JIM DAVIS / The Boston Globe / AP Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown takes a direct snap before throwing for a 19-yard touchdown two weeks ago.

The Chargers don't seem all that impressed, or worried. “Gimmicky,” cornerback Quentin Jammer said. Still, it's something to think about. The Chargers have spent time each day this week preparing to face the Miami Dolphins and their highly successful (for a half-dozen plays) version of the single-wing offense.

• Defense aims to tie up tight ends

CHICAGO – After two duds by the Cubs at Wrigley Field, Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers look ready to run Chicago's championship drought to 100 years. Ramirez hit a mammoth homer to extend his postseason record, Russell Martin had a three-run double and the Dodgers took advantage of four errors by the clumsy Cubs in a 10-3 victory last night that gave them a 2-0 lead in the National League Division Series.

If you're wondering why the Padres have such a hard time keeping hitting coaches, consider the job description. Teacher. Guidance counselor. Patient listener. Confidence builder. Problem solver. Tireless worker. Professional “in all that they seek to do.”

There really isn't any reason now to call the Bowl Championship Series elitist. Why repeat ourselves? As a toddler, the BCS slurped lucre pabulum with a silver spoon and still haughtily swaggers around with one lodged in its throat. The black sheep brothers were thrown out to a pasture not so green 10 years ago and have been foraging for scraps since. The BCSers wear the Armani tuxedos.