Creator clears Pac-Man to play for Bally-Midway

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Pac-Man has been cleared to play for Bally-Midway this season.

The loveable character, originally inspired by a pizza with a slice missing, was suspended all last year by Namco Bandai Corporation, because of an accumulation of arrests and legal problems. Pac-Man was traded to Bally-Midway Industries in April, then allowed in June by creator Tohru Iwatani to join cast members Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde back in the maze. Iwatani, however, was still waiting to decide whether to let Pac-Man play in "live" games fed by arcade quarters or allow him to only appear in demonstrations on arcade machines that were not in operation.

"This is another step in the process," Pac-Man in a statement released by Bally-Midway. "I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I understand my responsibilities to Bally Industries and the entire gaming world. Right now I just want to keep working hard so I can accomplish the goals that I have set for myself both on and off the maze."

One difference in Pac-Man's conditioning and preparation for live, arcade play that was noted by those following Bally-Midway's drills is that "Pakku-Man" is no longer 20 percent slower in simulation mazes where all the dots remain. Instead, arcade media analysts have suggested that Pac-Man is moving through both dots and open ground at roughly the same speed. This is good news for followers of Pac-Man and bad news for the Blinky and his pals.

BUTTA RB Ernie Graham, Why?

Seriously, these are two pictures of Earnest Graham. I tend to like "The Pimp" Ernie opposed to the "running back Ernie". Both are "players" in different ways. And I'm a hater.

So, it comes to my 4th round pick. Ive taken 1 RB and 2 WRs, Something I dont usually do. Now, Im stumped. Dazed and confused. I already went against my strategy. Why? I have no idea. I passed up two guys I really wanted for some reason. All of a sudden Jonny says, "I know who hes taking. You use it in a smore". Yep, Jonny is right. A graham cracker.

So here he is. I have Earnest Graham. This is a my worst pick of the draft and a guy I am willing to trade for a marshmallow or Hershey bar. I just wish it would all go away.

Pre-Season Pain

Sure it sucks losing production from your players when they get injured early in the NFL season. What sucks worse is drafting a player (or team defense) and having a significant injury during the 3rd game of the pre-season schedule. Let's list the casualties over the last 9 days:

• Browns QB Derek Anderson was concussed by, yes, Osi Umenyiora.
• Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew turned an ankle.
• Bengals QB Carson Palmer broke his nose.
• Patriots WR Wes Welker bruised his ribs.
• Redskins DE Jason Taylor sprained his knee.
• Bills QB Trent Edwards sustained a thigh contusion and, then, OT Langston Walker -- the temporary replacement for holdout Jason Peters -- went down with an arm injury.
• News broke that Chargers LB Shawne Merriman's season could be in jeopardy with tears to the PCL and LCL in his left knee.

Oops.

But, at least Kurt didn't sucker us in to Fantasy Olympic Weight Lifting. Yes, had you selected Hungarian Janos Baranyai in the 77-kilogram division, you would have been missing some fantasy weight lifting points.

The Olympic athlete was attempting to life 326.3 lbs., when his elbow popped and his forearm bent backwards. The injured weightlifter fell immediately on the floor shaking and crying out in horrific pain.

Good times.