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Here's the text of commentaries heard regularly on ESPNRadio:

Scott: Exercising demons
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2003
Extra Point -- Stuart Scott (morning): "I strongly dislike New Year's resolutions, especially the ones about working out. People make that one every year. 'For the new year I'm going to work out every day.' First of all, unless you're training for a world-class sporting event, you don't need to work out every day. Second, why is it you get that bright idea every year around Dec. 29? Why not get it earlier, like August? And if you get it in August, why not just start working out then? Why wait a few months until the new year? My guess is, as you look in the mirror after a shower, like we all do -- and you probably not only look, but you flex, like we all do -- you have the thought every day of the year. 'I've got to work out.' Cool. Just go. Work out -- at a gym, at home, in your office or cubicle at work. Anything is better than nothing. Look, if you're going to have a New Year's resolution, why not this one: 'My New Year's resolution is not to have one about working out. I'll just quietly make it part of my life.'"
Extra Point -- Jay Mariotti from Chicago (afternoon): "My New Year's resolution sounds simple enough: be nice. But it would help to have a little cooperation from my subject matter. Nationally, 2003 was a tangled string of scandal and shame, periodically mixed in with warm moments such as Brett Favre's courage amid grief and two memorable games -- the Ohio State-Miami classic and Game 7 of the Yankees-Red Sox series. In 2004 we need more balance. Is it too much to ask image-lying superstars to stay out of trouble or college coaches to gain some perspective and remember they're teaching young people, not exploiting them? Sport is still the purest form of entertainment, because the theater is human and real, but now more than ever, the stories are bummers. Locally, I work in Chicago, a passionate sports town that is testing my professional patience. When Dick Jauron was fired this week as coach of the Bears, it marked the fifth time in nine months that a coach, manager or GM of a local team was canned. That defines the depth of futility around here, symbolized by the dork in the front row who interfered with the foul ball. Oh, did I call Steve Bartman a dork? Sorry, I'm trying to be nice. Honest."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "Here in Nevada you'll be stampeded by the people who think USC will throttle Michigan tomorrow in the Rose Bowl to wrap up The Associated Press version of the national championship. There was one Trojan loyalist who walked into the Mandalay Bay sports book, asked for the spread, was told USC was favored by seven and promptly bet $25,000 on the 'Men of Troy.' In response, the bookmaker moved the line up to 7½. So what did our friend do while bleeding cardinal and gold? He bet another $15,000 on the Trojans. One question: What am I missing about this Wolverine team? They have a senior quarterback, one of the best senior running backs in the country, an experienced coaching staff, and I don't see Michigan rolling over and playing dead.

"Sunday night they'll be playing for at least half the Nokias in the Sugar Bowl. Oklahoma has something to prove after its meltdown in the Big 12 title game. Still, the Sooners are a solid, 6½-point choice to beat LSU. But if you're lurking here in Vegas, I have this warning: The Tigers have enough speed to make this a very, very entertaining bowl game.

"Folks, this wraps up 11 years of the ESPN Radio 'SportsBeat' for me. It's been a wonderful ride, starting with our first show Jan. 1, 1993. That was the day we were at the Rose Bowl, and we found out USC would be firing Larry Smith and rehiring John Robinson. Eleven years later, USC is playing for a national championship, and John Robinson is here in Las Vegas. Funny how life goes around. Mike Tirico will be taking over in this spot tomorrow. Me? Now that I have some time, and since I'm living here in Vegas, maybe I'll have a cup of coffee with John Robinson." NOTE: Mike Tirico takes over as host of SportsBeat on Thursday, Jan. 1.

Anderson: Favre's leadership
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2003
Extra Point -- John Anderson (morning): "A thumb, a knee, a neck. In the NFL they can tape up just about any injury and get a player back on the field -- except maybe the heart. And any NFL coach will tell you his game is all about heart. A day after Irv Favre's gave out, his son showed how strong his still is and went out and played tribute to his dad by leading the Packers to a 41-7 win over the Raiders. After Favre won his second MVP award and the Packers Super Bowl XXXI, Irv said, 'It's hard to believe that the little boy we raised has done all this.' How much prouder than Monday night? When the grown-up, little boy seemed to set aside his sorrow and celebrate the man who taught him the game. Given the same circumstances most of us would bolt work in a heartbeat to grieve the passing of a parent, but football is a different business with only 16 important dates a year. And on Dec. 22, 2003, Brett Favre showed himself to be an unquestioned leader of men -- and a fine son."
Extra Point -- John Anderson (afternoon): "So on his 18th birthday LeBron James got a ridiculously expensive Hummer as a gift from his mother. So what to get the man-kid today as he turns 19. What do you get a player who survived two assaults on his high-school eligibility, who legally won his way back on court and led his team to a state championship and mythical national title, who was MVP in three major, high-school, all-star games, who skipped college and was the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, who signed endorsement deals worth more than $100 million, who signed on with the hometown Cavaliers for a paltry $13 million, who sold out a summer-league game in Orlando, who drove Cavalier TV ratings up 433 percent on opening night, who became the first 18-year-old to score 30 points in an NBA game, who shows no sign of stopping? What do you get a guy who had the most amazing year any 18-year-old's ever had? Well, he shares a birthday with Tiger Woods, and the bride-to-be Elin Nordgren? She does have a twin."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "It's time we give some awards in the NFL. First, our AFC Player of the Year. It comes down to Tom Brady and Jamal Lewis. While we think Lewis is the game's best power runner, we're going with Brady. All he did was fashion a season-ending, 12-game winning streak that made the New England Patriots the team to beat in the NFL. Not bad for a guy who wasn't even selected this month to play in the Pro Bowl. Brady is beyond equal as far as a leader. Just look what he did Saturday. He was banged up, and he still delivered an impressive, 31-0 bit of revenge to the Buffalo Bills. Those are the same Buffalo Bills who have the man who Brady shadowed until 2001. It's clear the Patriots did the right thing when they gave up Drew Bledsoe. Folks, two years ago was no fluke. As for the AFC Coach of the Year? We could go with Marvin Lewis, who will deservedly get many nods for this award, but we're going with under appreciated Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher. Just look at the number of players he's had on injured reserve. Things got so bad, he had to pick up the telephone and bring in Neil O'Donnell. Still, he got the Titans into the playoffs and may yet have them getting that last yard they couldn't gain against the Rams in the Super Bowl.

