1.   A lot of people expected Jeremy Mayfield to be a championship contender this season after getting his first career victory and finishing seventh in points last year.

2.   George spent Monday and Tuesday in Oakland listening to that crackpot Al Davis lie about how the Raiders will be Super Bowl contenders next season.

3.   He insisted the remarks to his team were in keeping with previous statements that he would step down if he could not mold Boston into playoff contender this season.

4.   He had hoped only to re-establish himself as a contender this season.

5.   Mullin has one more year left on his contract and would like to be with a contender next season.

6.   Rutgers, a national contender last season, faces a rebuilding year.

7.   The Astros have the look of a certain contender next season.

8.   Without him, the Red Sox were not considered a contender this season.

9.   Another team expected to be a top contender this season is Chip Ganassi Racing with veteran Jimmy Vasser and newcomer Alex Zanardi.

10.   Both teams are struggling and the trade is not likely to make either a playoff contender this season.