The Lightning Round

by Brian

• Manny Ramirez is on the trade block. Again. Sure he's a headache and doesn't always play hard enough, but he gets the job done when they need him, even if the best thing he does is hit behind David Ortiz, forcing the opposing team to pitch to him. Not to mention the fans love him. However, if this is on the grounds of Manny's atrocity of a hairdo from the beginning of the 2006 season, then I can't really blame Theo.

• The Dallas Cowboys cut Mike Vanderjagt in favor of Martin Gramatica. Vanderjagt is statistically the most accurate kicker in NFL history, but is quite possibly the least clutch kicker in NFL history as well. All I can say is, New York Yankees, take note.

• Chicago Bulls center Ben Wallace has been reprimanded by coach Scott Skiles for deliberately disobeying Skiles' team policy barring players from wearing headbands. On one hand I would say Ben Wallace has a recent NBA championship, so let him do what he wants. But on the other hand I say Skiles has absolute authority over his players; who would dare question a guy who used to light up NBA Jam?

• The Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback tore his ACL and is out for this season, and his status for next season is uncertain. Another unfortunate incident for Donovan McNabb.

• Champ Car driver Paul Tracy will most likely miss Champ Car's last race of the season due to a DWIOAGC.....driving while intoxicated on a golf cart. Apparently he tried jumping a sand dune and broke his right shoulder blade. Said Tracy of his accident, "...it sounded like a good idea at the time, but it didn't pan out that way." No, Mr. Tracy. It didn't.

• Atlanta Falcons quarterback Mike Vick was fined $10,000 for flipping off fans who insulted him following the Falcons' loss to the New Orleans Saints November 26. The league quickly repealed the fine when they realized that he is Mike Vick and they are not Mike Vick.