"Our NFC Player of the Year had a horrible start. Two early, home losses and the stinging criticism of a short-time, NFL pundit. Then Donovan McNabb got the Philadelphia Eagles' and his act back together. It's clear the players like him a lot, and neither he nor the coach, Andy Reid, panicked when the Eagles were 0-2. Now McNabb has a chance to win a ring in the Super Bowl.. As for the NFC Coach of the Year, the popular pick will be Bill Parcells, but he still has issues with Quincy Carter. How about the job John Fox has done with a quarterback who's name no one could pronounce at the beginning of the season? I mean, who would have he'd beat Tampa Bay not once but twice this year?"

Le Batard: Facts about Wannstedt
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2003
Extra Point -- Dan Le Batard (morning): "There is a certain bloodlust in the climate of sports-hate radio, where you can literally call for the coach's head by dialing a few phone digits, but you ought to know a few things about Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, whose time in Miami will be decided either today or tomorrow. In the last four years Wannstedt's regular-season record is better than Bill Belichick's. His last four years are better than the last four coaching years on the résumé of Bill Parcells. His last four years are better than Jimmy Johnson's last four years in Miami and Don Shula's last four years, too. He has averaged 10 wins a season in a league where Oakland and Tampa Bay, last year's Super Bowl participants, are merely the latest to reveal how hard it is to stay atop everyone else. But here's the thing: He hasn't won a playoff game in three years, and in New York, Jim Fassel was just fired before even getting to the end of his third year without a playoff victory. And Fassel, unlike Wannstedt, had been to a Super Bowl just before those three years."
Extra Point -- Trey Wingo (afternoon): "How did that happen? Of all the ridiculous, insane situations that went down Sunday in the NFL, by far the biggest egg laid took place in Detroit, where the high-flying St. Louis Rams were thoroughly humiliated by the Lions. Let that sink in. With home-field advantage throughout the NFC on the line, the Lions beat up the Rams but good. Keep in mind this changes the complexion of the NFC playoffs completely. The Rams have won 14 straight at home -- a franchise record. Put them on turf indoors, and they're downright unstoppable -- not just on offense but on defense. On that fast track players like Leonard Little, Grant Wistrom and Adam Archuleta just fly to the ball. Now they've got to fly through Philadelphia if they want to get back to their third Super Bowl in five years. The good news is Philly is actually better on the road than they are at home, but please. The Rams had it all in their hands, and just like Marc Bulger on Sunday, they let it slip away. Did their Super Bowl plans slip out with the loss to the Lions? We'll find out." SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger (afternoon):"And so the playoffs are set. In the NFC, Philly would host St. Louis if the two get through their divisional playoffs in two weeks. As for Round 1, they'll be loading up the Parcells bandwagon when Dallas visits Carolina Saturday night at 8 Eastern on ABC, but Quincy Carter still has to prove he can win a playoff game on the road. In fact, he has to prove he can complete the big pass, something that has not been money in the bank lately. Then on Sunday it's Seattle at Green Bay. Despite history saying it can't be done, Mike Holmgren actually has a chance to beat his old team at Lambeau Field. I know. The Pack crushed Seattle at home back in October, but very quietly, the Seahawks have improved, even winning on the road Saturday in San Francisco. They also have the most underrated running back in the NFC in Shaun Alexander. Since you need to run the ball to win at Green Bay, Alexander might just be the man.

"The AFC road passes through New England and Kansas City, but before we get to the Pats and Chiefs, we start with Tennessee at Baltimore on Saturday at 4:30 Eastern on ABC. Big advantage to the Titans with Steve McNair. Despite being on the road, McNair is the much better quarterback. Besides, Pittsburgh did Tennessee a huge favor by taking the Ravens into overtime six days before the playoffs. The one and only question for Tennessee this week will be McNair's health. Then on Sunday, it's Denver at Indy, a rematch from a couple weeks ago, when the Broncos won by two touchdowns. You have to like the loser to get revenge. The Colts will be focused, and they have the best kicker in perfect Mike Vanderjagt, but can Peyton Manning ever win a must game? Never did it at Tennessee. Hasn't done it at Indy. It won't be easy against a Bronco team that rested up yesterday when it mailed in its effort against Green Bay."

