My take: : Don't even go there. It wouldn't be nearly as satisfying for the Ravens to beat the Steelers with Charlie Batch or Dennis Dixon calling the signals.
News item: : Notre Dame has gone to a 7-4-1 home-away-neutral site schedule to take advantage of its independent status and maximize national television revenue.
My take: : That's the official version. The new format also gives the Irish an excuse to schedule more soft opponents, since the other elite programs are not willing to sign up for nonconference road games without a reciprocal visit.
Bonus take: : Don't worry. Fighting Irish fans will still get to enjoy their annual spanking by Southern California.
News item: : The Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved the use of limited instant replay to review injury stoppages during professional boxing and mixed martial arts matches.
My take: : In a related development, Don King has announced that the instant replay system will be pay-per-view.
News item: : The Washington Nationals beat the midnight Monday deadline and signed top draft choice Stephen Strasburg to a record $15.7 million contract.
My take: : The alternative for Strasburg was a year of independent or Japanese baseball, yet agent Scott Boras was once again able to use the Vulcan mind meld to convince Nats officials he had most of the leverage in the down-to-the-wire negotiations. Imagine that.
News item: : Several members of a Japanese professional baseball team have tested positive for the swine flu.
My take: : That's not funny, of course, unless the team is the Nippon Ham Fighters, and it is.
Listen to Peter Schmuck weeknights at 6 on WBAL (1090 AM) and check out "The Schmuck Stops Here" at baltimoresun.com/schmuckblog.
