Side Notes

1. There is no way the Dolphins successfully convince everyone that Ricky Williams is returning just so they can trade him. In fact, I'd argue the dude has virtually no trade value, not even for a 6th round pick. First off, he's just as likely to be a liability as an asset. Secondly, the guy hasn't exactly been staying in football shape (quite the opposite, reportedly). And thirdly, and most importantly, there are a lot of other, much more attractive backs on the trading block like Edgerin James (who, don't forget, was drafted ahead of Williams, correctly) and Travis Henry. The whole thing is just embarassing for Nick Saban, who looks a lot like Butch Davis from this far away.

2. What is the over/under on how many days it will be until Kellen Winslow's house goes up for sale? I'm thinking about 25, just long enough for the second opinion to have been garnered and the Browns to rattle their saber a little bit.

3. Maybe it is just me, but it certainly sounds like the Browns are very interested in Boulware, at least in a "not wanting to sound too eager" sort of way.

4. Gary Baxter will not have a Hanford Dixon-like career in radio when his playing days are done.

5. A year or so ago I would have agreed with Man U's fans that Malcolm Glazer buying the Red Devils was horrible. But that was before I learned more and more about the sad state of professional soccer ownership in Great Britian. Really, it's a mess. The best team this year is the best because they were bought by a Russian billionaire. And the rest of the team's are owned by either overmatched men who don't have enough clout to compete or consortiums that lose by concensus. ManU is already a huge corporate brnad name whether its fans realize it or not. Glazer's purchase merely reflects that.

6. Next up: how will the NFL react to the English Premiership's cozy relationship with bookmakers? A couple years ago I was able to see a Chelsea match in person and could go buy a beer and place a wager right on the concourse before kick-off. I thought it was great. I bet the NFL will make a bunch of noise about how they are investigating Glazer's relationship, blah blah blah. Glazer will come out fine cause he has the dough, and the NFL doesn't care about gambling as much as they care about making everyone think they care.

7. Who will get kicked to the curb first during the 2005 season -- Joey Harrington or David Carr? I find this race too close to call. Or maybe Kyle Boller beats them both (though I actually think Boller is the best of the three)?

8. Jhonny Peralta is solid. He seems like he could develop into a very nice hitter.

9. Grady Sizemore is the future of the Indians. He is the only guy on the current roster I'd say is a sure thing, unless you maybe want to count Sabathia, who's already a solid major-leauger.

10. What is up with Victor Martinez? His approach at the plate is nothing like 2004. And he looks skinnier. If there was one guy I'd have to bet the beat writers are suspicious of, I'd say it may be him....

11. I like Travis Hafner. But he might be more Paul Sorrento than anyone will want to admit. I hope not though. When he is patient at the plate, as he was for periods of 2004, he is a force. I hope he gets it going.