Fantasy Football on your cell phone
Yahoo
Yahoo! Inc. kicks off the fantasy football season with new game features, mobile access, and Cleveland Browns' wide receiver Braylon Edwards as Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football '08 cover athlete. This year's game gives fans new tools, including a new draft application with extensive player data and more personalization options. Fans will also have better access via Yahoo! Mobile, including the ability to manage their teams, receive player news and injury information, and make roster changes.

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If you have Chad Pennington on your team...you may not be out of luck
The Kansas City Star says they will "almost certainly" make a play for the former Jets QB.

As ESPN puts it: Pennington, of course, has prior history with coach Herm Edwards when both were with the Jets. Kansas City is interested in bringing him in to be Brodie Croyle's backup, which would likely bump Damon Huard out of a roster spot. However, if a team like Miami is offering Pennington a chance to be a starter, it's unlikely he would choose Kansas City over such an opportunity.

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Willie Parker owners can relax
ESPN
The Steelers haven't utilized a backfield featured both Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall much in training camp, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians expects the team to use the "Pony" backfield occasionally, but not as standard practice. If that holds true, then expect Parker to see the bulk of carries early in the season as Mendenhall learns the playbook.

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Grab Brian Westbrook early if you can
Despite a possibilty for a holdout, it appears that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook will be there come Game 1 and will be a points-getter. The Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Eagles and RB Brian Westbrook are close to terms on a contract extension, eliminating a possible rift between the club and their most valuable offensive weapon. Westbrook said earlier this week that he expects to play in the team's preseason game Friday at Pittsburgh.

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Running Back Positional Rankings for 2008
ESPN
Rank. Name Team
1 LaDainian Tomlinson Chargers
2 Adrian Peterson Vikings
3 Brian Westbrook Eagles
4 Joseph Addai Colts
5 Steven Jackson Rams
6 Frank Gore 49ers
7 Clinton Portis Redskins
8 Marshawn Lynch Bills
9 Marion Barber Cowboys
10 Larry Johnson Chiefs

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Don't draft Vince Young...unless you have to
CBS Sports
Vince Young broke your heart last year. It's OK to admit it. You sat there, waiting by your computer every game, hoping he would call with a big performance -- but it never happened. And it might not happen again this year. The safe bet is to leave Young on the waiver wire. Let him prove he can get off the scrap heap and then add him as a free agent. For his career, Young has 21 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 30 games, so he hasn't exactly been stellar to date.

I can't say I disagree with him...I was one of those fantasy owners who got burned by Young...as a backup though. I was one of the lucky ones in that regard.

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Mock Draft of the Day
ESPN

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Friday's Sleeper Pick
Anthony Gonzales - Indianapolis
There's been a lot of chatter about the decline of Marvin Harrison, and there's debate to be had on both sides of that coin. Most of the resulting discussion is about how Reggie Wayne is now the main recipient of all that is Peyton Manning, but not as much about the downstream benefit to Gonzalez. A-Gonz, as he'll undoubtedly be called if he isn't already, has all the tools to be a solid second receiver in that system, which means at worst he'll be a great WR3 for your team. He's being drafted far below that point right now, so scoop him up and enjoy.

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Tips on Drafting QB's in your fantasy draft
CBS Sports
Round 1:Two names are head and shoulders above the rest of the Fantasy quarterback class: Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, and for obvious reasons.

Round 2-3: If you pass on a stud running back in Round 1, you're probably going to have trouble finding one in Rounds 2 and 3. Miss on a quarterback, though, and you'll still find some very attractive options soon thereafter. Many Fantasy owners see a lot of value in nabbing Tony Romo (the consensus No. 3 Fantasy QB) and Drew Brees with a pick between 13th and 36th overall.

Round 4-7: Like any position in a Fantasy draft, the deeper you wait to pick, the less desirable the talent. That said, several quarterbacks who were picked at this point and beyond last year turned out to be steals. The quarterbacks in play at this point are Derek Anderson, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, and all three carry more risk with less reward than the four previous passers.

