Snoop in da Ravens’ house

The Baltimore Ravens made an exception to a training camp rule that forbids players from bringing their dogs to practice.

Linebacker Ray Lewis showed up with his favorite dog to Thursday's workout and let him lead the team's "Dogs in the House" ritual chant.

It was famed rapper Snoop Dogg, who at times has been a regular sideline observer at Southern California football games.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is a no-nonsense kind of guy, but he got into the spirit by letting Snoop on the sideline and onto the field.

"It was neat having Snoop out here," Harbaugh said. "I was down there woof-woofing with everybody else, just trying to keep the beat."

The cannabis-loving entertainer agreed to attend once he was assured he would not be drug tested at the camp in Westminster, Md.

Wonder if Dogg will stop by to chill with bong-boy Baltimore native Michael Phelps while he's in the neighborhood.

• SPEAKING OF GRASS -- It might not be all bad for teams in the now-defunct Arena Football League.

Water conservation measures and incentives have made it appealing for homeowners to convert from bluegrass and rye to fake grass.

And the AFL now has an abundance of fake greenery, but the wide white lines on it will need added attention.

The next challenge is to find a market for goal posts that are too narrow and too high for legitimate football fields.

• MASKED FANS -- A safety measure in Brazil could be just what fans of the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Nationals need.

A judge in Brazil ordered spectators for a soccer match in Southern Brazil this week to wear face masks to hinder the risk of being exposed to swine flu.

This week's match in the city of Cascavel in Southern Brazil is in a region where most of the country's swine flu cases have been reported.

Prosecutors wanted to postpone the match, but the judge ruled it was enough to have the fans wear masks. The city can be fined $150,000 if the judge's order is not obeyed.

This mandate would not only protect fans of the Lions, Clippers and Nationals from exposure to the virus, but it would protect their dignity as fans of those hapless teams.

In the summer, masks will be more comfortable than paper bags.

• TOO MUCH SHAQ -- Finally, there is a benefit to living where there is sand and no beach.

Shaquille O'Neal's new "Shaq VS" show, which pits the giant center against top athletes in their sports, will debut Aug. 18 on ABC.

The first episode tapes Sunday when O'Neal and beach volleyball pro Phil Dalhausser play two-time Olympic gold medalists Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh in beach volleyball at Hermosa Beach in Southern California.

According to LAlist.com, if O'Neal loses, he will walk along the beach for two miles wearing a pink Speedo three sizes too small.

Cover your eyes and hide your children.

COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL