Griese was heroic in Denver's pulsating 27-24 win over Oakland. He separated his right shoulder in the first period and played through the pain. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 262 yards and led the
Broncos on the game-winning drive. As Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman wrote: ``I've never even heard of a passer working three quarters with a grade-three separation of his throwing shoulder.
``The next grade means that all the ligaments are torn and there's nothing holding it in place. But three is bad enough. It means that there's enough of a tear to cause the shoulder to drop an inch. It's what is known as a "step deformity." I know. I had one once. The pain is intense. It's the closest I've ever come in my life to passing out because of pain.''
BOTTOM OF THE WEEK
A BAD HAIR DAY
Straight men just don't get style sometimes. Prior to their fight heavyweight boxing champ
Lennox Lewis complained about challenger David Tua's hairdo. Lewis' camp issued complaints to Nevada boxing officials about Tua's hair that spikes out about five inches from his head. Said Tua
trainer Ronnie Shields, "David is not cutting his hair for anyone. His hair is natural." In the fight Lewis won a unanimous decision and the hair wasn't a factor.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
POLITICS OR
FOOTBALL? AN EASY CALL IN FLORIDA
Tallahassee, Florida, is the center of the political universe as the world's media is encamped waiting for the final outcome in Gore vs. Bush, otherwise known as Chad Bowl I. But come Friday night, the blown-dried anchors and ink-stained wretches may have to sleep under the stars.
This is because this weekend, something bigger than just a presidency is at stake: Florida plays Florida State in college football. And 5,000 hotel rooms, now occupied by the media, will have to be vacated for fans who ponied up months ago.
As the Tallahassee Democrat's Gerald Ensley wrote: ``There are an estimated 200 to 300 reporters, photographers, videographers and producers in Tallahassee for election coverage -- or about half the 600
sportswriters and broadcasters who will cover Saturday's football game. The game will draw 80,000 spectators.''
The New York Times' Todd Purdham told the paper: ``We may end up at the Red Cross. But it's appropriate that the two national pastimes are colliding."
NFL: WHO ARE THE
CONTENDERS?
OK, with every team having played 10 games it's obvious the Bengals, Chargers and Bears won't be playing in January unless it's touch on the beach. So who is the best team right now? Frankly, there is no dominant squad right now, just a bunch of flawed teams with the capability of making a run. Here's a look at the tops teams in each conference:
AFC Tennessee (8-2): The Titans make the cover of SI and immediately lose. They are tough and
well-coached, but their lack of a consistent passing game means teams can keep it close, not a
good thing in the playoffs.
Oakland (8-2): The Raiders can't beat Denver, but they're 8-0 against everyone else. Flaws? No pass rush and a secondary that can be torched.
Miami (8-2): Great defense, but hard to see a team quarterbacked by Jay Fielder and with Lamar Smith as its best runner going far in the playoffs.
Indianapolis (7-3): Manning, James and Harrison are awesome, the defense is not.
Baltimore (7-4): Unreal defense, but relying on Trent Dilfer is about as safe as a lead in Florida election.
Denver, Buffalo and New York (all 6-4): The Broncos lost to the Bengals; the Bills can't decide who their QB is and the Jets have run out of comebacks.
NFC
St. Louis (8-2): Defense is still shaky and that offense needs to be in a dome come playoff time.
Minnesota (8-2): The defense has only three interceptions this year and is easy to push around. How long can Daunte Culpepper keep it up?
New York (7-3): They have played three quality teams (Washington, Tennessee and St. Louis) and lost to each by double-digits.
New Orleans (7-3): Loss of Ricky Williams put tremendous pressure on QB Jeff Blake. Defense yet to play quality offense. They get one this week in Oakland.
Philadelphia (7-4): Great coaching, tough defense, but no offense.
Washington (6-4): Nobody to catch the ball. Asshole owner Dan Snyder makes everyone walk on eggshells. Not a good environment.
Tampa Bay (6-4) and Detroit (6-4): Shaun King and Charlie Batch are the respective QBs. Neither inspires confidence. But both play tough defense and always seem to be in games.
BASKETBALL: THE
GLOBETROTTERS LOSE
Sweet Georgia Brown! It had been five years since the Harlem Globetrotters last lost a game. It took the fifth-ranked
team in the nation to end that streak. The Michigan State Spartans topped the 'Trotters, 72-68, to end Harlem's 1,270 game win streak. It was the first time the Globetrotters had lost to a college team in almost 40 years.