81.   In the span of about four hours last Saturday night, USC lost its franchise player and a triple-overtime thriller to Oregon.

82.   Indeed, Knicks-Heat has never been about ego, multimillionaires or franchise players.

83.   It is difficult to tell if Pennington is a franchise player based on a few throws in a preseason game against the Saints.

84.   Is he a franchise player?

85.   It will be up to Martinez to do what their other franchise player, Nomar Garciaparra, has been unable to accomplish.

86.   Last night, it appears, they lost their franchise player, Mo Vaughn.

87.   Larry Johnson is now the main man for the Hornets, but while Johnson is a superb forward, he is not a franchise player.

88.   Look to Sprewell, the franchise player, and make it clear you appreciate a great play.

89.   League and Galaxy officials are hoping Hernandez can be the franchise player that will lead the team to an MLS championship, something no other foreign star has done.

90.   Left tackle Greg Bishop is not a franchise player, and if quarterback Dave Brown is going to improve, he needs to have his back covered.