Paul Klee: Hi everyone. This is Jim Rossow, sports editor. I'll be joined by Loren Tate at 12:30 p.m. and Paul Klee before the chat is over (hopefully). He's speaking to a group in Monticello today.

I'll be here the rest of the way in case anyone wants ask questions related to how our section works. I've received a number of calls and e-mails about our Rashard Mendenhall story that appeared in Sunday's section. I'll discuss that and what I can about our online plans, too.

Thanks for taking part in these chats with Bob and Paul.

Ted, Chicago, IL: Bob: Interesting article Sunday about Rashard. When you see that he doesn't like the Zook, and you read words like "That's not what it was about at all" and "The biggest thing I can stress is that it's not about my brother and what happened to him" the next question that comes to mind is "then what IS it about?" Did you ask him that? As you know, I think the Walter Mendenhall situation was handled clumsily at the very best, and the natural assumption is that Rashard feels the same way too.

Paul: with the two team camps over, do you think that the coaching staff has changed any recruiting priorities? Do you think the camps moved some players up or down, or convinced the staff that they needed to go out of state to fill needs?

Bob Asmussen: This is from Bob, who is taking some time off but kind enough to e-mail from out of the office:

Ted,

I repeatedly asked Rashard Mendenhall the question "why?" and he never

specifically answered the question. He would respond with something like,

"It wasn't about my brother." Of course, you aren't going to be happy if

you feel a family member wasn't treated the right way, but it seems like

the issues go beyond for Rashard Mendenhall.

Paul Klee: This is Loren filling in (editor's note: he just arrived from the UI Orange, where he shot a 42 on back nine).

It is unlikely Weber will take a fifth player in the upcoming senior class unless he locates a blue-chip big man. Paul looked very good in the camp from an athletic standpoint and will probably be the state's highest ranked senior. Bertrand started very slow in his first game, raising all kinds of questions, but was better as he went along and wound up with a superb all-around game against Warren. Richardson and Griffey are solid recruits. So that class appears set, and I'd think Weber would be thrilled to sign all four in November ... although I'd add that none of the guards figure to beat out McCamey, Legion and Smith in 2009-10.

Weber will now be working on the younger classes with Limestone's Stewart reportedly favoring Illinois, and Shaw the best of the big men. Loren

Ryan, Cooksville, Il: Bob,

Caught a little of your conversation on Saturday and you stated that there will be a new Illinois History Football book out this fall. Can you provide some insight into what it will be like (lots of photos, text, mixture), you also said there will be replica inserts.

Thanks,

Ryan

Cooksville

Bob Asmussen: Ryan,

Thanks for listening to the show. I have a great time being on with Jim and Loren (editor's note: I wish I could say that Jim and Loren are as pleased). The Illinois Football Vault will be published during the fall. The book is full of photos and includes the 10 best games from each era.The really neat part of the book is that every few pages, there will be a pocket that contains a replica of an old ticket or schedule card or letter written by a coach. It's hard to describe, but it is a really cool feature. The book is being put out by Whitman Publishing, a company in Atlanta.

Mike Perry, Decatur, Illinois: Hello Paul, Is there any news on Domonique Keller and Stan Simpson ? Have they been playing at Ubben ? If so, how have they looked ? Thanks

Paul Klee: This is Loren. Keller and Simpson are on campus. Haven't seen them play, but talk is that Keller will probably be a factor at the big forward, and Simpson probably won't be ready to help for another year. Sorry, but I haven't seen them play.

Tom, Winnetka, Il: Paul,

You reported that the Richmond family was discussing with the basketball staff how they should handle recruiting approaches from other schools. Do you know what advice was given?

Bob or Paul,

Christian Frederick from Loyola Academy was the 25th player selected in the first round of the MLB draft. I read that he wanted to attend Illinois but ended up at Eastern Kentucky. I saw a photograph of this tall left handed pitcher and that is all you need to see to know he has big time potential. How did we miss on this kid?

Paul Klee: Tom, this is Loren.

