"From childhood until her final days, Yow engaged in the game she loved, but eventually she transcended it. In a hotly competitive sport, her gentle manner taught mutual respect. And in recent years, her energy drained and her features drawn by cancer, her presence courtside reminded all in the arena that no matter how urgent the contest, it was only a game. What mattered most, Yow said, was winning in life." ...
The Today Show was doing a segment on puppies when one of the young pup unexpectedly scratched Lester Holt on the chin - drawing blood...but the best part was the close-up of Amy Robach's luscious thighs when they showed how the pup shredded her stockings...
Yesterday Stiles Points looked at current running backs and quarterbacks who should make the Hall of Fame...today's focus is wide receivers...
Wide Receivers Marvin Harrison - 1,102 receptions, 14,580 receiving yards and 128 TDs...3-time First-Team All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowl selection; Super Bowl winner - first ballot lock - LOCK
Terrell Owens - yes, we all know he is an asshole...he is a head case...but he is also worthy of the Hall...951 receptions, 14,122 receiving yards and 141 overall TDS...6-time Pro Bowl selection; 5-time First-Team All Pro...Owens will not be a first ballot nor second ballot Hall of Famer because of all the problems that he has caused wherever he has played...but in the end, he is in - LOCK
Isaac Bruce(photo) - he is so overlooked...he has 1,003 receptions for 14.944 yards and 91 TDs...4-time Pro Bowl selection; Super Bowl winner...he will be a third or fourth ballot Hall of Famer - LOCK
Randy Moss - in his prime, he was a difference-maker...he is starting to get up in age, but he can still make the big plays...Moss has 843 reception for 13,201 yards and 135 TDs...he holds the record for most TD receptions in a season...4-time First-Team All-Pro; 6-time Pro Bowl selection; Offensive Rookie of the Year...if not for his moody years in Oakland, Moss could have possibly passed some of Jerry Rice's marks...Moss is a first ballot Hall of Famer - LOCK
Muhsin Muhammad - over a 13-year career, Moosh has 807 receptions for 10,857 yards and 61 TDs...he is a 2-time Pro-Bowl selection and a one-time First-Team All-Pro...M2 is like Fred Taylor...he has put up some solid numbers over a long career, but has never distinguished himself as a difference maker - NO WAY
Hines Ward(photo) - Hines will face a battle to get in...I am stating right now that I would vote him in...he has 800 receptions for 9,780 yards and 72 TDs over his 11 year career...he should finish with over 900 receptions and 11,000 yards...he is a 4-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl MVP...he is a devasting blocker and the consummate team player...he is a difference maker...Ward will probably not make the Hall until his 5th or 6th chance, but if the writers have any smarts, they would vote him in - I VOTE YES
Derrick Mason - over a 12-year career, Mason has put up some solid numbers... 790 catches for 10,061 yards and 52 TDs...2-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time First-Team All-Pro...like Moosh, Mason has had a fine career, but not a Hall of Fame career - NO WAY
Despite the little flub, I like how Chief Justice Roberts begins by calling Obama "Senator" then at the end, is the first to officially call him "Mr. President"...
Last week on "Mike and Mike," Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg talked about which current NFL players are locks for the Hall of Fame...their "crack" staff came up with a list for each position...today we will look at the quarterback and running back positions...
Quarterback Brett Favre - he is a lock despite being an asshole the last 3 years...he is a first ballot lock - LOCK
Tom Brady - a Super Bowl record of 3-1, 2-time Super Bowl MVP, League MVP...even if he doesn't throw another pass, Brady is in on his first ballot - LOCK
Peyton Manning - barring injury, Manning should hold every quarterback record when he retires...he is 1-0 in Super Bowls; Super Bowl MVP; 3-time League MVP...first ballot - LOCK
Kurt Warner(photo) - before this season Warner was going to fall into that just missed catergory...but after a resurgence and leading the Cardinals to the Big Show, Warner is in...he is 1-1 in Super Bowls; Super Bowl MVP; 2-time League MVP...first ballot - LOCK
Donovan McNabb - McNabb is interesting...some will hold it against him that he was 1-4 in NFC Championship Games...he has thrown for 194 TDs and almost 30,000 yards...in his prime he was a dual threat at running and throwning the ball...is a 5-time Pro Bowl Selection...McNabb will not make it on his first, second, nor third ballot...he will have a problem getting in at first, but after about five or six years, I believe he will be in the Hall - WILL MAKE IT AFTER A WAIT
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson - it seems just like yesterday he racked up 30 TDs, now there is talk that his better days are behind him...he has rushed for 11,760 yards and 141 overall TDs...he was the League MVP...last week on The Dan Patrick Show, McLuvin mentioned an interesting point that many of LT's TDs were of the 1-yard variety and that his TD numbers are a little deceiving...no matter how far out he scored, LT will be in Canton...but I could see him not making it on his first try because of his recent injuries during the playoffs...some writers will hold that against him - CANTON BOUND
Edgerrin James - just like Warner, Edge was a borderline Hall of Famer...but after helping the Cards to the Super Bowl, he will eventually make it to Canton...I don't see him being a first ballot lock, but he makes it...through this season he has rushed for 12,121 and 91 overall TDS - second ballot - LOCK
