THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: There recently has been a lot of speculation about whether or not Missouri basketball coach Mike Anderson would leave Mizzou next year to become head coach at Alabama or Georgia. Do you believe either of those spots to be a better job than what Anderson has now at Missouri?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Missouri is clearly the best job of the three. I don’t know Anderson well on a personal level and can’t know what’s in his mind or heart. But if he is inclined to move on I would have to think that the idea of going home to Alabama is appealing to Coach and his wife. If Alabama throws a bunch of money at him the idea of a homecoming would be even sweeter. But again I can’t pretend I know what the man is thinking or whether the lure of going home to Alabama is a powerful and personal factor.

VAHE GREGORIAN
Obviously, the chance to coach in the SEC isn’t to be shrugged off, especially since Coach Anderson is from Birmingham. And maybe those programs have deeper pockets than Mizzou in terms of what they might be able to offer financially. But MU has been to more NCAA Tournaments (21, on the verge of 22) than those two programs combined (20) and reached more regional finals (four) than those two combined (one). Now that the program is back on its feet, it is regularly selling out Mizzou Arena. In short, the Tigers have better tradition and are in a far better place now — contending for Big 12 title — than the two SEC also-rans. Perhaps the temptation to go home or near home will be too much for Anderson to resist, or maybe one of the schools will make an offer he can’t turn down. But he’s already got the best of the three jobs right now.

STU DURANDO
In terms of success, Alabama has enjoyed the most this decade of the three programs, having gone to the NCAA Tournament seven times under Mark Gottfried, who resigned in the middle of this season. The Crimson Tide have dipped some in recent years but went to the tournament from 2002-06, earned a No. 1 ranking in ’03 and reached the Elite Eight in ’04. Georgia and Missouri have both been to the tournament four times since 2000 but those appearances were awhile ago. Of course, Alabama might be attractive because Anderson is from Birmingham and had success at UAB while recruiting successfully in that region of the country. That certainly would make Alabama interested in him.

But at Georgia and Alabama, the basketball programs take a backseat to the football programs, at least moreso than at Missouri. A little research showed that Missouri, Georgia and Alabama spent comparable amounts on men’s basketball during the 2007-08 season, according to data provided by each school for their equity in athletics reports. Missouri actually spent the most despite having a smaller overall athletic budget and generated the most revenue of the three. Expenditures for football at Alabama and Georgia far exceeded those at Missouri.

JEFF GORDON
Missouri is a better job, based on the long-range potential of the program. Wonderful arena, strong basketball conference, history of strong support, solid national profile, two metro areas within two hours . . . the pieces are all there. Anderson has natural ties to the SEC recruiting area, but he is proving capable of luring strong recruits to Mizzou. The one plus offered by Alabama and Georgia: Working in the shadow of SEC football affords a coach plenty of room to work.

TOM TIMMERMANN
Given the choice between living in Columbia, Mo., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Athens, Ga., I’d choose Athens hands down. It’s a great city. However, I wouldn’t choose to coach in the SEC. It’s the worst of the six BCS leagues and in just about every city, the basketball program is incidental to the football program. I think Anderson has the potential to be more successful — and over a longer period of time — at Mizzou than at either Alabama or Georgia. The others would probably throw more money his way, but they have to.

KATHLEEN NELSON
I’ve never seen the facilities at Alabama, Missouri or Georgia, so I don’t know which of the three has more comfy chairs for watching film or newer dumbbells for workouts or softer training tables — the stuff that separates great programs from good ones and seems to matter a lot to recruits. Perhaps the facilities are on equal footing. But say “Crimson Tide” or “Bulldogs” to a sports fan, and he’ll think of football. They are Football Schools. Not basketball schools. In contrast, the reputation of Missouri’s basketball program stands on a par these days with the football program. If being treated on equal footing with football is important to Anderson, he should stay.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

A FEW BLUES VIEWS:

1. Welcome to St. Louis, Danny Richmond. So now I understand why there was all the excitement about the trade deadline … who knew the Blues had the chance to land an AHL defenseman? (Yes, the deadline is still a little more than an hour away, so something else could happen.)

2. With the Blues only a few points out of a playoff spot, it’s nice that fans have had something to get excited about this late in the season. It’s been a long time. But after watching the Red Army march into the Scotty last night and completely dismantle the Blues, it was a stark reminder of how far this team has to go to compete with the league’s elite, particularly in a playoff series. I believe the Blues will reach the playoffs next year … but without adding some offensive talent, it’s going to take another two or three years for the kids to grow up before this team can trade punches with the big boys come playoff time.

