By all reports, Michael Phelps is, umm, a really good swimmer and breaking all sorts of world records. That’s cool. Good for him. But my knowledge of swimming wouldn’t fill up a tenth of a Speedo, so that’s about all your getting on the subject.

Oh, wait. Amanda Beard swims, doesn’t she? See, I know two things about swimming.

If this were a really well-organized operation, you might get to read some insightful previews of todays games, such as Maryland vs. Butler (you can’t stop those Bulldogs) or Virginia Commonwealth trying to upset Pitt (yeah, right). This is clearly not the case, though.

But you will get two things here at oddsnark that you probably won’t get from most of those cool-ass sports blogs out there. For one, we’ll let you know that Ellen Halverson is still in the running for the Red Lantern Award in the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race as she slogs her way from Kaltag towards the finish at Nome. Yes, Lance Mackey won the race four days ago, but the Last Great Race doesn’t end till everyone is in, and there are still 16 mushers trying to finish, so keep on the trail Ellen.

And second, we revive the story of Louisville cheerleader Becca Manns, who lost her picture phone and ended up with nude photos of herself plastered all over the Internet a couple months ago. To refresh your memory, here’s one of the tame pics from the series:

and for your obligatory NSFW pics, you can go to the NSFW site.

The Cardinals, in case you’re wondering, play a tough Texas A&M team later today. Too bad Becca won’t be cheering them on.

(Please note: Some employers, co-workers, and spouses may not find this appropriate viewing. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.)

In an interview with The Sun she had the following to say:

“I’m delighted to present to all my fans my new calendar. I could not resist - the 2005 calendar brought me so much luck that I could not start the 2006 season without repeating the experience.”

I can think of a couple of reasons why that’d be cool.

21 year old Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir was crowned Miss World 2005 on Saturday.

According to her bio on the Miss World 2005 official website, Unnur “…has been studying anthropology at the University and next fall she will commence her studies in Law as she plans to graduate as a lawyer as well as an anthropologist. She is chairman of the college social club and teaches dance, she also enjoys acting, singing, all types of dancing, snow-boarding, hiking, camping, horsemanship and has a special talent for choreography and playing the piano. During her summer holidays this year Unnur was working as a police officer at the airport. Her favourite motto is “You are what you do” or “You are what you make”.

The former Playmate of the year and girlfriend of Jeff Garcia had a lot to say to the host of WXYT-AM 1270. Biased gibbering or well-founded support? You make the call, based on these selected nuggets of goodness…

Carmella: “I don’t look at yesterday as loyalty. Before the game even started�and I sat there before the game even started�negativity. It was just horrible. I was so put off by just the way that people act. And it’s not just with him. I’ve sat here and I’ve listened to other things said about Joey, and yesterday there were more things said about Matt Millen, and I’ve never experienced this before. I don’t think the fans were understanding. Do you have a right to be disappointed? Yes. But you create a mood. You create an attitude with the players on the field. “

(Damn, girlfriend, you tell ‘em. Those damn fans, sitting there in the stands, bringing their “attitude” to the game like that. How dare they criticize Joey? And Matt is the nicest guy ever, and wears really colorful sweaters!)

Host: “…I think that fans were more or less just venting their frustration toward ownership than they were towards players and, even as I said, Matt Millen. I think that is what you saw yesterday was fans are just fed up with the Fords.”

Carmella: “Well, I don’t know where you sit in the stadium, but to hear all the things that I heard about Jeff�I mean it wasn’t�.for the majority of the crowd it was directed towards Matt Millen, but the things that I heard from the get-go�there were many mean things directed towards Jeff. And if you want to say ‘Jeff sucks’ or you want to say ‘Put Joey in’ - fine. But when you start chanting for him to get hurt and stay down for the count, I mean c’mon that is disrespectful.”

(You preach it, sister. Those damn meanies, with the mean things they say. I mean, first sportswriters have the gall to criticize Michael Vick, and now fans are being disrespectful to your Jeffikens??!!)

Host: “Well, what’s it been like for Jeff this year in Detroit? Can you at least tell us? Because he’s come on every Monday with us. We love to have him on. He is always honest with us. You know, we do respect him for his candor, but how much has this been�I don’t know if it’s a burden, or fun, or whatever. He obviously plays because he has a passion and love for the game?”

Carmella: “Well, exactly. He does. He takes a lot of pride in his career and his job in football in general. I mean, he’s a hard worker. He is a warrior. I mean, not speaking from the aspect of being his girlfriend, being that I did grow up as a football fan�I didn’t necessarily watch him in San Francisco�but I mean, he is a warrior.

(Now see, if only more people saw that Jeffikens, the proud warrior, then they wouldn’t say anything so mean about him. Too bad all they see is the ineffectual, old, washed up dude who gimps out there now every Sunday.)

Host: “You know, Carmella, you can be a Cleveland Brown fan but you’re not an Ohio State fan are you?”

Carmella: “I wasn’t real big on college football, but I’m not a Browns fan anymore. I’m obviously (for) Detroit.”

Host: “You’re not going to be one for long! (laughter)”

Carmella: “If we’re not here next year, you know I’m through.”

Host: “You’ll bail real quick.”

(Ahh, sweet, sweet loyalty.)

Host: “Well, the first question we had for him is what grade would you give yourself? And he said�”

Carmella: “He said he failed.”

Host: “I know. Yeah.”

Carmella: “He said he failed.”

Host: “I don’t know what else people want him to say�”

Carmella: “That’s exactly it. What do they want to hear? He’s honest with you. He will admit his own mistakes and he told you the problems that he thinks are involved with this team right now. I mean, I just don’t understand. What do they want to hear? I mean, they want to see a winning team. I understand that. And they’ve got every right to feel that way. But, I mean, I just yesterday was a bit much.”

Host: “Well thanks for calling us. Does he know you called?”

Carmella: “No.”

Host: “You’re gonna hear about it. You know, Carmella, Jeff said he might call us next week. If he doesn’t, will you call us?”

Carmella: “I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to.”

(Speechless, I am.)

Found at Highlight Reel, with an assist to BG.

Or, you know, I could have just linked her damn pic to begin with, inserted random song lyrics in place of text, and you’d have been just as happy (or happier):

Holden, a 26-year-old nurse and University of South Florida student, claims she’s been humiliated and that people assume she has a husband or boyfriend that beat her up. Seems like you’d have to be a pretty shitty boyfriend or husband to beat up your girlfriend or wife right after she gets her ass kicked by two cheerleaders, but I’ll leave that to the jury.