Finally. After a painful first 10 games, in which Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw at least one interception in nine of those affairs, he’s finally turning things around…

Games 1-10: 15 TD, 17 INT
Games 11-14: 8 TD, 0 INT

Is it too late though? If this were two years ago, it’d be a no doubter the 7-7 Bolts would win out against Detroit and Oakland to finish the year 9-7. However, those once dire franchises have certainly turned things around in recent years.

Even if San Diego finishes 9-7, what’s the chance Denver loses one game against 5-9 Buffalo or 6-8 Kansas City?

The Colts proved they are nothing without their lead man, Peyton Manning (10-6 record in 2010, to 1-13 in 2011). Is Rivers mostly poor play to blame for the Chargers even record?

Afro Ninja: take notes. This fiesty feline must have been trained by Mr. Han.

Here’s how today’s dialogue typically went…

Jock #1: Guess who got locked up again?
Jock #2: I dunno, Adam “Pacman” Jones?
Jock #1: Wrong, try again…
Jock #2: A different Bengal.
Jock #1: Correct you are – Cedric Benson
Jock #2: Idiot
Jock #1: Seriously

Idiot is right. Because who knows how to recruit, draft, trade for, sign and/or retain the biggest off-the-field dingbats in all of sports? None other than the Sleaze-inatti Bengals. And a little tip for Cedric and Pacman – when there’s only one Facebook “Like” status on your player page, we all know you did it yourselves.

Derek Jeter has just etched his name into the history books. Cooperstown: better mark this one on your to-accept list.

Jeter, who went 5-5 and knocked his 3,000th hit over the left field wall to conclude a textbook at-bat, has given the game so much. He’s played his entire career with an innate passion, showed relentless hard work, won a few World Series along the way, and today purchased his ticket to the Hall-of-Fame – but none is greater than the respect he has shown for the game of baseball.

And class for class, that respect can be seen directly through the actions of one young Yankees fan…

“Christian Lopez — who caught the home run Derek Jeter hit for his 3,000th career hit — gave it back without asking for anything in return,” the Yankees Public Relations revealed on Twitter.

“I’m not going to be the one to take this away from (Jeter),” Lopez said on WFAN. “I’ve got plenty of time to make money.”

But Lopez will receive something anyway. He will get Legends tickets for Sunday afternoon’s game as well as four season tickets for the rest of the season and throughout the playoffs.

Also, Lopez will get signed balls, jerseys and bats, and a chance to meet Jeter. (ESPN)

‘Treat others how you want to be treated,’ the saying goes. For Jeter, that has come full circle.

It’s almost that time of the year again – when heralded sluggers big adieu to the swings that got them to the Midsummer Classic. Although not nearly as consistent as the Madden curse, there definitely seems to be some connection between winning the home run derby and a having a huge production drop off in second-half…

Example #1: 1986, Wally Joyner
First-Half HR= 20
Second-Half HR= 2

Example #2: 2003, Garrett Anderson
First-Half HR= 22
Second-Half HR= 7

Example #3: 2005, Bobby Abreu
First-Half HR= 18
Second-Half HR= 6

Example #4: 2008, Josh Hamilton (2nd Place, but Derby-Best 35 HR)
First-Half HR= 21
Second-Half HR= 11

In the 2011 Home Run Derby, will the smooth swinging Adrian Gonzalez or Robinson Cano be next to fall off the charts?