TURNER — MyKayla McCann and Adrie

McCann scored first on an Amanda Jordan assist in the first half. Newton topped Leavitt's lead when she scored on a Bri DeGone and Holly Gallup feed.

TURNER — MyKayla McCann and Adrie Newton took turns scoring as Leavitt (7-1) dismissed MCI (3-6) with a 2-0 victory in a field hockey game Thursday.

Leavitt 2, MCI 0

The Tigers (4-7) received goals from Brittany DiPompodiscount Los Angeles Dodgers Hats and Rachel Calden. Ashlee Quirrion turned back 14 shots in the cage for Jay.

Kathryn Ventrella added a goal and two assists, while a single tally by Erin Gats completed the scoring. Kaylee Morris made three saves for the Andies (10-1) in a solid effort.

Samantha Greenwood registered a hat trick Wednesday to lead Livermore Falls to a 5-2 victory over longtime rival Jay in MVCCheap Oakland Athletics Hats field hockey action.

“We found a way to win. That’s the most important thing, but I know I did some bad things,” said Leclaire.

The Senators got another scare when wingers Milan Michalek and Chris Neil both left the game with lower-body injuries. Both should to be fine, so the only worry is goaltending heading into the season opener Friday at home wholesale Oakland Athletics Hatsagainst the Sabres.

Jack & Sally

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Bill Daley, mudman, professor emeritus, and maker of sporty ephemera, snaps his fingers, coolly. "It means you're dangerous," he says.

He finds the good compromise, Wholesale Monster energy hatscocked slightly, and resting about a finger's width above his right eyebrow.

What you do next is critical, he says. Not anyone can wear a hat right. He demonstrates by placing his creation high on his head. "It means you're a dork," he says. Then he tugs it down sharply. Too angry or unbalanced.

"It's revelatory," he saysCheap DC shoes hats , finishing his noggin-protector from the day's news. "You have a flat plane and you turn it into a volume."

He talks as he works, and his lesson in hat-making roams from Goya, the Druids, and World War II to the difference between art and craft, Wholesale DC shoes hats the history of basket-making, and a good bit of mystical philosophy.

He's a tall, solidly built man with blue eyes, thick, pinkish hands, and an accent still flavored by the Hudson Valley of his boyhood.

Writing of Maria from West Side Story

Julia McKenzie, the English actress and singer who has appeared in innumerable Sondheim shows, describes his songs as both the most challenging and the most rewarding that any performer could hope to sing. 'He demands a lot of you, but it is the best experience you could have in a musical. You don't have to make buttons and bows over things as you do in some musicals;Wholesale NBA hats  he just gives you everything. His songs even put your body into the right physical state.' 

When I ask him to elaborate on a critique of his lyrics he goes about it with almost masochistic relish. 'Verbosity. Glibness. Repeating the same idea or notion in a disguised version within a lyric is something I can sometimes get away with, but it is getting away with it. Maybe a fussiness. That is to say too much detail and not enough muscle – Cheap F1 hatswriting superficially about an idea instead of coming to grips with it. I truly believe I'm aware of my weaknesses and I fight against them, but of course I don't succeed in overcoming them all the time.' 

It should also be added that he is just as hard on himself. Writing of Maria from West Side Story ('Say it loud and there's music playing/Say it soft and it's almost like praying'), he laments the 'overall wetness of the lyric – a wetness, I regret to say,Wholesale F1 hats  which persists throughout all the romantic lyrics in the show, but which appealed to my collaborators and which may very well have contributed to the score's popularity.' 

Grann is nagged over not having found forensic evidence

Grann's jungle adventure led him to a 1800 AD, pre-Colombian settlement surrounded by a moat. It was shown to him by Michael Heckenberger,Cheap NBA hats whom he described as a "white settler." 

Some people still think that Fawcett found "Z" and entered another dimension. Grann's trek into the jungle included subsequent discussions with friendly natives who may have been the last to see Fawcett alive. None of them would have traveled into "enemy" territoryWholesale NBA hats  as Fawcett had done. None of them thought he was still alive. 

"I cursed Fawcett. I blamed it all on him...then I had a sense of consequence," Grann admitted. He nipped the obsession that had overwhelmed him and returned home to his wife and son. 

Grann is nagged over not having found forensic evidence of Fawcett's demise. Cheap F1 hats But rather than venture into unchartered areas--60 tribes, Grann said, remain uncontacted and an area the size of Belgium remains under indigenous control--he had a genuine moment of panic. 

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Women model handmade hats

Members of the Carlsbad, Wholesale NBA hats  Oceanside, Vista branch of the American Association of University Women gathered for a fundraiser that featured a tea and the opportunity to model handmade hats that were made 35 years ago by co-president Joan Buchman's mother. Pictured are Charlene Williamson, left, McCaylah Clifford, Diana Rizzuto and Sue Mitchell. Proceeds will benefit the branch's programs, which promote equity for women and girls, including the Tech Trek summer math and science camp for seventh-grade girls, Cheap F1 hatsdonating dictionaries to AVID students and scholarships. Visit aauw-cov.org

Chad Pennington

Eighteen months from his most recent operation will be April 2011. By then, Pennington might be in the market for another team and a No. 1 job.

"Finally in '07 I no longer felt like I had had shoulder surgery," cheap Pennington jersey said. "You really don't feel totally out of the woods until about 18 months. But that doesn't mean you can't go out and compete and do well."

But his recovery actually took longer.

Pennington speaks from experience. He underwent shoulder surgery twice in 2005, then won the comeback honour when he led the New York Jets to the playoffs in 2006.

While arm strength has never been Pennington's forte, he has thrown well in the two exhibition games in which he has played, completing 10-of-18 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He said his throwing improves every day, but he's not 100 per cent and probably won't be this season.

The wholesale Dolphins jersey also have Tyler Thigpen, a fourth-year pro and former starter with Kansas City. He provides insurance should Pennington hit a setback in his recovery from shoulder surgery.

"We share leadership. I enjoy when he gets in there and has something to say, because I'm learning just like everybody else. He has been around a lot longer than I have. We're here to win as an offence collectively, and to have two quarterbacks in there saying stuff, it's good."

"It's just a great relationship," Henne said. "I'm learning so much from him just having him by my side.

Henne does. He says he learned plenty as a rookie understudy to Pennington in 2008, and while they've swapped spots on the depth chart, their friendship remains strong.

"Leadership comes a lot of different ways," Sparano said. "I'm not out there playing, and I guess the players consider me a little bit of a leader. I would say that they would be very wise to pay attention to some of the things that people like Chad Pennington have to say."

Sparano says discount  Pennington jersey can be a team leader even from the sideline.

"Chad understands that he has my full support," Pennington said. "The last thing that I want to do is undermine him. He knows that. I've talked in front of the offence about that, to make sure they understand he's our quarterback, period."

It's a tricky role when a young starting quarterback is trying to assert himself. But coach Tony Sparano says Henne's authority won't be diminished by Pennington's presence, and both quarterbacks agree.

Last year, the Dolphins backslid to 7-9, and they haven't won a playoff game since 2000. But expectations for the Bill Parcells regime remain high, and Pennington's job this year will be to provide leadership as a backup QB.

Pennington came to the Dolphins that season and had the best year of his career. He earned the affectionate nickname "Coach Pennington" from teammates because of his take-charge personality, and threw for 3,653 yards to help transform the Dolphins into AFC East champions one year after a 1-15 season.

"I felt like this was the place for me to be," he said. "Part of it was I wanted to help finish what we started in 2008."

Pennington opted to re-sign with Miami this year as a backup rather than join another team where he might compete for a starting job.

The latest injury cost Pennington a starting job. Second-year pro Chad Henne moved into the lineup and threw for 2,878 yards last season, and the Dolphins believe they're set at the position for years to come.

"I don't think anybody has tried to come back from three shoulder surgeries," he said.

The cycle continues. Pennington sustained a season-ending injury last September, necessitating surgery on his right shoulder for the third time. Now, at age 34, he's trying to revive his career in what could also set some sort of NFL record for resilience.

"Get hurt," the cheap Miami Dolphins jersey quarterback said with a laugh, "and then come back."

Pennington was asked the secret to winning such an award twice.

The quip dates to the end of the 2008 season, when injury-prone Chad Pennington was selected the NFL comeback player of the year for a second time.

Bengals' Former First Round Pick

Andre Smith came loaded with promise. During high school recruiters called Smith "one of the most dominant offensive line prospects in the last 10 years" (Rivals.com). He went on to become only the fourth O-line freshman to ever start for the Alabama Crimson Tide, playing in all 13 games and recording 62 pancake blocks and even a touchdown. This resulted in Freshman All-American honours.

Smith continued to rack up awards in college, culminating in winning the Outland Trophy in 2009 as well as sharing the Jacobs Blocking Trophy and receiving an All-Southeastern conference selection.

What came next was what, in hindsight, I see as the first warning sign. Alabama had reached the 2009 Sugar Bowl and were due to play the Utah Utes. Smith was banned from playing in this game due to dealings with an agent. What strikes me is that Smith was more engrossed in himself and his own prospects and dealings than he was in the success of the team.

It went from bad to worse for Smith, as he turned up to the NFL Combine weighing 332 pounds (you've seen the pictures!), running the 40 in 5.28 seconds and only managing 19 bench repetitions of 225 pounds. Smith then made headlines by leaving the Combine and returning to Alabama without informing his group leader and skipping a workout, ruffling a few feathers in the process and doing nothing to improve his image.

Smith, a former prospect for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, eventually went to the Cincinnati Bengals at pick No. 6 in the first round. To little surprise, Andre Smith held out, but nobody anticipated that it would be for as long as he did considering his Combine and pro day performances.

After missing all of training camp and the preseason, Smith signed a four-year, $21 million contract. Smith made little to no impact in his rookie season, playing in six games after suffering a sidelining foot injury. He failed to recover well from the injury, giving another source of criticism to detractors.

I find it strange that Bengals fans can be more upset about T.O. joining the team than they are that this waste of space is still around and that he used up a first round pick. Andre Smith has shown himself to be immature and having little passion for the game.

Am I wrong in feeling that Smith should have been desperate to prove the Bengals that he is better than his Combine performance and that all of the negative comments are wrong? He obviously doesn't mind the world's press decreeing that he is a bust, as long as he receives his paycheck.

Further solidifying Andre Smith's image as a locker room nuisance, his performance in this year's training camp has proved incredibly frustrating. Cincinnati's first round pick is entering his sophomore year with the Bengals, and he is not practicing with the team because he is not physically capable. Coach Marvin Lewis has gone as far as to suggest that he may be placed on the physically unable to play list come the season's start.

Is it just me, or should a first round pick not have to be monitored hourly? Should a first round pick with a contract like his not have to be threatened with a $32,000 fine for being overweight? It just suggests that Smith has no drive to play the game, that maybe his passion got lost along the way.

If Andre Smith really wants to play football, I expect big things from him this year; if he produces nothing, then I think it may be time to let him fall by the wayside. It's hard for a team to admit that its first round pick is a bust, so I understand the apprehension that Cincinnati will have, but I think Smith may not be the player they hoped he would be.

Andre Smith is the epitome of what is wrong with the NFL: an overpaid diva of an athlete with more money than sense. I wouldn't be surprised if Smith was happy to sit out with an injury last season and watch the money roll in. Smith could learn a thing or two from players like Nate Livings and Kyle Cook, who have already made the Bengals' O-line strong.

Maybe I'm wrong and Smith must be given more time. If this is the case, then surely Smith was not worth a first round pick. Let me know what you think, as my patience and I'm sure the Cincinnati board's patience is running out.

Former world No.1 Dinara Safina celebrated her return to Stade Uniprix with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Germany's Andrea Petkovic at the Montreal Cup on Monday and declared herself 100 percent pain-free after a horror run of injuries.

Russian Safina, who left to a standing ovation with the tournament's crystal trophy two years ago, enjoyed a more humble reception on center court, with a small afternoon crowd greeting her victory with a smattering of applause.

"If I was not 100 percent, there would be no reason to risk because the year is almost finished," Safina told reporters. "If I wasn't healthy, I would take time off."

Injuries have seen Safina's ranking tumble to 70 after the 24-year-old took top spot last year.

Following a back injury that forced her out of Wimbledon, the Russian snapped a run of six consecutive losses by beating Alona Bondarenko in the first round of San Diego earlier this month, but was bundled out in the next match.

Kim Clijsters stalled her comeback run in the second round of the Cincinnati Open last week.

"It hurts [to be ranked 70th], but it's more important I'm here, I'm playing and I am healthy," she said.

The win over the 39th-ranked German on Monday was just her fourth since the Australian Open and none of them have been back-to-back.

Safina expects that to change in Montreal, one of her favorite venues.

"It's a nice feeling to be back, I've played some of the best tennis in my career here," Safina said. "I hope they will put me a bit more on center court so I can feel the crowd. With their support I will try to do my best."

