Extra Points
Jerry Brewer explains the thinking behind his columns and invites readers to express their views on the sports world.
December 10, 2008 12:35 PM
Powerless Rankings: Knives, lies and bribes
Posted by Jerry Brewer
Our weekly tracking of the 10 most hapless stories in sports:
10. Oscar De La Hoya
Comment: Went down in weight to get pounded by Manny Pacquiao, who practically had to jump into the air to hit him. Here's guessing De La Hoya retires and becomes the next athlete on "Dancing With The Stars."
9. Kevin McHale
Comment: The terrible GM is now the coach. Sounds a lot like the Isiah Thomas route to getting fired.
8. Derrick Rose
Comment: The star rookie point guard has finally done something wrong. He claims he sliced his forearm by -- get this! -- rolling onto a knife while eating an apple in bed. Somewhere, Plaxico Burress is smiling.
7. Dominic Raiola
Comment: He wants to fight Lions fans who have the audacity to ridicule their 0-13 team. The nerve of those fans, eh? Perhaps Raiola, a center, should focus his anger on someone else, like the opposing nose tackle.
6. Tyrone Willingham
Comment: He's currently soliciting job offers from downtrodden programs.
5. Jim Zorn
Comment: His wonderful start is yielding to a nightmarish finish. And now his best player, Clinton Portis, is mocking his "genius." Can you see irrational owner Daniel Snyder inching his finger closer to the eject button?
4. Auburn officials
Comment: A contingent of the fan base is upset that they forced coach Tommy Tuberville out and lied about it, claiming he quit. Surprised? Sounds like typical Auburn business to me.
3. NFL layoffs
Comment: When the NFL cuts 14 percent of its staff, you know we're in an economic crisis.
2. O.J. Simpson
Comment: What's worse: That he went to jail for being so stupid? Or that ESPN televised his sentencing? May we never hear about Orenthal James Simpson again.
1. Gov. Rob Blagojevich
Comment: In addition to trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat, the Illinois governor wanted to use the Cubs sale as leverage for better editorial treatment from the Chicago Tribune. A candidate for the "Powerless" Hall of Shame, for certain.
Dec 28, 08 - 09:31 AM
Crystal Helmet, season finale
Dec 23, 08 - 08:41 AM
A reason to watch the NBA?
Dec 21, 08 - 09:39 AM
Crystal Helmet, Week 17
Dec 14, 08 - 09:37 AM
Crystal Helmet, Week 16
Dec 10, 08 - 12:35 PM
Powerless Rankings: Knives, lies and bribes

"Iron Man 3" kicks off a summer blockbuster season that will see hundreds of speeding, squealing, exploding, airborne, rolling and smoking vehicles in...
Post a comment

- No question: Russell Wilson's in charge now
- McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
- Percy Harvin already impressing Seahawks teammates, coaches
- Amazon’s plan for giant spheres gets mixed reaction
- Sinking Mariners lose sixth straight game; changes ahead?
- Man shot by FBI had ties to Boston bombing suspect
- Is Catholic Church taking over health care in Washington? | Danny Westneat
- Ex-Great Wolf Lodge lifeguard charged with rape of guest, 14
- Turmoil surrounds program to help prostitutes
- High-level Starbucks exec heads to Kohl’s
- Is Catholic Church taking over health care in Washington?
356 - Official: Treasury played no role in IRS targeting
289 - Game thread: Mariners try to end trip with a win
218 - Businesses refuse service to gays
156 - Mariners head home facing key decisions as losing streak hits six
128 - McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
109 - View from Sacramento: David Stern deserves statue, thanks
93 - Mariners veterans call team meeting after getting routed again
87 - Mariners routed by Angels again, 7-1
76 - Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment
65
- Is Catholic Church taking over health care in Washington? | Danny Westneat
- McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
- Amazon’s plan for giant spheres gets mixed reaction
- Catholic schools update to compete with charter schools
- Careers carved at wood-tech center
- Doctors save Ohio boy by ‘printing’ an airway tube | Close-up
- Food-video site launched by Bellevue consumer-research firm
- UW Medicine, Catholic health system to have ‘strategic affiliation’
- Council panel OKs zoning for big pot-growing operations
- Recipe: Jalapeño Turkey-Black Bean Chili with Crisped Potatoes

February
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |







