N ews item: Ravens coach John Harbaugh is one of five current and past NFL head coaches who are headed to the Persian Gulf to take part in the inaugural NFL/USO Coaches Tour.
My take: Just shows how quickly Harbaugh has risen in stature since making the jump from Philadelphia Eagles special teams coach to the head coach who led his team to the AFC championship game in his first season.
Bonus take: Harbaugh told reporters the other day that he has a lot more to learn about teamwork and commitment from the servicemen and servicewomen over there than they could ever learn from him. That's what you're supposed to say, but you could tell he meant every word of it.
News item: Manny Ramirez isn't feeling too guilty about his violation of baseball's steroid policy, telling reporters this week , "I didn't kill nobody ... I didn't rape nobody."
My take: That's a big relief, of course, because a lot of people have been wondering what he has been up to during his 50-game suspension.
News item: The Minnesota Vikings appear to have suspended their pursuit of veteran quarterback Brett Favre, at least for the time being.
My take: Maybe so, but Favre and his people are sending a different message. His family and friends reportedly have reserved 25-30 hotel rooms in Green Bay for the weekend of the Packers-Vikings game at Lambeau Field.
News item: The guy who was reviled a couple of years ago when he sued the Angels for not giving him a women's tote bag on Mothers' Day has reached a preliminary settlement with the Oakland Athletics for not giving men free sun hats at their breast cancer awareness promotion in 2004.
My take: I've already weighed in on this human paperweight by the name of Alfred G. Rava, but if you'd like to see Rick Reilly carve him up nicely, go read his column at ESPN.com.
News item: Baseball's No. 1 overall draft choice, Stephen Strasburg, is expected to seek a contract worth $50 million in negotiations with the Washington Nationals.
My take: Agent Scott Boras already is trying to build leverage by hinting that Strasburg might play in Japan or for an independent league, but this deal will get done. It will be ridiculous and record-breaking, of course, but it won't be anywhere near $50 million.
News item: Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie gave up two home runs Wednesday night and leads the American League with 16.
My take: Way to go, Jeremy! I really didn't expect the Orioles to lead the league in anything this year.
