Press Box Notebook

Well, the sportswriters are just licking their chops over Barry Bonds. That's all anyone could talk about. And you could see the gleam in their eyes, a gleam usually reserved for the free buffet. Here's what I got out of it.

1. Guys aren't hitting the ball farther, but are hitting it out with more frequency (or at least Bonds was and is). "But there's nothing about steriods that would allow someone to make solid contact more frequently, so who cares?" I say to no avail.

2. Pitchers don't throw the ball faster than pre-steriods because A) pitchers don't take steriods and (when I say that's a crock) B) steroids don't allow you to throw the ball faster because no one can figure out pitching anyway. Okay, so the magic pill allows you to hit a ball faster/farther but not throw if faster/farther. Got it.

3. It doesn't matter that Giambi broke down post-steriod testing and Bonds didn't because Giambi is a goof who doesn't know what he's doing and Bonds is a steriods genius who was so good at applying the drugs that they will stay in his body and allow him to feed off them for up to three years after they are taken. So, Bonds only has to perform at this peak into his mid-40s to proove that he's even semi-legit.

Now, on to football....

There's a tough question that no Jets reporter wants to ask. Hell, they don't even want to contemplate it themselves. When I posed it, they looked at me like blank-eyed androids given data that simply did not compute. The question is, "If you could only choose Curtis Martin or soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Lamont Jordan from 2005 on, who do you pick?"

"But Martin is coming back."

That's not what I asked. Plus he's not coming back if you cut him.

"But he's going to rush for 1,600 yards."

That's not the point. I'm asking whether the franchise has a better future with A) Martin or B) Jordan.

"But Jordan won't come back with Curtis coming back."

I could see this was getting nowhere. And these guys don't like it when coaches dodge questions. The toughest thing in sports is handling an aging Hall of Famer. Teams need to lose the sentimentality and make cold, calculating business decisions with the single-minded objective of creating the best chance for success not just in the immediate but forseeable future.

The Steelers deserved to lose last night. Cowher isn't throwing enough. Forget Roethlisberger's paltry attempts. Look at their first down plays. 15 runs and six passes. What did Roethlisberger do throwing on first down? How's 6-for-6 for 109 yards and a TD sound? Think the Black and Gold should throw a little more on first down? As my kids would say, "Duh." The Steelers are going to be very vulnerable to the playoff upset if they play close the vest like they did last night. Roethlisberger has a very good YPA and the Steelers are solid in points per passing attempt (we'll post those rankings tomorrow). They really need to open things up and bet big leads early, then beat the clock with the running game and batter QBs with the pass rush.

The Jets are rock solid right now. I would not be suprised at all if they pulled off the upset in Pittsburgh Sunday. That game is guaranteed to be close because neither team really wants to throw.

The Eagles really turned heads yesterday. Westbrook can be dynamic. But, for fantasy purposes, it's always tough to count on a RB who generates points via the passing game. Westbrook reminds me of Eric Metcalf. Donovan McNabb is some sort of god right now. My expert-league fantasy team thanks you, Soup Man.

Jake Plummer always shrinks when the spotlight is brightest. Four more picks in the big spot yesterday. And what's Shanahan doing with Tatum Bell? He just likes messing with the fantasy community, I'm convinced (after much pleading by Scott Pianowski).

What happened to the Ravens defense? Kyle Boller is so bad. But Carson Palmer.... That's why you bench the Jon Kitnas of the world. They'll never have days like that on the road against a top defense.

You knew Vick was in big trouble in Tampa. But don't get off him now with Oakland coming into the dome.

Edgerrin and Vanderjagt finally got into the action in Indy yesterday. Drew Bennett three catches, three TDs 124 yards INT THE FIRST QUARTER. Then, the shut out (but I think he had a TD called back by penalty). How are the Colts ever going to go on the road and win two playoff games with a defense like that? I mean, Billy Volek and Drew Bennett?

Larry Johnson is going to be a stud. Priest Holmes is a product of the Chiefs line and system.

If married couples communicated as long and as often as the crew officiating the Jets-Texans games, the divorce rate in America would be cut in half.

I saw that coming for the Vikings. I swear. Check the forecast for Week 13. Why didn't I go all the way with the Bears win? I didn't want to be overly dramatic. A little restraint never hurt anyone, people.

Tiki Barber owners are throwing darts at those Eli Manning posters on sale everywhere in the Tri-State Area.