2. THE DEFENSIVE LEADER IS BACK: The Steelers learned that safety Troy Polamalu is back and being, well, Troy Polamalu. He's fast and he's making great breaks on the football reminiscent of his past brilliance."It's been a long recovery time. She was in there longer than they expected, setbacks here and there. But we never lost faith.

ARLINGTON, Va. The National Hockey League announced today that Washington left wing Alex Ovechkin is one of three finalists for the Hart Trophy, which is presented annually to the player judged most valuable to his team. Ovechkin joins Calgary Jarome Iginla and Pittsburgh Evgeni Malkin as the three finalists."Ever since I played mighty mite football," he told me. "Every level, every year, the beginning of every season I hear it: how do you play football, you're too small, you can't play this sport. Actually, when I went and tried out for my high school team, the coach looked at me like, 'Are you really trying out for foot