Eagles barking up wrong tree by picking Vick for character award

Wow: Philadelphia Eagles players have some explaining to do after they selected Michael Vick for an NFL award exemplifying courage and character. That's just embarrassing. "I don't expect everyone to understand," said Eagles coach Andy Reid. No, Andy, there's no chance of that happening.

TV timeout ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson says the Colts are the "worst 14-0 team I've ever seen." Where's the love? But think about it: how many 14-0 teams has Johnson, or any of us, ever seen?

Turnabout Maybe there's nothing funny about Tiger Woods' predicament, but when John Daly says he's available to help Woods talk through his problems, it's got to make you smile.

Football follies If it seems as if some bowl teams are playing like they don't want to be there, it may be because they don't want to be there. Only one bowl, after all, is anything but a glorified exhibition. The players know it.

Clutch Coming down the stretch of a tight game, is there anybody you'd want with the ball in his hands more than Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger? Maybe only Kobe Bryant.

Valet service There seems to be some debate in Minnesota over who is in control of the Vikings offense - head coach Brad Childress or aging diva Brett Favre. But everybody remembers how last summer, after Favre reported late to camp, Childress drove to the airport to pick him up. Doesn't that tell us who's actually in charge?

Short-sighted Did Chilly really make a federal case out of a veteran quarterback calling a few audibles? Isn't that what veteran quarterbacks do?

Health care Favre's issues aside, unless Percy Harvin starts visiting the end zone more than the hospital, the Vikings are in trouble.

More of same The Redskins' clown bus keeps rolling. Reports from D.C. have meddling team owner Dan Snyder promising to step out of the way to allow general manager Bruce Allen to do his job in peace. Is that the sound of laughter I hear?

Add Skins Snyder's lack of class never ceases to amaze. This time, he's letting Jim Zorn twist slowly in the wind while conducting a not-so-secret tango with Mike Shanahan. For all his failings, Zorn has never been anything less than professional and dignified. He deserves better treatment than what he's getting from the NFL's Napoleon.

Money matters Newsweek notes that, despite flopping on the field, the Redskins bring in more revenue than the Yankees and are the world's third-most valuable sports franchise after Manchester United and the Dallas Cowboys. With that in mind, aren't fans who contribute to Snyder's fortune unwitting enablers of the team's dysfunctional operation?

Early returns Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird says he's happy with the progress of rookie Tyler Hansbrough, who is shooting a mere 38 percent from the field, but the Charlotte Bobcats' Stephen Jackson offers a wildly opposing view, contending that the former North Carolina All-American is "in the wrong sport." After getting elbowed by Hansbrough recently, Jackson said, "He's out of control. He plays hard, but his skill level is not there for basketball. He's a bruiser. He needs to be playing rugby or something."

For debate Tiger Woods is the Athlete of the Decade. You can't argue with that - unless you're a fan of Lance Armstrong, Roger Federer or Tom Brady. Or unless you remember that a nearly-60-year-old Tom Watson came this close to winning the British Open. Imagine Armstrong, Federer or Brady competing against 60-year olds. It's impossible. Doesn't that undercut the argument that Tiger is the greatest athlete?

Idle thought With victories over Georgetown and Charlotte, Blaine Taylor's ODU basketball team unwrapped its potential just in time for Christmas.

Bob Molinaro, (757) 446-2373, bob.molinaro@pilotonline.com