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Quentin Griffin:
3 TDs, 156 yds as Denver beat K.C. 34-24. Replaces Clinton Portis at RB and gives validity to idea "it's
the system, stupid."
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
MANAGED. EXPECTATIONS.
Reality failing to match hype has been
the status quo for so long, it's refreshing to get a
T.O.
McNabb-to-Owens for 3 TDs: Quite simply, they
delivered on all that offseason promise -- and that
even overshadowed T.O.'s hilarious bird
celebration.
Instantly, the pair leaps to the top of the
NFL's "Best QB-WR combo, ahead of Culpepper-Moss (2
TDs Sunday) and even Manning-Harrison.
Why? Manning and Harrison have played together
for years; of course they connect. If McNabb and TO
have this kind of chemistry in just one week, where
will they be by the playoffs?
See "Odds and Ends" for more instant
impressions from NFL Week 1.
MNF: GB at CAR
Brett Favre has arrived at "late-career
Michael Jordan status," which means (a) he can do no
wrong and (b) he becomes full-time object of
admiration. (And remember his last MNF? Mere days
after his dad died, the most perfect half ever managed
by a QB.) 9 p.m., ABC
Bonds: 699
Bonds' 700th will be special: In
reality, it's far less important than "715" (to pass
Ruth), but that won't happen until 2005. Who can wait
that long for milestone-watching? So in the meantime,
it's a stat plateau ("stateau?") never seen reached in
the ESPN Era.
Meanwhile, watching "The WC": Like Bonds
setting a new single-season walks record, the Giants
have patiently and methodically put themselves at the
top of the NL wild card leader board. (See Big 5 for
NL WC contenders' schedules this week.
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CHECK OUT THE QUICKIE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING! |
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| WHO'S GOT THE MOMENTUM ... |
Ichiro Hit Watch: Sun: 2. Tot: 231. Needs: 27. Games: 22.
Roger Federer: A bit too un-cachet-ish, but so was Sampras
Funky "home" games: Expos vs. Marlins "at" Chicago's Celly
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| ... AND WHO'S GOT NO MO' |
Art Howe: As good (or bad) as gone, according to NY media
Jay Fiedler: Benched faster than you can say "Feeley fine"
Charles Rogers: Lions WR out for while, again (collarbone) |
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NYY/BOS On Deck
3.5 GB, with the Biggest Series of the
Year coming Friday, but not before NY plays KC
Mon/Tue/Wed and Boston plays Tampa Tue/Wed/Thu.
Looking ahead much?
Can't say this more plainly: The AL East is the
most overrated division title in MLB. Like it matters
if the Red Sox can't beat the Yankees in the playoffs.
The point is that both are making the postseason; why
sweat so soon?
CFB Weekend Wrap
Without Notre Dame to kick around
anymore (yes, that's props), the new mockery is the
Big 12, which managed to lose to Fresno State (Kansas
State) and So. Miss. (Nebraska) -- both at home, no
less.
This week's Heisman favorite:
Purdue QB Kyle Orton: 5 TDs
(Out: K-St RB Darren Sproles)
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NASCAR Playoffs
Memo to NASCAR: With the playoff
field of 10 set, this is the moment you've been
waiting for. Any fan -- even the non-NASCAR kind --
understands "playoffs." Use the week to simplify
and educate; you might just up-shift apathy into
interest.
Cuban: Benefactorific
Who's more mogul-ish, Trump or Cuban?
I'll take Cubes. The Donald has a more unyielding P.R.
machine; on the flip side, Mark's transparency is
refreshing and appealing. (Doesn't hurt he's also the
most fun owner in sports. What's Trump had: The USFL
Generals?)
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Ravens:
Empty hype: From J-Lewis's 57 yds to Boller's
regression to Deion's unremarkability. Took one week to
shift from "contender" to "pretender."
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Today on ESPN.com
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| Page 2: Snap Judgment |
| NFL: Week 1 Wrap |
| A.M. Quickie: Chat transcript |
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NL WC contender
schedules this week: |  Cubs: Settle down
| Pirates, at Reds
|  Giants: Separation?
| at Brewers, Padres
|  Marlins: Awkward
| Expos (at CHI!), Braves
|  Padres: No relief
| at Dodgers, at Giants
|  Astros: StL! Ack!
| | at Cards, Brewers |
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More NFL Instant Impressions:
With one 64-yard TD burst, Clinton Portis ended any
lingering question that he could be Joe Gibbs'
HR-hitter in a playoff season ...
With one near-200-yard outburst, Curtis Martin
reminded us why he should be the starting RB on the
all-time All-Slept-On team ...
With one road win (their first in 25 tries), the Lions
officially unlinked themselves from the previous Era
of Futility ...
With one yard on 5 carries, Jerome Bettis proved that
those stats are meaningless when you can take it to
the house 3 times ...
With one 5-TD game, Daunte Culpepper reestablished
himself as a top-3 QB ...
With one last-second, game-winning end-zone flinging
TD, Byron Leftwich established himself as a clutch,
Favre-like gamer ...
With one 3-TD (and 151-yard) day, Priest Holmes retained
his "Top RB" title, despite the L (Shaun Alex slides
up list with 3 TDs) ...
With one solid day from LT (and Brees!), the Chargers
have almost matched their win total from
2003 ...
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