Column as I see 'em:

Two things have become fairly evident about the Bills' coaching search. One, it will

probably drag on for at least another six weeks. And two, it is being run by a man, Russ

Brandon, who is likely to surrender his role as head of the football department when the

process is completed.

So it makes sense to find the GM first, then hire the coach. Ralph Wilson has promised to

evaluate his entire operation. But he needs a strong football man to help him do so. If he

waits until the carousel of big-name coaches stops spinning, it could be well into February

before he has a new GM in place.

Brandon will essentially be searching for his own replacement (and yes, you need permission

to talk to personnel men who are currently employed). That doesn't inspire a lot of

confidence. Maybe they should hire a search firm to help in the process. College and NFL

programs have done it before.

Yes, Tiger Woods has no legal obligation to speak with police. It's understandable

that he wants people to respect his privacy. But Woods is one of the most famous people in the

world. If he won't explain how he smashed his car outside his house in the middle of the

night, people are going to ask questions.

Like, why did he drive away from his house at 2:30 a.m on Thanksgiving night? Why did his

wife, Elin, smash both rear windows to help Tiger, who suffered facial cuts, out of the car?

And if it's no big deal, why won't Woods cooperate with the Florida police?

I suspect that any seasoned cop who heard the details of the crash would have one immediate

thought: domestic dispute.

Syracuse has been the biggest early surprise of the college basketball season.

Picked to finish as low as 10th in the Big East after losing Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris and Eric

Devendorf, the Orange is 6-0 and has surged to eighth in the AP poll on the strength of wins

over California and North Carolina.

Jim Boeheim is at his most dangerous when little is expected. His 2003 national title team

was unranked at the start of the season. So was his 1996 national runner-up team. The 1987

squad, which lost in the final to Indiana, was ranked 15th in the opening poll.

Three years ago, Jason Pominville was second in the NHL with 30 even-strength goals.

Entering Monday's game, Pominville had scored just 11 times at even strength in his last 87

games. We're past the point where it can be dismissed as a slump. It's an alarming trend.

Terrell Owens was asked about Perry Fewell's aggressive approach after Sunday's win.

"He's two weeks too late," Owens said, laughing. What, a criticism of Dick Jauron's

conservative style? Where was that when we were desperate for an honest, critical assessment

of the offense, T.O.?

Several Steelers, including Hines Ward, had an issue with quarterback Ben

Roethlisberger missing Sunday night's game crucial AFC Central showdown against the Ravens. I

wouldn't question the toughness of Big Ben, who has won two Super Bowls and taken a pounding

behind that Pittsburgh offensive line.

I had no problem with the Bills scoring a late TD rather than kneel down Sunday.

Perry Fewell was being aggressive and wanted his team to score a resounding win after so many

fourth-quarter failures. What's the big deal?

What happened to UCLA hoops, which reached three straight Final Fours under Ben

Howland from 2005 to '07? The Bruins are 2-4, and they lost by 27 to Portland.

Boy, was I wrong when I said Brett Favre would fall on his face this year. I haven't

missed that badly since picking the Bills to go 8-8 in 1990.