THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Do you think Missouri or Illinois has the better chance of winning its conference tournament this weekend?

VAHE GREGORIAN

I think Illinois has a better chance of getting to championship game, and if so anything can happen there. Still, can’t quite see the Illini getting by Michigan State if that’s their opponent. Meanwhile, just hard to believe MU can beat Oklahoma for a second time — in Oklahoma City — and then beat Kansas again. 

BRYAN BURWELL

Both Missouri and Illinois will face a tough challenge winning their respective conference tournaments, but I give the edge to Illinois for one reason: In order for the Tigers to win the Big 12, they will likely face Oklahoma in the semifinals and that will essentially be a home game for the Sooners in Oklahoma City.

STU DURANDO

Missouri already has beaten the two biggest threats in Kansas and Oklahoma and that could give the Tigers a mental edge. But the possibility of having to beat those teams on consecutive days might be too much to ask. Illinois has proven capable of beating most anyone in the Big Ten but was not up to the task against Michigan State, either at home or on the road. So, I don’t see either team winning their tournament.

TOM TIMMERMANN

I think Missouri has a better shot. They have shown they can beat the top teams in the Big 12 and I think it’s more likely to see top teams cleared out of the way in the Big 12. Mizzou might only have to play one of the league’s heavyweights. (Of course, they could also lose their first game, but we’re dealing with percentages here.) Meanwhile, Illinois fails my 35-point test: No team can win its conference tournament if it scores less than 35 points in a game.

JEFF GORDON

Neither is a great candidate to win their conference tournament. But Illinois has to have a better chance because Missouri can REALLY struggle away from home. The Tigers are totally different outside of Mizzou Arena. At home, the Tigers feed off their crowd and exploit that advantage. On the road, their opponents do a much better job keeping their composure in the face of pressure. At a neutral site, I don’t see the Tigers beating Oklahoma or Kansas.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

GIVE ME THE FRENCH-CANADIAN: It’s definitely true that sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t make. And I think the Blues made the right decision not packaging David Perron in any trade deadline deals. And this is not a knee-jerk reaction to the kid’s two goals last night. It’s based on what I see his long-term potential being for this club.

Let’s face it, the Blues currently are not ready for an open-ice style of play, which is a style that will work to Perron’s benefit someday. There’s just too much inexperience (youth) among the forwards and the club does not currently have its full arsenal of puck-moving defensemen to consistently start clean breaks out of their zone.

But it’s coming. Carlo Colaiacovo has shown he’s got very good offensive skills for a defenseman (a trade well made), and Roman Polak has surprised most of us with what he’s brought to the parent club this year. And next year, of course, the Blues will welcome back “The Franchise,” defenseman Erik Johnson, who may develop into one of the top puck-moving defensemen in the league.

Furthermore, next season David Backes becomes a de facto veteran and one that has shown a very good all-around game this year. Jay McClement has the speed to move and offers just enough of a threat to keep team’s honest. Alex Steen is showing promise. And, T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund will be a year older and a year better. That’s a pretty good corps to build a team that offers more speed, without giving up any real grit.

Which brings me back to David Perron. This kid may be the best stick handler on the team. He’s got mad moves and a nose for the net. With so many other weapons more seasoned and gelling next season, I would expect Perron to lift his game to another level. (Not that his 11 goals and 29 assists are anything to scoff at.)

Keep in mind Perron is just 20 years old. There is a lot of room for growth remaining for this guy. I would expect a closer correlation of goals-to-assists in the near future. Is he a bit cocky? Sure. But I like it. He knows he can play. As long as Perron doesn’t become a divisive presence on the team (which there’s been no indication of), he can be as cock-sure as his stick will allow him, in my opinion.

Last night’s first goal by Perron showed a kid who is growing up. The play not only had sizzle, but the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Perron also showed his heart, outmuscling (yeah, I said it, Perron outmuscled) 6-3, 214-pound Nicklas Grossman around the corner before moving the puck to his forehand and banging home a top-shelfer.

