The Arizona Cardinals have signed Dave McGinnis to a long term deal even though he is 1-7 since taking over the team. Guess who he beat. The Redskins!! And the Cardinals end the season next week here in Washington for another get together. No one can say that Bill Bidwell is monomaniacal in his focus on winning when a 1-7 audition leads to a four year deal. And since Bidwell is known to avoid situations where he has to pay fired coaches for very long, you can be sure that McGinnis will be staying put in Arizona for at least three of those four years.

There had been some question about whether or not Troy Aikman would come back to play in the Cowboys' final game of the year - as if it matters a hoot. According to the latest statement by Troy it is now in the category of "probably doubtful". Troy has suffered either 10 or 11 concussions in his career and this team is going nowhere and his playing on Sunday is just plain stupid. If he steps onto the field in a game situation, then his brain is already too scrambled to save. And if he is thinking about coming back next year, he ought to keep this in mind:

Texas has an opening for a new governor. With at least 10 concussions to his name, he is already qualified for the job. All you have to do is listen to the outgoing office holder.

Speaking of bad sports towns and poor attendance, I remember a factoid from deep in the past. I have no idea why I remember it, but it is stuck in my brain. Back in the mid 1930s, the St. Louis Browns were a dismal franchise. They became the Orioles in the mid 50s and had some glory years and are now back closer to dismal status than to glory. But in 1935, the total season attendance for the St Louis Browns was 82,000. I'm sure someone will go look that up to see if I am even close. Obviously, that is not the exact number, but I know that I am not off by more than 1,000 fannies in seats!

I think I'll go to the Baltimore Ravens' webpage and see if I can write them a note suggesting that Art Modell invite Danny Boy Snyder to come to see a playoff game involving the Ravens. Art can be sure that Danny Boy's limo pays for parking just like Danny Boy did when the Ravens played in DC earlier. Art can also instruct Danny Boy on building a team. Danny Boy may have other plans, but they sure don't involve any events at FedEx Field.

It isn't like Danny Boy generates respect all around the league. In Pittsburgh last Saturday, the Steelers' long time radio announcer, Myron Cope, began referring to the Redskins as the "Washington Redfaces" and said they should be embarrassed at the way they played. One of the Redskins' brass, Steve Baldacci, heard about it and went to see the producer and demanded that Cope stop insulting the team. Cope responded by saying, "If that boy billionaire thinks he can shut me up, he can go stick his head in a can of paint." After the game, the Redskins tried to make this seem like no big deal and explained that they were concerned about protecting their trademark rights. This from the team that took weeks to figure out that their stadium announcer was off base for announcing in a pre-game tirade that "Ravens' fans suck!"

The Redskins have made roster moves for the final game cutting marginal veterans in favor of bringing in young players from the practice squad who may some day be marginal players. But there is still a roster spot left to be filled and there is some question about what they will do with it. Here is my idea:

Danny Boy should be the kicker for the final game of the year. That will let him go one up on Jerry Jones and he can't do significantly worse than the four kickers they have had in the job this year. AND, he can save a couple of bucks by paying himself the game salary.

Every once in a while, you wonder what ever happened to someone who used to be in sports. Today I was surprised to learn that Purvis Ellison was still in sports. He was released by the Seattle Supersonics to make room on the roster for Olumide Oyedeji. So, now you know.

The Bucs made a furious rally in the final 2 minutes to score a touchdown and beat the Rams 38-35. That puts Tampa in the playoffs and could land them the NFC Central title if they win in Green Bay on Sunday and the Vikes lose to Indy. I don't have the stats in front of me, but I suspect that Tampa had more than 400 yards of offense in that game which puts a perspective on just how porous the St. Louis defense is. For the Rams to make the playoffs, they need to win next week at New Orleans and the Lions have to lose at home against the Bears. The Lions can shut the Rams out with a win. If the Lions can't use that as a motivator at home against the Bears to produce a victory, then the Lions have stuck themselves with a coach for the next three years that is a world class dolt.

For those who missed the agate type, Life beat Augusta State 72-55. Talk about a team with survival skills…

But don't get me wrong, I love sports...