Ole Miss lost at Auburn on Saturday, capping a two-week road trip to Alabama for the Rebels and marking the end of a sting that saw the Rebels play four of their first five games away from Oxford. Here are my 10 thoughts from the weekend that was:
1. Had Ole Miss won Saturday night at Auburn, there's a solid-to-strong chance ESPN would have brought its College GameDay show to Oxford for Saturday's date between the Rebels and Texas A&M. Instead, Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Co. are headed to Seattle for Washington's showdown with national title contender Oregon.
Ole Miss fans are undoubtedly disappointed. The three-hour show has emerged as the signature program for the entire sport. No football Saturday can truly begin until Corso dons a mascot headpiece and issues his prediction for the game of the day.
The program has never been to Oxford, and multiple sources have told me for years ESPN executives desperately want to bring the show to the Grove . It will eventually happen, and when it does, it will be a fantastic spectacle and a day full of positive public relations for the university and its football program.
I just think it might be a blessing in disguise if the GameDay experience doesn't come to Ole Miss until the Rebels are ready for the big stage. That's not a knock at the school or its administration. The campus has never been more beautiful and its leadership has never been stronger. However, the Rebels' program seems to be a season or two away from contending at the championship level. By then, most of the renovations of the Rebels' football facilities will be completed or close to completion, and Freeze will have had another recruiting class or two under his belt.
There's nothing fun about being patient. Rebuilding, as I wrote prior to the 2012 season, is miserable for fans to endure. Progress is being made, even if it's tougher to spot during a losing streak.
The day is coming when that progress will be recognized by Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and the rest of the gang assembled on a stage built by The Home Depot. That day simply hasn't come yet.
2. Along those lines, some of the fan reaction to Saturday's 30-22 loss at Auburn is simply irrational. Ole Miss could have won at Jordan-Hare, sure. One could argue the Rebels should have won. A pick-six put the Rebels behind the eight-ball early. A failure to score a touchdown on a first-and-goal from the Auburn 6 was costly. Senquez Golson dropped a pick-six early in the third quarter. Bo Wallace threw a second interception in the fourth quarter with the Rebels having a chance to take the lead following an Auburn fumble.
Give Auburn credit, though. The Tigers made plays when they had to. Steven Clark's punt that forced Ole Miss to face a 99-yard drive late in the game was huge. Nick Marshall's 140 yards rushing killed Ole Miss, and Tre Mason's 21-carry, 77-yard performance gave Auburn just enough offense.
What really hurt Ole Miss, however, was the Rebels' failure to convert on third down. Ole Miss was just 2-for-15 on third down in the final three quarters Saturday, a number that is simply stunning ? until you study down and distance that is.
Ole Miss faced third-and-9, 7 (converted), 11, 8, 3, 10, 1, goal (5), 7, 19, 10 (converted), 7, 10 and 10 in the final three quarters Saturday. A couple of those failures resulted in fourth-down conversions, but the 11 third-down challenges of seven or more yards tells the story of Saturday's game.
Ole Miss got beat up front on offense. The Rebels struggled to establish a running game and had difficulty protecting Wallace. That's not a recipe for success. Still, the Rebels rolled up 464 yards of offense on 89 plays, a number that should give fans some hope for what might be when Freeze and Co. get enough quality recruits into the program.
For now, Ole Miss is what it is ? a moderately talented team depending on a lot of freshmen and suffering from a lack of depth. It's a broken record now, but the only medicine for that ailment is recruiting.
3. Other thoughts from Auburn 30, Ole Miss 22:
A. Boy, Ole Miss missed C.J. Johnson on Saturday. Without him, the Rebels struggled to muster a pass rush and had trouble containing Nick Marshall on the Tigers' zone read plays.
B. Donte Moncrief stepped up. The Rebels need even more of Moncrief going forward.
C. I'Tavius Mathers showed flashes of health, rushing four times for 28 yards.
D. Six dropped passes killed Ole Miss Saturday.
E. Ole Miss' tackling in the open field was sporadic. It must improve in the next six days with Johnny Manziel coming to town.
F. Ole Miss had a couple of chances to down Tyler Campbell punts inside the 5-yard-line. The Rebels failed. Auburn took advantage of its chance to pin the Rebels deep. Those were huge swings in the game.
