For those who have not heard as of yet, Route 281 is the OFFICIAL tour celebrating Darrell Green and Art Monk (FINALLY) making it to Canton for the NFL Hall of Fame. The name Route 281 comes from Route representing road or trip - road to Canton and 281 are the perfect combination of Darrell Green's number 28 and Art Monk's number, 81 - thus 281.

The first stop and kick off of Route 281 took place this past Saturday in Lynchburg VA at Liberty University, where they were accompanied by the likes of former Redskin team mates: Gary Clark, Brian Mitchell, Joe Jacoby, Mark Mosley & Dexter Manley who all treated the fans to a nice experience and autographs.

In one of my previous post, I presented the question: Have you ever thought about what goes on in the head and minds of an NFL player as they prepare themselves for training camp?

As the season approaches, I know why I am getting excited and hype: the ability to talk trash by the water cooler at work! Fantasy football! Ability to watch TV on Sundays! The hits! Highlights and new content on the NFL Network!

But what about those that actually go out there and get paid to play? One of my boys, a retired 12 year NFL vet (Bills, Redskins & Chiefs), has been kind enough to give us a glimpse into the mindset of a NFL player a month out from having to report to the worse part about being a professional football player - TRAINING CAMP!

What are they going through, what are their thoughts, what is there mind set? How do they prepare? What do they do to get themselves ready for another long season?

Sorry Yardbarkers - Im back.

Just in case you hadnt noticed, I have been participating and assisting with the Brian Mitchell Football camp that took place at George Mason University the past 3 days (5 days including Registration and Awards).

The final actual practice day took place with the attendance of 2 fan favorites - Rock Cartwright and Mike Sellers.

As part of the series of events, the players spoke to the children and encouraged them and took questions. As you would have it, the kids were....well - kids! Here are a few examples of what the kids asked:

To Mike who went straight from high school to playing football in the pros: What college did YOU go to?

To the 40 year old Brian Mitchell: Did you play football on color or black and white TV?

To Cartwright: Have you ever been knocked out in a game?

Gots to love the innocents of just 'asking questions'!!

I dont know how many of you enjoyed the pictures and updates, but it has been a pleasure providing them!

Click to view pictures.

The continued display of the positive things that athletes are actually doing in the community that does not get any headline press!

Yesterday Redskins LB spoke with the athletes of the Brian Mitchell football camp along with Scotty Graham (former Viking and Steeler and current NFLPA Director). They shared with them the importants of team work, getting good grades and being MEN!

But the highlight of the day was having all three (BMitch, Graham and McIntosh) participate in the practice with them as they help instruct the players on the field.

James Thrash helps motivate and keep young campers focused during a hot day 1 of the Brian Mitchell Football Camp

James Thrash Participates in the Brian Mitchell Football Camp

As promised - the spot light on the positive side of todays athletes continues.

Yesterday I highlighted Brian Mitchell and his football camp. Today Brian was joined by former RB Ricky Ervins, former LB Ravin Caldwell (who both played for the 49ers and Redskins) and current WR James Thrash who all are very active in giving back to the community in Northern VA as well continue working on a daily basis training young athletes.

As I continue to explore the positive things that NFL Players participate in (former and current) yesterday marked the start of the Brian Mitchell Football Camp at George Mason University in Fairfax VA. There were about 300+ young athletes there to register as they were preparing for a full contact football camp.

It was crazy seeing these athletes from age 7 - 18, as they were excited to be there, register, get their room key and be separated from their parents (even if it is for just a week).

The highlight of the day - when the athletes got a chance to see Brian's super bowl ring (oh and they got to take a picture with Brian too). Lets see how excited they are when they start hitting!!

Jim Warne, Scottie Graham - two players you may or may not have heard of and would not otherwise get any news airtime, due to the nature of what they do!

These two are two of many that participates and are a part of the Native Vision Sports and Life Skills Camp. This camp is a partnership operated by Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health and the National Football League Players Association that mobilizes NFL players and other professional athletes as mentors for Native youth. American Indian adolescents are the most needy and disenfranchised youth group in the US. The Native Vision initiative serves them through program that build upon the strengths of Native youth as individuals, members of large family networks, and citizens within proud, unique Indian communities.

Native Vision is a youth development initiative for reservation-based American Indian adolescents and is an annual summer camp that teams the best professional and collegiate athletes from top football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse and track programs across the country with American Indian youngsters from across the Nation.

YARDBARKERS - I have not been that active of late and I have posted some sub-par articles of late, but there is a reason for that which is the reason for this post....I have been waiting for the NFL season and it is fast approaching - THANK GOODNESS!!!!

But as it approaches - as we all look for that insight on the NFL and the upcoming season, when we turn on the news - it seems like all we hear about is the negative!

But how much time is spent on the positive side of thing?

How much time and energy is used by the media, websites, news, papers and magazines to shed light on some of the positive things athletes ARE doing?

Well - having personal friends that are former as well as current NFL players - I have had a chance to see another side of these cats, so I figure I will take some time out and bring what attention I can to the positive side of things!

Ever heard about Native Vision Sports and Live Skills Camp? What about United for a Cause? Or how about The Key To Success Scholarship Program?

Have you ever thought about what goes on in the head and minds of an NFL player as they prepare themselves for training camp?

Well for the next 4-6 weeks there will be a series of articles posted on bdlsports (by myself or some special guest writers) that will hopefully do just that - give a refreshing look at some of the positive these athletes are doing and an inside perspective on life going into the season!

I hope you guys enjoy.....

Is it win/victories? Is it championships? Is it by stats? or Is it the person that does it all?

How do you compare the great ones to one another? Is Kobe better than or is the 'next' Jordan? Is that argument dead? or based on the past 5 days, should we have been 'comparing' Jordan and Tiger?

I take a quick look at this and offer my opinion on the subject, tell me what you think? If nothing else this will give us some other water cooler topic besides the Jordan/Kobe world debate.

I hope you enjoy, tell me what you think.......

The Vicks cant seem to keep themselves out of the media, let alone trouble!!!

I guess when you want to be like big brother, some people take that to the extreme! Mike goes to VTech, Marcus follows. Mike makes it to the NFL, Marcus follows. Now we all know Mike ends up in legal trouble.........Marcus follows!!!

I guess the saying is true: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same......click and read - and see if your reaction is the same as mine - ahhhhhh NOT SHOCKED!!!

As the NBA takes center stage, with the NBA finals, it is for another reason that it's catching the headlines these days....the officials and the integrity of the game.

This years Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics are doing nothing but add to this scrutiny!

For my take on this - you know what to do....

To all my skins fans, Sean Taylor fans and fans of the players that risk injury, entertain us and help us get through the weekend from Sept. - Jan/Feb - I ask that question:

Does Sean Taylor belong in the FedEx field Ring of Honor?

Lets not forget about S.Taylor!

Your thoughts?

As if it wasnt enough for your vehicle to be mentioned in a hit and run, as if there being questions about who was actually driving the vehicle at the time wasnt enough.....Now it seems that the rippling effects continue.

Even though it appears that he may "only" be charged with a misdemeanor, he still may be facing the potentially missing 2 Bills games that are scheduled for Canada, because even though it is a misdemeanor this could effect his ability to leave the country and cross the boarder.

Thoughts?