Ravens fans can identify with the We-Hate-T.O. club because of the obvious -- Terrell Owens snubbed Baltimore a few years back in order to be with his then-pal Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia. But no one has more animosity for Owens these days than those spurned Eagles fans, who wrote the book on grudges.

There are some great games this weekend besides the Super Powers battle between New England and Indianapolis, among them Baltimore-Pittsburgh. And, in Philly, Cowboys-Eagles. And that means another return of T.O. to the City of Brotherly Love.  Here's a great quote from Philadelphia cornerback Lito Sheppard about the Eagles' fans' intense feelings for the Dallas receiver.

"I think that relationship is kind of like when you have a girlfriend you used to love in the past, maybe high school," Lito Sheppard told sports writer Ashley Fox, "and you loved her so much, but you hate her so bad now. But you can't stop talking about it."

Hmm, that Sheppard is a real student of human nature.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:21 AM | Permalink
                    

The fellow who runs the Red Sox Monster Web site, Dan Lamothe, sends us items from time to time, and he passed along this one that, as far as I can tell, first appeared on boston.com under Eric Wilbur's byline. In the Internet environment, it can be darn near impossible to track down the origins of something.

Having said that, here's a whimsical look at the Colorado Rockies (as Super Mario) marching through the playoffs -- I'm sure you'll recognize the little characters who represent the Pardres, Phillies and Diamondbacks -- until they get to the big, ol' scary Red Sox. It goes fast so you may have to play it a few times to get the full effect. Cute stuff.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:56 AM | Permalink
                    

There are facts and then there are developing facts, otherwise known as rumors.

The fact is that Grady Little has resigned as manager of the Dodgers. Says it has nothing to do with bad feelings between himself and GM Ned Colletti. Says it has nothing to do with the notion that the baseball universe believes that it's a foregone conclusion that Joe Torre will be moving into the Dodgers' manager's office any day now.

But it's obviously the necessary step to clear the way for that to happen. Moving on to the developing facts -- so, Torre becomes manager of the Dodgers and brings Don Mattingly with him.  And certainly that helps the Dodgers' standing in the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes.

I was watching one of those round-table sports discussions where the speculation was about A-Rod's next team and, in my opinion, former football player-turned-radio guy Garry Cobb had an interesting take on that. While everyone else was offering sports wonk points of view, such as who could afford A-Rod, who was in a position to contend for a World Series, who could best accommodate him in their lineup, Cobb talked about the human element here.

It's not entirely (although partly) about the money because all the leading candidates will pretty much come up with the same amount of cash -- plus, Rodriguez has enough money for his great-great grandchildren. It's not even about winning a World Series (although partly) because if it were ALL about being on a winning team, A-Rod would have stayed with the Yankees -- because who else is in a better position year-in and year-out to contend for a world championship.

At the end of the day, A-Rod has had it with the intense scrutiny that comes with playing on an East Coast team (so scratch off the Red Sox), Cobb opined. So the best fit, in A-Rod's world view (speculatively speaking), would be either the Dodgers or the Angels. Both are contenders. Both should be able to afford him (although the Dodgers seem to be more of a mind to open the vault).  And A-Rod is several thousand miles away from those hectoring East Coast media types who refused to buy into the hero worship and picked at the scab of his playoff problems, and the pesky tabloids that made life miserable for him and wife, Cynthia. And, of course, now there will be Torre.

*  The NBA season opened last night. Of course, you felt the earth move, didn't you? No? Oh, well.  It did -- meaning the NBA started, not the earth moving. The Lakers lost at home to Houston by two points. Kobe Bryant is still playing in L.A. (and that's one more reason for A-Rod to wind up in Los Angeles, to fill that impending celeb vacuum when Bryant moves along). San Antonio picked up where it left off last year, picked up its championship rings and clobbered Portland. Wake us up when the playoffs start.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:55 AM | Permalink
                    

I was waiting for something like this to happen.

Jeff George has gone public with "Hey, I can play as good as these guys!" or words to that effect.

George, who hasn't thrown an NFL pass since 2001, contacted the Minnesota Vikings' play-by-play announcer to take the temperature of coach Brad Childress concerning possible interest in George. The Vikes' first-stringer, Tarvaris Jackson, is hurt and even when he was playing, wasn't all that hot. Backup Kelly Holcomb was horrible on Sunday against Philadelphia but then he got knocked silly. The third-stringer is Brooks Bollinger, who did a little better. 

But George is obviously looking around and seeing guys like Vinny Testaverde, who's four years older than George, playing for Carolina and he thinks, "What the heck!"

Considering Testaverde got up from the Barcalounger and won his first outing of the season against Arizona a few weeks ago, I don't blame Jeff George for feeling the way he does. Of course, the problem with George is that even in his prime, when he was supposed to be good -- he wasn't all that good.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 2:00 PM | Permalink
                    

George football coach Mark Richt has apologized to the Southeastern Conference and the University of Florida for his team's mega-celebration after the Bulldogs scored their first touchdown in a 42-30 win over the Gators on Saturday.

Richt had told the players he'd be upset if they didn't get a penalty for celebrating the TD because he wanted to fire up his squad. He says he meant just the 11 guys on the field and not the entire bench. So here it is. There are a couple of parts that are reminiscent of the jail cell Electric Slide dance scene in Replacements.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:47 PM | Permalink
                    

As you read this, they're supposed to be having a parade in Boston to celebrate the Red Sox World Series victory. Good for them. Here's a sincere wish that they have a joyful and, just as importantly, safe afternoon.

Three years ago, when the Red Sox came back from three games-to-zero to beat the Yankees in the ALCS and, of course, went on to win the Series, there was also a celebration. That one turned increasingly unpleasant, even violent, and tragically a college student, a young woman, was struck and killed by a plastic pepper spray projectile fired by police as they tried to disperse a crowd.

Most of the music videos we post here are fun clips, sometimes amusing, sometimes sentimental. This one, that shows scenes from a portion of the '04 Red Sox ALCS celebration, is different. There is a genuine sense of irony here, a bitterness. And we don't present this as a criticism of any particular city or its fans. Actually, I think it stands as a proxy for all those instances when something that should be a truly happy communal event, a city's sports team winning a championship, is sullied by the behavior of just a few who confuse partisan fervor with boorishness.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The buzz about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady being at-risk in those New England blowouts is getting louder and you have to wonder whether Bill Belichick is putting a bull's-eye on the only irreplaceable player on the roster with these over-the-top scores and the play-calling.

The out-loud grumbling has been somewhat muted so far. We heard from Redskins linebacker Randall Godfrey, who  called out Belichick for showing no class by continuing to throw late in the 52-7 game. Joe Gibbs, for the record, said he had no problems with what the Patriots did (like throwing on fourth down with the score, 38-0). But his sideline expression and his frosty post-game meeting with Belichick said otherwise.

And here's where this can get ugly. Let's face it, there is probably only one way to stop the Patriots. And that's if they don't have Brady. Now, the same could be said of the Colts and Peyton Manning. And Brett Favre and the Packers. And maybe most other winning teams. And no one would suggest that Manning or Favre, through their respective careers, has ever been especially targeted by the opposition.

But here's the difference. There is, around the league, an obvious level of respect for those quarterbacks and those organizations that certainly discourages the opposition from deliberately gunning for those star quarterbacks.

By all accounts and my limited first-hand experience, Brady is the same. Super good guy. Respected by the opposition and respectful of them as well. But unlike Manning and Favre, he's playing in game after game where the score is getting out of hand. He plays for a coach who is aggravating lots of people in the NFL fraternity. There's frustration building on the other side late in these games and Brady is the guy following the orders coming into his helmet. 

In 1990, I saw the Eagles knock out SIX quarterbacks, including Troy Aikman (Dallas), Chris Miller (Atlanta), Steve Grogan (New England), Anthony Dilweg (Green Bay), Stan Humphries (Washington) and Jeff Rutledge (Washington). The last two in the same game -- the infamous "Body Bag Game." And they were hardly the only ones in the Philadelphia "Gang Green" era of Reggie White, Clyde Simmons, Jerome Brown, Seth Joyner, Andre Waters and the rest. Once, that defense turned a game with the Giants completely around by knocking out Phil Simms and terrorizing his backup. Their technique was often deceivingly simple. A defensive player would wrap up a quarterback, pin his arms to his sides and fall on the guy, driving a shoulder into the ground. Hello, Brian Mitchell (that's who wound up playing QB for the 'Skins that one day).

You don't see much of that stuff anymore. And that's a good thing. Life is plenty dangerous enough in the pocket -- just look at the list of quarterbacks already hurt this season. But with these New England beatdowns mounting, it just takes one guy on the other side who feels he's had enough.

Photo credit:  John Makely/Sun

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

Getting around to Alex Rodriguez. If you're wondering how the A-Rod "You couldn't get me to stay in New York for $72 million" announcement came about during the World Series clincher Sunday night, the answer is simple. 

Rodriguez' agent, Scott Boras (below), sent an e-mail to reporters during the game.

That move essentially stole the World Series telecast's attention from the actual game for several minutes as Fox announcers, including former Sun sports reporter Ken Rosenthal, were forced to deal with the "development."

Not everyone was amused, as evidence by this note from MLB president Bob DuPuy that appeared in a New York Times story today.

DuPuy said  he was "appalled at the lack of respect shown the game by the selfish and self-centered announcement of Scott Boras (Sunday) evening."

"The announcement appeared to be a deliberate attempt to take attention from the preeminent baseball event of the year, the World Series, and showed a significant disregard for the core principle that baseball is a team game and not an individual sport."

The Times story said that Boras later apologized. Profusely, I'm sure.

Photo credit: Branimir Kvartuc/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

So, it looks as if Joe Girardi is going to be the manager up in the Bronx.

As I mentioned a week or so ago, this makes it all the more interesting from our point of view here in Baltimore. Assuming Girardi and the Yankees come to an agreement  --and wouldn't that be a fine mess if they didn't, considering the Don Mattingly bridge has been blown to smithereens -- when the Bombers come to town, the guy in the dugout will be the fellow who stiff-armed the Orioles this past summer, mumbling something about family considerations. 

Sort of embarrassed the Baltimore organization and new team president Andy MacPhail, didn't he? Dissed the fans here in Charm City a bit, dontcha think? Kind of sets up an intriguing little morality play, what say?  And why am I beginning to sound like Stewie Griffin on the Family Guy?

Anyway, here's what this really tells us. The Yankees, despite their claims that they wanted Joe Torre back, were doing exactly what we said they were doing all along -- making Torre an offer he couldn't possibly accept because, bottom-line, Steinbrenner & Sons believe that the team needs a big ol' cleat in the rump. And Torre was too much of a "player's manager," in their opinion. And Mattingly, considered a Torre clone, had the same fatal flaw, again from management's POV. So what we have here is a premeditated personality make-over going on up there in the Bronx and any characterization to the contrary by Yankee management is utterly disingenuous.

One more thing.

Did you catch that hissy-fit that King George threw when A-Rod walked away from the $72 million to tear up his Yankee contract?  Steinbrenner basically accused him of treason and Steinbrenner's  son has said the Yankees wouldn't negotiate with free-agent Alex Rodriguez because if you don't want to wear the Yankee pinstripes proudly then yada-yada-yada. 

So where was that vaunted Yankee loyalty when it came time to hire a manager and they cut loose Mr. Yankee, Don Mattingly?  Seems that loyalty business is a one-way street up there in New York, n'est pas?

Photo credit: Kathy Willens/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
                    

It's tough staying up for those Monday Night Football games so if you missed it, Brett Favre was, well, he was Brett Favre. The Packers scored just two touchdowns in their 19-13 OT win over the Broncos in Denver but they were 79- and 82-yard strikes from Favre. And these weren't your cutesy little West Coast Offense eight-yard slants with 70 yards of YAC.

The first was a big-time 50-yard or so strike to James Jones in the first quarter and the second was an over-the-top, spot-on, left-sideline rainbow to Greg Jennings on the first play from scrimmage in overtime. At 38 years old, Favre is still capable of putting up Hall of Fame numbers (21-for-27, 331 yards) and making the spectacular throw. 