The St. Louis Blues have asked fans this year to “Come Grow With Us.” The fans have complied and bought in. Dealing away a young asset like Perron would have sent the wrong message. Sit back and enjoy watching him grow up … along with a host of other young talents on this team. When Perron hits 22, 23, 24 years old, if he’s playing in any sweater not displaying the Blue Note, fans here will be sorry.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

THIS BILLS FAN HAS HAD ENOUGH: Everyone has got their own opinion about Terrell Owens joining the Buffalo Bills, but this video someone sent me from the Dallas Morning News website takes the cake. Be forewarned, it’s a little off-color, but as long as you’re not too easily offended, it’s hilarious. Check it out.

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DID YOU KNOW?

HOCKEY WITHOUT ICE: Octopush is an underwater hockey game that was introduced in South Africa in the 1960. The players wear skin-diving equipment, use mini-hockey sticks and a regular puck. Other than that, they follow all the rules of hockey … on the floor of a pool.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Assuming good health, how close do you think Ryan Ludwick will come to matching last year’s productivity, which included 37 HRs, 113 RBIs and a .299 average?

DERRICK GOOLD
Ryan Ludwick can have a better season in 2009 and not come near the numbers or the accolades of his breakout year in 2008. That said, the number he’ll come closest to duplicating — and likely surpassing — is that RBI total. More games and more opportunities coupled with a more prominent spot in the middle of the Cardinals’ order will give him a ample chance to repeat as a 100-RBI outfielder, even with a drop in homers and average.

RICK HUMMEL
If Ludwick hits 25 homers and drives in 90 it still will be a good year. He probably isn’t a .300 hitter. Put him down for .275.

JEFF GORDON
Ryan is a grinder. He kept making adjustments last season. He will punish bad pitching and get lots of breaks against tough righties. So I see him hitting .280 with 30 homers and 95 RBI. La Russa will want to spread it around to keep any one of these guys from getting exposed.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
His history suggests that his batting average may come down a bit. Ludwick has a .270 career average in the big leagues and he was a .273 hitter in 2,780 at-bats in the minors, so something around .270-.280 would be logical for ’09.

I don’t expect his home run total to slip much, if at all. Ludwick has never hit fewer than 24 home runs in any pro season during which he’s picked up at least 400 at-bats and he’s hit a home run every 18.1 at-bats in the Major Leagues. It’s fair to assume he’ll get more at-bats in ’09 than he did in ’08 because he really didn’t cement himself as an “everyday player” right away last year. He enters this season with that distinction and should get 40-50 more at-bats as a result.

I think he’s a little better than his “career pace” indicates, so I think it’s safe to count on Ludwick for 35 bombs. His RBI total will depend on where he hits in the lineup. If he’s hitting 2nd a lot his RBI total will dip but if he spends the year hitting 4th or 5th I think he’ll top 100 RBI.

My projections: .275, 35 HR, 110 RBI, .350 OBP, .550 SLG, .900 OPS

TOM ACKERMAN (Sports anchor of “Total Information A.M.” on KMOX)
Ludwick is capable of putting up similar numbers, but I think it’s asking a lot. Never underestimate the value of scouting reports. Teams have compiled enough video to know his hot and cold zones. Ludwick should have ample protection in the lineup and plenty of RBI chances, so he’ll be close to those All-Star stats.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

BUT I’M A-ROD: Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News has a hilarious column on Alex Rodriguez showing up today for his hip surgery in Arizona. In Bondy’s world, A-Rod would be treated just the same as the rest of us in today’s American health care system. Here’s a quick sampling of his column:

A-Rod: I’m here for my surgery.

(No answer.)

A-Rod: I’m here for my surgery, with Dr. Philippon.

Clerk: Just a minute. (into telephone) Peggy, I have someone here. I’ll have to call you back.

A-Rod: I’m A-Rod.

Clerk: Is this your first time here, Mr. Rod? Fill out these seven forms.”

If you want a good mid-afternoon chuckle, you should check out his column.

L.T. SHOULD GO TO BIG EASY: The San Diego Chargers and five-time, Pro-Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson continue to haggle over terms that would keep Tomlinson with the team this season. Tomlinson, who has three years remaining on an eight-year contract he signed in 2004, is being asked to take a pay cut to remain with the team after suffering through an injury-plagued season in 2008 when he had a career low 292 rushing attempts and 1,110 yards. The Chargers apparently feel comfortable asking L.T. to take the pay cut after putting a franchise tag on running back Darren Sproles, which guarantees Sproles will be paid at least the average of the games top five running backs.

