Nelke takes early lead in pigskin picks game

Week One was won by a wiener-dog whisker.

That's right. The Coeur d'Alene Press isn't just No. 1 in your hearts and your homes. Sports Editor Mark Nelke got out of the chute fastest by going 12-4, nipping four of his All-Star Pigskin Prognosticators by a mere game. Nelke, a devoted dachshund man, will donate four half-page ads in the newspaper to Kootenai Humane Society if he ends up with the best record at the end of the NFL season.

Competition clearly is going to be tough. Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson, Lake City Ford dealer Jim Addis, Paddy's owner Chris Carper and Nosworthy's Hall of Fame boss Kelly Nosworthy finished the first week just one game back at 11-5. The impressive news is that none of the VIP pickers has a losing record. But give 'em time.

On Tuesday, North Idaho College Athletic Director Al Williams was eager to learn how everybody did.

"Where do we find the season standings?" he wrote in an email shared with his fellow gridiron guessers. "I want to know how far my opponents are behind me at the end! Like Satchel Paige said, 'Don't look back!'"

To which Jim Addis, taking a G-rated page from his dad's arsenal of quick quips replied, "Are you so far behind that you think you're in front?"

Week Two, here we come!