February 4, 2008 Table Of Contents
SI Bonus Section: Golf Plus
After a blowout win in his season debut, Tiger Woods has almost everyone believing that 2008 will be a year unlike any other
Venturi to pros: You owe Nelson
By Jim Gorant
By AJ Bonar
How a hoops star made the move from the court to the course
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
As political unrest sends Kenya into chaos, athletes have come under attack
By Mark Beech
How quickly can you crack a Super puzzler?
He threw only five passes this year, but Tom Brady's understudy is always a play away from being the leading man
As told to Joe Lemire
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
SUPER BOWL XLII PREVIEW
When the underdog Giants meet the unbeaten Patriots in Arizona on Sunday, history will hinge on a brawny battle between New York's pass rush and New England's protection. Can the league's most fearsome defensive front knock Tom Brady off his game? NFL perfection hangs in the balance
By Peter King
Undrafted out of college, dumped by the Chargers and given away by the Dolphins, Wes Welker has been the Patriots' sure thing
By Damon Hack
Born in Britain, nurtured in Nigeria and baptized for football in Alabama, Osi Umenyiora is ready to rock the Patriots' world
By Lee Jenkins
Dr. Z breaks down a play from the Week 17 Giants-Pats game that reveals how New England hits the hot receiver in the face of heavy pressure
PRO BASKETBALL
Who knew that the Toronto forward's breakout performance would come not on the court but in a YouTube video? That hilarious turn has helped raise his profile to new heights
By Chris Mannix
TENNIS
In an Australian Open that was full of surprises, a healthy Maria Sharapova showed that she's stronger than ever, and Novak Djokovic dismissed—and dissed—the Mighty Federer
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Five years after being devastated by a player's murder and then NCAA probation, Baylor—buoyed by irrepressible coach Scott Drew and a fired-up fan base—is off to its best start in 62 seasons
GENE UPSHAW
Bitter Battle for the Old Guard
He succeeded in the trenches at Super Bowls and bargaining tables, but NFL union boss Gene Upshaw is under siege again—only this time he's butting heads with angry, hurting vets from his generation
By Gary Smith
Inside
By Bill Trocchi
By E.M. Swift