Page2 Index Page


	We're here to spread a little "goodwill toward men" this holiday season. All you have to do is tell us why you, of all the eligible bachelors in the world, are most qualified to take Anna Kournikova on a date. You could win Anna's new 2003 calendar ... and perhaps much, much more. So stop daydreaming and send us your entry! WIN A DATE \| ANNA'S PLANS FOR '03

ESPN TOOLS

Email story

Most sent


	Early in the season, the Lakers' bad start was a curiosity. Then Shaq came back ... and nothing changed. Now they're in danger of becoming a national joke, with Leno and Letterman taking their nightly shots. Page 2's Charley Rosen kicks off a two-part look at what's wrong with the Lake Show, and whether there's still time to fix it.

Waxing Poetic		The Water Cooler

	In what has become an annual rite of literary passage and holiday inspiration, Page 2's Dan Shanoff offers a sports-themed version of that holiday classic, " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.' " On Dasher, on Dancer, on Yao Ming, on Blitzen, on Comet, on Cupid, on Hughes-ie, on Serena ..."		As a special X-mas gift to Cooler dwellers, Page 2's Brian Murphy reveals one of his secrets of living: "There's almost nothing that can't be made even better by slapping a Santa Claus hat on it." For examples ... and other seasonal gifts to Cooler favorites ... see today's column.

NFL STUD & DUD FOR WEEK 16

What happens to you if you lose to the Bengals? Well, we don't actually have much evidence to go on, but you probably will end up home for the postseason. And you'll definitely get the NFL Dud of the Week award from Page 2 cartoonist Larry Johnson.

We don't want to be naughty this time of year, but with the NFL season ending, we must point out that several folks didn't really earn their paychecks. Check out our list of the 10 most overpaid people in the NFL and then vote in our poll to finger the top culprit.
10]	Greg Robinson, Chiefs defensive coordinator The Chiefs are likely to miss the playoffs despite averaging 31.6 points per game, the most in the NFL. Gee, could defense be the problem? You betcha.

9]	Packers defensive end Joe Johnson Even before the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end was sidelined early in October for the remainder of the season, the Packers were disappointed by their new free agent's performance.

8]	Jets running back Curtis Martin At $13.5 million ($10 million bonus and $3.5 million annual salary), the Jets invested a lot in the NFL's 18th-leading rusher.
	• GET THE FULL LIST

NFL	FAVORITE	LINE	UNDERDOG	O/U
Monday	Bucs	4½	Steelers	39
Saturday	Eagles	1	Giants	36½
Saturday	Raiders	7	Chiefs	48
Sunday	Patriots	1½	Dolphins	38½
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.

	UN-BEAR-ABLE Forget about Bear Bryant denying his players water. David Halberstam says the coach's real sin was his failure to push for the integration of Southern football.
	STEEL-DRIVIN' MAN As Ralph Wiley sees it, there has never been an athlete as respected -- and feared -- by other superstars as Jim Brown.
	THE SPORTS GUY Despite being busy in Hollywood, Page 2's Bill Simmons always has time to answer his mail. Especially when it's about Vegas.
	FALLING STAR Page 2's Eric Neel tries to figure out how Ken Griffey Jr. turned into the guy we currently see in Cincy ... and if he'll ever return.
	HIRE LEARNING Something about UCLA's hiring of unproven Karl Dorrell as its new football coach doesn't sit well with Jason Whitlock.


	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 Southern guys who are no stranger to controversy: Masters chairman Hootie Johnson, left, and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) Page 2 has received 59 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

College football: Clemson vs. Texas Tech
5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tangerine Bowl at Orlando, Fla.

Steelers at Buccaneers
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Pittsburgh can clinch AFC North with win.

"No Women Allowed: The Masters Debate"
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Roundtable featuring Martha Burk, Neal Pilson and Ben Wright.

• Complete TV Listings

If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Dec. 20: Bear Facts
• Thurs., Dec. 19: Vegas, baby!
• Wed., Dec. 18: Who's Been Naughty?
• Tues., Dec. 17: In TMQ We Trust

Other featured content:
• The Page 2 Karaoke Party
• Sportoon: LeBron's World
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• 10 Burning Questions with Tom Berenger

Monday, Dec. 23, 2002