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I had my ticket punched to Super Bowl XL. But the Colts lost, and with that, my credential evaporated. Although, I didn't cherish the thought of spending a week in Michigan-- in February. Next year's game is in Miami. So, Go Colts!, or Titans! My bags are packed.


A few thoughts:

Monday night's 22-point loss to Duke is another stunning reminder the Lady Vols aren't the dominant college basketball program they once were. And not just for the obvious reason (uh, losing by 22).

Five of Pat Summitt's worst career defeats have come in the last six years. Duke and UConn are responsible for four of those losses. Georgia (27 pts.) is the other.

I should have been courtside last night.

Instead, I was holed-up in bed, surrounded by a various array of medicinal concoctions aimed at ridding my body of a demon flu.

I felt miserable. I felt derelict of duty. And I felt cheated.

I don't want to use a sick day when there are REAL reasons to work. I want to use my sick days like the rest of the world does-- when it's sunny and 75 degrees outside and I can jump in the boat while the boss thinks I'm home on the mend.

But I was legitimately sick. And I missed one of the biggest wins in UT basketball history.

I was in Nashville Wednesday night to witness history.

Pat Summitt's 900th career win reminded me of a similar victory at Vanderbilt nearly eight years ago.

On Wednesday, the Lady Vols were down by fourteen points, but mounted a furious comeback to beat the Lady Commodores at Memorial Gym. With it, Summitt continues to set even higher standards.

And please, don't give me that mumbo-jumbo that Summit's 900 wins don't deserve to be mentioned with the game's great male coaches.

Vol head coach Phillip Fulmer and the UT Football machine did an excellent job Wednesday showing all is fine on the football front.

It was just too obvious.

With the departure of three assistant coaches after a 5 win season-- and with the defection of offensive lineman Rob Smith (first reported by WATE last week)-- Fulmer pulled-out all the stops to show he's in charge and everything is healthy inside Vol Nation.

Granted, I am taking a personal approach to today's column-- but that's what this is all about, isn't it?

I am saddened today by two events.

The death of former NFL All-Pro receiver Jack Snow. He was among my first childhood sports heros. When it came to watching the NFL-- I was a Los Angeles Rams freak. My favorite players were Roman Gabriel, Jack Snow and Deacon Jones. Snow's death at age 62 came much too soon.

We broke this story tonight on our FOX affiliate. Thought Vol football fans would want the latest.

ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS TO U-T'S FOOTBALL TEAM THIS YEAR.. IS LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY.. FOR THE NFL.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ROB SMITH HAS TOLD SIX SPORTS.. HE PLANS TO MAKE *HIMSELF* ELIGIBLE FOR THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DRAFT.

SMITH HELPED ANCHOR AN OFFENSIVE LINE THAT TURNED RUNNING BACK ARIAN FOSTER..INTO AN S-E-C ALL-FRESHMAN SELECTION.. WITH MORE THAN 800-YARDS RUSHING.

THE DEADLINE..FOR COLLEGE UNDERCLASSMEN TO ANNOUNCE THEIR INTENTIONS.. IS JANUARY 15TH.

Everyone loves lists. Especially deadline-weary broadcasters who need another story to fill a slow news period. So here's my take on the ten biggest local sports stories of 2005.

10. Blount County sweeps high school football titles. Maryville wins again in Class 4A. Alcoa wins again in Class 2A.

9. Lady Vols softball team makes first-ever College World Series appearance in June. They beat 6-time national champ Arizona in game one. They lose in the championship series to Michigan.

I'm getting some feedback on Peyton Manning. Here's my take on a recent email I received asking to put Manning's legacy (so far) in perspective, especially in relation to the 1997 Heisman vote.

Former LA Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda once said a good baseball manager is only responsible for about ten wins a year. That's not much over the course of a 162 game season, but enough to make a difference in a close race for a division pennant. And let's face it, it's the big decisions that matter most. Ask former Red Sox (and current Dodger) manager Grady Little.