Mariotti: Armstrong inspiration
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2003
Extra Point -- Jay Mariotti (morning): "Know what they say about using the sports page to escape from the front page? Well, this year we used the front page to escape from the sports page. Never again refer to my craft as the toy department, not after 2003 was defined by the strange and the scandalous. We had to dig a little deeper to the golden core of sports. Thankfully, we found it. Brett Favre turned his cruelest week into his most triumphant and courageous. We found daring in the soul of Annika Sorenstam, who nailed her first drive dead-center and made the gender issue irrelevant. As usual, we found perseverance in the blood of Lance Armstrong. Too, there was fabulous drama in college football's national title game and in the baseball playoffs, even if Steve Bartman maintained Cubdom's place in tragicomedy. That said, shame and suspicion dominated the year, whether it was college coaches gone wild or a designer-steroid scandal. The lowest blow was Kobe Bryant, he of the polished and likeable image. No matter the verdict, let's hope society has learned a lesson: Don't trust what the hype machine manufactures. We want to think we know these stars who swoop into our living rooms, but in truth they are strangers. If the world insists on spinning out of control, sports inevitably will follow. Next year maybe we'll be better prepared -- though I doubt it."

McKendry: Wooden it be nice?
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2003
Extra Point -- Chris McKendry (morning): "With all respect to 29-year-old Theo Epstein's amazing off-season, and with nothing against 44-year-old Terry Francona's player-friendly approach, Boston should know when it comes to winning this year has proven age and experience are priceless. Jack McKeon was 72 when the Marlins called in May. He took Florida from 10 games under .500 to a world championship. Dick Vermeil is 67 and out of retirement for a second time. He has his third different franchise on the verge of a Super Bowl. Seventy-year-old Hubie Brown, Jerry West's surprise coaching choice last November, has Memphis just a 1½ games back in the division. Memphis has beaten the Kings, Lakers, Mavs, Spurs and Nets. In fact, Memphis' 47-point win over the Nets was its most lopsided in history. It reportedly resulted in Jason Kidd's locker-room tirade directed at young coach Byron Scott. If the Nets eventually do fire Scott, here's a suggestion: hire John Wooden."
Extra Point -- Rece Davis (afternoon): "Too many bowl games? Twenty eight of them. Should nearly half of the I-A teams make a postseason game? I've been asked that question several times over the last couple of weeks. Why not? TV ratings are strong. I know you're not interested in that, but it does show interest by the fans. People want to watch the games. Many fans want to make the trips. Many bowls facilitate good deeds in the community, and several provide an economic boost to a city. Speaking of economics, in a system that many say doesn't give the players everything they deserve, what's wrong with giving them a nice trip? Let them live it up. Give them bags stuffed with mp3 players, digital video cameras, sweats, watches, rings, about $300 worth of swag. It's not a playoff; it's a postseason event. Want to say conference tie-ins cause deserving teams to be shut out? I'll listen. Otherwise, I've got no time. I've got a game to watch."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "It's destinations Foxboro, San Francisco and Landover tomorrow as three pivotal games kick off the 17th and final week of the NFL's regular season. We start in Foxboro, Mass., where the New England Patriots hope they won't have to leave until they go to the Super Bowl in Houston on Feb. 1. They'll be looking for revenge when they host the Buffalo Bills. It's a rematch of their Week 1 stunner, when ex-Pats Drew Bledsoe and Lawyer Milloy beat up on their old team 31-0. But that was the exception to this year's rule. Since then, the Bills have collapsed, and the Patriots have put on a Super Bowl drive. Got to like the Patriots big, big, big. In San Francisco, the 49ers are also in revenge mode against the Seattle Seahawks, still smarting from a 20-19 loss two months ago. This time the Niners are home. Neither of these teams can win on the road, so why should this be an exception. Take the Niners. Finally, in Landover, Md., the Philadelphia Eagles play what they hope is their last road game on the way to the Super Bowl as they visit the Washington Redskins. Since Steve Spurrier can't wait to get to the first tee someplace warm, you have to like the Eagles. You can see that one tomorrow night at 8:30 Eastern on ESPN.

"Two college bowl games worth watching in the next 24 hours. Tonight at 8:30 Eastern on ESPN, Virginia Tech faces California at the Insight Bowl in Phoenix. The Golden Bears hold he distinction of being the only team to beat USC this year. Meanwhile, 'Va-Tech' hasn't been the same since coach Frank Beamer decided to play 'smack the receiver' on the sidelines at West Virginia. Take Cal in an upset. Then tomorrow morning at 11 Eastern on ESPN2, it's Virginia against Pittsburgh at the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte. Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald matches up against former NFL coach Al Groh. The Panthers have not come up big when it counts the most, so I'll take the Cavaliers."

