Jim Kelly Jr. empties the inbox and answers reader's questions. Some questions are serious, some are asked from the "athlete's" point of view, all are answered. You can chime in to Jim Kelly Jr. at JimKellyJr@gmail.com

Time to answer a few questions and escape Brett Favre Watch '08 for the time being...

Jim, If you are Willie Randolph, how big of a Phillies fan are you? Or how mad are you getting with the recent Met’s success.
- John, Chester, PA
I’ll always stand by Willie in the fact that the lagged play of the Mets this season wasn’t entirely his fault. I always felt he managed the team in game pretty well, and there was the 2006 season on his resume to prove that the Mets could win under him. But if I’m Willie I have to despise the Mets organization right now. I would be sending spam to the Wilpon’s email addresses for Enzyte male enhancement pills, and paintballin’ Omar Minaya’s house because of not only the way I was fired but the six month ongoing saga that was the end of my managing in New York made me finally lose all my hair. I’d also have some resentment for Jerry Manuel too, after all he was on my staff, and now his “laid back” style is apparently the key to success. If that’s all my overpaid roster needed I would’ve bought an Xbox and a few leather chairs. The truth is the Mets are winning with quality pitching more than anything, and it isn’t Willie’s fault that suddenly Perez and Pelfrey are pitching like top tier starters when under him they were nearly out of the rotation; it’s ex-pitching coach Rick Peterson’s.


Would you rather be a hall of fame player that isn’t clutch or an average/slightly above average player that has his big moments on championship teams?
- Dan Marino, Miami, FL
Poor Dan. For a while it looked like Peyton Manning would take the place of Marino as the guy-you-compare-being-good-but-never-winning-to. Now Dan is destined to be the Greatest Who Never Won, only to have his records beaten by the Greatest Who Never Retired. So would I rather be Dan Marino or Robert Horry basically? I wouldn’t mind being either, but I guess if I accomplished enough to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame I’ll take Marino’s career. In 50 years you can see a bust of Marino in Canton, you’ll only occasionally be able to see Horry on ESPN Classic.


What are your thoughts on the new Will Ferrell movie? Has he jumped the shark? Can he bounce back from a few bad movies? And should he do an Old School 2?
- Jack, Boston MA
First things first, an Old School 2 would be a horrible idea. That movie captured a generation of college students and sequals almost never work with the exception of D2: The Mighty Ducks. I think Will is having career anxiety, taking parts in the nap-worthy films Stranger Than Fiction and Bewitched, while still trying the say the dumbest thing that comes to mind rolls alongside John C Reilly. I think Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrel, and Luke Wilson should team up again as Vaughn played the sarcasm perfectly, along with Will's extreme dumbness and Wilson as the straight man in Old School, but Ferrell is going to have to make a decision soon. He needs to change his style and stop making carbon copied movies and either move on to higher comedy or Jim Carrey-esque dramas. The movies he makes now will get a few laughs out of you, but Old School and Anchorman solidified that genre for him, now it feels like he's just squeezing it dry.

You can make $10 million but you have to play the professional sport of your choice overseas or you can make say $6 million in the US? What is the Big Cat gonna do?
- Jaromir Jagr, Josh Childress and Evgeni Malkin
Jagr leaving the Rangers for Russia is like Albert Puljous going to play in some Dominican league. I mean I guess you can’t blame him for going back to his home continent, but come on this is professional sports on the highest level in the world with the highest regard in the world next to international soccer. Also remember, thanks to the exchange rate, $10 million in Europe is actually $4.6 billion in the US. That's alot of afro pics Josh.


Steve Bartman was just offered $25,000 to sign the photo of him interfering with the ball? How fast would you do it if you were him?
- Ben, Chicago
The problem with Bartman is that he never really owned up to what happened, laughed it off, and then cashed in on it- kind of like what Andy Pettite did with Brian McNamara. What I mean is that if Stevey Headphones just said look I made a mistake don’t tell me none of you would’ve done any differently in that situation, then signed pictures of the incident, done every talk show and radio program, and posed for photo ops with Moises Alou, he wouldn’t have to live in hiding and worry about his privacy. It’s much easier to demonize the guy who is ashamed of what he’s done and doesn’t just brush it off and own up to it; just ask Roger Clemens.


