Can I have that ring back, please?

Patriots owner Robert Kraft says he really meant to give Russian President Vladimir Putin his Super Bowl ring "as a gift." Right. What he meant was, "No, I didn't really mean it as a gift, but how the hell am I going to get it back - with or without causing an international incident?"

And the Sixers pick...

Louis Williams? He might the top-ranked high school player in the country, but he does nothing to address the Sixers' needs...namely, outside shooting and good front line help. And for those of you who say never draft for need, always draft "best available," you cannot argue that Williams was the best available player left at No. 45. He might be 6'2" and 180, soaking wet, but does this team really need a new Iverson? He's just not bulky enough or skilled enough at the pro level to be a 1 or a 2, at least not for a couple of years. I see "NBDL" in his future. What a waste.

Augie's crew wins again

Congratulations UT Longhorns for winning the College World Series!

Bye now

Myron Cope said goodbye, retiring after 35 years as the Pittsburgh Steelers' color analyst. Cope was known for coining such phrases as the Steel Curtain and coming up with The Terrible Towel. If you ever lived in Pittsburgh, then you were lucky to have heard Cope. He wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but had a significant following. He will be missed.

Blackhawk down

The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Brian Sutter on Tuesday. Sutter was fired by new GM Dale Tallon, who was hired Tuesday and quickly moved to clean house. "Brian didn't win any games for us this year and that's just unacceptable" Tallon said.

Randolph stays in the draft (!)

Duke's Shavlik Randolph surprised many by deciding to stay in the upcoming NBA Draft. Coach K could not be reached for comment, but I can imagine it would be one word: "Yeeeeeeessssssss!"

The Blue Devils simply played better when Randolph wasn't in the lineup. Harsh but true. I guess Randolph thought with Shelden Williams staying another year, this is his big break. Right. Maybe to join some ex-Dookies playing ball in Jordan. Or Lebanon.

Down on the farm, not so good...

It it just me, or did anyone else notice that all the Phillies' minor league teams were in last place in their respective leagues through Thursday? Ugh. So much for building prospects. Is that Mike Arbuckle's fault? Or Ed Wade's?

Notes

Apparently the Cavs are serious about Brown for President. Normally teams would hire a President first, then a GM, then a head coach, as opposed to Cleveland which is doing this in exact reverse order...Are NBA refs EVER going to call traveling in the paint? Manu Ginobili of the Spurs and Richard Hamilton of the Pistons seem to have perfected the art of carrying the ball, taking five steps and careening out of control towards the basket, while hoping for a whistle - one which is almost NEVER against them. And Hamilton is developing a great knack for flopping - just ask Shaq, who has barely touched Rip this series. Hamilton reacts likes he's been shot whenever Shaq is in his vicinity...I'm telling you, the Heat-Pistons series would be over if the Heat would just let Christian Laettner loose. You can't stop him, you can only try to contain him.