The Green Bay Packers start down the long road to the Super Bolw tonight in San Diego. For fans the pre-season games don't offer much but for the coaches and players (at least those trying to make the team) they are important. Not many jobs are up for grabs with the Pack but Dom Capers says they need to see which of the young defensive players will be ready to contribute on September 9th when the team hosts San Francisco in the regular season opener. Because lets face it, most of the improvement that will come this year will be on the defensive side of the ball. The offense is already playing at a very high level but there is certainly room for improvement on D. Nick Perry & Jerel Worthy are expected to improve a Packer pass rush that was sorely lacking...and tackling should also see improvement. The Packers were so close to a Super Bowl last year...a little tweaking on defense and there is no reason why they can't be there again.

The Brewers swept the Reds pulling out a late win yesterday. Randy Wolf, John Axford and Jim Henderson combined on the win and Ryan Braun broke out of an 0-18 slump with the game winning hit. The team is still well off the pace but a pretty easy schedule in the month of August leaves at least the possibility that they could play themselves back into the Wild Card hunt. 13 games this month against Houston & the Cubs...and also 3 vs Colorado and 4 at home with the Phillies who are rebuilding a bit but still have a formidible pitching staff. Who's  to say that the Brewers couldnt win 17 out of those 20? Is it likely?...Probably not...is it possile?...Absolutley.

A triple-double for Lebron and Team USA is into the semi-finals against Argentina...a team they already hammered. 3 straight Olympic Golds for Misty May Treanor & Kerri Walsh Jennings in beach volleyball...and with alot of medals won on the track, the United States has moved past China into first place in the medal race.

Today the US women's soccer team plays for gold vs Japan.

Are you watching "The Newsroom" on HBO? Despite the snark from media critics who don't like Aaron Sorkin's microscope turned on them...this is quality television and one of those shows that you can't wait for the next episode. There are not very many out there for me  these days that carry that distinction.

Songs OF The Day   (from my I-pod)

Just Like Greta-Van Morrison (2005) from his 33rd! album  "Magic Time"and he can still pack a punch even when he's in a mellow mood.

Just Like Heaven-The Cure (1987) the band's first hit in America and certainly more upbeat than some of their stuff