Should Peyton Manning be considered for the NFL's MVP award?

Peyton Manning has not played a single down this season. Yet, there is an interesting debate brewing about whether the injured Indianapolis Colts quarterback should win his fifth NFL MVP award this year.

The premiere issue of NFL Magazine features an article entitled: "Our Man Manning. Without even playing a down, Peyton's proven he's the NFL MVP."

Sounds pretty silly, right? Especially with guys such as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and others making cases for themselves on the field.

But think about it. Manning, who had never missed a start until this season, has led the Colts to the postseason nine straight times, including two Super Bowl appearances and one league championship. Without him this year, the Colts are 0-12.

"Look, we all know who would win if we took a poll right now. Aaron Rodgers would absolutely kill it. But if the Colts end up going the way they're headed, the more it proves that Peyton really is the franchise,” said Mike Dunphy, publisher and editor in chief of NFL Magazine.

Dunphy added: "Is he really the MVP? Everybody has an opinion on that, and this is ours."

What do you think? Does the Colts' dismal performance in Manning's absence prove he really is the most valuable player in the league? Or should that honor be reserved for someone who actually played this season?

Vote in the poll and leave a comment explaining why you voted the way you did.

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Peyton Manning. Credit: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Where should Donovan McNabb spend the rest of the season? [Poll]

Donovan McNabb is no longer a member of the Minnesota Vikings. In case you're having trouble keeping up, he is also no longer a member of the  Philadelphia Eagles or the Washington Redskins.

For a guy who spent the first 11 years of his NFL career in Philadelphia -- taking the Eagles to four NFC championships and one Super Bowl appearance -- McNabb has become quite the journeyman lately. He was traded during the 2010 off-season to the Redskins, who released him after just one season.

He was picked up by Minnesota, where he lasted just six games as a starting quarterback (going 1-5 with only four touchdowns and five passes of 25-plus yards) and 11 games overall. The Vikings released McNabb on Thursday, a decision Coach Leslie Frazier described as mutual.

So what now for McNabb? The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans are two teams that jump to mind as possible destinations. Both are playoff contenders with issues at the quarterback position. The Bears very well could be without injured starter Jay Cutler for the rest of the year, and backup Caleb Hanie struggled in his first start last week.

The Texans have lost their top two quarterbacks -- Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart -- to injuries. But the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the team has no immediate interest in McNabb, with Coach Gary Kubiak apparently willing to stick with T.J. Yates as his starter.

The Dallas Cowboys, another playoff contender, also could use the services of someone like McNabb. While they are set with Tony Romo as their starter, backup Jon Kitna has been having back problems the last several weeks and might be out for the season.

The Bears and Cowboys are said to have put in waiver claims on quarterback Kyle Orton, who was cut last week by the Denver Broncos and eventually was awarded to the Kansas City Chiefs. If both teams make a run at McNabb on the waiver wire, Dallas would have priority over Chicago based on record and strength of schedule.

Where do you think McNabb should spend the rest of the 2011 season? With one of the teams mentioned above, or is there another you think could use his services? Or do you think it's time for the veteran quarterback to call it quits? After all, things haven't worked out so well with his last two teams.

Vote in the poll, and leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

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-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Donovan McNabb. Credit: Carlos Gonzalez / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT

Who should be the next football coach at UCLA? [Poll]

Rick Neuheisel is out as UCLA's football coach; so who will be in?

Boise State's Chris Petersen is said to be the top choice at UCLA. The Times' Bill Plaschke agrees with the idea:

Petersen transformed an unknown outpost like Boise State into a team that has lost six games in six years, won two Bowl Championship Series bowl games, and is two missed field-goal tries from potentially playing for the national title the last two seasons. Petersen also transformed unknown Kellen Moore into a Heisman Trophy candidate, which could answer the other pressing question: Why can't UCLA ever have a great quarterback?

Houston's Kevin Sumlin is also said to be on UCLA's short list.

There are other interesting options out there. Jack Del Rio, a former All-American linebacker at USC, was fired Tuesday in his ninth season as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards seems to be a popular choice among some Times readers.

And, of course, it wouldn't be a coaching search if former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden's name didn't come up.

Who do you think should be the next coach of the Bruins? Vote in the poll and leave a comment explaining why you voted the way you did.

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— Chuck Schilken

Should Penn State self-impose a bowl ban this year? [Poll]

In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky sex-abuse scandal, should Penn State officials follow in the footsteps of the University of Miami, which issued a self-imposed bowl ban for this season in response to an NCAA investigation into the university's compliance practices?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses. And feel free to join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

Yes, although the two cases are different. Miami absolutely did the necessary thing in declining a bowl bid as part of a damage-control strategy in advance of major NCAA penalities. Current Miami players were involved in the present scandal in which booster Nevin Shapiro is alleged to have provided lavish gifts and favors.

