DON'T THINK. IT CAN ONLY HURT THE BALLCLUB

Former Etiwanda High School receiver Marvin Jones has been rotating between Cal's first and second teams in practice, according to Etiwanda football coach Steve Bryce.

When the Golden Bears host Michigan State in their season opener on Saturday, expect to see the 6-foot-2, 189-pound freshman get some decent playing time.

He won't be wearing No. 80, however. His number was switched to No.1, which used to adorn the jersey of DeSean Jackson, the receiver who racked up the third-most yards from scrimmage in school history during his three-year career at Cal before joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

Quipped Bryce: "I hope that doesn't go to his head."

Posted by Clay Fowler at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nick Barnett might feel like he's back in his Miller High School uniform when he takes the field for the Green Bay Packers season opener the night of Monday Sept. 8.

Why? The linebacker is playing for free. Donating a few tackles to the Minnesota Vikings.

The league penalty for Barnett's arrest after an altercation outside a Wisconsin bar last June is one week's pay - $155,882 of his $2.65 million salary this season. Beats being suspended.

"Now I get to play Monday night," Barnett told ESPN.com. "Pockets are a little lighter, but I still get to play."

Here is a link to the story.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did those Chinese gymnasts look a little young to you too? One in particular?

Gymnasts aren't allowed to compete in the Olympics until they're 16 years old.

Apparently, the age of China's He Kexin (below) has been reported below driving age multiple times. But a story by a Chinese government news agency that said she was 13 has since conveniently disappeared. Later her age was "corrected" from 14 to 16 in a story in the official english language newspaper of the Chinese government. Check out this AP story .

Listen, I went to high school with a girl who was a fairly serious gymnast in her younger years. I understand the lifestyle produces underdeveloped looking girls. But this Chinese girl is the youngest looking one I've ever seen. A colleague of mine, before I made her aware of the 16-year-old rule, in all seriousness guessed she was 8.

Posted by Clay Fowler at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)