstreit must be thrilled that he didn't have to fly from GameDay to the ABC game this week, as he's doing the color for Ohio State-Michigan. It's 7-3, Buckeyes, in the second quarter. Bo and Woody must be guest-coaching.

--Lee Corso, on Charlie Weis earlier today: "Eighty percent of the time the team with the better players wins." (the other 20% of the time, Navy wins).

Last night, on the eve of the final Notre Dame home game of the season, I headed out to Corby's (local watering hole) with two friends on the beat, Mike Rothstein of the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette and ND senior Ken Fowler of The Observer . Good times. We happened upon Joe Schad of ESPN, who's a real swell (as they used to say fifty years ago...and that's a compliment). It was sort of funny because Joe was relating to us how The Observer has now put all of its staff off-limits to national media (too many bad appearances on "First Take", I suspect). Of course, in the twenty minutes we were discussing all this, Joe was talking to one of the most senior members of the newspaper in Ken.

Earlier in the evening, Pat Haden (who keeps climbing in the rankings of my "Favorite People I Verbally Joust with Each Week") had invited an ND all-male a cappella group to serenade us during dinner. I believe my request ("Do you know any Black Flag?") fell on deaf ears, but the students were terrific and it was a hoot just to shoot the breeze with them for an hour or so afterward. One guy brought his pulchritudinous girlfriend who's a first-year medical student, and seeing them together reminded me of Eddie Murphy's old line: "Just sing!"

The other epiphany of the night: There were nine male singers and the one girlfriend. Nine guys. One girl. The boy:girl ratio has improved since my undergrad days here.

Tales from the pep rally: I missed it, but am told that each senior walked up with some family members, held a helmet and posed to have their photo taken. Except for Zibby, who actually placed the helmet on his head for the photo. I will miss Zibby. It has been a shockingly disappointing season for both the Irish and for him, but every team needs guys like that. Charisma guys whom the other players follow even if he says nothing. It'll be interesting to see who fills that void next season, though on defense I think it'll be Pat Kuntz and Mo Crum. On offense? Well, if Sam Young's 5:30 a.m. visit to Charlie Weis's office earlier this week is any indication, maybe it'll be the 6-8, 315-pound sophomore.

"One day you're in. The next day you're out."
-Heidi Klum, Project Runway

Alex is in.
Alex is out.
Alex wants to talk.
Alex is back in.

WTH? Did you keep up with all of this? How is Baseball, BASEBALL, as in the season was over weeks ago, still making all the headlines in sports at the end of November? All I can say, is that if both parties are happy then fine. Get it over with. Sign the papers. Bring him back to the Bronx.

Busy day in the world of number 25.

Barry was indicted on federal perjury and obstruction of justice charges.
Bonds' personal trainer was released from prison today.

Recap: Dude sat in a cell for a year because he wouldn't speak out against his client. What oh what could he have said that got him out of jail???

After all that has happened today, Barry might start rethinking that "I don't want an asterisk on my record" situation. Holding the homerun record with a little star next to it versus sitting in jail and being stripped of the title all together?

Note: Innocent until proven guilty. Sometimes opinions are formed regardless of evidence. Rumors don't make you guilty. Now if he was caught lying? Psshhttt.. you're in trouble!

What do you get when you morph The Upside of Anger with The Family Stone and then somehow make it five times more charming than either film despite--and this is a huge DESPITE--the presence throughout of Dane Cook?

You get "Dan In Real Life", which Steve Carrell, Juliette Binoche, a limp-free John Mahoney and Dianne "Don't speak...please, don't speak" Weist turn into one of my favorite films of the year. And, no, this isn't the one with Ryan Gosling and the blow-up doll. Observations:

1) Both Evan Rachel Wood AND Dakota Fanning are going bat-sh*! on their agents for not landing them a role in this movie as one of Dan's daughters.
2) "Ten letters meaning 'If something can go wrong it will'? Either A) Murphy's Law or B) Chicago Cub
3) Damn the people who wrote this movie. Those of us who pretend to think that someday we'll write a screenplay--when really we'll just continue to sit on the couch and marvel at how Aaron Sorkin makes it look so easy-- always have a few songs in our head that we'd love to include in a soundtrack. Songs that we hope others haven't happened upon (e.g., "Tell Her This" by Del Amitri, which is still out there unused). But these guys used one of my all-time favorites--all I'll say is that it has its roots in The Who-- and not only used it, but executed it to perfection because there's a final stanza that is often forgotten. I won't ruin it for you. Just see the movie.
4) Was Dane Cook just playing himself?
5) Steve Carrell's best two movies end with an outdoor wedding dance scene. Coincidence? And the director here is probably still weak in the knees as to how good the light was for that final scene.
6) Props to Kyle Smith of The New York Post who, in his review, coined the term "The Spandex Inquisition". And it fits.

Notes from Various Johntouragers....

--From Tupelo: "I am the only person in the country who hasn't drank the Kansas Kool-Aid. Mainly because Mangino drank it all, AND ate all the cookies."

--From Thom B., a prolific man of letters, sentences and paragraphs...I'm just parsing from his Tolstoyesque letter:

The pain continues. But at this point I feel like the judge that's
reviewed the case and already made a ruling. That's it, yes the team is
bad, epically bad, and yes the reasons why the team is so bad are
multivaried, but Weis isn't going anywhere so let's not even have that
discussion. You don't go to back to back BCS games and handily beat
teams like Navy and Air Force less than 12 months ago and then suddenly
somehow lose all your marbles and need to be fired. You can point to
several things that Weis could have done better, but the team is so bad
because it's a talent and inexperience thing, plus a bad schedule thing.
Throw in the thin margin for error and a head coach that booted that
margin and add it all up and you have the apocalypse that we have before
us.

But make no mistake about it, the team is so bad because Willingham left
a disaster for anyone who followed ( Obviously, there are many who would disagree with Thom B. on this point...j.w. ). Now, could Weis have done some
things to squeak out 4 or 5 wins? Probably......maybe. But I'd like to
know what any coach would have done differently with this bunch as it is
now? If Ara or Bear Bryant were coaching this team, what exactly would
they do differently? How would they have handled the QB situation, the
offensive line situation, the loss of their two top receivers, the early
departure of your decent but not spectacular RB which left only freshman
and sophomores to carry the ball, a schedule (particularly the early
part) from hell, the lack of linebackers, and......most obviously, the
utter lack of any appreciable senior or junior class? What are we
talking about here with Ara or Bear, a 5-7 record, a 3-9?

Let's do a quick check of a few records. Knute Rockne in his llth year
went 5-4. WHAT HAPPENED???!!! Oh, never mind, he went the next two
years undefeated. Old Bear, in his 24th and 25th year of coaching went
6-5 in back to back years. A catastrophe. He then bounced back with an
11-1 record. Someone did a fake Lou pep talk on one the ND Blogs and
they had Lou saying, "Fans have the memory of a goldfish." That made me
laugh. But it's not quite true. Fans have VERY LONG memories when you
are losing; they have very short ones when you win. Big difference.

For in the end Weis is the one getting served the papers for a bill that
was a long time coming. Moose Krause put it best in the book "Notre
Dame's Greatest Coaches." He said, "The Priests here are wonderful
people but they don't know much about football (pg 113)." Oh so true.
In the past they could even be cavalier about it all. Sometimes you got
the impression (Gerry Faust) that they never really thought about it,
like: Yeah, yeah, you roll a ball out there and, ding, you win 11
National Championships.

With the last regime the most demonstrative statement that Malloy made
about Notre Dame football was when he stated he was "embarrassed" by it.
Was he talking about the disaster that had become the Willingham regime?
No. He was talking about the decision by the future leaders of Notre
Dame to rectify the mess that had become the Notre Dame football
program. What mess? Well, who put Bill Beauchamp in charge of anything
let alone ND athletics? Why did Vinny Cerrato leave? Who hired the
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland to be our Athletic Director? Who put
together the scheduling philosophy over the last 25 years, and why? Why
exactly did Lou Holtz quit? Who hired Bob Davie to be the head coach?
Who failed to check O'Leary's resume? Who had to scramble to hire
another coach and then hired Willingham? Why, dear god, did Willingham
fail so miserably on the recruiting trail? Let's stop there because
this could go on for awhile.

If Notre Dame learns anything from the last twenty or so years it should
be this: You can't just roll a ball out on Cartier Field and the rest
takes care of itself.

Before the game against Air Force a plane flew over the stadium with a
trailer banner that said: "1-8, Transfer and Beat the Rush." What
colossal jerk would do something like that ( Someone check Mark May's credit card bill...j.w. ? The natives are restless.
This is not a fun time.

I hope I'm right here, but there is a different cast of guys behind the
scenes making decisions about the program and it appears that they have
taken stock of the situation and have stabilized things. The
facilities, the scheduling (starting next year), and the coaching have
improved. I think Weis is part of that stabilization. I'm as unsure as
anyone else about what this collapse will turn out to mean over time,
but I know this: Things aren't as bad as they seem. It's a young team.
They will get better.

