EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

CNNSI.com GROUP
 Sports Illustrated
 Life of Reilly
 SI Women
 SI for Kids
 Press Room
 TBS/TNT Sports
 CNN Languages

COMMERCE
 SI Customer Service
 SI Media Kits
 Get into College
 Sports Memorabilia
 TeamStore

Reactions: 2001 headlines

Tiger, Venus and pigskin surprises to dominate next year

Ricky Williams has taken the bedeviled New Orleans squad and made them "Saint"ly. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

CNNSI.com users were asked to predict what they think will dominate the news headlines in 2001. The surprising Saints, Tiger Woods and Andre Agassi were among those thought to lead the newscasts next year. A sample of the responses we received follows:

I predict that the king of comebacks, Andre Agassi, will create a stir by winning one last Grand Slam before retiring.
Brian Jones, Springfield, Ill.

I think the team that will dominate the 2001 season is the Boston Red Sox. After picking up Manny Ramirez, the Sox got that second last element of their team (need another starting pitcher). I feel that Pedro will have a ton of run support and will win at least 22 games. I believe that they now have what it takes to be No. 1 in the AL east and put an end to the Yankees dynasty, although they are loading up their team (Mussina, etc.).
Rick Farinha, Toronto, Ont.

After a shocking fall from grace in the second half of the 2000 season, the St. Louis Rams will once again dazzle the nation with a balanced attack of mind-boggling offense and a more than respectable defense, led by new defensive coordinator, Gunther Cunningham.
Rich Barber, St. Louis, Mo.

Andre Agassi might contemplate retiring. The young guns have already taken over, Pete's gotten married and it's only a matter of time before he bids goodbye, too. There's nothing more to accomplish fellas. You've done a great job. Well, Pete though, might try a few more shots at Roland Garros.
Budjie Serrano, Manila, Philippines

1. Mario leading the Pens to the cup.
2. A day goes by where some beat reporter or TV sports anchor DOESN'T mention A-Rod's contract.
3. Daniel Snyder finally admits he put together a sorry team and it wasn't Norv's fault. Then he makes a TV appearance on FOX in a show titled, "Who wants to coach a team of overpaid/over-the-hill players?"
4. I actually make the playoffs in all three of my fantasy football leagues.
5. Shaq only misses three more free throws for the year to raise his average to 43%.
6. People finally realize baseball is not a team sport and that it's really the work of Satan.
Jerry Peoples, Aliquippa, Pa.

I think the big story will be how Venus and Serena get over their complex about playing each other in tournaments, and commence to battle for the No. 1 ranking. The war will begin in about March after a few tournaments get them warm and ready!
Chanda Norton, Lexington Park, Md.

The big headline will be the Texas Rangers and their struggle to remain above .500 despite the signing of what's-his-name.
Howard Hyman, New York, N.Y.

I believe Tiger Woods will go on to complete the Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April. There will certainly be some detractors who will deny that it is a genuine Grand Slam. It will inspire the young master and there will be an all out attack on the remaining majors, in which I predict Tiger will win them all. Jaws dropped and critics silenced he will be crowned the greatest to ever tee up a ball!
Johnathan Chandler, Stockton, Calif.

The Oregon State Beavers battle the Oregon Ducks in Eugene for a National Championship berth to the Rose Bowl, and the winner also decides the Heismen between Ken Simonton (Beavs) and Joey Harrington (Ducks). It could happen. GO DUCKS!
Portland, Brett Olson

I believe the team that will dominate the headlines in the fall will be the Georgia Tech football team. First, they will upset Florida State, then go on to be undefeated and be undisputed national champs. Also people will finally realize that the SEC is overrated and the ACC needs to get more praise for being a good football college. Also, Georgia will hire a new coach who will do even worse than Donnan.
Jeff Salerno, Alpharetta, Ga.

Indiana University's defense will improve enough to allow quarterback Antwaan Randle El to receive the attention that this special talent deserves.
What could Randle El do in 2001? The dual-threat signal caller is on pace to tally 8,000 career yards passing/4,000 rushing to go along with 300 points scoring/300 points passing. To put those numbers in perspective, neither mark has ever been accomplished and only five other players have tallied 4,000/2,000 and only two (Randle El and Michigan's Rick Leach) have tallied 200/200 scoring. To think that he could surpass this mark by 100 points each is incomprehensible.
Beth Bauer, Wheaton, Ill.

The New Orleans Saints will be an absolute powerhouse in the NFL in 2001. I have not seen one bad move in either the draft or free agency that Coach Haslett and GM Randy Mueller have made. They already have a brilliant star quarterback in the making, a top-level receiver, a killer defense, one of the nastiest Offensive lines in the league and a premier running back. With a full draft to fill in the remaining holes and Coach Haslett's attitude that he has infused in this ball club, the Saints will be a force to be reckoned with.
Ben Cody, Ft. Myers, Fla.

Copyright © 2001 CNN/Sports Illustrated An AOL Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.