Editor's note: I'll be on vacation until the 25th of June.

There may or may not be any posts this week.

- 'Sop

Esks need self-control - Edmonton Journal
The zen master of the Edmonton Eskimos offered up a message of calm and serenity Tuesday from his stall in the Green and Gold dressing room.

Discipline, anger management, peace -- these are all virtues preached by none other than Ed Hervey, a former Canadian Football League temper tantrum waiting to happen.

"We have to show self-control," Hervey said in a soothing voice...

...Over his eight-year CFL career, Hervey has taken more than his share of penalties -- the most grievous of them all coming on Labour Day in 2003...

Bailey, Polamalu second to none in secondary - USA Today
...Pop on video of a Pittsburgh Steelers game from their championship run last season, and safety Troy Polamalu is hard to miss.

And it is not just the long, free-flowing locks of hair protruding from his helmet. It's that he is liable to be making plays, well, just about anywhere...

..."He has an unusual blend of strength and speed," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau says...That's a rare combination ... a person who can do all of those things."

He could be a winner of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award...

Palmer joins in practice - Cincy Enquirer
The first two minicamp practices marked another milestone in Carson Palmer's recovery from reconstructive knee surgery.

On Thursday morning, the Bengals quarterback threw against the defense for the first time. At the end of the afternoon practice, Palmer participated in 11-on-11 team drills against a soft pass rush.

"Overall, it's a great day, because I wasn't bored watching practice," Palmer said following the afternoon workout. "I actually got to do some things. It wasn't a good practice, as far as I'm concerned. I felt rusty, awkward and off balance, but that stuff will come."

Coach Marvin Lewis thinks the work ethic Palmer has displayed in his recovery will bind the team...

Also, Being a QB aids in Palmer's recovery - Cincy Enquirer
Palmer has well-wishes for rival - Cincy Post
Palmer shows the way in tale of 2 rehabs - Cincy Post
Palmer takes positive steps in minicamp - Dayton Daily News

Choice is supported - LA Daily News
If Wendell Tyler's heart was a little tender as he watched his son, Marc, verbally commit to play football for USC in a nationally televised news conference Thursday afternoon at Oaks Christian High, you could understand on a number of counts.

For one, the former UCLA and NFL great was watching his son, the No. 3 rated running back in the country, sign with his archrival.

...Tyler chose the Trojans over Notre Dame, although he admitted he was close to committing to the Fighting Irish after Clausen verbally committed to Notre Dame during an unofficial recruiting trip in April.

UCLA offered him a scholarship, but was never under serious consideration...

Also, Oaks Christian's Tyler commits to USC - VC Star
Oaks Christian RB Tyler commits to USC - LA Daily News

Jarrett Must Apply to Regain Eligibility - LA Times
USC receiver Dwayne Jarrett, who last season shared an expensive apartment with quarterback Matt Leinart, violated an "extra benefits" rule and must apply for reinstatement of his eligibility, the NCAA said Thursday.

An NCAA committee made its determination after USC's compliance office sought assistance in determining whether a violation had occurred because Jarrett paid less than half of what Leinart's father said was a $3,866-a-month lease.

"The information submitted by the University of Southern California regarding the living arrangements of two football student-athletes represents a violation of NCAA extra benefit rules," the NCAA said in a statement...

Lewis won't be back - LA Daily News
USC wide receiver Whitney Lewis will not return next season, according to multiple sources.

Lewis, considered one of the top players in the nation when he arrived from St.Bonaventure High of Ventura, is leaving for reasons not related to football or academics, sources said. He is not working out with the rest of the Trojans and not attending summer school...

...Also, defensive end Rashaad Goodrum (Valley College) remains bothered by a back injury and his status for next season is uncertain. Goodrum is currently not healthy enough to play.

Saints' Bush hands off donation for Gormley - New Orleand Times-Picayune
Less than two months from now, Tad Gormley Stadium's barren turf will have green sod, the return of high school football and a brand new name: Reggie Bush Field.

Bush, the Saints' rookie tailback, continued to fulfill his promise of making a tangible difference in his new community...

...Bush also spent time touring the damaged stadium and meeting with some of the high school coaches and players who will once again use the stadium's turf this fall...

Cape League welcomes nine to hall of fame - Harwich Oracle
The Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame has unveiled the 2006 class of inductees. They will be inducted at a ceremony Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham...