A. Again, it is undoubtedly important that other schools contacting the Richmond family should be treated appropriately. I do not know what advice was given. I'd think that would be private between Weber and the Richmonds. With a year and a half to go before Jeremy can sign, it would not make sense for the Richmonds to burn any bridges.

B. Baseball recruiting is extremely difficult because, when you go after first-round draft choices, they tend to turn pro when the money is right. Dan Hartleb brought this up just this week.

Editor's note: Last week, 76-year-old Tate shot a 75 at the UI Blue. It's the second time in his life he shot his age or better.

Rick, Downers Grove, Illinois: Why'd you rehash the MEndenhall complaints when he said them after he got drafted?

Paul Klee: This is Jim:

Good question, one I've heard plenty since the story ran. Lost in the Mendenhall uproar is that he was our Male Athlete of the Year. We've named a top male and female from Illinois each year since 2003, a list that includes Luther Head and Justin Spring on the men's side  but never a football player.

The story was meant to highlight Mendenhall's remarkable season (just like our story on our top female, Angelena Mexicano, which also ran Sunday). But when Bob reached him  on Friday night  the conversation veered toward his unhappiness at Illinois, something he said in his first news conference with the Steelers but a topic we had yet to touch on in the N-G.

To me, the questioning and eventual story angle were appropriate. So was the timing, given Sunday's section was devoted to our annual UI Year in Review.

It was unfortunate Mendenhall missed our photo shoot with Mexicano. It marked the first time in six years we failed to get the two award-winners to pose together at a campus landmark.

Maybe we should have picked J Leman, who won the Eddleman Award (top UI athlete) this week.

Chuck, Bowling Green, Kentucky: Last year (as every year) there was speculation that a helmet artwork change might happen for this season. I seem to recall buzz indicating that Zook wanted it to happen this year too. With the new field turf installation, it seems like a good time for the athletic department to coordinate elements of a new helmet design with artwork on the field (especially the endzones). Any hints that something like this may happen?

Paul Klee: Chuck

This is Jim, just off the phone with Bob, who is gardening.

He doesn't discount your theory. In fact, he's heard a change might be on the way.

And Bob loves writing about artwork and fields. He just did a story on the work on the grass to the east of the stadium.

As far as a new helmet design, Bob said "I can see that happening."

I write this with a "Zook Zone" towel on my desk. One can be had for $7 at Gameday in Champaign beginning July 1 (a $1 goes to the fight against cancer). The UI wants a lot of towel waving at Memorial Stadium this season. Like they do at Pittsburgh during Steelers games. Where Rashard Mendenhall will be playing in the fall.

GRB?, Collinsville?, Il?: Loren

How's the stadium looking?

Paul Klee: This is Loren (editor's note: Loren is doing more than golf during his annual summer hiatus - he also is hitting the heck out of the softball for Busey Bank in the Dale Cain league. He plays on Monday and Thursday at Dodds if you want to catch his act).

It is unbelievable the progress that's been made, at least from an appearance standpoint, in just the last two weeks. It is really filling in, and with it enclosed, they aren't hampered by the weather. Remember, the outfit running this operation has done more than 100 of these renovations, so they have a good idea how long it takes. Loren

Jason, Greenville, SC: Did Kyle Hudson sign with the Baltimore? Is he returning to the football team next year?

Paul Klee: This is Jim. Our college baseball beat writer Jeff Huth was all over the Hudson angle last week, and here is a portion of his last story on the subject. In summary, Hudson won't be back.

MATTOON  Kyle Hudson wont be back in an Illinois baseball uniform next season. Or in football pads, either.

The two-sport Illini athlete signed a professional baseball contract Wednesday night with the Baltimore Orioles, ending one phase of his playing career while starting another.

Its something me and my family talked about a lot, Hudson said Thursday. My future is in professional baseball, and I feel like once Im able to focus on that year-round Im going to get better as we go along.

The center fielder/wide receiver was selected in the fourth round of Major League Baseballs amateur draft June 5. By signing, Hudson forfeits his final year of eligibility in baseball. Although NCAA rules allow student-athletes who turn pro in one sport to remain eligible in another, the Mattoon native said he will not continue to play football at the UI.