A return to form for Safina would provide a welcome boost for the tournament, which has suffered from the withdrawals of the Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova, who sustained a heel injury during her loss to Clijsters in the Cincinnati Open final.

After a rain delay, Estonia's Kaia Kanepi dumped out 14th-seed Shahar Peer of Israel 6-3, 6-3.

Belgian 13th-seed Yanina Wickmayer eased past Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 7-6, while 16th-seed Aravane Rezai tamed Czech Petra Kvitova 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.

The Taiwanese contingent had a mixed day in doubles play. Hsieh Su-wei and her partner, Alla Kudyravtseva of Russia, went down in two straight sets to Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, both of the Czech Republic, 6-1,6-3.

Meanwhile, Chan Yung-jan and her partner, Zheng Jie of China, handily defeated Canadian pair Heidi El Tabakh and Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-1.

Additional reporting by Staff Writer Andy Roddick recovered after losing his temper and the second set in a tiebreaker to reach the second round of the Cincinnati Masters with a 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1 win over the 46th-ranked Sergiy Stakhovsky on Monday.

What We Should Take From Andre Johnson's New Contract

A few days ago, the Texans signed All-Galaxy wide receiver Andre Johnson  to a two-year extension with a maximum value of $38.5 million and $13M of that guaranteed. Combined with his existing deal, Andre's contract is worth $73.5M over the course of seven years, which would make Andre the highest paid wide receiver in the National Football League.

Since that was announced, the talk about the deal has centered around the Texans keeping Mr. Johnson's services through 2016 and the potential opening of Pandora's Box. Anyone involved with the Houston Texans is happy, while the national media wonders if there will be an epidemic of stars asking for a new deal with multiple years left on their existing contracts. Lost in all of this talk is what Andre's contract actually says about Andre, Bob McNair, and Rick Smith. As this post's title suggests, that is what's really important to Texans fans.

Star-divide
If you paid attention earlier, or paid close attention to the contract's details, then you know that Andre Johnson can earn a maximum value of $73.5M ($10.5M per year). The new extension has a maximum value of $23.5M, but that is not guaranteed money.

What are those incentives and bonuses dependent on? Andre earns money based on his statistics and team involvement. A quick take for those not wanting to read, Johnson did earn a raise from his $5.8M base salary, but the final total depends on him finishing in the top five or 10 in one of the four major receiving categories - receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, and yards per catch. Johnson can make anywhere from $8.9M (no top-10) to $10.5M (top-5 tier). That salary includes a $1M bonus which he earns from taking part in at least 90% of the teams offseason program plus all minicamps and training camps.
The first is that Andre Johnson is a special kind of football player. If Andre were a diva, then this situation could have gotten toxic. He could have whined and moaned about his contract and demanded mega-guaranteed dollars or a trade. Instead, The Juggernaut compromised by taking a slight raise and allowing the bigger bucks to be earned on the field. He is willing to trust in his talents, his quarterback, and his coaches. Given his career so far, no one, as the Examiner's Alan Burge says, should have any reason to doubt that Andre will earn every penny as he always has - on the field with his performance.

The second thing this contract should tell you is that owner Bob McNair takes care of his franchise's leaders. If you perform at a high level and behave like a professional, then Bob is going to make sure you are compensated as such. I know there has been criticism by some in the fan base that McNair is a penny-pincher because he doesn't throw money around carelessly for big names. This extension should silence that criticism once and for all if the DeMeco Ryans deal didn't. Like any smart businessman, McNair invests in his most valuable assets.

The final thing this contract should teach you is that general manager Rick Smith is a shrewd negotiator. Rick did not rip up a five-year deal or just tack on two more seasons, nor did he cave in to giving a huge contract that left the franchise unprotected or risk an unhappy leader in the locker room. Instead, Rick locked Andre down for two more years while restructuring the entire deal to pay 'Dre based on his performance. By doing this, Rick makes it hard to get upset about Andre making money since (a) he has more than earned a raise on the field and (b) he will earn the big bucks on the field. I was initially very anti-deal, but I like this deal the more I think and learn about it. In fact, I wish more contracts were structured in that manner.

Now in his fourth year as a general manager, this is another positive sign about Rick Smith's performance. Rick is a great evaluator of talent, does a great job of signing his rookie class on time, and now he can add this contract extension/re-negotiation feather to his cap. I know that some are worried about re-signing Mario Williams, Matt Schaub, and Bernard Pollard, among others, to long-term extensions in the near future, but this kind of deal, along with DeMeco's deal, gives me hope that maybe there is a way to get it all done while making everyone happy. If there is a way to get it done, I trust that Rick Smith will find it.

Until that day, we should all appreciate the people involved to make this deal happen and rejoice that we get to enjoy watching Andre Johnson playing in the deep steel blue until 2016. At this moment, #80's new deal should be chalked up as a great showing by Andre Johnson, stellar leadership by Bob McNair, more proof that Rick Smith is a very capable GM, and an overall fantastic move for the Houston Texans.

Gradkowski has to climb depth chart again

Bruce Gradkowski dropped back to throw, launched a deep completion down the right sideline and ran to bump chests with offensive lineman Khalif Barnes. Then he sought out wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and did a leaping hip-bump.

The Oakland Raiders' journeyman quarterback is having fun, even if he's buried on the depth chart again.

It's not where Gradkowski expected to be, not after coming off the bench in 2009 and leading the Raiders to a pair of late-season wins while infusing the offense with a much-needed spark. At the very least Gradkowski assumed he'd enter training camp with a legitimate shot at the starting job.

Instead, Oakland traded for Jason Campbell during the NFL draft in April and head coach Tom Cable named Campbell the starter the day before training camp began.

"From what I've been through through my career, why get handed something now?" Darrius Heyward Bey Gradkowski said with a grin Thursday. "I'm never going to get handed anything. That's just the way I was brought up. You have to work for it and you have to earn it. I've never expected anything to come easy."

Gradkowski started 13 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006 then quickly fell off the map and into backup territory. Over the next two years, he started just six games for the Bucs and Cleveland Browns, then signed on as the Raiders' fourth quarterback before last season.

In Oakland, Gradkowski was behind former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell, Jeff Garcia and Andrew Walter when camp began. By midseason, he had vaulted to the top of the depth chart and was a big hit at the Oakland Coliseum, where fans had grown tired of Russell's ineffectiveness and attitude.

Gradkowski started four games for the Raiders, including a 27-24 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 6. Gradkowski grew up less than 10 minutes from the Steelers' stadium and the emotional return home, coupled with the victory, seemed to enhance Gradkowski's stock.