Onto some better news. On Saturday night I watched Miami play its last
game in the Orange Bowl. I hate Miami football. I am convinced that
the college game would be far better off if Miami dropped football.
Their whole reign of terror was a dark period in college football
history. But, oh, for awhile, they were a damn good football program.
They tee'd it up year after year. It was amazing. What was really
amazing, especially in my mind when I consider how hard it is to find a
great coach, was how they had FOUR very good coaching hires in a row
(Howard Schellenburger, Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson, and Butch
Davis). THAT'S UNHEARD OF!!!! On top of that you had innovation (Miami
was one of the first programs that was heavily into a pro passing game),
a very good talent base, and an unbelievable mojo vibe around the
players.

I read a book on the Miami program and the author went heavily into how
it was an African-American thing and how the Miami football rise was a
radical departure from the past when southern teams wouldn't play blacks
and now suddenly they were. I don't know about all that, but I do know
that Miami had an attitude. It was a taunting, kick your ass, dance in
the end zone, look at me attitude, and whatever it was it worked for
them. It was as if they'd tapped into the power, the wrong kind of
power, but power nonetheless.

All this was an embarrassment to the university but whenever they tried
to clamp down on it, the players, THE PLAYERS, told the people running
the show to take a hike (compare that to ND players who seem completely
on the other end of the spectrum, cowed by the authorities, ever fearful
of the clucking tongues saying "We don't do that here." ND players
could use a dose of the Miami players' impudence). Whenever Miami lost
a game or two the players would come out and say, "We need to get back
to Miami football." Next game they'd get whistled for 12 personal fouls
en route to a 52-7 blowout victory.

The odd thing about Miami football was that it really wasn't supposed to
happen. It wasn't like the school was TRYING to unleash a dynasty.
Miami football was never that good and they certainly did not have a
winning tradition. When Howard Schellenburger was hired he was somewhat
of a washed up old pro coach. Nobody had any idea what was going to
come to pass, that's for sure.

The team played in a dumpy municipal stadium, the Orange Bowl, because
the school never really invested in the program. But the oddest thing
was that the dump, the OB, somehow became fundamental to the whole Miami
Thang. It was a metal, tight, loud stadium that was in the middle of a
not so great area. The place would be empty half of the time, but when
they played a night game there against anyone that was good, man, I was
there, you just have never seen or heard anything like it. Playing a
game at the OB was to play in the loudest, most intimidating place in
all of football. To this day, my memories of the '89 ND - Miami game
feel like I was in a third world country when the revolution went down.
It was chaos and there was anger in the air. It's not an accident that
they set the NCAA record for 58 straight victories there. When I think
about what the game atmosphere at Notre Dame is like now, what with the
terminal TV timeouts, and whatever else is behind the malaise, I can't
help but be stunned by the contrast. The ND stadium is like a morgue
compared to the OB when it was rocking. The only time Notre Dame
stadium was comparable was maybe, MAYBE, those few night games against
Michigan. Of course, ND did away with night games. Can't have those
(and while we are at it, let's put yellow mums in the stadium!!!).

The other factor regarding Miami football and the Orange Bowl is that
they obviously held the Orange Bowl Bowl game there.
Miami won three of its five National Championships in the Orange Bowl.
Playing for the national championship on your home field, especially an
intense place like that? That's a hell of an advantage.

Talk about a formula.

But it couldn't go on forever. You can't get that many good coaches in
a row. Considering how often their coaches left (Hmm, why was that?),
EVENTUALLY the odds would have to catch up with them and they'd get a
not so good coach. Right? And how about the lack of support from the
University? The football program in many ways became a monster they
couldn't stop. It's tough to stop the train, no matter how much they
cheat and embarrass the school, when they are dominating the college
football world and raking in NC after NC. But year after year the
Orange Bowl got older and older and more run down. Nobody was putting
any money into it. And how about the show-boating and taunting, the
hallmark of Miami football? God it took a long time, but slowly the
NCAA cracked down. They instituted a whole host of "Excessive
Celebration" penalties that made the basic Miami M.O. illegal.

When someone cares as deeply and passionately as Thom does to write a letter like that, he can have space on this blog. It can't all be movie reviews, after all...j.w.

It's November 14 and mark it down...Alex Rodriguez will be a New York Yankee next season.

It's just a hunch. But here's why I believe the sabre-rattling Yankees and the lumber-rattling (at least for the first 162 games of the season) MVP will reunite this winter.

Why the Yankees want it to happen...

1. The Yankees desperately need both a 3rd baseman and a clean-up hitter ("Anyone but Betemit" should be a rallying cry in Tampa).
2. Even without the Rangers' $21 million assist, they still can afford him.
3. They're moving into a new ballpark next season and hosting the All-Star Game this season.
4. Johan Santana and Mike Lowell aren't going anywhere.
5. They wouldn't be able to stomach it if the Mets had the two best 3rd basemen in the game.

Why A-Rod wants it to happen...

1. $$$$ and the Yanks still have plenty of it.
2. Rings...A-Rod may have seen enough of Chamberlain, Hughes and Kennedy to realize that the Yanks' future, with him in its lineup, is even brighter than the present. Add to that his minions, Robinson Cano and Miguel Cabrera, and A-Rod likes the fit (if only he could unseat that dastardly Jeter from that "Most Loved Yankee" perch).
3. Unfinished business...Maybe a more mature A-Rod discerns that you cannot keep running from your failures. As trying as his first four seasons in the Bronx were--and how bizarre that a guy who wins two MVPs in his first four seasons can be considered something of a disappointment-- he knows that the ideal coda for his career would be to silence every last critic by bringing a championship to the Bronx.
4. Abreu, Jorge and most likely Mo are all on board for '08.
5. Reggie Jackson is in his ear, explaining to him that once you win over Yankee fans, you're set for life (this is, too, just a hunch of mine).

So, again it's just a hunch, but with the Yankees' youth movement, their much-improved pitching, their rock-solid veterans returning and the paucity of teams that both want and can afford A-Rod, I say that he's on his way back to the Bronx (how much are you going to love to seeing that press conference televised?). It's kinda like when Frank and Estelle Costanza split up, but then realized that, as much as they drove one another crazy, they belonged together. ("You tried The Move on my wife!?!?").

A-Rod, in pinstripes, next spring.

--Did my eyes betray me or did Rich Eisen make a cameo appearance in the season-ending episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". No, no, I believe that was him. Check out the scenes from Jeff and Suzi's daughter's batmitzvah. Isn't that Eisen shaking hands with someone?

I like Rich Eisen. He's very talented and from the times I've met him, an extremely good egg. But, man, who knew he had such verging-on-a-star-on-the-Walk of Fame prowess? Recently, he had Sheryl Crow appear at his book signing (and she wasn't even stalking him, like some women we could mention). And now a cameo on "Curb"? Is it all just because people are looking to hit him up for Super Bowl tickets somewhere down the line?

Craig Kilborn must look up from the navel of whatever model he's currently dating, see that and wonder where it all went wrong.

My wonderful friend Scott had a good point. From now on, I should consider wearing these:

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.. gather 'round and listen! One very luck criminal hit the jackpot yesterday!!

That's right. I got straight up robbed.

Turns out one woman's bad luck is absolute bliss for a thief! While I was eyeing some hot red stiletos at a shoe store, the robber licked their chops as they eyed my purse. And when the opportunity arrives, a true professional knows when to strike.

So, let's tell everyone what the crook won! (Insert applause and game show jingle)

Comes the two-minute warning and, barring a bizarre turnabout, Dallas is going to get out of Giants Stadium with the victory.

Notes from the fourth while the chattering class muses about whether Tony Romo or Brett Favre would be the better storyline come Super Bowl XLII:

A Romo pass to the left flat with about 13 minutes to go in the fourth, intended for Terrell Owens, looked to be a Sam Madison interception. But Owens, playing defense, knocked the ball out of Madison's grasp.

Y'know, when Terrell Owens concentrates on football, he typically plays some good football. Six receptions so far here Sunday night -- for 125 yards and two scores.

Great second effort by Marion Barber on a third-and-1 at the Dallas 44 to keep alive the drive that buried the Giants. He appeared to be tackled for a loss by safety Michael Johnson. But he wriggled free and ran for 6.

On the very next play, Romo went deep to Owens -- 50 yards, six points, Dallas goes up 31-20.

After the score, Dallas tight end Jason Witten came right up to New York's Gibril Wilson, the safety beaten -- and beaten badly -- on the play. Smack was run.

And who but who got a fourth-quarter sack of Eli Manning? Tank Johnson.

Three quarters down

Dallas up seven, Giants driving.

Wouldn't want to be him watching the game film this coming week: New York rookie tight end Kevin Boss. His holding penalty wiped out Ahmad Bradshaw's 83-yard return. Without the penalty, the Giants are looking at first and goal. Because of the hold, the Giants start their last drive of the third quarter at their own 17.

The 25-yard touchdown pass that put Dallas up, 24-17, was a laser, Romo to Terrell Owens streaking down the right sideline. Owens had shed Giants' corner Sam Madison at the line of scrimmage. The receiver and the cornerback have been woofing at each other all night.

What's up with this? The Cowboys have three unsportsmanlike calls, one each quarter. First on Bradie James in the first quarter (unnecessary roughness), the second in the second on Kevin Burnett (taunting), the third to open the third on Keith Davis (unnecessary roughness).

It's 17-17 after a compelling sequence that closes the second quarter.

It all starts with the Giants going ahead, 14-10, with the kind of drive that all but shouts to everyone that this is, at times, a damn good football team.

Sixty yards, 11 plays, 7:22 off the clock. Ruben Droughs got the TD with a one-yard run, pushing the scrum just over the line. The drive was set up by an interception of a woefully underthrown Tony Romo pass.

The problem with the Giants' offense is -- and this is no surprise given the team's history -- consistency. On the series after the go-ahead score, quarterback Eli Manning is sacked twice and the Giants, looking at an ugly 4th and 32 from their own 20, punt.

So Dallas gets the ball back with way too much time, 1:48. And on this sequence Romo looks great.

The Giants give him room underneath, and Romo takes it. He throws right to Patrick Crayton. Right to Sam Hurd. Left to Terrell Owens. Back right, again to Crayton. The Giants' fans start waving their towels; Romo throws left to Owens. Then, from the New York 20, Romo throws across the middle to Crayton, who breaks a tackle and gently places the ball across the goal line for the touchdown to make it 17-14, Dallas.

You want your statement drives? That was a statement drive.

So what do the Giants do? Manning hooks up with tight end Jeremy Shockey for a 29-yard gain. Lawrence Tynes comes on and -- this is weird, the Giants call a time out before the attempt -- what, they're trying to ice their own guy?

Nope. He makes it. So it's 17-17 at the half.

Most interesting stat of the half: Shockey has eight catches.

Second interesting nugget: Giants' D, through the first half, has two sacks. But wait -- Dallas' D has three.

Third point of note: Tank Johnson is back. The former Chicago Bears' defensive lineman, who sat out eight weeks after all those gun-related issues with the authorities in Illinois, let everyone know he was back in the league, now with the Cowboys, with a second-quarter penalty, illegal hands to the face. Nice work.

Just when I was about to write that the Dallas offensive line had kept Tony Romo safe for the quarter, there he goes -- down, sacked by Michael Strahan.

Romo fumbled as well on the play, the last of the first quarter, but guard Kyle Kosier fell on it at the Giants' 28 -- a lucky break for the Cowboys, who get a 44-yard Nick Folk field goal on the next play to go up, 10-7.

Romo's touchdown pass to Tony Curtis earlier in the first was a thing of beauty. He scrambled, found just enough space and sidearmed it to Curtis, alone in the end zone.

Eli Manning is, as ever, a puzzle. He threads the needle to Jeremy Shockey for a 22-yard gain along the sideline. Then, three plays later, he throws it way over Amani Toomer in the middle of the field, right to Dallas safety Ken Hamlin -- the turnover that leads to the field goal putting Dallas up by three.

Go figure.

Technical issues had knocked this blog offline for some while.

But now we're back in business.

Allow me, please, a personal moment -- I'm a brand-new uncle, again, as of this morning. My sister-in-law, Laura, and brother, Scott, welcomed a son into the world this morning out in California The young man -- a healthy 7 pounds, 5 ounches, a strapping 20 1/2 inches -- will find out soon enough about his older twin sisters, Talia and Sophia. The girls, whowill be 6 in about a month, are v-e-r-y excited about their baby brother.

The young man's bris, the ritual circumcision that welcomes males into the Jewish community, will be next week. Wish him -- and all of us -- luck. But especially him.

Here at the press box at Giants Stadium, the buzz is all about Tony Romo v. Eli Manning.

Me, I'm way more interested in seeing how the Cowboys' offensive line handles the Giants' defense, first in the league in sacks.

Also: that 45-35 opening-day disaster in Dallas for New York -- long time ago or measure of what's yet to come again today?

And here's your pre-game intrigue: what impact will Tank Johnson have on the Cowboy defense? Tank may or may not have learned his lessons about guns. But as was made clear last year with the Bears -- dude can play.

Le'ts close this entry with a shout-out to Marine Sgt. Darrell Gunther, out there in the Pacific, proudly serving his country. The sergeant will undoubtedly be rooting for his beloved Cowboys.

BIg news today out of Traverse City, Mich.: George Gipp is not a father. This news probably comes as a big relief to Gipp, who's been dead for 87 years. But DNA tests prove that Gipp and Eva Bright, whom he dated here in South Bend during his playing days, did not have a child.

Back to the game: Notre Dame just put together its finest offensive drive of the Jimmy Clausen era. Clausen completed a 4th-and-11 pass to David Grimes for 14 yards, then rolled out and hit Robby Parris on a 30-yard pass downfield. A few plays later he dumped it to Armando Allen, who ran it in from nine yards out.

Air Force 34, Notre Dame 24....and the Falcons just got extremely conservative and are punting after three runs up the middle. Tom Zbikowski, if he's ever going to return a punt to the abode again for Notre Dame, should do it now...punt out of bounds at 16. Good play, Air Force..

I'm off to the field. Irish are down 34-24 with 5:39 to play. If they even bring this to within three, it'll be a moral victory. Which is kind of sad. But you should hear the student section. They're cheering as if it's USC '05.

As NBC's last act of "Green is Universal" week, perhaps my employer should switch viewers from this Air Force-Notre Dame game to the Mean Green game. The Mean Green is North Texas, who at the moment are beating the United States Naval Academy 27-10. And who did Navy beat just last week?

It has now been 357 days since Notre Dame last won a game at Notre Dame Stadium. And yes, I can already hear the clamor nationwide over the fact that a pair of 1-9 teams will be playing on national network television next Saturday.

Jimmy Clausen and Darren McFadden, the Arkansas running back who was last year's Heisman Trophy runner-up, both have thrown two touchdown passes this season. And as I type that, Clausen, facing 4th-and-9, throws a deep fade route to David Grimes, who catches it for a touchdown. Clausen's third TD pass of the season; Grimes' first catch.

Even if Grimes did push off on the defensive back (also, the Irish got a gift when an Air Force lineman hit Clausen about a full second after he'd gone out of bounds earlier in the drive)

Meanwhile, the seniors below me are in the midst of a "Marshmallow Serenade", tossing the tasty treats at one another--and, occasionally, toward the Irish bench. Although I believe there's only one person they're actually trying to hit.

Notre Dame has played 330 minutes in Notre Dame Stadium this season. Of those 330 minutes, the Irish have been in the lead for 28:10, or less than 10% of the time. Moreover, the Irish have never led in the 4th quarter--not one minute--this season.

We don't present these figures to pile on the Irish as if we're blitzing DBs coming after Jimmy Clausen. It's just that the offense--which in the last four quarters of play has only outscored the opposing defense 17-10-- has been so inept that it's tough to get your mind around it unless you use these figures as points of quantitative analysis.

And you have to love how Notre Dame's defense is playing. Okay, love may be a little much. How about, be satisfied?

I had to step away for a moment. Is Troy Calhoun still threatening that side judge's life? It's not as if that call wasn't at least 50/50.

Here's the hypothesis, and let me know what you think:

If Chad Hall, who stands 5-8, 180 pounds officially (and is likely smaller) can wreak this much havoc on teams behind an offensive line that averages about 260 pounds, then what could Smith Center's offense do in a game as opposed to Notre Dame's?

Here's some Smith Center numbers:

The Redmen have won 52 in a row.

They've outscored opponents 816-0.

They punted for the first time all season last night.

They led 72-0 at the end of one quarter a few weeks ago.

That's not just talent. That's execution. That's "The Green Mile" type execution.

Would Smith Center fare better against Air Force's defense than Notre Dame? Preposterous, you say? Aren't you curious just to see what might happen, though?

**********

Air Force just went for it on 4th-and-1 at midfield. Not a bad idea, but they handed the ball off to Chad Smith. Wrong Chad. You can't be hanging Chad out like that. No gain. Irish take over.

***************

James Aldridge just had his third double-digit yardage rush of the first half. He's gone for 16, 13 and 10. ND is threatening to tie the score, thanks to a roughing the passer flag on Air Force's Chris Thomas on a 3rd down pass that fell incomplete.

*****************

3rd-and-goal at 2, here comes Travis Thomas....fake handoff, pass to the tight end. Straight outta the lispin' Lou Holtz playbook. Or, for younger viewers, the Mike Vrabel play.

The score is now 10-10 ("you give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world") with 2:32 to go before the half.

And suddenly I can hear the students.

Air Force is going after Jimmy Clausen the way the German Luftwaffe once went after London. Clausen has already been sacked on Notre Dame's first ten offensive plays. Both sacks came on blind-side blitzes Falcon DBs (Carson Bird sacked Clausen for a loss of eight and then, on 4th-and-9, strong safety Chris Thomas sacked Clausen for a loss of ten). On both plays Clausen never saw the blitzer coming.

