When all else fails go with the Miami Dolphins. At least that’s HBO’s mantra for this coming season’s Hard Knocks. The New York Jets were the obvious choice but didn’t want the show. The Texans turned it down as did other teams, I’m sure. The Atlanta Falcons dipped their toe in the water, then took it out again. So alas, it’s the Dolphins on Hard Knocks this August. Yawn.

1)      This is a slow(er) time of year sports-wise with hockey and hoops about to wrap up and no football.  Still, I don’t hate it. After all, it’s college football preview magazine season! One by one the magazines start hitting the shelves with conference, team and player rankings. Athlon Sports is the latest to jump in the fray. They’re unveiling their top 25 online at AthlonSports.com and list Ohio State at number six. That’s right, pre-season 6^th best in the country! Does that seem odd to anyone else besides me? It has to, right? I’m not saying the Buckeyes won’t be good. I’m not even saying they won’t win 10 games this year. Urban Meyer could very well be the best coach in college football once he gets going again, which shouldn’t take long. With the returning players on this team, though, sixth in the country? That’s generous. I’d put them more 20-ish before the first games are played.

2)      It’s the age old sports question: Bad Boys or Bad Teams. The Detroit Lions have had five arrests from the 2011 Draft class.  They’re also finally becoming relevant for the first time in, well, ever.  We’ll discuss it on the show but how much are you willing to let athletes on your team get away with before you just can’t stomach cheering for them?  Winning cures a multitude of issues. If you’re losing and you’re causing problems off the field they cut you. When you’re winning, not as easy. Defensive lineman Nick Fairley is the latest, arrested over the weekend for going a reported 100 miles per hour under the influence of alcohol with an open container in the car. That’s following his April arrest for marijuana possession. Nice.

3)      The Memorial tees off Thursday at Muirfield Golf Course. We’ll be doing both Thursday and Friday’s shows off the practice putting green next to the driving range so please stop by and say hello if you’re in attendance.  On Tuesday night’s program we’ll have PGA Rookie Erik Compton. A great golfer but an inspirational story as well. Erik has been on the receiving end of two heart transplants and is promoting organ and tissue donation.  It’s simple to get involved, please check out DonateLife.Net or here in Ohio LifeInOhio.Org.