Guild of Calamitous Intent

Indigo Wild's sound is reminiscent of indie-rock band Dredg, with dreamy chord progressions, harmonic vocals and loud breakdowns. At the last minute, the lead singer convinced the band to play a cover of "We're Going to be Friends," by the White Stripes.  The cover was enthusiastic and soulful, with the whole crowd eagerly clapping along. Wholesale DC shoes hats The closing song, "Row Boats," was their most powerful song, filled with rich crescendos.

Indigo Wild

Taking its band name from the antagonist association in "The Venture Bros." cartoon, The Guild of Calamitous Intent incorporates trippy video footage that perfectly accompanies their dark and atmospheric rock. The Guild of Calamitous Intent has no direct ties with "The Venture Bros.," but it's apparent their vocalist is a big fan of the show, wearing a T-shirt featuring the logo of The Monarch, a major character in the series - Cheap NFL hats but I was disappointed to discover he has not watched any of the new episodes in season four (airing Sundays at 11:30 p.m. on Adult Swim).

Guild of Calamitous Intent

It's been several months since I've seen The Happy Maladies. When they took stage it was a triumphant and joyous return. Very early in their set, Benjamin Thomas, guitarist, broke a string, but was quickly lent a guitar from the Athens, Ohio band The Ridges. The Happy Maladies are fearless and invigorating, a naturalistic assembly of virtuosos. Any band able to get a crowd dancing while they meow like kittens automatically wins a gold starWholesale  NFL hats . During an especially adventurous passage, an audience member exclaimed "Oh God!" in ecstasy. "Get that man a towel," another audience member replied.

We have to do something

We have to do something," said Staff Sgt. Howard Kunce, of the EPS robbery section.

In an effort to reduce crime and victimization,Cheap NFL hats  the Edmonton Police Service's Storewatch program has launched a new poster campaign called, "No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses."

First they were asking you to put on shirts and shoes, and now some businesses may be asking you to shed a few items.

Sharon Andes, a volunteer,Wholesale  NFL hats  said a couple from England were among the people who visited the threshing show on Saturday.

The threshing show drew hundreds of people from miles around, including several people who had attended the Norsk Hstfest in Minot over the weekend and heard about the threshing show.

Dreher's son and grandson are among the younger men and boys who were operating equipment during the threshing show.

Merle Dreher, Cheap NBA hatspresident of the Makoti Threshing Association, said some tractors were left inside because there weren't enough men to operate them. Of the men who started the Threshing Association in 1960, only a few are still alive. They try to pass on the knowledge about how to keep antiques running so that the younger generation will be able to see how things used to be done in the old days. If there are volunteers to run the equipment, those in the know will give them a few pointers. Some equipment, like steam-powered tractors and other vehicles, requires that people take special classes and become certified before they are permitted to operate them.

Sunday’s race packed for him

Sunday's race packed for him as he took the seventh turn during the 35th lap while he attempted to pass across Webber but had an unfortunate contact with his RB6. As he talked to the media right after the race he told that although he does not exactly know at the moment what went wrong, however he believes that he left enough space for Webber to pass.

For now, the Reds will focus on their Tuesday gamecheap POLO hats when they face Real Salt Lake at 8 pm ET at the BMO field as part of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Toronto FC needs a combination of results to have a remote chance to make it to the playoffs.

The last goal of the game came in the 79th minute when Barrett drove the ball in the area to pass it to Maicon Santoswholesale POLO hats who put it home and cut the lead to one.

One minute later, Wondolowski scored his third of the game, in another distraction of the Toronto's defensive line.

In the 65th minute, cheap New era mlb hats De Rosario put the team back into the fight with a beautiful goal. He drove the ball through the left touchline and from outside the game area he kicked the ball to put it in the angle.

Mato Grosso was our new horizon,

The agricultural boom has also helped Brazil outshine more developed nations, with surging growth even as much of the rest of the world continues to struggleWholesale DC shoes hats . The country notched its fastest annual growth in at least 14 years in the first quarter, a pace that has only slightly slowed as the year progresses.

That surge has helped everything from local schools to Brazil's trade balance. The boost is much needed, as Brazilians, now with a strong currency and economy, are importing and spending abroad more - without soy the numbers Cheap NFL hats would be even more skewed.

Mato Grosso state has especially benefited from China's soy demand, with its own exports multiplying 27 times by tonne from 2000 to 2009, according to industry group Aprosoja.

Brazil's soy exports have more than doubled in weight from 2000 to 2009, Wholesale  NFL hats with prices and foreign exchange movements helping to boost the dollar value fourfold. Exports to China have rocketed up even more - almost 18 more times by value.

"Mato Grosso was our new horizon," Favaro says. "It's a state of opportunity."

The club

"And now we are seeing him blossom at Swansea. But there's more to come from him, that's the scary thing," he added.

"Thankfully my contacts at Chelsea let me work that deal out — discount Atlanta Braves Hats I have a great relationship with the club.

"I know Scott inside out. We kept in touch even when I left Chelsea, I was always giving him advice.

"But he needed to find a homeCheap Cincinnati Reds Hats  . He had Premier League possibilities, but I spent hours on the phone convincing him this was the right place.

"He is a level above for me.

"The club can count itself very,   wholesale Cincinnati Reds Hats  very fortunate to have a player of this calibre," said Rodgers.

Beijing Olympics

Doctoring is “an algorithmic job,” said Dr. Farrago, 45. “You can’t just make up things in medicine: ‘Let’s just try Jell-O.’ So I want to do something creative.” 

For 10 years, cheap Rockstar hats Dr. Farrago, a family doctor here, has been the majordomo of said publication: an irreverent, intentionally sophomoric, sometimes scatological medical magazine called Placebo Journal. And though he is not a “House” fan, the product placement was just one example of Dr. Farrago’s enterprising streak. 

Gina Miles, who competed in the 2002 equestrian games in Spain and won a silver medal in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, said athletes who compete in eventing have the most gear, since they have three competitions — discount Atlanta Braves Hatsdressage, cross-country and jumping — that all require a different style of outfit.

“It has sparkling red sequins to catch the eye and red, wholesale Rockstar hatswhite and blue trim to tie the American theme together,” she said. “I can't wait to show off the total American package at the World Equestrian Games.”