3. Question: Is David Backes playing on the grind line because of his lack of production, or, is David Backes’ lack of production because he is playing on the grind line? Chicken or the egg, please? A month ago I was singing Backes’ praises as perhaps the team’s best player. In recent weeks he’s been MIA. Would the real David Backes please stand up?

DUST UP IN THE DESERT: Just a month ago Arizona Cardinal fans were celebrating their team’s wild ascension to Super Bowl contender. So many warm and fuzzy stories about the Lil’ Engine that Could and how everything was finally coming together for this franchise. Fast forward one month … MVP quarterback Kurt Warner remains unsigned and is being wooed by the division rival Niners. Star wide receiver Anquan Boldin has told the club he wants a contract extension, and if that can’t be worked out, he’d wants to be traded. And today comes the news that RB Edgerrin James has told the club he’d like to be released. That’s a lot of turmoil in one month. Perhaps that Super Bowl appearance was just a stopover at an oasis and the team will soon be banished to desert afterthought once again.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

FLIP-FLOPPING IN L.A.: Just last week the Los Angeles media was taking Manny Ramirez to task for turning down the Dodgers two-year, $45 million contract offer. Manny was selfish. Manny didn’t care about anyone but Manny. Nobody else wanted Manny so he should feel privileged by the Dodgers’ offer, etc., etc., etc. Bottom line, the L.A. media ate him up. But upon the news that Manny apparently has changed his mind, he’s just a “giggly,” good-hearted, misunderstood guy. Well, you can read yourself what T.J. Simers has to say in the L.A. Times today.

For my money, Manny’s as selfish as ever and the only reason he’s taking this deal now is because his reputation has become so unmanageable that he knows he’s not going to get a better offer from anyone else. So the L.A. media can wrap their arms around Manny today … but let’s watch how long it takes before they are dogging him in Hollywood for not hustling, pouting, etc., etc., etc.

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STAT OF THE DAY

47 — That’s the most points scored by an individual player in one NHL playoff year. Wayne Gretzky did it for the Edmonton Oilers in 1985. On their march to the Stanley Cup that year, the Oilers played just 18 games. Gretzky collected his 47 points on 17 goals and 30 assists, an average of 2.6 points per game. Wow. (Source: Hockey’s Top 100: The Game’s Greatest Records)

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Rams signed cornerback Ron Bartell to a 4-year, $28 million contract Monday. Is Bartell really a $7 million a year player?

JIM THOMAS
Any time you make a deal in the first week or so of free agency, expect to overpay. It’s just the way it works. And New Orleans was ready to step up with a very similar offer anyway. The Rams couldn’t afford to be left short at corner, a thin position depth-wise even with Bartell under contract.

BRYAN BURWELL
There is a very reliable standard in sports that determines if an athlete is worth it: Did he get it? If he did, he’s worth it. Bartell is an ascending player who deseerves the money he has gotten from the Rams.

BILL COATS
Maybe not. But when you’ve won just five games over two seasons, you’re often going to have to pay a bit more to lure — or in this case, retain — players during free agency. Bartell is the Rams’ best cover corner, and they really couldn’t afford to lose him. So, they had to pony up.

JEFF GORDON
Bartell is a very solid cornerback on a horrendous defense. He also became a free agent at just the right time — when the free-agent cornerback pool was shallow. So, sure, he is a $7 million player. The Rams had to overspend a bit to prevent another leak from forming in the team’s secondary. I don’t know if this guy will ever become an elite “shutdown” corner, but at least he had enough pride to play at a consistently good level on a team that tanked two years in a row. Not many of his teammates can say the same.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Bernie Miklasz used an impressive array of stats in Tuesday’s Post-Dispatch to prove that Bartell is in the upper echelon of cornerbacks. From that perspective, he’s worth it. I think the opposite of the hometown discount (would that be the Stay-At-Home Surcharge?) applies to the Rams. With a 5-27 record the last two years, maybe they have to pay a little more to keep talent, as well as lure talent.

