1.  Axtell, the pivotal player in the post-season events, did not attend the Penders press conference and declined comment.

2.  After Bush rejected the treaty, Japan became a pivotal player.

3.  Everett is a pivotal player and this is a pivotal time in the history of the organization.

4.  In their march to the Super Bowl last season, the Giants generally avoided significant injuries to pivotal players.

5.  Kansas City, Mo., political consultant Bill Hoch predicts Sebelius will emerge as a pivotal player in the Democratic Party.

6.  Kentucky scrambles a defense capable of shutting down one such pivotal player.

7.  NFL coaches dread the final preseason game, fearing injuries to pivotal players so close to the beginning of the regular season.

8.  Russia, according to diplomats, was against a NATO presence at the conference, and, unlike at Dayton, Russia is a pivotal player at Rambouillet.

9.  The pitcher, Heathcliff Slocumb, whom the Red Sox coveted for their closing role, was the pivotal player in a six-player trade with Philadelphia.

10.  The pivotal player in all of this will be Boomer Esiason.