San Diego is the only home Tomlinson has ever known, but if I had produced the way he has for the Chargers the past eight years and had other teams pursuing me (reportedly the New Orleans Saints), I’d go ahead and kick the dust of San Diego off my heels and head south. Furthermore, I’d feel totally disrespected by the team franchising a scatback like Sproles while asking L.T. to take a cut. Here’s hoping L.T. decides to join a backfield with Drew Brees and continues to light up the league for another couple years. That would be poetic justice, as it was the Chargers that sent Brees packing a few years back in a similar scenario — and we’ve all seen Brees’ aerial attack for the Saints. Imagine if he had L.T. in that backfield to help him out.

THINGS TO PONDER

RETURN TO THE ROAD: Former NBA star Charles Barkley has been released from jail after serving his three-day sentence on a drunken-driving conviction. Everyone be careful out there.

TRENT EDWARDS IS T.O.’S NEXT VICTIM: The Buffalo Bills have just mortgaged their future. They’ve taken on a 35-year-old wide receiver by the name of Terrell Owens, formerly known as one of the best WRs in the game and currently known as the guy who has served as a divisive force in three different NFL locker rooms. I’m sure the lure of T.O. is hard to pass up, but the Bills have just washed away the future of young QB Trent Edwards. Owens will devour Edwards, who will be entering just his third NFL season in 2009. Owens has thrown his previous three QBs under the bus, including Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo. And those are three pretty high-profile QBs. How is a young guy like Trent Edwards going to handle T.O. in his face demanding the ball? And what about the chemistry Edwards already has with the team’s No. 1 WR Lee Evans? This has disaster written all over it, and not just for the Buffalo Bills. Specifically, it likely will come at the expense of destroying the psyche and ego of a pretty good young QB in Edwards. I’m really surprised conservative coach Dick Jauron signed off on this one.

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STAT OF THE DAY

4 DEGREES OF SEPARATION — I found this cool tool called the “Oracle” on baseball-reference.com that allows you to link any two major league players by a shortest possible list of teammates. By just punching in their names, I was able to connect Stan Musial to Albert Pujols in just four degrees of separation. Here they are:

1. Stan Musial played with Dick Schofield for the 1953 St. Louis Cardinals
2. Dick Schofield played with Jerry Reuss for the 1971 St. Louis Cardinals
3. Jerry Reuss played with Bobby Bonilla for the 1990 Pittsburgh Pirates
4. Bobby Bonilla played with Albert Pujols for the 2001 St. Louis Cardinals

If you wanna have a little fun with some of your favorite players of the past and present, check out this site.

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Who do you think will win the MVC tournament this weekend AND which darkhorse team wouldn’t surprise you if they jumped up and made some noise in the tourney?

VAHE GREGORIAN
Creighton has the mojo and the been-there-before to win the MVC. As for darkhorses, this is one of those years where I would be very surprised if the title game is anyone but Creighton and Northern Iowa, the top two seeds, and can’t imagine any team winning beyond No. 3 Illinois State or No. 4 Bradley. But it might be good for the Valley if someone else did.

BRYAN BURWELL
No.1 seed Creighton has the one thing none of the other MVC teams have — a 10-deep roster that becomes a huge strength at tournament time. However the team that intrigues me the most is Illinois State. They ought to have a huge chip on their shoulder after last year’s disappointing show in the finals that cost them a trip to the NCAA’s.

BILL COATS
Although Northern Iowa is the No. 1 seed, Creighton is the best team in the field. As for a darkhorse, let’s go with Indiana State. The Sycamores’ victory over Drake on Thursday night marked their seventh win in their last eight games. They’re hot at the right time.

KATHLEEN NELSON
Creighton has won 10 straight and is peaking at the perfect time. The Jays were clicking on all cylinders when they mashed the Salukis in Carbondale a couple weeks ago and looked just as strong holding off Illinois State in the final regular-season game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Illinois State make a run, though. Led by “Mad Men” head-honcho look-alike Tim Jankovich, the Redbirds started the season 14-0 but lost the final three games of the conference season. If they get preseason MVP Osiris Eldridge out of his funk, the Redbirds could surprise the rest of the Valley.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME: So you’re rubbing nickels together in a tough economy and wondering when things will break your way. Well, Rick Reilly offers up one bright spot in his column on ESPN.com, letting readers know the many different ways you can get into big games cheap right now while folks are unloading their tickets. Check out his ideas and see if any of them might work for you.