Round 5-8: Four of the five names you'll see drafted next are familiar: Marc Bulger, Matt Hasselbeck, Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb. With all four, you have a pretty good idea of what you are getting and what the positives and negatives are.

Beyond Round 8: The last strategy worth considering is "punting" on the top Fantasy quarterbacks and drafting two (or even three) from the pool of No. 2 Fantasy quarterbacks, a pool that includes Jason Campbell, Jake Delhomme, David Garrard, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers and Matt Schaub.

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Second Round Draft Strategy: WR or RB?
Fox Sports
It's crucial you spend at least one of your first two picks on a running back. Yes, I realize all 32 NFL teams have "starters" you can choose from and two rounds of a standard draft only equals 24 picks. But more and more teams are beginning to utilize the two-back system without a clear-cut No. 1 back. If you wait around too long, you'll basically end up starting two half-RB1s at best every week. Lots of luck if you find yourself in that situation.

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Larry Johnson not what he once was..but still a safe pick
Johnson should be in line for a bounce-back year. He won't return to the level he was at in 2006 when he was among the top rushers in the NFL, but Johnson is worth taking with a first-round pick in all leagues. If he falls to the second round, then consider drafting Johnson there a steal.

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Submit fantasy football questions about your team in the FORUM section or email me.

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Reds hire Bavasi as Special Assistant to GM
Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced the hiring of former Anaheim Angels and Seattle Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi as a special assistant. 

Bavasi, 50, will advise and assist Jocketty in matters related to the front office, Major League field and support personnel and scouting.

We're excited Bill has joined our organization," Jocketty said. "Over his career of more than 30 years, he has worked in almost every facet of baseball operations. We will benefit from his experience and insights."

Bavasi was the vice president/general manager for the Angels from 1994-99 and executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations for the Mariners from November 7, 2003 through June 15 of this season.

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Harang back from the DL Sunday, Volquez moved back
RHP Aaron Harang (3-11, 4.76) is expected to come off the disabled list and pitch against the Astros on Sunday. 

RHP Edinson Volquez (13-5, 2.93) will pitch in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

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NCAA rules against Mauk
Enquirer.com
The NCAA today said it has upheld the original decision to deny the extension of eligibility request for University of Cincinnati football quarterback Ben Mauk. The judgment to uphold the NCAA's orginal decision was based on case precedent, stating there was not sufficient medical documentation or any other objective supporting information to substantiate the claim that Mauk missed the 2003 season due to an incapacitating injury.

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Bengals Training Camp Coverage
C. Trent

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O'Neal embraces new role
Enquirer.com
A year ago, Deltha O'Neal was a starting cornerback, a talented veteran, counted on to provide stability in a transitioning Bengals secondary. Due to a disappointing 2-6 start in 2007, the Bengals' future arrived earlier than originally planned. Rookie first-round draft pick Leon Hall replaced O'Neal as a starter opposite second-year cornerback Johnathan Joseph, the team's first-round pick in 2006.

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Torch going out on the Reds
Enquirer.com
Much has been made of the Reds trying to salvage a winning season. That bus has all but left the depot. After Thursday's 7-4 loss to the Houston Astros, the Reds are 52-64. To finish 82-80, they have to go 30-16. This team seems completely incapable of that.

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Braced for a Browns implosion
Dayton Daily News - Chick Ludwig
The Cleveland Browns made an interesting decision in the offseason. They decided to toss all their defensive eggs in one basket … the line. By trading for Corey Williams (Packers) and Shaun Rogers (Lions), they improved up front. A lot. But here’s the question I want answered: Who’s gonna rush the quarterback and generate the sacks?

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Buckeyes suspend two defensive players
USA Today
Ohio State has suspended cornerback Donald Washington and backup safety Jamario O'Neal for the first two games of the season. Both players will miss the season opener against Youngstown State and the next game against Ohio University. Washington told reporters after team picture day Thursday that he had been suspended for breaking team rules. He declined to elaborate. Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa likely will replace Washington in the lineup. O'Neal also confirmed that he had been suspended.

