remember when...you used to have to actually answer the phone to know who was calling? now we've got caller i.d. and answering machines to let us know if its someone we dont want to talk to.

remember when...you'd have to wait until the sunday night nfl recap to see who the statistical leaders were? now with minute by minute updates on every sports network, during games, and espnonyourcellphone, we know who passed for how many yards almost before the last pass is completed.

remember when...the vikings were tough enough to play outside, make it to the super bowl, and STILL not be able to win a championship? the vikings have been doing for years what fans of the yankees are fuming over recently.

remember when...the miami dolphins were a popular pick to go to this year's super bowl? largely due to the brilliant trade for one daunte culpepper and the genius coach named nick saban, but now culpepper is supposedly "hurt" again, and saban is looking like yet another college program developer who cant get it done at the next level.

remember when...the detroit lions were thought to be on the brink of something really special after matt millen was brought in? well, they're something special alright. they wear helmuts, ride the short bus, and drool uncontrollably.

remember when...your favorite team basically refused to sign ANYONE who played for their bitter rivals, no matter how good they were? now, teams grab guys who no matter what. even guys with histories of legal problems, or dividing locker rooms are off limits, because they MIGHT be able to help get you that 1 extra win.

remember when...steve mcnair was brought to baltimore to lead a potentially explosive offense and get the team deep into the playoffs and possibly the super bowl? well, the offense is about as explosive as a match lit under water, and i think its only a matter of time before fans start asking for...get this....kyle boller to start at quarterback.

remember when...deion branch was traded to seattle, and fans there were bouncing off the walls at the thought of how many touchdown passes matt hasselback could throw when the 'hawks offense went to 4 wide receiver sets? since the acquisition, hasselback has 6 TD and 7 INT. branch didnt even play in the 1st game after coming over, and in the 2 games he has played in, hasselback has 5 TD and 5 INT. also keep in mind the 5 TD's all came against the giants, who were absolutely horrible, yet still managed to pick off 3 passes in the game. maybe the lesson there is that seattle should have been more run-oriented as the game went on.

remember when...people thought the arizona cardinals were on the verge of making the playoffs, with the signing of Edge, and drafting matt leinart? Edge still has no line to block for him, and kurt warner stunk it up for 3 weeks before dennis green gave leinart the starting job. the cards have a scary set of skill position players, but it does them no good if the line cant sustain any blocks to give them time to make plays.

remember when...professional athletes made the news for what they did on the field or court, and not what they did outside a night club, or what charges were filed IN court? in the long run, very few of them ever get any significant action taken against them by the legal system, unless of course they arent superstars, or their career is already over.

remember when...the college football polls actually meant something? these days, high ranked teams are overrated, and low or unranked teams dont get any respect.

remember when....teams that lost didnt play well enough to win? now, they either got jobbed by bad officiating, or 1 specific player or play was the difference.

remember when...the temperature outside was warm enough to have the windows open, and you didnt have to wear 2 sweatshirts just to keep from shivering uncontrollably? yeah, its like 28 degrees here, and i have no idea what i'm going to do when winter actually gets here.