Back Porch Nfl Network

Jason Whitlock is known as much for his unhealthy love of high school teammate Jeff George as he is for speaking his mind, even if it might not be in his best interest.

By those standards, his most recent FoxSports.com column is relatively benign, although Deion Sanders -- the target of Whitlock's ire -- might feel differently.

Forty-Niners first-round pick Michael Crabtree finally signed his contract this week after spending all preseason and the first month of the season pimping Subway subs. Turns out part of the hold-up wasn't with Crabtree's agent, Eugene Parker, but with his "advisor," Primetime. At least according to Whitlock, who affectionately refers to him as Deion "Master D" Sanders.

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Brett Favre is beyond played out at this point. We get it: he's probably going to the Vikings. And in doing so, he's tearing apart two fan bases and dividing the entire Midwest in half. What are we gonna do?

Call FanHouse writer, lifelong Packers fan and Minnesota resident Bruce Ciskie for answers, that's what. Besides Favre, somehow the miraculous happens and we ask him about hockey matches games. Bruce is so persuasive that I get talked into watching the Pens-Caps game on Versus. Awesomeness ensues. (Also: Subscribe via iTunes. Because you love us.)

The FanHouse Podcast: Because bloggers are much sexier on the phone.

Doug Farrar has a pretty impressive football resume: he's currently the publisher for Falcons Insider, a key contributor to the Washington Post's "The League," and firing out content at Football Outsiders. And now he gets the honor of adding "FanHouse Podcast Guest" to that list, after being kind enough to spend nearly an hour on the horn with Wilson and myself.

What results is a fascinating look into several key facets of Saturday's draft -- specifically, why the Seahawks need to draft Mark Sanchez (plus a sneak-peek discussion of Doug's recent feature column on the fast-rising quarterback), Pat White's pro prospects, the best wide receiver options, and why the Lions drafting Aaron Curry is the smartest thing they can do this weekend.

Please prepare yourself for a discussion on a somewhat sexist topic (but appropriately handled by yours truly, natch.) See, Playboy magazine, well known for its brilliant articles, is holding 2009's Sexiest Sportscaster contest. You may remember 2008's event, in which Erin Andrews of ESPN and sandwich eating fame steamrolled the competition en route to winning the crown.

Not to mention bloggers' hearts everywhere. This year, though, EA has seen a little bit -- in my humble opinion -- of a downtrend in terms of popularity. She's still beloved and stalked and all that, but come on folks, aren't we a little sick of harassing her with pictures and signs at every single ESPN event? Aren't we ready for a new lady of sports sideline (or not sideline -- looking at you, Linda Kohn!) to dethrone Andrews?

But, "who!??!?" you ask, will take the queen of sexy sports media down? Excellent question. And it's precisely why Playboy.com just announced their nominees and they are ... (affiliated station in parentheses):

Erin Andrews (ESPN)
Erin Bates (Speed/OLN) Michelle Beisner (NFL Network) Bonnie Bernstein (CBS) Tina Cervasio (MSG) Melanie Collins (Big Ten Network) Stacey Dales (ESPN) Colleen Dominguez (ESPN) Alex Flanagan (NBC)

Jamie Little (ESPN/NBC) Hazel Mae (NESN) Adriana Monsalve (ESPN Deportes) Rachel Nichols (ESPN) Pam Oliver (Fox) Ashley Russell (Rivals.com) Lisa Salters (ESPN) Lauren Shehadi (CBS) Tiffany Simons (NBC) Lindsay Soto (NFL Network) Melissa Stark (ABC) Sage Steele (ESPN) Hannah Storm (ESPN) Mary Strong (NFL Network) Molly Sullivan (MTN) Krista Voda (FOX) Amber Wilson (OpenSports.com) Tracy Wolfson (CBS)

Now, I certainly don't think that anyone from Andrews' own network can beat the reigning champ -- that just seems a little too incestual and unlikely. I do, however, have a ton of faith in Charissa Thompson, Alex Flanagan and my dark horse special, Lindsay Soto, from the NFL Network. Don't believe me? Pictures after the jump.