G. Auburn freshman Carl Lawson was a stud Saturday night. He was a major factor late.
H. It got lost in the loss, but Ole Miss kicker Andrew Ritter was fantastic, going 3-for-3 on field goals.
4. I've tried to measure my words over the last few days as I've watched Ole Miss get raked over the red-hot coals for an alleged offense that almost certainly didn't happen as it was initially reported.
What is abundantly clear to me is the Daily Mississippian jumped the gun and published the story regarding behavior at the performance of the student production The Laramie Project before it was ready. The story needed to be fleshed out, and I'm not sure I understand the rush to print. It's difficult to imagine another publication was working the story on Wednesday night. The details were vague. Specifics could have been ironed out with some more reporting, and the story, once the bones had been better assembled, could have been published online with the stroke of a key.
The story said approximately 20 football players attended the play and accused some in that group of initiating borderline hate speech. Could no one name any of the players? One football player, according to the report, apologized to the cast and crew after the incident. Could no one identify said player? Was he contacted for comment?
Instead, the story ran with more questions than answers. That wasn't as stunning as what happened in the hours after it was first read. One national media outlet/website/blog/whatever it is some national "journalists" do these days jumped on the story, filled in the blanks without the slightest bit of proof, breathed oxygen into the fire and gave a poorly-sourced story a life of its own.
It had, after all, all the elements national guys searching for hits and credibility among their peers are looking for. It involved a cause celebre among media types _ gay rights _ occurring at a Deep South school with a conservative bent and it allegedly involved athletes. For writers who have 20,000-plus Twitter followers but write primarily to impress the 10-15 people in their peer group, it was manna from heaven.
In fairness to those reporters/columnists/bloggers, Ole Miss gave the "story" credibility on Thursday when it issued a sweeping _ albeit vague _ apology. By Friday, as witness accounts were collected, it became clear that there was no consensus regarding what happened at the play. Sources close to the Ole Miss football program were emphatic Thursday and Friday that its players at the play did nothing more than laugh.
Bottom line: No one really knows. Ole Miss' Bias Incident Response Team issued the following on Friday evening:
"The University of Mississippi is committed to celebrating the differences of our student body, valuing each member of our community, and fostering an atmosphere of civility and respect. With these goals in mind, the BIRT intervened immediately and will continue to respond in a prompt and efficient manner to address the reported inappropriate behavior that took place on October 1. The task of identifying specific individuals who were purported to have disrupted the performance is difficult because of the dark theatre, and initial reports vary in regard to the frequency, volume and source of the comments or disruption. Although initial reports indicate that student-athletes led the action, it is important to note that this has not been verified and they were not the only students present. Reports indicate that comments were made by student athletes and students but no report has singled out a specific student or mentioned any names."
The damage to the Ole Miss program is done now. It's a shame. Those national writers who prematurely piled on Thursday and Friday will move on to the next big story, one they'll cover from 20,000 feet and subsequently praise one another on Twitter. Some of those same columnists and bloggers owe Ole Miss an explanation, if not a retraction and/or apology. That won't happen.
I have a couple of takeaways, neither of which have a snowball's chance in Hades of gaining traction at Ole Miss or elsewhere. One, issue a statement saying you're aware of the allegations and you're investigating, but don't apologize until you have reason to apologize and can be specific about what it is you're apologizing for. Two, quit bending over backwards for national writers and publications. Unlike local and regional media which has to weigh future interactions with the program and the school against the desire to report now, those guys prove more and more with each passing story that it's all about furthering their agendas and bolstering their reputations among themselves.
5. Tennessee's smoky gray uniforms were cool Saturday, a look that popped on the television screen. The Volunteers' clash with Georgia, meanwhile, was almost the stuff that legitimizes a new coach as he attempts to put his stamp on a once-proud program that had lost its way in recent years. Tennessee couldn't finish the deal against Georgia, losing in overtime.
Still, one couldn't help but think recruits were impressed with what they saw and felt Saturday in Knoxville. Neyland Stadium rocked like it hasn't in years, and for at least one afternoon, the Tennessee program had a fresh feel to it.
6. Jadeveon Clowney didn't play in South Carolina's win over Kentucky Saturday. That was a surprise to virtually everyone, including Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier. On Sunday, Spurrier's teleconference was dominated by questions about Clowney, who has failed to live up to the considerable hype afforded him prior to the season.
Asked if Clowney is week to week with his muscle strain around his ribcage, Spurrier said. "We don't go by week-to-week. Obviously he doesn't have a broken leg or anything that would keep him out two to three weeks. He has a muscle strain around the rib area. It just depends on how long it keeps him out."
Spurrier was asked if he was frustrated with Clowney.
"No. It was just, we didn't know he wasn't playing until right before the game," Spurrier said. "That was a little frustrating. Usually the trainer or the doctor tells you, 'This guy's out.' That did not happen last night. But on the other side, if a player's in pain and can't play, I don't want him to play. None of us do. I guess we just didn't know until right before the game."
Spurrier was asked if he was concerned regarding Clowney's commitment to South Carolina.
"You'll have to ask him that," Spurrier said. "I can't speak for Jadeveon. You'll have to ask him that. We'll try to make him available this week sometime for you guys, OK. I haven't talked with Jadeveon. Our assistant coaches have talked with him, but it's just not a big story. The big story was, he was in pain and couldn't play. We'll see if he's going to be in pain and can't play or not in pain and can play this week. We'll have to wait a while to find out, I guess."
My take: Clowney didn't want to play this season at South Carolina. He would've been the first pick in April's NFL draft, and he wished he could've bolted for the $30 million rather than roll the dice on another season in the SEC. I can't say I blame him. However, Clowney's actions this season have raised significant doubts in the eyes of NFL scouts and executives. There simply has to be better way. Clowney didn't need another season at South Carolina. He was ready for the NFL. Rules are rules, sure, but perhaps the NFL and the NCAA should reconvene and come up with exceptions for talents such as Clowney.
7. Maybe coaching matters. The New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs both started 1-4 last season en route to disappointing seasons. On Sunday, the Saints won in Chicago and the Chiefs won in Nashville to each improve to 5-0.
Maybe coaching does matter. The Saints have clearly benefited from the return of Sean Payton from a one-year suspension after Bountygate. The Chiefs, meanwhile, look like a different outfit under the direction of former Eagles boss Andy Reid. Kansas City has to worry about Denver and Peyton Manning in its division, meaning the story at Arrowhead likely won't end in fairy-tale fashion. New Orleans, on the other hand, could be home to more January magic this season, especially if Drew Brees continues to maintain his current level of mastery.
Other thoughts from the NFL Sunday:
A. I'd never heard of Mandisa prior to Sunday night's game between the Texans and the 49ers. For a minute, I thought it was Whitney Houston, and that's a compliment. The former American Idol performer (my daughters knew of her) was fabulous during her rendition of our national anthem in San Francisco.
B. The criticism of Tony Romo Sunday is simply absurd and unfair. The Cowboys' quarterback threw for five touchdowns and led his team to 48 points. Peyton Manning was just a little better. Romo's lone interception was costly, yes, but he was terrific for 3 ½ quarters while Dallas' defense had no answer for Manning and the Broncos.
C. Drew Brees finally won in Chicago, and the Saints now control the NFC. Brees has been spectacular so far this season, spreading the football to multiple targets. The Saints' defense, meanwhile, has been surprisingly stingy. The road to the Super Bowl just might go through the the Big Easy.
D. Tom Brady was awful Sunday. He won't take the heat Romo will.
E. Andrew Luck. Yeah, he's good. Luck led the Colts to a win over Seattle in Indianapolis Sunday, and in just his second year in the league, he's emerged as one of the NFL's most dependable quarterbacks.
F. Eli Manning has now thrown 12 interceptions. At least two-thirds haven't been his fault. The Giants, at 0-5, are toast. If I'm Manning, I'm exploring an exit strategy.
G. How obsessed am I with the Thunder? On Sunday, as Dallas lost to the Broncos, I worried Oklahoma City guard/Cowboys fan Russell Westbrook would hurt himself. I followed his frustration closely on Twitter, hoping someone was making sure his surgically-repaired knee was safe while he ranted. Seriously. I'm sick.
8. The Pittsburgh Pirates are one win away from the National League Championship Series. They'll get a chance to clinch it at home today against St. Louis. Unless you're a Cardinals fan, you've fallen in love with the Pirates. The city, one that I loved on my two visits there, has embraced this team once again. PNC Park is just awesome and the team _ led by homegrown stars Andrew McCutcheon, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez _ is difficult to dislike.
It's difficult to imagine the Pirates going much deeper, and I won't be shocked if the Cardinals rally to win the series (deals with the devil, after all, are tough to break), but Pittsburgh could get people who normally wouldn't watch October baseball to be glued to their screens.
9. How nice would it be to be Joe Girardi today? The longtime New York Yankees manager is coveted by his bosses in the Bronx, so much so that the Steinbrenner-owned club has made him a lucrative offer to return to the Yankees. The Cubs want him badly, too, so much so that they're apparently willing to wait until Nov. 1 when Girardi's contract expires to offer him a deal that would make him one of the two highest paid managers in the game.
The Nationals, Reds and _ if they lose to Atlanta in the NLDS _ the Dodgers might want Girardi, too. All signs seem to point to Girardi staying in New York, with an announcement coming as early as today. He's rumored to be intrigued by the idea of returning to the Cubs (Girardi played for the Cubs, grew up in Illinois and met his wife at Northwestern) and taking over a franchise loaded with prospects and likely ready to spend money on free agents and be active in the offseason trade market.
Regardless, Girardi has a huge payday coming, and his decision could have a ripple effect that could influence what happens to stars such as Robinson Cano and David Price in the coming months.
10. I've always been fascinated by the assassination of John F. Kennedy, even though it occurred seven years before I was born. The movie "Parkland" was released on Friday, and while it has generally received strong reviews, it did not fare well at the box office over the weekend.
"Parkland," and every other movie at the box office this weekend, was mauled by Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity," starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, who play surviving astronauts from a damaged Space Shuttle.
Kennedy was killed some 50 years ago in Dallas, and I'm not surprised people aren't interested in reliving the president's death and the immediate aftermath. Still, I look forward to seeing the film and imagining the emotions of the people in that hospital who suddenly found themselves trying to save the president of the United States.
1. Had Ole Miss won Saturday night at Auburn, there's a solid-to-strong chance ESPN would have brought its College GameDay show to Oxford for Saturday's date between the Rebels and Texas A&M. Instead, Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Co. are headed to Seattle for Washington's showdown with national title contender Oregon.
Ole Miss fans are undoubtedly disappointed. The three-hour show has emerged as the signature program for the entire sport. No football Saturday can truly begin until Corso dons a mascot headpiece and issues his prediction for the game of the day.
The program has never been to Oxford, and multiple sources have told me for years ESPN executives desperately want to bring the show to the Grove . It will eventually happen, and when it does, it will be a fantastic spectacle and a day full of positive public relations for the university and its football program.
I just think it might be a blessing in disguise if the GameDay experience doesn't come to Ole Miss until the Rebels are ready for the big stage. That's not a knock at the school or its administration. The campus has never been more beautiful and its leadership has never been stronger. However, the Rebels' program seems to be a season or two away from contending at the championship level. By then, most of the renovations of the Rebels' football facilities will be completed or close to completion, and Freeze will have had another recruiting class or two under his belt.
There's nothing fun about being patient. Rebuilding, as I wrote prior to the 2012 season, is miserable for fans to endure. Progress is being made, even if it's tougher to spot during a losing streak.
The day is coming when that progress will be recognized by Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and the rest of the gang assembled on a stage built by The Home Depot. That day simply hasn't come yet.
2. Along those lines, some of the fan reaction to Saturday's 30-22 loss at Auburn is simply irrational. Ole Miss could have won at Jordan-Hare, sure. One could argue the Rebels should have won. A pick-six put the Rebels behind the eight-ball early. A failure to score a touchdown on a first-and-goal from the Auburn 6 was costly. Senquez Golson dropped a pick-six early in the third quarter. Bo Wallace threw a second interception in the fourth quarter with the Rebels having a chance to take the lead following an Auburn fumble.
