espn.com Ali Contest
You definitely want to be nice this time of year. You certainly don't want to scuffle with Santa, call someone "a liar," advocate segregation, pass the blame to your friends, rip a down-on-her-luck actress or insult the intelligence of 8 million people. Yet folks are doing all these things, which prompts Page 2 to ask "What the Heck Are They Thinking?" DO SOME "THINKING"




ESPN TOOLS
 
Email story
 
Most sent
 
For 15 weeks and counting, Page 2's Ralph Wiley has revealed the hidden thoughts of NFL players and coaches. Now he's extending the "hidden" franchise to include his choices for pro football's Hidden Geniuses in 2002 and his readers' picks for this year's Hidden MVP.

Sportoon It's In The Name
Everywhere we look during the holidays, someone is offering us a plate of goodies. Now, before we attack the shrimp at the ESPN Christmas party Thursday, we pause to wonder if the holidays, food and sports are not the ideal threesome. Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe can't even watch a game these days without hearing his stomach growl.
Why did Mike Vick shorten his first name? Why was Yao Ming born to be great (we mean besides being 7-foot-5)? Well, both of these new superstars are just following Bob Halloran's "Handy Guide for Becoming a Household Name." According to our man, the shorter your name, the greater you'll be ... and he goes a long way to prove his theory.

MYSTERY PHOTO RESPONSES
Are the Yanks replacing Stanton and Mondesi with ... Kermit and Gonzo? Page 2 couldn't figure out why Jason Giambi was hanging out with a couple of Muppets, but our readers had plenty of "priceless" responses to this week's Mystery Photo.


Although it's the season of good cheer, it's also a time to reflect. And Page 2 is here to reflect on the 10 things that ticked off sports fans the most in 2002. Check out our list of grievances and then vote for the one that irked you the most.
10]  The Exploitation of LeBron James
Lots of folks are making money already off a kid who's only 17 years old. He might be wise beyond his years, he might have the best advisors, and he might end up OK in the long run. But we're still very concerned.
9]  Loooong games
When baseball fans, who tend to really appreciate the leisurely aspects of the sport, start to get fidgety, you know there's something seriously wrong.
8]  Figure skating scandal
As we saw at Salt Lake this year, the method of determining the winners depends on unreliable, corrupt judges and a scoring system that doesn't work. The pairs judging and the bumbling bureaucratic aftermath at the Winter Games was a disgrace.
7]  Baseball's new drug policy
Baseball's new labor agreement includes steroid testing -- with so many caveats and conditions that it's laughable.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Raiders 4 Broncos 47½
Sunday Packers 6½ Bills 42½
Sunday Patriots 4 Jets 41½
Monday Bucs 4½ Steelers 40½
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Fiesta Bowl Miami 13 Ohio State 51
Orange Bowl USC 6 Iowa 57
Rose Bowl Oklahoma 6½ Wash. State NL
Sugar Bowl Georgia 3½ Florida 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.


TUESDAY MORNING QB
Ever the patriot, TMQ comes up with slogans for U.S. agences and departments, just so those British don't get too full of themselves.

LET'S TALK
How do you build team chemistry while trying to four-peat? You go on the Jenny Jones Show of course, writes Page 2's Eric Immerman.

BASKETBALL DIARY
Is Gary Payton ever going to be happy? Charley Rosen catches up with the Sonics in the latest edition of his 2002-03 Basketball Diary.

THE SPORTS GUY
When it comes to fantasy sports trades, Page 2's Bill Simmons is a cold-blodded killer -- and he's ready to pass on his craft..

REEL LIFE
How accurate is the Texas A&M camp in the ESPN film "The Junction Boys"? Page 2's Reel Life series has the answers.

THE WATER COOLER
Brian Murphy believes the Heisman Trophy is as a great tradition, but it doesn't always lead to NFL glory. Isn't that right Mr. Ware?
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Titans QB Steve McNair, left, and Western Kentucky hoopster Chris Marcus. Page 2 has received 57 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Men's hoop: New Mexico at Texas Tech
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Bobby Knight's 5-1 Red Raiders take on 3-3 Lobos.
 
College football: GMAC Bowl
8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Marshall vs. Louisville at Mobile, Ala.
 
Pacers at Rockets
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Yao Ming and Houston try to stop East's best.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., Dec. 17: In TMQ We Trust
• Mon., Dec. 16: Basketball Jones
• Fri., Dec. 13: Charlie Hustling
• Thurs., Dec. 12: Waiting For LeBron

Other featured content:
• LeBron James gives up basketball
• NFL Stud & Dud for Week 15
• 10 Burning Questions with Tom Berenger
• Vote for the best hat in sports history
• The List: 10 most hyped phenoms of all-time
• The List: 10 phenoms who flopped the most
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002
.