...Rick Currier, Chatham pitcher: The USC hurler enjoyed two All-Star seasons for the Chatham A’s, going 5-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 1998 and posting a perfect 7-0 mark the next year with a sparkling 1.34 ERA. He was named Co-Outstanding Pitcher of the Year in 1999. He was also selected to mid-season and final all-star teams that year and eventually signed with the New York Yankees...

Also, Rik Currier Earns Induction To Cape Cod Baseball League HOF - Official USC Website

QB Cassel is looking out for No. 2 - Boston Globe
Ultracompetitive Tom Brady says he takes the field at practice every day looking to be the best quarterback on the field.

That wouldn't appear to be a difficult task, considering he has won three Super Bowls as a starter, while the other three signal-callers at Patriots minicamp...have zero NFL starts and victories combined.

Brady and backup Cassel are in constant competition, from sprints to leaps (Brady can dunk, Cassel can't), and Cassel says it has helped him become a better quarterback.

Cassel, the second-year player of out Southern Cal, is hoping to be the Patriots' No. 2 quarterback this year. If...the Patriots sign a veteran reserve, Cassel won't give up the No. 2 position easily...

Leslie part of all-time WNBA team - LA Daily News
She came to the WNBA from just down the street at USC, her mantle already filled with trophies and adorned with an Olympic gold medal.

The fledgling league hoped she would be a star. Lisa Leslie has turned out to be a whole lot more.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Sparks' center was among 10 players named to the WNBA All-Decade team.

The list had a distinct USC influence.

Three of the 10 honorees - Cynthia Cooper, Tina Thompson and Leslie - played for the Trojans...

Also, Leslie Joins the All-Decade Team - LA Times
[Lieberman] These 10 have helped define the WNBA - ESPN

Nick Saban Q&A - Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
...Q: How important is the offseason work for the development of Manny Wright?

A: "I think it is a really big advantage for a guy to go through these OTA days and experience learning all of this stuff and then when you come to camp, you're kind of learning it for the second time...When a guy comes in the supplemental draft as Manny did last year, he doesn't get an opportunity to do that...I think in all those regards, it's really helping Manny's development, and maturity."

Q: Is Manny Wright's weight is a concern?

A: "Anybody who is overweight is a concern. But it is what it is. So we put him on a diet, we do what he needs to do, we run him extra. We've got a couple of ways they can get on the bike or on the treadmill...

Also, Dolphins' Wright cooking now - Florida Today
Wright set to usurp starting role at nose tackle - MiamiFootball365

Tatupu adjusts to being the big Hawk in town - Everett Herald
If Lofa Tatupu hadn't already felt his celebrity growing during the 2005 football season, the Seattle Seahawks' lovable middle linebacker may well have gotten a hint of it while shopping at Bellevue Square a few days after Super Bowl XL.

As Tatupu walked around the mall, he sensed a shadow that followed his every move. Tatupu went to five different stores, alternating between floors, before finally confronting the young fan who recognized the Seattle Seahawks' newest star.

"After I realized he was following me, I turned around," Tatupu said this week. "He was just too shy to ask (for an autograph). He was looking at me, and I said, 'How you doing, little man?' And he said, 'Can I get an autograph?'"...

Also, First time was the charm for up-and-coming LBs Tatupu and Merriman - USA Today

Carson to Ben: Get better - Cincy Enquirer
Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said Monday that he's thinking about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was injured in a motorcycle accident.

“I just want to say that my family’s thoughts and prayers go out to Ben and his family,” Palmer said. “We’re wishing him a speedy recovery, and I’m looking forward to competing against him this fall.”...

Also, Palmer says patience key during his rehabilitation - Dayton Daily News

Rookie plugs hole at left tackle - Philly Inquirer
...For the second straight day, rookie second-round draft pick Winston Justice was working with the first-team offense...

...Justice admitted, however, that he's hardly a master of coach Andy Reid's West Coast offense.

"It's a very complex offense, and I think I'm getting the grasp of it," Justice said. "I can't really say I know the offense through and through. I don't think anyone can in five weeks."...

Also, Blood clot limiting Thomas, for now - Philly Daily News

Bush planning refurbishment for Gormley - New Orleans Times-Picayune
His rookie season is three months away, but Saints tailback Reggie Bush already is making an impact on the New Orleans sports scene.