HOMEGROWN HEROES: The New York Daily news has put together a special feature on their website highlighting the greatest sports figures to come out of New York. This is not sports legends that necessarily played for New York pro teams … these are hometown products who went on to achieve great things. Take a look at the list, it’s pretty cool. What St. Louisans would fit on such a list here?

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STAT OF THE DAY

1,848 — With all the talk of Torry Holt and Terrell Owens this week, I thought we’d cap it off with a look at the most yards gained in an NFL season by a wide receiver. The leader, of course, is Jerry Rice with 1,848. Here’s a look at the top three performances:

1. Jerry Rice, 1,848 yards, San Francisco, 1995
2. ISAAC BRUCE, 1,781 yards, St. Louis, 1995
3. Charley Hennigan, 1,746 yards, Houston, 1961

Source: NFL Record and Fact Book

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: With Drew Bennett already cut and now Torry Holt asking for his release, how early do you see the St. Louis Rams targeting a wide receiver in this year’s draft? Are there still quality options after Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin are gone, or will the Rams have to consider striking early for a quality WR?

JIM THOMAS
Let’s see what the rest of free agency brings, but there aren’t really many options left, at least younger ones. As for the draft, the problem with taking a wide receiver at No. 2 overall is that you still need an offensive tackle. If the Rams opt for a receiver at the top of the second round, Kenny Britt of Rutgers and Brian Robiskie of Ohio State are possibilities.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
Barring a trade or free-agent signing, the Rams will have to make WR a priority in the draft. If they don’t go for Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree in the first round — hopefully after trading down — they’ll have to take a hard look at WR in Round 2. But they can’t pass on a better player at another position. They can’t force it. Finding a taller more physical receiver might have to wait for next year’s wish list.

JEFF GORDON
Crabtree is an option, of course, but LB Aaron Curry looks like a great pick for the defensive side — and you have to believe Spags will push for him. The Rams are going to run a ground-control offense. This will be a run-first team. Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton both have nice upsides. The free-agent wide receiver pool isn’t great, but the Rams ought to at least add depth with a veteran and then pick somebody later in the draft for more depth.

KATHLEEN NELSON
I think the Rams first might try to get one of the geezer wideouts to provide a little stability. Drafting a first-rounder and throwing him immediately into the fire would be unfair to the draftee. Remember when the Rams drafted Torry Holt? Isaac Bruce was the man, and Holt had a role model from whom to learn. I wonder how Torry would have fared as the undisputed No. 1. I’d bet not as well as he did; Bruce took the pressure off Holt

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

HOLT AMONG GAME’S ELITE? I heard a ridiculous discussion on the radio last night about whether or not Torry Holt was one of the game’s “great” receivers during his time in the league. Are you kidding me? As Jim Thomas pointed out in his story today, Holt, the No. 6 overall pick in the 1999 draft, has caught more passes (817) for more yards (11,872) than any receiver in the NFL this decade. Need more perspective … Thomas provided it. Over Holt’s 10-year career, his average of 80.1 yards per game is the highest for any WR in league history. At the age of 32, Holt is 11th overall in career receptions (869) and 14th in career receiving yards (12,660). It’s guaranteed he’ll continue to build on those career numbers and move on up the list.

Anyone who looks at those numbers and doesn’t believe Torry Holt has been one of the league’s elite receivers over the last decade should just stop watching football. Right now. Turn it off. Watch rugby.

Now, with that said, it’s hard to say if the Rams would be making a mistake to cut Holt now. He is coming off his worst season ever. But generally speaking, WRs don’t necessarily deteriorate at the age-30 plateau as quickly as, say, RBs. Many WRs continue to put up decent numbers into their mid-30s. And how many of Holt’s reduced numbers in 2008 were a product of him losing a step, and how many of them were the product of a completely dysfunctional offense where the QB spent more time on his back than on his feet?

There are no easy answers here, and I believe Holt has played his last game as a Ram. But rather than celebrating his departure, I think Rams fans should celebrate all he gave this team for 10 years. Other than grumbling a bit at the end of last season as he was worked out of the offense, Holt was always a classy guy. There is no arguing the production he put up while here.