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Taking things a little to seriously?
WCF Courier
A decision to disqualify a tournament-winning children's ball team in Evansdale has parents and coaches teed off. The Evansdale Youth Sports Association wrapped up a season of T-ball with a tournament over the weekend. Instead of taking home trophies, the winning team, the Walleyes, was declared ineligible. The team's coaches were banned from participating in EYSA organizations after board members discovered the team used two nonroster players.

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Brett Favre...to pick up or not pick up?
- Not a bad plan to pick up Favre if you're struggling to find that strong backup QB or even worse, if you don't have a decent starter.

The Pros: Favre had great numbers last year and will have quality targets in Jerrico Cotchery and Lavernius Coles and an improved offensive line.
The Cons: Even with a strong offensive output in 2007, he'll still throw a bunch of interceptions...and will likely have a bunch in 2008 as well. Favre is moving to a new offensive system and will need time to get comfortable with both the new playbook and receivers....after all, it's been nearly 20 years since he's had to learn a new system.
Bottom Line: If you need a solid backup or have filled the majority of your starting roster spots, Favre should be a safe pick for your team....maybe in rounds 7 or 8.

Marvin Harrison...be careful...
- It's hard to pass up on him based on what we all have seen from him for the last few years. However, there's a better than average chance that he's not going to be the same receiver he once was. Consider his injury...and an offseason injury to Peyton Manning could hamper your offensive numbers. If you have a chance to pick up a Reggie Wayne in the middle rounds...he wouldn't be a bad choice for a 2nd WR.

Lawrence Maroney is a rising fantasy star
- This year could be another big one for fantasy owners. Maroney ran for nearly 900 yards last season, on a Patriots team that was very pass-oriented a year ago. Even more helpful for fantasy owners, he's not likely to crack the Top 10 RB list...so Maroney should be available in rounds 5-7. Expect him to eclipse the 1000-yard rushing mark in 2008.

Draft Strategy...what to do in Round 4 and Beyond
ESPN.com
If you don't have two running backs by Round 4, your hand is forced: You must take one now, and you must consider reaching for project backs in Round 5 and beyond. The idea behind that is this: If you have studs at quarterback and wide receiver, throw a lot of names into your No. 2 RB mix and hope one sticks.

Thursday's Sleeper Pick
Check back everyday for my daily sleeper pick...some days may be more staggering than others. But consider, unless you're playing in a group of local fans, you may be able to snag players that fly under the radar and give you more wins

Today's Sleeper: Ben Utecht - Cincinnati
For the first time in ages, the Bengals will be able to utilize a pass-catching tight-end. Consider that Bob Bratkowski and Marvin Lewis have stressed the need (an oh-so-obvious need) for the Bengals to have a much stronger running game and balanced passing attack. Utecht will only benefit from that and should be a terrific sleeper choice. Also consider that he's hauled in 30 catches in each of his last 2 seasons....as a number 2 TE. He'll likely be an available choice at TE since the Antonio Gates' and Tony Gonzales' of the NFL world will likely get chosen first.

Bye Week Schedule
Week ...........Teams on bye
Week 4.........Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, New England, NY Giants, Seattle
Week 5.........Cleveland, Oakland, St. Louis, NY Jets
Week 6.........Buffalo, Tennessee, Kansas City, Pittsburgh
Week 7.........Atlanta, Philadelphia, Arizona, Jacksonville
Week 8.........Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota, Houston
Week 9.........New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco, Carolina
Week 10.......Dallas, Tampa Bay, Washington, Baltimore

Use the info above, then draft based on talent AND bye weeks
RotoExperts
While the bye week is often the bane of fantasy owner's existence, players and coaches love them. Byes are not going away; they’re here to stay. But that doesn’t mean you have to let them obliterate your fantasy football season.

- Submit your questions about your team in the FORUM section or email me.

Bengals Training Camp Coverage
C. Trent
- It could be a couple of weeks before Chinedum Ndukwe returns from injury after leaving practice on Wednesday.