TOM ACKERMAN (Sports anchor on “Total Information A.M.” on KMOX)
Bartell is a dependable cornerback, so he’s worth the market price for such a player. Domonique Foxworth, for example, recently signed with the Ravens for a similar number. Bartell’s contract is incentive-laden; he’ll have to prove that he’s a $28 million corner. I’ve always liked Bartell. He’s worked hard to develop into an NFL-caliber defensive back. He always seems to be around the ball, and that instinctive ability should help him flourish in Steve Spagnuolo’s structured defense.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

A MILE HIGH, OR JUST HIGH? Can someone please explain to me why the Denver Broncos are so eager to kick QB Jay Cutler to the curb? All the former first-round draft pick did this past season — his third in the league — was pass for 4,526 yards, 25 TDs with only 18 INTs. Oh, and he was named to his first Pro Bowl. Still, Denver totally screwed up this past weekend by including Cutler’s name in a three-team trade involving New England and Tampa Bay that would have shipped Cutler to Tampa and brought Patriots QB Matt Cassell to Denver … where he could work with new head coach and former Pats offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel.

Personally, I wouldn’t trade Cutler and his rocket arm straight up for the dink-and-dunk quarterbacking of Cassell, who by the way hadn’t started a game since high school before taking over for Tom Brady when he went down last year. And if including Cutler’s name in those trade talks wasn’t insult enough for the young QB, now word from the Minneapolis Star Tribune is that the Vikings are interested in attaining Cutler and talks are believed to be ongoing.

I just don’t get it. If the Broncos were to deal Cutler, their QB depth chart would consist of Patrick Ramsey (failure everywhere he’s been) and Darrell Hackney (really, Darrell Hackney?) As a rookie head coach, McDaniels made a major blunder causing this fissure with his 25-year-old franchise QB so soon after his arrival in Denver. Perhaps they’ll kiss and make up for P.R. reasons, but you can’t tell me Cutler’s now not going to want to take the first train out of Denver asap … and who can blame him?

If I’m missing something here, I’d love to have someone explain it to me.

SPEAKING OF QBS: Former St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is getting the red-carpet treatment from the San Francisco 49ers as they try to lure him to yet another NFC West division rival. Warner reportedly has been offered a two-year, $20 million contract to return to the Cardinals, but according to the San Francisco Chronicle is seeking closer to $30 million for two years, a salary cap number the Niners could easily accommodate. How much is a two-time MVP and Super Bowl winning quarterback worth? Stay tuned to find out. Meanwhile, check out the royal treatment Kurt and Brenda received in San Francisco.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

BLUES, WINGS AND THE TRADE DEADLINE: I’ve read and heard a lot lately saying the decision of whether the Blues are buyers or sellers at tomorrow’s trade deadline depends largely on how they perform tonight against Detroit. I don’t really understand that rationale, and frankly, hope it’s not true. With 19 games remaining after tonight, why would this one game against the Wings carry such import? Are the Blues supposed to prove tonight they can hang with the likes of Detroit? Well maybe they can for one night, but I don’t think that necessarily signals this is a playoff team, and it certainly isn’t an indicator of whether or not they could actually contend if they were to make the playoffs. All year long we’ve heard coach Andy Murray say to not look forward, don’t watch the standings and the only thing that’s important is that the team gets two points in their next game. So why would emotions run so high for tonight’s game that one would make club-altering decisions based on this singular outcome? Makes no sense to me. But as I’ve said before, I’m no GM, so perhaps the “experts” see something here that I don’t.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll be at the Scotty tonight and am looking forward to a rowdy crowd and great game. And who wouldn’t want to see the Blues pull one off under such circumstances? I just don’t see the logic in basing anything about the club’s future on the outcome of this one game. I’m just sayin’.

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STAT OF THE DAY

38 — Most home runs hit by a player in his first season. That distinction is held by Frank Robinson and Wally Berger — both hit 38 home runs in their first seasons. Many folks mistakenly think it’s Mark McGwire, who belted 49 HRs during his rookie season in 1987. However, while McGwire holds the rookie record, 1987 wasn’t his first season. He had 53 at-bats in 1986.

Here’s a look at the top 10 players who hit the most home runs in their “first” season:

Player/HRs/Year

1. Frank Robinson/38/1956
2. Wally Berger/38/1930
3. ALBERT PUJOLS/37/2001
4. Ryan Braun/34/2007
5. Jimmie Hall/33/1963
6. Ted Williams/31/1939
7. Pete Incaviglia/30/1986
8. Joe DiMaggio/29/1936
9. Evan Longoria/27/2008
10. Dan Uggla/27/2006
(Source: Baseballreference.com)

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Today’s Super Bowl edition of Round Two asks our writers a three-pronged question.

