August 21, 2006 Table Of Contents
SI Bonus Section: SI Fantasy Plus Premier Edition
A dozen of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED's savviest stalwarts gathered in early August to divide up the fantasy football world. Who chose wisely? Who screwed up? You make the call
By Albert Lin
Sweet dreams! You'll sleep more soundly if you draft one or more of these perennially productive players
By Gene Menez
By David Sabino
By Gene Menez
By David Sabino
By Adam Duerson
SI Bonus Section: Golf Plus
Dean Wilson recasts his image--and gets a Ryder Cup captain off the hook
Second Annual Junior Golfer Survey
SI asked a group of teenagers, all serious golfers, for their opinions on equipment, tour players and if they'd vote for a Democrat or a Republican for president
A 14-year-old wins the U.S. Amateur
By Jim Gorant
Big Play With Mitchell Spearman
After the platypus, I thought, Why not 18 in the Texas panhandle?
By Evan Rothman
Air and Space
SI Players: Life On And Off The Field
ANGELS INFIELDER
As told to Ben Reiter
The Questions with Matt Holliday
Rockies Outfielder
The inking woman's soccer star
You want me to sign your what? Making it in the big leagues
The rookie started core training in earnest last January. By the NFL combine he was faster, stronger and more explosive. People noticed
Features
The once-comical AL Central is now the best division in the majors. For six days the author traveled through the new center of the baseball universe and found bullpen bar bedlam, ersatz Elvises and more than a hint of October
Inspired by his father, whose stance against the Vietnam War cost him a Senate seat, new NFL commissioner Roger Goodell understands the tough decisions
By Peter King
Life couldn't be better for Edgerrin James--he's got a fat contract, a starring role in a high-powered offense, a state-of-the-art stadium and an Arizona Cardinals team that's finally ready to win
2006 College Football Preview
What a difference a year makes. The Buckeyes' signal-caller has gone from suspended and shamed platoon player to the toast of Columbus
The Dawgs' sack artist always dreamed of being a hoops star, but once he got over that fixation, he became a smash hit in Athens
Overshadowed among this year's Heisman candidates, Cal's quiet but explosive running back has the tools—and the supporting cast—to win the most coveted award in college football.
By Phil Taylor
They're not necessarily the largest, the fastest or the best in the country at their positions, but each of these nine collegians will play a huge role in his team's success this season. Their value is measured in a variety of ways--athleticism, strength, determination and a love for the action on Saturday afternoons-- and for good reasons they are all ...
2006 College Football Preview
By Gene Menez
By Mark Beech
By Phil Taylor
By Gene Menez
By Mark Beech
By Phil Taylor
By Mark Beech
By Mark Beech
By Gene Menez
By Phil Taylor
By Gene Menez
By Phil Taylor
By Luke Winn
By Mark Beech
By Gene Menez
By Phil Taylor
By Mark Beech
By Luke Winn
Compiled by Mark Beech and Gene Menez
Inside
By Albert Chen
By Grant Wahl
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
News of a foiled terrorist plot brought back difficult memories for the former basketball player who helped subdue the "Shoe Bomber"
When athletes share the same name, bad things can happen to good people
A dispute over authenticity has stalled the sale of what could be a $1 million baseball card
By E.M. Swift
A former Marlins pitching prospect once again falls victim to his drug addiction
By Adam Duerson
What to watch and watch for
By Chris Mannix