Air Force apparently has been studying tape of the team ranked last in the nation in sacks allowed. First, they realize that ND's backs do a bad job of help-blocking in pass protection (or didn't you see the 4th-and-8 versus Navy?). Second, they know that Clausen is slow to get rid of the ball. Third, they know that the Irish lack receivers who can get separation.

The answers, if you're Charlie:

1. More play-action passes.
2. More rollout passes.
3. Return punts for TDs.

Single Digits

Air Force's four best players all wear single digits.

No. 1.... Chad Hall, who leads the team in rushing and receiving.
No. 2.... Carson Bird, who is second in the nation in interceptions.
No. 5....Shaun Carney, the quarterback.
No. 9....John Rabold, the outside linebacker who just plucked Asaph Schwapp's fumble from mid-air and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown.

In fact, Carney says that he chose No. 5 because it was the only single-digit number available.

In the last three quarters of regulation time, the Irish offense has been outscored when it's been on the field, 14-7.

People are laughing at this team. I don't mean nationally (though they are). I mean in this very press box.

Key play on first-and-goal at the one. Chad Hall was diving in for a TD when he was hit by defensive end Trevor Laws. The ball squirted loose. At first the play was ruled a fumble, but upon review the play was overturned.

Now on second down Air Force hands off to Hall again. Again, no gain. Again, Trevor Laws in on the tackle. Air Force does better when they fly east-west, as opposed to north-south.

On 3rd down, QB Shaun Carney takes the shotgun snap and runs the option right. Carney keeps, which was the wrong decision, and the Irish stuff him for a two-yard loss.

AFA kicks the field goal.

3-0, Air Force, but you've got to consider it a small victory for the Irish.

By the way, this one you cannot blame on Charlie. The coach had a brilliant misdirection play called on the first play of the game. Clausen faked a handoff to Aldridge, while Grimes and Parris (we don't need first names by this point in the season, do we?), who'd both lined up to the right, released downfield. Tight end Carlson, on the left, released late and was all alone with a Falcon defender trailing him. Carlson caught the ball awkwardly, was facing backward, and fumbled it when a Falcon pawed at it. Nice call, decent execution, unforgiveable fumble.

So, after one Air Force drive, here's what I don't understand. Chad Hall is 5-8, 180 pounds. Hall is the Falcons' leading rusher. He's their leading receiver. He's scary-quick.

But he ain't muscle-bound. On every single play, if I'm Corwin Brown, I'm directing one of my linebackers to hit Chad Hall. Whether or not he has the ball doesn't matter. If Hall isn't carrying it, you hit him anyway. Wear him down. Just tell Zibby to be his shadow on every play. That's what I'd do. Zibby hasn't knocked anyone out since last March, after all.

They're doing a pre-game ceremony honoring former athletic directors at Notre Dame. They're honoring former ADs. Three minutes from now they'll do a separate presentation for former ADs with ADD. And then another two minutes after that...and so on.

Representing former Notre Dame athletic director Knute Rockne (apparently, coaching football teams at a .881 win % clip did not keep him busy enough) was his son, Jack Rockne. Who knew that there was a Rockne son still living?!? Certainly not I. It might have been nice if Knute had named a son Amadeus, just for those moments when you could read his name on a list, last name first, first name last. I won't (literally) spell it out for you.

Did you see the homepage of this site? Well, you must have. The caption says that Notre Dame hasn't lost to two service academies in the same year since 1944. Hey, that's nothing to be ashamed of. The U.S. military was kicker a lot of ass that year if I read my history right.

I'm hoping for an Irish win today mainly because Alex Flanagan has never had the chance to interview Charlie Weis after a victory, and she will not be here next week. What if Notre Dame were to lose and you were Alex Flanagan? What would be the first question you'd ask him when you met him on the field? I'm taking suggestions...

During pre-game I noticed Brandon Walker kicking field goals. I think the farthest kick he attempted was from the 20 yard-line (a 37 yarder). But he made it. With plenty of room to spare.

Anyone have an update on that Amherst-Williams score? Great move by GameDay to base themselves there this weekend. They are, after all, currently ranked 2-1, respectively, in terms of academic standing for liberal arts schools. ESPN should do this once every year, originate from a lower division school. You'd have to think that D-III leviathans Mount Union, who have not allowed a point in their past six games, are worthy of a visit.

Either them or the Smith Center, Kans., high school team. Very nice front page story yesterday by Joe Drape of the New York Times about them, by the way.

Notre Dame wins the toss and will receive.

Another sunny Saturday in South Bend....only the Boston College game has been remotely inclement this season, unlike the Irish offense, which has been unseasonably cold.

A few notes and musings....

1) Senior defensive end Trevor Laws is 33 tackles away from breaking Steve Niehaus' record for most tackles in a season (113, in 1975) by an Irish defensive lineman. Laws, who had 15 tackles last Saturday versus Navy, has 81 at the moment.

2) How do you pick an offensive MVP for the Irish after nine games--especially since the team's three longest scoring plays were made by defensive players (Darrin Walls, Mo Crum and Brian Smith)? Behold these stats that illustrate how the Irish have not had a go-to guy all season long. Through nine games, the Irish have had...

a) Four different players have led the team in rushing yards for a game (Demetrius Jones, Travis Thomas, James Aldridge and Armando Allen).
b) Six different players have led the team in receptions for a game (Robby Parris, John Carlson, Armando Allen, David Grimes, George West and Duval Kamara).
c) Six different players have led the team in receiving yards for a game (Parris, Carlson, Grimes, West, Kamara and Golden Tate).
d) Four different players take the first snap of the game at quarterback (Jones, Allen, Jimmy Clausen and Evan Sharpley).
e) Seven different players score their 12 offensive touchdowns (Travis Thomas, Duval Kamara, Robert Hughes, Golden Tate, John Carlson, Robby Parris and Jimmy Clausen)

The point of all those figures? A few. First, this is a very inexperienced unit, of course. It is a group of players (hopefully, as far as the Irish are concerned, to be buoyed even further next year by incoming freshmen Michael Floyd [WR], Kyle Rudolph [TE] and Braxston Cave [OL]) that is cutting its teeth this season. Next year, and the year after that in particular, they will be far ahead of most sophomores and juniors in terms of experience. Keep in mind that Jeff Samardzija and John Carlson, for example, did not start here before their junior seasons.

Second, it's been a season-long search for an offensive identity. This team is still in search of one.

3. Only four of the eleven starters on offense today were starting on offense at the same position in the season-opener versus Georgia Tech: fullback Asaph Schwapp, tight end John Carlson, center John Sullivan and left guard Michael Turkovich. Tackles Sam Young and Paul Duncan started, but have since switched sides.

4. Not speaking at this season's football banquet: Bob Kuechenberg , a former offensive lineman here (and member of that increasingly outspoken undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphin team) who went on the radio yesterday and blasted Charlie Weis. That's the second time he's done so this season.

5. G.A. makes a great point in the previous blog. How long until people start pointing serious fingers at NASCAR and other auto racing leagues and ask, "Even if it's just for symbolism's sake, do we really need your sport to exist any more?" (I'm not even talking about the cars, I'm talking about the methane that NASCAR fans emit at races).
I was watching Bill Maher last night, who even if you don't agree with his politics you have to admire his passion and the fact that he's well-read on his topics. Anyway, Maher noted that 23% of the North Pole has melted just since An Inconvenient Truth was released, which implies two things:

a) environmentally-aware films are to blame for the melting of the earth's (or, "gaia's", if you want to sound really hip) polar ice caps.

b) if there is a "Fred Claus" sequel, the director is going to have to be Wolfgang Petersen.

6. My favorite in the clubhouse for Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" is the city of Boston.

7. Our own NBC Sports sideline reporter makes her farewell appearance of the season today. Alex is very cool--and very pregnant-- and we will miss her. The talk on the street is that the baron of the blazer, Craig Sager, will be replacing her for the Duke game next Saturday.

Yesterday I was a the WNDU studios for an interview with "The Mountain", the Mountain West Conference's regional sports network. Also in the studio was a rad dude who looked as if he'd just walked off the X-treme Games medal stand, only a lot less scrawny. The dude was Beau Morgan , the former Air Force Academy QB. He was very nice, actually.

For five seasons, from 1994-1998, you couldn't take a snap at Air Force unless your last name was Morgan. Beau quarterbacked the Falcons from 1994-1996 and then his little brother Blane inherited the job from him for two seasons. All Beau did was become the first quarterback in NCAA history to rush and pass for more than 1,000 yards in two seasons. He also was under center the last time Air Force beat the Irish, 20-17 in overtime in 1996 in South Bend. Beau was an absolute stud that afternoon, gaining 183 yards on the ground himself. That was the first overtime game Notre Dame played; and you likely remember the last overtime game they played.

