Detroit Free Press

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Brian Hoyer heaved the pass downfield - then took a shot from a linebacker who I swear was ...

* CHICAGO 17, LIONS 9: I tried. I really tried. Every way I could, I looked for a reason to pick the Lions to win this thing. But it's not just Rodney Peete being injured. The Bears went to New Orleans and beat an undefeated Saints team last week. That was impressive. I will say this: If Chuck Long gets into the game, all bets are off.* MINNESOTA 21, TAMPA BAY 12: I don't see why the Bucs didn't give Long a shot. They've tried just about everyone else at quarterback.

As a sports writer, you hear stories. Some are incredible. Some they ought to make into a movie. And, once in a while, you hear one even the movies wouldn't believe.Which brings us to Gilad Landau, placekicker, Grambling State University. You'll probably notice him if you watch Grambling play Southern this weekend at the Silverdome. He is one of only two white players on the team. And when he goes to kick a field goal, he stands over the ball, wiggles his fingers near his ears -- like a schoolkid making a face -- then boots the thing a mile.

New York -- He swung the bat and he heard that smack! and the ball screamed into the dark blue sky, higher, higher, until it threatened to bring a few stars down with it. His teammates knew; they leaped off the bench. The fans knew; they roared like animals. And finally, the man who all year refused to watch his home runs, the man who said this 50 thing was "no big deal" -- finally even he couldn't help himself. He stopped halfway to first base and watched the ball bang into the facing of the upper deck in Yankee Stadium, waking up the ghosts of Maris and Ruth and Gehrig.

Good morning, and please put on your sneakers. It's that time of year again. Time for slam dunking and three-point shooting. Time for 47 Nike commercials in a row. That's right. The NBA season is upon us. It begins tonight, with the Pistons kicking off their revenge year at the Palace.