The bleacher creatures deserve all the credit they get. They are a unique fan base that while you may hate them you must respect them on a fan level. Even Melky Cabrera does enough to salute them while botching a play the other night. But with all that said, were you disappointed the Creatures did not salute the whole team during the All Star game? I understand quite a few Red Sox were out there but they were all on the same field for that night. Playing for what all those fans should hope to be home field advantage at The Stadium come October? It would have made me respect them on another level but they blew it…
- Bobby R, New Haven, CT
While the All Star Game was in NY that doesn’t necessarily mean the crowd was entirely pro Yankee. There were some Mets fans in there I’m sure, as well as the diehard fans from around the country that made the pilgrimage, mixed in with enough corporate sponsors it had to be like an annual stockholders meeting. So I wonder if the bleacher creatures had the JV team in that night- not enough of the regulars to really get a quality effort in while still holding a grudge against anyone who wasn’t a Yankee. It is a Yankee tradition, made to salute Yankees, but as the last year of the House That Ruth Built is upon us and in the All Star game that now means something, you would think the fans would make an effort to salute every player. No matter what team you’re from or what opinion you have of the Yankees I’m sure there isn’t a player out there who wouldn’t want to turn around and salute the right field bleachers just once in their career. With that being said I’m sure that not everyone was on the same page, and even if they were they’d have trouble saluting so many Sox. To them it would be like chanting for Ivan Drago.


In the NFL are systems key to team’s success or is it the players? I know you need the best players but can’t any bum at say RB rush for 1,500 yards in any given year?
- Ryan Grant, Oshkosh, WI
Only if you play for Mike Shanahan. Ryan Grant showed promise with the Giants, but was cut because they basically didn't have a spot for him. Then he shows up in Green Bay and runs wild earning himself a spot on the Re-Work My Deal All Stars alongside Plaxico Burress, and the Chicago Bears roster. I think it's the system that makes the team good, with the exception of the freak athlete like LT, Antonio Gates, Devin Hester (hooray new contract) and the artist formerly know as Mike Vick (so talented he didn't work in any system).


Is there a better American family than what Rev has to offer?
- Sara M, NYC
Run’s House is like watching a family on TV that you wish you got to spend a few years with even as an adult. Kind of like wishing you were Theo Huxtable’s half brother from Cliff’s wild days at Hillman. I imagine if I just moved into the 3rd floor west wing of the Rev’s pad I could convince him to land me a rap deal in like 2 weeks, thus laying me on the path to dropping an album in 6 months, guest hosting TRL, and getting into a rap war in 50 Cent because I claimed I was tougher for taking a BB in the foot than getting shot up a few times. Run’s House plus Male Pattern Balding Guy Who Lives Upstairs- ratings would sky rocket.

As for other shows that are complete wastes of time but still you’d hate to miss: The Soup, Rob and Big, and the new comer From G’s to Gents, which is like watching 10 alpha males with IQ’s less than the number of fingers you own live in a house and try to be regular male humans. Especially Mikey P, who was voted out of the house, because while these guys must have been picked off the street, literally, Mikey P was the ultimate Guido wannabe from central NJ, blow out hair and all who claimed to own a house, a car, and had been to a country club but was still a “G”. It was like watching a Wu Tang video with a member of 98 Degrees dancing in it.


What were your thoughts on Justin Timberlake hosting the Espy’s. Or better yet the performances from Greg Oden or Dwight Howard? Tell me you wouldn’t give those two big goofballs a reality show tomorrow.
- Dom, Reno, NV
At first I thought the N*SYNC’er was a poor choice, considering his limited acting career. I just imagined he would put on a concert and introduce people in between the high notes he hits. The first 20 minutes or so was actually funny though, and I thought he pulled his weight nicely.
The fact that ESPN tells you who won an ESPY a day before they air the event makes you not care about the show anyways. Well, let me rephrase that, you don’t care about the ESPY’s to begin with, so when they tell you who wins, show you clips from the recorded show, and mention lines from what happened at the show, then what is my motivation for tuning in besides the fact that you ran in continuously for a day? It’s like the Pro Bowl.
I would almost rather see Dwight Howard and Greg Oden in a sitcom rather than a reality show ( Check them out here). Better yet I think if they just reenacted old sitcoms on their show, like a sketch comedy show, and just did scenes like the Jump On It dance from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the Cliff and Theo (second Cosby Show reference of The Inbox) conversation about Theo’s earring, or the dance competition from Saved By The Bell I think it would be huge. Seriously try imagining Dwight Howard as AC Slater and Greg Oden as Zach Morris. Huge success. But if they did get a reality show I think Dwight’s would just a be a collection of events in his life; going out to dinner, doing laundry, sitting on the can, visiting his family, reading to underprivileged children, all while wearing a Superman cape.

