• Marion Jones admitted she was lying over the steroid issue. Now her five Olympic medals will be taken away from her. She worked so diligently to get them, but was looking for that little edge and went overboard. You had to feel that pain in her voice, knowing how much she was hurting when she apologized and accepted responsibility. It was sad to see. Think about the press conferences involving Jones and Michael Vick and it tears your heart out, realizing that they made such bad decisions in their lives. Life is all about decision-making.
• The Colts are something special and Tony Dungy's team sent a message by beating Tampa Bay. The shorthanded Colts were without running back Joseph Addai, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, defensive stalwart Bob Sanders and linebacker Rob Morris. Dungy's squad did have a guy at quarterback named Manning and he is a great leader. Indianapolis found a way to get to the winner's circle.
• The Patriots also stayed perfect and all five Ws have come in impressive fashion. New England's toughest test this season was a 17-point victory. Bill Belichick's club continues to impress and Tom Brady is Mr. Smooth.
• How can you figure out this college football season? Stanford goes into Los Angeles winless in the Pac-10 and stuns USC. What an amazing win for new coach Jim Harbaugh. Last year the Cardinal won one game and Harbaugh promised to bring some excitement. In about three years, Stanford will become a power because Harbaugh is a communicator and motivator. The alums must be proud.
• What a great comeback for LSU to beat Florida. Les Miles gambled on fourth down several times and his team came through with a number of key plays. It was an intense game in Baton Rouge and that is a tough place to play at night.
• Notre Dame finally got to the winner's circle, beating UCLA. The Irish forced turnover after turnover. Maurice Crum Jr. came through with big plays. That could give the Irish some momentum heading into a challenge against Boston College. Remember 1993, when the Eagles ruined Notre Dame's opportunity to be No. 1 on a field goal by David Gordon. Can Notre Dame return the favor and beat the unbeaten Eagles?
• I know some people will be down on the Cubs after they were swept by the Diamondbacks, but lets remember the job done by Lou Piniella this season. Chicago would not have made the playoffs if Piniella didn't get the ship in order. Give Arizona and Colorado some credit for making the NLCS! How many people picked that matchup before the season?
• I found it ridiculous to say Joe Torre would not be back if he and his Yankees lost this series. My friends, the Yankees would have been watching the playoffs at home if it wasn't for the way Torre handled this team. Remember when the Yankees were 21-29? It took a special leader to right the ship.
• What about the disappointment at Louisville? The Cardinals were highly-rated entering the season, and new coach Steve Kragthorpe was supposed to get the job done there as a Big East contender. Now he is taking heat as people probably feel they wouldn't be in this position if Bobby Petrino stayed there. I know it has to be tough and Kragthorpe has to reach down deep and rally his team. I know that Rick Pitino thinks the world of the football coach. The defense is hurting big-time and the latest loss to Utah was humiliating.
• Let's salute Steve Spurrier and his Gamecocks. They find ways to win and now South Carolina is leading the SEC East. That division has been wild. Tennessee blew out Georgia. Florida lost a heartbreaker at LSU after leading 24-14. Wow, there is a lot of football left but Spurrier has done a super job. The win over Kentucky on national TV was a big one!
• LeBron James, my friend, you have to know better. He has done everything right in his career so far, but then he pulled a public relations nightmare by wearing a Yankees cap to a Indians playoff game! It was a sign of immaturity, an attention grabber. I agreed with Peter Gammons, who criticized him. Why would you want to hurt the people who help pay your salary and love you. It took audacity to wear that hat and cheer against Cleveland. Give me a break. Someone should sit down with James because he has turned off some people in his home city.
