Vince Marriott: Basketball just had its All-Star Game and hockey playoff races are heating up, but all I care about this week is the NFL Combine. While its premise college athletes getting tested in repetitive, mundane ways may not attract most people, those of us who have played football understand the significance of what these athletes are accomplishing and can only watch in awe. To most, a quarterback running a "4.41 in the 40" means nothing, but to a football fan, the time Robert Griffen III ran during his workout boggles the mind and makes all of the mediocre times worth sitting through. Likewise, watching men bigger than your car bench four times the weight you do also provides somewhat of a thrill. Still, I'm partial to speed, which is why I'll be watching the defensive backs go through their tests on Tuesday on the NFL Network. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., NFL Network).
Jonathan Gault: I know February isn't really the height of soccer season, but this Wednesday, a rare Feb. 29, offers a host of compelling international friendlies from around the world. France takes on Germany, while, in another battle of perennial European powers, the Netherlands travels to London to take on England. That matchup is particularly compelling, with England yet to appoint a replacement for manager Fabio Capello, who resigned on Feb. 8. The U.S. will also be in action, as the red, white and blue face 2006 World Cup winners Italy. With Euro 2012 three months away, these matches should offer a nice preview of the thrilling summer of soccer to come. (U.S. match: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m., ESPN2).
Nathan Yeo: The Chicago Bulls may have slipped a game behind the red-hot Miami Heat as the team with the best record in the NBA, but they are still a force to be reckoned with. Even after losing reigning league MVP Derrick Rose for 10 games due to back problems, the Bulls have played to a dominant 27-8 record. Forward Luol Deng has also stepped up in Rose's absence, earning his first All-Star nod. When the Bulls play the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, however, they will be in for a tough challenge. While Manu Ginobili is out with a strained oblique, Tony Parker has been a commanding presence on the court recently, scoring 42 points against the excellent Oklahoma City Thunder. Veteran Tim Duncan is also playing well recently, scoring six double-doubles in his past seven games. Whatever the result, this game between two division leaders is sure to be entertaining. (Wednesday, 9:00 p.m., ESPN).
