Good Reads:

Bob Ryan is a rare voice supporting Nomar. I think its Ryan's best work in a while.

Jerry Izenberg does a fine piece on the sad fading of Eddie Robinson.

Reading Dan LeBetard feels different now after he more or less declared himself "the defender of the poor-spoken player". Knowing he considers himself that weakens his defense of Miami's Antrel Rolle. LeBetard may be dead on, but you're stuck wondering if he's just playing his role.
This line sneaks up on you:
There are plenty who nonetheless castigate Rolle with a grandfatherly, ''Nothing good happens at that hour,'' but you ought to know that plenty good happens for athletes at that hour, and it usually involves a great deal of nudity.


The Washington Post has a good article on Termite Watkins' quest to qualify an Iraqi boxer for the Olympics. I'm expecting the Post to have some pretty impressive Olympic coverage.

Jay Mariotti wonders about Nomar's heel.
Wetzel on Belichick.
Posnanski on Priest Holmes.
This is a great topic, but it feels overwritten to me.
Do you think his Seattle PI mini bio embarasses Art Thiel?

Lisa Olsen dances around Giambi, steroids and his mysetrious health issues. She never quite settles on the point she's trying to make, but the topic alone makes the column interesting.

Solid Philly story on Jameer Nelson and Delonte West joining the wealthy.