Blane was no slouch himself. Li'l bro led the Falcons to a 20-3 record in two seasons.

************************************

Jay Barry of "Blue-Gray Sky" was inspired this week. After last Saturday night's expletive-filled blog in the aftermath of Notre Dame's loss to Navy (his mom phoned him to make sure he was alright....yes, I know, why would Jay's mom phone her own basement?), he must have felt penitent. So he sat down and typed a spot-on imitation of "Lou's Pep Talk", tailored to the Irish. Here it is:

http://bluegraysky.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html#3940259971094911240

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With a service academy having a "surge" in South Bend for the second straight week, it occurred to me that there's a similarity between what is transpiring here and what's happening over there in Fallujah and other outposts. Have you noticed that even though the campaign is not exactly what us patriotic types would call ideal, that nobody ever bad-mouths the soldiers/players? And why should they? They're doing the job as best they can in a difficult situation.

For example, look at the Notre Dame defense. For the past few weeks, and especially after I saw recent grad Derek Landri starting at defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football , I've been claiming that at least six starters on the Irish defense will play in the NFL some day. They are, from most probable to least:

Trevor Laws, DE
David Bruton, S
Tom Zbikowksi, S
Maurice Crum, LB
Pat Kuntz, NT
Darrin Walls, CB

Now, there's another name that belongs on that list. Well, I'm not sure if this player belongs on the list because after nine games this season, he still has yet to make a start. But he should be starting. That player is 6-2, 300-pound freshman nose tackle Ian Williams , who, no, is not a former member of the band Yes . In limited action this season--for instance last Saturday, when he replaced Kuntz who was injured very early-- Williams has 30 tackles. That's a lot for a player at his position.

In fact Kuntz, who has been one of the few pleasant surprises on the team this year, only has eight more tackles than Williams. The frosh from Florida was constantly getting penetration versus Navy last Saturday. He's eighth on the team in tackles despite playing literally hundreds of fewer snaps this season than the seven players ahead of him on that list.

Clearly, Williams needs to see more playing time. But how? You can't replace Kuntz; he's too valuable. Do you go to a 4-3 so that both Kuntz and Williams can play tackle? Do you move one of them over to defensive end (more likely Kuntz, who is lighter and more agile)?

All season long offenses have been running away from Laws, the best player on the Irish defense. That means they've been running toward Dwight Stephenson or John Ryan, who've both played a lot of DE on the other side. Stephenson has 31 tackles. Ryan has 30. Williams, playing hundreds of fewer downs than either teammate, has 30.

He needs to play more. Soon.

***********************************

Did you ever have an English composition in high school where your teacher said you could write on any topic you liked? Faced with all those options, you were paralyzed by the freedom and found yourself struggling for an idea until you found a geek like me and paid me to write it for you (and by "paid" I mean bullied, of course). But then there were those other times when your teacher assigned a specific topic. You may not have liked the topic at first, but then, because you could remain focused, it turned out to be a better paper (even though I still wrote it for you... damn you, Eric Williams!)

Anyway, I think that's what happened on 30 Rock this week. Tina Fey, given the GE mandate to "go green" with this week's episode, wrote the funniest "30 Rock" show I've seen yet. And that's saying something. The scene in Jack Donahy's office the morning after Kenneth's party, in which everyone looks remorseful and hung over, reminded me of the morning after of every Sports Illustrated Christmas party I ever attended. And David Schwimmer knocked it out of the park as "Greenzo", the environmentally friendly kids' character. "See that, kids? Meredith (Viera) just taught us another valuable lesson, which is....Don't interrupt people!"

The "Green is Universal" theme week is almost over, and no, NBC has not strong-armed the Irish into wearing green uniforms today. Meanwhile, if I'm Seth Green, I'm firing my agent for not landing me a cameo on at least one NBC show this week.

***********************

Blogstalker Tupelo claims that purely for entertainment she was reading NFL injury reports on Friday. Whatever. Anyway, she noticed that the following trio of players are currently on IR:

Algie Crumpler
Frank Gore
Todd Heap

"Seriously, with those names, aren't they just predestined to be hurt?" Tupelo asks.

*************************

And, finally, if you're a fan of field hockey-playing brunettes from NESCAC schools--as I am--you'll enjoy this interview that CNBC's Erin Brunette did with ESPN College Gameday's Chris Fowler and Lee Corso yesterday from Williamstown, Mass....

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15838220/

This morning on ESPN's "First Take" Skip Bayless dared Jesse Palmer to disabuse him of the notion that Ohio State quarterback Todd "Arsenio" Boeckman is not the Heisman Trophy front-runner. Bayless's baseless argument was based upon (okay, so it's not exactly baseless, just lacking in sound logic) the fact that Ohio State is No. 1 and undefeated (10-0) and that Boeckman's passing numbers are better than former teammateTroy Smith's were last year--and Smith won the Heisman.
In other words, Bayless was arguing the Lee Corso Principle, which states that the quarterback on the undefeated, No. 1 team in the nation deserves to win the Heisman Trophy, provided that he is no worse than Gino Torretta (and who is?).
Uh...not so fast, my casual acquaintance.
Here, as a football player, is what you have some control over: your team's record and your stats. The polls? You have no control over them. If you agree with me there, let's examine this table of quarterbacks whose teams are still undefeated. The first line is Boeckman's; the second, Kansas (9-0) quarterback Todd Reesing's; and the third, Hawaii (8-0) QB Colt Brennan's:

P.I.* TD INT Comp.% T.O.# Comp. Yds YPA$

6th 23 8 65.7% 72nd 155 1,958 8.3

15th 23 4 61.2% 22nd 180 2,339 7.96

7th 26 11 68.6% 2nd 225 2,820 8.6

*....National rank in passing efficiency
#...National rank in total offense
$...Yards per pass attempt

Let's examine those figures, shall we?

--Boeckman has the highest passing efficiency rating of the three, but that is the lone statistic (granted, it's an important one) which he leads.
--Brennan, the Warrior QB, has the gaudiest numbers. Brennan has the most touchdowns, most interceptions, highest completion percentage, most receptions, most yardage, most yards per attempt and is also second in the nation in total offense (behind Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell).
--Reesing, who seems to fall between Brennan and Boeckman in terms of pure numbers, has by far the best TD:Interception ratio of three. He throws nearly six times as many TD passes as he does picks. Boeckman throws fewer than three TDs per pick, whereas Brennan tosses about 2.5 TDs per interception.
--Reesing, like Boeckman, is a first-year starter as a junior.
--Boeckman has the luxury of sharing the sideline with the nation's No. 1 rated scoring defense. Reesing's Kansas defense is No. 2. However, Reesing leads the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, whereas the Buckeyes are only 25th in that figure.
--Nail Kansas for its schedule all you like, but the Jayhawks have beaten a pair of teams (Kansas State, Colorado) on the road who themselves have beaten a pair of top 15 teams (KSU beat Texas; CU beat Oklahoma). Ohio State has not beaten anyone who themselves have toppled a top 20 team.
--Looking for that heartstopping, Joe Montana-esque win? That "signature Heisman moment"? Of the three, you'd have to give it to Brennan for the way he brought Hawaii back at San Jose State. Granted, it was San Jose State (3-6), but it was a 14-point 4th-quarter deficit.
--Looking for the QB who leads the most potent scoring offense in the nation? That would be Brennan.

So, Skip, basing it only on your "quarterback of an undefeated team" credo (because Kansas and Hawaii cannot help it if the voters are biased in favor of the Buckeyes), here is each candidate's most attractive selling points as compared to the others:

TODD BOECKMAN

--tops in passing efficiency

TODD REESING

--tops in TD:INT ratio by a multiple of two as compared to the others
--QB of nation's No.2 scoring offense

COLT BRENNAN

--tops in every pure statistical category
--leader of nation's No. 1 scoring offense

And how, again, is Boeckman the prohibitive favorite? And we should add that Ohio State is the only offense among the trio with a running back (Chris Wells) who averages more than 100 yards per game.

Of that trio--and this is not to say that Todd Boeckman cannot become the next Tom Brady (big, late-blooming Big Ten QB who becomes an NFL stud)--Boeckman's credentials are the weakest. Add the fact that Ohio State's defense is prohibitively the nation's best--and that the offense itself gave up two TDs in the Buckeyes' narrowest win (24-17 versus Michigan State...notice, the defense did not yield a TD in that game; the offense was Ohio State's own worst enemy), and it's absolutely implausible, if you can suspend your bias for established programs over newfangled ones, that Boeckman is the front-runner among this trio.
He belongs at the back of the pack.

And yes, this is before we even begin considering QBs on one-loss teams who are having more prolific seasons--and who are more valuable to their team-- than Boeckman: Dennis Dixon, Oregon; Sam Bradford, Oklahoma; Pat White, West Virginia (a team that would likely be undefeated if White hadn't gotten knocked out of the game early at South Florida...and then White would be the frontrunner); Chase Daniel, Missouri; and Matt Ryan, Boston College.

