The weekend's heroes and doinks

Heroes
Dirk Kuyt - Liverpool looked flat and uninspired on Saturday versus Reading, but two well-poached goals by the flying Dutchman ensured that while that game was a bore, the outcome would never be in doubt. Also, he single-handedly validated my waking up at 7a.m. (on a Saturday!) just to watch the match live. But more than just the scoring, Kuyt also looked like our best defender on Saturday -- a feat, considering Carragher and Finnan are on the backline. An inspiring performance from an otherwise drab match. Liverpool is on a roll with a pivotal clash at Arsenal coming up this Sunday.

Mike Stoops - UofA's football season is virtually lost, but the tradition of the annual upset in Tucson is still alive. Last year, it was UCLA that got blitzed by the WIldcats. This season, Arizona surprises Washington State in Pullman. I don't know if you've heard, but Arizona doesn't win on the road. Oregon and Cal to come (both of which will probably be Ls), but a season-ending win over Arizona State is well within reach and would extend Stoops' stay for at least one more season.

Borat - Is nice!

Doinks
Rex Grossman - I've been saying it for weeks, now, but no one's been listening. Not at the start of the season, not after the Cardinals game. Well maybe now people will stop and take notice. The Bears are very beatable and it is thanks, primarily to Grossman. For as "efficient" as this offense has looked against the Lions and the 49ers and the Bills, Grossman is, in no uncertain terms, a liability.
Next week, he faces a stiff Giants D. Tell me, who do you prefer in a Grossman v Eli matchup? The latter isn't quite what his brother is, but the choice is obvious.

Bill Belichick - I don't know what planet he's been living on for the last few weeks, but seemingly everyone who watches football knows implicitly that the way to beat the Colts is by running the ball down their throats repeatedly. Indy has a soft front seven and the Pats were, in fact, having their way with them on the ground. 148 yards rushing. Problem is, Maroney, Dillon, and Faulk only had 30 carries combined! That's outrageous! Run the ball more and Brady probably doesn't wind up throwing an uncharacteristic four INTs. Terrible game plan.

Michael Vick - Loss at Detroit did little to dispell the talk that he can't be a great NFL quarterback. Furthermore, Atlanta still look like pretenders.

Dallas Cowboys - Sorry, but you're not a playoff team if things like this happen to you. Even before the Washington disaster, I couldn't imagine Dallas getting more than eight wins this season.