August 31, 2009 Table Of Contents
GOLF PLUS
Sparked by surprisingly spirited captain's pick Michelle Wie, a young and feisty U.S. team used a familiar game plan—step on their necks in singles—to swamp the Europeans and win a pulsating Solheim Cup
Y.E. Yang's PGA win could be a transcendent moment for the game
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Backed by the sport's loudest cheering section, Sam Querrey was the hottest player on the hardcourt circuit
With an experienced defense led by cat-quick linebacker Greg Jones, Michigan State is a Big Ten dark horse
By Mark Beech
Whether it's because of doings on the field or off, these players should be climbing your draft board
By David Sabino
Three years after a leap to Team Red Bull, brainy Brian Vickers is competing for a postseason slot
After changing coaches twice and barely making the playoffs, Sky Blue FC won WPS's first championship
TRACK AND FIELD
As stunning as his performance was in Beijing, Usain Bolt topped it at the world championships in Berlin by crushing his records in the 100 and 200 meters and stretching the boundaries of possibility in his sport
By Tim Layden
BASEBALL
Who's Bringing The Fear This Fall
The prodigiously fearsome tandem of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, for starters, plus a half-dozen others—some old, some baby-faced new—who could be the tissue-thin difference between playing in October and going home
By Tom Verducci
Feeling the heat? These six players are being counted on to bring it as the season enters its final month
By Albert Chen
PRO FOOTBALL
New York Casting Call Lead Receiver
The Giants are auditioning all their young wideouts and hoping that one of them—Steve Smith—can replace Plaxico Burress as Eli Manning's go-to guy
By Damon Hack
Four longtime standouts are drawing little to no interest around the league
By Jim Trotter
Point After
Departments
The once-bad Raiders have become an NFL punch line
Once again, John Calipari leaves a job just before sanctions come down
Look who's in the middle of a fierce battle at quarterback
By Bill Syken
What smart fans should do this week
By Dan Patrick
By Rebecca Sun
SI's fearless NFL expert opines on all the latest news, buzz and inside information. This is just a taste of what you'll get online.
By Peter King