Caught on the fly: welcome to COTF, a rush-the-court-because-you-just-beat-a-mediocre-team-free zone).

Chow for Yao

Before the Rockets-Celtics game last week in Boston, chef Ming Tsai, host of the Food Networks East Meets West, met Yao Ming at the FleetCenter and gave Yao a bag full of delectable items, including a specially prepared Peking duck. In other NBA/food news, there are unconfirmed reports that at the Staples Center last week, Clippers owner Donald Sterling got a visit from The Frugal Gourmet.

Proceed with caution

After two heavenly years, Priest Holmes has grown weary of his contract that calls for a vow of poverty (relatively speaking, of course). The Chiefs are using all the standard lines why they aren't rushing back to the bargaining table--Holmes already has a contract, the defense needs to be addressed first, blah, blah, blah--but the real reason for the stutter steps, K.C. insiders say, is the organization is mighty worried that the 2003 Priest still will be limited from that end-of-2002 hip injury. And that's why you shouldn't do a double take when Dick Vermeil takes out that RB insurance policy a little sooner than expected on draft weekend.

The Lions aren't lying, right?

Not only is Carson Palmer an almost certain lock at No. 1 in the draft, but the mystery slowly is seeping out of the second pick. Steve Mariucci let it slip to Motown reporters that they've all but stitched "ROGERS" on the back of one of those Honolulu blue duds. And it makes perfect sense. He's a local guy, Joey Harrington needs a go-to target, and the offense is desperate for playmakers. So consider yourself a Lion, Charles, because this organization's word is as good as gold. Right, Marty Mornhinweg?

He also wouldn't mind having Clinton Portis, Ed Reed, Phillip Buchanon ...