Give Auburn credit, though. The Tigers made plays when they had to. Steven Clark's punt that forced Ole Miss to face a 99-yard drive late in the game was huge. Nick Marshall's 140 yards rushing killed Ole Miss, and Tre Mason's 21-carry, 77-yard performance gave Auburn just enough offense.
What really hurt Ole Miss, however, was the Rebels' failure to convert on third down. Ole Miss was just 2-for-15 on third down in the final three quarters Saturday, a number that is simply stunning ? until you study down and distance that is.
Ole Miss faced third-and-9, 7 (converted), 11, 8, 3, 10, 1, goal (5), 7, 19, 10 (converted), 7, 10 and 10 in the final three quarters Saturday. A couple of those failures resulted in fourth-down conversions, but the 11 third-down challenges of seven or more yards tells the story of Saturday's game.
Ole Miss got beat up front on offense. The Rebels struggled to establish a running game and had difficulty protecting Wallace. That's not a recipe for success. Still, the Rebels rolled up 464 yards of offense on 89 plays, a number that should give fans some hope for what might be when Freeze and Co. get enough quality recruits into the program.
For now, Ole Miss is what it is ? a moderately talented team depending on a lot of freshmen and suffering from a lack of depth. It's a broken record now, but the only medicine for that ailment is recruiting.
3. Other thoughts from Auburn 30, Ole Miss 22:
A. Boy, Ole Miss missed C.J. Johnson on Saturday. Without him, the Rebels struggled to muster a pass rush and had trouble containing Nick Marshall on the Tigers' zone read plays.
B. Donte Moncrief stepped up. The Rebels need even more of Moncrief going forward.
C. I'Tavius Mathers showed flashes of health, rushing four times for 28 yards.
D. Six dropped passes killed Ole Miss Saturday.
E. Ole Miss' tackling in the open field was sporadic. It must improve in the next six days with Johnny Manziel coming to town.
F. Ole Miss had a couple of chances to down Tyler Campbell punts inside the 5-yard-line. The Rebels failed. Auburn took advantage of its chance to pin the Rebels deep. Those were huge swings in the game.
G. Auburn freshman Carl Lawson was a stud Saturday night. He was a major factor late.
H. It got lost in the loss, but Ole Miss kicker Andrew Ritter was fantastic, going 3-for-3 on field goals.
4. I've tried to measure my words over the last few days as I've watched Ole Miss get raked over the red-hot coals for an alleged offense that almost certainly didn't happen as it was initially reported.
What is abundantly clear to me is the Daily Mississippian jumped the gun and published the story regarding behavior at the performance of the student production The Laramie Project before it was ready. The story needed to be fleshed out, and I'm not sure I understand the rush to print. It's difficult to imagine another publication was working the story on Wednesday night. The details were vague. Specifics could have been ironed out with some more reporting, and the story, once the bones had been better assembled, could have been published online with the stroke of a key.
The story said approximately 20 football players attended the play and accused some in that group of initiating borderline hate speech. Could no one name any of the players? One football player, according to the report, apologized to the cast and crew after the incident. Could no one identify said player? Was he contacted for comment?
Instead, the story ran with more questions than answers. That wasn't as stunning as what happened in the hours after it was first read. One national media outlet/website/blog/whatever it is some national "journalists" do these days jumped on the story, filled in the blanks without the slightest bit of proof, breathed oxygen into the fire and gave a poorly-sourced story a life of its own.
It had, after all, all the elements national guys searching for hits and credibility among their peers are looking for. It involved a cause celebre among media types _ gay rights _ occurring at a Deep South school with a conservative bent and it allegedly involved athletes. For writers who have 20,000-plus Twitter followers but write primarily to impress the 10-15 people in their peer group, it was manna from heaven.
In fairness to those reporters/columnists/bloggers, Ole Miss gave the "story" credibility on Thursday when it issued a sweeping _ albeit vague _ apology. By Friday, as witness accounts were collected, it became clear that there was no consensus regarding what happened at the play. Sources close to the Ole Miss football program were emphatic Thursday and Friday that its players at the play did nothing more than laugh.