Meanwhile, we have yet to even mention the QB who is having the most prolific offensive season. That would be Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, who leads the nation in both total offense and passing.

In case you were wondering (you probably were not), my two Heisman favorites at the moment are a pair of players who have a lot in common. One is the nation's best passer, who also happens to run for touchdowns. The other is the nation's best rusher, who also occasionally passes for touchdowns.

I am talking, of course, about SEC studs Tim Tebow of Florida and Darren McFadden of Arkansas. Both oftheir teams are 6-3, but that is a function of young defenses and the competitive balance of the SEC. Tebow is No. 1 in the nation in passing efficiency, but he also leads the Gators in rushing and has run for an "Is that a typo?"-worthy 14 touchdowns (while passing for an additional ...just crazy numbers).
McFadden, meanwhile, has gained more yards (1,314) than all but two players (Kevin Smith, UCF, and Matt Forte, Tulane), which means that he has gained the most of anyone from a BCS conferenc--playing against the nation's toughest competition in the SEC. And, he shares carries with Felix Jones, who is No. 21 in the nation in rushing. For variety's sake, McFadden has tossed two touchdown passes (or one more than Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame).
I like Todd Boeckman. He is doing a lot more than simply managing the store in Columbus. And unlike some QBs of undefeated teams past we could mention (hello, Craig Krenzel), it appears that he will be a solid NFL starter for years.
But Boeckman is not a serious Heisman candidate. Simply having better numbers and wearing the same uniform as last year's winner is not enough.

Here's an article from the ever funny and completely inappropriate website: THE ONION.

This time they tackle Andy Reid's "family" and the problems facing them over the next few months.

"As fun as it might sound, you don't want to lose your virginity to Jenna Jameson. You won't last long. She'll get bored and frustrated. And everyone who sees the tape will fall down laughing."

Nice to see sports talk can cover allllll topics.

Charlie Weis is/maybe/could be/will never be on the hot seat as head coach of Notre Dame. While you may agree or not agree with this particular writers style and opinion, he does bring up some interesting points in the situation at ND.

READ IT HERE

And when you're done with that, go watch this video. If for nothing more then a laugh.

(rejected titles for this entry include: "Just Bee Yourself", "PolleNation", "Johnny Bee Good", "Kids, I Shrunk the Honey" and "Bee Dazzled" ).

Okay, I have yet to see "Bee Movie", a film based on a pun (B-movie) made by Jerry Seinfeld to Steven Spielberg back in 2003. But I'm dying to. I'm a huge Seinfeld fan. Fan of his show, fan of his ads, but mostly just a fan of his mind. I'll never forget what he told Bob Costas in an interview a few years back: "My entire act is about paying attention."

It's twue! It's also what makes Steve Rushin such a great humorist, by the way. They both see things that the rest of us see every day, but they observe. They still think--and this as a compliment--like four year-olds when it comes to observing things. Larry David, too, for that matter.

Anyway, if you happened to catch Larry King's hour with Seinfeld last week, lucky you. Just hearing Jerry wax glumly on Larry's go-to phrase "remaining moments", which King says to tease the final segment, was good enough. But the zenith was when Larry attempted to confirm that Jerry had walked away from "Seinfeld", as opposed to having been canceled. Here's what happened.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVTP8xZCGVw

LENO.
LETTERMAN.
COLBERT.
STEWART.
SOAP OPERAS..

The list goes on and on and on... Which is exactly how this writers strike is beginning to look. I'm sure you are aware of the circumstances and the issues that are upseting the members of Writers Guild of America.

What you might not be aware of YET is this little video on YouTube.

It's a classic example of how even in the mix of a heated debate and a stalling moment in their careers, writers still pull through with humor.

Want to see how this year's Super Bowl is going to be different from the past?

Watch this!

So far, Tom Brady's targeted Randy Moss with 14 passes and completed eight of them for 140 yards and a touchdown.

I called the head ref "Jeff" Parry a couple of times. His name's John. And I still have several mistakes to make before I catch up to Parry's crew.

New England just had a golden opportunity to get back the seven they handed Indy just before halftime as Rodney Harrison picked off Manning at the Colts 30. But more Robert Mathis, another New England penalty and then a no-call on a pass interference resulted in another New England punt.

The Patriots have 6 penalties for 107 yards. The Colts have 1 for 5.

The Patriot with the best chance of making a tackle on Joseph Addai during the just-occurred 73-yard catch-and-run was cornerback Randall Gay. Until the ever-aggressive Rodney Harrison got into Gay from behind while trying to catch up to Addai and wiped Gay off the play. After that, Addai got a block on Patriots corner Rashad Baker and was off to the races.

13-7 at the break. Indy, in some respects, has outplayed the Patriots AND gotten the benefit of some bogus calls. They probably should be up by more. New England hasn't even played very well.

With third-and-long from the Colts 38, the Patriots just took a shot at the end zone to Donte Stallworth. It was picked by Antoine Bethea at the 2 which, as it turns out, is probably not a bad deal for New England given that a 55-yard field goal attempt would have put the Colts in business at their own 45 just before halftime if it missed.

The referees have now made themselves part of what should be a monumental game. They called a dicey pass interference on Asante Samuel on an uncatchable pass that went for 37 yards and they just called a 40-yard pass interference on Ellis Hobbs as Hobbs was hauled down from behind Reggie Wayne.

77 yards worth of bad calls. Staggering.

Bouts we've seen....Mike Vrabel vs. Ryan Diem...Matt Light vs. Dwight Freeney....Rodney Harrison vs. Dallas Clark...

And Joseph Addai continues to kill the Pats defense.

The Patriots just made it 7-3 on a third-and-goal toss to Randy Moss in the left side of the end zone. Moss was checked on the play 1-on-1 by corner Tim Jennings who locked up with Moss as he came off the line then allowed Moss to get inside of him. From there, it was an easy throw for Brady to the 6-4 Moss on the 5-8 Jennings.

Brady just hit Benjamin Watson on third-and-3 to pick up a first down at the Indy 4. The story so far is the heat being applied off the edges by Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney that's got Brady uncomfortable in the pocket.

A couple of Laurence Maroney runs and a completion to Randy Moss has gotten New England inside the Colts 30. New England needed that because the noise level and momentum were all favoring indy.

New England's tackling at the second level has been poor. They're extremely fortunate to be down 3-0 after Indy's first two drives.

The Colts just got a chip-shot field goal at the end of an 88-yard drive. The key play was a 37-yard pass interference call against Asante Samuel and three big runs by Joseph Addai.

The Colts could have had a touchdown if Anthony Gonzalez was able to secure a pass from Manning on a short slant but the ball squirted out on a third-and-goal play.

Joseph Addai just had a terrific jitterbugging run (and there's another) and he's already got 69 yards on 9 carries.

A spin move by Robert Mathis got him around Patriots right tackle Nick Kaczur on the Patriots first offensive play and the resultant 10-yard sack sent the RCA Dome into an absolute frenzy.

This joint is loud. Or I'm old.

The Colts had five first downs on their initial drive and moved it well on the ground with Joseph Addai (7 carries, 36 yards) but they bogged down after reaching the Patriots 23 and wound up attempting a 50-yard field goal that Adam Vinatieri hooked left.

Doubly bad for the Colts is that New England takes over at its 40.

Dallas Clark was targeted by Manning on a throw to the end zone but the pass was too far to the left and Clark had to run through Rodney Harrison to get close to it. It was a good no-call by the officials.

So far we've got a fumbled coin flip, a sketchy neutral zone infraction on New England and an overturned completion on the sidelines by Jeff Parry's crew.

Hopefully, it's just early-game jitters and the officials don't become part of the story.

Second-year tackle Charlie Johnson is in for Tony Ugoh at left tackle. He's held up well on the first couple of plays for the Colts.

Head referee Jeff Parry had a false start on the coin toss, dropping the coin after New England called heads as he prepared to flip it.

Parry picked the coin up, flipped it again and it came up tails meaning the Colts get the ball first. Pats linebacker Tedy Bruschi was railing at Parry for screwing up the initial toss, saying it came up heads.

The Colts had former Patriots and little-used defender Dan Klecko as one of their three captains.

Let's give a quick atmosphere update in the RCA Dome. It's actually cold, probably low 60s. The joing will warm up significantly when the action starts.

As for the fans, there is not an empty seat to be seen which is a little rare for minutes before the kickoff. Usually there are some late arrivers but not today.

It's unbelievably loud. I don't think the din can exceed what we heard in the AFC Championship game but it's ear-splitting.

The Patriots are on the field. The Colts are about to enter musical accompaniment from The Who!

Indianapolis will be without four starters today. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison, left tackle Tony Ugoh and linebackers Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler are all inactive for the showdown with New England.

In their places are Dan Federkeil at left tackle, Aaron Moorehead at wide receiver, Rocky Boiman and Clint Sessions at linebacker if the Colts stay true to their depth chart.