And if you stayed up for the telecast, you heard Favre's wife, Deanna, who has just written a book, as the MNF interview guest. What a pleasant relief that was after the likes of Jimmie Kimmel and Russell Crowe the last few weeks. 

And finally, another HOF-caliber player, Denver kicker Jason Elam made a great field goal to tie the game in regulation. It wasn't long, just 21 yards, but the Broncos -- with no timeouts left -- were in fire-drill mode, dashing onto the field so that Elam could take a swat at the ball with time running out.

* And admittedly, we don't do a lot of hockey here until the playoffs -- just not our thing in Baltimore. But the Rangers' Jaromir Jagr showed that hockey players are still hockey players.  Jagr took a puck right in the kisser, went over to the bench, spit out a half box of Chicklets, which I believe were his bridge, some original enamel and blood -- and then scored what turned out to be the winning goal in a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay.

After the game, Jagr said, "I didn't see myself yet. It's Halloween tomorrow. I don't have to buy a mask."

As if we needed to be reminded, those guys are tough dudes.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

In case you missed it, Division III Trinity defeated Millsaps, 28-24, on Saturday in an ending that is possibly the most bizarre in the history of organized football. It may not have had the dramatic flourish of Cal-Stanford because it's tough to beat smashing into a tuba player but there are so many laterals -- 15 seems to be the count -- that the Millsaps guys are just sort of standing around by the end of it. The play covered 60 yards and began with two seconds remaining.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:41 AM | Permalink
                    

Ol' Coach tells you not to get too high during the good times and not to get down on yourself  when things don't go your way.

Well, last week, we went 0-4 against the spread and it was a confidence-rattling setback. But we tried not to lose faith in our prognostication skills. We just stuck with the game plan, worked hard, stayed focused, believed in our coaches and our teammates ...

Oops, sorry, just lapsed into a Brian Billick moment there.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the point spread picks. We kicked butt this week, 4-0. The easiest pick was the Colts over the Panthers. Carolina QB Vinny Testaverde scared me a little because you never know what those old guys are capable of but an ankle took him out of the game.

The Eagles (against the Vikings) and Browns (against the Rams) fell behind early but made up ground quickly.

The only one I had to sweat was the over in the Patriots-Redskins game. The number was 48 and I was getting ZERO help from Washington, which is exactly what I was worried about. But then the Pats' backup QB, obviously trying not to slip to No. 3 on the depth chart, ran for the last New England touchdown and the Patriots covered the over-number all by themselves (bless their merciless little hearts). The season mark here against the line is 14-11-2.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:51 AM | Permalink
                    

Imagine being able to walk away from $72 million. Obviously, Alex Rodriguez is in a position to do exactly that.

Now, his agent, Scott Boras, said this is really about what the Yankees will look like in 2008. Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada all might leave, Boras said, and A-Rod kinda wanted to know if they'd be back and blah-blah-blah.

C'mon. If all three of those guys wind up leaving the zoo, is there any doubt that the Yanks would spend whatever it took to replace them? And exactly how many teams in any given year are better situated than the Yankees come spring training to be in the hunt for a world title? It's not as if the Yankees are going to become the Pittsburgh Pirates overnight. And A-Rod obviously knows that.

So when an athlete walks away from $72 mil, it really has to come down to one thing: He thinks he can more elsewhere.

Yankee fans have had a love-hate relationship with Rodriguez, who has been astounding in the regular season and frustrating in October. And this, my friends, is a perfect example (we hope someone is keeping a close eye on this lad)

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

I don't think I'm being Paul Revere here in bringing you news of the Red Sox' World Series sweep of Colorado or the undefeated Patriots' 52-7 trouncing of Washington. In fact, Boston's outrageously successful teams have been so good, there may only be one meaningful sports debate -- which is the better team, the Bosox or the Pats (we'll, worry about the Colts' game later).

The team numbers

Red Sox: Tied for the major league's best regular-season record but had the best run differential, outscoring the opposition by 210 runs. In the Series, they led the Rockies for 30 of 36 innings.

Patriots: A perfect 8-0 so far, best in the NFL, and have outscored the opposition, 331-127, and out of 480 minutes of playing time, have trailed for just 18 minutes.

Advantage: Red Sox (only because there's a World Series involved).

Best arm

Red Sox: Josh Beckett (right). Regular season -- 20-7.  Postseason -- 4-0, ERA 1.20.

Patriots: Tom Brady. 30 touchdown passes, 2,431 yards, 74.2 percent completion rate.

Advantage: Patriots' Brady. NO ONE has ever had a season like this.

Big hitter

Red Sox: David Ortiz. .332 in regular season, 35 HRs, 117 RBIs. .370 postseason, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs postseason.

Patriots: Mike Vrabel (left). 7 1/2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 TD receptions.

Advantage: Patriots (big hitter is more versatile)

Ball chaser

Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury. Ninth-inning catch kept potential tying run off base last night. Also won America a free taco with second-game stolen base.

Patriots: Randy Moss. 47 catches, 11 TDs.

Advantage: On sheer numbers, it would be the Patriots but we're giving it to Red Sox for taco giveaway.

Old guy who can still bring it

Red Sox: Curt Schilling. 40 years old. Only 9-8 in regular season but 3-0 in postseason.

Patriots:  Junior Seau.  38 years old. 33 tackles, 3 interceptions, also plays offense on goal line.

Advantage:  Tough call ... both probably going to Hall of Fame. Slight edge to Red Sox because of postseason and bloody sock history.

Celebration dance

Red Sox: Jon Papelbon. Riverdance.

Patriots: No one. NFL has legislated joy into oblivion.

Advantage:  Red Sox, by default.

Button pusher

Red Sox: Terry Francona. Two World Series titles for a team that hadn't won one since the Armistice.

Patriots:  Bill Belichick. Three Super Bowls.

Advantage:  Tie. Numbers may go to Pats but Red Sox button-pusher eminently more likable.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

After a week of turmoil, the San Diego Chargers will play their game on Sunday against the Houston Texans at home in Qualcomm Stadium as scheduled.

The Southern California wildfires had chased the Chargers to Phoenix, where they practiced at the Arizona Cardinals' facility in Tempe while thousands of people who had been forced from their homes because of the threat from the fires used Qualcomm as an evacuation center.

The San Diego mayor's office said last night that if the Chargers and NFL chose to play the game in San Diego Sunday afternoon that the stadium would be ready.

Dozens of members of the Chargers' organization, including coach Norv Turner, quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Shane Merriman, were among the hundreds of thousands who had homes in affected areas.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 2:51 PM | Permalink
                    

Since we brought it up a few days ago, we didn't want you to miss it.

When Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury stole second base last night -- without a throw, mind you -- he earned everyone in America a free taco. You can pick it up at a Taco Bell on Oct. 30, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:43 PM | Permalink
                    

This Sunday, the first NFL regular-season game to be played outside North America will be held at London's Wembley Stadium between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins.

Although the contest is a milestone, the notion of NFL football being played in foreign countries is old hat. For more than 20 years, there have been games in England, Mexico, Japan, Germany, Spain, Australia and Canada -- the vast majority of those preseason, naturally. But back in 1989, when I was fortunate enough to cover an Eagles-Browns game at Wembley, it was still a novelty. And for many of the players, it was their first time outside the country.

I remember one Eagle, safety Wes Hopkins, I think it was, nearly being run down on a London Street like a frog in the old video game because of the confusing practice of cars approaching from the opposite direction from where you would normally expect. But it was the late Eagles defensive tackle, Jerome Brown, who had the most endearing childlike reaction to being in a foreign place.

Brown (left), who was raised in Florida and preferred familiar, down-home cooking, was a little suspicious of the fare in England and sought out burger joints whenever possible. But even that could be perplexing. He came across one place that sort of looked like a typical stateside fast-food burger joint -- American Burger, it may have been called. But it still gave Jerome pause.

"How come it has Burger King colors outside," a skeptical Brown wanted to know, "but they're serving Big Macs inside?"

*  And then there was this story from Philadelphia Daily News columnist Rich Hofmann, who was part of our little band of sportswriters. Hoffman was taking a cab from the airport to downtown London when the driver engaged him about his visit. Rich told the man he was in town for the American football game.

"That's the game where the players wear helmets and all that padding," the driver said.

"Well, yes," Rich answered.

After a moment, the driver, obviously a rugby fan, mused, "Bit of nancy boys, aren't they?"

Photo credit: From Wikipedia

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:10 PM | Permalink
                    

Notwithstanding their come-from-behind win over Philadelphia last Sunday, this has been a tough season for the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears. True to the curse of the Super Bowl runner-up, the Bears have been struggling. They're 3-4 and trail the Packers and Lions in the NFC North. But they still have one of the best fight songs ever, and here's one of the more interesting renditions of that gridiron classic, Bear down, Chicago Bears.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:46 PM | Permalink
                    

This is the week when there will be talk of so-called "trap" games for New England and Indianapolis, although the term, in its strictest sense, doesn't really apply in either case.

With the NFL's elite teams a week away from playing each other in this year's biggest regular-season showdown, Indianapolis plays at Carolina, and New England is at Foxboro against Washington. Both the Panthers and Redskins are 4-2, so neither should be overlooked. 

Because of the wildfires in Southern California and the uncertainty over where the Texans-Chargers game will be played, that matchup has been taken off the board by many Internet sites, at least for now.

The record here at O, by the Way, as we approach the midpoint of the season, is 10-11-2 after a lousy 0-4 last week.

Cleveland at St. Louis (-3). The Rams have been absolutely miserable for a month but they get star running back Steven Jackson back this week from a groin injury. The Browns' Jamal Lewis has been having foot problems, but he practiced, and tight end Kellen Winslow has been nursing both a sore shoulder and knee. Cleveland is coming off a bye week, though, so they're as fresh as any team can be at this time of year. This pick is based on Cleveland beginning to find itself and the Rams continuing to unravel. Pick:  Cleveland, giving 3.

Indianapolis at Carolina (6 1/2). Both of these teams are solid against the spread, but the Colts rise to the occasion against teams with winning records. The Panthers' quarterback situation has been up in the air all week. David Carr has been practicing, but he's still bothered by a back injury. That means that Vinny Testaverde could wind up starting against a Colts defense that's ranked No. 3 overall in the NFL. Of course, then there's Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis offense. Pick:  Indianapolis, giving 6 1/2.

Philadelphia at Minnesota (Pick). Andy Reid goes against his former offensive coordinator, Brad Childress. The 2-4 Eagles coughed up what looked like a sure win against the Bears last week when they allowed Chicago to go 97 yards for the winning touchdown drive. The 2-4 Vikings have their own problems with QB Tavaris Jackson struggling through his first year as a starter. Now, Jackson has a finger injury that may put Kelly Holcomb behind center against Philadelphia. Reid seems to be able to rally the troops when they have their backs against the wall, and there are some guys on that Philadelphia roster who remember how to win. Pick: Philadelphia, even.

Washington at New England (48, over-under). The Patriots have been simply incredible. They are 7-0 in the standings and 7-0 against the spread. They are 16- to 17-point favorites again this week. It's just unfathomable that they can continue to cover these lines. The problem this week is the same that's always been. They could have a three-touchdown lead and surrender a give-away TD at the end, and that would bust the line. However, they are averaging nearly 40 points a game and they've shown little inclination to back off on offense no matter what the score is. The Redskins have a terrific defense, but I don't think it matters against the Pats. I just hope Washington can keep up its end of the scoring. Pick:  Over, 48.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The NBA's intentions may have been good but, in the end, the means were impractical. And as a result, NBA commissioner David Stern had to make an admission. Nearly all -- if not ALL -- of his league's 56 referees had violated one of the strictest anti-gambling policies in sports in some fashion.

After the Tim Donaghy scandal broke, the pro basketball league's rules for game officials, as they related to gambling, were laid out in detail. Some of the highlights were that the only betting that refs were allowed to do was at racetracks in the offseason and if they even went inside a casino -- and they were not permitted to gamble if they did -- they had to report the visit to someone within the league. The letter of the law prohibited gambling in social poker games and on a golf course and even, it seems, buying a lottery ticket.

