espn.com Ali Contest
How much has a month in Hollywood changed The Sports Guy? Well, his Thanksgiving dinner was interrupted by a neighbor wanting to borrow some cheddar cheese ... and that neighbor was Mandy from "Temptation Island." Plus, living among the beautiful people does have another obvious benefit: new insights for The Ramblings. THE SPORTS GUY'S RAMBLINGS




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Why do NBA coaches sometimes ignore their players during a timeout and spend all the time talking amongst themselves? Can a player be effective after eating hot dogs minutes before tipoff? How do players unwind after the final buzzer? In Part 2 of his series on the Hidden NBA, Page 2's Charley Rosen looks at the in-game routine that follows all those hours of pregame preparation.

Makin' It Better What's Hot, What's Not
On any given Sunday, it might be difficult to recognize your NFL team. The Jags might be in black, the Panthers in teal and the Broncos and Browns in hunter orange. Page 2's Makin' It Better pulls all the NFL's alternate jerseys out of the closet and asks for you to decide who should be cited for "attire unbecoming."
 Has anyone ever been hotter than Michael Vick is right now? While Vick clearly tops this week's Hot List, Page 2's Dan Shanoff explains what the Falcon phenom needs to do to maintain his sizzle. As he probed the uncensored thoughts of NFL stars after Week 13, Ralph Wiley found that everyone's thinking about No. 7.

PHOTO GALLERY OF THE WEIRD
The future's so bright ... I gotta wear these weird shades that go up over the top of my dome. Page 2's Photo Gallery of the Weird features strange sunglasses, bikini-clad cheerleaders, plenty of pepper spray ... and, of course, Michael Jackson.


We always love to second-guess, so this week's list is the 10 worst coaching decisions of all time. Check out our list, then vote in the poll to crown the top coaching blunder of them all.
10]  Bird-brained
With the Pacers and Lakers tied near the end of regulation in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Indiana coach Larry Bird calls on Travis Best over Reggie Miller as the go-to guy.
9]  Dennis Green sits on it
The Vikings and Falcons are tied at 27 in the NFC championship game on Jan. 17, 1999. Vikings ball, 30 seconds on the clock, third-and-three on their own 30-yard line. Minnesota still has two timeouts remaining, but Green decides to run out the clock.
8]  Switzer's decision
On a frigid December Sunday in 1995 at Veterans Stadium, Dallas has the ball on its own 29 with 2 minutes remaining. Fourth and a foot. Head coach Barry Switzer goes for a first down, and Philly's defense stops Emmitt Smith cold.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Patriots 4½ Bills 44½
Sunday Chiefs 3 Rams 46½
Sunday Buccaneers 3½ Falcons 39
Sunday Titans 2 Colts 43½
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Fresno State 1½ La. Tech NL
Saturday Navy 3 Army 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.


TUESDAY MORNING QB
TMQ was a little confused by the NFL's throwback week, so he transported his column back to 1930.

GAME TIME
From offense to defense to the mental game, Page 2's Ralph Wiley tries to identify the best all-around baller in the NBA.

HEY, RUBE
After a dismal week of NFL wagers, The Good Doctor looks to clear his head while preparing for the Honolulu Marathon.

FREE STYLE
Jerry West's time has passed. That's why he must go as the NBA logo silhouette in favor of something more timely, writes Eric Neel.

SUV HELL
Driving an SUV hardly makes you a rugged outdoorsman, writes Page 2's Jim Caple.

THE SPORTS GUY
As he hit the road for Hollywood, Page 2's Bill Simmons reflected on his decade in Boston.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki, left, and Mark Bryan, guitarist from Hootie & the Blowfish. This match was requested by Robbie Powers of Kesington, Md. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Men's hoop: Nebraska at South Florida
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Football's a bummer, so 'Huskers fans put their hopes on hoops.
 
Bucks at Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Big Dog takes on old pals.
 
Rangers at Flyers
8 p.m. ET, ESPN (split coverage)
If not Lindros back in Philly, then you get Red Wings at Coyotes.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Dec. 4: Think Vick
• Tues., Dec. 3: Bedtime for TMQ
• Mon., Dec. 2: How Lo Can You Go?
• Fri., Nov. 22: Boston in his Rearview Mirror
• Thanksgiving: Get Your Freak On

Other featured content:
• Sportoon: Dear Santa ...
• How to improve NFL video games
• NFL Stud & Dud for Week 13
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• "The Gospel According To ESPN"
• Bizarre & Bogus
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002
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