Link roundup

1. I'm not saying I agree with her assertions, but it's fascinating to read how a defense attorney would go about defending Dominique Strass-Kahn.

2. A football player drafted in the seventh round by the Bills has lost 75 pounds:

The Tennessean has a story today about [Michael] Jasper’s journey from Bethel to the NFL and from a high of 448 pounds to a svelte 375, and it includes details like the fact that Bethel didn’t have a scale that would register higher than 400 pounds, so when Jasper needed to monitor his progress in trying to lose weight, he’d go to the McKenzie Feed & Grain Store.

3. Sounds like the start of a thriller:

An outbreak of smallpox was the farthest thing from Paul Levengood's mind when his staff at the Virginia Historical Society put together an exhibit of "bizarre bits" in the society's collection since its founding in 1831.

There was Confederate President Jefferson Davis's cigar, confiscated by Union troops. There was a fungus carving of Robert E. Lee on his horse Traveller and a wreath made of human hair.

Then someone mentioned a letter, handwritten and dated 1876, with what appeared to be a smallpox scab pinned inside—light brown, about the size of a pencil eraser, and crumbling.

Via.

Link roundup

1. Bill James (who is an excellent writer, and who revolutionized the use of statistics in sports) has a new book about serial killers and crimefighting.

2. Check out how much muscle top NFL draft pick Von Miller put on while at Texas A&M (and remember, this was no pipsqueak in high school, he was recruited by a solid football school).

3. Kind of strange - - Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four are joining the Dark Horse Deluxe line of collectible statuettes.

Link roundup

1. The owner of a Porsche saved it from a flood by parking it on an anchored inflatable raft.

2. What a terrific sponsored post at Eater - - a secret dining society sponsored by Patron. These types of ads make so much more sense than banner ads, yet I see them done properly so rarely.

3. Since the NFL has locked out players, it's up to the players to organize their own offseason workouts. Drew Brees took it one step further and is paying for many expenses, including insurance and lodging for younger players.

Link roundup

1. Peyton Manning explained how players beat the NFL's concussion test, but then claimed it was just a joke.

2. Gabe Delahaye on the new Transformers trailer:

“OPTIMUUUUUUUS!” Haha. That does get me every time. “OPTIMUUUUUUUS!” I think Shia LaBeouf is a perfectly decent actor, but every time he has to dramatically scream a SPACE ROBOT’s name it breaks my heart. Just kidding, no it doesn’t. But hopefully it breaks his.

3. "Most people probably don’t think of Corning as a crime fighting company, but when it sold its Pyrex brand to World Kitchen in 1998, the company accidentally made the illegal manufacture of crack cocaine more difficult—a fascinating example of unintended consequences." Via.

Link roundup

1. "Turn a Webcam into a Security Camera with Email Notifications."

2. Pro Football Talk says that Tiki Barber's agent is claiming that he knew almost immediately that Tiki's broadcasting career was going to fail, and tried to convince him to promptly rejoin the NFL.

3. Interesting comic book legend this week - - "DC forced Siegel and Shuster to 'prettify' Lois Lane in the early 1940s." Part of the memo instructed the artist, "She looks pregnant. Murray [presumably Murray Boltinoff, longtime DC staffer - BC] suggests that you arrange for her to have an abortion or the baby and get it over with so that her figure can return to something a little more like the tasty dish she is supposed to be."

Link roundup

1. Really nice series of diagrams and video showing why zone defense doesn't work against the Mavericks.

2. Retired NFL players are going to announce second round daft picks. Can't wait to see who kept in shape.

3. Minimalist posters illustrating mental disorders. Some people might find these somewhat disrespectful, so, look at your own discretion.

Link roundup

1. Yahoo's reporting that Jamarcus Russell's life coach fired him.

2. TechCrunch reviews Nike's Nike+ SportWatch GPS. Doesn't sound like you get nearly enough value for $200. Probably makes more sense to buy an app, or the Nike+ Sport Band for a quarter of the price at Amazon.

3. "Look at This Fuckin Hipster Food Truck," the Tumblr. Sample post: "Look at this fuckin three-dollar sea salt." Via.

Jon Gruden's Quarterback Camp 2011

Jon Gruden's Quarterback Camp 2011 featuring Cam Newton and Jake Locker. Apparently he was told to go easy on the players this year.

*Buy Cam Newton toys at eBay.