After an internal review that was taken as a result of Donaghy's egregious admitted conduct in federal court -- that he passed along sensitive information to gambling associates -- the league has discovered that every ref had violated the league's prohibitions in some fashion. None, though, came close to Donaghy's criminal conduct and no one admitted to betting on sports with a bookie or sports book. But, as a for-instance, the officials had held a poker tournament during their annual meeting.

So Stern, being realistic, announced yesterday that referees would be permitted greater latitude in their gambling practices. For example, they'll be permitted to participate in casino gambling during the offseason. Sports betting will continue to be embargoed.  

More importantly, I thought, was that Stern said that the league will examine more carefully statistical trends in games and how they relate to gambling practices. There is a wealth of information out there in the sports gambling community and in hindsight, Donaghy's conduct might have been uncovered sooner had someone been looking for gambling anomalies -- for instance, the frequency that Donaghy's games covered the over in over-under wagering. And how that might have related to his habits on whistling fouls.

It comes down to this: Where there are serious games, there will be gambling. Where there is gambling, there will be a temptation to cheat. And the best defense against cheating is to acknowledge the reality of gambling and use all the available information to keep the games as clean as possible.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:29 AM | Permalink
                    

Sports teams from Boston can do no wrong right now.

For most of last night's game in Blacksburg, Va., against Virginia Tech, Boston College seemed to be following in the footsteps of its immediate predecessors in the BCS standings who had climbed to No. 2 in the rankings. The three previous occupants of that spot had fallen as soon as they had reached that destination.

Playing on a soggy field and at times in a downpour, the Eagles and their Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback, Matt Ryan, were mostly inept on offense. BC squandered good field position early in the game and stayed close on the strength of its defense and strong punting.

Late in the fourth quarter, the No. 8 Hokies held a 10-0 lead and Ryan, (right) under heavy pressure most of the night, had shown no signs of being able to rally the troops. But first a 91-yard drive that resulted in a 16-yard TD pass with just over two minutes left and then the recovery of an onside kick gave the Eagles a realistic opportunity to pull out the win. On third-and-20 from the Virginia Tech 24-yard line, Ryan flashed his Heisman credentials with a touchdown throw to Andre Callender to keep BC undefeated at 8-0. Virginia Tech dropped to 6-2.

The turn of events may serve Ryan well in the Heisman voting. Even though he struggled for most of the night what will be remembered from this nationally televised game will be his Flutie-esque finish.

Photo credit: Doug Benc/Getty Images

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The Colorado mojo is fading, and the Boston mystique growing.

The Red Sox extended their World Series lead to 2-nil with a 2-1 win last night that was highlighted by Curt Schilling's 11th postseason victory. The 40-year-old gritted his teeth for just a shade over five innings, holding the Rockies to one run on four hits. It wasn't always pretty. The Rockies had runners in scoring position in three of the six innings that Schilling worked, but it was an effective performance that gave the Red Sox exactly what they needed to hand a lead to an overpowering bullpen.

The Rockies aren't dead yet. They now go back home, where a crazed fan base will be waiting and, perhaps, the switch to National League rules will work in their favor. Meanwhile, as ESPN's Jason Stark pointed out, Schilling added to a substantial postseason resume that includes an 11-2 record -- 4-1 in the World Series -- with a 2.23 ERA. And while last night's game wasn't nearly as dramatic as the famous Bloody Sock episode a few years ago, it still said volumes about Schilling's determination when the stakes are at their highest.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

There used to be a time when athletes who wanted to capitalize on their celebrity opened bowling alleys and restaurants.

Now, they start social networking Web sites. (That was a sharp left turn, wasn't it?)

Baltimore Ravens running back Musa Smith is a partner and point man for such a Web site, called Capazoo. Capazoo works something like MySpace, the enormously popular cyber meeting place where folks hang out and share all kinds of things about themselves and interact with old friends and attract new acquaintances. For instance, here's Musa's Capazoo page that is expected to be updated regularly -- perhaps even with some thoughts about the Ravens.

But there's more ... Capazoo also includes the entertainment component of YouTube, the enormously popular Web site where people post video. So Capazoo members will be able to post their favorite video clips, photos and music.

But there's even MORE ... users of Capazoo can actually monetize (meaning, make money) by participating on Capazoo as their fellow zoo inhabitants "tip" them for having cool profiles or posting particularly interesting videos or photos. These points are called "zoops." Members accumulate zoops several ways: for starters, by being among the first 100,000 people to join Capazoo (25 zoops); by referring others to Capazoo who then eventually become VIP members (this goes on for four generations of referrals); and by bankrolling your Capazoo account with zoops with your credit card. 

Folks can be free Capazoo members or VIP members, which requires an annual fee (either $24.95 or $34.95 a year). Points are turned into cash (one zoop = 1 cent) when they are redeemed with a special debit card at an ATM. Only the VIP members get the debit card.

Musa Smith became involved through a pal, Grant Carter. Cater is president of the Montreal-based Internet company and is a former Baltimore pro football player -- a linebacker on the 1995 Grey Cup champion Baltimore Stallions of the CFL. Carter warmly recalled yesterday coming back from the Grey Cup victory to thousands of fans at the Inner Harbor.

Anyway, Capazoo has been running for about a month and part of the initial strategy is to bring on board athletes and show biz celebs, such as Musa Smith, who have some sort of draw for people who want to know about their daily lives and thoughts. Will it be anywhere near as successful as MySpace or YouTube? WhoKnows.

Photo credit: Sun Staff

Posted by Bill Ordine at 2:07 PM | Permalink
                    

YouTube regulars may already be familiar with this attempt by Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis to leverage his athletic triumphs into a recording career back in the late 1980s. But for folks who don't comb the Internet for campy videos, this music gem will be, to put it kindly, a revelation of sorts. In honor of the 20th anniversary of Lewis' 1987 pop-reggae debut (and swan song), we bring you Break It Up. And no, there's nothing wrong with your computer, the video pixilates a little on some of the action scenes. But Lewis' vocalizing comes through loud and clear.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:02 PM | Permalink
                    

In another one of those real world/play world collisions, the San Diego Chargers are in a quandary about where their upcoming game against the Houston Texans will be played. Southern California wildfires have made life miserable for hundreds of thousands of people who have had to flee their homes because of the threat -- among them, dozens of members of the Chargers' organization, including coach Norv Turner, quarterback Philip Rivers and linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Because of smoky conditions in the San Diego area, the Chargers are practicing at the Arizona Cardinals' facility. And San Diego's home field, Qualcomm Stadium, is being used as an evacuation relief center for thousands of displaced residents. 

It's unclear where the Chargers will play what was supposed to be a home game against the Houston Texans on Sunday. So far, the choices appear to be moving the game to Houston or Dallas or trying to play it Monday night in San Diego, if conditions in Southern California permit. Although the Cardinals won't be using their own stadium, a motorcycle show is scheduled there. This isn't the first time that the Chargers have been forced to find a temporary site for a game. Four years ago, wildfires forced a San Diego game against Miami to be moved to the Cardinals' home field, which was Sun Devil Stadium back then. The San Diego mayor is expected to make a decision today about how Qualcomm will be used for the weekend. 

Photo credit: Jon Vidar/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

We all have a pretty good idea about what constitutes excellence in the NFL so far.

There are the New England Patriots. Then maybe a step down, there are the Indianapolis Colts -- and we'll answer that question in another week-and-a-half.

But what constitutes rock bottom? We have four candidates. The Miami Dolphins and the St. Louis Rams, both 0-7. And the New York Jets and the Atlanta Falcons, both 1-6.

The Dolphins deserve some pity. There's no one left on that roster. Injuries have decimated the 'Fins. Trent Green, Ronnie Brown, Renaldo Hill. And they traded wide receiver Chris Chambers.

The wheels have fallen off the Rams. Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Steven Jackson -- some of whom have been banged up -- are all still on the roster but you'd never know it. Pro Bowl OT Orlando Pace is also gone for the year. And Scott Linehan may be the first NFL coach fired.

The Jets are a bit of a mystery. Quarterback has been problematic but you would have thought those high offensive line draft picks would have been a stabilizing factor and kept them from this kind of disaster, especially after making it to the playoffs last season.

But my money is still on the Atlanta Falcons because of a rapidly deteriorating locker room. Rot from inside is the worst kind. The Michael Vick thing certainly got it started but new coach Bobby Petrino has apparently made it no secret that he's going to clean house and veterans, feeling like they're being thrown under the bus, are bailing on him. After Petrino cut DL Grady Jackson, DB DeAngelo Hall (above) joined TE Alge Crumpler in voicing the belief that the coach was no friend of the veterans on the team.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Well, the World Series rest-rust question was answered last night. The Rockies, after an eight-game layoff, had lost the mojo that had carried them to 21 wins in their 22 previous games.

Meanwhile, with the Red Sox beating Colorado, 13-1, in Game 1, the real question is, which Boston team is the most dominant -- the Red Sox or the Patriots?

Although the 7-0 Pats have been crushing NFL opponents like Godzilla on a stroll through downtown Tokyo, racking up nearly 40 points a game, the Bosox have outscored the other guys, 43-6, in their last four postseason games (the final three wins over Cleveland in the ALCS and last night's Series opener).

In case you missed it, Boston's Josh Beckett continued to pitch like a Hall of Famer in the postseason, giving up just one run and striking out nine in seven innings, and Boston's offense was relentless, staking Beckett to a 3-0 lead in the first and putting the game away with seven runs in the fifth at cold, drizzly Fenway. Beckett is 4-0 in the playoffs with a 1.20 ERA this year (1.73 career).

Of course, it's just one game out of a potential seven and it starts out 0-0 again tonight when Boston's Curt Schilling goes against Colorado's Ubaldo Jiminez, but you get the feeling that the Rockies may have to wait until they get back to their own ballpark and are playing National League lineup rules before they have a chance to slow down the Red Sox.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:52 AM | Permalink
                    

We haven't written much about poker lately but a couple of items of interest have come up this week that are worth passing along.

For starters, local poker celebrity Steve Dannenmann was involved in another winning effort at the tables but in an odd format -- team poker.  Something called the PokerBowl just finished up at the Palms casino in Las Vegas yesterday and Dannenmann, an accountant from Anne Arundel who won $4.25 million in 2005 as the runner-up in the World Series of Poker Main Event, was on the winning Cincinnati team. 

Now before people start going all Kevin Millar on me, understand that there wasn't a Baltimore team among the 25-team field and if there had been one, Dannenmann would have been playing for it. In fact, he has made an inquiry about what it would take to get a poker franchise for Charm City.  I hear ownership fees are a mere $20,000, if anyone's interested.

Anyway, first-place in PokerBowl was worth $600,000 to the winning six-player team but Dannemann said he made about $30,000 after everyone's share was sorted out.

* The other thing worth mentioning is that during ESPN's current broadcasts of the World Series of Poker, advertisements are running for a Web site called AbsolutePoker.net.   As the concept applies to poker Internet sites, the dot-nets are free-play Web site.  And supposedly that keeps them within the law. But everyone realizes that the dot-nets are closely associated with their dot-com counterparts where computer users can play for money.

The issue is that AbsolutePoker, an off-shore company, is currently caught up in allegations that  someone associated with the Web site may have used insider technology to see other players' hole cards to win hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to stories by the Associated Press and MSNBC.

I called ESPN to ask, considering the brewing scandal, whether they thought it was a good idea to be running ads for AbsolutePoker.net during its marquee poker telecasts. After making the point that the dot-net site was the free site and not a gambling site, an ESPN spokesman said that it was the network's understanding that problems at AbsolutePoker had been addressed and that, yes, ESPN would continue running the commercials.

In a case of some odd timing, high-profile poker professionals were in Washington this week lobbying  to loosen regulations on online poker that were passed last year.  Depending on how you look at it, the AbsolutePoker problems can either undermine those efforts  as an illustration of how such sites can be manipulated or bolster the poker lobby's arguments that online sites need to be regulated and taxed by the federal government.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 2:24 PM | Permalink
                    

With the World Series starting tonight, we offer this montage of photos from an era when a guy named Frank Baker earned the nickname "Home Run" because he led the majors in that category four straight years -- with never more than 12 in a season.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The New York Giants and what's left of the Miami Dolphins play the first NFL regular-season game outside North America Sunday in London. As part of the pre-game hype, a giant robot representing Dolphins defender Jason Taylor has been standing sentinel in downtown London and, as it turns out, the robot is animated. You have to love his size, but his 40 time leaves a little to be desired. That action starts at about the 3:00 mark.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Imagine, you're a coach and your team plays 55 games -- and loses just one. And you get fired.

It may have passed under the radar a bit, what with the NFL in full swing, an impending World Series and Kevin Millar's pitching debut at Fenway Park, but the coach of the United States women's soccer team was told a few days ago that his contract would not be renewed. The move deprives Greg Ryan, the coach who was part of a goalkeeping controversy at the World Cup this year, of the opportunity to coach the U.S. team at the Beijing Olympics. He finished with a 45-1-9 record. That one was costly, though.

Ryan's U.S. squad won a bronze medal in the World Cup, but he's probably best remembered by many sports fans as the guy who replaced Hope Solo with Briana Scurry in goal for a semifinal game against Brazil. The Brazilians won, 4-0, and Solo criticized the move, essentially contending that Ryan was coaching in the past. Scurry, now 36, had been a star keeper for previous U.S. championship, World Cup and Olympic teams.

But if the Scurry move was a tactical blunder, what happened next was a PR mess for Ryan. Solo wound up being persona non grata on the team and barred from the third-place game against Norway. To many observers, she was not a petulant athlete who ripped a teammate but rather a sympathetic figure who was being punished for having the courage to speak the truth.

The bottom line for the moment is that Ryan is out and Solo is back in.

Photo credit: Julie Jacobson/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
                    

Don Mattingly got his at-bat with The Boss and Sons yesterday to interview for the Yankees' managerial opening, and the smart money is on the former All-Star first baseman to be Joe Torre's replacement. Mattingly deserves it. He has served that franchise in good times and bad, he was a loyal acolyte to Torre, and he's done nothing but bring credit to that organization.

But from a Baltimore perspective, it would be interesting to see Joe Girardi in that Yankee dugout, wouldn't it? The guy who rejected the Orioles managing the team Orioles fans most loathe. Not that fans here should need any more reason to get worked up about the Yankees. But perhaps if enough passion were raised out there, it would help wrest Camden Yards back from the New York invaders.

Still, Mattingly is the guy who should get this opportunity. So, all the luck in the world to him -- which he'll really need once he does become manager.

*  The Colorado Rockies and their outsource techies managed to get the team's online World Series ticket sales system to work yesterday and moved approximately 50,000 tickets in about 2 1/2 hours. On Monday, the ticket system crashed, presumably because greedy evil-doers in far-off places with powerful robotic fingers playing The Flight of the Bumblebee on computer keyboards were pummeling the system with unethical cyber tactics. The Red Sox had a much more orderly system where fans applied for the tickets ahead of time and winners were chosen in a lottery. When all is said and done, almost everyone attending the games will have probably scored their seats in the same way -- on eBay.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
                    

Speaking of the NFL draft, do you remember Matt Jones?

Jones was drafted by Jacksonville in 2005 in the first round, No. 21 overall. It was a risky choice because Jones (left) had all these great numbers, 6 feet 6, 240 pounds, sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash. But he was a quarterback at Arkansas, and no one saw him as a quarterback in the NFL. So, the Jaguars drafted him with plans to make him a wide receiver. They figured he could do other things, too. Run the ball every once in a while. Throw a pass on a trick play.

As a rookie project, he seemed to be doing OK -- 36 catches, 432 yards and five touchdowns. Last year, he missed a couple of games and caught 41 passes for 643 yards and four TDs.  He has this bad habit of trying to make one-handed catches, but he showed flashes of what Jacksonville hoped he might be. This year, though, he's been invisible. The only way you would have seen him in last night's game was as an emergency QB.

He has played in just four games (and has actually been inactive for a couple) and has caught just eight passes, only two for first downs.

He's not a bust yet, but if he doesn't turn it around soon, Jones is going to be one of those cautionary draft-day anecdotes. Or the Patriots will pick him up for a song and under the patient tutelage of Bill Belichick, he'll become New England's new red-zone, go-to guy, replacing Mike Vrabel.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

NFL owners are meeting in Philadelphia today and, so far, the big news is that the NFL draft marathon will move along more briskly, although it still won't be a sprint.

The time that teams are alloted to make their first-round picks will go from 15 minutes to 10 minutes. The second round will be trimmed from 10 minutes to seven minutes. The remaining rounds will be five minutes. In addition, the first day's draft will be limited to the first two rounds rather than three rounds.

Last year, the first round dragged on for 6 hours, 8 minutes. If all 32 teams use their full 10 minutes, the first round still would last more than five hours. The starting time is also being moved from noon to 3 p.m. The 2008 draft will be April 26-27.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

With World Series time rolling around, the TV viewing public will get a healthy dose of Fox baseball broadcaster Tim McCarver. Now, I have to admit that I've never been one of those folks who get worked up over McCarver as a broadcaster. Perhaps I have a soft spot for the former catcher from the days he would have to act as the earth-to-Steve Carlton go-between in Philadelphia. But there's no denying that McCarver does evoke a visceral reaction from many viewers, including this one who put his unhappiness into song.
Following the music, we have a Family Guy bonus clip.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:27 PM | Permalink
                    

Sports writers and free food.

Those terms are so closely identified, it's a wonder they're not a Rogers and Hart lyric -- or 50 Cent, depending on your generation.

But at any rate, a sports writer, whose name we'll withhold, noticed the following and brought it to our attention. And, as a public service, we bring it to your attention.

Taco Bell is offering a World Series promotion where, if there's a stolen base by either team, you can get a free taco.  There are rules, naturally.  If the steal occurs in Games 1 or 2, you can get your taco only on Oct. 30.  If its Games 3-and-so-on, free taco day is Nov. 6.  And the giveaway is 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Here's more information, so read the fine print for yourself because if there are errors or misunderstandings, we have no tacos here at O, by the Way. 

Photo credit: Costume image from www.easleys.com

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

A couple of times yesterday, Ravens coach Brian Billick conceded that he was second-guessing himself on the four-quarter play-calling that is drawing fire from fans and players alike.

If you missed the situation: The Ravens were trailing Buffalo, 19-14, in the fourth quarter; Baltimore had the ball second-and-one at the Bills' 49-yard line; there was 1:59 remaining. The Ravens ran three straight pass plays, all incompletions. It was the last possession for the Ravens.

It certainly got Ray Lewis' attention. He wanted the ball in running back Willis McGahee's hands to get the first down. Yesterday, during his news conference, Billick conceded he should have run the ball on fourth down. On a Fox radio show, he repeated that but extended it to third and fourth down.

Here's the transcript provided by Fox GameTime Live Monday and thanks to Sun colleague Rick Maese, who pointed it out. The Fox broadcasters are Andrew Siciliano and Krystal Fernandez.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)
                    

Who would have thought that a pitch that didn't count would be something that would move an Oriole fan base that has become increasingly alienated from and disinterested in their baseball team?

I don't think any item here -- not even, "Who should start, McNair or Boller?" -- has generated as much response as Kevin Millar throwing out that first pitch for Game 7 of the ALCS on behalf of the Red Sox at Fenway. Not the firing of Sam Perlozzo. Not  the disgrace of Rangers 30, Orioles 3.  Nothing.

The controversy has created its own set of statistics. In The Sun's unscientific poll of fan reaction, it has shaped up this way: With about 930 responses (the last time I checked), approximately 43 percent said they WERE bothered by Millar throwing out the first pitch and about 57 percent said they WERE NOT bothered.

If you read the responses here and perhaps on Roch Kubatko's blog and listened to the radio yesterday, you would have  figured a much different poll outcome. But maybe that's because it's human nature to vent a negative feeling more loudly.

Of course, many fans questioned Millar's loyalty to the Orioles. Some, myself included, have said that loyalty is demonstrated on the field. So I went back to look up Millar's stats as an Oriole against the Red Sox. They're decent to good. He has batted .272 (28-for-103) with 16 runs, four doubles, six home runs, 20 RBIs and 14 walks. Against the Yankees, they happen to be even better -- .309 (38-for-123), 19 runs, five doubles, one triple, seven homers, 19 RBIs and 14 walks.

But for Orioles fan, this thing goes beyond numbers, I realize. One fan, I thought, put it in pretty good perspective. He asked rhetorically about the same situation regarding ex-Red Sox, current Yankee Johnny Damon. Look, I think we all realize there's a big difference, a big part of having to do with how Damon left Boston as opposed to Millar. But the fan made an excellent point in that regardless of the circumstances regarding how those players left the Red Sox, Boston would never ask a Yankee, or the Yankee organization, for that kind of permission (as they did and received from the Orioles). What this says is that Baltimore, in terms of competition between the two cities, has been marginalized -- and that realization infuriates some Orioles fans. 

And that is something for Baltimore fans to get angry about -- not Millar throwing out the ball. It's the chronic failings of the Oriole organization over a decade that have left Orioles fans feeling like they're doormats. It's evident any time the Red Sox and Yankees come to town. Look at the Pratt Street bars. Look at the stands. It's those things that happen time after time, season after season, that should infuriate baseball fans in this region -- and what they should vent about, over and over and over, is how things got to be that way.

And Kevin Millar just became a lightning rod for all of that.

Photo credit:  Gail Burton/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)
                    

Just to show that inexplicable play-calling isn't only a Baltimore phenomena, the undermanned Jaguars squandered one of their few opportunities to hang with the Indianapolis Colts last night when, in the second quarter and behind, 14-0, Jacksonville was near midfield with a fourth-and-inches.

To his credit, Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio (a former Ravens assistant) decided to go for it, knowing he needed to take advantage of every opportunity his team would have against the undefeated Colts. But rather than do what the Jaguars do best (and about the only thing they do effectively) -- which is pound the ball between the tackles with rugged Fred Taylor -- they tried a fancy end-around with speedy little Maurice Jones-Drew. Indianapolis safety Bob Saunders reacted extremely well, quickly escaped a tangle in the middle of the line and met Jones-Drew on the offensive left side for a one-yard loss.

The Jags never were in it again as starting quarterback David Garrard was sidelined with an ankle sprain. The Colts breezed, 29-7. 

Would it have made any difference had Jacksonville handed the ball to Taylor on that play and  made the first down? Who knows? Probably not. But as you watched that happen, you start wondering, why do coaches feel compelled to prove that they're smarter than the guy on the other sideline rather than simply doing what is most likely to work?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Around the NFL, referee Ed Hochuli is good-naturedly known as "Ed Hercules" for the obvious reason -- his biceps are as big as some of the players' pipes. And there's a running gag that he  manages as much on-air time as possible to flex them.

But yesterday, he made a call that stunned both sidelines in the Bear-Eagles game and made him a Greek god in the eyes of Chicago, which went on to win, 19-16. With the score tied, 9-9, and the Bears on offense in the fourth quarter, a center snap went through quarterback Brian Griese's legs and skipped into the backfield. There, Eagles' safety Sean Considine picked it up and returned it to the Bears' 9-yard line. Seemed pretty straightforward. Huge Bears mistake. Big Eagles break.

But Hochuli immediately called the play back and ruled that the errant ball represented merely a 5-yard false start penalty against Chicago -- and wasn't a fumble at all. The specifics have to do with the QB being under center rather than in the shotgun and the ball not touching him. The perplexed expressions on both sidelines indicated that no one, save the officiating crew, knew anything about such a rule. It appears the rule is written to thwart the offense from trying to draw the defense offside with a feint by the center but regardless of intent, its application meant something else entirely yesterday.

It makes no sense -- but there it is.

Photo credit:  Getty Images

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The good news for Boston College is that it's ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings behind Ohio State.

The bad news for Boston College is that it's ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings behind Ohio State.