Penn State players had nothing to do with the controversy surrounding the Jerry Sandusky case. But several members of the coaching staff, including interim head coach Tom Bradley, were longtime associates of Sandusky. No one is accusing them of any wrongdoing but there are questions being raised about what they knew, or should have known, about their former colleague.

This is shaping up as the biggest scandal in collegiate sports history. I think a bowl would be more of a distraction than a reward. The university would be better served at this time sitting this bowl season out.

Mike Krzyzewski or Bob Knight: Who's the better coach? [Poll]

The poll results have been corrected. See the note below.

Mike Krzyzewski passed Bob Knight, his former coach at Army, as the winningest Division I college basketball coach when No. 6 Duke beat Michigan State, 74-69, on Tuesday night.

With 903 victories, Coach K may have the most wins of all time, but which of the two men is a better coach? Writers from around the Tribune Co. will discuss the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses.

And feel free to join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune

When you think of Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, you think about winning. When you think about coach Bob Knight, you think about winning ... and throwing chairs ... and throwing tantrums.

Krzyzewski's tempered attitude -- and not his temper -- has shaped Duke into a perennial power en route to his becoming college basketball's winningest coach with 903 victories, bypassing his former coach and mentor Knight with Tuesday's victory against Michigan State.

He's won four NCAA tournament titles and appeared in 11 Final Fours, which are both more than Knight. Now Krzyzewski has the most wins ever. Give him the crown.  

Which will happen first: Packers lose or Colts win? [Poll]

This post has been corrected. See the note at the bottom for details

After watching Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers destroy the Minnesota Vikings, 45-7, on Monday night, it's hard to imagine these guys ever losing again. They're 9-0 this year and 15-0 since their last loss, to the New England Patriots on Dec. 19 last year.

But the Packers are still seven wins away from joining the 2007 Patriots as the only teams in NFL history with 16-0 seasons -- and many of their opponents should put up a bit more of a fight than the hapless Vikings, including five teams with winning records and six that will likely be fighting for playoff spots.

After hosting the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) next week, Green Bay visits the Detroit Lions (6-3) for a Thanksgiving meeting between NFC North rivals. Then on Dec. 4 comes a road game against the New York Giants (6-3) -- the team that gave those 2007 Patriots everything they could handle in the final game of the regular season and then prevented them from going 19-0 by winning Super Bowl XLII.

That is followed by games against a pair of AFC West contenders -- home versus the Oakland Raiders (5-4) on Dec. 11 and visiting the Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) on Dec. 18. The Packers finish off the season with home games against division rivals, the Chicago Bears (6-3) on Dec. 25 and the Lions on Jan. 1.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts (0-10) are trying to avoid joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only 0-16 teams in league history. Two of their best chances for a victory come the next time they take the field -- Nov. 27 hosting the Carolina Panthers (2-7) -- and in the last game of the season -- Jan. 1 at the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6).

In between, the Colts have dates at the Patriots (6-3) on Dec. 4, at the Baltimore Ravens (6-3, including losses to the Jaguars and the 3-6 Seattle Seahawks) on Dec. 11, home against the Tennessee Titans (5-4) on Dec. 18 and home against the Houston Texans (7-3, but may be without starting quarterback Matt Schaub) on Dec. 22.

Writers from around Tribune Co. will discuss which will happen first, the Packers lose or the Colts win. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment.

Should Joe Paterno be allowed to coach Penn State on Saturday?

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno has announced he will retire at the end of the football season in light of the sex-abuse scandal involving his former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. But should he still be employed by the university even that long?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss whether Paterno should be with the Nittany Lions when they host Nebraska on Saturday. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the discussion by voting in our poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

It's incredible to think the best deal Joe Paterno could cut for himself at the height of this scandal was announcing he would retire at the end of the season. A man who talked only weeks ago about having no intention of retiring actually had to get out in front of a Penn State Board of Trustees that might want him to step down immediately.

FULL COVERAGE: Penn State scandal

Yet, allowing Paterno to coach the next three games and a bowl game is going to be huge distraction. Paterno should probably be allowed to coach his final home game at Penn State and then step aside for remaining away games at Ohio State and Wisconsin. But even that might not sound like a good idea by the time this day, or week, is over. Things are moving that fast.

Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

Joe Paterno is one of the greatest coaching legends in college football. He has done more for Penn State University in the 46 years that he has been coaching than anyone else. Until this point, his programs have remained clean during a time period when others have failed and his donations to help further education are legendary.

With his iconic black glasses and black sneakers, he is the face of Penn State. That’s why he should be allowed one last chance to say goodbye on Saturday. To walk the sidelines at Beaver Stadium and hear the cheers one last time. There will be boos, reminders of the mistakes he made being complacent instead of vigilant, and there will be protests. Wins and losses won’t matter in the end, and a legacy that had once written itself will now be forever tarnished. A legacy that started on a football field 46 years ago, should end on it as well. 

Are you satisfied with Joe Paterno retiring after this season?

Joe Paterno's 46-year run as head coach of Penn State football is coming to an end -- but maybe not as soon as some people might like. And, of course, there are others out there who don't want it to end at all.

Paterno has decided to retire at the end of this season in light of the sex-abuse scandal involving his former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

While Paterno is not under investigation in the case, he has been criticized for apparently not following up on a report of a 2002 incident involving Sandusky and a 10-year-old boy in the showers at the team's complex.

 FULL COVERAGE: Penn State scandal

There had been reports of eroding support of the legendary coach, with pressure mounting for Paterno to retire or be removed from his post.

But he also has supporters, particularly among the student body. A large group of students held an impromptu rally at Paterno's house on Tuesday night, chanting, among other things, "Let Joe stay!"

What do you think of Paterno's decision? Does he deserve a graceful exit? And do the players for the 8-1 Nittany Lions deserve to keep their coach as they finish out the season and prepare for a bowl game?

Or should he retire or be removed immediately?

Or do you think he should remain Penn State's coach beyond this season?

Vote and leave a comment explaining why you voted the way you did.

RELATED:

Bill Plaschke: Joe Paterno should resign

Penn State scandal: Awaiting more answers from Joe Paterno

This isn't the ending anyone could have foreseen for Joe Paterno

-- Chuck Schilken

Jerry Sandusky scandal: Is Joe Paterno's reputation tarnished?

Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator at Penn State, has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period. Two school officials have stepped down as they face charges of covering up the allegations. All three men have asserted their innocence.

Coach Joe Paterno, who has more wins than any other NCAA Division I coach with 409, is not considered a suspect. He released a statement Sunday saying he was shocked and saddened by the accusations against Sandusky, who retired from Penn State in 1999 but continued to use the school's facilities.

Paterno said in grand jury testimony that he reported a shower-room incident involving Sandusky in 2002 to Athletic Director Tim Curley when it was brought to his attention by a witness. Paterno added that no other allegations had been reported to him.

Still, the scandal may change the image of what has always been considered to be a clean program run by Paterno, who has led the team to a pair of national championships and five undefeated seasons since becoming head coach in 1966.

Writers from around Tribune Co. will discuss the Sandusky situation and whether or not it taints the reputation of the Nittany Lions' legendary coach. Please check back throughout the day for their responses.

And feel free to join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Will the World Series go to seven games and, if so, who will win?

Not that anything about the World Series between the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals has been predictable, but writers from around the Tribune Co. will do their best to forecast the outcome. Check back throughout the day for their responses and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment.

Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Mike Napoli and his Rangers teammates had no choice, really. If they were going to win the World Series, they had to find a way to win Game 5, and they did. Now they go to St. Louis with a chance to end it Wednesday night, but they’re not going to celebrate this soon. This World Series has been one of the best in a long time, and it deserves to go to the distance, which it will.

My original pick was Rangers in seven, and I’m sticking to it. I say that the Cardinals will win Game 6 behind big games from Jaime Garcia and Albert Pujols, but that the Rangers will come back to grab Game 7, scoring early and often against starter Kyle Lohse and a bullpen that has been exposed as the Cardinals’ fatal flaw. Look for Ian Kinsler to step up with a big hit or two, and the Rangers to string together shutout innings late in Game 7.

Should alcohol be banned from all MLB clubhouses?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. discuss the topic -- join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times

Yes, I do think alcohol should be banned from all clubhouses, and frankly, I'm not sure why baseball didn't take such action after Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in an automobile accident that was caused by a drunk driver in 2009. What if a player drank too much in the clubhouse after a game and caused a fatal accident on the way home? By removing alcohol from the clubhouse, baseball teams would eliminate any liability in such matters. If players want to drink after games, let them do it on their own time and on their own dime.

Plus, I'm guessing that Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton is not the only major leaguer who has struggled or is struggling with an addiction to alcohol. Removing alcohol from the clubhouse would show a sensitivity to such players and help curb or eliminate the temptation for them to drink while at the park.