The NFL is an exclusive club. Only 32 owners, and they get to be picky about who they let in. With the most recent Al Davis incident (firing Lane Kiffin), is it time for the NFL's ownership committee to move to take over the Raider franchise and retire Al Davis? The Raider franchise isn't the most expensive in the NFL, and it would not be unreasonable to think that there would be ownership groups willing to purchase the franchise. In addition, it is my understanding that Al is one of the few owners that also acts as a general manager (i.e. in charge of football operations).

Is it possible that if an owner, regardless of past contribution, intentionally makes choices that impact the competitiveness of the league, that the Commissioner and owners have a duty to the integrity of the game and the league to intervene? If a franchise through intentional conduct (not just incompetence), makes itself non-competitive, does that not impact the concept of fairness, parity and integrity of the game? Since teams play each team in their division twice, if a team was intentionally dysfunctional, it would make teams in that division that had playoff potential an easier path, as they would have two wins in the bank.

How about this for an example? This year, the Denver Broncos do well and win the AFC West. The San Diego Chargers are in second place. In the other AFC Divisions, teams that don't win their divisions are also competing, like the Chargers, for a Wild Card playoff spot. In the other Divisions, the winners are the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. The teams playing for the two Wild Card spots are: San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts.

Here's how many times this year these teams play the Raiders:

New York Jets - 1, New England Patriots - 1, Jacksonville Jaguars - 0, Indianapolis Colts - 0, Baltimore Ravens - 0, San Diego Chargers - 2.

Now you do have to play the schedule given you - some years a tougher schedule and some years an easier schedule. But what if some teams get to play teams that are more than just down on their luck or inept? What if their conduct is worse and actually conterproductive? In this scenario, would it really be fair for a team like the Baltimore Ravens or Indianapolis Colts to lose out on a Wild Card spot because they didn't have the luxury of getting up to 2 "freebie" wins?

At what point does the Commissioner and the other owners have a requirement to step in? Maybe not if the Colts are shut out, but what if the Jets lose out to the Chargers due to that one extra win San Diego has for playing the Raiders twice? Don't you think the TV networks would rather have the New York Jets (with Brett Favre) in the playoffs? Would that outcome be the catalyst? Who knows?

I'm a diehard Raider fan and think the NFL in general is better when the Raiders are competitive, aside from the fan desire. Maybe the compromise is intervention to insert a general manager and force Al Davis just to be an owner and deal with owner and general money issues and let the general manager and coaches deal with player personnel (and play calling, who to start, who to keep, etc.).

What are your thoughts on this?

The revenue symbiosis between the NFL and other professional sports and gambling is accepted, although not admitted by the leagues. Perhaps it is time for the leagues to "come out of the closet" regarding the relationship? Just like other relationship trends, it appears Europeans have come to grips with this sooner than we in the USA have.

Lots of magazines out there, but what stands out from the pack? If this one was out there, I'd be looking to buy. How about you? It would be nice for the serious fantasy player to go to their draft without having to lug a laptop, notebook, printouts and two or three magazines!

I'm not a Tony Kornheiser fan, but I never thought that ill of him - until tonight. In his opening comments in the MNF game between the Bengals and Packers, Kornheiser makes the incredible comment that there may be more pressure on Aaron Rodgers replacing Brett Favre than there EVER HAS BEEN. You're kidding, right, Tony? You can't be that dumb! Ignorant perhaps. Ever??? How about when Steve Young replaced that Montana guy? How about when Danny White replaced that Staubach guy?

Tony, you may actually believe that there is more scrutiny on Rodgers replacing Favre than there were on other good QBs, but I don't think many people outside of Green Bay would agree with you.

You know what I think, Tony? I think there's more pressure on YOU to deliver this year or maybe MNF brings back Don Meredith (who really wasn't that bad...he KNEW his role and delivered). I don't think I can say the same about you...

A good explanation why when you think you almost win a good jackpot, over and over, but never get it, you think you're just unlucky. Not exactly...

For those that are keeping track of this issue, here's the next step in the process to legalize internet gambling. Need a decoder ring to figure out who's doing what to whom? Read the article!

For those that are keeping track of this issue, here's the next step in the process to legalize internet gambling. Need a decoder ring to figure out who's doing what to whom? Read the article!

Woo Hoo! Yes, some books publish Super Bowl odds right after the last Super Bowl, but it's almost training camp time, so the latest updated odds are available for those that have the gambling bug!

Ah, yes, summer is here and so are the fantasy football prognosticators. Free tips...That Brady guy in New England is pretty good and Brett Favre may have a "dropoff" in production...

High gas prices are affecting every part of the economy. Even the previously thought recession-proof gaming industry isn't immune.

It's not like professional sports isn't making enough money. They even tried to corner the fantasy sports market. One too many reaches of their hand for the cash...got slapped this time.

Fantasy sports contests can be played for both fun and profit. It now appears the State of Montana wants to get in on the action and offer something new for fantasy players - actual gambling on fantasy sports! Football is just the first game, with the offerings to be expanded to baseball, NASCAR, etc.

Geez, you think that with all that sugar, the driver would be totally wired... :-) I wonder how many calories per ton?

You would think that someone in a sports franchise executive position would have media savvy. Apparently not in this case! I could understand if the executive when posed with an unflattering story deferred answering to learn more, or accepted the story and said that he would aggressively work on the problem. To turn his attention negatively on the reporter doesn't make sense to me. Remember, friends come and go, but enemies accumulate. Best not to cultivate enemies in the media, IMO.

I've had to serve as a juror on a couple of occasions, and I've definitely had the temptation to make running commentary on the proceedings (or on a particular attorney or witness). Oh, I've hidden a chuckle now and then, or frowned, but never actually referred to an attorney as the rear end of a donkey. Lucky for him he just got tossed and not cited for contempt. Maybe the judge agreed but couldn't let the coment slide!