Cadillac and NFL

 Carlyle was Cadillac ESCALADE family of the legendary car, with the Kings, be born of countless people dream of the car. This Detroit auto show Cadillac ESCALADE double hybrid vehicles out, is by far the world's first hybrid vehicles using dual mode of all sizes, cheap POLO hatsluxurious SUV brand in the luxury car Cadillac field a revolutionary breakthrough, establish a luxurious suvs, saving energy and environmental protection to the development of new milestone.
 
 In order, Eli Manning made a wish: I hope can be in the summer after the new SUV listed, the world's first Hybrid Hybrid cars ESCALADE Cadillac. Similarly, the MVP award last year Eli's brother, but he chose Peyton ESCLADE Carlyle's Cadillac, also. This year, not only for his brother inherited Peyton pride of honor, more choice models. Brother, Peyton said: "could have ESCALADE Carlyle was a great glory, driving it, never lose direction."
 
 Mr. Taylor brand manager Jim Cadillac hand over Eli's order, Eli said orders, and combining with the days ESCALADE Eli,wholesale POLO hats in sum "as strong and long explosive pitch precision and creativity, and this transcendental power, power ESCALADE appearance, bold innovation characteristics. "Pursue outstanding, Cadillac brand," says Mr Taylor, "and" super bowl 'cooperation, and the most valuable player of citation, adequately Cadillac connotation: in the most passionate sport, in the top two teams in the match, a group of players of the most outstanding displays everywhere, beliefs, creating, have -- this dream. Every MVP player has to win and tenacious character and unremitting pursuit for success, they are worth to reward. "by Cadillac
 The same as a symbol of American culture, luxury brand Cadillac every year to winning football league MVP award, high (most valuable player award a Cadillac) players. This year, while the team won the MVP and super bowl two privilege of New York giants 10 Eli Manning, Eli chose his dream has long car - just appear Detroit auto show early Hybrid Hybrid ESCALADE Cadillac.
 Football is one of the most popular movement. The annual National Football League (NFL), in the championship in January or February last held the first Sunday, called "Super Bowl" (Super Bowl) this day is all the fans carnival. Although this year's "super bowl with U.S. presidential primary on the key day -" cheap New era mlb hatssuper Tuesday "tight get together, but hasn't diminished festal atmosphere, hurriedly in the campaign is led presidential candidates for their favorite spectator cheer squad.
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The questions of 2010 NFL

As the coming of season of 2010 NFL.Some questions are talking  fiercely.

Will the Patriots win 10 or more games once again?

Maybe. Unlike the Raiders, this franchise has been the model of success and dare we say it, was on the verge of being a dynasty before Tom Brady tore up his knee two years ago. Brady's fine now, but the talent around him has thinned noticeably.

New England has finished with double-digit win totals each of the past seven seasons, but the AFC East is getting stronger and depending on your own school of thought, the cheap Patriots jersey might only be the third-best team in their division behind the Jets and Dolphins. Personally, I think they'll slip into the playoffs as a wildcard with 10 wins.

 Will the Steelers survive during Big Ben's suspension?

Yes, especially if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reduces Ben Roethlisberger's punishment from six to four games, as expected. Byron Leftwich can help manage the offense well enough to at least get through Pittsburgh's first four games with a .500 record. I can see a win at home against the Falcons and on the road to Tampa Bay, but losses at Tennessee and home to Baltimore.

The bigger question here is, how will the Steelers do after the bye week when Roethlisberger returns? His first game will likely be Oct. 16 against the lowly Browns, but then comes a brutal stretch, starting with three games on the road at Miami, New Orleans and Cincinnati, followed by a home game against the always-tough Patriots.

Can the New York Jets live up to all the hype?

Yes, but it sure would help if they can come up with a contract solution for Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. The longer he holds out, the more power he could wield over management, especially if the Jets get off to a slow start. That could happen, too, given that four of the team's first five games are against quality opponents in the Ravens, Patriots, cheap Dolphins jersey and Vikings.

I think the Revis situation will be resolved soon, and I'm picking the Jets to win the AFC East. But there are a few other items I'm concerned about: Will LaDainian Tomlinson jersey stay content playing second fiddle to Shonn Greene? Is Mark Sanchez capable of taking a giant leap in his development? Will Braylon Edwards and his attitude become a distraction?
Will Matt Leinart make it with the Cardinals?

We shall see. It's never easy taking over for a legend, which is what Leinart is being asked to do in replacing the retired Kurt Warner. Warner gave him some solid advice before the start of training camp, texting him not to let the critics get under his skin or lose his confidence when things go bad.

If Leinart struggles badly, head coach Ken Whisenhunt will have no choice but to turn the job over to Derek Anderson. And if Leinart does well, he may have to do super well for the Cardinals to pay him the $13 million they will owe him next season. A so-so season by Leinart likely means he won't be back in 2011, assuming there's even an NFL season given the potential of a lockout.

Can Chris Johnson break the single-season rushing record?

Absolutely. Last season in just his second year in the league, Johnson became only the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 or more yards when he ran for 2,006 for the Tennessee Titans jersey .

His goal in 2010 is to break Eric Dickerson's 26-year-old NFL record of 2,105 yards. Johnson has the speed, shiftiness and desire to get it done. His durability hasn't been a question mark yet, but perhaps that's because he eludes so many tackles. If he stays healthy and head coach Jeff Fisher lets him go for the record, Johnson will do it.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New Meadowlands Stadium

The backup Jim Sorgi will miss two to three weeks with a tear in the capsule of his throwing shoulder after a hit he sustained Monday in a preseason game, his agent, Matt Brei, said Thursday in a telephone interview.

Brei did not know the severity of the tear. He said it was not related to the partly torn labrum that forced Sorgi onto injured reserve last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Sorgi was here Thursday and wore a helmet, but he did not participate.

Sorgi sustained the injury on a big hit from Jets linebacker Lance Laury moments after he delivered his second touchdown pass to Victor Cruz in the Giants' 31-16 win at New Meadowlands Stadium.

Manning, who required 12 stitches to close a bloody gash on his forehead after being hit in Monday's game, will be unable to play against the wholesale Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys on Saturday. His timetable is uncertain. He took snaps Thursday wearing a baseball cap, but he did not face a defense.

Quarterback Rhett Bomar needed a minute to contemplate the question: Did he remember the last game he started?

"The last game I played?" Bomar said. "It was the last game of college. It was November of ... 2008?

He added, "I think it was against Texas State."

