Cowherd's opinion rings true, but facts are off the mark ray.frager@baltsun.com

* Yes, you know this is the case, but here are a couple of numbers to illustrate what Tiger Woods' absence from last year's last two majors did to the ratings. According to Nielsen, the last day of the 2008 British Open was down 13.3 percent from the year before, and the final round of the PGA Championship - won by Woods in 2007 - fell 57.6 percent in 2008.

* At CBSSports.com and Masters.com, you can again get bonus coverage via streaming video. Amen Corner Live covers the 11th, 12th and 13th holes, 15 & 16 Live has those two holes, and Masters Extra covers the entire tournament an hour before each day's telecast begins.

* On Tuesday at 7 p.m., ESPN's E:60 includes what is described as an in-depth look at pro wrestling mogul Vince McMahon. Maybe ESPN could bring in Bob Costas for McMahon to yell at.

* Competing for your attention at the same time, however, will be the release of the 2009 NFL schedule during a two-hour show on the NFL Network (while you still can get it, Comcast customers).

* Most of the time in the office, our TVs are on with the sound down. What I've noticed lately is that, without hearing him, ESPN's original draft expert, Baltimore's Mel Kiper Jr., looks very angry when he's talking. Could it be the Todd McShay factor?