He compiled a 91.4 rating in his four starts but missed the final three games due to a knee injury. He hurt himself again this offseason when he tore a pectoral muscle while lifting weights. The injury required surgery that forced Gradkowski to miss all the team's OTAs and minicamps.

That's one of the reasons the Raiders traded for Campbell. The team also severed ties with Russell after three disappointing seasons.

Asked Thursday what hurt worse, the torn pectoral muscle or being informed Darrius Heyward Bey Campbell was the starter on the eve of training camp, Gradkowski chuckled.

"Well I think definitely ... definitely the pec," he said. "Those (other) situations, I can't control, so no need to worry about them. At least now I'm back and I can compete and do my thing and let things fall into place."

Through the first week of training camp Gradkowski has worked almost exclusively with the second-team offense while Campbell has taken the majority of reps with the starters.

Oakland also has Kyle Boller and journeyman Charlie Frye on the roster, though not even Campbell has asserted himself as vocally as Gradkowski.

During a 7-on-7 goal line drill Thursday, Gradkowski stepped to the line of scrimmage to scan the defense and noticed defensive back Stanford Routt lingering on the field when he should have been on the sideline.

"Hey Stan, you in or out?" Gradkowski barked. "Get off."

That leadership and his willingness to accept a backup role without complaining has made Gradkowski a hit with the coaching staff.

"Bruce is a pro, (he) is not about what Bruce wants," Cable said. "Everyone wants to be a starter, but he's about the team and he'll have himself ready to go, and his approach is fine. He understands this game at this level. He's just a play away from being the starter again."

Notes: WR Jonathon Holland was carted off the field with an undisclosed injury during the morning practice. Holland went down and appeared to be clutching his left ankle after running a pass route. ... Defensive tackle Richard Seymour was given the morning off. ... WRs Louis Murphy (foot), Darrius Heyward-Bey (general soreness) and Jacoby Ford (quad) also did not practice. ... Eight NFL referees attended Thursday's practice and will continue to work with the team for the next few days.

Bailey says he's still among the NFL's best DBs

Anything that Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha or Charles Woodson can do, the Denver Broncos standout contends he can do better — or at least just as well.

Heading into his 12th season, Bailey doesn't feel like he's lost even a hint of his superior speed or a trace of his first-rate cover skills.

All he needs is for some quarterbacks to doubt him and throw the ball his way more often.

"I still can run with the best of them,"Champ Bailey asserted. "Until I do bad, then I bump myself down."

And until that time, he will consider himself one of the gold standards at defensive back, the definition of a shutdown cornerback.

"Look at my track record," he said.

Champ Bailey has amassed quite a resume since being drafted out of the University of Georgia in 1999, making three All-Pro squads, nine Pro Bowl teams and picking off 46 passes, a total second only to safety Darren Sharper (61) during that span.

And that's with quarterbacks frequently electing to challenge his counterpart on the other side of the field, which this season should again be Andre' Goodman.

Although he's entering the final year of his contract — one that will pay him US$13 million — he maintains he's not motivated by his next big contract.

"I can't control that," he said.

Bailey said he didn't mind the Broncos putting their big bucks into linebacker Elvis Dumervil's bank account. Dumervil signed a five-year, $58.332 million extension last month, leading many fans to wonder if Bailey was next in line for a huge contract extension.

Champ Bailey's age and price tag, the Broncos might decide to let him go in free agency after this year.

"It's not something I think about now," Bailey said. "I'm just concentrating on getting better."

When one of the best in the business wants to get even better, he pulls out footage of fellow cornerbacks around the league.

These days, his must-watch list includes defensive backs such as Revis, a holdout with the New York Jets, and Woodson of the Green Bay Packers. New to his video library is Philadelphia's Asante Samuel.

"Samuel's style is a little different from mine, but the way he plays and makes plays, that's what I try to steal from him," Bailey explained. "(Revis), I started watching him more in the second half of the season. He's got the total package. That guy can play."

Of course, Bailey is the one all the impressionable defensive backs strive to emulate around the Broncos headquarters.

His apt pupil this season is Perrish Cox, a fifth-round pick out of Oklahoma State and the cornerback who may just be his backup in 2010.

"Champ does it so smooth, makes it look so easy — until we go out there and try it," Cox said. "It's tougher than it looks."

There's a noticeable spring in Bailey's step this summer, a vigour that wasn't quite as apparent last summer. He said that's because he's not having to learn a new scheme again.

Sure, Don (Wink) Martindale is Denver's fifth defensive co-ordinator in as many seasons, but he's bringing the same principles to the field after serving as linebackers coach last year.

There will be no radical changes, such as in 2009, when defensive boss Mike Nolan ushered in the era of the 3-4 at Dove Valley. And a beefier defensive line should give Bailey more chances to do what he does best: pick off passes.

Martindale is hoping quarterbacks indeed decide to test Bailey.

"He's been here forever and made a lot of great plays," Martindale said. "I love it."

Bailey also arrives at camp healthy again, no lingering groin problems to hamper him like last summer.

"Now, I'm more confident," Bailey said. "More confident about what we're doing."

In the twilight of his career, he's finding an appreciation for two-a-days, no longer loathing them like he once did.

"I won't always be this positive," Bailey said, grinning. "But it's something I've tried to train myself to do, just because I know I've got to get through it to get where I want to go."

That's back to the playoffs, where the Broncos haven't been in four seasons.

The team started out 6-0 last year but finished 8-8 in coach Josh McDaniels' rookie season.

Bailey has played in just five playoff games in his career, and never reaching the Super Bowl gnaws at him.

Training camp Day 3 afternoon updates: waiving "The Konz"

Seahawks rookie tight end Jameson Konz was waived/injured after sitting out the last two days of practice with a hip injury. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll indicated that the injury was something Konz, a seventh-round pick, came into training camp with.

Linebacker Aaron Curry sat out the afternoon practice, the third straight he has missed with a concussion. Carroll said Curry could be out again tomorrow, but should return Thursday after the team takes a day off Wednesday.

The four players who were given the morning off--Matt Hasselbeck, Lawyer Milloy, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Ray Willis--were all back for the afternoon session, while Deion Branch and Kam Chancellor took the afternoon session off.

Carroll said Milloy complained about being held out in the morning, and seemed to let his anger out in the second practice, dishing out a couple of hard hits, one to John Carlson and another to Justin Forsett.

Second-year receiver Deon Butler had an impressive practice, catching a few long passes.

Jared Allen is ready to lasso opposing quarterbacks for the Vikings

Harvin turned his ankle late in Saturday's morning session and was carted off the field for treatment, although he played in the night scrimmage.