Being No. 2 in the ranking has been the kiss of death lately. Three straight No. 2s have been knocked off -- South Florida, Cal and USC. And waiting for Boston College (7-0) next is No. 8 Virginia Tech (6-1).

Meanwhile, I want know where Elon University is in the top 25? The unheralded Phoenix (formerly, the Fighting Christians) just beat Wofford, which we all know beat Appalachian State, which we all know beat then-No. 5 Michigan (now No. 20). And why my sudden interest in Elon? They have a lot of my cash down there in North Carolina.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

If you missed it last night, Red Sox Nation was in full celebration mode after winning the American League championship, led by relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon's impromptu Riverdance. What I'm curious about was, how much practice did he put into this thing?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:36 PM | Permalink
                    

So, is it time to start really disliking the New England Patriots?

The beat-down of the Dolphins was certainly predictable. The Patriots have become the equivalent of a powerhouse college team that can run up the score at will against lesser opponents.  They have a coach who is a convicted (by the NFL) angle-shooter, if not outright cheat. And a front office that is playing Big Brother by forcing an online ticket broker to give up the names and personal identification information of 13,000 people who were involved in Patriot ticket transactions over the last several years.

There's also the issue of some awkward personal circumstances on the part of some of its high-profile cast of characters, namely the coach (accused dalliances) and even the eminently likable Tom Brady (the Bridget Moynahan situation). But to be fair, in the larger context of the sports world, such matters are venial to be sure.

Yesterday, the runaway was in full throttle -- 42-7 by halftime --  and with a four-touchdown lead in the second half, Brady was pulled from the game. When his replacement, Matt Cassel, threw an interception for a TD in the fourth quarter, Belichick sent No. 12 back in. (And how would you like to be Cassel today and have to deal with Belichick?)

When it was suggested to Belichick that he might have been piling on at that point, I thought his answer was reasonable (for Belichick), which was that one more Miami touchdown puts the game in potential comeback mode. On the other hand, that does little for the confidence of anybody on his own team should something happen to Brady and Cassel be asked to do something a little more taxing than sit on a 21-point lead for half a quarter.

Giving the Patriots their due, you have to credit them for going out in the offseason and getting players such as Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker and Adalius Thomas to make an already very good team an unstoppable force of nature. And it would be unfair to characterize them as you would the New York Yankees because the financial infrastructure of the NFL levels the playing field unlike baseball. But still, the Patriots are becoming just bit insufferable, no?

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

In picking against the spread, my Sunday was just as bad as the Ravens' -- in fact, our fates were somewhat similar.

The final tally was OH-and-4. That's right, a complete whiff.

I had the Ravens, giving three, and given the point differential in that game, I was struggling there from the outset. The Ravens are now 1-6 against the line and as far as I'm concerned, they're off the board.

The Steelers, at minus-3 1/2, gave away a touchdown and lost outright to Denver. Tampa Bay, at plus-2 1/2, would have been an automatic winner over Detroit if it could have tied and sent the game into OT (but that would have taken some highly improbable fluke plays). And the stinger was losing on the under in Arizona-Washington. The Cardinals scored a touchdown in the last 30 seconds to send it over the top.

The season record is 10-11-2. I'm tempted to pick tonight's game in an effort to get even, but I'll resist. There's a long way to go.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The never-in-contention Orioles have been a dead topic for many sports fans around here for a couple of months now. But the appearance of Kevin Millar tossing out the first pitch for last night's deciding American League Championship Series game gave Baltimore some presence in the baseball postseason, if only by proxy.

Some Baltimore followers may be offended that Millar (seen here in an earlier photo with Boston's Kevin Youkilis) accepted an invitation to perform the pre-game honors as part of the Red Sox's effort to rekindle -- successfully, as it turned out --  some of that 2004 comeback mojo. Boston won Game 7, 11-2, to claim the AL pennant.

Me? I wasn't bothered. Think about the 2007 Orioles. If there were guys you thought sort of tossed in the towel as the season slipped into oblivion -- you know, like not running hard on ground balls -- does Millar's name pop into your head? I didn't think so.

Millar, obviously in the sunset of his career, managed to stay in the lineup (he played 140 games), batted .254 with 17 home runs, 26 doubles and 63 RBIs. He has tried to provide leadership on a club that, frankly, has sorely lacked it from its players. And he provides an enormous amount of connection and insight between the clubhouse and the fans.

As Boston manager Terry Francona said of Millar tossing out the ceremonial ball, if anyone could pull off such a gesture for a division rival, Millar could. I agree. If you think otherwise, feel free to make your case.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (44)
                    

Going through the list of stories in today's Sun about the Ravens' 19-14 loss to Buffalo yesterday, I don't think too many stones were left unturned.

David Steele offered this unpalatable choice: Either the Ravens are underachievers or they are not really a team with superior talent. He comes to the latter conclusion.

Over the next two weeks, as the Ravens lick their wounds from the embarrassment of losing to a team that had just one win and was starting a rookie quarterback, some fans and observers will start making the rationalizations that will provide some hope for the rest of the season.

Those rationalizations will go something like this: OK, the team is still 4-3 and just a half-step behind Pittsburgh for the AFC North lead. And sometime after the bye week, a fistful of Pro Bowl-caliber players will be returning from injury (Trevor Pryce, Steve McNair, Todd Heap, Jonathan Ogden, Chris McAlister). From such things, the embers of hope are fanned. 

But even if we accept all that in the best light possible for the Ravens' chances, this is the reality: Going into Game 8 against the Steelers, almost every weekend becomes a must win. Especially the two games against Pittsburgh. If the Ravens don't win the division outright or sweep the Steelers -- but somehow finish with nine or 10 wins, they have tie-breaker problems. This is a bad 4-3. Two losses already within the division. Three losses within the conference. 

While we're all familiar with the string of tough teams left for the Ravens (Steelers, Patriots, Chargers, Colts, Seahawks and two teams that have already beaten them, Browns and Bengals), the Steelers have the Jets, Dolphins and Rams. Oh yeah, the Ravens have their game with winless Miami, too. Thank goodness for small favors. At this point, the Ravens need every break they can get -- and  have to take advantage of every one of them.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

The New England Patriots are a little like Santa Claus.

But not in a good way.

They're gonna find out who's naughty or nice. And they've gotten the list and they'll be checking it twice.

Here's the short version of the news. The Patriots just won a court case in which they are forcing StubHub, one of the largest online ticket marketplaces (and the official secondary market of several teams), to turn over the names, addresses and phone numbers of people selling Patriots tickets on that Web site. The Pats don't like people reselling their own tickets and there happens to be a state law in Massachusetts against reselling tickets over a certain nominal amount.

So, what could the Patriots do with all this information (we're talking about 13,000 names)? Well, they could revoke the season tickets of those sellers. Or, they could turn over the names to law enforcement for possible prosecution. 

And you thought Bill Belichick was the only guy who was into the information collection business up there.

The reality is that many states have no such laws or are considering changing them (count Massachusetts among the latter). But even if that happened in Massachusetts, the Patriots are unlikely to change their own policy on reselling. However, what would be interesting to see is if there was a change in the state law whether the Patriots would take advantage of requiring ticket holders to go through the team to resell at potentially high mark-ups and then split the loot. The Pats have indicated, according to one lawmaker, that they would not go that route. But you gotta wonder.

But regardless, doesn't the whole business of crowbarring lists of names from a Web site, where people were voluntary sellers and buyers, feel just a little creepy in a Big Brother kinda way?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

As part of our tireless quest to find novel and, when possible, extremely perilous athletic pursuits for your edification and amusement, we present -- Muni Riding.

Muni riding -- that would be the smash-up name for mountain bike riding on unicycles. It's in that same general sports category as javelin catching. Actually, it will remind some folks of trails bike riding. The video has a clever opening and some pretty amazing stuff out on the trails. The usual disclaimer applies: Kids, don't try this at home.

You know, maybe this is the way to save the Tour de France.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:44 PM | Permalink
                    

As we head toward the midpoint of the season, a trend that you'll notice in the NFL point spreads is that there's not much difference between the opening line (the oddsmakers' opinions) and where the line settles near the end of the week (after public wagering has had its influence). That means that the oddsmakers have drawn a better bead on team strengths/weaknesses and the public's perceptions and, as a result, there are fewer vulnerable spreads.

Look at the spread histories this week and you'll see just half-point moves from the opening until right now in most cases. Two exceptions were Arizona-Washington, where the Redskins opened at about 6-point favorites and now are 8 1/2 - 9 1/2 favorites. The other was really weird, probably a mistake even. One Internet site opened New Orleans as a 2-point underdog to Atlanta. That changed in a hurry. The Saints are now 8-to-9-point favorites.  Another difficulty is that so many favorites are huge favorites. At least six games have favorites that are giving nine points or better. By their very nature, those games are just about unpickable -- unless, of course, it's the New England Patriots, who beat any line you put up there. This week, they're 16 1/2 over Miami.

So, the season scorecard is 10-7-2 as we head into Week 7.

Baltimore at Buffalo (3). If the Ravens could get their red-zone problems straightened out, their final scores would be more reflective of what has been a decent offense. They have appeared to be more explosive with Kyle Boller at quarterback. In rookie Bills QB Trent Edwards, Baltimore will be facing a quarterback who may be overwhelmed by its complex defense. Last week was the first time this season that the Ravens covered. I think they're on a roll. Pick: Ravens, giving 3.

Tampa Bay at Detroit (-2 1/2). I really like both teams. Both are improving and are a little bit of surprise. The Lions have a great passing game but have given up a bunch of points. Tampa Bay has been sneaky good. The defense is a pleasant surprise and on offense, Jeff Garcia has played well. But the Bucs are scrounging for a running game. I think this one comes down to quarterback game management -- a new NFL buzzword that means a QB who makes smart decisions, manages the tempo of the game and doesn't turn over the ball. I wish this spread was the full three.  Pick: Buccaneers, getting 2 1/2.  

Pittsburgh at Denver (3 1/2). There was a time when it would have been just unimaginable for the Broncos to be more than a field goal underdog at home. But the Broncos are 1-11 against the spread in their last 12 home games. And there's a reason. Their reputation outstrips their performance.  And this week, they're playing a good team that is beginning to hit its stride. Ben Roethlisberger is a steadier presence now.  Pick: Pittsburgh, giving 3 1/2.

Arizona at Washington (over-under, 36).  As we've already mentioned, the Redskins are a consensus 8 1/2 over Arizona but that's not the number I like. The Cardinals' offense is like a sports car -- with a busted ignition. The quarterback situation, with both Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart out with injuries, is a disaster. The only thing I'm worried about here in terms of the over-under is that the Redskins' defense may score on turnovers. Washington obviously wins this, but I figure by less than three touchdowns. Pick:  The under, 36.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:33 AM | Permalink
                    

Getting back to Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett.

Not only does the guy thrive on postseason pressure, he's impervious to psychological warfare.

In what the Cleveland Indians called an incredible coincidence, former Beckett girlfriend Danielle Peck (left), a country singer and Ohio native, was brought in to sing the National Anthem. And Kenny Lofton was his ingratiating self when he pulled that bat-flipping routine on a walk that turned out not to be a walk.

Beckett brushed off the appearance by Peck but exhibited some testiness when he addressed it by using the F-word. "I don't get paid to make those (bad word) decisions," he said. "She's a friend of mine, it doesn't bother me at all. Thanks for flying one of my friends to the game so she could watch it for free."

Of Lofton, it was: "It kind of goes back before today. Those things have a way of working themselves out, though."

Photo credit: Tony Dejak/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:53 AM | Permalink
                    

For fans of Eastern football, there was certainly satisfaction in last night's Rutgers' win over South Florida, a little sleight-of-hand gem that ended 30-27. I've seen some stories that somewhat dismissed the Scarlet Knights' win over second-ranked and previously undefeated South Florida because a few trick plays, including a third-quarter touchdown pass from the field-goal holder, were pivotal in the outcome. But isn't coaching part of the overall team team effort? And the players still have to make those gadget plays work.

Last night's game was reminiscent of last year when Rutgers bested No. 3 Louisville (right), and it raised Rutgers to 5-2, keeping it in the hunt for a major bowl.