1. Who will win the Super Bowl and why?
2. Final score?
3. Who wins MVP?

Here’s what they say:

JIM THOMAS
PITTSBURGH: Too much defense and more offense than given credit for.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 31, Arizona 20
MVP: Ben Roethlisberger

BERNIE MIKLASZ
ARIZONA: It will be a game of pressure. All week, the Steelers have stressed that their No. 1 priority is to get after Cards QB Kurt Warner and disrupt the timing of the AZ offense. The Steelers linebackers will apply pressure by banging those AZ receivers as they come off the line to get into their patterns. The Cardinals will apply pressure by spreading those WRs out, finding the middle seams in the 3-4, and exploiting the open spaces created by the blitz. It’s all about Warner making quick reads and getting the ball out of there, and I think he’s on top of his game right now. FINAL SCORE: Arizona 24, Pittsburgh 20
MVP: Kurt Warner — I have to go with Warner. Predictable, I know. But the man does hold the record for most passing yards in a Super Bowl (414) and he’s going to have all kinds of opportunities to make plays in this one.

BILL COATS
PITTSBURGH: The Cardinals haven’t seen the likes of the Pittsburgh defense. And I’ll take a great defense over a great offense in any championship game.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 24, Arizona 17
MVP: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu becomes a two-pronged weapon, helping to snuff the Arizona run game and helping keep the passing attack in control.

JOE STRAUSS
PITTSBURGH: Warner outplays Big Ben but turnovers lead to two Steeler scores. They’re the difference in a compelling Circus Maximus.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 26, Arizona 21
MVP: Troy Polamalu

RICK HUMMEL
PITTSBURGH: The Steelers win because noted defensive coach Dick LeBeau will have had two weeks to prepare for the Cardinals.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 19, Arizona 13
MVP: James Harrison

JEFF GORDON
ARIZONA: Real experts expect the mighty Steelers defense to stuff Arizona’s ground game, pound Kurt Warner, force a million turnovers and win going away. But I prefer to keep my seat on the Warner Bandwagon.
FINAL SCORE: Arizona 24, Pittsburgh 20
MVP: Kurt Warner

GERRY FRALEY
PITTSBURGH: Go back to late September, when Arizona played at the New York Jets. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner came apart in the face of the Jets’ relentless pass rush. Warner took five sacks and threw three interceptions and had four fumbles in the 56-35 loss. That could happen again on Sunday. In James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh has the best pair of outside linebackers in the Super Bowl since the New York Giants turned Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks loose on Denver in 1987. Harrison and Woodley combined for 27 ½ sacks in the regular season. They have five in the post-season, four by the super-charged Woodley.

Pittsburgh’s Dick LeBeau, a master defensive coordinator, will do everything possible to enable Harrison and Woodley to harass Warner. The more often they get to Warner, the more likely he is to cough up the ball. In his last 33 games, Warner has 24 fumbles when sacked, losing 13. He also has seven multi-interception games in that span.

Arizona backers are thinking with their heart. Pittsburgh backers are thinking with their wallet. The wallet wins.

FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 30, Arizona 13
MVP: LaMarr Woodley

REID LAYMANCE
PITTSBURGH: The Steelers have just as many playmakers as the Cardinals, except Pittsburgh’s are on defense.
FINAL SCORE: Pittsburgh 21, Arizona 17
MVP: Troy Polamalu

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

THE TEN WORST: It warmed my heart to run across this piece in the New York Daily News where they explore the ten worst Super Bowl teams of all-time. First, because a Patriots team was included. Second, because it was the 1986 version of the Pats that my beloved Chicago Bears slapped, battered and bruised to the tune of a 46-10 beatdown. I can still hear the Super Bowl Shuffle … “You’re lookin’ at the Fridge and I’m a rookie, I may be large but I’m no dumb cookie …” They just don’t write lyrics like that anymore. But I digress, take a look at Daily News ten worst and cast your vote.

