Day 45: NFL's undefeateds, Larry Johnson, Crimson Tide and more

1) The Colts and Saints each won to move to 8-0 on the season? Do you think either of these teams can finish the regular season at 16-0?

Ben: I think it's doubtful, and frankly I wouldn't care about it if I were the Saints or the Colts. The only thing that matters in the NFL is the Super Bowl champion and the end of the year. I do not consider the New England Patroits the best team during their 18-1 season. The Giants won the Super Bowl and they were the best team. The Saints or Colts should keep that in mind during this quest for 16-0. Plus, their schedule is too hard to finish the year.

Boz: No. Each team has tough tests down the road and I don't think either team is strong enough to not slip up in one of those tests. The Saints still have to play at New England and at Atlanta. I think the Saints will lose one of those games. However, the rest of the schedule is so soft that if the Saints do slip past the Patriots and the Falcons then they have a real shot at 16-0. The Colts have a tougher schedule in the second half of the season with games at home against the Patriots, Broncos and Jets, and games at Baltimore, Houston and New York Jets.

I find it quite ironic that the last team that went 16-0 during the regular season is standing in the way of both team's quest for 16-0. I would love it with the Patriots handed both teams their first losses of the season.

2) The Chiefs have released running back Larry Johnson after off-the-field problems and on-the-field struggles. However, Johnson was under 100 yards away from the franchise's rushing record. Was this a good move by the Chiefs and where will Johnson end up?

Ben: No where. He is finsihed.  Although, I imagine if the Patroits picked him up he'd end up with 900 yards and 8 TD's this season for them. But seriously, he has a lot of mileage on those legs from Penn State and Kansas City -- and he's a headcase that hasn't been able to stay out of trouble.

Sorry Larry, you're all finished.

Boz: It's a good move for both the Chiefs and for Larry Johnson. This was a split that needed to happen. Johnson had worn out both the Chiefs organization and the fan base. He wasn't producing on the field and was only being a distraction off the field. For the Chiefs, it was addition by subtraction. For Larry Johnson, he gets a change of sceanery and off of a pretty bad football team where he didn't agree with the head coach. There is a lot of teams that will want to take a chance on a running back that once showed a ton of promise once taking over for Priest Holmes. He fits the mold to join the Raiders, but I can see the Patriots taking a chance on him. Bill Belichick has shown that he can turn around players like this (see Randy Moss for example).

3) Alabama picked up the win of the weekend in college football, dismissing the ninth ranked LSU Tigers and retaking the No. 2 spot in the BCS rankings. Does it bother you that the BCS title game could be played in the SEC Championship?

Ben: This game really bothered me. LSU had an interception going the other way with a chance to tie the game and the refs, AGAIN, botched the call. The SEC has been horrible this season when it comes to officiating, and I also don't think Alabama and Flordia are necessarily the best team in the nation. I think the SEC championship game could be a great game, but I don't think it's guarenteed to be any better then the BCS championship if the deserving team makes it.

Boz: It does bother me actually. Florida and Alabama have each shown that they are the two best teams in college football. They've each shown so far this season that they deserve a shot to play for the national championship. However, they each won't get that chance since they'll have to play one another in the SEC Championship. This is why I am a very big backer of a 16-team playoff . I can't say when it's going to happen, but I do believe that it'll eventually happen.

4) In other college football news, Cincinnati's head coach Brian Kelly has stated that Tony Pike is still the Bearcats' No. 1 quarterback despite back-up Zach Collaros throwing for 1,229 yards and ten touchdowns to go along with 288 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Is it a good move to stick with Tony Pike?

Ben: Yes. If you were injured as a starter, you should come back as a starter. That's typically the rule, with some exceptions, but I think that is the case here again in Cincinatti. Pike was playing well, and just because Collaros has played well in his absense doesn't mean he is the better QB.

Boz: Yes. Pike is the senior and the guy that has won a lot of ball games for Cincinnati, not only this year, but in past years as well. It's not like the Bearcats were struggling to win games while Pike was healthy. Pike was playing at a high level and deserves to be the starter when he is healthy enough to play. Collaros is a very talented quarterback and will win a lot of games for the Bearcats in the future. Either way, even though this a tough decision for Brain Kelly, it's one that I'm sure other coaches would love to have this problem rather than the ones they are having to make.

ODDS

1) Tony Dungy has stated that many quarterback-needing teams have expressed interest in Michael Vick. What are the odds that Vick will be an Eagle next season?

Ben: 50%. He might not have anywhere else to go. And the Eagles could always use more weapons to not utilize.

Boz: I'll say 18%. It's ultimately the Eagles decision if Vick is an Eagle next season since they have the player option on Vick for next season. However, the Eagles have used Vick less and less and the weeks roll by. I can't see them wanting to hang on to Vick next season, but I can also see them not wanting anyone else to have him, which is why I didn't give this a 0% chance.

2) After a recent family-related isssue and having to deal with his role of coming off the bench with the Grizzlies, Allen Iverson has stated that he has considered retirement. What are the odds that Iverson actually hangs it up?

Ben: 0%. He hates the Grizz so he wants out, but he doesn't hate basketball. Here he comes Cleveland.

Boz: 0%. Iverson is still very competitive and can still play the game of basketball. I believe him when he says that he has something to prove to the NBA. He's in the wrong situation with Memphis and can hopefully get out of there sooner than later so he can prove that he is still a good player. I've always been an Iverson fan and would like to see him with a real contender soon.

3) It seems that the Yankees won't be resigning Hideki Matsui and will be in need for an outfielder this offseason. What are the odds that the Yankees will sign either Jason Bay or Matt Holliday?

Ben: 20%. Neither of those guys seem like big market players to me, so I doubt that even if the Yanks offered them a contract, that they'd accept.

Boz: 60%. The Yankees have shown in the past that they are willing to spend a lot of money to get the top free agents in the positions that they need. Free agents have shown that they will sign with the Yankees for the money, but also for the possibility of winning a world series title. I think the Yanks will make a hard push for Jason Bay just so they can stick it to the Red Sox like when they signed Johnny Damon.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 37th Birthday Shawn Green. A solid outfielder for the Dodgers, then for a short time with the Mets. Green's career ended abruptly and I'm curious where he is now. Someone out there in The Sports Desk fan base check into that for me? Thanks.

Boz: Happy 74th Birthday to Bob Gibson. The Hall of Famer pitcher pitched with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959-75. He won two world series titles with the Cardinals along with two Cy Young awards. He won 251 career games and had a career ERA of 2.91. Even though he was known to pitch inside on hitters, he only hit 102 batters in his career, showing what amazing control he had.