Mulling a few options on flip side of the coin

Out with the coin flip -- or so it appears.

"It's obviously become just too complex a task," said one team owner. "We need something more simplified."

Reportedly, the embarrassment became too much following referee Gerald Austin's handling of the overtime coin flip in Sunday's New England-Miami game. The Patriots believed they won the toss, but Austin awarded the flip to Miami. League officials said this has happened at least one other time in the last year, so a new method may be incorporated.

Such as?

"Tough to say," said the team owner, "but you can forget about rock, scissors, paper . . . we're not going to make a mockery of this. We are dignified sportsmen.

"Now, we could make team captains buck up, the generations-old system in which you put a hand behind your back, then the referee will say, `One, two, three shoot,' and you'll either hold out one or two fingers. The home team captain will have called odd or even. I could be wrong, but it appears that this method has the most support."

Already rejected were suggestions for a spelling bee or name the state capital. "Let's be realistic," said the owner. "We don't have that much time."

Putting hand over hand on a bat is "too baseballish," said the owner, and tossing a tee in the air and seeing to whom it points once it lands "is a golf thing, and we need to separate ourselves from the other sports."

Arm wrestling?

"That's a possibility," said the owner. "But I'm pushing the idea of mixing it up. You know, wheelbarrow races one week, then the egg toss, then the three-legged sack races. I think the fans would like it. And you wouldn't be asking the refs to get involved with figuring out those two-sided coins."

The picks

Cleveland at New England (-5 1/2) -- Kelly Holcomb? Tim Couch? Browns coach Butch Davis said he'll announce his decision sometime soon, probably "12 o'clock Sunday." For crying out loud, you'd think he were choosing between Johnny Unitas and John Elway. Pick: Browns.

Dallas at Tampa Bay (-6 1/2) -- Do you think Bill Parcells will make his way over to third-string Buccaneer quarterback Chris Simms and chew him out, just for old-time sake? Pick: Buccaneers.

Tennessee (-3 1/2) at Jacksonville -- Tough times for the Jaguars will continue, but there is one bright spot: Cornerback Kiwaukee Thomas should be back, which is great for the sing-alongs. Pick: Titans.

Carolina at New Orleans (-2) -- Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is from Lafayette, La., so it's a homecoming of sorts. Only thing is, it's hard to recognize family and friends when they're all wearing bags on their heads. Pick: Panthers.

St. Louis at Pittsburgh (-1 1/2) -- This is the 1,000th game in Steelers history and it would be awful to root against such an anniversary. And besides, you have to like Pittsburgh because of Hines Ward. In this season, when reversible vests and reversible jackets are so handy, his name is reversible. Go ahead, call him Ward Hines. It sounds OK. Pick: Steelers.

Detroit at Chicago (-3) -- With the Lions, you have Joey Harrington or Mike McMahon. With the Bears, you have Chris Chandler or Kordell Stewart. Yes, sir, with these clubs, talk of a quarterback controversy revolves around why they even insist on playing anyone at quarterback. Why not a direct snap to the running back? Or bring back the center sneak? Pick: Bears.

Houston at Indianapolis (-13) -- The Colts have outscored the Texans, 42-6, in two meetings and I see no reason that trend shouldn't continue. But Indianapolis's injury report leaves me baffled. Running back Ricky Williams is "doubtful" because of an ankle injury. I would think he'd be "out" because he plays for Miami. Pick: Colts.

Seattle (-1 1/2) at Cincinnati -- Boy, oh, boy is Corey Dillon mad. "I would prefer to be in a place where I'm appreciated," he said, repeating his demand to be traded out of Cincinnati. Of course, the world is filled with disgruntled, millionaire athletes, which makes you appreciate "SpongeBob SquarePants" all the more. Look where he lives and what he looks like. Yet, you never hear him complain. Pick: Bengals.

Buffalo at Kansas City (-6 1/2) -- The Chiefs have cornered the market on luck, good breaks, and great fortune. Here's a hunch: It comes to an end against the Bills. Then again, I had a hunch that Topeka, Kan., would be awarded the next Summer Olympics. Pick: Bills.

Denver at Baltimore (-1 1/2) -- Danny Kanell? Surely, that decision was made only after Craig Morton, Charley Johnson, and Frank Tripucka turned them down. Pick: Ravens.

NY Giants at Minnesota (-5 1/2) -- Disheartening? Indeed. But Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton isn't about to give up, just because his club has lost some tough ones. "I don't have a surrender in me," he said. "There are no white flags in my locker. I got trumpets." Hey, Keith, my boys have a keyboard and drums, my wife can sing, and I'm proficient with the tambourine, so let's band together. Pick: Vikings.

San Francisco (-6 1/2) at Arizona -- The Cardinals did not play last week. Raise your hand if you noticed. Pick: 49ers.

NY Jets at Philadelphia (-3) -- Chad Pennington will see action, the Jets No. 1 quarterback having recovered enough from a broken left wrist. He will wear a polyurethane brace, which will slip over a protective glove, and he has a helicopter helmet that will allow him to fly over oncoming rushes. If things work out, he'll also get the lead role in the next "Inspector Gadget" movie. Pick: Eagles.

Miami (-3) at San Diego -- Junior Seau was seen wearing a Chargers jersey with LaDainian Tomlinson's name and number on it. Tomlinson was seen wearing a Dolphins jersey with Seau's name and number on it. Perhaps they're not aware of it, but according to some cultures, they're going steady. Pick: Chargers.

Last week: 9-5, which are also the hours Olindo Mare will be working if he keeps kicking like that.

Season: 49-49-3, and isn't .500 the ultimate goal of NFL officials?