He Was Ready to Turn Paige on Griese

Even before it was announced that Brian Griese would not start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Post columnist Woody Paige was ready to call an end to Griese’s career with the Broncos after the quarterback’s performance against Oakland.

Wrote Paige: “Brian Griese had a quarterback rating on Sunday that was virtually the same as his uniform number and barely higher than a dead man’s. The biggest game of Griese’s career with the Broncos was the biggest flop of Griese’s career with the Broncos. The enigmatic quarterback’s self-proclaimed big game was over even before he was injured -- again -- in the first half. This should be Griese’s final little game.”

More Paige: “How long, Mike Shanahan, how long? Four More Years? NO. Four More Games? NO. Four More Quarters? NO. Four More Downs? NO WAY! If Shanahan continues to hitch his wagon to Griese, then that horse and cart should be ridden out of Denver together.”

Trivia Time: USC is 20-8 in the Rose Bowl. What is the Trojans’ record in other bowl games?

For cryin’ out loud: Think NBA and NCAA Division I men’s basketball officials are the only ones taking a verbal pounding from coaches? Think again.

Check out what Los Angeles Trade Tech women’s Coach Gregg Cobbs told the Barstow Desert Dispatch after his team was upset at Barstow College.

“This was the worst,” he said. “I can’t believe the calls those refs were making out there. [Barstow plays] in our tournament every year.

“Wait until they come to our place and see the referees we bring in.”

Don’t hold back, coach, how do you really feel?

Looking back: On this date in 1908, Jack Johnson became the first African American to win the heavyweight title with a 14th-round knockout of Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia.

Looking back II: On this date in 1955, the Cleveland Browns intercepted six passes, one of which was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Don Paul, in a 38-14 victory over the Los Angeles Rams for the NFL championship.

Age before beauty: Bill Simmons of ESPN.com is afraid of aging, a dread that does not dissipate when he looks at Ken Griffey Jr., the man who plays center field for the Cincinnati Reds.

“We’re almost the same age ... [and it] seems like just yesterday when Junior was this happy-go-lucky kid who played on the same team with his Dad, wore his hat backward, and seemed on pace for 5,000 hits or 900 homers,” Simmons mused.

“Now he’s 33, plagued by injuries, miserable and bitter, on the downside of his career, and his team can’t even give him away. It’s just plain depressing.”

Trivia answer: USC has a losing record of 5-7 in postseason games other than the Rose Bowl.

And finally: Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle has his tongue planted firmly in his cheek when asking everyone to get off the back of His Airness.

Wrote Ostler: “Michael Jordan’s ex-girlfriend claims he agreed to pay her $5 million in hush money. Jordan cries foul, says that would put him over the extortion cap. Give the guy a break. He’s still trying to pay off his golf bets.”