Bomar will make his next start on Saturday when the Giants take on the cheap  Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys at New Meadowlands Stadium. Bomar will at least temporarily step into the main role with Eli Manning and the backup Jim Sorgi out.

"I wouldn't call it a lucky break," Bomar said. "It's a great opportunity, is the way I see it. It's fun. I'm looking forward to it, no doubt about that."

Dominic Randolph, a rookie free agent out of Holy Cross, joined the Giants in training camp Thursday to help shore up their depth at the position. The Giants may also look to safety Antrel Rolle, who took snaps out of the Wildcat while playing for the Arizona Cardinals, to see some action under center. GIANTS' PHILLIPS TO RETURN After missing almost all of last season with a knee injury and being limited in training camp after surgery, safety Kenny Phillips will return to live action against the Steelers.

Coach Tom Coughlin indicated that Phillips's time on the field might be limited. Coughlin said Phillips proved he was ready during practices.

 Percy Harvin experienced the scariest episode yet in a career plagued by migraine headaches when he collapsed at a Minnesota Vikings practice in Eden Prairie, Minn., and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Coach Brad Childress left team headquarters after practice and spent the rest of the afternoon at the hospital with Harvin.

"Percy appreciates everyone's concern," Childress said in a statement posted on the team Web site. "He is alert and resting comfortably, but will remain in the hospital overnight."

Harvin, who has dealt with migraines most of his life, returned to the field Monday after missing more than two weeks, but at the beginning of Thursday's workout he experienced another episode that was scary enough for the Vikings to halt practice while he received medical attention.

"To see a guy go down, it's never a good thing," defensive end Ray Edwards said. Childress said that Harvin's episode was triggered when he looked up into a mostly cloudy sky to field a punt during a special-teams drill. Harvin went inside to see the team physician, Dr. Sheldon Burns, then came back out to the field. Soon after, Harvin was doubled over and trembling. Players and coaches stood in front of him to shield him while reporters watched from a distance as Harvin was treated.

Leftwich is the lightest he has ever been, the happiest he has ever been, and the most complete man he has ever been. He'll likely start the season as the quarterback of the wholesale Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys some 6½ months after he became a father.

 Dominic Leftwich waits for his father in a stroller at one end of the practice field. Leftwich joins him and soon a group of Steelers players gather around the Leftwich family. Everyone takes a turn holding Dominic. Dad beams.

"I've been in this league a long time now," the eighth-year player says. "This is the first place where you feel like family. This is where I want to spend the rest of my career. That's what I mean by football paradise. This is football paradise. There is no B.S. here like other places. People tell you the truth here. They don't lie to you. I don't ever want to leave."

And by "other places" Leftwich means the team that drafted him, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who released him in 2006.

"The Jaguars really f----- up that situation," he said. "We had a good group of players and the team let them all go. They let us all go. If they had been more patient, we could've done big things in Jacksonville."

Leftwich steals a deep breath and takes in the scene. Next to him is his son but all around him is his new baby: the cheap Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys.

Publicly, the Steelers maintain Dennis Dixon could win the starting quarterback job as the team waits for Ben Roethlisberger to serve his minimum four-game suspension for being a grotesque cad.

Privately is a different matter. The Steelers like Dixon's raw abilities but don't think he's ready to start (Dixon still has major problems picking up the blitz). Barring some sort of dramatic turn, the starting job is Leftwich's to lose.

Ray Lewis on his passion, the Ravens D and the Jets

In the second half of tonight's Ravens-Panthers exhibition game, ESPN's "Monday Night Football" crew interviewed Ray Lewis on the sidelines about returning for another season, the Ravens defense and talking trash with the Jets. Here are excerpts of that interview (courtesy of the Ravens' media relation department):

On returning for another season: "[I'm] just loving the competition of it. I love putting my body through a certain level of torture, and I just love being around the guys, and I love competing."

On his performance: "On the field, it comes down to just really loving my craft -- studying and really just understanding what's going to come year after year. The older you get -- I always say this -- the wiser you get, so the bottom line for me is the game has just really slowed down, and I just have a good time playing it."

On the impact that injuries to the secondary have had on the defense: "The bottom line is always the next man up for us. It's not about one part of who we are. On our defense, we're three parts -- defensive line, linebackers and secondary. So, the bottom line is, if our secondary's hurt, then our front seven's got to get it done."

On if the team watched the first episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" on Wednesday night: "I don't know, I think everybody else was in their room, but I passed out in five minutes. I think it's a great opportunity for [the Jets]. Congratulations to Rex [Ryan] and his team and all the fun they have over there. We're going to be working, and we'll see them Week 1."

On talking trash with the Jets: "Talking is whatever it's going to be. The Haloti Ngata bottom line is, come Monday night, somebody's going to get hit."

After hearing all that, how could you not be pumped up for Week 1?

The Cincinnati Bengals are waiting on offensive tackle Andre Smith again

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is citing multiple NFL sources as saying that Saban has advised some pro teams that scouts are no longer welcome at Alabama practices until further notice.

"There's talk that Saban may open the doors on a limited basis," Florio wrote. "Currently, August 18 has been identified as one of the potential dates."

NFL reps not been spotted on Alabama's practice field, at least Chad Ochocinco from this reporter's vantage point, so far this preseason. But Saban's reported move didn't come without warning.

He uttered several in the wake of news that Marcell Dareus was being investigated by the school for a suspected trip to an agent-related party. That came after Andre Smith's suspension in 2008 before the Sugar Bowl in connection with an investigation of improper dealings with an agent representative.

"We treat the NFL as well as anybody in the United States when they come to the University of Alabama," Saban said at SEC media days. "If something doesn't go on from their end of it to control what they're doing to affect our players, then I'm not sure that same hospitality will be welcomed in the future."

The Cincinnati Bengals are waiting on offensive tackle Andre Smith again.

The former first-round draft pick has yet to get on the practice field with his Bengals teammates. He's working out on his own, trying to get in shape and get beyond foot problems that held him back as a rookie.

There's no telling whether he'll be ready to start the season.

"I'm not going to worry about him until he's in there," offensive line coach Paul Alexander said between practices Wednesday. "That's the only way you can operate."

So far, Smith has been one of the Bengals' biggest disappointments.

They took him with the sixth overall pick last year out of Alabama, where he was a dominating run blocker. They were so concerned about his weight problems that they sent an assistant coach to weigh him a few days before the draft, and only then decided to make him their choice.

He got into a contract holdout that forced him to miss much of training camp in Georgetown and the first three preseason games. He finally agreed to a deal that includes a weight clause — he loses half of his paycheck if he weighs more than 350 pounds or isn't on the 45-man roster.

Two days after he joined the team, he broke his left foot during a non-contact drill. The injury limited him to six games, including only one start, last season.

He had foot surgery when the season ended, and has been slow to get back into playing condition. Coach Marvin Lewis said Smith might end up on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he would miss the first six games.

"Andre stays on the progression of the doctor," Lewis said. "We'll see. But if not, then Carson Palmer we still have the right to put him on the PUP and bring him in during the season. We'll see how that goes with the whole foot and that entire thing."

Smith's base salary is $1.08 million this year, so he'd lose $31,700 for each game that he's not on the 45-man roster or more than 350 pounds.

Dennis Roland, a former college free agent from Georgia, is starting in Smith's spot at right tackle. Roland played in all 16 games last season, including 12 starts.

While the rest of his teammates worked out on an adjacent field this week, Smith donned black shorts and a black, long-sleeve workout shirt and practiced a few pass-blocking moves against Dermontti Dawson on another field. The former Steelers center is working with the Bengals during training camp as part of an intern coaching program.

"I'm not really teaching him anything," Dawson said. "I'm just simulating the blocks that they do now, the blocks he would do as a right tackle. I just want to get him back into the groove of things and see how he moves and how he feels."

Ray Rice is entering his third season as an NFL player

Ray Rice is entering his third season as an NFL player and like in fantasy baseball rings the third year is the "break out" year. Well most think that last year was Rice's coming out party… wrong… Rice is a multi purpose back, he can run for speed, strength, and agility. He has become an elite pass catcher in the backfield and hes tough as nails in the blocking game. He will step it up another notch and enter the tier of elite must have territory.

Why you may ask? Well the Ravens are now and have always been a heavy running team… That game plan isnt going to change because Joe Flacco has developed or because Anquan Boldin was acquired, no that game plan is going to open up even more because of these new threats! The terrifying passing threat that Flacco to Boldin creates will force defenses to adjust their schemes to put either A double coverage on Boldin or B more hesitation for pass coverage. Defensive schemes against Baltimore could always bank on a run heavy offense and now with the new 1-2 combo the running game will have holes for Rice that the Ravens have never seen.

Another reason Ray Rice will edge out Johnson and Peterson for the top spot is this… Unlike the Titans and Vikings the Ravens don't insert a spell back as a must need in goal line situations.The Titans are working diligently to find a replacement for Lendale White in either Javon Ringer or LeGarrette Blount and the Vikings used a 2nd round pick to bring in Stanford bruiser Toby Gehart.

Because of that Peterson will surely lose out on those 2nd and goal carries on the 1 or 2 yard line. At that point in a game he becomes more of a liability than a talent and those plays will cost fantasy owners points, points that Ray Rice wont lose out on. And yes will there is still a threat looming of Willis McGahee stealing some carries from Rice this season I am not concerned. Lets be real McGahee had 109 rushing attempts last year, hes heading towards the end of his career and he has a litany of injury problems. The real threat to take carries from Rice is Le'Ron McClain but fantasy owners don't need to worry because he poses the same threat that every other Mike Alstott and Tony Richardson posed for their teams respective lead rushers.

Only 28, McGahee still has the strength and athleticism to be a starting tailback in the NFL. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry en route to 544 yards last season.

And although Rice - who rushed for 1,339 yards and finished second in the NFL with 2,041 yards from scrimmage en route to his first Pro Bowl berth - will likely begin the 2010 season as the offense's starting running back, McGahee will still be counted on to power the rushing attack when he is on the field.

To that end, McGahee said he came into training camp a little heavier than usual. McGahee, whose playing weight is listed at 235 pounds, said he weighed in at 240 pounds - which did not concern him.

"I feel like when I came in lighter, that's when I was getting the injuries and all of that," McGahee said, referring to 2008, when arthroscopic knee surgery in the preseason was followed by injuries to his eye, ribs, ankle and finally neck because of a helmet-to-helmet blow by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark that knocked him out of the AFC championship game. "I just go with the flow right now. Just keep it up."

Coach John Harbaugh said the added weight did not appear to be a hindrance for McGahee.

"He looks like he's in very good shape," Harbaugh said. "He's carrying really well, and he's running really well. So I'd say that's a plus."

For now, McGahee is content to bide his time and play a supporting role to Rice. But McGahee put to rest any notion that he might launch a Twitter campaign as his backfield mate Le'Ron McClain.

"No," McGahee said with a chuckle. "I'll leave that to Le'Ron."

Injury updates

Cornerback Chris Carr and linebacker Tavares Gooden did not practice Sunday, but neither's absence is considered long-term.

Carr appeared to injure his hamstring during Saturday's practice at M&T Bank Stadium, and his left thigh was heavily wrapped under his shorts.

"He was out doing some things today," Harbaugh said. "So he should be fine."

It's unclear what Gooden's ailment is, and when asked repeatedly about his nonparticipation, Gooden replied, "I'm good."

"He should be back tomorrow, too," Harbaugh said of Gooden. "We'll see. But (we) just gave him a day here. We'll see him tomorrow."

In addition to Carr and Gooden, offensive tackles Jared Gaither (back spasms), Tony Moll (concussion) and Stefan Rodgers (leg); cornerbacks K.J. Gerard (hamstring) and Prince Miller (unspecified); center David Hale (unspecified); and safety Marcus Paschal (right leg) did not practice Sunday.

Mattison returns to offense

Bryan Mattison is back with the offensive line - for now.

A defensive lineman out of Iowa, Mattison has alternated between both sides of the trenches and filled in as a defensive lineman because of depth issues during the team's playoff run last season.

"They told me, when it happened, that it was going to be a short-term thing and that I'd be going back," said Mattison, whose father, Greg, is the team's defensive coordinator. "I'll just do whatever the team needs."

Dallas Clark knows it's a good time to be a tight end in the NFL

They have attempted 6,746 passes, fourth-most in the league during that 12-year stretch. It might take that many attempts this season to keep Manning's receiving options satisfied.

It's a deep, proven group, one that must find room -- and reps -- for Anthony Gonzalez. The team's 2007 first-round draft pick is back running, cutting and catching on the Anderson University practice fields after missing virtually all of 2009 with a knee injury.

