A revolting development

Sporting News, The, Feb 1, 1999

Caught on the FLY

Hey, didn't you used to be a Franchise QB?

* Yappy Hour two-fers at the Rumorama (where the house brand is poured straight up): 1. First sign-o-rebellion comes this spring when the Jags' offseason workouts'll be notable for their no-shows. Buzz is Tom Coughlin's style-o-coachin' (which makes Lombardi look like a million laughs) is wearin' thin on the troops. 2. The Vikes'll fix sticky QB situation when they wheel-n-deal Brad Johnson to Brian Billick's Ravens (leavin' no doubt about it that Randall Cunningham's the man to take a knee when the situation doesn't call for it in '99).

* The Spies say some well-plugged-in Irish football fans can't stand the thought of finishin' third, fourth or--Touchdown Jesus forbid!--lower in th Big Ten and're lobbyin' hard to keep the N-D in independent. (Translation: Board of trustees vote's due next week, and Stat S. Quo is ahead in the polls.)

* Speakin' of gettin' realigned, Fly hears that Big Ten wheels, after gettin' the air let out of their Plan A, will look longingly at Mizzou or UTex to even up this odd-squad of a conference.

* Pitchers (oh, and Pat Rapp and Mark Portugal, too) report inside a month, and Fly hears the Bosox're getting worked up before workouts over Dan Don't-quette's offseason. Whispers Bret Saberhagen to the Spies: "I know we have five second basemen and four or five DHs. I'm looking forward to seeing how things pan out."

* Fly's recipe for disaster: Equal parts coach with Biscayne Bay-sized ego and desssperation for a ground game. How else, Kiick-n-Csonka-breath, you explain the `Phins' interest in Cecil "The Diesel" Collins, troubled enough to wash outta two, count 'em, programs--LSU and McNeese State--this fall?

* Curt Schilling's no-show on the winter caravan circuit is puh-roof positive that he's growin' impatient/frustrated with how long it's takin' the Philberts' to break ground on this rebuildin' project. His short list-o-places he'd like to pitch: Atlanta, St. Loo, Houston and Cleveland. Question isn't if, but when. Fly's best guess (shaddup!)? Not now (in the spring), but later (come trade deadline in July).

* Fly's Top 5 or "You Bet Yer Sweet Asterisk a Title is Possible": 1. Rockets; 2. Pacers; 3. Jazz; 4. Cavs; 5. Knickleheads.

* You-n-Fly're knee-deep in clue-gatherin' of what Wile E. Walsh, Genius, has in store for the Dynasty Formerly Known as the 49ers. Early bets (insert Eddie D. joke here) have him charmin' the over-priced, underproductive veterans right off the roster with no slack showin' in the process.

* Finally, in college football's version of You've Got Mail, the Spies say Gary Barnett sent out mass e-mail, assuring Purple Players he was stayin' put ... the day before he bailed for Boulder. More proof that the only thing you can believe online is (honk, honk) Fly at sportingnews.com or AOL (keyword: TSN).