IT ALL STARTED WITH MADONNA: Long before the steroid revelations and the tearful apologies, I told you the A-Rod kingdom would fall sooner than expected … and it was because of the bad mojo he brought on himself for dating Madonna. Now, just days after saying A-Rod had a cyst on his hip that needed to be checked out, ESPN is reporting that Rodriguez needs surgery and will be out up to 10 weeks. This is the same cyst that earlier this week Yankees manager Joe Girardi said A-Rod had played with all last season. Of course, ESPN doesn’t have the news nailed down yet, and they are sourcing the story completely on something A-Rod’s brother said. So we’ll have to wait and see what’s really going on here.

I’m just thinking out loud here, but if I had a relationship with Madonna and I had a “cyst” on my hip, I’d be asking doctors to do all kinds of tests on that thing to find out exactly what it is. I’m just sayin’.

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

CAN YOU IMAGINE? So we’re sitting here in the office this morning discussing Terrell Owen’s divorce from the Dallas Cowboys. Trouble has followed T.O. everywhere he’s been, like Schleprock in the Flintstones who always walked around with the dark cloud over his head. That said, his prolific numbers keep teams coming back for more. Which team, we wondered, would take a chance on T.O. My first thought was crazy Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders … but with a young coach and young QB, that might be too much for even the Raiders. And then this was mentioned: How about the Patriots? Holy cow, can you imagine the knocking knees of DBs if you were facing a Patriots offense with T.O. lined up on one side of the field and Randy Moss on the other … and with Tom Brady throwing them the ball. Unstoppable … on the field, at least. But chances are they’d never get that far as T.O. and Moss would likely implode the Patriots before mini-camps were even completed. Still, it’s an interesting thought and Patriots coach Bill Belichick has a record of making guys buy into team first … who knows.

Regardless, according to the Dallas Morning News this morning, Terrell Owens had to go. Some interesting thoughts considering how vital he was thought to be to the Cowboys and QB Tony Romo just a short while ago.

Just curious, if Torry Holt were to be released, would any Rams fans like to see T.O. end up in St. Louis?

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY

MARCH 5, 1973 — New York Yankees pitchers Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich announce that they have traded wives, kids and dogs. While Peterson eventually marries the former Susanne Kekich, Marilyn Peterson and Kekich soon part. (Source: “This Day in Baseball” by David Nemec and Scott Flatlow)

THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: The Show-Me state got its second new NFL general manager this week when Scott Pioli, longtime vice president of player personnel for the New England Patriots, was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs. This comes on the heels of Billy Devaney being elevated recently to the same post with the St. Louis Rams. Both GMs inherit teams that went 2-14 last year and neither has his head coach locked in for next season. Which of the two do you think will be first to lead their team back to the playoffs?

JIM THOMAS
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Pioli, but a once-in-a-generation type of quarterback like Tom Brady makes a lot of people look like genuises. Even with Denver hiring a new coach and LaDainian Tomlinson showing signs of wearing down in San Diego, the AFC West remains a tougher division than the NFC West. So we’ll go with Devaney and the Rams, barely.

BERNIE MIKLASZ
The Chiefs have an edge with Pioli, who is the No. 1 “catch” of the offseason. There is less work and rebuilding to do in Kansas City, and fewer questions about ownership stability.

BILL COATS
Devaney has a slight edge here. The Rams’ roster, while badly in need of an overhaul, actually is a bit stronger than the Chiefs’ roster. Plus, the NFC West is arguably the weakest division in the NFL — not that the AFC West is filled with juggernauts. So if the right buttons are pushed, the Rams could make a move up pretty quickly.

KATHLEEN NELSON
I’ll give the edge to the Chiefs because the Hunt family seems to have a better football sense than Chip and Lucia. Scott Pioli also comes from a recent winning tradition with the Patriots, the closest thing the NFL has had to a dynasty in the last decade.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

STILL GLAD TO BE A CUBBIE? When Aaron Miles signed with the Chicago Cubs on Dec. 31, most folks thought he would be penciled into the starting second base job with Mark DeRosa leaving Chicago. Well not so fast. According to the Chicago Tribune, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said this week that Miles will compete with Mike Fontenot for the job during spring training.

Fontenot hit .360 after the All-Star break last year and showed he can play at a high level. “I think when we all got done, and all the things that got batted around in the last couple of months, we forget how good a player he was last year,” Hendry told the Tribune.