"It's got to be the best in the league," said Dallas Clark, the Colts' Pro Bowl tight end who moonlights as a receiver. "We've got a lot of guys who can just make a lot of big plays at any point. A lot of good threats."

Those threats have been on constant display during the first two days of training camp: Reggie Wayne, Clark, Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. They've combined for 253 starts, 1,237 receptions and 122 touchdowns during their careers.

"I look at all of those guys as starting receivers," Manning said. "It's really whoever is lined up out there. I'm going to have 100 percent confidence in all of them to throw it to them on any down and distance."

The trick for first-year offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen, who wasn't made available for comment for this story, figures to be finding enough playing time to keep everyone happy.

Wayne, a Pro Bowl selection the past four seasons, and Clark likely will be on the field the vast majority of the time. Gonzalez hopes to challenge for his old right-side starting spot, where Garcon took over last year, but might find himself pushing Collie to be the primary slot receiver.

"It's not really a problem," insisted Gonzalez, who appears completely healed from the ligament damage to his right knee in the '09 opener and a hamstring issue that limited his availability during the Colts' offseason work. "It's figuring out how to make the best of a really good situation."

Collie agreed. He made an immediate, significant impact in '09, when he led all rookie receivers with seven touchdowns and tied for No. 1 with 60 receptions.

"You can't go wrong with having too much talent on the team," Collie said.

Again, the "problem" is maximizing that talent. Manning routinely works Donald Brown out of formations that utilize two wide receivers and Clark. Frequently, a slot receiver makes it a foursome.

Keep in mind, we're talking about a collection of five sets of hungry hands. Even though the Colts move their receivers around -- split wide, in the slot, on the left, on the right -- and have been adept at getting their best players on the field, someone is going to have to deal with a diminished role.

 Dallas Clark  knows it's a good time to be a tight end in the NFL. No longer are tight ends viewed as glorified offensive linemen, but rather an integral part of an offense. And Clark loves it.

Clark, the starting tight end for the Colts, is coming off an outstanding year in 2009 when he had 100 catches for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has helped set the standard for the new wave of tight ends in the NFL, and he sees the position growing, which is a benefit for Fantasy owners.

"It's changed a lot," Clark said. "The position has gone in a direction where it has given people like me – I'm not 270 (pounds) or a glorified tackle. I'm not going to be blowing any defensive end off the line of scrimmage or driving anyone back. It just gives us a chance to give the Donald Brown offense a different option and defenses a different thing to try to defend."

Harbaugh comments on physical nature of practice

The Ravens have had a long list of injuries pop up over the course of the last handful of days.

Domonique Foxworth, Jared Gaither, Willis McGahee, Chris Carr, Tony Moll, Stefan Rodgers, K.J. Gerard, Derrick Mason...all have suffered bumps or bruises of some sort since the team started practices on Thursday.

Head coach John Harbaugh admitted that "you always think about" the possibility of guys getting injured during practice, but said that in training camp, you can't really walk a line between preparing hard for the start of the season and making sure guys stay healthy.

"It's not a balance with those kinds of injuries," Harbaugh said. "On one hand, you try to get 100 percent as much done as you possibly can to become as good a football team as you can, on the other hand, you try to go 100 percent as much as you can to try and protect one another in those situations. So there's no line to walk."

Some might question whether the intensity and physicality of the Ravens' Willis McGahee practices leads to injuries that could have been prevented if the team's camp was run at a slower pace.

Harbaugh disagrees with any such notion.

"The fluke injury is the fluke injury, no matter whether you're running a contact drill or you're running a non-contact drill," Harbaugh said. "You can't come out here and pack these guys in ice. If you do that, you're not going to have a football team. So I think you try to do both as best you can."

One example that backs up Harbaugh's comments is Foxworth's Willis McGahee season-ending knee injury, which he suffered during a low-tempo, non-contact drill on Thursday. Foxworth simply tried to cut, and his knee gave out, resulting in a torn ACL.

Other injuries, however, like Mason's and McGahee's, came during live, full-speed drills which feature lots of contact.

"We want to bring our guys through this thing; the goal is to have everybody," Harbaugh said. "We want to bring everybody through two-a-days if we can. But it's hard to do that. You look around the league and guys get nicked and tweaked all the time, and sometimes it's more serious. But it's very important."

The Steelers will hold a morning practice

The Steelers will hold a morning practice that will be closed to spectators, then board buses for the evening ceremony in Canton, Ohio. The team will return that night and plans to practice Sunday afternoon, a workout that will be open to the public.

Coming off a Super Bowl title just two seasons ago, the Steelers have a veteran-laden group that looked very talented and professional during the first weekend of training camp. The team is healthy again and quietly confident about its chances to make a playoff run this year.

But there is an elephant in the room for Pittsburgh. Quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger will serve a conditional six-game suspension to start the season. It's the primary reason many pundits already have written off the Steelers and believe they'll have to wait another year to get back in the hunt as a legitimate threat in the AFC.

But Pittsburgh is relishing its role as underdog in 2010.

"I look at the times we've been our most successful have been when we're under the radar -- when people don't expect that much from you," Steelers left tackle Max Starks said. "I think for us, we just have a blue-collar mentality. We're just going to put our head down, and we're just going to march forward and let everything else drop where it may."

Will the Steelers properly handle QBs? How do you manage a $100 million quarterback who won't play for at least a month, a veteran who is the favorite to replace him, and a talented youngster with very little experience?

There is no handbook for what the Steelers' coaching staff is going through this summer. Roethlisberger's suspension has put Pittsburgh in a unique situation in which the team has to delicately balance preparing for Week 1 and the entire season.

In all likelihood, "Big Ben" will have his suspension reduced to four games for good behavior. Ziggy Hood  But he will be forced to stay away from the team during that span, which means he will miss reps and practice time for at least a month before he returns. That is why training camp is so important for Roethlisberger. Meanwhile, the team also has to find out if Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon is the best option for the Steelers in the immediate future.

"We want to make sure that at the end of this thing that Ben has a productive camp," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "But as we proceed at this juncture, our focus, of course, is who's going to be playing quarterback for us the week of the opener. I like where the guys are right now."

Is safety Troy Polamalu back? Polamalu is a special talent. No other NFL player closely resembles his playing style or offers his versatility.