Watch Federkeil. He's going to be dealing with the confusing right side of the Patriots defense with Jarvis Green, Rosevelt Colvin and Richard Seymour. The Colts are likely going to have to expend more resources to account for Federkeil's issues meaning Ben Utecht, the tight end, may be lined up over there as well.

As for Harrison's absence, it makes it even more vital that Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark get available for Peyton Manning. And that's going to be harder to do with the Pats able to roll coverage at them and leave Moorehead singled.

Patriots free safety Eugene Wilson didn't make the trip to Indy with an ankle injury which is good news for the Colts who are taking the field today with a diminished Marvin Harrison (knee).

Even though he's been supplanted as the starter by James Sanders, Wilson's one of the best cover guys in the secondary. This may mean more time on the field for rookie Brandon Meriweather, a first-rounder out of Miami.

Another Patriot, linebacker Eric Alexander, is out as well. He's primarily a special teams guy but a good one.

And suddenly Notre Dame is in A LOT of trouble.

Notre Dame was skating along with its running game--running the ball nine consecutive times from its own 34 to Navy's 23. Then Charlie decided to pass the ball. And the Irish drive stalled. And the field goal missed.

The Irish held Navy for the first time all game on its next drive (the Middies missed a 47-yard FG attempt), but two plays later, on second down, Evan Sharpley was sacked and fumbled the ball. Navy defensive end Chris Kuhar-Pitters scooped up the fumble and rumbled 16 yards for the go-ahead score. Kaipo scored on the 2-point conversion attempt.

28-21 Navy, with 10:24 to play. Now we'll have to see if the Irish panic and start throwing (mistake, since the line cannot adequately protect Sharpley) or if they stick to a rushing game that has netted them a season-high 128 yards through three quarters.

I've got to go down to the field now. Thanks for reading today. I would have written more, but this game flew by so quickly...

Navy scored on its first drive of the second half. The drive lasted 8:23, which is now Navy's longest drive of the season, time-wise. Sixteen plays, 65 yards on the drive.

But the Middies' kicker, Joey Bullen, hit the right upright on his PAT. He'd made 37 in a row, and 84-85 all-time before missing that kick. So the Irish lead 21-20.

Armando Allen to receive the kickoff. It feels as if he's going to break one today. He had two long returns in the first half and his confidence is building.

Not this time. AA returns it to the 34.

And I swear I never once consulted the flip chart to check the spelling. That's the name of Navy's quarterback, and I have no idea if Tom Hammond is receiving hazardous duty pay for this broadcast. Here are Kaipo's (that's how the press pox announcer refers to him) first half passing numbers:

1-2 for 14 yards.

But that's okay, because he moves the ball. Navy, with the exception of a lost fumble in the first quarter, scored TDs on its other two first-half drives and is threatening again. The Middies just chip away chip away chip away, and aren't afraid to embrace the concept of gaining three yards per play for four plays is all you need.

Meanwhile, up in the press box, the pizza man arrived very late at halftime. If you were to have stood up in the lobby ten minutes ago, you would have seen a slew of men (and women) holding black plastic plates just waiting for the elevator doors to open with a dude bearing pizzas. But he was late. Maybe he thought Freddie Krueger was here?

Honestly, though, whenever people say things like, "There's a difference between humans and wild animals", I want to show them the scene I just witnessed. The only big difference, I think, is that we wear clothes and that they are clothes.

...The Irish lead 21-14. About what we expected. Notre Dame has already surpassed its single-game scoring high (20, at UCLA) for 2007 and has doubled up on its average.

The most important play of the first half? Golden Tate's fumble on Navy's kickoff late in the first half that the Irish recovered. If Navy recovers, it's a safe bet that the Middies score from inside midfield. And then they get the kickoff to start the second half. If the Middies were up 28-14 midway through the 3rd quarter, there'd be a lot of tight (and since it's Notre Dame, clerical) collars inside Notre Dame Stadium. Streak-breaking would appear imminent.

As it is, the Irish recovered the fumble and put together a third TD drive. Meanwhile Paula Faris, new mom and sleep-deprived, is asking me more questions about blimps than I'd ever considered myself [the Goodyear blimp is above the stadium]. Paula wants to know how a blimp propels forward ["Does it run on gas?"] and what the contingency plan is when something goes wrong. I told her that the plan is for someone to bellow, "Oh, the humanity!" and then panic.

Here's my observation: Isn't it ironic that the Goodyear blimp has no tires? I mean, planes and helicopters even have tires. But not blimps. Odd.

Her

About what we expected on a beautiful early November Saturday (that feels and looks like mid-October) in South Bend. Notre Dame won the opening coin toss and marched the ball downfield for a touchdown. Robert Hughes scored from three yards out, becoming the first Irish player to score a second touchdown this season. Hughes, who attended his brother's funeral yesterday, was obviously inspired. He jogged the football over to Charlie Weis, who gave him a hug and handed the football to a trainer, who then handed it to a student manager, who then sold it on eBAy. Wait, no, he ran it into the locker room.

Navy, on its second possession, put together a signature Midshipmen possession: 19 plays (all rushing plays), 85 yards, in 8:04. Zerbin Singleton, who's a 3-part Movie of the Week waiting to happen, scored the TD frrom two yards out. All three of those aspects of the drive (plays, yardage, time) were Navy's longest of the season).

Travis Thomas just scored from two yards out, using not one but two pirouette moves. He ties Hughes for most TDs by an Irish player this season (2).

I'm seated next to the lovely Paula Faris in the press box. She's showing me photos of her 8-week old daughter, Caroline Grace, and contemplating going for a second piece of chicken. If she inhales that, Paula will have devoured more in chicken (poundage-wise) than the weight of Caroline at birth.

Paula's husband, by the way, is John Krueger. And he has an uncle named Freddie. (We're still investigating as to his street address). Paula was telling me last night that "John's uncle can never order pizza on Halloween because of his name." Who orders pizza on Halloween?

Oh, so about Zerbin Singleton. Born in Alaska. Didn't know who his father was until he was in high school, but then a year later his dad committed suicide. Mom in jail. Was his high school's valedictorian, but a week before graduation was hit by a drunk driver and broke his collarbone (this is Keegan Herring-like). And because he wasn't physically in tip-top shape, he was unable to attend the Naval Academy in his plebe year. Had to attend Georgia Tech for a year first. Now he's an aeronatical engineering major with a 3.2 GPA and is up for the FWAA Courage Award. It's gotta be between Singleton, Herring, and whoever is standing in the pocket for the Irish.

While I was typing all that Navy went on a 65-yard scoring drive in which they passed first.

It's now 14-14.

We can't believe how fast this day is going. It's 3:58 p.m. and there's 3:59 remaining in the first half. With the 3:30 (actually 3:43) p.m. starts we've had before today, the game is usually on its first or second drive at this point.I may actually get to see a little of the ASU-Oregon game today.

I wonder if the writers in the press box at Autzen Stadium are wearing "I Survived Connie Bellotti" T-shirts this evening. I would.

Nobody's punted yet, either. Both teams have gone for it consistently on fourth down, as if the outcome of the game depends on not losing serve. And it just may. Meanwhile, the Irish are driving and trying to score more points this half (21) than they have in any game this season.

What's wrong with Kansas?!?!? They've given up 31 points to Nebraska this afternoon. Oh, the Jayhawks have scored 76? That's what's wrong .

As I was stepping out of the elevator and into the Notre Dame press box this morning, my editor, Barry, phoned. "Ryan Shay collapsed and died at the men's trials."

The news of Shay's death this morning, tragic and wholly unexpected, hit me hard. Shay was running southbound on the eastern side of the Central Park loop when he collapsed a little more than five miles into the race. CPR was performed on him at the scene, and then he was whisked away by ambulance to Lenox Hill Hospital, which is just a few short blocks (77th & Lexington) away from where Shay lost consciousness. Shay, who married fellow former NCAA 10,000-meter champion Alicia Craig of Stanford last July 7, was pronounced dead at 8:46 a.m. He was 28 years old.

I had met Shay a few times before. You could not help but notice the nine-time All-American and four-time USA Track & Field road racing national champion. To put it succinctly, he was the best-looking man in road racing. Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White, speaking to four of us media members in the press room moments ago, described Shay as "the Brady Quinn of Notre Dame Olympic sports. He was Prefontaine-like. Ryan definitely had an aura about him."

It's no coincidence that White referred to Steve Prefontaine. Shay, according to his coach here at Notre Dame, Joe Piane, ran and behaved like Pre. He was not a tactical runner, not even in practice. Shay took it out hard, led the pack, and dared you to catch him. That's exactly what he did in 2001 in Eugene, Oregon, when he became the first Notre Dame runner in 47 years to win an outdoor national championship in track. When he won the NCAA 10,000-meter run. On Steve Prefontaine collegiate track, at Hayward Field.

Two years ago Shay ran in the New York City Marathon. There he met Alicia Craig, who would later become his wife. He would have been just approaching the 25-mile mark at the spot where today he fell to the pavement.