Shaun Alexander - Alexander has had a weird career...he was never really appreciated because he played up in the Northwest...he was the League MVP in 2005 when he had that monster season...he was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and helped Seattle make the Super Bowl...but I would not vote Alexander in because of the Ottis Anderson Syndrome...if Alexander makes it, then Anderson has to be inducted too...Alexander has rushed for 9,453 and 112 overall TDs...Anderson finished with 10,273 yards rushing and 86 overall TDs...he was a Super Bowl MVP; 2-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year; and NFL Comeback Player of the Year...Alexander was a beast for about a 3-year period, but that is not enough in my book to put him in Canton - NO WAY
Fred Taylor - Taylor is one of those running back who have good numbers, but that is all...he has 11,271 yards rushing and 70 overall TDs...the early part of his carer was marred by injuries...his best season came in 2003 when he ran for 1,572 yards...Taylor was always underappreciated...he has had a good career, but he never has done anything to stand out...he was never a true difference maker...sorry - NO WAY
Warrick Dunn(photo) - thru a 12-year career, Dunn has rushed for 10,987 yards...he has compiled 15,306 yards rushing and receiving for an overall total of 64 TDs...he is a 3-time Pro Bowl selection and was the Offensive Rookie of the Year...he is also one of the greatest human beings off the field...but despite those numbers, he has never stood out and was not a differenc maker - NO WAY
Jamal Lewis - Lewis falls into the Roger Maris category...Maris had two monster seasons, but will never make the Baseball Hall...ditto for Lewis...plus, Lewis' off the field problems will hurt him - NO WAY
We all know the horrific hit that Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin took earlier this year when the Cardinals played the Jets...his toughness and love of the game is not questioned...but do not let that devasting play cloud your overall opinion of Boldin...let's face the facts, Anquan Boldin is a turd...he is an asshole...he is a selfish douche bag...
Boldin is ticked off because he was not used during the winning drive that put his team into the Super Bowl...once again, Boldin is just another high priced arrogant professional athlete who only knows the words "me, myself, and I"...
Once the game ended, the two-time Pro Bowl selection left the field quickly without celebrating. According to one postgame account, which he disputed, Boldin was seen leaving the locker room via a back door.
"I didn't leave through a back door. I tried to get in and out as quickly as possible to beat the media," he said. "I didn't want the story line to be me and Todd getting into it." ...
If this was Terrell Owens, the national media would be crucifying him...but because this is Anquan Boldin, the media spotlight is not burning as bright on a player who is just as self-centered as Owens...
Steve Spagnuolo - St. Louis Rams Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Dispatch writes he happy with the choice of Spags as the new Rams coach... "But “Spags” certainly has established credentials that are worthy of this opportunity." ...
Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Dispatch is also pleased with the hiring despite the theatrics... "If you love theatrics, you have to love the Rams, who are the only folks who can turn the simple pursuit of a new head coach into a brilliant Hollywood whodunnit, filled with heroes and villains, mystery men and fall guys, suspense and intrigue, confusion and .... well ... more confusion followed by careening plot twists that somehow led us to — we think, we hope, we pray — a true happy ending." ...
Scott Pioli (GM) - Kansas City Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star writes how the Chiefs want Scott Pioli to turn the team into the same mold of the Steelers... "The “Pittsburgh Model,” they call it; that’s the direction Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt is taking his team, and he’s charging Pioli with the details." ...
Jim Schwartz - Detroit Lions Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press writes about new Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and his work ethic... "As determined as he was on the field, Schwartz also distinguished himself intellectually. He graduated near the top of his class and was named the top student in English and social studies." ...
Raheem Morris - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Joey Johnson of the Tampa Tribune writes that new Bucs head coach Raheem Morris stands out... "Morris might be considered the most famous alumnus of Irvington (N.J.) High School - were it not for a couple of former students named Jerry Lewis and Queen Latifah." ...
Josh McDaniel - Denver Broncos Woody Paige of the Denver Post writes that Denver owner Pat Bowlen put his neck on the line by hiring the 32-year-old McDaniel... "He will be denounced in halves throughout Broncountry and the nation for naming McDaniels as coach — because of his lack of background as a head coach (and even as any kind of coach) and because Belichick's assistants (Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis and Eric Mangini) have not succeeded elsewhere and because of McDaniels' youth and because the Broncos need defense, not D-offense." ......
"From childhood until her final days, Yow engaged in the game she loved, but eventually she transcended it. In a hotly competitive sport, her gentle manner taught mutual respect. And in recent years, her energy drained and her features drawn by cancer, her presence courtside reminded all in the arena that no matter how urgent the contest, it was only a game. What mattered most, Yow said, was winning in life." ... 