With Sidney Rice rehabilitating from a nagging hip injury, the Vikings have been without their two most productive receivers of 2009 for most of camp.

Early impressions: Coming off a wildly inconsistent season that ended with the ignominy of having the NFL remove him from the Pro Bowl roster, left tackle Bryant McKinnie is having a strong camp.

"He's gotten better and better since I've been here," Childress said. "Regardless of whether he played in the Pro Bowl or not, he was voted a Pro Bowler last year, which is usually a vote by your peers. He's done some exceptional things here in the first four practices."

Also drawing rave reviews is rookie cornerback Chris Cook, who intercepted three passes during red-zone drills Sunday.

At 6-foot-2, Cook is the tallest player in the Vikings' secondary by three inches, Tarvaris Jackson giving them a new dynamic. He feasted on receivers trying to outjump him in tight coverage on

fade routes to the corner of the end zone.

"As a tall guy, he's got a pretty good drive," Childress said. "When you continue to throw to spots, sometimes those smaller defensive backs can't get to those spots by virtue of their size. He's making some plays on some balls that are being thrown into some pretty decent spots."

Since Favre is still tossing the pigskin with high school students, I would move on to what makes the Vikings a dangerous team in the NFC. Vikings is one few teams in the entire NFL with a very good offense and defense. Last year, the Vikings fell to eventual Super Bowl Champions, New Orleans Saints but for the season they played well from both sides of the ball.

Jared Allen is ready to lasso opposing quarterbacks for the Vikings. He was able to leave Tarvaris Jackson opposing quarterbacks fit to be tied because of his fellow defensive linemen Pat and Kevin Williams' strong defensive line play. Defense will be glad to see E.J. Henderson heading the Linebacker corps who has proven to be a good unit of players. The secondary is packed with veterans such as Lito Sheppard and Antoine Winfield. Winfield if he is 100 percent after the foot injury suffered last year, he should contribute to a good defense. Vikings' defense if they play like last season then Minnesota can contend for the NFC spot in the Super Bowl.

The offense has a few weapons and at the top of the list is the Cashier or Mr. Fumbles depending on which Adrian Peterson takes the field. Peterson's ability goes without question, but the frequency of putting the ball on ground has to be addressed. He cannot be on the sidelines when the game on the line because his carrying the football is unreliable. Percy Harvin is listed as a wide receiver but he does it all. The drafting of Toby Gerhart will add the big bruising runner who will provide good change of pace to Peterson's speed.

If Favre can have repeat of the season he had last year, the Vikings will do well. He and Sidney Rice seem to form a Corsican Brother- type wide receiver and quarterback connection with few big plays as result of the bond. Sidney Rice numbers is great reflection of what Favre means to team under center. Rice had a great season. If Peterson can protect the ball then offense will be able to give him the ball more and control the clock. Favre still has the gunslinger mentality encoded in his DNA but he should keep it to minimum because the Vikings will be better team for it.

Vikings will go undefeated

In an "almost too good to be true" picture, the bulk of the coaching staff returns as well. Coach Brad Childress  is not  beloved by the Minnesota faithful (Childress's personality is about as warm as The Lake of the Woods in January). But the reality is the man won six games in his first season, eight games in his second, 10 games in his third and 12 in his fourth. According to this pattern, the Vikings jerseys will go undefeated as soon as the N.F.L. officially oversaturates fans with an 18-game schedule (2012).

In addition to Childress, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is back for a fifth season, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier – one of the league's perennial head coaching bridesmaids – returns for a fourth. In the front office, owner Zygi Wilf is an effective delegator, which has allowed VP for player personnel Rick Spielman (now in his fifth season) to flourish.

So, again, it's pretty simple. Given the talent, experience and continuity, we're looking at a Super Bowl club…right?

But what if we're actually looking at a wild-card team? What if the devastating title game loss is not a sign that this team is close, but rather, a sign that this team has already peaked?

Favre had a magical season in '09. But, for the second time in Jared Allen three years, his season ended with a costly interception late in an N.F.C. championship game overtime loss. In other words, the sprinkle of "bad" you get with Favre ultimately prevailed over his bundles of "good." But never mind how the season ended – do you really think Favre can match his '09 performance in 2010? This isn't about age; by now we should all know better than to doubt the spryness of the soon-to-be 41-year-old (who, by the way, became a grandpa in the off-season). And this isn't about health (Favre's surgically repaired ankle will almost certainly be a non-issue come September). This is about the simple improbability of any quarterback posting 4,202 yards, a 68.4 completion percentage, 33 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.

You might think the Vikings football jerseys won't need Favre to top his '09 performance. After all, Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the N.F.C. (when he's not fumbling). But one of the driving forces behind Minnesota's late-season decline – three of their four losses came in December – was the offense's inability to run the ball. The stagnation of the ground game was the product of a soft, methodical front five. That line was not upgraded in the off-season.

Another driving force behind the decline was the loss of middle linebacker E.J. Henderson, who suffered a horrific femur fracture in Week 13. Henderson hopes to be back in 2010, but the cold truth is he'll probably never be the same. The defense could also be without top cornerback Cedric Griffin – at least early on – because of an ACL tear  in the title game. If 12th-year corner Antoine Winfield is as banged up and vulnerable as he was down the stretch in '09, this pass defense will be in serious trouble.

Sprinkle in little side concerns about Peterson, Shiancoe and budding outside linebacker Chad Greenway wanting new contracts; Percy Harvin still battling migraines; Sidney Rice being criticized by Cris Carter in the off-season for taking his foot off the gas in workouts; the offensive line losing top veteran backup Artis Hicks; and this team no longer flying near the bottom of everyone's radar as it did last September. What does all this point to? A great team dangerously close to becoming "very good."

Full Throttle Productions, a promotions company, and Formula One World Championship Ltd. announced in May that they would be building a track in Austin because of its locale and status as an advanced technology city.

The track's promoters and developers say it will run for at least 10 years in the city.

The 900-acre site near Elroy in southeastern Travis County will be a multipurpose facility, for music, athletic events and possibly a research center for universities, said Tavo Hellmund, a Full Throttle managing partner.

McCombs of San Antonio, who made his fortune in car dealerships, said a Formula One event is akin of hosting a Super Bowl, bringing "substantial economic benefit" to the state.

The state has pledged $25 million to support the event its first year, and the comptroller's office estimates the F1 race could generate at least that much in local and state revenue.

Others investors include Prophet Capital Management, an Austin-based private investment firm, and motorcycle champion Kevin Schwantz.

Austin's track will be the first built in the U.S. specifically for a Formula One Grand Prix event. German firm Tilke will design the venue.