With South Florida being the third No. 2 team to fall in recent weeks, the current college football season has a terrific amount of entertainment potential heading into November. Although Ohio State is firmly atop the standings, the Buckeyes have the heart of their schedule in front of them. There are a handful of undefeated teams behind OSU, most notably Boston College. But I find the most intriguing to be those nearly point-a-minute Hawaiian Warriors, who may be destined to be this year's Boise State. The Warriors, ranked 17th or 18th, depending on which standings you consult, are averaging more than 52 points (admittedly some of that has come against the likes of Northern Colorado and Charleston Southern) and will play an interesting game later this year against the real Boise State.

Photo credit: Tim Larsen/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:12 AM | Permalink
                    

It's interesting that news about a baseball managerial situation would overshadow the results of a deciding MLB playoff game (at least for one team), but that was the situation last night as Yankees manager Joe Torre left and the Boston Red Sox stayed, at least for the time being.

Torre wasn't fired, not technically. But he quit after essentially being offered a one-year contract for less money. In a turn on a famous movie line, it was an offer he had to refuse, and not so much because of the dollars involved -- it's quite possible, in fact, quite likely Torre's next job will pay him less. He had been making $7.5 million. He was offered $5 million during a meeting that included George Steinbrenner and the Boss' two sons, Hal and Hank. Reportedly, the younger men did the talking.

I'm not going to comment on the baseball end of this. Baseball fans are familiar with the numbers and the crux of this matter -- 12 straight playoff performances and four World Series titles, but none since 2000.  What I find interesting is how this eventually went down -- so un-Steinbrenner-like. The ouster of Torre was finessed in a way in which the organization could turn to its fans and say, "See, we wanted Joe back -- he turned us down." All along they knew that Torre's managing task would be a nightmare next season unless the team went wire-to-wire in the American League East and then blew through the playoffs into the World Series. 

"Performance-based model" was the catch-phrase team president Randy Levin used to describe the team's offer to Torre. Like the last 12 seasons never happened. Here's the bottom line: They didn't want Torre back but they wanted -- and here's another catch-phrase from another era -- "plausible deniability" in deflecting fan ire and media criticism.

Now you know what Yankee officials were doing when they were holed up in Florida. It wasn't a discussion about whether to keep Torre but how they could weasel their way to firing him and not look bad themselves.

Frankly, I like the Boss in the old days. He got mad at Billy Martin and yelled, "You're fired." And then George took his licks and moved on. It may have been outrageous at times but it was forthright and, in that way, you could respect it.

* Finally, give that Josh Beckett credit. Has there ever been a better clutch pitcher? 

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Willis McGahee's comments in a magazine about how the Bills maybe, kinda, perhaps could be relocated to Toronto were considered treasonous at the time by the good folks in western New York. But as it turns out, he was actually prophetic -- maybe, kinda, perhaps.

The Bills are right now asking permission from local authorities to play a preseason game in Toronto  next year and a regular-season game there by 2009.

The team needs approval from the county and the state, according to terms of its lease agreement for Ralph Wilson Stadium.  If the Bills played games in Toronto (right), it would be at the Rogers Centre, a retractable roof stadium where the Blue Jays and CFL Argos play.  The team is insisting that this is not a phased retreat from Buffalo but an effort to expand its marketing base.  Already, Buffalo pulls about 15,000 fans from Canada for home games.

This may be a good move to actually preserve NFL football in a small-market New York city but coming as it does in the middle of Willis McGahee Week up there, the howls will be deafening.

Photo credit: Walter Bibikow/Taxi/Getty Images

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:23 PM | Permalink
                    

As Ravens fans should know, Derrick Mason leads the NFL in pass receptions with 49. But the guy who is second at the moment is on pace for a career season -- the Bengals' T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The player whose hard-to-pronounce name is a gag in an NFL commercial has 47 catches for more than 500 yards and seven touchdowns as he eclipses his more colorful teammate, Chad Johnson. So here's a musical nod to ol' T.J. Whatsisname.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:13 PM | Permalink
                    

So the World Series starts on Oct. 24.  No matter what.  Whether Clelevand clinches tonight or the Red Sox can extend the ALCS to seven games, the calendar is set.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies -- remember them? -- are trying to figure out what to do between now and then.  Right now, the plans are to play four- and six-inning simulated games back in Colorado, watch some of the ALCS and figure out how to divvy up their World Series tickets and merchandise swag among friends and family.

The rest/rust debate is going to be the obvious topic for the Rockies -- and even the Indians, should they wrap up the AL pennant tonight.  But if the ALCS is extended with Cleveland and Boston battling each other through the weekend, the issue of bullpens could loom important.

But what if the Indians do close it out tonight? The Rockies will have over a week of rest.  The Indians nearly a week.  According to a story in USA Today, the Elias Sports Bureau says 10 teams have gone into a World Series with five or more days of rest and seven of those clubs won the Series.  But in this case, that stat would apply to both teams.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:18 AM | Permalink
                    

Here's a story about an athlete doing something good for the community that he plays in, and in a substantial way.

Vinny Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who was the NHL's leading goal-scorer last season with 52, is helping to raise $3 million for a children's cancer and blood disorder center at the new All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Lecavalier and some businesses are gifting about half the money and the rest will be raised through fund-raising efforts, such as Lecavalier's annual poker tournament at a Florida casino.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:32 AM | Permalink
                    

In today's Sun, Ravens beat writer Jamison Hensley has an excellent article about the venomous disdain that Buffalo fans have for Ravens running back Willis McGahee. The Ravens and Bills play in Buffalo this Sunday so it's the first time that Bills fans have an opportunity to personally vent after his messy departure. McGahee, while in Buffalo, mentioned it wouldn't be such a bad idea to move the team to Toronto and after he was traded, had less-than-flattering things to say about the town. Most of the YouTube videos where Bills' fans express their views include George Carlin-like language that doesn't pass muster here. But one of the more elaborate We-hate-Willis efforts is a T-shirt and rap song available on willisistrash.com (both Jamison and the D.C. Sports Bog website have also noted it). 

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

The significant stuff was off the field.

The mini-series that chronicles the saga of a great sports empire ruled by a powerful patriarch dragged on without resolution. Translation: George hasn't decided to fire Joe Torre yet.

And the melodrama of a beloved yet tortured franchise (that would be the Red Sox), saw one of its own say: "Lose? Pffft. So what?"

The meeting of Yankee brass down in Florida broke up without any resolution on Torre. Brian Cashman and other front office execs returned to New York. George and his two sons and son-in-law remained in Florida. Cashman says the whole thing needs more time -- I guess like a cake, who knows.

Alex Rodriguez is still mulling his options. He had his own meetings with agent Scott Boras in California. Rodriguez can duck out of his contract but if he does, the Yanks say they won't participate in the bidding.

Meanwhile, Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez was -- as the expression goes in Boston -- being Manny.

Dealing with the "backs-against-the-wall" line of questioning on the off-day between Games 4 and 5 in the ALCS with Cleveland leading 3 games to 1, Ramirez took a sharp left at one point and said, "It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."

Exactly what city does Ramirez thinks he plays in?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

I want to bring this soccer video to your attention, but not for the same reason that it's being promoted elsewhere on the Internet (and we tip our hat to the Fark Web site for pointing it out).

This is a spectacular free kick taken by Venezeula's Jose Manuel Rey against Ecuador over the weekend. This is a 45-yarder that threads its way to the net's high right corner. The announcer's call as the ball goes in is, frankly, hilarious.

But if you watch closely, you'll notice two Ecuador players flinch as the ball passes just over their heads -- especially, that No. 14. Now maybe I watch way too much of the NFL, but it looks to me that if No. 14 just keeps his face in the way (it's the slo-mo right at the :20 mark), there's no way that shot scores.

Right? Am I right? Yes or no?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

With the Nebraska football program a mere ghost of its former self and the athletic director getting the boot earlier this week, former coach Tom Osborne has been recruited as the interim AD to regroup an alienated Corn Empire. That is to say, calm down the fans, alumni and, most importantly, the donors.

The Huskers are 4-3 but have suffered back-to-back humiliations and escaped defeat at the hands of Ball State by a single point and a missed field goal.

With Osborne around, Nebraska followers can at least be reminded of the glory days, such as the national championship teams in the 1990s. And, especially, the 1995 team, that one that beat Florida, 62-24, in the national championship game. Here's looking back on that squad that included the self-destructive Lawrence Phillips but also a bunch of guys with productive NFL careers ahead of them, Ahman Green, Grant Wistrom, Mike Minter and Chris Dishman. And QB Tommie Frazier running that good ol' triple option.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:14 PM | Permalink
                    

The NFL league office continued its crackdown on those incorrigible New England Patriots who insist on flouting league rules. That Tom Brady may look all innocent and everything, but it's being reported that the NFL has caught Mr. Brady red-handed and fined him for ... not having his chinstrap buckled.

Now, in Brady's case, he has two buckles to keep track of -- one that snaps where you would expect it to, and another that snaps near the top of his head. Apparently, he occasionally loses track of that second one. Although it's unclear how much Brady was fined, a teammate, defensive lineman Ty Warren, was also fined for a chinstrap infraction and it cost him $7,500.

The NFL says that the chinstrap rules are actually an issue of player safety and are meant to help prevent concussions and that players are only fined after they're warned. So, are to we infer that Brady is a repeat offender?

Photo credit: Denis Poroy/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Regardless of where your loyalties reside in the NFL, you have to be rooting for Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who was seriously hurt in the season opener making a tackle on a kickoff against Denver.

Everett, many will recall, was taken from the field motionless and when he arrived at the hospital, doctors feared for his life and the early prognosis was that he may never walk again.

However, after receiving some 21st century medical intervention -- such as infusing Everett's body with cooling liquids to arrest the damage to his body immediately after his injury -- the former player is now beginning to take his first steps with the help of a walker. He's also able to open and close his hands, which is considered a significant milestone in his rehabilitation. Hopefully, Everett's condition will continue to improve over the coming weeks and months. And perhaps his unfortunate injury will provide doctors with a blueprint to help others whose injuries don't attract national attention.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:52 AM | Permalink
                    

The New England Patriots are in Miami this Sunday to play the Dolphins, which raises a number of issues.

Now, normally, there would be a plot line here about the latter-day Miami guys defending the flag of their 1972 precursors -- the pennant that proudly says undefeated, untied. You may recall, for instance, that it was the 1985 Dolphins who staved off the rampaging Bears.

However, this time, we have what is shaping up as one of the best teams of any NFL era against arguably the worst team in the NFL this year -- and only one of two that's still winless. On top of that, the Dolphins just traded one of their best offensive players, wide receiver Chris Chambers, to the San Diego Chargers for a second-round pick that sends the clear message that new coach Cam Cameron could care less about the current season.

So, how do the oddsmakers view this kind of game? Frankly, I'm amazed that the point spread is just 16 1/2, 17 points. I thought this one was going to be in University of Hawaii territory -- you know, 25, 30 points. We've mentioned several times now that the Patriots are not only a perfect 6-0 in the standings but they're also perfect against the point spread. In addition, their games have beaten the over-under on the over side five times. And that's because they're scoring so much, they nearly beat the O-U all by themselves -- three times New England has needed less than a touchdown from the opposition for the game to pass the over.

This week, the O-U is 51 points.

So here's the question.

Do you think the Patriots can win, 52-0?

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
                    

In an inning that seemed to go on forever, the Cleveland Indians scored seven runs and moved to within one win of joining Colorado in the World Series.  A couple of plays that went Cleveland's way in the bottom of the fifth inning -- a foul pop that got away from Boston's Kevin Youkilis and a potential double-play ball that was deflected by pitcher Tom Wakefield -- preceded a three-run homer by the Indians' Jhonny Peralta. By the time the fifth inning was over, Cleveland had a 7-0 lead and the Red Sox's pennant hopes were on a resuscitator.

But in falling behind in this series, 3 games to 1, Boston's most pressing problem has been its hitting. Last night, the Red Sox came back in the sixth inning with three successive solo home runs, but the next 12 batters failed to reach base. Over the last 24 innings, Boston has scored just five runs.