EX-TEAMMATES TURNING ON BONDS? ESPN is reporting that Bobby Estalella, a former teammate of Barry Bonds in San Francisco, is expected to provide testimony during a trial next month that supports the government’s contention that Bonds knowingly took steroids. Don’t be surprised to see a few more subpoenas issued to guys from the Giants clubhouse … or, perhaps even guys coming forward on their own. Remember, Bonds wasn’t the most popular guy on the team. His private TV and reclining lounger in the clubhouse, not to mention his reported arrogance even with his own teammates, irked many. This could end up being a case of what goes around comes around.

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THINGS TO PONDER

IT’S COOL, MON: According to the Associated Press, Japanese sumo wrestler Shinichi Suzukawa was arrested and accused of marijuana possession today, the fourth wrestler in the country’s ancient sport to be implicated in a widening drug scandal.

What, you thought those guys got that big naturally? It takes a whole lot of Twinkies and Doritos to put on those kind of pounds.

COBWEBS ON THE BRAIN: I think I remember seeing the Blues give up two late goals and losing a game last night. Perhaps I’m just having recurring memories from a season-long pattern of games lost late. Or perhaps my memory is fuzzy because I hoisted two extra cold ones to mourn those two late goals at an Edwardsville establishment known as Mr. Norton’s Basement. I’m not really sure what happened, but I do know when I put my head on my pillow last night I had visions of John Tavares donning the Blue Note dancing through my head. The glass remains half-full in my little fantasy world.

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SUPER BOWL STAT

1 — Number of athletes to appear in a Super Bowl AND a World Series. Neon Deion Sanders. He played with the Cowboys in the Super Bowl on this date in 1994. “Primetime” also appeared in the 1992 World Series with the Atlanta Braves.

THINGS TO PONDER

CURSES FOR KURT: Sorry, Arizona Cardinal fans, but Sports Illustrated has planted Kurt Warner on the cover of this week’s magazine. You know what that means, right? The dreaded SI curse. I couldn’t find a picture of the cover on the Sports Illustrated Web site, but you can see it here at the Arizona Republic.

Speaking of Sports Illustrated, you should check out their article on “Why Warner is better QB than Manning.”

NEVER TOO MUCH MO: As Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak chats live with readers at STLtoday.com, taking on their questions about this offseason and this year’s team, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com has just posted a story that takes a look at Mo and Cardinal Nation, in general. Here’s how Crasnick’s story kicks off: “Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak makes for an easy target. He’s a bookish-looking guy with an understated demeanor, a self-deprecating sense of humor and a name that’s difficult to pronounce (Mo-ZAY-lock). He succeeded Walt Jocketty, one of the most accomplished executives in the game, and works alongside a manager, Tony La Russa, who wields considerable clout and isn’t afraid to express his opinions.”

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

MEET THE RAMS NEW O-MAN: Pat Shurmer, who has been the Eagles quarterbacks coach for the past seven seasons, is not a name that was on my radar as the Rams next offensive coordinator. But a look at the Eagles media guide points out a few interesting tidbits on Shurmer:

• He has helped Donovan McNabb earn three of his five Pro Bowl berths, including in 2004 when McNabb turned in his most productive season. (And it’s no secret that Rams QB Marc Bulger could use a little tutoring right now.)

• In 2002 Shurmer earned praise around the league when McNabb and backup QB Koy Detmer both went down with injuries. In came third-stringer A.J. Feeley and the Eagles went 4-1 down the stretch. (We don’t even know who the Rams backup QB will be this coming season.)

• Little-known fact: Shurmer’s uncle, the late Fritz Shurmur, served as the Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator from 1994-98, when the team earned two NFC championships and a Super Bowl title. (So perhaps Pat Shurmer can even help out the Rams defense, too.)

AND NOW MEET THE RAMS NEW D-MAN: Gotta admit, didn’t know much about Panthers LB coach Ken Flajole either, before Jim Thomas reported this morning that he will be the Rams new defensive coordinator. A few facts on Flajole:

• As defensive backs coach with Seattle in 1999, Flajole’s secondary led the NFL with 30 interceptions. (O.J. Atogwe has to be licking his chops somewhere today.)

• In his first year as LB coach with Carolina in 2003, his linebackers became a focal point for the team. Dan Morgan set a club record with 25 tackles in Super Bowl XXXVIII and Will Witherspoon had a career-high 114 regular-season tackles that season. (Perhaps now we’ll see Witherspoon move back to his natural position at outside linebacker for the Rams.)

• Little-known fact: Flajole has a Missouri connection already; he was an assistant coach at Mizzou from 1989-93.