It was a tough decision for me, said Hudson, who led the Illini football team in receptions as a freshman and sophomore. Ive enjoyed my time with football and appreciate all that the (Illini) coaches have done for me.

Hudson said he informed UI football coach Ron Zook and other members of his staff of his decision Thursday.

I explained the situation ... and they understood its whats best for me, the All-Big Ten baseball first-teamer said. And I feel the same way. Pro baseball is where I need to go with my life.

Hudson is scheduled to fly to Baltimore on Sunday, where he will meet with Orioles officials before undergoing a physical the next day.

On Tuesday, hes scheduled to officially begin his pro career, joining the Orioles short-season Class A team the Aberdeen (Md.) Ironbirds for their New York-Penn League opener at Hudson Bay (N.Y.).

Dave C., Champaign, Il.: I read that Comcast and the Big Ten Network are ready to announce an agreement which includes special interactive features for some areas. I believe it was accessing things such as uninterrupted replays of games of ones choosing.Do you guys know if C-U will have these features abd if there will be extra cost? I've already watched the Illini-Ohio State replay about ten times and will probably watch it another ten. I still enjoy watching the early game comeback, all those critical 1st downs by Juice, and the the many great plays.

Paul Klee: This is Jim, just off the phone with Bob, who was headed to the tanning booth. Here's what he knows:

If those are available, there definitely will be an extra cost. Whether or not they're available here depends on the capacity of the system. Generally, the C-U system is good and can handle something like that.

I did another story on Sunday - the one not slugged Mendenhall  on the Big Ten Network's first season. While there's no agreement yet with Comcast in C-U, I think one's on the way, probably very soon. Although no one told me on the record.

Hope that helps.

(Editor's note: Bob will have a full page of college football news in Sunday's N-G, including a look back at Mel Agee, who died Sunday at the age of 39).

Brett, Lexington, KY: Jim: Is the move from your old podcast format to the Monday N-G Sports Page show on podcast a permanent change? And how about another clue to this Aug. 3 news, even though some of us already guessed what it is?

Paul Klee: This is Jim: Always good to hear from Brett, our former award-winning basketball beat writer who somehow wiggled out of the 15-year contract I made him sign when he was in C-U.

For a number of years  dating to the Dawson era  we've done our podcast on WDWS in Champaign the day after our weekly radio show, also at WDWS. From now on, our Tuesday podcast will be our Monday radio show. Much of the content was similar anyway. Plus, Asmussen was always complaining about the price of gas and how he had to make an extra 2-mile drive each week.

As far as Aug. 3, this week's hint is that podcasts will play a huge role. In fact, we'll have something fresh once a day, meaning the N-Gers will have to share the podcast booth with some might big hitters.

Maker's Mark to anyone who guesses what we're up to, like Dawson did long ago.

Daniel, Saint Charles, IL: I really enjoy "Bob's Blast" and "Tate's Take". Will there ever be a "Rossow's Roar?" Concerning Illini football, we know that running back will be key position position to fill this year. What other areas on the team do you see as vulnerable?

Paul Klee: This is Loren, who is still trying to guess what we're doing Aug. 3.

There are several question marks. While the troubled receiver position appears suddenly solid, and it appears likely the safety slots will be fine, there are serious questions about depth at linebacker. You can't expect three guys to play every minute of every game. What if Miller goes down in the middle? What if Martez Wilson needs a rest? To me, that is the area of concern.

Like you, I'd like to see Rossow roar. Maybe we can talk him into it.

Editor's note: Loren has ended his "Tate's Take" holdout and will resume posting fresh video material next Monday. I finally caved on his asking price: beer and peanuts at the Esquire, where we're headed now.

Thanks for all the questions. If you have more, e-mail me (jrossow@news-gazette.com), Asmussen (rasmusse@news-gazette.com) or Klee (pklee@news-gazette.com).

I promise we'll return every e-mail.

Jim