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Crumbling NHL, the rebuilding Rays, some NFL locks

By JOHN ROMANO
Published January 23, 2005

Five topics suitable for inane debate on talk radio:

United for the wrong reasons: Here's a question for NHL players: Is it worth risking your career to protect Bob Goodenow's reputation? Because that's where this work stoppage is at. Goodenow, union chief, is never going to agree to a salary cap because it will make him look weak. The cap may not be a player's friend, but it's not a disaster. The NBA has a cap and the average player salary is nearly $5-million. The NFL has a cap and players seem capable of making their car payments. Instead of resisting it, the NHL union should focus on a cap that has both a ceiling and a floor, ensuring the league has no cheapskates. That makes sense economically and competitively.

On the other hand: Matt Leinart is skipping the NFL draft, and a potential $10-million deal, because he's having too much fun in college. Sheesh, USC must have one heck of a student union.

Moss ain't no rolling stone: The Vikings are willing to trade Randy Moss, but it will be hard to meet their price. Minnesota supposedly wants at least two first-round draft picks. That's exorbitant in the salary-cap era because draft picks are the only way to get cheap talent. Just ask the Bucs, who are still paying the price of losing picks for Jon Gruden and Keyshawn Johnson.

Building within: With Jeff Niemann on board and Josh Hamilton apparently back on track, the Devil Rays at least have promise to show for all the losing. The Rays are the only team to have chosen in the top six of the last six drafts. It's a long shot, but Hamilton (No. 1, 1999), Rocco Baldelli (No. 6, 2000), Dewon Brazelton (No. 3, 2001), B.J. Upton (No. 2, 2002), Delmon Young (No. 1, 2003) and Niemann (No. 4, 2004) could all be on the roster in September.

A career perspective: Now that he is coming back, Roger Clemens should get his 330th career victory by the end of April. Know how rare that is? The last time a pitcher won No. 330 was Warren Spahn in 1963. Before that? Grover Alexander in 1927.

5. Ottawa Senators recently sold on eBay for $12.99. Canadian.

4. Jaromir Jagr bumped for Sally Struthers on Celebrity Poker Showdown.

3. George W. Bush said he just heard there may be a lockout this season.

2. Curling is all the rage at area rinks.

1. Anna Kournikova now dating soccer players.

1. T.J. Duckett will get the ball: Philly's defense supposedly is modeled on Tampa Bay's, which means it is based on speed. The best way to beat that defense is to run straight at it. The Falcons are 7-0 when Duckett gets nine carries or more, and 5-5 when he gets fewer.

2. Jerome Bettis will not: Oh, the Steelers plan on letting the Bus carry the load. And he will get called on early. But the Patriots will eventually force the Steelers into a passing game.

3. Bailiffs will get overtime in Philly: Snowballs, alcohol, Eagles fans and an NFC title game. I believe that's how you make a Molotov cocktail.

4. One road team will win: Bill Belichick is 8-1 in the postseason, and that's no fluke. If he figured out how to confuse Peyton Manning, what do you suppose his plan will do to Ben Roethlisberger?

5. One road team will not: As a quarterback, Donovan McNabb has grown up. Michael Vick has not. A turnover will make the difference.

Dan Marino 1:2 - If he doesn't choke Boomer Esiason.

Steve Young 1:1 - Second ex-Buc to make the Hall.

Derrick Thomas 3:1 - Impact off the field helps his candidacy.

Michael Irvin 3:1 - Super Bowl rings get him in.

Fritz Pollard 5:1 - With an African-American starting at quarterback for the NFC in the Super Bowl, one of the league's black pioneers should finally be honored by the Hall of Fame.

[Last modified January 23, 2005, 00:15:19]