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STAT OF THE DAY

351 — All-time record of career home runs hit by a second baseman, recorded by Jeff Kent, who announced his retirement today. That’s 74 more than second place Ryne Sandberg. In all, Kent hit 377 career homers (351 while playing 2B.)

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SORRY FOLKS: We had a lot of issues on our blogs today. For that reason, I’ve pulled the main Round Two Watercooler topic that was slated for today to save for discussion tomorrow. Please tune back in tomorrow to get our writers’ take on Ryan Ludwick’s chances of reproducing last season’s success.

THE WATERCOOLER
(Post-Dispatch columnists and beat writers share their thoughts on a question of the day.)

Question: Does Mizzou stand any chance against Oklahoma in this Saturday’s Big 12 title game? Why or why not? And how about a final score?

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Mizzou is facing a long night at Arrowhead. No chance. OU is highly motivated to advance to the national championship game. And on top of that, coach Bob Stoops and the Sooners will want to shut up critics who insist that Texas should be in this game instead. On the Mizzou side, Gary Pinkel has never beaten a team of Oklahoma’s caliber, and the Tigers are hopeless on defense. At least the parking lots will empty early. Final score: Oklahoma 62, Missouri 28.

BRYAN BURWELL
Of course they have a chance. It’s a slim one because the Sooners are playing as good as any team in the country right now, and Mizzou historically does not do well against OU’s bigger and more physical players. But under Bob Stoops, OU does have a habit of losing at least one big game that they shouldn’t, so maybe this is that one. Final score: Oklahoma 61, Mizzou 35.

JOE STRAUSS
Mizzou has an outstanding chance if Jeremy Maclin’s hip heals, Chase Daniel finds a cure for happy feet against the Sooner defensive front, the Tiger special teams go crazy, Coach P. doesn’t leave timeouts on the clock, Sam Bradford can’t hold the ball and Benny Hinn lays hands on the secondary. Oklahoma is good enough to compete in the SEC, maybe even beat Alabama (but not Florida). It’s going to take more than a few “nifty ball plays” for the Tigers to avoid tumbling from the Top 25. In a closer than expected outcome: Sooners 41, El Tigres 27. Remember the Alamo!!!

JIM THOMAS
When I watch the Mizzou defense, I feel like I’m watching the Rams. Namely, blitzes that don’t get there and lots of blown coverages in the secondary, complete with defensive backs pointing aimlessly into space, wondering what happened. Can’t see Mizzou hanging with this bunch. Final score: Oklahoma 52, Mizzou 24.

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MIDDAY HEADLINES AND QUESTIONS TO PONDER

PLAX SURRENDERS: New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress surrendered to police in Manhattan today to face a charge of handgun possession. Burress turned himself in three days after a gun he was allegedly carrying discharged and wounded him in the leg while he was at a New York nightclub. According to the New York Times Web site, Burress didn’t have a license to carry a gun in New York or New Jersey, where he lives. New York state law carries a sentence of up to 15 years for anyone convicted of carrying a weapon without a permit if it’s determined the person was going to use the weapon to harm someone, and up to seven years if intent to use can’t be proved. (More on Plax below)

MORE MASON TO COME? As reported by Jeremy Rutherford in today’s Post-Dispatch, Blues goalie Chris Mason has allowed just four goals on 134 shots in his past four games, lowering his goals-against average to 2.29 from 3.59 and improving his save percentage to .928 from .878. Against Atlanta on Sunday, he surrendered two goals on 30 shots, perhaps making a case to be the regular starter. Blues management and coaches were not happy with comments regular starter Manny Legace made after Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Edmonton. “I need some help out there,” Legace said. (Now I know the defense hasn’t played great of late, but I’m thinking a goalie needs to be worried more about what’s getting behind him than what’s going on in front of him.)

FAN FOR LIFE, AND DEATH: According to the Associated Press, lifelong Red Sox fans can now take their love of the team to the next level — eternity. A Massachusetts funeral home recently took delivery of the first Red Sox casket, which features the team logo on the exterior as well as the inside. Bob Biggins, co-director of Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home in Rockland, told The Boston Globe that families in mourning often want their loved ones buried with favorite items. In the past that’s included Red Sox paraphernalia; the casket takes it to the next step. (How long until the Yankees offer a similar casket with the words “Boston sucks even here” on it in an effort to continue taunting Bosox fans on the Other Side.)

