7-4-11: Bird Droppings - Whiz In The Middle East, Tillman

Happy 4th of July everyone. Today, we look at some links about Coach Whiz's trip overseas. There is also a thing from NFL.com asking if Pat Tillman should be inducted into the Hall of Fame (I'm not sure if he should, but I think they could do a little tribute exhibit to him and some of the other former NFL players who died in the war), and some news on the Seahawksk possibly offering a couple of high round draft picks for Kolb.

Baghdad Next Stop On USO trip
Whisenhunt spends time in zero gravity and avoids the Red Zone

Arizona Cardinals' Ken Whisenhunt spending Fourth of July with troops in Middle East
Before leaving for the Middle East last week, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt debated whether to take the Super Bowl ring he won with the Steelers and the NFC title ring he earned with Arizona. As part of the NFL-USO Coaches Tour, Whisenhunt would be visiting numerous military installations in Kuwait and Iraq, and the rings aren't convenient to carry. Whisenhunt decided to take them, and his group barely had landed in Kuwait before it proved to be a wise decision.

Whisenhunt sees Pat Tillman jerseys while visiting troops | ProFootballTalk
Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, one of several coaches visiting U.S. troops in the Middle East, has provided a first-person account of his experiences to the team’s official website. One experience seems particularly appropriate, especially as we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s birth — and as we remember once again the sacrifices made by thousands of men and women to secure and preserve the freedoms we enjoy.

NFL.com news: Does Tillman deserve spot in Hall for his ultimate sacrifice?
Seven years have passed since Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan, and support for his election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame seems to have grown over time. Does Tillman, who left the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to join the Army Rangers, deserve to be enshrined in Canton for his sacrifice? Our experts spend this Fourth of July debating the credentials of a man who left NFL millions to join the military and make the ultimate sacrifice.

NFL Videos: Remembering Pat Tillman
NFL.com takes a look back at a courageous man who put football stardom on hold to serve his country.

(Note, this sounds like an older video because it said the Cardinals are planning a memorial for him, which as we know has already been done. It also still says he was killed by friendly fire)

Arizona Sports News:

D-Backs, Kennedy struggle as Jackson, Sizemore power A's
OAKLAND - After being omitted from the National League All-Star roster that was announced Sunday, all Diamondbacks starter Ian Kennedy could do was begin building his case to be voted in. Left as one of five Final Vote candidates who fans can select for the July 12 game at Chase Field, Kennedy did little to bolster his credentials in losing 7-2 to the A's in the final game of three at the O.co Coliseum.

Diamondbacks feel Ian Kennedy snubbed from All-Star roster
That right fielder Justin Upton was named to the National League All-Star team on Sunday barely seemed to register in the Diamondbacks clubhouse. His selection was expected. What wasn't expected, at least to the 25 players in the room, was that right-hander Ian Kennedy was left off the squad.

NFL News:

Seattle radio station: Seahawks make big offer for Kevin Kolb | ProFootballTalk
The most insane two weeks of player movement we’ve ever seen could be just a few weeks away. It’s only natural for the rumors to pick up, and no player has caused more idle speculation, rumors, and reports this offseason than Eagles backup quarterback Kevin Kolb. The latest comes from Dave "Softy" Mahler of 950 KJR in Seattle. The host hears from a source that the Seahawks have already offered a first- and third-round pick for the fifth-year pro.

NFL: Players, owners entering critical week - ESPN
If owners and players can't reach a labor by this weekend, then you can pretty much kiss the preseason goodbye, writes John Clayton in his latest mailbag.

Tom Brady named top player on NFL Network countdown | ProFootballTalk
Congratulations if you bet that NFL Network’s Top 100 Series would end before the lockout did. The Top 10 players as voted by the players were revealed on Sunday night over the span of two hours, with another hour devoted to discussion. You could watch all that or view the top ten players below, with our unsolicited comments under each one: