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GRID IRON..a cynic could suggest Dick Jauron has been a model of consistency in Buffalo, so why fire him now? He’s always been a lousy coach, a wrecker of talent and an intellectual dullard. During ten years of coaching at the NFL level Jauron has had one winning season. One. He wears his mediocrity like a gold ring on a pimps hand but will doubtless find employment in the NFL by the start of the 2010 season. Why? He doesn’t challenge the orthodoxy, doesn’t rock the boat, is not troubled by even a single original thought…the best game of the 2008 season was the AFC Championship match between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. A rematch is on tap for Nov 29^th and the game could be critical for the Ravens. If, as expected, they lose to Indy this week, the Ravens will be 5-5 and clinging precariously to playoff aspirations. The Steelers will be rapturous at the prospect of squashing the Ravens and eliminating the possibility of another post season slugfest…Ronnie Browns season could be over in Miami. Ex Toronto Argonaut Ricky Williams will be front and centre in the Dolphins attack, a position that he may not be suited for. Williams has a long history of self destructive behaviour and seemed to thrive as the second option in the Dolphin’s backfield. Heat is on, Ricky, and it isn’t coming from your bong…the Sporting News Scouts are unequivocal; Tennessee Titan Chris Johnson and Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson are the two best running backs in the league…I rank the Peyton Manning fake United Way promo on Saturday Night Live as one of the funniest skits of all time. It must be viewed. Peter King mentions in the current edition of S I that Manning actually ad-libbed some of the funniest parts of the skit…

ICE..I’m enjoying “Gretzky’s Tears”, Stephen Brunt’s compelling new work on the infamous trade of the Great One to the Los Angeles Kings. There is one chilling section, however, on what life was like in the Gretzky household if you weren’t a prodigy. Brunt discusses an obscure interview Brent Gretzky did where he talked about the thrill he and his brother Keith had when father Walter was away with Wayne. They could actually play and have fun like regular kids. When Papa returned the kids were banished to the famous outdoor rink and forced to run endless, repetitive drills around pylons. Because of Gretzky’s success Walter is portrayed as a Canadian icon. Without 99, Walter would be viewed as a dour, tyrannical man espousing practices that bordered on child abuse…Eric Lindros is still the target of many because of his refusal to join the Quebec Nordiques. Brunt reminds readers that Gretzky, by signing with Indianapolis of the WHA, actually rejected an entire League. Wayne was comfortable with never playing in the NHL, according to Brunt, in the face of the money offered by the upstart organization. Brunt is cautious on the subject, understandable as many Canadians are simply uncomfortable with the truth behind the Great One image, but he is also quite clear that the Gretzkys, Wayne and Walter, have always placed themselves first. Lindros supposed transgressions are mild in comparison…Lawrence Martin’s biography of Mario Lemieux ranks with Net Worth and, for obscure reasons, The New Ice Age (loved reading about Sergei Samsonov) as my favourite books on hockey. Martin brought a genuine journalistic approach to his subject and presented a full and complete picture of his erstwhile subject. But his relating of the night Wayne Gretzky procured a hooker for a shy Lemieux, to facilitate the loss of his virginity, revealed more about our national icon than any other journalist has dared. Gretzky stories are legion among wait staff, hotel workers and strip club employees but strangely absent in the national press…William Houston excoriates Luke Schenn in a recent column on his truthandrumours website, dismissing him as soft and only a borderline talent. It’s startling to read. Houston then takes on Cliff Fletcher and, finally, Brian Burke. It’s clear that if the Leafs end up sacrificing a lottery pick, looking increasingly likely, to the Boston Bruins, then Brian Burke will face a torrent of criticism unprecedented in his career. Me - well, I still like Schenn and still support the Kessel deal. Times are dark in Leaf Land but I’m still optimistic Burke can turn the franchise around…Houston also reveals that Al Strachan has been fired from Hockey Night in Canada for spurious reasons. Strachan seems likely to launch an unfair dismissal lawsuit…

PONIES..Sea The Stars was named European Horse of the Year yesterday. There really was no option as the precocious runner invaded three countries to develop a stellar resume consisting of six Grade 1 wins. In America the standout filly Rachel Alexandra worked hard at creating a similar impression, travelling the United States to face an impressive array of opponents. It’s ridiculous to posit any animal other than Rachel as the North American Horse of the Year…

MEDIA..Mike Toth has been fired from both Sportsnet and the Fan 590. It, according to William Houston, stems from an incident of violence with a producer. I always found Toth an intolerable boor and was appalled at suggestions he was being groomed to be Bob McCowan’s successor..