Burress, Vick offer lessons

Kids can learn a lot from the mistakes of star athletes. Plaxico Burress provides a perfect example. The former New York Giants receiver had it all, but now he's headed to prison.

In an interview with ESPN, Burress explained how he accidentally shot himself in a Manhattan nightclub in November. He claimed his .40-caliber Glock fired after he missed a step walking up stairs. The gun was sliding down his pants leg, and Burress said he reached for it.

"My finger hit, like, right on the trigger," he said in utter amazement. "What are the odds on that happening?"

When asked why he didn't have a holster, Burress said: "Bad judgment."

OK, kids, what are the lessons here?

When you sneak a gun into a nightclub, ALWAYS carry it in a holster. And, please, know exactly what the odds are that you will hit the trigger if you reach for a moving gun in the dark. The odds are approximately 2-1.

What are the odds that Burress is not a genius?

• DRINKING PROBLEM DOGS VICK -- Awarded a second chance to play in the NFL, convicted dogfighter Michael Vick has made his first mistake as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The day after he was introduced by the team, Vick was spotted drinking a vodka and pineapple juice cocktail at a Philadelphia restaurant. It's not clear if Vick's public alcohol consumption violates the terms of his probation.

Tony Dungy, Vick's new mentor, thinks the troubled quarterback again stepped out of bounds. "Michael, you can't do that," Dungy said in a report on SI.com.

Another lesson for the kids: If you're not supposed to drink alcohol, don't drink in public. Drink in the privacy of your home. But if you must drink in public, hide a bottle in a paper bag.

• FANTASY IS REALITY -- Look around the war room at your fantasy football draft. You'll probably see bald guys, fat guys, boring guys and some guys who are bald, fat and boring.

The Hard Rock Hotel is attempting to host something hip this week. The "Fantasy Football SUPERDRAFT" bills itself as a chance "for fantasy football fans to come together and draft their fantasy teams in true Las Vegas style."

The festivities kick off today with a VIP party hosted by Stacy Keibler at JET nightclub at The Mirage. After Friday's drafts at the Hard Rock, where there will be a tailgate concert at the pool, actress Shannon Elizabeth hosts a VIP party at LAX nightclub at the Luxor.

On Saturday, another VIP party at PURE nightclub at Caesars Palace includes a special appearance by Gary "Baba-Booey" Dell'Abate from "The Howard Stern Show."

Go to lasvegasfantasysuperdraft.com for more information.

And forget about Tom Brady. Shannon Elizabeth and Stacy Keibler are first-round picks in a real man's fantasy draft.

• IN THE RED -- Dan Daly of the Washington Times, on pitcher Stephen Strasburg, the No. 1 draft pick, signing a record $15 million deal: "Is that what they mean by the National debt?"

COMPILED BY MATT YOUMANS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL