So what else is going on these days?

With tonight's game the ESPN Sunday Night showcase at 8:00PM, now seems like an ideal time to step away from The Rivalry and take a closer look at some of the other things going on in sports that us members of The Nation have been neglecting:

- Patriots sign veteran LB Junior Seau: This one will go in the books as one of the shortest retirements in history. The Chargers threw him a lavish party Monday after he announced his plans last weekend; after receiving a call from the Pats brass Tuesday, Thurday night he had passed a physical and inked a deal, bringing a much-needed veteran prescence to their depleted LB corps. How much does the 12-time Pro Bowler, 37-year-old member of the '90s All-Decade team have left in the tank? No one knows for sure. But I do know one thing: his leadership, work ethic, and personality alone is worth the risk, even if he is a bust on the field. Plus he's being reunited with his old Charger buddy Rodney Harrison; time will tell if the two memebers of San Diego's 1994 Super Bowl team still have what it takes that made them two of the NFL's most feared defenders.

-Bucs lose 2nd preaseason game,13-10, to Miami: In the "what does it matter dept." a.k.a. preseason football, the Bucs Scrubs fell to the Miami Third-Stringers last night at Ray Jay. A sample of TB starters who didn't see the field: Cadillac, Galloway, Pittman, D-Brooks, Shelton,and Sir Simeon. I didn't watch most of the game, but from what I can tell it went something like this: the first-string offense (minus abovementioned players) sputtered again, with the "O" line suffering numerous breakdowns (no way!) and Simms, struggling to pass over the outstretched hands of the Miami defenders, was sacked twice; he finished 2-7 for 27 yds. But for the second straight week, backup QB/fan fave Bruce "The Rocket" Gradkowski looked good, tossing a 48 yd TD to Edell Shepherd, and finishing 11-14, 193yds, 1TD, 1INT. Also backup LBs Barret Ruud and Jamie Winborn were all over the field and made a ton of big plays (Ruud had a sack & forced fumble on Duante Culpepper; Winborn sacked Miami mop-up man Joey Harrington). 2006 draftee WR Maurice Stovall had another nice catch, a 36yd first- down grab , and Shepherd, fighting for a roster spot (again) had 3 catches for 93 yds, incl the 48 yd TD. Mr. August, FB Ernest Graham, had 28 yds on 6 carries w/ a long of 18 yds.
But like I always say- presason is for coaches, 3rd-stringers, Fantasy Football Geeks, and degenerate gamblers!

- Tiger enters final day tied for lead (-14) at the PGA Championship: And he's tied with Luke (I am your father) Donald, who should be as nervous as a pastry around Star Jones when they tee off today at approx 3 EST; Going for his 12th Major, Tiger is definitely in a zone, coming off wins at the British Open and The Buick in Warwick Hills, MI. He has never failed to close out a tournament when he is either leading or has a share of the lead on the final Sunday. Although Donald is a British-born lad, he went to Northwestern, lives in the Chicago area, and should have plenty of supporters at Medinah; but when Tiger strides to the tee wearing one of his trademark blood-red shirts, it should be lights out, thanks for coming, and one step closer to Nicklaus' record 18 Majors by days end.

There is also a bevy of television choices tonight, so warm up the TiVo and get ready for a Sunday Night Party. Coming soon: MUST-SEE T.V. PREVIEW, SUNDAY EDITION