In need of someone to keep JaMarcus Russell's seat warm, the Raiders signed Culpepper to a one-year deal. While it's hard to knock anyone in these times for taking a job -- especially one that pays well -- he's making a mistake. Culpepper bringing his bad wheel to Oakland to play behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league because he was offered a contract is like Joe Namath taking the stairs because he got tired of waiting for the elevator. Dude, just wait until something better comes along. That'll save you a world of hurt.

Michael Strahan still hasn't arrived at Giants training camp, and the team is behaving as though he's not going to show up. The Giants could surely use him, but they're loaded at defensive end and could easily survive without Strahan. Plus, it's not as though Strahan would show up to camp out of shape. That is, unless his ex-wife got the "Celebrity Fit Club" DVD collection in the divorce.

German authorities claim that molecular biologist Werner Franke has proof that Contador, winner of the Tour de France, was involved in doping. Nothing surprising there. It's difficult to assume that any cyclist is natural. For one, there isn't much conversion of raw talent to skill in cycling, meaning shortcuts go further in that sport than most others. But more importantly, there is absolutely nothing natural about waking up and saying, "Hey, anybody wanna go ride 100 miles uphill? Yes, now, in the summer. It'll be fun so much fun that we'll do it again tomorrow!"

In need of starting pitching, the Pirates received Matt Morris from the Giants for rookie outfielder Rajai Davis and Mr. To Be Named Later. Nothing wrong with that, even though Morris has been horrible for the past month and a half. But why would those teams, both cellar dwellers, rush to get that done by the deadline? That's like flying through traffic to get to McDonald's before breakfast ends, only to order a Sprite.

A spectator at the Barry Bonds protest rally at Dodger Stadium held up a sign that said "Not In Jackie's House." Really? Did they film an episode "The Honeymooners" at Chavez Ravine or something? Jackie Robinson retired after the '56 season. The Dodgers didn't play their first game in Los Angeles until '58, meaning Dodger Stadium is as much Jackie's as it is Art Carney's. Boo Bonds. Throw syringes if you want. But don't invoke Robinson's name unless you know what the hell you're talking about.