By Compiled from staff and wire reports
Published December 18, 2005
THUMBS UP
Brad Johnson. Big props to the former Bucs quarterback, who has guided the Vikings into the NFL playoff picture with six straight wins. He's 37, but apparently far from washed up.
THUMBS DOWN
The Houston Texans, who have put former NFL coach Dan Reeves on the payroll as a special consultant. We can only imagine how the first meeting must have gone:
Texans: "What should we do?"
Reeves: "Draft Reggie Bush."
Texans: "Okay."
Reeves: "No problem. That'll be 100 grand."
WEEKLY MEMO
To the Red Sox nation: Bill Buckner turned 56 last week. Just thought you should know.
IS THIS SOME KIND OF JOKE?
When you're arguably the worst franchise in the NFL, how do you reward your fans (all three dozen of them)? If you're the Arizona Cardinals, you raise ticket prices. The Arizona Republic reports the Cardinals' overall average season-ticket price will increase 19.1 next season when the team moves into its new stadium. There's no word yet on whether fans will be given complimentary barf bags at the new retractable roof venue.
VOICES CARRY
"When (Ponte Vedra Beach Nease quarterback Tim) Tebow showed up at Alabama several times this fall on unofficial visits - including the spectacular win over Florida - and was greeted by a multitude of signs begging for him to sign, the spectacle intensified.
"There has also been a feeling among Alabama insiders that he is heading to Tuscaloosa, which has fueled Internet boards in ways not seen since the first allegations were published that Phil Fulmer had ratted out the Tide in the Albert Means fiasco.
"This drumbeat reached a fever pitch last week when Rodney Orr, who runs Tiderinsider.com, stated: "If he weren't going to Alabama, I think we would have seen some signs by now, but we haven't. ... I think it's Tebow to Alabama.' "
- Paul Finebaum in the Mobile Register Tuesday. Tebow committed to Florida that afternoon.
LAST WORD
You heard it here first: Tebow will win four Heismans, three Super Bowls, two NFL MVPs and will be UN Secretary General by the time he's 30.