Last year the Steelers missed that versatility when Polamalu was sidelined for 11 games with a knee injury. Pittsburgh still finished in the top five in defense, but its inability to close out games in the fourth quarter without Polamalu led to several bad losses that kept the Steelers out of the postseason.

But Polamalu was healthy for the start of training camp and looks ready to go. He has made Brett Keisel sudden cuts without issues, looks fast and was making plays in camp.

"He just kind of opens the playbook to anything you want to do," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said. "It's just a matter of how far off the diving board you want to go."

Can the Steelers stay afloat early? The first four to six games could make or break Pittsburgh's season.

A slow start, such as 1-3 or 2-4, will have the Steelers playing catch-up the rest of the year in a competitive AFC North division. But a .500 record or better during Roethlisberger's suspension could set the table for Pittsburgh to make a playoff push in the second half.

Everything shouldn't be put on the quarterback position. Sure, Leftwich or Dixon has to do his part. But the running game and defense also have to step up for Pittsburgh to win early.

The Ravens enter 2010 with a blossoming quarterback and a star running back

A few months after the Harbaugh hire, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome – one of the best front office executives in professional sports – drafted Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco in the first round. In the second round, Newsome selected Rutgers running back Ray Rice.

Many expected the '08 Ravens to post a record similar to their 5-11 mark of '07 – especially after a season-ending injury to quarterback Kyle Boller and Troy Smith's illness forced  Flacco into the starting lineup right away. Flacco wasn't the only concern. Baltimore had a youthful offensive line and a receiving corps that, aside from veteran Derrick Mason, was  mediocre. That year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron  wound up running a system that was careful and cautious. But the perennially stingy Ravens defense, led by all-but-certain Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, elevated its performance and carried the surprising  club all the way to the A.F.C. title game.

By the next off-season, whispers about the Ravens being a Super Bowl contender were spreading. The 6-foot-5-inch Flacco, with a strong arm and a year of experience, showed promise. Rice had proved to be a solid cog in a thundering backfield that also featured Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee. And that Ravens defense was still That Ravens Defense.

But Newsome and the coaching staff were willing to look at the bigger picture. They knew no team could prosper in the long run with its quarterback on a leash as short as Flacco's. And they thought that a three-headed monster at running back was good, but wouldn't it be great if one of the heads was more prominent and belonged to a superstar? Also, the Ravens' brass knew that the '09 defense would have to prove itself under Greg Mattison, the linebackers coach who was promoted to coordinator after the innovative Rex Ryan had accepted the Jets' head coaching job.

And so the Ravens decided they would chase a Super Bowl in '09, but not at the expense of solidifying their long-term foundation. In the end, they squeaked into the postseason with a 9-7 record, dismantled the Patriots in the wild-card round but lost to a much sounder Colts team the next week.

The divisional-round loss was disappointing. But the season as a whole was productive. Flacco had evolved into a genuine pro quarterback. His  pass attempts jumped from 257 as a rookie to 315. His yards went from 2,971 to 3,613, and his touchdowns from 14 to 21. Sure, he was still orchestrating a rudimentary offense, but that was in part because the Ravens had elected to feed the ball to Rice, their sensational second-year running back. The compact 210-pound Rice exhibited a rare blend of power, quickness and elusiveness in gaining 1,339 yards (5.3 yards per carry) in 2009. What's more, he was a phenomenal pass-blocker and receiver (78 catches for 702 yards).

This is where the story reaches the present day. The Ravens enter 2010 with a blossoming quarterback and a star running back. In addition, they've managed to cultivate the best young offensive tackle tandem in the game: Michael Oher and Jared Gaither. With every significant building block firmly in place, Newsome was able to acquire some weapons for Flacco this off-season. He traded a third- and fourth-round pick for the three-time Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin. He took a chance by signing the speedy (and humbled) wideout Donte' Stallworth, who is returning after a one-year suspension for D.U.I. manslaughter. He spent a third-round draft choice on an athletic tight end out of Oregon, Ed Dickson, and a fourth-rounder on B.Y.U.'s Dennis Pitta, both of whom will initially learn the game backing up the admirable veteran Todd Heap.

With Ed Reed's status in limbo and two other cornerbacks -- Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington -- working their way back from ACL injuries suffered last season, the Baltimore Ravens' secondary took another hit at the start of training camp.

WNST in Baltimore initially reported that Domonique Foxworth, a cornerback entering his sixth year in the NFL, tore his ACL during a non-contact practice Thursday night.

Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the injury on Friday, saying Foxworth was injured without being touched.

Houston Texans starter spent the majority of last season

Houston got the money in NFL betting odds  for just 7 games last year and went over the total just 5 times. Houston is again talking playoffs and there is reason for hope starting with an offense that ranked 4th overall in the NFL and was the top ranked passing unit in the league. Quarterback Matt Schaub and wideout Andre Johnson became a dangerous combination last year looking forward to 2011 Super Bowl odds. Schaub completed nearly 68 percent of his passes for 4,770 yards and 29 touchdowns although there were 15 costly picks as well. Johnson had 1,569 yards receiving and 9 TD's. Bet the Texans football jerseys 40-1 as longshots in NFL predictions to win the 2011 Super Bowl with up to a $250 bonus.

Barbecue judges have to wear name tags. Mine usually says "Ken Hoffman, Houston Chronicle." When other judges aren't Chronicle readers or just don't read my column, they'll sometimes ask, "What do you do for the Chronicle?"

I tell them, "I write the obituaries."

I do this for a couple of reasons.

One, it's hard to explain what I actually do.

Two, I have a joke.

"I've been writing the obituaries for a few years now. It never ceases to amaze me how people in Houston die in alphabetical order."

I really did write obituaries for my first newspaper, a small daily in Central Florida. Starting at a newspaper in Florida was a good learning experience. Mostly, I learned how to gamble all of my paycheck on jai alai.

Jai alai is a betting sport in Florida where players throw a rock-hard ball against a Brian Cushing wall so their opponent can't return it on the first bounce. It's sort of like racquetball with concussions. They show jai alai during the opening credits for Miami Vice.

An older reporter, he was in his 70s and semiretired, and a few of us rookies used to sprint to the jai alai fronton on our lunch breaks to catch the matinees.

One day, I was making everybody wait while I finished an obituary. I was on the phone talking to the deceased's widow, asking her about the dead guy's background. It wasn't the most fun part of my job.

Many times, stories of TV bloopers are embellished. But I heard this one with my own ears.

