Football briefs: Spagnuolo early favorite to succeed Shanahan (MPNnow.com)
PFW news on the Broncos, Giants, Eagles, Bills and Dolphins.  

Baseball: Too expensive & just plain boring? (Manteca Bulletin)
Reader Jim says the National Football League has replaced Major League Baseball as our national pastime. His statement came in response to my weekend column about the new MLB Network.

Chargers? Sproles Steps Into Tomlinson?s Lead Role (New York Times)
The Chargers? Darren Sproles is the N.F.L.?s answer to the Red Sox? Dustin Pedroia: a player recognized for his shortness who made a big impact in the playoffs.

Pucko: Best Case Scenarios '09 (R News)
The following does not reflect the views of R News or its parent company Time Warner Cable. BEST CASE SCENARIOS "This is Jeopardy!" Best case scenarios in sports for 2009.

Wit, wisdom in the highs and lows (Las Vegas Sun)
Reviewing the gambling year that was in 2008, with an emphasis on events of great social and political import.