Kabeer Gbaja Biamila

Forget the cover of Sports Illustrated. Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, the leader of San Diego State's defense, has already been on the cover of Newsweek. Gbaja-Biamila, who is from Los Angeles, was pictured in 1995 along with other Crenshaw High students involved in a program called Food from the 'Hood, a student-run natural food company that won the magazine's American Achievement Award. "He's unique. That's him," Aztec Coach Ted Tollner said.

In the Green Bay Packer locker room sits a man in every sense of the word, a man of strength and integrity, of caring and depth, a man who became a new father and a grieving son on the same day. Sitting in front of a locker sits a man who values his religion and his family, his education and the idea that a man must earn his salary and should never take a minute off when he is on the job. And, his teammates say, a special man.

In the Green Bay Packer locker room sits a man in every sense of the word, a man of strength and integrity, of caring and depth, a man who became a new father and a grieving son on the same day. Sitting in front of a locker sits a man who values his religion and his family, his education and the idea that a man must earn his salary and should never take a minute off when he is on the job. And, his teammates say, a special man.

He's the best-kept secret in Southern California. As next weekend's NFL draft approaches, few except the true aficionados of college football have even heard of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. But NFL scouts know him. They've been calling his coach at San Diego State, Ted Tollner. They have been trying Gbaja-Biamila out, clocking the defensive end, measuring his vertical leap. They have been listening to stories of his strong character and determination.

He's the best-kept secret in Southern California. As next weekend's NFL draft approaches, few except the true aficionados of college football have even heard of Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. But NFL scouts know him. They've been calling his coach at San Diego State, Ted Tollner. They have been trying Gbaja-Biamila out, clocking the defensive end, measuring his vertical leap. They have been listening to stories of his strong character and determination.

* Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. at the Coliseum, Fox Sports West 2. * Story line: Ted Tollner, USC's coach from 1983 through '86, returns to face the Trojans a dozen years later, in his fifth season at San Diego State. Paul Hackett, the latest coach to try to take the USC program back to sustained greatness, has an opportunity for a 2-0 start. * USC update: Young quarterbacks Mike Van Raaphorst and Carson Palmer will both play, with Van Raaphorst starting.

The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a blow to the protection of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's blind side. McKinnie has pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a street brawl outside a Miami nightclub in February. He will be eligible to return to the Vikings' active roster following the team's Sept. 28 game against Tennessee. McKinnie will also sit out games against Green Bay, Indianapolis and Carolina.

* Time: 7:30 p.m. * Site: Coliseum * Television: Fox Sports West 2 * Radio: AM 690, 1540, 1170 The Offenses * Youth is the story, with both teams expected to play two quarterbacks and none of the four more experienced than a sophomore. USC sputtered early against Purdue, but freshman quarterback Carson Palmer sparked a comeback with a 42-yard completion. Starter Mike Van Raaphorst looked especially sharp in practice Thursday, and both may have easier jobs today, with star receiver R.

5 RUNNING BACKS WHO COULD STRUGGLE TODAY Stephen Davis, Carolina * He has had four one-yard touchdown runs in two games but should cool against a tough Miami defense. Willis McGahee, Buffalo * Can't be tentative at the line of scrimmage against Atlanta's Keith Brooking and Co. Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets * He has been held under 100 yards in each of his four games against Jacksonville. Ahman Green, Green Bay * One touchdown in his last nine games, and he hasn't reached 100 yards in his last eight.

You know Brett Favre's feeling like his old self when he puts a textbook block on Alonzo Spellman with the game already in hand. "I told Alonzo after I cut him that I thought he was Terry Fair," Favre said after the Green Bay Packers' 28-6 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Favre blocked Spellman--six inches taller and 100 pounds heavier than Fair--after a shovel pass to William Henderson on a play that would go 26 yards in the closing minutes.

Forget the cover of Sports Illustrated. Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, the leader of San Diego State's defense, has already been on the cover of Newsweek. Gbaja-Biamila, who is from Los Angeles, was pictured in 1995 along with other Crenshaw High students involved in a program called Food from the 'Hood, a student-run natural food company that won the magazine's American Achievement Award. "He's unique. That's him," Aztec Coach Ted Tollner said.

He's in his 32nd season as an NFL assistant coach, so maybe it's only natural that Howard Mudd thinks of his offensive linemen as family. And, in that family, his left tackles are the housewives. "They go unnoticed and unappreciated," Mudd explained, "until something goes wrong." And when something goes wrong with a left tackle, it can spell disaster.

Veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper reportedly has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Lions. Team spokesman Bill Keenist says the Lions have no comment on Saturday's ESPN.com report. The report, which didn't cite a source, indicated Culpepper would sign the deal Monday. Culpepper, 31, worked out for Detroit on Tuesday, taking a step toward returning to the NFL after announcing plans to retire in September because he was frustrated over not finding work.