Smith: Christmas stories
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2003 -- CHRISTMAS
Extra Point -- Shelley Smith (morning): "OK, rest of the country, time to thank California for giving a Christmas gift that money can't buy: the gift of the weird. Arnold became the governor. BALCO became the acronym for 'See? I told you he was on them,' Darryl Strawberry, fresh out of jail for repeated drug violations, ministers to Michael Jackson, who allegedly told his young friends that bedtime at Neverland was when the big hand met the little hand. Dennis Rodman made a comeback, playing for the Long Beach Jam, whose attendance tripled because of the groupies and police officers trying to serve him warrants. Karl Malone got hurt, Kobe Bryant got arrested, Shaq came into camp in shape, and the Dodgers sign veteran free-agent slugger Vladimir Guerrero -- or not. That wouldn't be just weird; it would be the true Christmas miracle."
Extra Point -- Jeremy Schaap (afternoon): "Rasheed Wallace of the Portland Trail Blazers makes $17 million a year playing in the NBA. The average salary in the league, which is 80 percent black, is more than $4 million a year. Black NBA stars from Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal have been promoted as the faces of the league. The only black owner in American team sports owns an NBA franchise. But Wallace somehow thinks that he and his fellow players are being exploited by what he pointedly called the league's white establishment. Wallace is clearly deluded. He has a right to his opinions, but his opinions happen to be silly. He also insulted commissioner David Stern, implying that he was overpaid. Wallace should study some history. When Stern became commissioner, the average NBA salary was $200,000 a year. Wallace has some nerve. If anyone's overpaid, it's Rasheed Wallace."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "Nothing says Christmas like basketball in California, football in Hawai'i and a radio show from Las Vegas. I have to admit it's not exactly Jack Frost nipping at your nose here in the desert. It's more likely to be Jack Daniel's. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Here in Vegas, it's more like a double-down riding on a split pair of aces, but let's not get to far off track here. This is a time for good cheer, especially for those who need it most. 'Santa 'Burger' has his own version of the 'SportsBeat' Christmas list today. In the spirit of the holiday season, here are some very special Christmas wishes today. To Shaquille O'Neal, we hope you find peace in the Staples Center and goodwill among teammates, not to mention a little something from Santa to help you make free throws. For Tiger Woods we wish a wonderful marriage. We would wish for you and Elin to have great-looking kids, but come on, I don't think you need any help there. Barry Bonds? Here's hoping you have to face more right-handers than grand juries. Brett Favre? You said you're coming back next year. Here's hoping that consecutive-games streak rolls you right into one more run at a Super Bowl. To Lance Armstrong, continued good health first, and we hope your decision to stay home this spring is just what you need to win that sixth straight Tour de France. To my good friend Dick Vermeil, enjoy life as a grandpa, especially as you continue resurrecting football teams and chasing rings. To the next BCS commissioner, I wish you a computer-free 2004. To Curt Schilling, here's wishing they build you a statue in Copley Square -- but only in exchange for burying that jinx. Finally, to Steve Bartman, we wish you nothing but a quiet, calm holiday and some foul balls at Wrigley that land right in your glove -- but only if you're at least three rows from the field."

Scott: Backing divinity school
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2003 -- CHRISTMAS EVE
Extra Point -- Stuart Scott (morning): "I was thinking about the Lord this Christmas and got to wondering why, during a field-goal attempt, guys on one sideline are grasping hands, praying. Praying what? Their kicker makes it? What about the God-fearing Christians on the other sidelines, praying apparently that the guy misses it? Interesting.

"'Let's go to Stuart Scott, who's with a special guest. Stuart?'

"'Yeah, I'm with God. God, who do You want to win?'

"'Well, since there are 26 devout Christians on the blue team and only 19 on the red team, I was going for the blue team.'

"'Really, God? That's wild. I always thought you had some complicated system. God, why are You smiling?'

"'Because I was joking. A little divine humor. I actually don't care who wins. I listen to the athletes who are praying for the strength to give their best effort, for acceptance if they don't win, that no one gets seriously hurt. I listen to the guys praying for each other after the game.'

"'Wow, God. That's deep. Merry Christmas, and, uh, thanks for giving us your Son 2003 years ago. I'm Stuart Scott. Let's go back to the studio.'"
Extra Point -- Dan Davis (afternoon): "Happy holidays, Theo Epstein. Your Red Sox bosses want you to know how much they appreciate your efforts on behalf of the 'old towne team.' John Henry and Larry Lucchino have done a great job of absolutely destroying the chemistry you so brilliantly created last year. Now let's see what you can do. First of all, what will you do with all-time Red Sox great Nomar Garciaparra, who your bosses and one of your players so foolishly kissed off? Apparently disdainful of the quiet, behind-the-scenes approach, Henry and Lucchino obviously preferred 'A-Rod' to Nomar and your first baseman, Kevin Millar, said so, too. Yup, told Dan Patrick on 'SportsCenter' he'd take 'A-Rod' over Nomar any day. The Red Sox were a solid outfit up the middle last year, but now Garciaparra is spitting nails; Todd Walker is with the Cubs. Johnny Damon and Jason Varitek have seen plenty of signs that they have no big future in 'The Hub,' either. Good luck, Theo. You're going to need it."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "For sports fans here in the desert, the holiday gets going close to home. Starting at 4:30 Pacific time, it's going to look like a meeting of the University of New Mexico booster club. That's because the Maloof brothers, owners of the Sacramento Kings and the Palms casino, both graduated from New Mexico. They bought $25,000 worth of tickets and donated them to families of the Lobos who are taking part in today's Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State. Despite all this support, New Mexico comes in a field-goal underdog, largely because of some individual talent playing for the Beavers. Oregon State has the Pac-10's top passer, Derek Anderson, and the conference's leading rusher Steven Jackson. For Jackson this is a homecoming, since he played at nearby Eldorado High here in Vegas. Oh, by the way, today's game is as much an end to this season as it is a beginning to the next. These two teams meet again next September in Corvallis. You can see the Las Vegas Bowl tonight at 7:30 Eastern on ESPN.

"The Maloof brothers no doubt will be flying from today's Las Vegas Bowl to tomorrow's opener of the traditional Christmas Day doubleheader in the NBA. Their Sacramento Kings will host the Dallas Mavericks, where the object of the game might be to get to 110 points first. The second game has Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets visit Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. What? No one from the East? If this doubleheader isn't a microcosm of the NBA today, I don't know what is. Television demands marquee value for high-profile games such as these, and there's no one -- and I mean no one -- that can fill that bill from the East right now. By the way, you can hear the Mavs and Kings and Rockets and Lakers tomorrow on ESPN Radio starting at 5:37 Eastern."

Gomez: Dark Dolphin days
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2003
Extra Point -- Pedro Gómez (morning): "Growing up in Miami as a Dolphins fan was great for the fan in me. After all, the Dolphins of the 1970s and '80s were as good as anyone in the NFL. They along with the Steelers and Raiders took turns towering over the AFC for what seemed like forever. Miami reached the Super Bowl five times in a 14-year span. They had some of the greatest names the NFL has ever produced, names like Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, Paul Warfield, Nick Buonoconti, the 'Marks Brothers' and, of course, Dan Marino. It hasn't been the same in recent decades. It's been 30 years since the Dolphins won the Super Bowl and 19 since they even made it there. Yet again, their usual, December swoon is in full effect. They again have a losing record in the final month and for the second year in a row have missed the playoffs. The Dolphins are a shell of the Don Shula-coached era team. I sympathize with those in South Florida, because it's not easy being a Dolphins fan anymore." Extra Point -- John Anderson (afternoon)

"A thumb, a knee, a neck. In the NFL they can tape up just about any injury and get a player back on the field -- except maybe the heart. And any NFL coach will tell you his game is all about heart. A day after Irv Favre's gave out, his son showed how strong his still is and went out and played tribute to his dad by leading the Packers to a 41-7 win over the Raiders. After Favre won his second MVP award and the Packers Super Bowl XXXI, Irv said, 'It's hard to believe that the little boy we raised has done all this.' How much prouder than Monday night? When the grown-up, little boy seemed to set aside his sorrow and celebrate the man who taught him the game. Given the same circumstances most of us would bolt work in a heartbeat to grieve the passing of a parent, but football is a different business with only 16 important dates a year. And on Dec. 22, 2003, Brett Favre showed himself to be an unquestioned leader of men -- and a fine son." SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon)

"Are the Dallas Mavericks fun to watch or what? I'm not necessarily even talking basketball. What they do off the court is pretty entertaining, too. Don Nelson is simply unpredictable. For a team that regularly hits triple digits, why go get another scorer? That's just what 'Nellie' did this off-season when he picked up Antoine Walker from Boston. It took some time for Walker to work into that offense, but he's become quite the trigger man again. Tonight he'll be locked and loaded in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, Walker's old team has a meaningless game in Atlanta. Even so, everything else going on these days with the Celtics is far from meaningless. Danny Ainge was openly critical of Walker as a broadcaster for Turner. Once Ainge started running the show in Boston, it was no surprise when he let Walker go, but he found out Paul Pierce needed another scorer to keep opposing defenses honest. Ainge had to be acting out of desperation last week when he picked up moody Ricky Davis from Cleveland. So what's next for the ever-changing Celtics? There's one line of reasoning around the NBA that if this team falters, Jim O'Brien will be out as coach, and Ainge will be in. We'll have to see how that plays out, but the early winners in the Antoine Walker argument are Don Nelson and the Dallas Mavericks.

"TCU was the darling of the non-BCS schools before running into Southern Miss. Meanwhile, Boise State quietly went 12-1 with its only loss being a two-pointer at Oregon State in September. That's why the Broncos are a double-digit favorite to knock off the home team tonight in the inaugural Plains Capital-Fort Worth Bowl. Another reason is Ryan Dinwiddie, the Player of the Year in the WAC who comes in with more than 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns passing. You can see Boise State visit TCU tonight at 7:30 Eastern on ESPN."

Le Batard: Not sparing the rod
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2003
Extra Point -- Dan Le Batard (morning): "OK, 'A-Rod,' here it is. How much do you really want to win? Because now you can take a pay cut and tell your union, your fellow players, your agent, your teammates, your precedents and the entire state of Texas to go to hell. Alex, your agent works for you, not the other way around, but here's where this gets fascinating: 'A-Rod' can take a $30 million pay cut and still be viewed as selfish -- by other players who would view him as Notre Dame football, starting his own empire, caring only about his own interests instead of the greater good. 'A-Rod' is the most polished athlete in sports, and he is the most practiced at being polished. He very badly wants to be liked, but now, if he really wants to win, he has to risk being intensely disliked. And he should."
Extra Point -- Trey Wingo (afternoon): "Good thing the Chiefs have eight Pro Bowlers this season, because that bowl game will be the only one Kansas City gets to go to en masse this year. Super Bowl? Please. Have you seen their defense? You haven't? Don't be alarmed, because nobody's seen 'em all season, especially in the last 6 games. When the Chiefs were 9-0, their defense was OK, passable maybe, giving up over 16 points a game and averaging 4.7 yards per carry. But in their last six games the U.S.-Canadian border has been more secure than the Chiefs defensive unit. Averaging just under 30 points a game given up, and that's not even the worst part. Their rushing defense: an obscene six yards a carry allowed. Six stinking yards. The old saying is defense wins championships. It certainly did for the Bucs last season and the Patriots and the Ravens the two Super Bowls before that. Even the high-flying Rams of 1999 had the No. 1 defense in football, and it was a tackle, not a TD, that saved that Super Sunday. The Chiefs have no shot if they can't stop anyone."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "Based on the all-important, home-field advantage, Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston could well bring us a rematch of the Patriots and Rams from two years ago, when New England pulled off the shocker of shockers. It wouldn't be nearly as a big a surprise this time around if New England went the distance, but if you are looking for a sleeper in the AFC, how about the Denver Broncos, who pulled out a great, gut-check, road win in Indianapolis last night. It didn't need to be that hard for the Broncos, but for whatever reason, a week ago in overtime against the Browns, Denver coach Mike Shanahan needlessly kept running plays in setting up the game-winning field goal, and in the process, cost himself his star back Clinton Portis for last night's game. It didn't matter. While Portis sat out with a high, ankle sprain, a little rookie back by the name of Quentin Griffin stole the spotlight and ran the Broncos into the postseason. Interesting note here in that Griffin shares a connection with Broncos owner Pat Bowlen -- they are both from the University of Oklahoma -- and afterward Bowlen even tossed his fellow Sooner the game ball. But the Broncos will need a lot more of that good karma if they are to make it to Houston. Three road wins in January are still a tall order no matter how you cut it, especially when that third win will likely have to come in Foxboro, Mass. The Patriots may make you a little nervous with that running game, but bet on Bill Belichick and his crack, coaching staff coming up with something to keep New England's ride going. All the more reason you will keep hearing the names of Belichick's top two assistants -- offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel --mentioned quite a bit for head jobs once the NFL coaching carousel starts spinning in the coming weeks.

