DaytonDailyNews.com

I'm already sick of the NFL draft. The other day I listened to two radio guys break down the differences between the best cornerbacks available. I'd rather go shopping with the wife this coming Saturday than sit through the first round (and six hours of Chris Berman). The NFL draft needs a shot clock.

Making the leap: Ohio State freshman Daequan Cook, who apparently has the most pro potential of any sixth man in college basketball, has declared for the NBA draft. "I want to continue to challenge myself further," the Dunbar High School graduate said in a news release. (Who writes those things?)

Cook seems like a great kid, and I wish him the best. But if he really wants a challenge, why not go back to OSU and crack the starting lineup?

It's a shame that McDonald's All-Americans are almost labeled failures if they're not playing for pay by their 20th birthdays. Really, unless you totally despise term papers, there's nothing wrong with sucking it up and playing two entire seasons of college ball.

Do the hustle: The Reds have an image problem. Their fans think they don't hustle, except Ryan Freel. Maybe the fans are right.

Cincinnati pulled out a dramatic victory Friday night. Brandon Phillips' single in the 10th inning brought home Javier Valentin with the winning run. But did you notice that Valentin almost got forced out at home plate?

Three steps off third base, he broke into the patented Reds jog, then raised his arms in triumph. But, hey, Javy did beat the throw to home by a step.

Writing lessons: Saw some autographed photos of Troy Smith, Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer at Cardboard Heroes. It's a good thing the photos are included, because there is absolutely no way you can make out those players' names. The "autographs" look like graffiti you'd see spray-painted on a vacant building. It's embarrassing. I doubt those guys even looked at what they scribbled.

Across the store was a framed photo of the Big Red Machine. You could read those signatures.

Quick hits: Saint Louis University fired men's hoops coach Brad Soderberg — after a 20-win season. I guess SLU, which is building an on-campus arena, wants a more exciting offense. ... Looks like THE OSU will be going back to Tressel Ball. Plenty of 17-13 games on the way. ... Pacman Jones is appealing his season-long suspension. Know who will hear it? NFL commish Roger Goodell — the same guy who suspended Jones. Smart move.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2163 or

bkollars@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Knucklehead of the week

NBA referee Joey Crawford, a skilled official who is a little too impressed with himself, was suspended last week for threatening to go Ali on Spurs star Tim Duncan. Crawford, a self-promoting hot dog who was busted by the IRS in the early '90s for filing false income tax returns, loves to call T's. I caught his act on a recent segment of HBO's Real Sports, in which he talked as much trash as Rasheed Wallace.