espn.com Ali Contest
The 2001-02 NFL season was so confounding that it took Page 2's Bill Simmons two columns to sum it all up. In part 2 of his "Dazed and Confused" review, The Sports Guy tries to figure out what Mike Holmgren is doing, who the MVP candidates are and what the future holds for Michael Vick, Drew Bledsoe and others.
NFL DAZE: PART 2 | PART 1 | WEEK 17 PICKS

POLL RESULTS



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Silence can be so golden in the world of sports. Which is why Page 2's Ralph Wiley wonders why Indiana's Mike Davis, TV commentators during instant-replay dead zones, and everybody trying to make a morality play out of Notre Dame hiring Tyrone Willlingham can't ever seem to do the right thing ... and just shut up!

The Berman Files Sportoon
Tired of hearing about Air Jordan, MJ or His Airness on the nightly highlights? Then help us find a new nickname for Michael Jordan by taking a look at reader suggestions to The Berman Files and voting for the moniker you think fits the wise old Wizard the best.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers looked a lot like George Clooney and the "Andrea Gail" on Thursday night. After watching the Cornhuskers get shucked in the Rose Bowl, Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe tries to capture the Hurricanes' force in his latest Sportoon.


You've already looked at Page 2's top 10 moves of last year, so now we've compiled our readers' choices for the smartest moves of 2001. Check out the list, and be sure to vote in the poll to crown the No. 1 smart move of the year.

10]  Maryland hires football coach Ralph Friedgen
"All the man did was take a team that was 5-6 in 2000 and take them to 10-1 and a BCS Bowl Game in 2001."
9]   Patriots coach Bill Belichick sticks with Tom Brady after Drew Bledsoe returns from injury
"You hardly ever hear a coach put his job on the line publicly ... but Belichick did."
8]   Rams bolster defense
"Through an efficient 2001 draft, free-agent signing, in-house promotions and a brilliant draft-day trade, the 2001 Rams boast a top five defense and are favorites to win the Super Bowl."
7]   Islanders obtain Michael Peca, Alexei Yashin and Chris Osgood
"God bless Charles Wang and his deep pockets."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Raiders 4½ Jets 41½
Sunday Seahawks 4 Chiefs 41
Sunday Bucs 3 Eagles 35
Sunday Patriots 6½ Panthers 38½
Sunday Bears 6 Jaguars 33
Monday Ravens 10½ Vikings 37½
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
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THE HOT LIST
Who will sizzle and who will fizzle in 2002? From Shakira and Jay-Z to Randy Moss and A-Rod, check out our list of who's hot and who's not.

THE STORY OF O
The BCS was all about offense in 2002 -- from everyone taking offense with the system to all those points scored in the bowl games.

LEST YE BE JUDGED
Bob Halloran's preparing to move into a glass house, so he details how he'll stop being judgmental in 2002.

GETTING TESTY
Did you pay attention in 2001? Test your IQ with our Year-End News Quiz or take a look back at the strange odyssey of '01.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's actor Tobey Maguire, left, who plays a superhero in the upcoming "Spider-Man," and Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey, who played like a superhero in the Rose Bowl. Page 2 has received five requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.

Men's college basketball: Oklahoma at Connecticut
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 7 Sooners mush into Husky territory.
 
Vikings at Ravens
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Defending Super Bowl champs have to prove themselves.
 
Men's college basketball: Gonzaga at New Mexico
Midnight ET, ESPN
Check out the 'Zags before tourney time.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., Jan. 3: NFL Daze
• Wed., Jan. 2: The Hot List
• Mon., Dec. 31: Whocares.com Bowl
• Fri., Dec. 28: Year in Review
• Thurs., Dec. 27: Classic Ramblings
Other featured content:
• Being Mike Tyson
• The Power Poll
• Sportoon: 2002 forecast
• Mystery Photo responses
• The Year in Sex & Sports
• The Island of Misfit Athletes
• 10 Burning Questions with Dan Rather
Weekend Edition, Jan. 4-6, 2002
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