REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-OSPHERE:
SO, TROJANS AND BUCKEYES

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"Named after a nut, but you want to be addressed as 'The'. Compensate much?"

Jocks blog. We report. (You decide.)

Pete Carroll: Finally Mentions Buckeyes

Ben Malcolmson pens the Coach's blog over at petecarroll.com:

"Coach Carroll mentioned Ohio State—and the game that's now only 11 days away—for the first time to his players during this afternoon's team meeting," he writes.

"'The media's been talking about it since they realized it was a big matchup,' Carroll told the team this afternoon. 'But we haven't talked about it at all, because I wanted everyone to realize the importance of our first game. Every game's a championship game to us, and this one coming up just happens to be the next championship matchup for us.'"

Ah, the game within the game. Those Trojans. Remember, Pete Carroll isn't interested in merely winning. He wants to win forever.

Peyton Manning: Game Streak

Peyton is not a stat driven guy, and he doesn't mind being second in consecutive starts:

"When you think about it, how many games I've played … Brett Favre's streak is nothing short of spectacular, for him to play that many years and start that many games in a row is a real credit," he writes. "For me, I'm not an individual statistics guy. Never have been. It's really all about the team in this sport, but that is one record I'm proud to be in second place for. And my brother Eli is in fourth place, I think."

"So to me, that's not really a statistic, that's being a good teammate.

"P.S. - Let's keep this petition going … starting to get some real support here. Get those homemade video messages up there in the group so we can send to the IOC with the petition. That way they KNOW we're serious."

I can't tell if Peyton is dripping with seriousness on the Olympic football issue, or he's goofing on us a little, like in his MasterCard Pep Talks.

Colin Doyle: RichRod and UM Stumble

The San Jose Stealth Forward takes a Wolverine moment:

"With the giant turnaround with RichRod and the new system and the graduation of a good core of guys, I expected a tough season, but still thought a win over Utah in the Big House could be salvaged," he writes. "I guess, I hope that the team has some good wins over some rivals and builds strong for the future. I guess we'll see. I for one, will miss Lloyd Carr."

Not the same way the Michigan Faithful miss John Cooper at Ohio State. Tough times since the man in vest rode into town.

Pat Neshek: Injury? What Injury

The rehabbing Twins reliever feels no pain:

"My rehab is still going great and I'm really surprised how good my arm feels," he writes. " I have not had any setbacks and have not had any pain or weakness in my arm...I'm wondering if someone got my MRI mixed up because this injury has not hurt one bit even when I partially tore the ligament."

Andre Ethier: What Makes Great Pizza

Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier is the jock-osphere's finest food critic. Here he shares his thoughts on pizza:

"To me, pizza is one of those foods that can be tweaked and contorted too many ways and be messed up on appearance and taste," he writes. "A good slice of pizza starts with its looks. If it is a jumbled slice that does not have evenly spread toppings and cheese with grease pooling in certain spots, than the rendezvous ends abruptly. Also, I am a thin-crust guy (I know, I know, but the argument ends there with me. There will be no discussions or persuading me on this. I just don't see the point to overwhelm a slice with all that bread). Anyway, carbs are out people! Get with it...thin's in. The battle on this topic will rage on, but I won't hear it!"

Thin crust? Weak.

Len and Bob: Singing Champ

Cubs broadcast team Len Kasper and Bob Brenly have video of this year's 7th inning stretch contest winner singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" from the booth at Wrigley. The verdict? The guy is pretty darn good.

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