No less than eight of Spencer’s 10 reasons to watch the Holiday Bowl last night came to fruition, particularly the bit about "points in furious angry bursts." Oklahoma State and Oregon combined to score 49 points in the second half alone. The Ducks ultimately emerged victorious after forcing two Oklahoma State punts in the fourth.

But even with all the offensive fireworks, the two best plays of the night were monster collisions, both of which went Oregon’s way. First, T.J. Ward introduces himself to Zac Robinson, who pops right up before realizing he’s missing his equilibrium:

Second, Oregon’s large-boned QB Jeremiah Masoli decides the quickest way to the endzone is to simply run over those in his way:

All season, Ben Roethlisberger has gotten destroyed in the pocket. Blame the Pittsburgh line, blame Roethlisberger’s critical unawareness of pressure, blame Mike Tomlin for a lack of attention paid to the problem. But whatever, it’s all vitally fatal at this point: Browns backer Willie McGinest knocked the light from Big Ben’s eyes. Roethlisberger was carted off the field with a concussion, and he pulled the ol’ thumbs-up on the stretcher.

It’s not all thumbs up, though. As Michael David Smith notes, the Steelers had nothing but momentum to play for this week. A first-round bye is cinched, and Tennessee had already claimed home field advantage. Byron Leftwich isn’t an embarrassing back-up, so there’s no shame in letting him get the start or coming in after a quarter. Heck, Jim Sorgi came in for Indianapolis’ second drive — the Colts’ playoff position is sewn up, as well.

It’s a shame, and best wishes to Big Ben. But this shouldn’t be happening in Week 17. The QB’s life in the pocket has been a problem for ages, and there was little to be gained by letting him get pounded today.

Rajon Rondo is an excellent player, a possible All-Star, and some might say, the future of the Celtics. But he’s always had an unorthodox game, and is only recently combining that with more traditional point guard play.

One possible explanation? His hero is Brett Favre, not only a football player, but one known for his idiosyncratic play. From the Boston Herald:

However distasteful the task may be, Celtics fans have to give props to the aging quarterback. It apparently was Favre, more than any point guard over the last 15 years, who had an impact on the rugged way Rondo plays his position.

"I grew up watching football and baseball," said Rondo, a former high school quarterback. "I didn’t know I had hoop dreams. I watched Brett Favre."

When asked to break down his young point guard, Doc Rivers praises Rondo as a throwback, a guy who "when he runs the pick and roll, he’s not thinking of how he can score. He’s looking for the way to run the team in the best way possible." But as the Herald notes, "Rivers gave his answer without comparing Rondo to anyone from back in the coach’s era." Which is to say, even if everyone from Gary Payton to Tony Parker gets thrown around in an attempt to pin down Rondo’s game, maybe the missing link is none other than Favre.

Allen Iverson was a star option QB in college, but has never appeared to have a football-influenced game. You’ll see no hint of Nate Robinson’s defensive back days at UW on the court, unless he’s taking down J.R. Smith in a brawl. With Rondo, we might finally have the NBA’s answer to Antonio Gates — a player who owes some of his success to his football background.

With a game against the San Diego Chargers this week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden is remaining coy about who would line up behind center.

QB Jeff Garcia missed this week’s game–a 13-10 OT loss as 5.5-point ‘dogs to the Atlanta Falcons–with an injury to his right calf and Brian Griese played in his stead.

The experts were forecasting that it would be a close vote but when all was said and done, it was the odds-on favorite, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford, that took home the 2008 Heisman Trophy.

Bradford was listed at -400.