Sports

By MIKE MULHERN
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Greg Biffle was one of the stars of the show at Homestead-Miami Speedway last year, charging to a photo-finish win over teammate Mark Martin in the Nextel Cup finale and missing the NASCAR championship by a scant 35 points.

But this year has been quite forgettable for Biffle, and at times it has been hard to remember that he's in the field.

Biffle was fast out of the gate in 2005, winning bunches of races and was always a threat to win.

By KURT KRAGTHORPE
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
It is almost a code phrase, a kind of endorsement that what Larry Miller is about to say is something he really believes.

"I told Gail . . ."

If it's really meaningful, the Utah Jazz owner's wife hears it first, and then it's shared with the public.

By JIM SUTTIE
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Golfers can become more consistent by minimizing excess motion in the backswing. Shortening the backswing can be done by: 1. Keeping the left foot on the ground; 2.

By ALEX MARVEZ
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Anarchy wouldn't literally rule the Ultimate Fighting Championships, but Jeff Monson would have a larger platform to espouse his controversial political viewpoints by capturing the promotion's heavyweight title.

Set to face defending champion Tim Sylvia on Saturday night's UFC 65: Bad Intentions pay-per-view show emanating from Las Vegas, Monson earned his title shot by compiling a 24-5 mixed martial arts record.

Monson also has gained attention for being an anarchist and is even dotted with a series of tattoos that stand as universal symbols of the belief.

Monson told the Groundnpound.com Web site that he would "like to do away with all class hierarchy in society and the institutions that promote this inequality."

Elaborating further during a recent telephone interview, Monson said, "We can do without police and people telling us what to do.

By RHIANNON POTKEY
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Loyal supporters filled the stands, casual observers jumped on the bandwagon and eight claps echoed from L.A. to Indianapolis.

As the UCLA men's basketball team made its run to the Final Four last season, the basketball buzz was back in Westwood just like old times.

By JOHN LINDSAY
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Capsule previews for this week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Coaches poll.

THURSDAY:

No. 7 WEST VIRGINIA (8-1) at PITTSBURGH (6-4), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.

FAVORITE: Power ratings say West Virginia by 8.

COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (47-23 in 6th year at West Va.) and Dave Wannstedt (11-10 in second year at Pitt).

LAST WEEK: West Virginia beat Cincinnati, 42-24.

By LISA KELLY EASON
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Now that the trade deadline has passed for many leagues and the playoffs are fast approaching, wasting a roster spot to retain an injured player could prove to be a downfall.

Injured players have more value earlier in the season, as they can be traded based on their potential to return and/or still make a fantasy impact.

By BABE WAXPAK
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Dear Babe: I have an authentic Barry Bonds baseball bat that he used in batting practice (BP) before a game against the Florida Marlins. It is an Easton PRO STIX 238.

By MATT MARKEY
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Decked out in his football armor, Quinn Pitcock looks like the perfect gladiator. He is a mass of strength, a veritable immovable object forged of granite and steel.

The senior defensive tackle for Ohio State would be just as comfortable dressed in denim and chaps and riding bulls at a rodeo, or wrapped in Carharts and work boots and throwing freight around on a waterfront loading dock.

Now finding a tuxedo to fit this guy, that might be another story.

But the Buckeyes could very well be faced with that quandary, when they try to dress up their 6-3, 300 pound All-American candidate for the postseason awards shows.

By JOSH KATZOWITZ
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Reggie Bush has been the target of national criticism in recent weeks.

Pundits, both in the New Orleans area and around the country, say the Saints' 2006 first-round pick's rushing numbers have been miserable, that coach Sean Payton is reduced to complimenting Bush's blocking ability, that the fact Bush has scored only one touchdown and his yards per carry average is a very unimpressive 2.8 make him a first-round bust.

And when Bush fumbled against the Steelers in the third quarter Sunday _ a game Pittsburgh, which scored a touchdown on the very next play, would win _ the volume on the negative reviews was increased.

One espn.com contributor actually wrote, "...