Formula One hasn't raced in the U.S. since an eight-year run at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended in 2007.

Efforts to establish the event in other U.S. cities have faltered, mostly because they lacked permanent facilities designed for F1 racing.

He may be somewhat quiet and reserved off the field, but when he puts the pads on, Brinkley is a different guy. In his rookie season, thanks to an injury Brinkley started five games late in the year including both the Viking playoff games. While he learned a lot, he knows there's still plenty to be done before he's recognized as a force on the field.

"I've definitely been working on my hips and being more fluent in my drops" said Jasper Brinkley "In the past everyone knows I'm a thumper and down hill type of guy and my coverage skills have always been a question mark. So that's something I've been working in the off season on. I had an opportunity to work with Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) up in Minnesota, at his camp."

NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers

Following her death after a private battle with cancer, Kaye Cowher is being remembered for her love of family.

She instilled the competitive fire in her three athletically-gifted daughters.

Kaye Cowher was a talented athlete herself, who loved the game of basketball. She helped bring out the best in her daughters, two of whom play at Princeton University.

Duquesne University basketball coach Suzie McConnell-Serio remembered Ike Taylor Kaye Cowher today.

"Obviously, she's always been very supportive of her daughters. She's been at all of the games when her daughters were playing, and I would see her at all of their tournaments … just very encouraging, very supportive," said McConnell-Serio. "Obviously, her family meant a great deal to her and she's been all about her daughters. I respect that a great deal."

While she loved her own family, Kaye Cowher also loved all children Hines Ward and families, as evidenced from her work with Family Resources of Pennsylvania, a non-profit child abuse prevention agency.

"She dedicated herself, her energy to this mission and we who do this work are all very passionate about it," said Andy Fishhoff, of the Family Resources group. "She joined us, in that passion."

Fischhoff says Kaye Cowher and her husband backed their words with action. They donated money to build an all-purpose football field and basketball court at the agency's retreat in North Hills.

"She was a very private person, and she gave a lot," Fischhoff said. "She put a lot of energy into what she believed, but I don't think she really sought the limelight."

But when the Steelers jerseys  won their fifth Super Bowl, Kaye Cowher was in the limelight, joining her husband and their daughters on the field to celebrate.

Burnett, originally from Eustis, became the most prolific cornerback and punt returner in school history. He was taken in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Burnett intercepted six passes in 2007, the second-highest total in school Lawrence Timmons history. He holds the school record for career interceptions (16) and a Conference USA record for career punt-return yards

Pittsburgh Steelers in this year's NFL draft

Pouncey, who was drafted 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in James Harrison this year's NFL draft, allegedly took the money between the Southeastern Conference title game on Dec. 6 and the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, according to

He denied the allegations in a statement Wednesday through his attorney, Stephen Stanfield.

"I did not accept $100,000; it is an absolutely ridiculous claim," Pouncey said. "I have completely cooperated with the investigation and answered any and all questions put to me."

An internal investigation by University of Florida and an outside investigation by the University Police Department are also taking place in relation to the allegations.

Jason La Canfora of NFL Network is reporting that the new Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys and the Indianapolis Colts were the only two teams to visit Chester Pitts workout in Arizona today. Pitts also scheduled another workout for next week.

Pitts has gained interest from the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions earlier this off season.


The Steelers would be interested in Pitts because of the loss of Willie Colon, which forces Trai Essex to move to offensive tackle.


Pitts would probably compete with Kyle DeVan and Mike Pollack James Farrior to start at either guard spot. Signing Pitts would be bad news for holdover Tony Ugoh, who is trying to move from tackle to guard this off season.

Then came news that top draft choice Maurkice Pouncey, a natural center expected to start at right guard, is the focus of an NCAA investigation of the Florida football program. That won't affect Pouncey's NFL career, of course, but it piled on the bad news for a franchise that has declined steadily since winning the Super Bowl in the 2008 season.

At a youth football camp in Pittsburgh last week, Kevin Colbert, the Steelers' director of football operations, said: "We know we have a huge challenge ahead of us. We didn't have the type of off-season that we're proud of."

Roethlisberger may have his suspension lifted after four games. In his place, the Steelers plan to use Byron Leftwich, who appeared in five games for them in their most recent Super Bowl year. Leftwich was immobile when he was 24 -- six years ago. His effectiveness behind an offensive line in disrepair is a huge question mark.

Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round draft choice this past April

Not that this would necessarily have much, if any effect on his life in the National Football Laegue, but reports surfaced Monday alleging that the NCAA and Florida officials are investigating a potential rules violation by Maurkice Pouncey, the new Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys first-round draft choice this past April, while he was a member of the Florida Gators.

From the ESPN report:

Florida is internally investigating what sources described as an allegation that a representative of an agent paid Pouncey $100,000 between the Gators' loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama and their season-ending Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati. Florida apprised the NCAA of the allegation after it became aware of it.

Don't expect any resolution or final verdict any time soon (see: Reggie Bush scandal), but stay tuned to see if the Gators might potentially have to forfeit any of their myriad team accomplishments.

ProFootballFocus has ranked the performance of all 32 offensive lines from a year ago. It's a fairly solid list actually, and I don't disagree with where they placed the Steelers or most of the other 31 teams around the league. Here's what they had to say about Pittsburgh, the 24th ranked unit in '09 in their estiman
No. 24 -- Pittsburgh Steelers (Run No. 27, Pass No. 18, Penalties No. 17)

Things seemed to be moving in the right direction, with three of five starting positions playing at least reasonably well, until Willie Colon suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in offseason workouts. The grades are dragged down massively by center Justin Hartwig, RG Trai Essex and backup Ramon Foster.

Best Player: Unfortunately for the Steelers, RT Colon is one of the most underrated Byron Leftwich  players in the game. His pass protection is as good as there is but he needed to work on reducing his penalties (nine).

Biggest Concern: Maurkice Pouncey was brought in to address Hartwig's poor play, but Essex remains as probably the least-effective starting RG around.

Regardless of what last year's unit did, I'm confident that this year's line will be better than last year's and decidedly better than the one that took the field in '08. Yes, even without Willie Colon who's been lost for the year. I say that because I'm personally so high on new offensive line coach Sean Kugler. Dale Lolley, the veteran beat reporter who also authors the blog NFL From The Sidelines, wrote a profile about Kugler and his early work with the line in this year's version of the MSP Steelers Annual, which actually will be in stock and available for purchase online beginning on Wednesday. Not sure yet when it will be available in retail outlets in the western PA, Ohio and Washington D.C. areas, but soon enough and I'll be sure to pass along any information when I get it.

