First Round Results in the Stephen A. Smith Region

Here are the final first round results:

(1) TERRELL OWENS defeats (8) GARY SHEFFIELD, 60% to 40%
(2) ALEX RODRIGUEZ defeats (7) TOM BRADY, 80% to 20%
(3) REGGIE BUSH defeats (6) JEFF GORDON, 67% to 33%
(4) MANNY RAMIREZ defeats (5) ALLEN IVERSON, 55% to 45%

For the second region in a row, all four higher seeds have won. Overall, 10 of the 16 higher seeds won. Here are the second round matchups for the Smith Region:

(1) TERRELL OWENS vs. (4) MANNY RAMIREZ
(2) ALEX RODRIGUEZ vs. (3) REGGIE BUSH

Technical Difficulties

There have apparently been problems with Blogger today. Therefore, I cannot post any results or new polls right now. I will post Smith Region results and the other second round matchups as soon as they are worked out.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.

First Round Results in the Skip Bayless Region

In both of the first two regions, only one higher seed won. In the Skip Bayless Region, all four higher seeds won.

KOBE BRYANT defeats CHAD JOHNSON, 56% to 44%
ROGER CLEMENS defeats PACMAN JONES, 73% to 27%
BRETT FAVRE defeats TONY PARKER, 64% to 36%
BRADY QUINN defeats DAISUKE MATSUZAKA, 91% to 9%

Therefore, the second round in the Skip Bayless Region will be as follows:

(1) KOBE BRYANT vs. (4) BRADY QUINN
(2) ROGER CLEMENS vs. (3) BRETT FAVRE

The second round in the Bayless Region and the Smith Region are scheduled to begin, most probably on Friday. Stay tuned.

The Second Round Has Begun

Matchups in the first two regions begin now. The other two regions should begin on Friday. Here's the matchups one more time, with a brief summary of what makes them "not." If you want a full rundown of their credentials, check the original matchup.

DALE EARNHARDT JR. vs. TONY ROMO

• Earnhardt--Epitome of ESPN broadcasting strategy: He's newsworthy because he's the most popular. Forget that he may not qualify for the Chase again this year (which means he's not even one of the 12 best drivers out there).
• Romo--Didn't have to pay his dues or go through the regular channels to become famous. It was thrust upon him after a couple of games because he has one of the "best jobs" in sports: America's quarterback.

BOBBY KNIGHT vs. MATT LEINART

• Knight--Former championship coach who hasn't been relevant on the court for years. But he has become one of ESPN's "go to guys" for years because of his arrogance, attitude, and temper tantrums.
• Leinart--Legitimate national championship and Heisman Trophy quarterback. But ESPN's love for all things USC has turned him into a rock star and premature Hall of Famer.

MARK CUBAN vs. DAVID BECKHAM

• Cuban--Narcisistic owner who cannot stand not being the center of attention.
• Beckham--ESPN hype machine declaring him "the savior of American soccer" remains out of control. ESPN would prefer to show shots of him warming up and stretching than show the game actually being played on the field.

MICHAEL VICK vs. MICHELLE WIE

• Vick--Considered an elite quarterback even though his passing skills leave a lot to be desired. His dog-fighting accusations have consumed the network's "news" coverage.
• Wie--Teenage golfing phenom whose desire for publicity and money (or her handlers' desire for publicity and money) by qualifying for men's tournaments have damaged her chances of ever being taken seriously as a professional golfer.

VOTE NOW!

The 2nd Round Begins Tomorrow

Wednesday morning, I am going to put up the 2nd round matchups in the Chris Berman Region and the Stuart Scott Region. Just so that you can get a taste of the matchups in advance, here they are.

SECOND ROUND, CHRIS BERMAN REGION:
(5) DALE EARNHARDT, JR. vs. (8) TONY ROMO
(2) BOBBY KNIGHT vs. (6) MATT LEINART

SECOND ROUND, STUART SCOTT REGION:
(5) MARK CUBAN vs. (8) DAVID BECKHAM
(3) MICHAEL VICK vs. (7) MICHELLE WIE

See you then. Thank you.

First Round Results in the Stuart Scott Region

There are still a day or two to vote in the matchups in the first round in the last two regions. However, the first round results in the Scott Region are now complete:

(8) DAVID BECKHAM defeats (1) BARRY BONDS, 81% to 19%
(7) MICHELLE WIE defeats (2) LeBRON JAMES, 94% to 6%
(3) MICHAEL VICK defeats (6) DANICA PATRICK, 62% to 38%
(5) MARK CUBAN defeats (4) PEYTON MANNING, 92% to 8%

Finally, let me add that the overall number of votes has been dropping. I ask you to help pass the word if you think the site has value. And, of course, please continue to stop by and continue to vote. I appreciate all of you who stop by and participate. The second round should tentatively begin on late Wednesday/early Thursday.

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