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Congrats to Chuck Weber
The Cincinnati Cyclones, 2008 Kelly Cup champions, announced that Chuck Weber has signed a multi-year contract with the club. Terms of the deal were not released. He has also been promoted to the position of Head Coach / Vice President of Hockey Operations, after having served the past two seasons as Head Coach / Director of Hockey Operations.

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TGIT...the Cheerleader of the Week
Lacee Landers

Name: Lacee Landers
School: University of Miami
Birth Date: October 7, 1986
Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Ind.
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting, with a minor in business law

1. I love Miami, but I almost went to:
The University of Florida. We have a meeting in the Swamp on September 6th. Go Canes!

2. My favorite class is:
BSL 301: Commercial Paper and Creditors Rights. You'd just have to be there [to understand].

3. Movies I can't live without:
Crash, Coming to America and Syriana.

4. Music I can't live without:
Kirk Franklin, OutKast, Lauren Hill, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne and Miami Music.

5. TV shows I can't live without:
Pardon the Interruption and SportsCenter.

6. The most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me during a game is:
It was the last game in the Orange Bowl and I was so focused on encouraging one of my teammates during her standing tuck that I forgot to use my sign in our pre-game performance. It's pretty embarrassing when you're the "M" in M-I-A-M-I! "Go iami"?

7. My favorite sport is:
All 'Canes sports. I especially enjoy cheerleading and football.

8. My favorite professional sports teams are:
I'm a huge college sports fan but I try and keep up with the Miami teams, the Heat and the Dolphins.

9. My one guilty pleasure is:
MAC cosmetics.

10. My best physical feature is:
My big green eyes, they used to embarrass me as a kid but I've finally grown to love them.

11. A strange and unusual fact about me is:
The very first college football game I ever attended was the first one I cheered in for UM. It was against Clemson at Death Valley and we won in triple over time.

12. My friends would be surprised to know that I:
Used to be a band geek! I played the flute all three years of middle school.

13. My favorite foods are:
Organic peanut butter (a jar will last me about 3 days). I also love tuna fish, avocados and hummus.

14. Five people I'd like to have dinner with (living or dead):
My Mother (I don't see her nearly enough), Jesus Christ (I don't know if one dinner could answer all my questions), Dikembe Mutombo (he is to date the most generous athlete in the world and any person with such a giving heart is one I would love to learn from), Randy Shannon (our head football coach...he's so elusive!) and Tim Tebow (I'd like to see if he is really as nice as the media portrays him to be).

15. Three People who annoy me:
I'm not easily annoyed but any three FSU fans would probably fit the bill. Also, Renegade the FSU horse. I know he's not a "person" but he still annoys me.

16. The next risk I want to take is:
Taking my LSAT in June and applying to law school.

17. If my life had a theme song, it would be:
Bob Marley's Three Little Birds. "Every little thing is gonna be all right!"

18. The reality show I'd do best on is:
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I wouldn't want to win a home makeover, but I would love the opportunity to help the families that appear on the show.

19. If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd buy would be:
I'd buy my mom a fabulous house and then pay off my student loans. The rest would be saved up to pay for law school.

20. The worst date I ever went on was:
I haven't had any horrible dates yet, but if you do plan on taking me out I love sporting events!

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10 ways to make Price is Right more "hip"
Best Week Ever
10. Change the Logo and Title of the Show To Something A Little More “Now” - See the suggested logo to your right. As you will undoubtedly notice, the more “urban” and “edgy” logo design - and the new title, which has been updated to reflect the more “street” slang of the kids these days - all lend themselves to a younger, hipper daytime gameshow viewer.

9. Instead of “Come On Down”, Have The Voice of Scorpion Yell “Get Over Here!” While The Mortal Kombat Music Plays - I know it’s a trademark of the show or whatever, but the whole “Come On Down” thing is so played out. How much cooler and more youthful would it be if a classic video game fighting character unleashed a blood-curdling “Get Over Here!!!” along with intense techno music and strobe lights. Who wants to see some old grandad tripping over himself cause he’s the next contestant on the Price Is Right when he could make a more dramatic and triumphant entrance to the show like he’s about to wrestle for the motherf*cking WWE title of mid-level consumer products?