Bottom line: No one really knows. Ole Miss' Bias Incident Response Team issued the following on Friday evening:
"The University of Mississippi is committed to celebrating the differences of our student body, valuing each member of our community, and fostering an atmosphere of civility and respect. With these goals in mind, the BIRT intervened immediately and will continue to respond in a prompt and efficient manner to address the reported inappropriate behavior that took place on October 1. The task of identifying specific individuals who were purported to have disrupted the performance is difficult because of the dark theatre, and initial reports vary in regard to the frequency, volume and source of the comments or disruption. Although initial reports indicate that student-athletes led the action, it is important to note that this has not been verified and they were not the only students present. Reports indicate that comments were made by student athletes and students but no report has singled out a specific student or mentioned any names."
The damage to the Ole Miss program is done now. It's a shame. Those national writers who prematurely piled on Thursday and Friday will move on to the next big story, one they'll cover from 20,000 feet and subsequently praise one another on Twitter. Some of those same columnists and bloggers owe Ole Miss an explanation, if not a retraction and/or apology. That won't happen.
I have a couple of takeaways, neither of which have a snowball's chance in Hades of gaining traction at Ole Miss or elsewhere. One, issue a statement saying you're aware of the allegations and you're investigating, but don't apologize until you have reason to apologize and can be specific about what it is you're apologizing for. Two, quit bending over backwards for national writers and publications. Unlike local and regional media which has to weigh future interactions with the program and the school against the desire to report now, those guys prove more and more with each passing story that it's all about furthering their agendas and bolstering their reputations among themselves.
5. Tennessee's smoky gray uniforms were cool Saturday, a look that popped on the television screen. The Volunteers' clash with Georgia, meanwhile, was almost the stuff that legitimizes a new coach as he attempts to put his stamp on a once-proud program that had lost its way in recent years. Tennessee couldn't finish the deal against Georgia, losing in overtime.
Still, one couldn't help but think recruits were impressed with what they saw and felt Saturday in Knoxville. Neyland Stadium rocked like it hasn't in years, and for at least one afternoon, the Tennessee program had a fresh feel to it.
6. Jadeveon Clowney didn't play in South Carolina's win over Kentucky Saturday. That was a surprise to virtually everyone, including Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier. On Sunday, Spurrier's teleconference was dominated by questions about Clowney, who has failed to live up to the considerable hype afforded him prior to the season.
Asked if Clowney is week to week with his muscle strain around his ribcage, Spurrier said. "We don't go by week-to-week. Obviously he doesn't have a broken leg or anything that would keep him out two to three weeks. He has a muscle strain around the rib area. It just depends on how long it keeps him out."
Spurrier was asked if he was frustrated with Clowney.
"No. It was just, we didn't know he wasn't playing until right before the game," Spurrier said. "That was a little frustrating. Usually the trainer or the doctor tells you, 'This guy's out.' That did not happen last night. But on the other side, if a player's in pain and can't play, I don't want him to play. None of us do. I guess we just didn't know until right before the game."
Spurrier was asked if he was concerned regarding Clowney's commitment to South Carolina.
"You'll have to ask him that," Spurrier said. "I can't speak for Jadeveon. You'll have to ask him that. We'll try to make him available this week sometime for you guys, OK. I haven't talked with Jadeveon. Our assistant coaches have talked with him, but it's just not a big story. The big story was, he was in pain and couldn't play. We'll see if he's going to be in pain and can't play or not in pain and can play this week. We'll have to wait a while to find out, I guess."
My take: Clowney didn't want to play this season at South Carolina. He would've been the first pick in April's NFL draft, and he wished he could've bolted for the $30 million rather than roll the dice on another season in the SEC. I can't say I blame him. However, Clowney's actions this season have raised significant doubts in the eyes of NFL scouts and executives. There simply has to be better way. Clowney didn't need another season at South Carolina. He was ready for the NFL. Rules are rules, sure, but perhaps the NFL and the NCAA should reconvene and come up with exceptions for talents such as Clowney.
7. Maybe coaching matters. The New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs both started 1-4 last season en route to disappointing seasons. On Sunday, the Saints won in Chicago and the Chiefs won in Nashville to each improve to 5-0.
