August 11, 2008 Table Of Contents
SI.com
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
The transition from the Red Sox to the land of no socks? So far, so weird
A perfect trotter upstaged Big Brown's return
As told to Connie Aitcheson
A documentary examines Ali's Miami years
By Rich O'Brien
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
By Dan Patrick
BASEBALL
He has been overshadowed this season by teammate Josh Hamilton; in fact, he has been overshadowed at almost every stop in his career since high school. But in this golden season of the second baseman, nobody has been more productive—almost historically so—at the position than the Rangers' Ian Kinsler
By Albert Chen
Where Have We Seen This Before?
Second basemen with pop aren't a new story; in fact, they're an old—a very old—one
By Joe Sheehan, Baseball Prospectus
PRO FOOTBALL
After two wayward seasons, Cardinals passer Matt Leinart says he has his priorities straight. With Kurt Warner gunning for his starting job, he'd better
By Jim Trotter
OLYMPIC BASEBALL
Eight years after his last major league job, the once hard-living, big-winning manager Davey Johnson is trying to rally the underdog U.S. in what may be baseball's last Olympic stand
By Luke Winn
COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2008
The hottest offense thrives on speed, stretching the defense across the field and exploiting mismatches all over. It's near unstoppable, and more and more coaches are converting
Architect of Texas Tech's high-octane offense, coach Mike Leach reveals QB Graham Harrell's progressions in DOUBLE SLOT RIP Y-CROSS
Defensive coordinators are comparing notes as they scramble to find ways to stop—or at least slow—the spread, but this much they know: The best weapons are speed and solid tackling
By Phil Taylor
Wary of an offense that features too many snaps out of the shotgun and not enough downfield passing, the pro game has yet to embrace the spread
By Peter King
The team to beat only needs one of its young, talented blockers to take charge
By Andy Staples
With a deep and experienced roster, the Buckeyes bid for a third straight trip to the BCS title game
By Mark Beech
Punishing Rey Maualuga drives a defense that, for a change, is the team's strong suit
By Phil Taylor
The Tigers have their sights set on their first Big 12 title—and the biggest prize of all
Scoring points won't be a problem, but the Gators will go places only if their defense returns to its '06 form
By Andy Staples
A stinging defeat in the Fiesta Bowl is motivating a Sooners defense that is eager to make amends
By Andy Staples
New coordinator Tony Franklin opens up an offense that had become too predictable
By Andy Staples
The Red Raiders finally have a defense that takes some pressure off the offense
Spectacular late last season, Ricky Jean-Francois takes over the role played by Glenn Dorsey
Converted tight end Travis Beckum has the Badgers eyeing their first Rose Bowl berth in nine seasons
By Mark Beech
Loaded with skill players, the Tigers have the efficient Cullen Harper to drive them
The Volunteers will play to their strengths behind an experienced line of blockers
By Andy Staples
A new coordinator—the fourth in four years—remodels the defense so it will stand up against the pass
By Luke Winn
The Mountaineers begin a new era amid concerns about their ability to shut down opponents
By Mark Beech
Breakout star Todd Reesing is a master at running the Jayhawks' spread offense
By Luke Winn
Tailback Keegan Herring puts the Sun Devils on track to better their surprise '07 season
By Phil Taylor
A third consecutive Mountain West title won't be enough to satisfy the Cougars
By Mark Beech
With a play that springs a little man for big gains, the Beavers aim for their first Rose Bowl in 44 years
When they stunned their archrival last December, the Panthers turned a corner
By Mark Beech
Rover Patrick Chung delivers the big hits for a defense that will have to carry the Ducks early on
By Phil Taylor
By Andy Staples
By Phil Taylor
By Mark Beech
By Mark Beech
COMPILED BY Stewart Mandel
Inside
Three superstars who made big news with their recent trades will soon make bigger news (and bucks) as free agents
By Jon Heyman
Nothing—not gibes from his owner, point deductions or copycat crews—can spoil Carl Edwards's 2008 joyride
By Mark Beech
These offensive interiors are a reason to pick up—or pull away from—the players who operate behind them
By David Sabino
With Tiger Woods out, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh showed in Akron how fantastic—and flawed—they still are