The story hits the Notre Dame community hard. The president of the New York Road Runners Club, which hosted this morning's trials and puts on tomorrow's New York City Marathon, is Mary Wittenberg . A graduate of Notre Dame's law school, Wittenberg actually ran a year with the Notre Dame cross-country team. Piane told me that Wittenberg was too fast to run with the women, so that he usually had her train with the slower runners on the men's team. You will not find a better person in all of sport than Mary Wittenberg. She is the face of the NYRRC and is at the starting line at almost road race that takes place in Central Park, which means almost weekly. Wittenberg always lends a few words of encouragement to runners before dipping in to run the race herself.

This morning I spoke to Jill Geer, the director of communications for USA Track & Field. She said that Wittenberg, who informed the media of Shay's death, was "extremely upset."

The story, as I said, hits me hard. Shay and I are both Notre Dame alums. My closest friend from Notre Dame ran cross-country here. I'm a marathoner, and have probably logged at least 15,000 miles running the Central Park loop. I got chills when I checked the Men's Olympic Trials course map and saw where Shay fell. In my first marathon, the 1991 New York City Marathon, I collapsed as if I'd been shot in the hamstring at nearly the exact same spot where Shay fell this morning.

White used another adjective to describe Shay just moments ago. He said Shay was "self-directed". Like Prefontaine, and like some of the other intriguing distance runners the U.S. has produced (Gabe Jennings comes to mind), Shay was something of an iconoclast. But what always struck me about Shay was how this young man from Michigan looked as if he'd been plucked right off a surfboard in southern California. Sporting his Oakley shades and with biceps as impressively huge--for his respective sport-- as Quinn's, Shay looked like a movie star. Or a rock star. He ran that way, too.

I'm reminded of the line that Tom Skerritt delivers near the end of "A River Runs Through It" to his surviving son, played by Craig Scheffer. When Scheffer falters trying to describe the person that his recently deceased brother was, Skerritt simply says, "You know this about him. He was beautiful."

Ryan Shay exuded beauty. His physical presence was just a model for the way he pursued running and all of his goals. There was no one like him.

Sigh. I think this story has been beaten into the ground.
Mark Rict. Georgia-Florida. Planned Celebration. Depending on what side you're on, you either agree with Richt knowing he had to do something to get his team going. Or you believe it was a low act that lacked class and respect. Come on. This is sports, not an etiquette class. There is no love lost between these two teams. You do what you gotta do to win the game. And if an extra dance in the endzone gets you going, not to mention a HUGE conference game, then by all means celebrate. Sound the horns, bring out a pinata, confetti and all... fire. it. up.

However, the man who changed SEC Football and brought UF to the national stage in college football had something to say about it:

FROM CHICAGO SUN TIMES:
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier knows what he would have done if he had been coaching Florida and Georgia's players got the mass-celebration penalty:

Start a fight.

Spurrier said if Gators coach Urban Meyer had known what was going to happen after the Bulldogs' first touchdown last week, he should have sent out ''one of his third-team guys and get in a wrestling match with the guys, get a fight started.''

Spurrier's reasoning? With all of Georgia's players off the bench, they all might get suspended as part of the Southeastern Conference's penalties for fighting.

''Leave the bench in a fight, and you're out the next game,'' Spurrier said. ''That's what we'd do if the other team ever does that.''

If Meyer had followed Spurrier's tactic, the Bulldogs ''would have been in deep trouble for the game next week,'' Spurrier said.

OTHER COLLEGE COACHES THOUGHTS HERE.

You're the coach. What call do you make?

"Of course, Boston College is No. 2 in the nation so it gives us a chance to be the spoilers. You can remember how many years where we were ranked one, two, three, four and they would come in and be the spoilers. Well now, the opportunity is in our hands."

September 17, 2005
Bsoton, MA
Florida State at Boston College
28-17 Noles

We are the last team to beat BC at home. I went to that game, it was my first trip to Boston actually. The entire city seemed to be made of only garnet and gold. Fans were everywhere and I must say I was quite impressed with the tailgaiting at BC. Both sides were friendly to each other not knowing who was rooting for who. That is until people spoke...

"Hey ya'll..."
"Wicked game man..."

Fast forward two years later. Boston College has had a dream season. We have had many ups and forgettbale downs. I'm not going to be an idiot and say Florida State is going to beat Boston College. They're undefeated, have a Heisman quality QB (ranked 11th in passing yards), and are at home playing in a city that has been ridiculously blessed this year in the world of sports. They have a huge wave of momentum coming off a nail biter against VA Tech last week. They almost saw their Cinderella season slip away and rallied to save it in the final minutes of the game. This team wants it. They're hungry for it.

My team is well... confused. That can't pull it together. QB is inconsistent no matter who you put in there. Lee can get it going and then makes a rookie mistake, throws an interception, fumbles the ball (again and again). Weatherford.. eh. Never been a real fan. And the kid has had so much time to develop. He should be better and it is obvious he is never going to be what we need on this team: a leader who gets it done when it matters most. They did manage to put up 534 yards last week.. but that was against Duke. (insert Debbie Downer music)

So what do the Seminole Fans have to look forward to this weekend? We've got nothing to lose. And in college football that sometimes can be the best thing on your side. The pressure, and there is a ton, is all on Boston College. How many times have they been in this situation? How many of those players can look back and say, "Hey, we've been here before. We know what we need to do to finish this thing out." When have they ever had so much on the line? At what point in history has BC been the name dropped in National Title conversations?

As Bobby said... FSU for so long, was that team. The one everyone wanted to beat, knock down and get thrown out of title contention. It's an odd spot to be in, having the shoe on the other foot, being the team that people write off.

BC may be having a dream season... but we've got no problem crashing this party. Afterall, parties are things we're good at.

Gregg blogged about my team, the Texans today. And yes, Matt Schaub is out. However consider a few bright spots with the possible return of Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels back in the mix and the questionable health of Aman Green isn't as scary when compared to Oakland's rush defense. If only they had been healthy this first half of the season... what could've been???

As Joe Girardi put on his jersey and was introduced to the press as the new manager for the Yankees...

Joe Torre was hanging out with Mike and the Mad Dog answering questions about the season, the players, and yes Scott Boras (a man he says, really does have the players best interest at heart). Torre does so well at just remaining calm and even though the entire Yankee situation is still so current, he brings no unneccessary emotion to his answers. No anger or resentment.. classy.

He wanted a two year contract and said the reason that second year was so important to him was because he didn't want the first year to get interrupted. He didn't want to put the pressure on his players to have to answer questions about his status. He felt he could go into the season knowing he wasn't going to be fired.

No question, he's talking to the Dodgers about managing the team. He says they haven't reached "that point yet." It would be nice to have Joe in Vero Beach as the Dodgers spend their last Spring Training in my hometown. If he does in fact "reach that point" with the Dodgers. We'll know soon...

Last night I happened upon the funniest new show of the fall season. The program itself is not new, actually, but the cast is. And I don't think I've seen three men sit around a desk and make me laugh more since Murray took roll call for Flight of the Conchords band meetings ("Jemaine?" "Present").
The show is called "NBA Shootaround" and it stars Stuart Scott, Bill Walton and Screamin' A. Smith. It airs on ESPN, as you might have supposed. The premise of this program, from what I could deduce, is to have two guys, one of whom never played a collegiate sport and the other who had an injury-shortened career at a Division II program, explain the game of basketball to a guy who once shot 21-22 in a Final Four game, was the backbone of a team that compiled the longest win streak in NCAA history, won two NCAA championships and a pair of NBA titles, and is also the only NBA player ever to be named MVP and later in his career Sixth Man of the Year.
Oh, it's great fun.
Listening to Screamin' A lecture Walton, whose 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers were the epitome of "team" over "me" concept (they beat a jacked-up with superstars Philadelphia 76ers team in the NBA Finals), as to why he'd be stupid not to trade half the Chicago Bulls for Kobe Bryant was fascinating. Particularly when you consider that the most team-oriented teammate Kobe has right now in L.A. is Walton's son Luke. "I like your son," Screamin' A. patronized, as if Walton requires Smith's validation. "He's a good player.
Hilarious.
Watching Big Red sit between Scott and Smith on the Bristol set is like watching that psychology student film where painful electric shocks are administered to an unsuspecting victim for the purpose of seeing how much he'll put up with before he goes bonkers. Apparently, ESPN's idea is to keep this trio together on the set this season. As a viewer who cannot always find "World's Deadliest Chases" on TV, I hope they do. Because I love rubber-necking car wrecks.
However, I cannot see this trio lasting beyond Thanksgiving. I really do fear that Walton will go Vesuvius on one of his partners soon and Bristol homicide will be called in to yellow-tape the scene. And yet, there will be hours of video evidence for Walton's attorneys to present a jury to demonstrate that this, in face, was justifiable.
Watching the premiere of this "team" last night, I was reminded that Walton's old coach, the inestimably decent John Wooden, is still alive. But if Coach Wooden ever happens upon "NBA Shootaround"? This will kill him.