espn.com Ali Contest
What's in the Water Cooler this week? Some pretty potent stuff, folks. Those whack jobs at Comiskey definitely had some strange libations in their systems, and they weren't the only ones "under the influence." Page 2's Brian Murphy also tries to figure out what mellowed Giants fans and what turned the 49ers' stomachs.
MURPHY: SICK MINDS, SICK TUMMIES




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In Part 4 of his series on the defending Super Bowl champion Oakland Raiders' 1977 season, Page 2's Pat Toomay acquires a strange new roommate, the insane and profane John "The Tooz" Matuszak, and plays the game of his career (three sacks) in a season-opening rout of the outmanned Chargers.

What Are They Thinking? 10 Burning Questions
PETA wants equal time in the "sausage races." Madonna wants to write a new kind of "Bedtime Stories." And Michael Vick just want someone to watch the Falcons. Page 2 just wants the answer to a simple question: "What the Heck Are They Thinking?"
 He doesn't have the '60s vibe of quirky fellow lefty Barry Zito or the legendary steadiness of Tim Hudson, but Mark Mulder has something his more famous A's pitching mates can only dream of -- the answers to 10 Burning Questions from Eric Neel on today's Page 2.

TOON TIME
What's wrong with the Rams? Page 2's Kurt Snibbe thinks he might know the answer as St. Louis prepares for a big Monday night test in Tampa. Meanwhile, fellow cartoonist Larry Johnson identifies the NFL Stud and Dud from Week 3.


After listing the 10 best offenses in NFL history last week, we now get defensive. Check out our list of the top 10 NFL defenses of all-time, and then click here to offer your choice for the top defense. We'll run our readers' top 10 later this week.
10]  1975 Los Angeles Rams
Fred Dryer. Jack Youngblood. Merlin Olson. Get the idea? They weren't the "Fearsome Foursome," but they were almost impossible to score against.
9]  1963 Chicago Bears
Bears defensive coach George Allen came up with a new zone defense against the pass that befuddled opponents and led to a whopping 36 interceptions.
8]  1973 Miami Dolphins
The "No-Name" Defense held 11 opponents to 14 points or less, setting a record by allowing just 150 points in a 14-game season.
7]  1969 Kansas City Chiefs
Hank Stram's "Triple Stack" defense, which gave the linebackers lots of room to roam, was superb, holding five opponents to fewer than 10 points and giving up an average of less than two touchdowns a game.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
9 p.m. Mon. Rams 2½ Bucs 43
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
6:30 p.m. Sat. USC 3½ Oregon State NL
All Times ET | Bold indicates home team
Complete line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2? Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


CALIFORNIA DIARY
Eric Neel offers four stories of what it means to be a die-hard fan of the A's, Giants, Angels and Dodgers.

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons has a public service announcement: Never see the movie "Undisputed"

MASTERFUL MELTDOWN
After watching Lou Piniella's base-throwing tirade, Page 2's Jim Caple examines the elements of a good meltdown.

NO. 1 WITH BULLET
Page 2's Ralph Wiley remembers Bullet Bob Hayes as a blur of speed that revolutionized the game of football.
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 young TV stars: Fox broadcaster and former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman, left, and actor Simon Baker of CBS' "The Guardian." Page 2 has received 43 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Rams at Bucs
9 p.m. ET, ABC
An 0-3 start might doom mighty St. Louis.
 
D'backs at Cardinals
8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Net
First-round playoff preview.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Sept. 20: Singin' in Brain
• Thurs., Sept. 19: Paid in Full
• Wed., Sept. 18: Pregame Shows
• Tues., Sept. 17: Breakouts & Breakdowns
• Mon., Sept. 16: Fall TV Goes Boom!

Other featured content:
• Reel Life: "The Natural"
• 10 Burning Questions with Eric Chavez
• Sportoon: Spurrier loses face
• "The Sopranos" Casting Call
• Page 2's Fall TV preview
• 10 Burning Questions with Drew Carey
• Page 2 Goes to the Movies
• Our Top 20 Sports Movies
• Manilow meets Kournikova
Monday, Sept. 23, 2002
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