Army stands up to Lions

Similar to the Iraq war itself, but without as much vitriol, a nationwide debate stirred when the Detroit Lions drafted Caleb Campbell in the seventh round out of Army.

The Army had changed a rule to allow top athletes to delay their service commitments if they could make it in pro sports and serve as recruiters for the military.

But just before Campbell was to report to the Lions, he was told the Army wanted him right away, after all.

So another debate stirred -- this one between CBSSports.com colleagues.

"Our country's leadership didn't just change its mind on Campbell," Gregg Doyel wrote. "Our country screwed him. Completely, totally, unjustifiably screwed him. It's possible our country has killed Caleb Campbell. Lord knows I don't want that -- nobody wants that -- but if Campbell should die in Iraq or Afghanistan, as more than 4,100 U.S. soldiers have since 2003, this would be murder."

Countered Mike Freeman: "The military experts are coming out of the woodwork now. The armchair generals from their office cubicles are chiming in at warp speed, questioning the Army's decision to make Campbell forgo his NFL responsibilities for the ones the government actually trained Campbell for.

"What exactly is the Army supposed to do? Just in case you forgot, Doyel, there's this little war going on."

• TWO STEPS BACK -- Hawaii had to go and blow it -- after Utah and then Boise State not only broke through to make Bowl Championship Series games but won.

The Warriors, you may remember, were unwatchable in a 41-10 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. It reminded fans of BCS schools why they had so little respect for non-BCS teams to begin with.

With another football season within sight, Salt Lake Tribune columnist Kurt Kragthorpe is concerned, writing, "... the residual effect is that nobody should believe the big-boy bowls will take an outsider if they're not required to do so. Only one spot is promised to a qualifying team from outside the six conferences with automatic access, and there's no way a second school will be invited, regardless of its accomplishments. That's Hawaii's legacy, like it or not."

• NO SUCH THING AS BAD PUBLICITY -- Finally, some attention for the WNBA. For now, anyway. Most sports fans soon will get back to important matters such as NFL training camp news.

Well, maybe not so fast, according to Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times. She wrote Tuesday's fight between Detroit and Los Angeles might create interest that lasts past this weekend.

"Not that games should devolve into mindless slugfests, but this might be the best thing that has happened to the WNBA," Elliott wrote.

Maybe, but quick, name four WNBA players.

• TEE TO COURT -- Andrew Giuliani, son of the former New York City mayor and Republican presidential hopeful, is suing Duke after being a victim of a roster cutdown with the golf team. Maybe his dad should sue whoever came up with the Florida-only strategy during the Republican primaries.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON REVIEW-JOURNAL