ON THE ROPES

Talking heads liked gamble

Fans and media continue to debate Patriots coach Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth down, giving Peyton Manning short field position with two minutes to go in the Colts' 35-34 comeback win over New England last week.

Some question why Belichick called for Tom Brady to pass to running back Kevin Faulk instead of the Patriots' mega-productive receivers. Cut Belichick some slack. After all, Randy Moss was physically spent from running all over the field catching touchdown passes.

Also, if the Patriots had made the first down, what would sports radio talk show hosts have spent the past week discussing?

We're No.1

Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams issued a statement apologizing to the Buffalo Bills for extending two middle fingers after a 41-17 win over the Bills.

Adams, who was fined $250,000 by the NFL, emphasized that he has a "great deal of respect for [Bills owner] Ralph Wilson."

Now we know the answer to the question, "What does a $125,000 bird look like?"

Done when it's done

Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said he has no deal yet to bring Danica Patrick into NASCAR next season.

"Until it's done, it's not done," Hendrick said, which is the NASCAR translation of "It is what it is."

If Patrick does participate in a stock-car series next season, she will continue to drive in the IndyCar Series, as well as market her sex appeal, although not necessarily in that order.

Time of the signs

The Washington Redskins have reversed their policy banning homemade signs at their home games. As evidenced by their 27-17 win over the Broncos, they have also lifted their self-imposed ban against playing like a real NFL team.

What's wrong, for Pete's sake

USC's football team suffered its second loss in three games, falling 55-21 to Stanford. USC coach Pete Carroll isn't sure exactly what to do to cure the Trojans' ills, since they've already played Notre Dame this season. One more loss and Will Ferrell will switch to UCLA gear.

Bengals roaring in a new direction

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers last week to improve to 7-2 and take the lead in the AFC North. This is the Bengals' first lead this late in the season since 2007, when they had a three-arrest edge in the NFL probation standings with four postgame parties to go.

Cheaper than most cheap shots

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was quoted in the New York Post last week saying, "If I had shots with everyone that offered, I'd be drunk all the time." And if it were during a big series with the Twins, he'd have to change his name to Miguel Cabrera.

Stuck in the rough

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo said he plays only one round of golf during the season. However, judging by the Cowboys' offense in a loss to the Packers, he sometimes takes days off without playing golf.

In a world of hurt

Steelers safety Troy Polamalu injured his left knee in last week's loss to the Bengals. It's not certain how long he'll be out. Later in the week, we'll find out whether the Steelers list him as "questionable," "doubtful" or "Bob Sanders."

Politician makes good on promise

In the lame history of lame stunts by lame politicians regarding upcoming sporting events, there finally has come a creative turn.

Rising so very far above the dreaded lame wager between mayors or governors or legislators, Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, 46, promised that if Slovenia could shock Russia to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he would shine the players' shoes.

Well, when little Slovenia (population 2 million) did shock big Russia (population 140 million) on Wednesday night, it loosed loud celebrations in the capital of Ljubljana, rowdy dancing in the stadium in Maribor and one quiet gesture in the dressing room of Slovenia.

As the smallest nation in the 32-team World Cup rejoiced and the newspaper Dnevnik prepared its headline, "To Africa With Clean Shoes," Pahor told TV Slovenia, "I just cleaned the players' shoes, but I admit I did not clean them thoroughly."

More sand woes for the Shark

In Dubai's glittery desert for the closing European PGA event this weekend, course designer Greg Norman fielded an unexpected question from an observant journalist: Where did his course get its sand?

Norman didn't know, whereupon the tour's communications director, Gordon Simpson, chimed in helpfully, "North Carolina, I believe."

"North Carolina," Norman said.

Explained Norman, "The desert is not the right granular shape for bunkers."

Numbers up for Browns

When a reader suggested it's disrespectful of the woeful Cleveland Browns (1-8) to wear some of the numbers of past Browns greats, Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer replied, "The league insists you wear numbers. But my understanding is that if they lose to Detroit, Browns Alumni will lobby [owner] Randy Lerner to switch to fractions." - From Wire Reports