It was on the 5 p.m. news. An anchorwoman said, "George Strake was in Austin today rallying support among Republican legislators for a proposed bill …"

Then she turned to her partner and asked, "That's interesting, why would a country music superstar be talking to politicians in Austin?"

Whoa! She confused George Strake with George Strait, the country legend who happened to be appearing at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that night.

She wasn't done. After her co-anchor ignored her question, she tried again, "I hope George Strake finishes up in Austin in time to get to the rodeo tonight."

Cut to commercial. She never corrected her mistake, which apparently wasn't her first, since she was gone from the station a few months later.

I told Strake, who heads a remarkably philanthropic Houston family (Strake Jesuit school, Camp Strake Boy Scout facility) this story. He had never heard about the newscaster's blunder.

He was probably too busy rehearsing for his rodeo concert that day.

 The former new Houston Texans jerseys starter spent the majority of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Pitts is an eighth-year pro from San Diego State.

The former second-round draft pick, if healthy, could be a good fit for the Bills.

The New Orleans Saints re-signed defensive end Bobby McCray

Overall, the Saints football jerseys had a successful offseason. They had several players that could have left as free agents, but the front office made sure to keep many of the key parts that led to a championship.

New Orleans lost defensive end Charles Grant to free agency, but proved that they could win without him when he missed several games due to injury. The team picked up Alex Brown after the Bears cut him. He will be a quick pass rusher that should take over where Grant left off.

The key to the Saints' offseason was bringing back free safety Darren Sharper. He is a veteran leader on and off the field for the Saints defense. He is as important to the defense as quarterback Drew Brees is to the offense.

Offense

The Saints jerseys had one of the best offenses in football led by one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Brees put up astounding numbers last year on his way to winning a Super Bowl championship and seemingly every award under the sun. He is the undisputed leader of this team and is a precise pocket passer that can perform under pressure. He makes other players step up to another level and gets everyone involved on offense.

The wide receivers are not household names, but in this offense have all flourished. Marques Colston is becoming a solid go-to-guy, and posted another season of 1,000 yard campain in 2009. Devery Henderson has breakaway speed and is the best New Orleans receiver at running after the catch. Finally, Robert Meachem gives the Saints the deep threat they need to keep the underneath routes open.

The passing game is the staple of this offense and it makes up for a running game that needs to improve. Reggie Bush is a human highlight film on special teams and when he catches passes in the flats, but as a running back he struggles. Pierre Thomas is the dependable back for the Saints and will have to carry the load. As usual, the Saints will look to pass to set up the run.

Sean Payton is an offensive mastermind and with Brees at the helm, the offense will be dangerous again in 2010.

Defense

The other side of the ball is powered by a scoring defense that was first in scoring touchdowns off of turnovers and second in takeaways.

The main reason for all of the turnovers was an explosive and quick reacting secondary. They bolstered the backfield with the draft and by re-signing Sharper. Defensive coordinator Greg Williams is all set in the secondary, but has his work cut out for him in other areas.

Grant is gone and although he was hurt, he was still a force to be dealt with on the line. Will Smith needs a compliment and the Saints brought in Brown and hope to get help from draft picks. Someone will need to step up if the Saints want to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Scott Fujita left in free agency, but he is not the answer to some of the issues the Saints have at linebacker. Jonathan Vilma is a bright spot, but he can't do it alone. The Saints linebackers are not very quick and have trouble tackling in the open field. They respond well to the blitz schemes that Williams implements, but they were the reason that the defense surrendered so many yards.

If the defense can't pressure the quarterback the secondary will be vulnerable to a balanced offensive team. The Saints defense will be hard pressed to repeat the turnover performance from a year ago and this will be the Achilles' heel of this team.

The New Orleans Saints re-signed defensive end Bobby McCray on Thursday after cutting the playoff starter who helped New Orleans capture its first Super Bowl title last month.

The team signed McCray to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

McCray started all three of the defending champions' playoff games last season, making six tackles and a memorable block that flattened Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner after an interception.

The return of McCray adds more depth to the Saints' defensive line. Earlier this offseason, New Orleans signed former Chicago Bears starting defensive end Alex Brown, along with former Tampa Bay lineman Jimmy Wilkerson, who has the versatility to play on the interior or on the outside of the defensive line.

Matt Tennant is a center in his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints

Even though it's terribly difficult to win two Super Bowls in a row, it might not be all that difficult to win two divisions in a row.

This is especially true regarding the New Orleans Saints who didn't suffer through too many changes during the off-season. The Saints resigned free safety Darren Sharper and running back Pierre Thomas. Those two starters were immensely important to the Saints' Super Bowl run last season. The defense might actually be better with linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar finally getting the start over Scott Fujita. The 25-year old Dunbar is definitely ready to get some things done at the linebacking position. LDE Alex Brown taking over for the ineffective Charles Grant is another plus for the D and both coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees work better than any other coach/QB combo in the league

That plan of action was made public shortly after USC president-elect Max Nikias announced that Pat Haden would replace Mike Garrett as athletic director, one of a number of other moves intended to improve athletic department oversight.

Nikias also said USC would take down murals featuring Bush and former basketball player O.J. Jeremy Shockey Mayo, who also broke rules when he received extra benefits, at the Galen Center, Heritage Hall and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Matt Tennant is a center in his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints jerseys. New Orleans selected Tennant in the fifth round of the 2010 draft (No. 158 overall). Tennant played at Boston College, redshirting his freshman season in 2005 and starting all 14 games in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Tennant, the team captain, allowed one assisted sack in his final 27 starts. With the Saints, he will battle with veteran centers Jonathan Goodwin and Nick Leckey. Tennant recently spoke with staff writer Rachel Whittaker.

Saints win their first Super Bowl

Since riding and waving in the Disney World parade less than 24 hours after helping the Saints football jerseys win their first Super Bowl, Brees has been on a whirlwind tour of public appearances and speaking engagements.

He hasn't been alone.

Many of his teammates and other members of the Saints' front office and coaching staff have parlayed the championship into new-found fame, pushing the levels of the team's stardom to new heights. Brees and the Saints combined to win four ESPY Awards on Wednesday night and about 20 of his teammates joined him on stage to accept the award for Best Team.

The team's unprecedented success and fame is precisely why the Saints dominate this year's Times-Picayune list of the most powerful/influential people on the south Louisiana sports scene.