"Word out of the Green Bay Packers locker room is that Brett Favre will play in tonight's Monday Night Football game in Oakland despite the tragic death of his father on Sunday. Remember, Favre has a streak of 204 consecutive starts, an NFL record for a quarterback, and according to teammates Favre has told them that streak won't end tonight. Brett and his dad, Irvin, were extremely close, and with a heavy heart, Brett figures to turn in an inspired effort on the field against the Raiders. The Packers need this game to stay even with the Vikings and Seahawks in the race for the final two playoff spots in the NFC, and while Green Bay has struggled out west this year, look for Favre's emotion to be the difference in 'The Black Hole' tonight. As always, you can catch the game at 9 p.m. Eastern on ABC."

Davis: Bring out your dead
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2003
Extra Point -- Rece Davis (morning): "Maybe the 'A-Rod' deal isn't dead, but to borrow from Monty Python, it's not feeling much better either. Let's see, Alex Rodríguez wants out of Texas. The Red Sox want Manny Ramírez out of Boston. 'A-Rod' will take a pay cut of sorts but can be a free agent earlier. Who says no? The players union. Let me drop something else on Gene Orza and the boys: Who set the salary bar with that $252 million monster that benefits all union members? 'A-Rod.' Now Rodríguez has gotten in lock step with the union. Don't tell me about precedent or union rules. This isn't Lech Walesa bringing power to shipyard workers. Please. There's no precedent here. What arbitrator in their right mind would use restructuring 'A-Rod's' deal as a precedent for busting down contractually obligated salaries of the Henry Blancos or Fernando Viñas of the world. Just do the deal. Let us out of our long, national nightmare. 'The "A-Rod" Deal: Baseball Fans and "SportsCenter" held hostage.'"

McKendry: Old homies day
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2003
Extra Point -- Chris McKendry (morning): "With all respect to 29-year-old Theo Epstein's amazing off-season, and with nothing against 44-year-old Terry Francona's player-friendly approach, Boston should know when it comes to winning this year has proven age and experience are priceless. Jack McKeon was 72 when the Marlins called in May. He took Florida from 10 games under .500 to a world championship. Dick Vermeil is 67 and out of retirement for a second time. He has his third different franchise on the verge of a Super Bowl. Seventy-year-old Hubie Brown, Jerry West's surprise coaching choice last November, has Memphis just a 1½ games back in the division. Memphis has beaten the Kings, Lakers, Mavs, Spurs and Nets. In fact, Memphis' 47-point win over the Nets was its most lopsided in history. It reportedly resulted in Jason Kidd's locker-room tirade directed at young coach Byron Scott. If the Nets eventually do fire Scott, here's a suggestion: hire John Wooden."
Extra Point -- Trey Wingo (afternoon): "There's class and then there's class. In deciding to take the pain out of the Giants ownership's decision to fire him, Jim Fassel showed tons of it. Look, there was no question that this was going to be his last season in New York. The G-Men had dropped six straight and a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations, went no-where in a hurry. The offensive line was a sieve, the defense wasn't as good as it should have been and the offense was prone to turnovers and field goals instead of touchdowns. But Jim Fassel never wavered and when he saw the writing on the wall, he wanted to make sure it had his signature on it. He told the Giants owners that he knew what was coming and if it was ok with them, he'd like to coach the last two games of the season before they fired him. Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch knew a good thing when they saw it and let him stay. The WAY in which Jim Fassel handled his firing will almost assuredly make sure he'll be hired again. Good luck coach on your next venture."
SportsBeat -- Trey Wingo (afternoon): "At what point does the baseball players association go against the wishes of its members? By essentially dealing the death blow to the proposed A-Rod for Manny Ramirez trade. Has the players association completely disregarded the people they are supposed to serve? Gene Orza and company nixed the deal because A-Rod was willing to take some 30 million dollars less to leave Texas. Their point being.....that sets a bad precedent. However, they seemed completely willing to set that precedent, if A-Rod was willing to only lose some 15 million. Does that make sense to anybody? Is the union saying it's only a bad precedent at a certain price? Ridiculous. Last time I checked it was the players who PAY the players ASSOCIATION to do their bidding. If someone, anyone, wants to try and better their circumstances by taking less money, who is Gene Orza to stand in their way? And besides A-Rod, who in the heck would be even WILLING to lose 30 million dollars? Sometimes the union seems to forget who they work for."

