4:19 PM Chicagoans are a hardy lot, but I fear for their future.

4:16 PM Bill Plaschke in the Los Angeles Times on the mother of Stafon Johnson, Kim Mallory: "Two years ago, she even postponed ovarian cancer surgery until after Johnson's sophomore season so he would not worry about her or miss time caring for her."

4:09 PM Daunte Culpepper completely embarrassed himself today by pouting about Matt Stafford making a remarkable physical comeback to play for the Lions.

3:21 PM With Big Ben a bit woozy and Charlie Batch out after wrist surgery, the Steelers are checking out Patrick Ramsey & Todd Bouman as potential backup QBs.