For the second year in a row, Saints owner Tom Benson Darren Sharper is No. 1. He has plenty of company at the top as Brees (No. 2), Saints Coach Sean Payton (No. 3) and General Manager Mickey Loomis (No. 6) also joined Benson in the top 10.

The list was selected using a formula that included evaluating a person's capability to effect significant change -- or to prevent significant change -- in sports. Also considered was how the individuals rated versus their peers; how much money they control, generate, or influence; how long people have exercised power; and their long-term impact on a sport or the larger world of sports.

In this market, it doesn't get any bigger than the Saints.

Already the team has lifted the spirits of those fighting the Gulf of Mexico oil spill by visiting the oil-soaked coastline last month for a rally. They've also been vocal advocates on an array of other civic issues.

"If they didn't realize what the team means to the city before the Super Bowl, then I think everybody sees that now, " Brees said. "As a result of the Super Bowl, just the emotion and the connection that we have with our fans is highly publicized and really well covered."

Rounding out the top 10: No. 4 Hornets owner George Shinn; No. 5 Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul; No. 7. SMG Regional Vice President Doug Thornton; No. 8. Cox Sports TV Vice President Rod Mickler; No. 9 LSU football coach Les Miles, and No. 10 LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva.

Recognizing the balance

When it comes to the Saints, the message starts from the top.

While winning games is the ultimate goal, Benson, who has turned the franchise he purchased in 1985 for $70 million into a nearly billion-dollar organization, said it is equally critical for those in his organization to take pride in and contribute to the community that supports the team on game days and buys millions of dollars worth of Black and Gold memorabilia.

"It is important that our team recognizes the balance between excellence on the field as well as off the field, " Benson said. "It starts with the people who make up our organization -- Rita Benson LeBlanc and Dennis Lauscha, who oversee our marketing, business and administrative operations; Mickey Loomis, who runs our football operations; Sean Payton, who runs our team on the field; and our four vice presidents, Greg Bensel, Ben Hales, Vicky Neumeyer and Mike Stanfield, who oversee the various departments in our business. Some people use the term 'team effort' lightly, we do not."

Indeed. When the Saints decided to visit the ravaged coastline, nearly the entire organization went, boarding four buses for the 90-minute trek.

They quickly upstaged Gov. Bobby Jindal, stealing the show and putting a smile on the faces of a group of people who have felt like their collective cries for help since the April oil rig explosion have gone unheard.

The Saints' stranglehold as the leading power brokers on the local scene started long before the oil spill, however.

Players such as running back Reggie Bush, former running back Deuce McAllister and Brees have long been fan favorites because of charity work and their ability to impact games.

Several other players also have parlayed on-field success into endorsement deals, while others had their high school jerseys retired and streets named after them in their hometowns.

"We take great pride in bringing in players that Jeremy Shockey recognize the importance not only of dedicating themselves to performing at a top level on the field but also recognizing the importance of the role they play in our community, " Loomis said. "It is important that our team, our entire organization, work together toward the same goal. I am proud to say that this team and organization do that."

Payton, entering his fifth season with the Saints, agreed.

Like many others in the organization that have seen their popularity soar, Payton has risen to the top of the heap in the coaching ranks. With the help of a promotional blitz that has his book on The New York Times best-sellers list, Payton's star is becoming even brighter. He spoke on behalf of the team Wednesday night when the Saints won the ESPY Award for Best Team.

The Saints and Drew Brees cleaned up at the recent ESPYs award show. The Saints team took the award for best team performance stemming from their Super Bowl win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Brees went home with the Best Male Athlete, Best NFL player, and best Championship performance.

Fourth round draft choice defensive tackle Al Woods agreed to a multi-year deal with the Saints for  an as of yet un-released amount.

Woods signing marks the first of the Saints 2010 draft class to agree to terms leaving CB Patrick Robinson, OT Charles Brown, TE Jimmy Graham, C Matt Tennant and QB Sean Canfield all still un-signed.

New Orleans Saints owner has donated

This "first dollar to Beck" arrangement is perfectly legal, and even commonplace, for charities, although it is also not unusual for costs associated with these events to be defrayed by donations of goods, services, and time by the participants. Beck has estimated the cost of the rally at $2 million, and says he will donate the first million himself.

A source close to the rally does confirm to Mediaite that Sarah Palin will  Robert Meachem not be receiving a speaking fee for the event, and that the costs associated with the rally are confined to logistics, such as audio/video equipment, bathroom facilities, and the like. The source also points out that the total cost isn't known at this time, but that they're trying to be as transparent as possible.

A source at the charity says that donations through Beck's rally have Reggie Bush  just exceeded $2 million, so  if Beck's estimate is correct, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation will see some benefit from Beck's rally. How much, and whether the rally lives up to the charity's description of a "non-political, non-partisan rally," remain to be seen. Either way, the SOWF's home page points out that "the viewpoints of our supporters do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Foundation."

You can hardly blame a charity for taking money wherever it can get it, especially in this economy. However, given Beck's comments about New Orleans residents who were unable to escape New Orleans (he hates the "scumbags" more than he hated 9/11 victims' families), it is surprising that the New Orleans Saints jerseys would partner with Beck, rather than simply donate directly to the charity. I contacted the Saints for comment, and am awaiting a reply. The Saints staffer I spoke to was unaware of the donation.

Sam Maxwell is a linebacker in his rookie year with the Saints. Maxwell played collegiately at Kentucky, where he set a single-season school record for linebackers with six interceptions in 2009. He racked up 138 tackles with three forced fumbles and 11 passes Marques Colston defended as a four-year letterman with the Wildcats. He is on the active roster after signing with the Saints after rookie minicamp May 7-9. He recently spoke with staff writer Robert Stewart.

Who is your favorite coach from college or high school?
"College, I would have to say Coach (Chuck) Smith, my linebacker coach. High school, it would have to be our D-coordinator, Coach Marvin Justice. And Coach Kenya Fouch is the one that got me into college. Those two are my favorite coaches."

Who is your favorite artist?
"I pretty much like everything, but I would have to go with Playa Fly. He's like an old school rapper. I grew up on him. He's just a lyrical guy."

What is your favorite pregame food?
"Anything that doesn't sit heavy on my stomach while I'm out there. Anything that's going to be gone like that, I'm good with it."

What is your best football memory?
"High school football as a collective thing is my best memory. Some of the guys you grew up with, these guys still have ties together."