Maybe coaching does matter. The Saints have clearly benefited from the return of Sean Payton from a one-year suspension after Bountygate. The Chiefs, meanwhile, look like a different outfit under the direction of former Eagles boss Andy Reid. Kansas City has to worry about Denver and Peyton Manning in its division, meaning the story at Arrowhead likely won't end in fairy-tale fashion. New Orleans, on the other hand, could be home to more January magic this season, especially if Drew Brees continues to maintain his current level of mastery.
Other thoughts from the NFL Sunday:
A. I'd never heard of Mandisa prior to Sunday night's game between the Texans and the 49ers. For a minute, I thought it was Whitney Houston, and that's a compliment. The former American Idol performer (my daughters knew of her) was fabulous during her rendition of our national anthem in San Francisco.
B. The criticism of Tony Romo Sunday is simply absurd and unfair. The Cowboys' quarterback threw for five touchdowns and led his team to 48 points. Peyton Manning was just a little better. Romo's lone interception was costly, yes, but he was terrific for 3 ½ quarters while Dallas' defense had no answer for Manning and the Broncos.
C. Drew Brees finally won in Chicago, and the Saints now control the NFC. Brees has been spectacular so far this season, spreading the football to multiple targets. The Saints' defense, meanwhile, has been surprisingly stingy. The road to the Super Bowl just might go through the the Big Easy.
D. Tom Brady was awful Sunday. He won't take the heat Romo will.
E. Andrew Luck. Yeah, he's good. Luck led the Colts to a win over Seattle in Indianapolis Sunday, and in just his second year in the league, he's emerged as one of the NFL's most dependable quarterbacks.
F. Eli Manning has now thrown 12 interceptions. At least two-thirds haven't been his fault. The Giants, at 0-5, are toast. If I'm Manning, I'm exploring an exit strategy.
G. How obsessed am I with the Thunder? On Sunday, as Dallas lost to the Broncos, I worried Oklahoma City guard/Cowboys fan Russell Westbrook would hurt himself. I followed his frustration closely on Twitter, hoping someone was making sure his surgically-repaired knee was safe while he ranted. Seriously. I'm sick.
8. The Pittsburgh Pirates are one win away from the National League Championship Series. They'll get a chance to clinch it at home today against St. Louis. Unless you're a Cardinals fan, you've fallen in love with the Pirates. The city, one that I loved on my two visits there, has embraced this team once again. PNC Park is just awesome and the team _ led by homegrown stars Andrew McCutcheon, Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez _ is difficult to dislike.
It's difficult to imagine the Pirates going much deeper, and I won't be shocked if the Cardinals rally to win the series (deals with the devil, after all, are tough to break), but Pittsburgh could get people who normally wouldn't watch October baseball to be glued to their screens.
9. How nice would it be to be Joe Girardi today? The longtime New York Yankees manager is coveted by his bosses in the Bronx, so much so that the Steinbrenner-owned club has made him a lucrative offer to return to the Yankees. The Cubs want him badly, too, so much so that they're apparently willing to wait until Nov. 1 when Girardi's contract expires to offer him a deal that would make him one of the two highest paid managers in the game.
The Nationals, Reds and _ if they lose to Atlanta in the NLDS _ the Dodgers might want Girardi, too. All signs seem to point to Girardi staying in New York, with an announcement coming as early as today. He's rumored to be intrigued by the idea of returning to the Cubs (Girardi played for the Cubs, grew up in Illinois and met his wife at Northwestern) and taking over a franchise loaded with prospects and likely ready to spend money on free agents and be active in the offseason trade market.
Regardless, Girardi has a huge payday coming, and his decision could have a ripple effect that could influence what happens to stars such as Robinson Cano and David Price in the coming months.
10. I've always been fascinated by the assassination of John F. Kennedy, even though it occurred seven years before I was born. The movie "Parkland" was released on Friday, and while it has generally received strong reviews, it did not fare well at the box office over the weekend.
"Parkland," and every other movie at the box office this weekend, was mauled by Alfonso Cuaron's "Gravity," starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, who play surviving astronauts from a damaged Space Shuttle.
Kennedy was killed some 50 years ago in Dallas, and I'm not surprised people aren't interested in reliving the president's death and the immediate aftermath. Still, I look forward to seeing the film and imagining the emotions of the people in that hospital who suddenly found themselves trying to save the president of the United States.
