Just a few random thoughts here and there:

• After scanning through the new Jerome Bettis book that is the hot topic of local sports conversation these days, I am a bit disappointed.

It's sad to begin with that professional athletes retire from their sports, then tell all.

Bettis' writing about how the Steelers set up Kordell Stewart to fail and how they kept fullback Jon Witman over Tim Lester because Witman was a Penn State guy is downright ridiculous.

It's one thing to try to sell a book. It's quite another to insult the intelligence of your fan base.

Come on, Bus. Your nose is starting to grow.

• Will Michael Vick ultimately get what he deserves? Sure looks like it.

A year in prison and the ruination of an NFLcareer add up to a heavy price to pay for being involved in a dogfighting ring.

I'm a dog owner and I've been a dog lover all my life. Don't ask me to have any sympathy for him.

• Here are a couple of 2,000-yard candidates to watch for this high school football season:Billy Bair and Tyler Armagost.

Bair, the Mars running back, just might crack 2,000 yards rushing and Moniteau quarterback Armagost might approach that figure through the air.

• Speaking of high school football, keep your eye on Knoch running back Alex Whisler. If he stays healthy, you could be looking at the county's second-best running back, behind Bair.

• Butler County has sent Jim Simons to the pro golf ranks, pitcher Matt Clement to the major leagues and Terry Hanratty and Jeff Christy to the NFL. Now we might see a county resident in the NHL.

Cranberry Township native and former Seneca Valley student Mike Weber will get that chance with the Buffalo Sabres. He was a kid who left home at age 15 with enough guts to chase a dream. And it looks like he's caught it.

• Karns City's boys soccer team had no seniors last year, won 16 of 18 games, repeated as league champion and brings back everybody this season.

Are the Gremlins going to be good or what?

• Among the rubble of another lost season for the Pirates can be found a shining gem — Tom Gorzelanny.

This young left-hander is proving to be the real deal, quickly emerging as one of the most promising southpaws in the game.

Gee, wasn't that supposed to be Zach Duke?

• Butler football coach Jeff McAnallen has three returning lettermen.

Patience, please, everybody, patience, patience, patience.