Mike In Illinois

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) _ The N-F-L has some questions for the Washington Redskins. The league and the players' union say they're investigating Redskins offseason practices to find if there were one-on-one drills between offensive and defensive linemen that the union says are forbidden. There's a prohibition against "live contact." Union chief Gene Upshaw says they learned of the drills from the team's Web site. Coach Joe Gibbs says the team has turned over tapes of its practices to the league for review. If there's a violation, the Redskins could lose some of their offseason practice days. Gibbs says he thinks the Redskins are well within the rules. Tackle Chris Samuels says the drills are for working on hand placement and technique, but aren't used to drive guys to the ground.

Those blue jerseys look really nice. I'm in the market for a new jersey (tossed my road Bledsoe to a friend who's a Cowboys fan) and if the price is right, I'm getting a McGahee, I think.

One of the few bright spots on an otherwise awful Illinois football team the last two years. I'm not sure, but I think he started all the games last year, too. Injuries haven't been a concern. It seems that despite having Ron Turner as a coach, several Illinois football players have made it to the NFL the last few years: Marques Sullivan, Eugene Wilson, Christian Morton, Greg Lewis, etc.

I've never been one to watch many great sitcoms or dramas on TV through the years (NYPD Blue, Seinfeld, etc.), but The Shield's a different story. A co-worker let me borrrow the Season One DVD's and I've been hooked the last few seasons. I, too, wonder when Acevedo will fall and when they'll finally get Antwon Mitchell. They always seem to keep the show fresh and keep me guessing at what will happen next.

Congratulations and good luck. My wife and I are going to our first ultrasound tomorrow. Mrs. Champaign is expecting our first child(ren?) this November.

John's not alone... I've never been to Buffalo....yet. If you must, you may revoke my posting privileges as well.

He was at the Illinois-Wisconsin basketball game last night. They introduced him during one of the timeouts in the first half. He got a standing ovation. I wish I could have tracked him down after the game, there's a lot of questions I would have asked him.

After David Byrne left, I believe the remaining members of Talking Heads put out an album; No Talk, Just Heads (?).

Thanks for posting this!

This cowbell has joined the herd.

He hates those cans!

"The Lord loves a workin' man!"

Rossevelt Leaks

The Cards took a flyer on Womack last year for cheap. He was coming off some major shoulder surgery (Tommy John?). They also picked up Marlon Anderson in case Womack couldn't perform. As the season wore on, Womack's shoulder regained strength and he was a tablesetter for the Redbird lineup. Anderson became a role player getting spot starts at second and left field. I was hoping the Cards would re-sign Womack but I guess they have other options (Marlon Anderson?).

Bites it today. Blows it on Final Jeopardy question; doesn't lose all his money, but enough. Some chick named Nancy beats him by a few thousand dollars. Hope this isn't a day or two off from when you see it.

Illinois lost alleight in 2003 and extended that losing streak to 14 games before knocking off Inidana at home on Senior Day. Before that the last Big Ten win was at Northwestern in 2002.

I believe ABC showed this movie uncut on Veterans Day 2001 and 2002. The affiliate I work for plans on airing it. There are a handful of companies who own ABC stations who are afraid of being fined by the FCC. The asked for a waiver to exempt the broadcast from being fined, but the FCC refused those requests. The result is the FCC could fine those stations, or they may not. Also, ABC has said they will pay the fines for any station hit by the FCC. I agree that this should be held in a different light than the Super Bowl incident, as this is a special day and the movie might be used to reflect and remember those who fought for our freedom.

Anyone that has Insight Digital Cable (they bought out AT&T in some areas) and has NFL Network has highlights On Demand for free. They usually come down Tuesday and last ten-fifteen minutes, with audio from the winning teams radio broadcast via Sirrius Radio. This is how I've been able to follow the Bills, as I've been unable to catch any games on TV on Sundays.

Voted

We were covering the game and it hasn't sunk in either. We did a live report just after the game ended. The fans were bouncing off the walls. BF: PM me if you're interested in a St. Louis Post-Dispatch Extra of the NLCS champs; Jim Edmonds in full-out dive from early in the game. I think that may have saved the game from swinging all the way in Houston's favor. We're covering Games 3,4,5 next week and may go to Beantown for 6 and 7 if necessary. I predict Cards in 6. Mike

I got to sit in the Grand Slam Room for Game 1 (gotta love the media perks). Missed out on the sixth inning on, as we were setting up for a live shot at 10p.m. I hope I don't have to be back at Busch until Game 3 of the World Series (win NLCS in 4 or 5). This Cards team looks really tough right now, especially with Rolen starting to hit. Are the Yankee fans on this board concerned at all about the Game 3 washout and a potential loss of momentum in the series? I still think the Cards and Yanks will make it through. Should be a blast. If you're down at Busch the rest of the postseason look for the guy with the broken left wrist (d@mn flag football) and don't be afraid to say hello. Mike

We're hoping to go to Game 2 Thursday night. Our station is credentialed through the World Series, so if the Cards make it we'll be there. We may even go to one of the first two games at the A.L. park. That would be unbelievable. St. Louis could sweep this Divisional series.

I got to cover the Cards game for my TV station. This team looks real good; they seemingly haven't lost the momentum of the regular season. I'm hoping to go back for Game 2 on Thursday night. To those Yankees/Red Sox fans (and fans of other baseball teams): I highly recommend you take in a playoff game of your favorite team if you haven't yet. It's an unreal atmosphere, even for the Divisional Playoffs. Even when I went to a Cubs (gag) playoff game last year it was an experience I'll never forget. Of course, it's not every year the Cubs make it to the playoffs. Still hoping for a Cards-Yanks Series, but would also love to see St. Louis play Boston.

It's amazing how Bobby and Leo (Mazzone) keep getting it done year after year. The downside is they have only one World Series to show for it. Otherwise, they're a dynasty.