RealClearSports: Manning's Presence Defines the Colts

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

This is similar to the way it started for Joe Montana, an injury that didn't seem like much, an elbow injury in August 1991 that didn't heal for two years.

An elbow injury that stopped his career with the San Francisco 49ers, who were fortunate enough to have Steve Young in reserve and after those two years grudgingly traded Montana to Kansas City.

Maybe the neck problem for Peyton Manning isn't that serious ...

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: Optimism remains for Giants despite season rife with issues

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The headline wasn’t wrong. "Injuries Leave Big Holes for the Giants to Patch." That was in the New York Times. About the New York football Giants, not to be confused with the San Francisco baseball Giants, who have as many big holes because of injuries and virtually no time to patch them.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Ailing Al Davis Still Calling Shots

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

OAKLAND — You asked if Al Davis still was calling the shots for the Oakland Raiders? Now you know. Terrelle Pryor is your answer, even if he never becomes the answer to the team's future quarterback questions.

Who cares if Terrelle's a disappointment — the word 'bust' is reserved for JaMarcus Russell — when Pryor gets you to the top of the USA Today sports section as he did Tuesday.



Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011

SF Examiner: San Francisco's Candlestick Park turns into combat zone

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

So now what do we tell L.A.? That we have as many thugs at our sporting events as they do? That Candlestick Park is every bit as dangerous as Dodger Stadium? That the scofflaws and punks have imposed their will on society, just like in Southern California?

Fans entering NFL games are patted down. As if it does any good. Fights — brawls, really ...



Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Will Jackson's Enthusiasm Win for Raiders?

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

NAPA, Calif. — He is behind a temporary podium facing the setting sun. Not a comfortable position for Hue Jackson, but neither is his new job, head coach of the Oakland Raiders, the franchise that used to be.

America knows this city and valley, some 40 miles north of San Francisco. The country's wine capital. Grapes not of wrath but of potency and fame.

America knew the Raiders as the demons of the NFL. "The autumn wind is a Raider, pillaging just for fun ..."

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2011