The Moderator's Thoughts on the First Round Matchups in the Stephen A. Smith Region

Here are my thoughts on the last first round matchups:

TERRELL OWENS vs. GARY SHEFFIELD: Sheffield's antics are tired and old, and perhaps a little desperate. He's just starting to realize that the "national" media doesn't care about him anymore unless he does something outrageous, since he's not playing in New York. But like Kobe Bryant, T.O. takes ESPN hype to a different level. And it's only gotten worst since he got to "America's Team." I don't think I need to rehash the things he's done. He deserves attention because he's a great player, but this is out of hand. I mean, he's not Marvin Harrison or anything. MY VOTE: Owens

ALEX RODRIGUEZ vs. TOM BRADY: Like it is with Derek Jeter, the Tom Brady praise seems a little too positive. But Brady is going to be remembered as a clutch, big game, championship quarterback. He has three Super Bowl rings, which is three more rings than A-Rod has. A-Rod defines the paradox of ESPN coverage. When he does well, he's the best ever. When he slumps, he's the biggest fraud ever. But like the Yankees, he's always the story. And let's wait until he's a little closer to the all-time home run mark before we just give it to him. And I don't give a rat's ass what the New York tabloids are saying about him. So stop telling us. We don't care what New York journalists are saying. Stop being so narcissistic. Don't they have something better to do--like stirring up phony controversies with Chipper Jones? Oh wait, that was about A-Rod too. MY VOTE: Rodriguez

REGGIE BUSH vs. JEFF GORDON: Both guys define the term "overhyped superstar." Both are popular champions and deserve recognition. Both are beloved by their core audience. But, again, popularity should not dictate coverage. So I'm making a judgment call in Bush's favor. He gets more hype. And crowning the 2005 USC team (which didn't win the national championship) as one of college football's "best teams ever" was just so obnoxious. Not to mention that because of this USC-related hype, Vince Young (who still, I admit, gets his share of attention) is often overlooked. Yes, I know Young got the Madden cover, but all I see are Reggie Bush Madden commercials on television. MY VOTE: Bush

MANNY RAMIREZ vs. ALLEN IVERSON: This is another toss up for me. Both guys are fading superstars. Both were obnoxiously hyped in their day. Iverson for being a thug and a coach-killer; Manny for, as they say, being Manny. And that's why I guess I'm voting for Manny. Because, as the stupid phrase suggests, Manny gets to be famous because his name is in the phrase used for athletes who are dogging it (among other things that that the phrase describes). MY VOTE: Ramirez