espn.com Ali Contest
A lot of weird stuff has rambled around inside The Sports Guy's head in 2001. As this unique year comes to a close, our man offers up his Greatest Hits from the past 12 months of The Ramblings. Check out his thoughts on everyone from Charlie Sheen to Lucy Liu to Russell Crowe to, of course, The Man himself.
THE SPORTS GUY'S 2001 RAMBLINGS




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There is much to like about "Ali," says Page 2's Ralph Wiley, especially the brilliant recreation of "The Rumble in the Jungle" that ends the film. But Wiley couldn't get past how wrong Will Smith's legs were compared to those of the real Ali, much the same way the Sports Guy couldn't get past Smith's ability to make the "contemplative" Ali seem believable.

The Year in Sex & Sports The Worst Team Ever?
We saw scantily clad XFL cheerleaders. We heard about peeping toms at the Vet. We read confessions about the sex lives of ballplayers. And we talked about several athletes who took off their clothes and others who refused to do so. Yes, 2001 was a provocative year, and Page 2 has a recap of the Year in Sex & Sports.
Only one team since the NFL merger has ever gone through an entire season without winning a game. The 2001 Detroit Lions threatened that mark, but they couldn't quite match the ineptitude of the 1976 Buccaneers. Page 2 contributor Pat Toomay recalls what it was like to play for that 0-14 Tampa Bay squad.


Our look back at the year in sports continues with Page 2 readers' choices for the dumbest moves of 2001. Check out the list and Page 2 editors' choices for the 10 worst moves, then vote in the poll to name the year's dumbest move.
10]  Bob Brenly brings back closer Byung-Hyun Kim for Game 5 of the World Series
"Why all the confidence in him after he gets shelled?"
8] tie  Randy Moss says he only plays hard when he "feels like it"
"The remarks show the selfishness that many of our "heroes" are exhibiting to our youngsters."
8] tie  Nate Newton gets caught twice with large amounts of marijuana
"He effectively announced to the world: 'I'm a pothead, I'm an idiot, and I don't learn from my mistakes.' "
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Bucs 1½ Ravens 34
Sunday Rams 12½ Colts 58½
Sunday Eagles 5 Giants 34½
Sunday Jets 6½ Bills 37
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Rose Bowl Miami 9½ Nebraska 55
Fiesta Bowl Colorado 3 Oregon 58
Orange Bowl Florida 16 Maryland 61
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
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CHECKIN' HIS LIST
Page 2's Bob Halloran compiles his Top 10 random best and worst things because ... well, everyone's doing it.

PLAYER HATIN'
Page 2's Ralph Wiley runs down the starting lineup for his 2001 NFL All-Resented Team.

THE WATER COOLER
Just when The Murph thought the NFL couldn't be saved, along came Brett Favre frolicking in the snow and Brian Urlacher grabbing a TD pass.

TALE OF THE TAPE
Can one clubhouse hold John Rocker and Carl Everett? Bakay compares two of baseball's most volatile fellas in his Tale of the Tape.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's a couple of Marks: Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell, left, and actor/rapper Mark Wahlberg, a k a Marky Mark. Page 2 has received four requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.

Seattle Bowl: Georgia Tech vs. Stanford
4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Yellowjackets try to win one without O'Leary.
 
Independence Bowl: Alabama vs. Iowa State
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tide looks for fourth straight win.
 
Jazz at Blazers
9 p.m. ET, TNT
Former powers both struggling.
 
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If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Dec. 26: NFL's All-Resented
• Mon., Dec. 24: Let it Snow
• Fri., Dec. 21: "Ali" review
• Thurs., Dec. 20: Misfit athletes
• Wed., Dec. 19: Oddest couples
Other featured content:
• The Power Poll: Best of '01
• Mystery Photo: Buzzing over Anna
• The Island of Misfit Athletes
• 10 Burning Questions with Dan Rather
• The oddest couples ever
• Sportoon: Great gift ideas
Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001
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