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To know list: 7 good snaps and holds—don't blame us if can't kick straight

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

[1] BASEBALL'S OFFSEASON

Warm up to these big-ticket items

So, Sean Burroughs for Dewon Brazelton doesn't stoke your hot-stove fire? Well, no worries. The winter meetings are over, but the hottest moves of the offseason still are to come. Or not.--Stan McNeal

Johnny Damon. Since his agent, Scott Boras, has been unable to convince the Yankees to get serious, we're thinking Damon re-ups with the Sox. It's the seven years we're not sure about.

Kevin Millwood. No one was happier to see the Blue Jays pile--uh, invest--$55 million on A.J. Burnett than Boras, who also is Millwood's agent. Millwood, 30, is just two years older than Burnett and much more accomplished. The Mariners reportedly offered four years and $44 million last week. Can a fifth year be far behind?

Manny Ramirez. The Angels say they're not that interested, but we say they're waiting for the price to drop. They definitely make the most sense. Mega-contracts don't scare them, they have enough talent to send the Red Sox and, of course, Manny loves wandering anonymously through the SoCal malls. Or should that be aimlessly?

Frank Thomas. After the White Sox bid him a not-so-fond farewell, you know he's out to show them he's still got the power. Doing so on an A.L. Central team would be all the more satisfying. Anyone notice the Twins need a DH?

[2] TELEVISION

Race fans will have to reprogram their remotes

NASCAR's new TV contract is a big deal only if you care which network and announcers bring you your sports. For the record, starting in 2007, the first 13 races will be on FOX, the next six on TNT and the final 17 on ABC or ESPN. Some advice for TNT and ABC/ESPN: Simply ape FOX's superb work as much as possible.

No booth lineups have been announced, but TNT and ABC/ESPN would do well to take a look at Doug Rice, who provides vivid radio play-by-play for Performance Racing Network.

The biggest news from last week's announcement is that ESPN again will be "allowed" to have news programs devoted to NASCAR. Earlier this decade, RPM 2Night died in the wake of a rights feud between NASCAR and ESPN. The new deal will allow ESPN to air NASCAR-branded programming from which race fans may slake their thirst for news. Like ESPN shows devoted to other sports, the program will run several times a week during the season.--Matt Crossman

[3] TSN STAFF POLL

Where will Roger Clemens be next season?

19%

Back with the Astros

Back with the Yankees

23%

Pitching for some other team (Red Sox, anyone?)

50%

Retired (again)

[4] USC'S RECORD CHASE

Trojans are one huge W--plus another spotless season--from 48 in a row

This thing began way back in 2003, when Southern California coach Pete Carroll stuck with banged-up first-year starter Matt Leinart during a game at Arizona State. Matt Cassel had taken over when Leinart was out most of the second quarter with knee and ankle injuries, but--believing his job was in jeopardy after his three interceptions a week earlier in a loss at California--Leinart hobbled out of the locker room and led USC to a comeback victory. We all know how the next 33 games went.

Now, the scary part: Had USC not lost in three overtimes, 34-31, to the Bears that season, the Trojans would be standing on 46 in a row, needing a win over Texas in the Rose Bowl to tie Oklahoma's NCAA-record 47 consecutive wins from 1953-57. As it is, a win over the Longhorns would leave USC 12 shy of OU's mark--which means an unbeaten regular season in 2006 (the schedule includes nonconference games at Arkansas and home games against Nebraska and Notre Dame) would tie the record. And a bowl victory would break it.--Matt Hayes

[5] STREAKERS

Eight with 30 straight

USC's unbeaten and untied streak is tied for the fourth longest among the 119 schools currently in Division I-A. The streak-busting champ: Notre Dame.

Streak   Program        Years          Terminator                Score

47       Oklahoma       1953-57        Notre Dame                7-0
39       Washington     1908-14        Oregon State              0-0
35       Toledo         1969-71        Tampa                     21-0
34       Miami (Fla.)   2000-03        Ohio State                31-24
34       USC            2003-present
32       Pittsburgh     1914-18        Cleveland Naval Reserve   10-9
31       Oklahoma       1948-50        Kentucky                  13-7
30       Texas          1968-70        Notre Dame                24-11

[6] IF IT'S FOOTBALL, IT'S GOOD

A bowl lineup for NFL draft lovers

For the college players ranked among the War Room's Super 99 senior draft prospects (warroom.sportingnews.com), bowl games are big games for their NFL future. They're also big for NFL fans.

* DeAngelo Williams, Memphis vs. Akron (Motor City Bowl). Watch our top-rated senior running back (No. 15 overall) zig and zag past the Zips.

* LSU's Joseph Addai vs. Miami's run defense (Peach Bowl). Addai, No. 18 and just behind Williams on our backfield board, will try to fight through Canes tackle Orien Harris (47) and linebacker Rocky McIntosh (10).

To know list: 7 good snaps and holds—don't blame us if can't kick straight

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

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