"Perhaps the most amazing thing to come out of the Pro Bowl selections this week, the lack of Patriots and Eagles going to Hawaii. It's an interesting case study. The Pats have won 10 straight games and have only two Pro Bowlers. The Eagles have won nine straight games and also only have two players going. What does that tell you? That unlike basketball or baseball, where one-on-one dominates, football is the ultimate TEAM sport. What good is a running back with no line, a quarterback with no receivers, a great secondary that doesn't have a pass rush to help them? The Eagles and Patriots could have more than two Pro Bowlers but they certainly don't need them. Their total is greater than the sum of their parts. It's the same situation that saw the Patriots stun the Rams on Super Sunday two seasons ago. TEAM play Is a big reason that come THIS Super Sunday in Houston, the Eagles and Patriots could be squaring off against each other for the Lombardi Trophy."

Smith: Entertaining issues
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2003
Extra Point -- Shelley Smith (morning): "I assume Paul Tagliabue had a straight face when he announced he was fining Joe Horn $30,000 for his cell-phone caper, punishing the New Orleans wide receiver for excessive frivolity demeaning to the integrity of the game. This from the commissioner of a league that has spawned the 'Lingerie Bowl,' which will be played during halftime of the Super Bowl. Yes, models comprising Team Euphoria will line up against models comprising Team Dream in, er, uniforms of lace-trimmed bras, panties and garters with their numbers sewed over their left bra cups. Now I should note that the NFL doesn't actually have anything official to do with the 'Lingerie Bowl' -- it's a privately sponsored, pay-per-view event -- but former NFL players Lawrence Taylor and Eric Dickerson are the coaches, and even so, the lines of official and unofficial are clearly blurred. The NFL can't have it both ways. It can't just turn a blind eye to an event clearly tied to the Super Bowl that I'm sure is considered by some to be demeaning to women and guided by two ex-NFL stars and insist that in fining Horn it is trying to protect the integrity of the game. I don't have a problem with the 'Lingerie Bowl' if the league doesn't have a problem with Joe Horn, Terrell Owens and others who are simply, as they say, providing entertainment."
Extra Point -- Jeremy Schaap (afternoon): "Rasheed Wallace of the Portland Trail Blazers makes $17 million a year playing in the NBA. The average salary in the league, which is 80 percent black, is more than $4 million a year. Black NBA stars from Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal have been promoted as the faces of the league. The only black owner in American team sports owns an NBA franchise. But Wallace somehow thinks that he and his fellow players are being exploited by what he pointedly called the league's white establishment. Wallace is clearly deluded. He has a right to his opinions, but his opinions happen to be silly. He also insulted commissioner David Stern, implying that he was overpaid. Wallace should study some history. When Stern became commissioner, the average NBA salary was $200,000 a year. Wallace has some nerve. If anyone's overpaid, it's Rasheed Wallace."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "They should have it easy this weekend, shouldn't they? The St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are neck-and-neck in the fight to see who's going to host the NFC Championship game between them. The Rams host Cincinnati under the big top in St. Louis, and the Eagles are home to play the San Francisco 49ers. While I think both home teams will hold serve, they may have fights on their hands. The Bengals just happen to be the NFL's most improved team this year. Marvin Lewis's coaching job has already been well-documented, and Cincinnati's offensive line has shown it can block for Rudi Johnson just as well as it can open holes for Corey Dillon. Still, I don't like the Bengals on the carpet against the likes of Faulk and Holt and Bruce. It won't take St. Louis long to put points up this Sunday. As for the Eagles, they're facing a San Francisco team that has yet to win on the road. Still, the Niners put up 38 points at Cincinnati last week. In the end, I think two consecutive trips to the East Coast will wear down the 49ers, not to mention Donovan McNabb.

"While everyone already has the Eagles and Rams penciled into the NFC title game, folks in Carolina will warn you not to forget the Panthers. For starters, they'll have an easy time of it at home Sunday against Detroit. If the Bengals are the most surprising team in the AFC, then the Panthers have that distinction in the NFC. After they hit Tampa Bay right in the mouth the first time they met, they've been going strong ever since. By the way, what was Steve Spurrier thinking when he got rid of Stephen Davis? I still don't understand why 'The Ol' Ball Coach' turned loose a quality back like him without having someone to take his place. Spurrier may have the big name, but John Fox has Davis. Whose shoes would you rather be in right now?"

