`Hey, didn't you used to be a three-hour college football game?'

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2002

* Fly knows (shaddup!) Tim Floyd air-balled his chance coachin' NBAbies, but you can bet your local A.D.'S adding him to the speed dial (right after Leo Hamilton). TCU, Texas A&M, FSU and Clemson are just a few that could be making eyes at a guy with a hiss-toe-ree of pumping up sagging programs--no Bull.

* Atop Herm Edwards' '02-do list is getting the grounded Jets airborne. The line, receivers and C-Mart check out fine, meaning the coach'll do his tinkering under center, where Vinny's lookin' his age, or in the booth, where the play-calling just doesn't Hackett, Paul.

* Sure, Kevin Garnett's daily double-double isn't a sign of trouble, but those increasing fadeaways, turnarounds and looong jumpers are Exhibits A, B and C of a disappearing post game. That helps 'splain why his points, FTs, dunks and layups are down and why T-mates are quietly droppin' the virtues of a summer big man's camp to Da Kid.

* The Bungles making a difference in the playoffs? You betcha. NFL scouts'll be devouring the tapes of--gulp!--Jon Kitna pickin' apart a suddenly suspect Steelers secondary and how Cincy's `D' put the mistakes back in Slash Stewart's game. What could it all mean? Pittsburgh's Supe Bowl hopes come up just short (insert Kris Brown joke here).

* You-'n-Fly know it's easy to lovvve Michael Vick for his arm and legs, but when one vet whispered the magic words--"He really takes control of the huddle"--then Falcon suits started shifting that two-year plan into a higher gear. Translation: Drew Bledsoe, save room for Chris Chandler on the QB trading block.

* Fly's Top 5 or "The team's owned by a Cuban, but the real international flavor's on the floor:" 1. Dirk Nowitzki (Germany); 2. Steve Nash (Canada); 3. Wang Zhizhi (China); 4. Eduardo Najera (Mexico); 5. Michael Finley (Good ol' USA).

* Finally, Fly put ear to pavement and found out thisquick that another season of paint trading is barreling around turn 2 (five weeks and countin', lugnuts). Boffo competition, cocoon-like protection and genuine, ahem, dislike for one another have drivers ready to bump and NASCAR honchos starting to suh-weat when Jeffy Gordon says, "If they rub me the wrong way, I'm going to rub them right back." And how does that rub you, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart?

The Fly is on the wall and online every day. So, if you can't wait to learn what the buzz is all about, give Fly a try at www.sportingnews.com.