 A contributing author at the new SB Nation Pittsburgh regional site weights in on the Steelers' 2010 schedule. I diverge in places with my opinions, but it's a nice comprehensive read with some good stuff in it.

Star-divide

You made the right choice, my man. Antwaan Randle El Brett Keisel claims that he strongly considered joining the Baltimore Ravens this offseason when mulling where he'd like to play the third leg of his professional career.

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, who coached the Steelers' quarterbacks the past three seasons, remembers his long career in the NFL. Cincy Jungle, SB Nation's Bengals blog, also writes about Anderson's career

The third year running back will be a focal point of the Steelers offense, particularly at the start of the 2010 season while Pittsburgh is without Ben Roethlisberger.

After being the first running back that the Steelers have taken in the first round (23rd overall) since Tim Worley in 1989, there were high expectations for Mendenhall even as a rookie.

However, after a lackluster preseason, there were concerns regarding Mendenhall and he did not do much to disprove these in rushing for only 58 yards on 19 carries in the four games he played as a rookie.

The disappointing season came to an early end as Mendenhall suffered a shoulder injury against Baltimore in his first career start.

Mendenhall needed a fresh start in 2009, but did not fair much better. In Week Three, Mendenhall was benched because he did not know his assignments.

What could have been a major setback, Mendenhall took as motivation.

"It's a learning experience…I just look forward to getting an opportunity to play and show the fans and my teammates what I can do."

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback

Ongoing labor headaches and the first year without a salary cap since 1993 meant this off-season was destined to be different for the Steelers' director of football operations. Couple the ongoing labor headaches and contract restrictions with the desire to rebound after a disappointing 9-7 season and with the off-field distractions, and it's easy to understand why Colbert and the rest of the Steelers are ready for training camp to begin on July 30.

"I think we're all excited to start the season. We know we have a huge challenge ahead of us," Colbert said after speaking to 200 youth football players Thursday at the Homeboys Football Camp at Ambridge High School.

"We didn't have the type of off-season that we're proud of and we're anxious to get back on the field and have a team that competes for a championship and have a team that our fans can be proud to call their team."

Colbert was invited to speak at the camp by founder Tyrone Dixon, an Aliquippa native and Center High graduate. Dixon and Colbert have known each other since 1993, when Colbert met him through family and coaching ties at James Madison University.

"I consider him a player off the field," Dixon said. "He's a guy from an Hines Ward administrative point of view who can come in and say, 'Hey, this is what it takes to be successful.' "

Golfers, volunteers and tournament officials didn't have much to say about the two football stars that have made headlines over the past year.

"We are immune to it because there are so many great players that don't get themselves Heath Miller  in trouble," said Joe Theismann, an all-pro quarterback whose career was ended when Taylor broke his leg.

"It doesn't affect the amount of work that is done out here for charity," he said. "The greatest thing about this tournament is for every star that is out here there are 50 that would take their place, so if someone isn't here it's not obvious."

See photos from the links Thursday at the ACC - Jordan, Romo and more

No one talked about the charges against Roethlisberger by a new Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys Tahoe hotel employee who said she was attacked by the quarterback when he stayed at Harrah's during the 2008 celebrity golf tournament.

Media officials looked puzzled when asked if the tournament had changed because of her allegations.

Theismann said he hoped Roethlisberger and Taylor learned lessons and could do some good in the world.

It almost seems as if sports stars are realizing they are being watched more closely for antics  James Farrior  off the playing field, something actors have encountered for years.

No one wants to be the next Tiger Woods.

San Diego Chargers unsigned wide receiver Vincent Jackson

In Jackson's case, those "additional restrictions" could loom large, as the Chargers could still place him on a "roster exempt" list for three games after he signs under certain circumstances, keeping him without pay and without earning any service time toward an accrued season in that span. A player must be on a team's active, inactive, IR or PUP list for at least six regular-season games to earn an accrued season toward free agency, which is why many surmised Jackson would sign his $583,000 tender in Week 10.

According to the Roster Exemption rules in the CBA, if Jackson Phillip Rivers does not report to the Chargers by at least the day before their fourth preseason game, then, whenever he does sign, he could still be placed on the roster exempt list for an additional three games -- without pay. The Chargers, who have lowered his tender already and are locked in a bitter feud with the Pro Bowl receiver, would have to notify Jackson and the NFL Players Union of their intent to place him on roster exempt at least five days prior to the team's second preseason game

 

Turner is a run-first coach. Look at the Chargers' last five regular season games and the three playoff games in 2007.

 

The Bolts averaged 176 yards per game on the ground and 159 through the air in the last five games of the 2007 regular season.

 

When they faced stiffer competition that could stuff the run in the 2007 playoffs, they new San Diego Chargers jerseys turned to the air attack, passed for 267 yards per game, and ran for 90 yards per game.

Earlier in the season, however, the Chargers could not run the ball at all. They were stuffed at every turn, until LaDainian Tomlinson finally got his legs back in those last five or six games of the season.

 

Just like in 2007, when the Chargers found out they couldn't run the ball last season, Norv Antonio Gates commanded Philip Rivers to chuck it all over the field. This time, however, LT never got his legs under him.

 

That, like Buddy Ryan (yes, Rex Ryan's daddy) preached, is Darren Sproles not the key to winning against playoff teams and Turner knows it.

Initial trip to see Ravens made in enemy colors

Our friends from church had two extra tickets. Seeing it was my two favorite teams going up against each other and the first time the two teams met since that divisional playoff game, my mom and I decided to go.

And I went as a Tennessee Titans fan, wearing my McNair jersey, while my mom went dressed in purple. We first went down for tailgating beforehand, and let's just say with it being my first-ever experience tailgating outside an NFL stadium, I loved it. I ate more in those couple hours than I had ever eaten at any meal in my lifetime. (And this coming from someone who puked at one of his first Orioles games after discovering a club-level feast at Camden Yards).

I went back and forth with the Ravens fans there about how the Tennessee Titans Titans were going to come out on top. I will admit the Ravens fans respected my choice in team, and I do respect them for that.

I also found it interesting how a quick bond was created whenever I saw someone in dark blue, like me. We would shout to each other and recognize each other's support for the Tennessee Titans. I had never seen that kind of connection before from complete strangers.

When it came time to go into the stadium, it was absolutely amazing. I had only watched a few Ravens games in my short sports fanatic career, but when I saw the field in real time, it was a sight to see to say the least. Our seats were three throws from the top, but I didn't care. I was at an NFL game for the first time.

