January 24, 2005 Table Of Contents
The Lineup
LETTERS
AIR AND SPACE
By Steve Rushin
SI Players
HINES WARD: Steelers Wide Receiver
By Peter King
Edited by Kostya Kennedy
[Based on a survey of 207 NBA players]
Edited by Kostya Kennedy
In 1969 Jets QB Joe Namath guaranteed that his 17 1/2-point underdog Jets would whip the Colts in Super Bowl III (above). They did. Last week Jets DE Shaun Ellis boasted his team would beat the Steelers. Oops. Here's a look at one of the NFL's liveliest arts
By Ben Reiter
His first major injury behind him, a perennial All-Pro muscles up for a comeback
The Questions with Jermaine O'Neal Pacers Forward
Yum: cheese on steak, mustard on pretzels, Eagles on the field in January
By Adam Duerson
Pro Football
New England showed it is still the team to beat by rocking Peyton Manning and the high-powered Colts
With its blitzing defense disrupting the Minnesota passing game, Philadelphia made it four NFC title games in four years
By Josh Elliott
Using its big backs to bore a hole through the New York defense, Pittsburgh rallied and got its rookie quarterback off the hook
By Peter King
Atlanta unleashed its rushing attack against St. Louis and proved there's more to the offense than Michael Vick
Picking an upset is tempting, but the Eagles and the Patriots have too much going for them
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
In the grand tradition of despised Dukies, cocky, sure-shooting J.J. Redick is the player that fans love to hate
By Grant Wahl
FIGURE SKATING
Michelle Kwan made history with her ninth win at the U.S. championships, but daring 15-year-old Kimmie Meissner almost stole the show
By E.M. Swift
BASEBALL
When it came to signing a pair of marquee Latin free agents, Mets general manager Omar Minaya knew precisely the right language: español--and dinero
Basketball
The next LeBron? Some say 14-year-old Demetrius Walker is on the express to the NBA. Others say he's traveling too quickly, too soon
Before Demetrius, before LeBron, there was teen sensation Schea Cotton, who couldn't live up to the hype
Inside
Inside College Wrestling
Top of the Heap
A savvy coach and a big-name transfer from Iowa have Oklahoma State rolling toward a third straight title
By Mark Beech
Inside College Football
 Top QB Ryan Perrilloux wasn't among the high school players who named their colleges at the U.S. Army Bowl
By Kelley King
By Kelley King
Inside College Basketball
Wisconsin extended its home winning streak to a nation-leading 38 games by knocking off No. 15 Michigan State
TRULY FOUL SHOTS
By Seth Davis
Inside the NBA
Preseason howling about roles and contracts has sidetracked Minnesota, which needs a unified D to gain ground
By Ian Thomsen
ANTOINE WALKER
By Ian Thomsen
By Ian Thomsen
LIFE OF REILLY
By Rick Reilly
Departments
Matt Leinart will stay at USC, where he's won the Heisman, dated a model and led the Trojans to a national title. Who says youth is wasted on the young?
Baseball's new steroid policy is better than its old one--but that's not saying much
By Tom Verducci
Still facing a manslaughter charge, Jayson Williams starts a comeback in Idaho
By Albert Chen
By Mark Bechtel
For former Raider Barret Robbins, the center will not hold
By Mark Bechtel
By Mark Bechtel
By Bill Scheft
The 35-year-old actor and rapper plays a sports collectibles dealer in the comedy Are We There Yet? opening on Friday
By Ice Cube
By Mark Bechtel
What to watch and watch for
By Julia Morrill
By Nancy Ramsey