How excited are you for the Olympics? Which events are you most looking forward to? And please compare which you think is better, summer, winter or special?
- Michael Phelps, Baltimore, MD
I’m interested in seeing whether or not Team USA basketball can be successful in international play or not. I’m interested in…no that’s it. I’m not interested in the Olympics until the Olympics are actually happening, as I think it’s because we really don’t know about 96% of the athletes that compete for our country until they win something and then we’ll forget about them for another four years.
The summer Olympics are a lot more entertaining than the winter competition unless the Jamaican bobsled team makes a comeback (Jamaican me crazy!). And as for the Special Olympics, well, they’re just special.

Watch out for the WNBA!!!! We have Dunking and Fights breaking out?? What’s next for the League?
- Candace Parker, Los Angeles, CA
Fans.

Just kidding.

Not much.

Is there anything worse then waking up on a Sunday morning hung-over as can be, throw on sports center only to watch “My Wish” about some dying young child getting to meet his sports idol and hang out for him for a day. Just when you are trying to forgive yourself for all of last night’s activities you come across this? Try watching an episode and if you don’t cry you aren’t human.
- Mickey, San Diego
I have to change the channel every time My Wish comes on. I don’t turn on Sportscenter to be inspired or emotionally touched; I turn it on so I can watch it so many times in a row I learn the teleprompter by heart. I want highlights and information. If Seton Hall graduate Bob Ley tries to rope me into a heartwarming story I have to cycle through the channels until it’s over or they break away from the inspiring music to a loud and abrupt “Sportcenter Update” where Brett Favre is either talking to the Vikings on a Playskool phone or not telling the Packers when he’s going to the bathroom anymore. If you’re going to blindside me with emo-sports stories I’ll go watch Rudy. With that being said the real reason I don’t watch it is because things always get in my eyes when the segment runs.


When will the Giants get respect? How did David Tyree feel getting an ESPY last week for such a great catch even though he is already cut from the team? How long is the grace period before Eli gets booed?
- Brian M, Staten Island
Look, I love the Giants and their Super Bowl victory is still something I have trouble believing actually happened, but on paper this team isn’t the best in the league and even worse after this off season with losing three defensive starters and Shockey. So we respect they got hot at the right time and made one of the most improbable playoff runs and unbelievable Super Bowl wins ever. As for Tyree he will forever be a Super Bowl legend, and The Catch he made is enough for him to live off memorabilia merchandise for the rest of his life (kind of like poor Pete Rose and his Vegas autograph sessions), but he had knee surgery this off season and has to get healthy quick to even compete for a roster spot. The guy is a Pro Bowl special teams player, but if he isn’t healthy the Jints will need to find another guy to fill his place. For me the grace period for Eli will be about two years, barring how good he is. If Eli comes out and throws like I would in an NFL game he’ll have about 2 games, but if he continues to be regular old up and down I-might-throw-3-interceptions-today Eli then I think Giants fans can give him two years. We are still trying to actually accept he won us a Super Bowl still. Plus I think the Oreo cookie lick-off he had with Peyton took a season off his grace period. Just plain awkward.


When can Rick Ankiel get his Josh Hamilton like praise? His comeback was just as amazing without breaking the law in the first place?
- Rick Ankiel Sr., St Louis
Is it safe to say Rick Ankiel is the best baseball player in the major leagues? He’s like a 8 tool player who not only can play center field and hit well enough to be an everyday guy, he’s an all star. The arm he has gunning guys from the warning track is absolutely insane. He used to be a good pitcher until he caught Chuck Knoblaugh disease, but the fact that he made it to the majors as a pitcher and then a few years later is playing gold glove OF and batting cleanup is remarkable. Who needs cocaine when you can just go mentally insane on a pitching mound and then hit home runs. Also wasn't there an HGH rumbling about Ankiel? Check on that Rick Sr.


At what point in the summer is it acceptable to buy a fantasy football magazine?
- Erik Karabell, Hartford, CT
Who reads?

How many days are normal to get the stench of Shea Stadium off of you after visiting?
- PK, Philly
Congrats on the Philadelphia Soul Arena Bowl Championship. It takes Bon Jovi to bring a title to Philadelphia and I’m sure you’ve set your DVR to save until I delete mode for that will be the most rewarding Philly title game in your lifetime.

Count it.

Got a question, comment, praise, or insult for Jim Kelly Jr? Send it to JimKellyJr@gmail.com and you might find it in the next segment of The Inbox.