My hopes started to fade, though, for several reasons. For one, the Titans really came out flat on a day Jeff Fisher had told his players to go hit the Ravens with a "2x4." Instead, the Titans didn't cross the 50-yard line till the end of the first half and had only a couple first downs.

 

Will Witherspoon (82 overall rating) (-4 pts from 2010): A slight drop off could be explained by Witherspoon's increasing age, he turns 30 in August, however he is hardly a replacement for Keith Bulluck's perennial status amongst the top outside linebackers.  If this is any indication of how things will go in real life, expect a void in our defense the size of Albert Haynesworth's pants size.

 

David Thornton (79) (-2): Watching Thornton deteriorate each year in Madden has almost been as painful to watch as his falloff in play on the real LP Field.  Unfortunately, I expect more than just overall rating points to evaporate before our eyes this year.

 

Stephen Tulloch (77) (+4): Honestly, I was a little disappointed with his rating.  Only 12 players in the NFL had more tackles than him last season.  I'm not asking for him to be in the 90s, but an 80-85 overall rating seems more appropriate given his consistent play over the last 2 seasons.

 

Gerald McRath (73) (+9): Every Titan fan should be encouraged with this rating.  Coupled with his fill-in work for Thornton, I expect him to bounce back from this sketchy suspension and assume an outside linebacker role that will be his for the keeping.

Defensive Line:

 

Derrick Morgan (79) (Rookie): Only 8 rookies were listed with higher overall ratings than Morgan and his low awareness rating seems to be the only thing standing between him and an overall rating in the mid-80s.  I think this is a promising endorsement from the people at EA about our first round pick.

 

Jason Jones (77) (+2): Another encouragement for all Titan fans.  He missed most of the season and still received a modest boost in overall rating.  J.J. is poised for a breakout season.

 

William Hayes (71) (N/A): This low rating is confusing given his 4 sacks last year (more than Richard Seymour, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Marcus Spears).  Again, I'm not asking for a rating in the 90s, but somewhere in the high 70s would have been more appropriate.

Who the fastest player on the Carolina Panthers was?

I also got a trophy for fastest lap just like the one they give the winner of the Coca-Cola 600, except mine was about 1/100th the size and weight, it was gold-painted plastic instead of gold-plated metal and it broke into three pieces when I dropped it on the concrete instead of cracking the concrete.

But racing wasn't as easy as it looks from the press box.

As instructor Rudy Zeck said just outside of Turn 3 after I completed the last of my three 10-lap sessions around the 1/5-mile track, "You did really well, but if you were in a race I wouldn't worry about you cause you'd take yourself out."

I don't think that was a compliment.

But it was fun and it gave the six media members brave enough to accept this challenge insight into how Sprint Cup stars such as Joey Logano, David Ragan and Earnhardt got their start.

It also gave us insight into what to expect July 15-17 when more than 250 drivers compete in the Legends Million event at CMS. Among the participants will be 12-year-old Gray Gaulding of nearby Statesville, N.C.

So, Gray, I asked after class, what did you learn from my laps that will help you win the $250,000 first-place prize?respond to a question asked by a camper. The camper asked, "Who the fastest player on the Carolina Panthers jerseys was?"

Stewart said he hopes to have this camp every year in Lacey.

"It's always something I've wanted to do," Stewart said. "With me growing up, I never had anything like this. … (Lacey) means a lot. This is where I started."

The campers had some noteworthy instructors. Stewart brought along some of his NFL teammates that include running back DeAngelo Williams, tight end Dante Rosario and wide receiver Kenny Moore, along with former college teammates Dennis Dixon (Pittsburgh Stealers) and Jairus Byrd

In this fourth edition of Cleveland’s positional rankings

Brodney Pool and Abe Elam manned the safety positions for most of the season, with Adams seeing plenty of time as well. Pool has since moved on to the New York Jets.  Elam, who had no interceptions in 16 starts, returns.

The new Cleveland Browns jerseys made it very clear they were not pleased with last year's play in the secondary by taking a corner and two safeties in this year's draft. Cleveland also made a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for veteran cornerback Sheldon Brown.

Competition should be fierce between rookie first round pick Joe Haden and veterans Brown, Wright, and McDonald for the starting corner spots. Second year player Coye Francies is also in the picture.

Francies didn't see much action last year, but is very aggressive with nice size. Don't count him out.

Whoever emerges as the starters at the cornerback positions, the Browns jerseys should be better off than they were last season. Cleveland should be deep and talented at the corners.

Cleveland had very little depth at the safety position last year. This year should be different. Rookies T.J.Ward and Larry Asante will join Elam, Adams, and Ray Ventrone in what should be a competition to watch.

Through a position change, Bowens football jerseys  played his tail off and earned himself a very high ranking. Overall, Jackson played pretty well before his injury, and Barton was below-average. It's a very small sample size for Barton, so don't look too far into it.

What's alarming is that Bowens actually played better than Jackson during his time at ILB.

Chalk it up to Maiava being a rookie. For comparison's sake, he didn't do much worse than Channing Crowder, Dhani Jones, or Jerod Mayo in 2009, so there's only room to improve as last year was his rookie campaign.

Also, his best game far and away was at home against Pittsburgh. That's also a good thing. Although, if he doesn't continue to improve next year on his overall game, the Browns probably won't rely on him to be a starter in the future.

what's wrong with the Oakland Raiders

Having fallen down many times when there was absolutely no excuse for it, I find this laughable. But it leads one to the following thought: When did doing our best become not important? When did time become the deciding factor? It seems to me we are saying put the time in, but don't worry about the result. The time is more important than doing the job right.

Some jobs just don't fit into this mold. Some jobs take the time Darren McFadden take to do right and that time varies depending on the job. Football is one of those things. It might take weeks to get something right, or it might take two plays. But, the NFL and the Player's Union don't seem to care about this. They just want rule xxx followed. So next week, instead of practicing, the Raiders take two days off, but someday when they get paid, those days will count like they practiced. Lord knows, we can't let one team get overworked.

But, before the season starts you apparently can only hold pretend practices or something. They are not supposed to get rough, or last over two hours. Are you kidding me? Oops, its two hours. Well, let's not worry that all our plays are wrong. We're at the limit. Geez.

Considering the NFL doesn't pay its players until the season starts, why on earth are both the NFL and the player's union punching a time clock with limits? You think the union would insist the NFL pay its players since their career can end at any time. Nope, they don't. So, they try to extend a player's playing life by limiting what he can do.

In case you missed it, the Oakland Raiders need all the help and practice they can get. They had a horrible season last year. This year (as usual, really) they are starting over with a new quarterback and other players, not to mention coaches. They need all the practice and work they can get.