I called the NFL office to inquire about the possibility of the Ravens starting the season with a bye week, but some guy said no one had submitted such a request before, and he would have to think about it.

It's quite obvious the local livestock isn't fully prepared to start the 2008 campaign, which rages until a couple days before New Year's. This prompts the question: What do fans think about Brian Billick's "Camp Cupcake" now? Beats coach John Hardguy's death march approach, right?

Look at it this way, die-hards: The club is in a division where season splits are commonplace, so there are three victories. Then there's a game against Miami (oops, it's down there), and both Oakland and the Redskins come here. How does a half-dozen wins sound?

***

Here's hoping Ed Reed makes it all the way back; otherwise, we're going to miss all those ill-advised laterals he makes after intercepting a pass.

***

Whatta you think? The Buffalo Bills might have had the right idea about Willis "I prefer to rest on third down, thank you" McGahee.

***

An early nomination for the Journalism At Its Best Award goes to Mike Preston for his column in The Sun: "Who's the QB … Who Cares?"

***

They finally smartened up and stopped putting Ohio State atop the preseason college football rankings. The Buckeyes are No. 4 in a couple of polls, which is just about right until they play some Southeastern Conference team at the end of the year.

***

Add college grid: Some guy given to outrageous predictions sees Notre Dame ending up playing in the Gator Bowl. It's a joke, right, Swami?

***

Among other things, network tennis commentator John McEnroe could use a voice transplant.

***

Last week was the six dozenth anniversary of Bob Feller's first major league start with the Cleveland Indians at age 17. "Rapid Robert," who was great pals with eventual Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick as a kid, fanned 15 while allowing six hits and four walks in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Browns. Think he threw a few more than 100 pitches that day?

***

Speaking of not pampering pitchers, now that Brian Matusz is signed, why don't the Orioles chuck him out there and see what they're spending all that money on? Offhand, I can think of a few bonus babies who underwent the experience -- Krausse, Clyde, Jaster and Brobeck -- and they lived to tell about it.

Add Matusz: How about sending the kid -- on loan, of course, just like they do in hockey -- to an organization that can bring him along properly? The O's seem to have problems in that department.

***

You have to love Melvin Mora's spirit, saying he wants to play until he's 50 years old. The only drawback is can he keep that scowl on his face that long?

***

For every story of success at the Olympics, there are a few that end up the opposite. For instance, excellent U.S. shot putter Adam Nelson goes to Beijing and doesn't launch a valid throw in the preliminaries, much less make the final as expected. What time does the parade back in his hometown start, 3 a.m.?

***

Glad to read there are a couple of books coming out with legendary fisherman and sportswriter Lefty Kreh as the subject. Of course, we remember Lefty's visits to the office to turn in his expense account. He told the absolute worst and corny shaggy-dog yarns you ever heard, and they were so bad the place was in hysterics for about 10 minutes. Then he'd apologize and leave with a big fat check.

***

They can argue all they want about which was better, the "Dream Team" or this year's "Redeem Team." For me, it's no contest. Give me the 1960 squad, led by Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Jerry Lucas, Walt Bellamy, Bob Boozer, Terry Dischinger, Odie Smith, Darrell Imhoff, Burdy Haldorson, etc. They were collegians, played defense and understood what team meant.

Issue 3.36: September 4, 2008