Scott: Unnecessary blaring over Horn
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2003
Extra Point -- Stuart Scott (morning): "I wouldn't have done what Joe Horn did Sunday night, but I thought it was kind of funny. More importantly, I understand what Joe wanted to do -- entertain. He accomplished. Come on, people, you may not like it, but to say he disrespects the game is absurd. He wasn't showing anyone up; he was just showing off. There is a difference, and while Barry Sanders or Marvin Harrison wouldn't do it doesn't mean everyone should be like Barry and Marv. Embrace and respect diversity. God made us all different; we're all going to act different. Going overboard celebrating with our teammates really has noting to do with the other team. If the other team doesn't like it, don't let him into the end zone. And for all the media types who rant and rave at Joe Horn's antics, if it's so horrible, why do sportscasts including ours show the thing 15 times? Joe entertained. We entertain because of it. Lighten up. At least Joe didn't dance in the end zone with his team losing by 25 points."
Extra Point -- John Anderson (afternoon): "Well, if nothing else, let us at least give the Rangers and Red Sox an 'A-Rod' for effort. The teams' month-long dance to try and trade reigning AL MVP Alex Rodríguez for Manny Ramírez has provided log after log to keep the hot stove burning. Please, somebody, turn off the stove. Rescue me from the rumors, half-truths and often blatant guessing that is the hot-stove league. Right now there is a nest of owls out a home in Oregon because of the newsprint used to speculate Nomar might be an Angel -- no, wait, a Dodger -- excuse me, now it's the White Sox. Now I understand the sports fan's preoccupation with the hot-stove league. It matches two of American's favorite pastimes -- baseball and gossip. But for the love of Pete -- Gammons -- baseball experts become TV weatherman in the off-season with roughly the same success rate. The O's and Javy heating up, the O's and Pudge cooling off with an outside chance of you catching in Baltimore, if you'll bring your own chest protector. Quiet, please. Save all the idle chatter for 'Hey, batter, batter; hey, batter; you're no batter" in July."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "With two weeks left, the battle for home field throughout the AFC playoffs boils down to a three-team race. Right now the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs are tied at 12-2 with the Indianapolis Colts lurking at 11-3. The Patriots hold the tiebreaker advantage on the Chiefs with both teams getting set for games this Saturday. The Patriots visit the New York Jets in a prime-time game on ESPN, and by the time they kick off, they'll know how the Chiefs did in their game at Minnesota. Even though both visitors are about a field-goal favorite, these are trap games. If it doesn't snow Saturday night at the Meadowlands, that's too bad. That's obviously not a worry inside the dome at Minnesota, but the Vikings will be angry after being upset in Chicago on Sunday. Randy Moss refused to talk to the media after rookie Charles Tillman ripped the potential, game-winning touchdown out of his hands. This weekend Moss will be matched against undersized defensive backs, so you can bet Daunte Culpepper will be throwing jump balls in Moss's direction. Having said that, this game has shootout written all over it. The first one to 30 might just win it.

"If the Patriots and Chiefs both lose on the road this Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts would be in position to move into a tie for the AFC's best record with a week to go. That would depend on how they do at home in Sunday night's ESPN game against Denver. While Peyton Manning has an extremely hot hand right now, it's worth remembering the Broncos need wins just to get into the playoffs. The Colts already have their ticket punched. So how's this whole thing going to shake out? I like the Patriots and Chiefs to just keep rolling along. That's right. I like them both to win this Saturday and bring their fight for home field into the final weekend of the season."

Gomez: When tradition is not enough
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2003
Extra Point -- Pedro Gómez (morning): "The New York Yankees, obviously appalled at not having won a World Series in three years, are again loading up. They've added starters Kevin Brown and Javier Vázquez and are holding a spot for outfielder Gary Sheffield. You throw those names in with Jason Giambi, Alfonso Soriano, Hideki Matsui, Mike Mussina and Aaron Boone, and you're looking at a serious contender. The problem is that none of those players has ever won a World Series for the Yanks. At some point during the past three years the Yankees forgot what got them their four championships in a five-year span. Chemistry. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera are amazingly the only holdovers from the Yankees' last World Series winner. Tino Martínez, David Cone, Scott Brosius, Paul O'Neill and even Chuck Knoblauch knew the whole was always far greater than the parts. Just wearing the famed pinstripes isn't enough to make someone a Yankee. It takes more."
Extra Point -- Dan Davis (afternoon): "Beginning tonight we will have the option of watching college and or pro football on television almost daily right through Jan. 4. Have you ever wondered how it's possible for so many bowl games to flourish and survive? Well, 'flourish' may be a bit of an overstatement. It's somewhat doubtful that the New Orleans Bowl, which takes place tonight, will actually flourish, but let's face it. You get a chance to do your Christmas shopping on Bourbon Street, and life ain't all that bad. Folks will show up, and ESPN2 will pony up the cash. There's the GMAC Bowl Thursday, the NFL now occupies Saturday and Sunday, then football, football and more football daily, right through the last tick of the clock in the Nokia Sugar Bowl right back where it all starts -- New Orleans. Along the way we'll crown at least one, maybe two national champions and will take in the first four NFL playoff games. The jingle is right. It is the most wonderful time of the year -- at least until spring training."
SportsBeat -- Brent Musburger from Las Vegas, Nev. (afternoon): "Let the bowl games begin. In fact, let them begin and end in New Orleans. The first of these games is tonight's New Orleans Bowl between the North Texas and Memphis. Even though this is the third straight trip to this game for North Texas, the Sun Belt champs are a four-point underdog. Still, the Mean Green may be primed for the first upset of the bowl season. For one thing, this battle of marquee running backs has turned into a one-man show. Patrick Cobbs brings nearly 1,600 yards in for North Texas, but Memphis will be without DeAngelo Williams, whose 1,400-yard season was ended by a knee injury last month against Cincinnati. You can see the New Orleans Bowl tonight at 7 Eastern on ESPN2.

"Here's my list of this season's top five bowl games. At No. 5 is Thursday's GMAC Bowl between Louisville and Miami of Ohio. NFL scouts tout Miami junior quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as a potential, first-round draft pick, but let's not overlook Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. I'll be interested to see why Auburn went deep in the night to try and steal him. At No. 4 is the Fiesta Bowl with Ohio State returning to the scene of the crime -- oops -- the scene of its big victory last season. The Buckeyes will play a hot Kansas State team that triggered all the championship chaos when it beat up on Oklahoma. At No. 3 is the Outback Bowl matching Iowa and Florida State. Keep an eye on Florida quarterback Chris Leak, who next year could be the first sophomore to win the Heisman. The top two are obvious, and since we may wind up with two national champs, we'll just declare the Rose and Sugar bowls as our co-No. 1s"