Endangered species: Does anybody else find it strange that the Bucks didn't lose a game during Wisconsin's gun deer hunting season? Now that it's over, the Bucks are reeling. Losses to Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York and Detroit do not constitute good preparation for a lengthy trip to the West Coast. It's hard to get too worked up about the NBA regular season, but it's fascinating to see a team undergo such a dramatic swing in such a short time.

Question of the day: Which impending free agent would Wisconsin fans least like to lose after the 2008 season: Brewers pitcher Ben Sheets or Packers backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers?

Discuss.

Hot corner, hot rumor: Speculation continues to swirl around a possible deal that would bring St. Louis veteran third baseman Scott Rolen to the Brewers.

Rolen, who has had injury problems and a conflict with Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa, is exactly the kind of elder statesman that budding teams like the Brewers seek out to put them over the edge.

Potential snags in making the deal: Rolen's health; his salary of about $12 million per season (the Redbirds would have to pick up a portion); and, what the Cardinals would ask for in return (Chris Capuano and Bill Hall have been mentioned as trade candidates).

The winter meetings begin Monday in Nashville. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who is on the brink of signing David Riske to a three-year deal, will be a busy / popular guy.

Nall or nothing: A day after they announced that Brett Favre will not miss a game because of the elbow / shoulder injuries that sidelined him Thursday night in Dallas, the Packers signed quarterback Craig Nall to be their third quarterback.

Somebody has to hold the clipboard, right? Think of it this way: had Rodgers gotten hurt Thursday night, the Packers would have had to have reinserted Favre into the game or used Ruvell Martin as their emergency QB.

Memory lane: During his time with Pittsburgh, new Brewers catcher Jason Kendall was involved in two unforgettable plays at first base. Coincidentally, both came against Milwaukee.

On July 4, 1999, a steamy-hot day at Three Rivers Stadium, Kendall tried to bunt for a hit against Brewers right-hander Steve Woodard, who was throwing a no-hitter at the time. When he got to first base, Kendall landed awkwardly on his ankle and suffered a gruesome compound dislocation. The bone in his ankle was sticking through his sock. Brewers first baseman Mark Loretta almost threw up. Kendall missed the rest of the season.

On June 26, 2001, Kendall was again trying to leg out an infield hit against Milwaukee when he was called out by umpire Rick Reed on a close play. Lloyd McClendon, the Pirates' manager at the time, was so enraged by the call that he tore first base out of the ground and walked off the field with it.

"I remember I was safe," Kendall said. "And Mac just lost it. That was really unbelievable. It's going to be shown on the highlight films for ever."

Kendall, who finished last season with the Cubs, won't have trouble feeling at home in Milwaukee. When he broke in the with the Pirates in 1996, Brewers bench coach Ted Simmons was his general manager and third base coach Dale Sveum was a veteran teammate. Jack Zduriencik was the scouting director. Kendall also caught Jeff Suppan when the veteran right-hander was with the Pirates.