Miles, 32, averaged 134 games played and batted .263, .290 and .317 over the last three years with the Cardinals. But he sure sounded like he thought his future was bright when leaving town. Who can forget the following comments he made to Chicago beat writers: “I’m excited to be a Cubbie. Being a Cardinal was great, and that part is over now. Now I’m ready to be a Cubbie and play the game the right way.”

Well, it looks like the right way might be another stint as a utility player … but this time for the Lovable Losers, not the 10-time world champs. I’m just sayin’.

To be fair, Miles didn’t totally slam the Cardinals on his way out of town. In fact, he told P-D writer Derrick Goold the following: “It was still the toughest decision I’ve had to make because St. Louis was the greatest experience I’ve ever had in baseball. Being with the Cardinals made my career happen. I started in Colorado, but I made a name for myself in St. Louis.”

If you missed it the first time around, you can check Goold’s interview with Miles in the Birdland blog.

THE END OF AN ERROR? Say it ain’t so. Chemistry problems in the Dallas Cowboys locker room? Nah, can’t be. Surely the Cowboys had to be convinced they could control Terrell Owens when they signed him … after he had already worn out his welcome in Philadelphia and San Francisco. What convinced them otherwise? Perhaps it was T.O. calling out golden boy quarterback Tony Romo late this season. But that’s just history repeating itself, as we all know T.O. trashed his QBs in Philly and San Fran — Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia, respectively.

But Owens may not be the only problem, reports ESPN’s Ed Werder. He says improving locker room chemistry is the highest priority for the Cowboys this offseason. “I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else,” a Cowboys source told Werder. “Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? … There’s more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team. … “The big one [Owens] didn’t get discussed yet, but I’m sure it will and real hard.”

This one is about as surprising to me as “Dog bites man.”

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SOMETHING TO PONDER

THE DEVILS MADE HIM DO IT: So the Brendan Shanahan “sweepstakes” are over as the three-time Stanley Cup champion has finalized a contract to play out this season with the New Jersey Devils, the team that selected him No. 2 overall in the 1987 draft. This may prick at the hearts of some Blues fans — the Blues had expressed interest in Shanahan returning to St. Louis — but I think the Blues benefitted by Shanahan’s desire to finish out his career on the East coast.

There’s no denying the impact of Shanahan’s career. He has tallied 650 goals and 1,340 points in 1,490 NHL games. He ranks 11th on the career goal list and 24th in points. Again, unmistakably a star.

Now for the flip side: First, Shanahan turns 40 next week. He’s clearly nearing the end of the road. This is not the same guy who the Blues signed in 1991 in a trade that sent defenseman Scott Stevens to the Devils (where Stevens helped lead New Jersey to three Cup titles.) No, this Shanahan is coming off a 23-goal, 46-point season with the Rangers in 2007 — the lowest total since his rookie season. Shanahan’s last truly great year came in 2005 with the Red Wings, when he put up 40 goals and 81 points. That’s three years ago, or 21 in dog years (and since Shanahan has played 21 seasons, I think the comparison works.)

For my ticket money, give me the Baby Blues and the future on the ice rather than Shanahan and the past. Sorry, Shanny, but I just would hate to see you taking ice time away from the guys that are going to lead this team for years to come.

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STAT OF THE DAY

102 — Points Shanahan put up for the Blues in 1993. 52 goals and 50 assists. Wow!

THE WATERCOOLER

Question of the day: Who did you select to win the Heisman Trophy?

(The following writers all have Heisman votes for the Post-Dispatch. The winner will be announced Saturday.)

BERNIE MIKLASZ
This is how I voted, in order: Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, Sam Bradford. There is no right or wrong here. All three of these QBs are worthy of winning the Heisman. It’s an excellent threesome, maybe the best list of finalists I’ve seen since I’ve been voting. I think Bradford will win. And who can blame the voters if they go with his extraordinary passing statistics and winning touch for Oklahoma, the nation’s No. 1 ranked team? In a close call, I went with Tebow first on my ballot because he wins games with his passing, his running, his intelligence, and his fearless leadership. And in leading Florida to a spot in the national title game, Tebow had to subdue some very tough defenses in the SEC.

