RealClearSports: Tradition No Longer Matters at Rose Bowl

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

PASADENA, Calif. -- Hey, Gramps. Or maybe you would prefer Granddaddy, because that's the way you're always referred to in Rose Bowl literature, as "the Granddaddy of Them All."

Love you -- I'd have to, or I wouldn't have dropped by 57 straight times, planning to make it 58 Friday -- but you're becoming virtually unrecognizable.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: 49ers franchise at a crossroads

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Jed York is talking again. This time he makes sense, although that may not be enough to make immediate progress.

No wild-hare predictions, like that absurd statement back in October when the 49ers were 0-5 they would win the division, a fanciful thought which made Jed seem out of touch.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Finer Points of Coaching Elude Singletary

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- He wanted winners. He said as much. A billboard along the freeway near the Candlestick off-ramp with his image reiterated the proclamation. Mike Singletary was a man of little pretense.

Also, unfortunately, of little coaching experience.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

RealClearSports: Raiders Playing It by the (E-mail) Letters

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Jason Campbell is the quarterback the Washington Redskins traded to the Oakland Raiders so he wouldn't sit on the bench behind Donovan McNabb, who has been told to sit on the bench behind Rex Grossman, who was unwanted by the Chicago Bears even though he helped them get to a Super Bowl.

You still with us? Is McNabb still with the Skins? Campbell very much still is with the Raiders, who with two games left in the season still are in the chase for the playoffs.

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2010

SF Examiner: Keith Smart enjoying life at the top

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

He remembers the spoon being tossed into the metal sink at 4:30 a.m. Keith Smart’s father had finished his coffee and was leaving for work in Baton Rouge, La. Another day had begun, and for a boy, so had an understanding of what life was all about.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2010 SF Newspaper Company