51.   Such speculation ignores the fact that Smith and Washington are close friends, and the two-time Super Bowl champion Cowboys remain an elite team.

52.   Texas seemed ready to join the elite teams this season, but thus far has shown it is far from ready for prime time.

53.   The Americans, elite teams of commandos from special operations forces, have taken fire and suffered injuries.

54.   The Cavaliers are going nowhere but have made a habit of beating the elite teams, toppling Milwaukee, San Antonio and New Jersey.

55.   The Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, and Steelers are generally referred to as the elite teams in the American Football Conference.

56.   The Clippers, meanwhile, walked away with an effort full of playoff intensity against an elite team.

57.   The change in the elite at quarterback and running back has had a direct effect on the change among the elite teams.

58.   The days of satisfaction with close calls against elite teams have ended in Aggieland, however.

59.   The elite team in the American League last year is underachieving this year and is twisting in the tangle of mediocre wild-card competitors.

60.   The elite teams elicit that kind of response.