BRYAN BURWELL
I’ve been voting for the Heisman since 1980 and this was the toughest vote of all. I gave my pick by a slim margin to Colt McCoy, who I think was more important to his team than Sam Bradford or Tim Tebow were to their teams.

VAHE GREGORIAN
Even if Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell wasn’t invited to New York as a finalist, he is one of four absolutely legitimate choices for the Heisman. If I could, I’d probably split my vote between Texas’ Colt McCoy and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, though I really wouldn’t even argue against a vote for Harrell or defending Heisman winner Tim Tebow of Florida. In the end, though, I punched McCoy on my card. He shattered the major-college record for accuracy AND led his team in rushing and rallied Texas to what would have been the game-winning TD against Tech if not for a dropped interception and a Tech TD with one second left. I don’t put a ton of stock in this part, but his team also beat Bradford’s team head-to-head.

STU DURANDO
My vote went to Colt McCoy over Sam Bradford with Tim Tebow third. After analyzing and over-analyzing the statistics, I was swayed by his versatility. On a team where McCoy is the main offensive weapon, defenses still couldn’t find a way to stop him. He flourished despite the lack of a prominent running back. His passing numbers might not be as good as Bradford’s, but McCoy was also his team’s leading rusher by quite a distance. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry despite all of the yards he lost in sacks. His completion percentage is mind-boggling. And he beat Bradford and Oklahoma head-to-head, leading the Longhorns to 45 points, more than any team scored against the Sooners this season, by completing 21 of his final 24 passes.

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MIDDAY NEWS AND THOUGHTS

COMPETING AGAINST HISTORY: When you play for a storied franchise like the Boston Celtics, which has won an NBA best 17 titles, it can be hard when it comes to setting any new franchise records. But that’s what this year’s Celtics have done, after just winning the title last year. With a 122-88 shellacking of the Washington Wizards Thursday night, the Celtics have reeled off 13 straight wins. But that’s not a record. It’s their 21-2 start to the season that now stands as the best start in franchise history. And while there are many haters when it comes to the Celtics due to their historic success (and the fact it’s Boston), unlike many teams, Boston doesn’t really have any players that are easy to dislike. The Big Three produces, the role players do their parts, everyone stays out of trouble and the Green Machine just keeps rolling along.

T.O. UPSET WITH QB … AGAIN: Appears there is tension brewing between Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens and QB Tony Romo. Let’s see, first T.O. had issues with QB Jeff Garcia in San Francisco, saying Garcia’s arm wasn’t strong enough to get him the deep ball. Then he questioned Donovan McNabb’s heart while with Philadelphia. Now he’s upset because he feels Romo is targeting tight end Jason Witten too much. Apparently Owens isn’t the only WR on the Cowboys that feels this way, but given the history you have to believe he’s the ringleader. But just to make sure everybody knows he’s a team player, Owens made the following statement to the Dallas Morning News: “I’m not jealous of Witten. I’m not jealous of nobody. I can take the approach that I got paid, so screw everything, but that’s not me.

No, Terrell, that’s not you.

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A FEW THINGS TO PONDER

WHY PEAVY’S NOT A CUB: Padres general manager Kevin Towers said from the beginning that he wasn’t going to just give away pitching sensation Jake Peavy. But a six-for-one deal? That price was a little steep even for the Chicago Cubs, particularly since it included a top prospect and a couple of promising young pitchers. Chicago Tribune baseball writer Phil Rogers tributes Cubs general manager Jim Hendry for sticking to his guns and refusing to sell the farm, regardless of how good Peavy would have looked in Cubbie blue.

SINGING THE BLUES: After a hard-fought 4-2 loss to Anaheim Wednesday night, the Blues seemed to just roll over against Los Angeles last night. The play looked lethargic from start to finish. One has to wonder if that Anaheim game didn’t take an emotional toll on the Blues … a game that was there to be won only to lose late. Regardless, no free passes in a 6-2 loss to the Kings, who are just 12-12-4 and playing at about the same clip as the Blues, particularly after being beaten by them earlier this season 4-0. And as to Chris Mason stating his case to be the team’s No. 1 goalie while Manny Legace is out with injury; well, giving up four goals on 24 shots and leaving after two periods isn’t much of a statement.

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STAT OF THE DAY

50 – It’s holiday shopping time, and ESPN’s Bill Simmons offers up his list of the 50 worst NFL gifts.