In case I do not write tomorrow, I'll do the mythical wagers today. Clearly these are done with a day's less information than usual and so they are even less worthy of being used by anyone as the basis for a real wager involving any world currency. To date the mythical picks are 13-9-1 with a mythical profit of $108.

1. I'll take another NCAA game even though I have not gotten one right all year. I'll take Idaho minus 10 vs Arkansas State for $22. Bet against the bad teams.

2. I'll take Broncos minus 11.5 vs Browns for $22. Denver has too much offense.

3. I'll take Colts minus 5 vs Seahawks for $33. Peyton Manning versus Brock Huard/Jon Kitna; go figure this out.

4. I'll take Vikes minus 5.5 vs Bears for $33. Chicago defense gave 31 to the Saints last week…

5. I'll take Bills minus 9.5 vs Chargers for $22. Buffalo actually needs this game and San Diego is awful.

Speaking of Denver, I recommend that you go to "www.rockymountainnews.com" and then go to the sports section and read yesterday's column by Bernie Lincicome. He is writing about the things you have to keep in mind in order to be a successful sports columnist; it is outstanding. I'll just give you three of his examples to whet your appetite; Bernie says:

"Never cross more than two county lines to write senior golf."

"Pay attention to research…find out how many jails have retired Mike Tyson's number."

"You have to be someplace and almost anyplace is better than Oakland."

The New York Times has a story saying that steroid use is rampant in baseball. Some estimates are that 33-40% of the players are using steroids. Supposedly, this will become an issue at the bargaining table with the Players Association in the next round. Baseball has no comprehensive testing program like other sports.

Just a thought; if the Yankees and Mets do a "subway series", would any network dare hire John Rocker to do a feature where he rides the trains between the two venues?

Allen Iverson met with members of various groups that do not like the lyrics of his rap album. He said that he was "surprised" at their negative reaction. Imagine that, women don't like misogyny; let me catch my breath here. And after all the talking, Allen said that it was a good meeting and that everyone expressed their views and everyone has a better understanding of the situation. But there will be no change in the lyrics. Now if that does not qualify him for a spot in the State Department after his NBA days are over, I don't know what does. That meeting and the statements after the meeting are already at the "Secretary of State level" for vapid.

Chris Gatling missed the first few days of training camp in Cleveland. Now that he has reported, maybe it is appropriate to ponder his absence. Gatling has been traded 5 times in the last 18 months. Now was he just confused as to where to report or is that part of the reason he moves around so much?

It must be a very slow news period, because in today's Washington Post there is a story that covers about 3/4 of a page. It deals with the horrifying issue of profanity being used by coaches at the high school level in various sports. Players and coaches are quoted; "experts" are cited for their opinions on the lasting effects of this practice; and trees died to create all that paper. There just has to be something more important to write about related to high school sports than that.

Derrick Thomas' mother has filed suit against GM alleging a defective and dangerous design caused Derrick Thomas' SUV to spin out and roll over and kill him and his friend last winter. She is also suing the dealership that sold the vehicle, the ambulance company and the hospital for complicity in the events that led to Thomas' death in February. It seems that Dunkin Donuts has been spared being named in the suit for failing to provide sufficient blueberry jelly in their donuts that evening; lucky for them. At least, she has not named the seat belt manufacturer as a defendant and claimed that their failure to design a belt that will fasten itself against the wishes of the driver was part of the problem.

The Niners claimed DT Nate Hobgood-Chittick from the waiver wire. Presumably, they checked to see that his name will fit in the space available on the back of their uniforms…

Finally, Paul Brown was once asked why the Cleveland Browns uniforms were so plain. He said that there was nothing worse than "a bad team with a crazy-looking uniform." Now, Paul Brown's progeny own the Cincinnati Bengals whose helmets are certainly bordering on "crazy-looking" and the team is far worse than just "bad"…

But don't get me wrong, I love sports...