If you were to ask me two sets of questions, they'd likely fall under two different banners. If you were to ask me if we're better at linebacker with Odell Thurman's sudden unemployment (settled down, this isn't a Thurman piece), I'd say no. But if you were to ask me if we're better at linebacker over last season? Without hesitation, I say yes. Chris provides a perspective that while the linebackers might be inexperienced, their upswing/potential is pretty good.

Todd Portune is renewing his staunch hatred regarding Paul Brown Stadium and how the facility was built and maintained using taxpayers money. Portune, who threw out the opening day pitch at the Reds game this season, used the stadium as a driving force for his election to the Hamilton County Commission for 2004. This year, he's demanding the stadium sell it's naming rights to help alleviate a $12 million budget deficit in 2009. Rambling about the Stadium, making back-door deals, Portune must be firing up his campaign machine for reelection.

NFL Chancellor says that teams will now face possible fines for a player's conduct if they violate the Personal Conduct Policy. Let's get the point here. Fining NFL teams, many with owners that burn $100 to start a fire in their gold-plated fireplace, will not help.

"We want to continue to emphasize personal conduct and personal responsibility," Goodell said at a meeting-end news conference. "One way to do it is to hold teams responsible for the conduct of their players."

We're not sure if Goodell is going Jack Torrance crazy because no matter what they try, turning players into Gattaca robots just isn't working out according to plan. We're not saying that nothing should be done, but until you cut the head, the problem will live. Perhaps lower your standard a little. Leave things like misdemeanors with the law and the teams (then if they do nothing, THEN fine them) and hope the justice system shows fair ground -- I know, laughable! Perhaps, rather than suspending players, expel those that are convicted of felonies without a chance at reinstatement. Suspend the rest for, let's say, two seasons with a slight curve based per issue. If you want to be tough, be tough. Do things half-assed -- like fining the super-rich -- and we laugh at you.

Richard Skinner thinks that players should have their own one-word mottos rather than a team "NOW" phrase.

Chick Ludwig writes about his top five concerns. They are the center position (we agree!), health of Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, quality at defensive tackle, a passing game minus Chad Johnson and the unknown tailback position.

Who Dey Revolution thinks that a season without a salary cap would be disastrous. Dave, who I've known for a long time now and has my utmost respect when it comes to dissecting and presenting contract-type stuff, thinks the opposite because high-revenue teams are able to manipulate the cap easier because of their pool of unshared revenues.