Today, Bush and City Park officials will announce his plans to help refurbish Tad Gormley Stadium, allowing high school football to return one year after Hurricane Katrina severely damaged the facility.

"We're thrilled Reggie stepped up to 'adopt' the field," said Bob Becker, CEO and president of City Park. "This is somebody who understands the importance of football and sports activities at this time in the city's recovery...

QueensCare awards USC pharmacy $1.1 million - Daily Trojan
The USC School of Pharmacy has been awarded a three-year grant totaling $1.1 million from QueensCare to provide more uninsured and low-income local residents in Los Angeles County with regular, one-on-one pharmacist counseling.

The grants will also allow more pharmacy students to have chances to rotate in local clinics and receive extra training.

"The success of the last grant made it easy for us to continue funding the USC School of Pharmacy services at our clinics," said Terry Bonecutter, president and CEO of QueensCare...

USC sees more cooperative spirit by NFL - Inland Empire Press-Enterprise
With NFL owners visiting Southern California today and Thursday to measure the support a potential new team could expect from the business community, the league's relations with one major player in Los Angeles, USC, seem to be improving.

That's a far cry from where things stood May 19 when USC president Dr. Steven Sample issued a strongly worded warning letter to the Coliseum Commission addressing a deal with the NFL that could fail to protect USC's interests...

Also, USC May Be Spoiler in NFL Coliseum Plan - LA Times
NFL seeks to ease USC's stadium fears - OC Register

2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List - Charlotte Touchdown Club
The Football Writers Association of America has announced the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the 2006 season. Fifty-five standout players from around the country have been nominated for consideration in the preseason.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football, has been a staple of the FWAA's awards since 1993. It is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, which has held the annual awards banquet since 1995...

...Lawrence Jackson, USC DE Jr. Inglewood, Calif...

Three big games that no one is talking about? - College Football News
Q: Give three games that no one is thinking about much now, but will end up being a really big deal...

...[Cirminiello]USC at Arkansas, Sept. 2 – One of the most riveting questions of the 2006 season is how the mighty Trojans are going to respond in a post-Bush, post-Leinart era...There’ll be tons of speculation of what to expect this fall, but this is the first chance to see them live. If USC has slipped, you might see it right away in an SEC road game versus a young and eager Arkansas team determined to shock the sports world...

...Zemek...USC @ Arizona, Sept. 23: The Trojans will be amped for Arkansas and Nebraska...But then the scene shifts to conference play (meaning a familiar foe), and a road game against a program that has fallen on hard times in recent years. This is ripe time for a letdown on USC's schedule...

[Huguenin] This dozen will be worth wait - Orlando Sentinel
...This week, we're looking at what we consider the 12 most intriguing non-conference games of the season not involving annual rivals (in other words, no Florida-Florida State or Notre Dame-USC on here)...

...7. Nebraska at USC, Sept. 16: An intriguing intersectional game between schools that are guided by former NFL coaches. Gee, you think the Huskers' first two games -- against Louisiana Tech and Division I-AA Nicholls State -- will have them prepared for the kind of speed the Trojans put on the field? It'll be the first meeting between the schools since 1970...

A Piece of Work - Fast Company
In 1973, a book appeared that would define the conversation about the American workplace for the next generation. Work in America was an unlikely hit, the report of a task force commissioned by Elliot L. Richardson, President Nixon's secretary of health, education, and welfare. It was In 1973, a book appeared that would define the conversation about the American workplace for the next generation. They described "the alienation and disenchantment of blue-collar workers," "the search by women for a new identity," and "the quest of the aged for a respected and useful social role."

The chairman of that task force was James O'Toole, then a young special assistant to Richardson; Edward E. Lawler III was part of a University of Michigan research team that produced the report's key data. Now, 33 years later, O'Toole and Lawler--both at the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California--have prepared a sequel using the same methods: The New American Workplace...

No hurdle too high - Sac Bee
As soon as she came off the track, smiling and sweating and savoring a sizzling finish to her college career, USC's Virginia Powell wanted more.

The great ones always do. After blasting her way to a collegiate record 12.48-second victory in the women's 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday at Hornet Stadium, Powell started thinking about other magical marks...

Also, Powell tops NCAA record, sets sights on world mark - SF Chron