WHO'S Hot WHO'S Not
WHO'S Hot
Kerry Collins
He doesn't have to do much, but what he does is working. Tennessee's journeymanQB hands the ball off, completes some short passes and generally stays out oftrouble: Just one sack and zero lost fumbles all year have helped the Titans gounbeaten. That keeps him the starter, even with the dynamic Vince Young behindhim. "Right now," said Young last week, "number 5 is theman."
Buffalo
Smooth operating. The Bills' methodical win over the Chargers—helped by agame-stealing TD run from Marshawn Lynch (right)—was a sweet gift for ownerRalph Wilson's 90th birthday. The Bills are 5--1, which is about right for thistown; the Sabres lost just one of their first five.
Blue Kitty
His name is Platina Luna Blade Runner (below), and he is the Cat Show champ!The first Russian Blue to win Best of the Best defeated 248 other felines atMadison Square Garden, just by being himself. His prize: 400 pounds of cat foodand an appearance on Regis and Kelly.
Marty Booker
One for the books! In the highest-scoring Bears game in 50 years (Chicago 48,Minnesota 41), Booker had the big one, streaking—O.K., booking—51 yards for alate TD. Afterward, he said, "I had to get some oxygen."
WHO'S Not
J.T.O'Sullivan
The QB's just not there when the 49ers need him. O'Sullivan's latest setback:two interceptions, four fumbles and six sacks against the Giants. Thejourneyman has now been sacked—ouch!—an NFL-high 29 times, thrown nine picks inhis past three games, been called disappointing by his coach and, here's ashocker, may be benched in favor of Shaun Hill.
Dallas
Turbulent times. For all the stars on the Cowboys' roster, the team was only aTony Romo pinky problem from disaster. Behind ineffective 40-year-old QB BradJohnson, the bumbling Boys got creamed by St. Louis. Dallas's Stars on ice havebeen even worse, winning just one of their first five.
Big Papi
Gosh, he's human. Bad wrist and no Manny means this: a .186 postseason averagewith just one home run for the Red Sox' fearsome DH. Said Ortiz (right), afterstriking out twice en route to being eliminated in Game 7 by Tampa Bay,"Sometimes bad things happen."
Marty Biron
One for the books. By losing their first five games this season the Flyers setan unhappy franchise record. Among the culprits? Goaltender Biron (left): 0--3with a 5.75 goals-against average. Rough start to a contract year.
SI PLAYERS NFL POLL
Who is the most dangerous running back in the NFL?
LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers 49%
Adrian Peterson, Vikings 27%
Brian Westbrook, Eagles 9%
Steven Jackson, Rams 4%
Fred Taylor, Jaguars 2%
FAST FACTS
Poll was completed in September.... Tomlinson, the league's leading rusher forthe past two seasons, was 14th through Sunday (446 yards) and was averagingjust 3.6 yards a carry.... Last season's NFL offensive rookie of the year,Peterson was second with 684 yards.... The Redskins' Clinton Portis, the leagueleader with 818 yards, received just one vote.
[Based on a survey of 320 NFL players] • For more onthe poll, and to comment on it, go to SI.com/players.
PHOTO
THOMAS E. WITTE (COLLINS)
PHOTO
HEINZ KLUETMEIER (O'SULLIVAN)
PHOTO
LUC LECLERC/US PRESSWIRE (LYNCH)
PHOTO
ROBERT BECK (ORTIZ)
PHOTO
DAVE SANDFORD (BIRON)
PHOTO
PETER READ MILLER (TOMLINSON)
PHOTO
AL TIELEMANS (PETERSON)
PHOTO
CHIP EAST/REUTERS (CAT)