There's a day off in the best-of-seven series and Boston sends the pitching version of Mr. October, Josh Beckett, to the mound to keep its season alive. C.C. Sabathia will pitch for Cleveland. The Red Sox can say they've been in this spot before -- the legendary ALCS against the Yankees a few years ago -- and draw some hope from that, but they'll need clutch hitting to pull off that kind magic act again.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

I hope Pete Angelos realizes how good he has it.

The Orioles finished 27 blessed games out of first place and aside from Jay Gibbons having to answer some questions about that stuff from Florida and Jim Duquette quitting his lame-duck front-office job, it's been pretty quiet around the Warehouse lately. No villagers marching with torches and pitchforks or anything.

Meanwhile, up in New York, the Yankees had one of the most inspired drives for a playoff berth since -- well, the Colorado Rockies -- and the whole blasted empire is roiling.

Joe Torre is in limbo until King George and his Court (which includes sons, Hank and Hal, general manager Brian Cashman and Moe, Larry and Curly) meet in Tampa next week. 

Then today, there was a report that bench coach and Yankee stalwart Don Mattingly was being a super stand-up guy and that he would never take the manager's job if Torre were fired, and then Mattingly's agent turns around and says that's not right at all and Don would take the job, even though he loves and respects Joe (that's the two them, Joe, left, and Don). All of which makes poor Mattingly look like a weenie.

Of course, Alex Rodriguez may bolt the team. And Marino Rivera may bolt the team.  And Jorge Posada is a free agent

And NOW comes word from the New York Post's Page Six that Derek Jeter may or may not have taken care of the hotel parking for two women who may or may not have stayed in Jeter's room in Miami.

I'll tell ya, folks, that Yankee season never ends, does it?

Photo credit: Paul J. Bereswill/Newsday

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

If the TV ratings are to be believed, while sports fans may be intrigued by the Colorado Rockies' relentless march to the World Series, the public is apparently not so intrigued that it'll tune in for any significant part of a game. The TV ratings for the Rockies-Diamondbacks have been abysmal, which is too bad. These Rockies really have been incredible. So in case you're one of those fans who just tune in to the SportsCenter to find out whether Colorado has won its 58th game in the last 59 or whatever (actually, it's 21 of 22), here's a little musical update on the new National League champs -- or as we in Baltimore think of them, those other guys who wear Purple and Black.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:15 PM | Permalink
                    

Oh, here's some good news for the rest of the AFC. The Patriots are about to get EVEN BETTER. This week, players who are on the physically unable to preform list can begin practicing and playing. In New England's case, that means defensive lineman Richard Seymour and wide receiver Troy Brown have a chance to return to the squad. 

Seymour, of course, is the big deal here. Brown and another wide receiver, Chad Jackson, would seem to have a pretty tough time cracking a WR unit that already includes Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker. It was Brown's heads-up strip of an interception against San Diego in last year's AFC playoffs that allowed the Pats to snatch that game away from the Chargers and paved the way for Marty Schottenheimer's departure.

Another interesting development will be in Kansas City, where former Ravens running back Priest Holmes is also eligible to resume practicing. Holmes hasn't played since 2005 when a neck injury sidelined an extremely productive career and opened the door for the full-time emergence of Larry Johnson.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

This O.J.  Simpson thing out in Las Vegas is beginning to feel a lot like the Michael Vick case, at least in terms of how it's playing out. Two of the men who were in this little scout troop that allegedly barged into a room in one of Vegas' less glitzy hotels to sorta recover sports memorabilia that Simpson believed belonged to him are turning state's witnesses as part of guilty-plea deals.

At least one of the cooperating witnesses, some guy who is characterizing himself as just some schmo who had just met Simpson not long before the supposed ill-conceived raid, is ready to testify that some of his fellow travelers were armed. Felonies with handguns involved are bad, bad news.

The guy with the gun testimony, Charles Cashmore, had no idea what was going, his lawyer said. "I think he wishes he would have never met O.J.," the attorney said.

Four more people, including Simpson, face court appearances next month. Simpson, et al., are accused of entering a room at the Palace Station casino and taking sports items from two collectors. Simpson has said he thought some of the items belonged to him and his lawyers contend that no weapons were used.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
                    

This item has nothing to do with anything topical other than it shows that American GIs of any era try to find humor in the most distressing of circumstances. This video clip comes to our attention from the Web site Deadspin after it appeared on an Internet Web site, CollegeHumor, last March. So when this was actually made is tough to tell.

What we have here is an American soldier apparently making a road stop, apparently in Iraq, and trying to lighten the mood (and, in the process, befuddling the fellow being stopped) with his best imitation of late Cubs announcer Harry Caray. Just as good at Will Ferrell.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

Where once the Nebraska Cornhuskers played for football championships, now they find themselves shelling out more than $2 million because the folks running the place couldn't read the handwriting on their own athletic department's wall. 

Nebraska fired AD Steve Pederson yesterday with the university chancellor admitting that he only recently realized how unpopular Pederson was within his own department -- an epiphany that was late in coming despite a number of defections, including the top fundraiser. There was also a growing swell of criticism from alumni, fans and former Husker athletes to which Chancellor Harvey Perlman was apparently tone deaf.

According to an Omaha newspaper, Perlman had made light of fans who bleed Nebraska red.  Perlman, according the paper, said he "had received many phone calls at home from angry fans stringing 'four-letter words together that I've never been able to figure out.'"

Over the summer, Perlman had given Pederson a contract extension -- which is what will lead to a $2.2 million buyout of the AD's agreement. 

So, although there will be much focus on the 'Huskers being crushed by Oklahoma State at home last weekend and their disintegrating season under Pederson's hand-picked coach, Bill Callahan, the firing of Pederson (and possibly the ouster of Perlman if he's not careful) should be a cautionary lesson in the arrogance of a management style that ignores the obvious warnings.

The next steps for Nebraska appear obvious. Revered former football coach Tom Osborne will be named in some capacity to get the university through the current mess and Callahan, who once took the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl, will be gone.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

After the Atlanta Falcons showed why they're the worst team in the NFL (although Miami is trying to prove otherwise), I switched over to the Diamondbacks-Rockies game in time for the sixth inning when Colorado was having one of its typical two-out rallies that carried those guys to an NLCS sweep, 6-4.

So with the score, 3-1, and Matt Holliday batting with two guys on, the player who scored one of the most controversial runs in recent baseball history hit a towering homer to center. And I watched carefully to make sure. Holliday touched the plate.

So Colorado now has won 21 of 22 and has officially become a force of nature, a veritable baseball tsunami sweeping away everything in its path. This is a terrific story.  Just one problem.  Nobody cares. Well, at least if the TV ratings are to be believed. Friday night's Game 2 of the NLCS drew a national TV rating of 2.2. That's kinda getting into poker territory when the World Series of Poker was doing big numbers. The national rating for Friday's NL baseball game was less that half the lowest rating for a league championship game before this season. Now, that game started after 10 p.m., went extra innings and finished at 2:46 a.m., but this bodes ill for the World Series, particularly if the Red Sox don't make it (Boston trails Cleveland, 2 games to 1).

* On Monday Night Football, the Giants pulled away from the Falcons, 31-10, even though New York QB Eli Manning threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington, after a decent start, settled into an 18-for-39 night for just a little over 200 yards and an interception.

That game also happened to be my rubber pick for the week against the spread. I had the Giants, giving three points, so that made me 2-1 for the football weekend. The overall season mark against the line is now 10-7-2.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

Michelle Wie's disastrous career took another strange turn today when her agent quit. The agent was Greg Nared, who played basketball at the University of Maryland.

Over the weekend, Wie finished 19th out of 20 players in the Samsung Championship. If you haven't been following the one-time golf phenom's career, this is about par for the course. She has not only failed to contend in most of her tournaments, her performances have been outright embarrassments. Apparently, trying to fit pro golf in between her freshman year at Stanford is not exactly working out.

Nared was on the job for less than a year. A previous agent had left after disagreements with Wie's parents over her schedule. It seems hard to believe that Wie just celebrated her 18th birthday last week. It seems like she's been in the news -- too often in an unflattering way -- for years.

Occasionally, precocious athletes work out. But too often, they flame out.

A more recent occasion of an athlete far-too-young for the limelight was soccer player Freddy Adu. Adu (right) signed a major league contract at 14 and was a huge name in these parts because his first team was D.C. United. Now, I'm not calling Adu a bust because he still has plenty of time to develop into a star player (he's now with a team in Portugal). But when he first signed, you would have thought he was going to mean to American soccer what Wayne Gretzky meant to hockey. 

Another young athlete who comes to mind is one from 50 years ago. The kid's name was Von McDaniel and the St. Louis Cardinals took him right from his Oklahoma high school to the majors in June 1957. In a photo from his signing (left), McDaniel was a Buddy Holly look-a-like. His first two appearances were in relief. Eight innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. Then, in his first start, McDaniel threw a two-hitter against a pretty good Brooklyn Dodgers team. He went on to win his first four starts and later in the season, he one-hit Pittsburgh. He finished 7-5 as a rookie.

But the next year, McDaniel pitched just two disastrous innings. In his final appearance, he walked five batters. Before he even celebrated his 20th birthday, Von McDaniel was sent to the minors and never threw in the big leagues again.

Photo credit:  Adu & McDaniel/Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

You can't miss those Boise State games. Sometimes when I'm surfing and that blue field pops up, I think it's a video game.

So Boise State beats Nevada last night, 69-67, in quadruple overtime to set an apparent Division 1-A record for most combined points. But what I really want to know is this -- does Boise State ever play on a Saturday afternoon? It seems like these guys are on more nights than Law & Order. So I checked. Four of the Broncos' first six games have been on some day other than Saturday -- two on Thursday and two on Sunday. Going forward, they actually do play three consecutive games on Saturdays -- someone obviously fouled up -- but they also play two games on Fridays. By the end of the season, that will mean Boise State will have played multiple times on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think it's amazing that the staff and team can get into any kind of preparation rhythm. Obviously, it hasn't hurt all that much. The Broncos are 5-1 and had a Cinderella season in 2006, going 13-0 with a Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma.

Photo credit:  Matt Cilley/AP

Posted by Bill Ordine at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

First of all, let's admit that Tom Brady is one heckuva quarterback.

And let's concede that he already has Hall of Fame credentials.

And further, when it's all said and done, that he's going to rank among the top five all-time, if he isn't already there. And one more thing. He seems like a decent person.

OK, having said that ... WHY DOES HE POSE FOR THESE PICTURES? Yeah, I know, the money and all. But even when someone tries to make a well-intended video tribute to Brady, you find tears rolling down your face. I mean, can you picture ANY other quarterback doing photo shoots like these? At least Namath's pantyhose TV commercial was a spoof ... these Brady shots are, like, serious. Imagine Unitas fondling the football like an object of, ahem, affection (note time mark 3:38).

So in recognition of still another terrific day by Brady, here goes Angel of Mine.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:13 PM | Permalink
                    

First of all, what the Colorado Rockies have been doing is absolutely incredible. If this team were in New York or Boston or Chicago, it would be getting mega-attention.

But to review. The Rockies have now won 20 of 21 games. They went into a 13-for-14 regular-season stretch run to force a one-game playoff game with San Diego for the wild-card spot in the National League. The Rockies won that. Then they swept the Phillies, 3-0, in the first round of the playoffs. Now, they're up three games to none against Arizona in the NLCS. One more win puts them in the World Series against either Boston or Cleveland.

And yet ... there's Matt Holliday's winning run against the Padres in that one-game playoff. I'm posting the video below because a previous video closely scrutinizing the play has been disabled. The folks at a Web site, www.hollidaynevertouchedtheplate.com, have made a pretty intense study of the play. It could become a pretty important piece of baseball history if Colorado continues this remarkable run. Here's another look.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
                    

Yesterday, I split against the point spread, going 1-1 with the decider for the week tonight. I'm picking the Giants, giving three against the Falcons. The record for the year right now stands at 9-7-1.

Yesterday, I had the Patriots, giving 6, against the Cowboys. Patriots backers could have fattened their 401k accounts on that team this year. Despite lines that open high and get higher as the week goes on, New England is 6-0 against the point spread.

I got skunked on Carolina-Arizona because my quarterback got hurt. Serves me right. I doped this one by backing the best QB in the game, by far, which happened to be the Cardinals' Kurt Warner -- when it started. But then we had the most bizarro development of the season. We wound up with two quarterbacks playing against each other who weren't even in the league eight days ago, and who were competing for the same fill-in job last Monday.

In the end, Warner got to throw just two passes before he hurt his elbow and my pick was riding on Tim Rattay.  Aack! On the other side was The Shootist, Vinny Testaverde -- who is just about as old as John Wayne was in that movie and just as formidable.

Rattay got the backup job in Arizona last week because A) Matt Leinart is out for the season, and B) Testaverde turned it down. Cousin Vinny, who did take the job in Carolina, was starting because two Panthers quarterbacks have been struck down by injuries, Jake Delhomme (elbow, out for the year) and David Carr (back, out for the moment).

So Testaverde -- who calls the signals on 44 candles next month -- goes 20-for-33 for 206 yards and a touchdown and leads Carolina to a 25-10 win (I was actually giving points on this one). Good for Vinny. Rattay played like I figured he would, three interceptions. I just didn't figure he'd be in there. The Cardinals better hold more tryouts.

Photo credit:  Associated Press

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
                    

We opened this debate a few weeks ago and admitted back then that it might be premature. But now everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and the discussion is absolutely legitimate. By now you know that the Patriots swept away the Cowboys -- considered the best team in the NFC -- 48-27, in Dallas yesterday 

So, are the current New England Patriots the best NFL team ever?

First of all, I can only legitimately carry the debate as far back as the first Super Bowl. Beyond that, like say the 1941 Chicago Bears, and I confess ... I'm lost.

But here are my contenders:

1972 Dolphins, 1985 Bears, 1978 Steelers, 1989 49ers, 1966 Packers

Certainly, the Dolphins generally get the nod because you can't do better than perfect, but if you want to make an argument, remember they did not dominate in the playoffs on their way to a 14-7 win over Washington in the Super Bowl. But anyone who saw the '85 Bears knew they could be breathtaking in overwhelming the opposition but, at 15-1, they have that one blemish. The '78 Steelers were a steamroller and outgunned an equally talented Dallas team in one of the most exciting Super Bowls of all time. Those 49ers were the best Joe Montana team and obliterated the opposition in the playoffs by a combined 126-26. And the '66 Packers were among Lombardi's best, winning the first Super Bowl (the '62 Packers had even better stats but they were pre-Super Bowl). 

At their current pace, the Patriots would shatter the record for points scored in a season. They project to 613. And they are currently outscoring the opposition by more than 2-to-1, 230 to 92. Of course, we all know what this will probably come down to. There's that Nov. 4 game against the currently undefeated Colts in Indianapolis. And, of course, the playoffs and Super Bowl.

Take your pick for the best NFL team ever (between the Patriots and the teams listed above) in our new poll.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
                    

Most folks will dwell on the obvious concerning the Ravens' 22-3 over feeble St.. Louis -- the pair of fives.

Five interceptions and five Matt Stover field goals.  And that's fine because, indeed, the Baltimore defense was the story and Stover's reliability is becoming the stuff of quiet legend. But last week in the win over San Francisco, I was taken by how well an incredibly inexperienced offensive line has held up with three rookies, a second-year center and one third-year player.

Former NFL coach Dan Reeves was at yesterday's game and a member of the Ravens said he was chatting with Reeves and asked the former Broncos-Giants-Falcons coach how he would have liked to coach a team with three rookies on the offensive line. Reeves apparently said that given such circumstances, he'd rather quit.

One of those rookies is Jared Gaither, the former University of Martland player chosen in the fifth round of the supplemental draft.  Gaither (left) is playing left tackle. It is the opinion of many who know the game that OLT is the most difficult to position to master other than quarterback and, arguably, center.  With both Jonathan Ogden (toe, foot) and Adam Terry (ankle) hurt, Gaither has held the fort as well as can be expected, dealing with the offensive flank where the majority of pass pressure usually comes. And, in terms of scheme, the Rams were expected to bring considerable pressure, and they did. Quarterback Kyle Boller was sacked just twice, although a lost fumble resulted on one.

But considering the task facing Gaither and his young linemates face, the Ravens have been fortunate.

"I'm a hard fighter," Gaither said after the game. "My guys believe in me and I believe in my guys and we stick together. They've pushed me, I've pushed them, we work hard, and we're in it together.

"With the late start (the challenge) has been more mental," Gaither said about having reported later than other rookies because he was a supplemental draft pick. "It's been a mental race and me trying to stay focused. Along with the help of my teammates and my coaches, I've been doing pretty good."

The former Terp said it felt particularly good to finally help ram in a touchdown on the ground. Running back Willis McGahee got his first rushing TD of the year -- the only one the Ravens scored against the Rams -- on a 6-yard dash around Gaither's side.

"It felt great. We've been working and working and working and pounding and pounding and finally got it in," Gaither said.

Photo credit: Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Hmm, I think I'm going to get out of the picking business and go into the oddsmaking business. Last week, I went 1-3 against the spread, bringing the season record here to 8-6-2. But on Monday, I predicted an eventual 6-point spread for Sunday's Patriots-Cowboys game, with New England the favorite, naturally. That was assuming Dallas won this past Monday night, which it did.

The line opened at 4 early Tuesday, but the public did just as I thought it would and bet up the Patriots. Over the last few days, bettors moved the line to where I thought it would go. I have seen one 5-point and one 7-point spread on the Internet today. But the majority all fall from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 points, with 5 1/2 being the prevailing line. The over-under on this thing is a whopping 53.

New England at Dallas (5 1/2). Of course, you have to pick this game. It'll be the most watched and wagered-on game of the season, with the possible exception of New England-Indianapolis. When this line opened at Patriots (-4), naturally I loved the value on New England since I had the spread higher. But now the line has moved to where I thought it should have been from the start. So what to do? Look, the Patriots are 5-0 against the spread. There have been recent seasons when the Pats have dropped only two, three games to the line all year. New England coach Bill Belichick may be a sourpuss and an angle-shooter, but bettors who back his team gotta love him. Pick:  Patriots, giving 5 1/2.

Carolina at Arizona (-4 1/2). This one comes down purely to quarterbacks. For the Carolina Panthers, David Carr (who's replacing injured Jake Delhomme) sat out all practice week with a sore back and his likely replacement is the newly signed Vinny Testaverde. For the Cardinals, we have Kurt Warner, who is now the full-time QB with Matt Leinart out for the season. OK, Warner vs. Carr. I like Warner by a touchdown in that matchup. So, Warner vs. Testaverde. Look, I love anyone who's still playing in the NFL at 43 years old, but Vinny hasn't even had time to go through the Panthers' playbook. All Arizona has to do to easily win this thing is whatever it takes to cover Carolina WR Stephen Smith -- and keep Warner from getting hurt. Pick:  Cardinals, giving 4 1/2.

New York Giants at Atlanta (3 1/2). I still think Atlanta is the worst team in the NFL. And I believe Falcons TE Alge Crumpler is right when he implied that new Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino is operating this team with an eye toward 2008 and beyond, not this season (and you can forget about that kiss-and-make up business earlier this week). More and more veterans on that team are going to realize their days are numbered and they're going to tank, making for some pretty ugly Sundays. Meanwhile, the Giants have won three in a row and are beginning to figure they have a shot in the NFC East. And regardless of what you think of Giants quarterback Eli Manning's skills, the kid fights his guts out (to borrow a Joe Gibbs-ism). This is a Monday nighter. Pick:  Giants, giving 3 1/2.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
                    

There's grassy-knoll community growing out there over Colorado Rockies Matt Holliday's game-winning run in the one-game playoff against San Diego that put Colorado in the playoffs. Here's a Web site devoted to the debate.

The play was controversial from the outset as replay after replay was inconclusive on whether Holliday actually ever touched the plate that was being blocked by Padres catcher Michael Barrett (not that it mattered anyway, it's not as if this is the NFL).

Putting fielder's obstruction arguments aside (which don't appear to come into play here), the did-he or didn't-he speculation has stirred one of the more lively debates for a game of this type since word began to spread that the Giants' Bobby Thomson was getting the Dodgers' pitching signals when he hit his famous home run off Ralph Branca in 1951.

All of the replays I saw when the Holliday play occurred featured a behind-the-plate view of the action but, more recently, other angles have emerged. The conspiracy crowd implies that Major League Baseball is suppressing this information to cover up for the umpire's call. I'm not sure I buy any of that cover-up business but at the time the play occurred, the visual evidence had me leaning (but not absolutely sure) that Holliday missed the plate -- and should have been out when Barrett retrieved the ball and tagged him. The other angle tends to reinforce that. But as I've already said, it could be crystal clear and it wouldn't have mattered a bit at the time.

Here's one person's scrutiny of the play. The conclusion is that of the person doing the examination here, not our own.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

The Colorado Rockies, 5-1 winners over Arizona in the first game of the NLCS last night, have made some sort of Faustian deal, I'm convinced. Their run of 18 victories in 19 games -- and against some pretty good competition -- has a scary, supernatural, sell-your-soul-to-the-devil feel to it.

Like Matt Holliday's ground ball starting out foul and then coming back to hit the bag during the Rockies' decisive three-run third inning. And like the umpire at second base helping to squelch a Diamondback rally in the seventh with a runner's interference call that gave the Rockies a double play.

Last night, the Rockies beat the only team and the only pitcher, D-back ace Brandon Webb, to best them since Sept. 16 when they began their successful run at the NL wild card, won a one-game playoff with San Diego and then bulldozed Philadelphia in the opening playoff series. Now, they've taken the opening NLCS game on the road, and I could swear I've seen Ray Walston hanging around in the dugout.

*  Navy's game against Wake Forest got a little more interesting as the Demon Deacons overtook No. 21 Florida State, 24-21. The Seminoles had a touchdown lead at halftime but Wake Forest scored 17 unanswered points. Navy just upended Pitt in double-overtime, 48-45, on Thursday night. Wake Forest freshman running back Josh Adams rushed for 136 yards on 18 carries, including an 83-yarder for the game's first score. Navy (4-2) plays Wake Forest (4-2) at home on Oct. 20.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

Today, SI.com's Rick Reilly wrote a story about a guy in Green Bay who finally got his season tickets to the Packers after being on the waiting list for 37 years.

Reilly had this great line about Green Bay tickets:

"For instance, if you put your name on the waiting list today, you would be number 74,659. An average of 70 people give up their tickets every year, which means you'll have your tickets by the 3074 season. Luckily you'll still catch Brett Favre's last year."

So what NFL tickets are the hardest to come by? Well, one reasonable measure, inexact as it might be, is to determine how expensive they are to purchase on the so-called secondary market -- assuming that cost and "hard-to-get" run on parallel tracks.

Well these days, the resale of sports tickets is dominated by the big Internet market places, such as TicketsNow and StubHub. TicketsNow has a formal arrangement to resell Ravens tickets. The tickets actually come from licensed ticket brokers from all over the country.

And according to TicketsNow, based on the sale of thousands of tickets during the current NFL season, the No. 1-priced ticket is for the Chicago Bears at an average price of $313.67. And the Baltimore Ravens? They're plenty expensive, too -- at No. 9 with an average price of $181.34. Here's the top 10:

Price chart: TicketsNow; Photo credit: Elizabeth Malby

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:51 PM | Permalink
                    

The other shoe dropped on Texas A&M football coach Dennis Franchione, whom we wrote about a few weeks ago regarding an exclusive e-mail newsletter he provided to select team boosters.

The Aggies' athletic department said today that Franchione may be in violation of NCAA rules on three counts: not reporting the income from the newsletter (reports put the number at about $80,000), discussing prospective recruits, and breaching the Big 12 Conference standard of sportsmanship. 

Franchione had said the money went to cover the cost of his Internet site.

Posted by Bill Ordine at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)