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10 Hottest Movie/TV Cheerleaders of All-Time
All Balls

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Because I know you care about Brett Favre....
SI.com
According to NFL.com, the Packers will receive a fourth-round draft pick in 2009. The selection would turn into a third-rounder if Favre plays in 50 percent of the plays this season, a second-rounder if he plays in 70 percent and the Jets make the playoffs, or a first-round pick if he plays in 80 percent and the Jets make it to the Super Bowl.

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Congress wants to ban beer ads at college games
TV Week
Nine congressmen are adding their voices to the push to get the NCAA to alter its policy allowing beer and wine cooler ads during TV telecasts. The NCAA Division 1 executive committee meets Thursday in Indianapolis. The congressmen today sent a letter to NCAA President Myles Brand urging the NCAA to ban alcohol ads entirely from broadcasts. “We find it puzzling that NCAA advertising rules prohibit ads for cigarettes, other tobacco products, organizations promoting gambling and alcohol beverages, yet continue to allow ads for beverages with alcohol content of 6% or less,” said the letter. “Given the devastating problems caused by underage college drinking, much of it in the form of beer, that policy makes little sense and flouts the core value of sports and learning.

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Madden '09 cover not changing
From EA Sports
"I just want to set the record straight – Madden NFL 09 will hit stores next Tuesday with Brett wearing his Packers green and gold, as we celebrate his legacy as one of the great QBs to ever play the game and someone’s who’s been with us from the early days of John Madden Football. But what’s most important is what’s in the game – and by the start of the season, we’ll have a roster patch that will ensure that, in the game, Brett is on whatever team he’s playing for this season."

Palmer picks Bengals to win AFC North
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer is at it again. Palmer is picking his Bengals to win the AFC North because he believes the lessons learned from previous seasons are finally sinking in.

"Tough one to predict. I predict that we win it," Palmer said from the Bengals' training camp at Georgetown College. "I can't tell you the won-loss record. Who knows? It's a crapshoot this year."

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Back from vacation....
I had a great time with the girlfriend in Florida last week....although it's great to be back in town. So they started charging for soda on the airline I traveled on...and it appears to be only the beginning. By next year, certain reports say, prices of plane tickets are going to double. Sweet. If that's the case, I'll get to take my next vacation in the summer of 2024. Anyway, good to be back.

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Keith Rivers is in...and practicing
C. Trent

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Rivers deal
5-year, $23-million dollar deal

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The saga continues...
Sporting News
According to Brett Favre's agent, Favre is willing to play for either the Jets or the Buccaneers, and he hopes a trade is completed by Thursday at the latest. "Brett feels he needs to get into training camp," Bus Cook told Sporting News in a telephone interview Wednesday morning. "He's ready to get started."

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New NFL fan code of conduct
Sporting News
It includes bans on:

-- Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal.

-- Drunkenness and signs of alcohol impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.

-- Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures.

-- Interference with the progress of the game, including throwing objects onto the field.

-- Failing to follow instructions of stadium personnel.

-- Verbal or physical harassment of fans from the opposing team.

...........Oh, okay great....they mean no fun...

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OSU 2nd in College Football Top 20
SI.com

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I officially love synchronized swimming...

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Oh boy...
Britney Spears is being lined up to play a killer lesbian stripper in the Quentin Tarantino's next movie, it has been reported.  "It is perfect Tarantino material. He wanted to get Britney first. She's playing the most important character."

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The electric car is coming...
Nissan Motor Co. unveiled a new prototype electric vehicle Wednesday with batteries twice as powerful as conventional technology, aiming to take a lead in zero-emission cars.  Japan's third-largest automaker said the front-wheel drive, boxy-shaped car has a newly developed 80 kilowatt motor with advanced lithium-ion batteries installed under the vehicle's floor to avoid taking up space.  The laminated batteries, jointly developed with electronics giant NEC Corp., pack twice the electric power of conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries currently used in hybrid and electric cars, it said.

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