IRISH WAKE: Can anyone explain to me what the heck has happened at Notre Dame? How does a school with that much history and tradition finds itself a mediocre-at-best program? Charlie Weis has seven years remaining on a 10-year contract and it’s looking like the ax could fall on him any day. Bob Davie obviously wasn’t the guy to follow Lou Holtz. Ty Willingham did alright but got chased quickly from South Bend. Are there any logical reasons this school can no longer recruit like it once did? And is there a high-profile, successful coach out there that would come to a school where so much is demanded from the football program and so much needs to be done to get them on course? I’m throwing this one to the masses because all the experts I listen to sure don’t seem to have the answers.

ALL HAIL THE CHIEFS: Rams fans should be elated with the Kansas City Chiefs victory on Sunday. That brings the Chiefs record even with the Rams at 2-10 — for those keeping track for 2009 draft purposes. Better yet, the Chiefs are showing signs of improvement, so the Rams may yet move ahead of them in the draft order. Since the Rams still go head-to-head with the 2-10 Seahawks, it’s a toss-up who wins that draft battle. I think it’s safe to say the 0-12 Lions have secured the No. 1 pick (with Matt Millen gone, any chance they still take another WR?). And at 1-10-1 and showing no pulse, the Bengals would have to be the frontrunner for the second pick. So the Rams could be looking at anywhere from picks 3 through 6. If they do as well at next year’s draft as they did with Chris Long at No. 2 last year, perhaps there is a ray of light.

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SOME THINGS I THINK I THINK

ANQUAN’S THE MAN: There are players who want to tell you how good they are (think T.O., Ocho Stinko), and then there are players who just show you how good they are. One that clearly falls into the Show Me category is Arizona WR Anquan Boldin.

Boldin, you may recall, showed up at training camp this year and lashed out at the club for failing to follow through on what he said was a promise for a new deal. (Notice though, that he SHOWED UP at camp.) No new deal was forthcoming. Boldin, one of the league’s most consistent receivers in recent years, didn’t sulk like many of today’s athletes are apt to do, vowing instead that his unhappiness with his contract wouldn’t affect his play.

And you know what? It hasn’t. Through this weekend’s games Boldin leads all WRs in the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions (his more heralded teammate Larry Fitzgerald is tied for second with four other receivers at eight), he ranks fourth in receptions at 78 and ranks seventh in total receiving yards at 942.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Boldin is doing his job weekly with eight plates in his face and wiring in his jaw. Boldin missed two and half weeks after he suffered a fractured sinus and other facial injuries following a fierce hit by the New York Jets’ Eric Smith on Sept. 28 — a hit that cost Smith a $50,000 fine and a one-game suspension. Boldin underwent surgery, with doctors inserting eight plates to repair his face and wiring to align his bite — yet he has still found a way to play.

“I’m still in awe of what he does on a weekly basis, and what he’s done since he’s come back from that injury,” quarterback Kurt Warner said. “Just a special individual.” I couldn’t agree more, Kurt.

Teams can come up with marketing campaigns like “Bring It” all they want — and every club in every league does it — but I contend that if you had more players that “bring it” with the heart and skill that Boldin does week in and week out, perhaps you’d put fannies in the seats without the catchy slogans. Boldin should provide gut-check fodder for every player in the NFL.

If I could have one WR to build a team around, Boldin would be the man. You got somebody better? Make your case.

POOR PLAX: If someone were seriously injured after an incident like this, I wouldn’t touch it. But since Burress apparently walked into court Monday without as much as a limp, according to reports, I can’t help myself. It’s easy to become immune to news about athletes smacking women around or spitting in their faces at nightclubs, or athletes involved in shootings that leave people paralyzed, or even athletes convicted of murder. It’s all happened in recent years, some times repeatedly. So I guess the only thing I can say about the alleged Plax shooting is this: At least he hurt no one but himself … perhaps that kind of self-policing can be the best thing for sports’ bad boys.

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STAT OF THE DAY

GUESS THAT QUARTERBACK: A former Pro Bowler put up these numbers yesterday — 15 of 21 passing for 125 yards, two interceptions, and zero TDs. No, it’s not Marc Bulger. Those are the stats of once-mighty Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning. RB Joseph Addai can’t stay healthy (sound familiar?) and WR Marvin Harrison is getting old (sound familiar?) And in the wake of that, Manning is starting to look rather ordinary.