Jets' heart is strong, but it won't beat long in playoffs

Sporting News, The, Nov 13, 2000 by Dan Pompei

Through last Sunday's games. TSN's Power Poll is determined by TSN editors

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1. Vote 2000, A Buffalo radio station organized a mock election with fans voting for either quarterback Doug Flutie or Rob Johnson. The message was far from sublimina-ble: With these candidates, there is no clear choice, and Ralph look like Johnny Unitas.

2. Detroit. Owners select cold-weather Silverdome site for 2006 Super Bowl. Detroit after dark in late January has temperatures in the teens with a nasty windchill. A good reason for NFL players to be in bed-their own beds-early instead of out on the town.

3. Fans. The Packers revoked two season tickets because of disorderly behavior by farts in those seats. Put those same fans in Cleveland, take away their shirts and put dog bones in their mouths, and the network cameras find something lovable.

4. Bryan Cox. Once known as a problem child, the Jets linebacker is playing well and staying calm. Advertisers are looking to buy space on the enormous helmet restrictor pad above his shoulders.

5. Realignment The league tentatively approved a realignment into eight four-team divisions. The teams will be grouped according to the number of times they have threatened to move out of town. --Mike Kilduff

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After Dave McGinnis' first couple of weeks on the job as the Cardinals new coach, his players were reaching for the ice bags and the Bengay. The word out of the locker room is practices and conditioning under McGinnis are a lot more physically challenging than they were under the recently fired Vince Tobin. And the hard work may have paid off with an upset of the Redskins.... Part of Rams DE Kevin Carter's ineffectiveness might be attributed to his appetite. Carter, who was a 275-pounder coming out of Florida in 1995, is up to an all-time high 300 pounds. Carter has been gaining weight steadily since he has been in the NFL, but some believe he may have reached the point where he has lost his burst.... The next Cowboys linebacker to take a free-agent hike is likely to be the gifted Dexter Coakley. When Coakley becomes free in the offseason, the Cowboys are expected to take the same stance they've taken with many others: Linebackers are replaceable parts. So Coakley will make like Randall Godfrey, Robert Jones, Darrin Smith and Ken Norton and sign elsewhere.... We hear the Buccaneers weren't too thrilled with Al Gore's campaign visit during the middle of a practice last week. In fact, after Gore talked for a few minutes, Bucs DT Warren Sapp, who wasn't even practicing because of a knee injury, muttered, "Can we get back to some football now?" After that comment, Gore said he sensed he should wrap things up. He did, to the relief of many.... Speaking of famous people visiting NFL teams, actor Kevin Costner recently took in a Bears practice. He also watched some tape with QB Cade McNown and even ran a few routes. Hey, maybe the Bears can use him.... How could team owners vote to have consecutive Super Bowls in Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit? Those are three places no one wants to be in January.