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C. Vivian Stringer:
Legendary Rutgers women's hoops coach notches another
win over a top 10 team -- this season! Toppling No. 1
LSU makes it three.
QUICKIE LIVE! 9-10 a.m.
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
BEST EVER.
USC's Big Three (Leinart, Carroll,
Chow) are dominating the Rumor Mill. Let's start with Magic Matt.
While waiting for Leinar to make his decision
about whether to stay at USC (and a Heisman/title
lock) or head to the NFL (and a top-5/money lock), let
me throw this out there:
Matt Leinart: Best. QB. Ever*.
Hold on: This isn't just an exercise in Instant
History. To figure out who the best college QB ever*
might be, use these factors and concoct a hazy
equation to mash 'em together:
National titles
Individual awards
Winning percentage
Intangibles (skills/"system")
Finding someone who meets all those criteria more
than Leinart is a challenge: Wuerffel? Frazier?
Flutie? Peyton? Any of those Miami QBs? All fall short
in at least one category where Leinart doesn't.
The conclusion sneaks up, because it's so ...
recent. Like: "Wait a second -- have we just seen the
ultimate college QB of our time?"
The evidence is there: Leinart is the best QB
ever.*
(* "Ever" being since 1979.)
49ers Clean House
USC's Pete Carroll targeted: 49ers
owner John York wants to make a loud statement;
poaching Carroll would do it.
Carroll likes his control at USC? Match it with
a Saban-like grip over personnel decisions. Points to
York for trying.
But I'm not sure why Carroll -- at the top of
his profession -- would want to deal with the mess in
S.F. He's tried the NFL, and there was something akin
to an allergic reaction (33-31 career record).
Chow to Ravens?
Meanwhile, Norm Chow, architect of the
USC offense, will reportedly be getting rushed by the
Ravens for a similar role. (Wait: I thought Brian
Billick was supposed to be the O-genius?)
Can't say it strongly enough: Baltimore should
break the bank to woo him away. Whatever the highest
paid assistant in the NFL is getting, add 50 percent.
Especially considering it's the Ravens.
(But if Chow knows Carroll is going to bolt for the
49ers, he should hold out, because there
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CHECK OUT THE QUICKIE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING! |
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| WHO'S GOT THE MOMENTUM ... |
Unit-Yankee deal extension: Near-complete (2-yr/$32 mil)
Ron Gardenhire: Twins manager rewarded with 2-year ext.
Browns GM Phil Savage: Ravens talent guru bolts to rival |
| ... AND WHO'S GOT NO MO' |
Shawn Greent-to-Arizona deal: Extension talks stalling
Bengals D-coord Leslie Frazier: Marv Lewis wants better D
"L.A. Angels": Anaheim not happy, files for TRO with judge
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will be a HUGE fan and media push to make him the successor at
USC; think Larry Coker replacing Butch Davis at
Miami.)
Big East Hoops
Don't let non-conference records fool you:
Overrated teams with padded rankings are quickly
exposed. Take the Big East.
Pitt lost to lowly G'town.
Unbeaten W. Va lost to Nova.
And B.C. took it to UConn.
This last one is revealing: The Eagles (12-0)
are off to their best start in school history, and the
huge W over the defending champs is the best signal
yet that their fast start is for real.
Keep B.C. on your radar, along with Washington
on the West Coast and Quickie preseason Cinderella
pick Northwestern in the Midwest (following their
20-point beatdown of Indiana last night).
Ohio State AD Out
Andy Geiger says he's "bone-weary." Yes, if
"bone-weary" means "I'd really rather not be here when
the NCAA hellstorm makes its way to Columbus."
The gushing quotes from Ohio State officials and
Geiger's peers are hilarious, if only for their
willful ignorance to the massive scandal he
leaves in his wake.
NFL Awards
Has there ever been a season with more
obvious choices?
Offensive Player? Manning.
Offensive Rookie? Big Ben.
Comeback Player? Brees.
Good thing the playoff outcomes are so
unknowable.
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Jumping to NFL
"Larry Fitzgerald exemption" gets
another taker. Florida LB Channing Crowder is just a
soph, but three years out of h.s. Great talent, lots
of off-field issues.
Don't cry for Louisville, losing man-mountain
RB Eric Shelton; they have this rising junior RB named
Michael Bush who is electric.
Best nickname in college is going to be the
best nickname in the NFL: West Virginia CB/KR Adam
"Pac-Man" Jones. I smell a video-game
endorsement.
Happy B-Day, Quickie
If you usually read this far, this item
is for you: Two years ago today, the Daily Quickie
launched on ESPN.com.
500-some editions later, it's fair to say that
based on the headlines, we're coming off of the (say
it with me): Best. Year. Ever. But the real
best part is that 2005 promises to be even
wilder.
Thanks for reading. And, as always, check back each
weekday morning for a fresh edition; bookmark the
column for easy reference; and pass along to all your
friends and co-workers.
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Timberwolves:
Most. Embarrassing. Decline. Ever. From top of the
West to losing to the Bobcats. Minny has lost 4
straight, and MVP KG can't be happy.
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Today on ESPN.com
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| Quickie Live! |
| CFB: 2005 top 25! |
| NFL: Len P. on the playoffs |
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| Top College QBs of ESPN Era |  Matt Leinart
| Will he go for three-peat?
|  Tommie Frazier
| Certainly best option QB ever
|  Danny Wuerffel
| Forget that NFL taint
|  Ken Dorsey
| Win pct, sick title run
|  Detmer/McMahon/
Young/Bosco
| | More thanks to Norm Chow! |
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Magic 105, Sonics 87: Glimpse the models for re-gained
NBA fan traction. Forget the score: Two small-ball teams running and
gunning ...
Speaking of Big East hoops, last night's Nova-WVA
"Turn Back the Clock" game on ESPN Classic was
must-see. Old-school unis, graphics and
more ...
HOF Cap Watch: Wade Boggs will go into the Hall as the
first player to wear a Devil Rays cap! (Just kidding:
He'll wear a Red Sox cap) ...
The LPGA has been quick to market on player sex
appeal. What will they do now that their biggest
hottie, Natalie Gulbis, is dating Big Ben? ...
Other great college QBs of ESPN era: Doug Flutie, John Elway, Rex Grossman, Peyton Manning, Jason White, Charlie Ward ...
Anniversary special: Got comments about what you
like/don't like about the Quickie? Use the "Email"
link at the bottom to let me know ...
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