General

Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: Scary? Tebow, CP3

Oct 31, 2008, 12:25 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Halloween vs. Philadelphia, Big 12 vs. SEC, Tebow vs. Hansbrough, Chris Paul vs. Ron Artest, Manny Ramirez vs. CC Sabathia, Pats vs. Colts, Giants vs. Cowboys and More!â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: Here are a few scary thoughts, just in time for Halloween:â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Tim Tebow is now apparently 100 percent after hiding a knee injury the past few weeks. (Just in time for Georgia! Hmm: Head games?)â†µ

â†µâ†µ— As MVP-ish as Chris Paul was last season, CP3 looks even better this season (20p/10a/8r in a Hornets W over PHX).â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Manny Ramirez to the Yankees. (No, it’s not happening ... yet, but it certainly should scare people.)â†µ

â†µâ†µ— It’s official: This was the least-watched World Series ever, down 17 percent from woeful Cards-Tigers in ‘06. (But “Game 5.5” will live forever.)â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Just two seasons after being champs, the Colts could have the AFC’s fourth-worst record, if they lose at home to the Pats on Sunday.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— UNC All-American and consensus national preseason player of the year Tyler Hansbrough is out “indefinitely” with a shin problem.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— NHL poster guy Sidney Crosby was injured last night, on a cross-check to the ribs. Gotta protect the biggest star in the league!â†µ

â†µâ†µ— “Our guys are not going to be satisfied not playing in October.” (Joe Maddon, about the Rays’ new expectations.) â†µ

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â†µCFB Weekend Preview: Call it "playoff-ish." The top two contenders of the top two conferences play each other this weekend.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe winner of Texas-Texas Tech has the inside track on the Big 12 South title (at Lubbock, it is UT’s toughest game of the season).â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Florida-Georgia winner has the inside track on the SEC East; either would likely be favored in the SEC title game. (Sorry, Bama.)â†µ

â†µâ†µIf, like, me you believe that the Big 12 and SEC champs have the most worthy resumes to meet for the national title, it’s a big day.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Weekend Preview: Wow, remember when Pats-Colts was THE rivalry in the NFL? Was it really so long ago? Feels like it.â†µ

â†µâ†µInstead, Giants-Cowboys is the Game of the Week — although given the Cowboys’ injury/offense issues, expect NY in a rout.â†µ

â†µâ†µAnd the Titans have become a weekly “must-track”: GB would have been more daunting last season; the Johnson-White combo is too much.â†µ

â†µâ†µWill fans in Philly watching the Eagles at Seattle have recovered from celebrating by Sunday? Good thing it should be a walk.â†µ

â†µâ†µOtherwise, as you look down Sunday’s schedule, it sure feels like a batch of forgettable matchups.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(You know, it’s really too bad the 49ers have a bye week. In one week, Mike Singletary has become the NFL’s most entertaining coach.)â†µ

â†µâ†µPicks: BUF, CHI, JAX, BAL, TEN, TB, STL, HOU, DEN, ATL, NYG, PHI, NE, PIT.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Must-Read: NFL Films’ Greg Cosell on the NFL at midseason. Fascinating stuff in there.â†µ

â†µâ†µNBA Instant History: Wow, do the Rockets look good with Ron Artest. Now 2-0, Houston worked over the Mavs, and Ron-Ron had 29 points (the Big 3 had 75 of Houston’s 112 points on 48 FG pct).â†µ

â†µâ†µFantasy Watch: Josh Howard doesn’t seem to have suffered any ill effects from his terrible PR offseason: 28 pts (11/19 FG), team-high 11 reb, 4 ast and a block.â†µ

â†µâ†µLakers extend Bynum: Kobe may be the MVP, but the Lakers’ future depends on young C Andrew Bynum, who just signed a four-year extension. (If Bynum was on the open market next summer, he would arguably command a “max” deal. Yeah, skipping college really hurt his career.)â†µ

â†µâ†µCFB Top 25 Last Night: Cincy took out South Florida, which should earn the Bearcats a flip-flop with the Bulls into the Top 25.â†µ

â†µâ†µMLB Hot Stove: Free agency is here. The Top five biggest prizes? (1) CC; (2) Manny, (3) K-Rod; (4) Teixeira, (5) Sheets. All are change-the-playoff-landscape players, although it remains to be seen how the bad economy will depress the dollars these guys command.â†µ

â†µâ†µYou saw the story about Manny and the Yankees at the top; consider that Sabathia could get $100 million. Hey: What recession?â†µ

â†µâ†µMLB Manager Hiring: Really, Ken Macha? Is that supposed to be considered some kind of breakthrough upgrade for Milwaukee?â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB Recruiting: Top SG prospect Kenny Boynton committed to Florida. Boynton-Calathes would be one of the nation’s best backcourts (if Calathes doesn’t turn pro early).â†µ

â†µâ†µNHL: With the above-mentioned injury to Crosby, it’s a good thing the league has Steven Stamkos, another rising star.â†µ

â†µâ†µBusiness: NFL Pro Bowl to stay in Hawaii? I cannot believe that a mainland city isn’t willing to pony up at least $4 million that Honolulu will pay to host the NFL’s all-star game.â†µ

â†µâ†µ(Whatever happened to that amazing idea to have the Pro Bowl in the Super Bowl host city on during the off-week between the conference title games and the SB? Or, better yet, on the Saturday before the SB?)â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: Happy Halloween. In past years, sports stars have made for decent costume inspiration.â†µ

â†µâ†µI mean, Rays fans who got themselves “Ray-hawk” haircuts have to do something with it, right?â†µ

â†µâ†µSuggestion: Grab a pair of heavy dark-rimmed glasses and go as Joe Maddon.â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com.â†µ

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