"If you guys in the Contra Costa Times let Al off the hook for this terrible embarrassing idiotic draft it will be a sin. This is got to be one of the worst drafts EVER!!! Please, rip him and the organization a new one. This horrible. Don't let them off the hook. I'm so mortified." -- Harold R

OK, so you got mocked at your buddies' draft party. But give it a few years before we really call this a "terrible, embarrassing, idiotic" draft. And if that holds true, we Al, er, all know who made it so.

"I am not an expert, but what is wrong with doing the obvious and taking Crabtree, he's got size, he can catch and I bet he runs pretty fast. Nice one niners. Good luck Raiders, we're gonna need it." Mike in Hayward

I am not an expert, either, but I think the Niners are gonna need luck, also. First-round wide receivers often go bust, and we get front-row seats for this ensuing drama of Michael Crabtree vs. Darrius Heyward-Bey.

"All Nolan and McCellan (Editor's note: Actually, it's McCloughan) have done is draft linebackers. Your article sucks - a linebacker pass rusher is retarded. A defensive lineman would be OK, but another linebacker is simply retarded. If the 49ers draft another linebacker, they will suck for another 3 years." Gustafson

You got your wish, as the 49ers didn't listen to my outcries for another pass-rushing linebacker. But they still might suck for another three years, and more.

"I had no idea John (Madden) was older than I am. Then again, at times I think Lombardi is still coaching Green Bay and George Halas is at Chicago. John is a giant in a sport with a few real Giants and a lot of giant wannabes. It is hard to imagine the NFL without Madden. I will miss him almost as much as I miss my best dog. Your piece on his announcement was wonderful." John in Hay Market, Va.

John helped make the NFL into the wonderful success it is. The league will miss him, too.

"I'd just like to compliment you on your article about John Madden and say this man will totally be missed. Also, congratulations to NBC on their hiring of Cris Collinsworth to replace him. Great choice! Now, if NBC would just replace Bob Costas I'd say they were on a roll." Karl T.

Collinsworth won a Sports Emmy just this week. Madden racked up 16 before his retirement. Both are masters at their craft.

"Thanks for a great article. It helps this fan feel better about John Madden's retirement. I was so upset! I am the wife of an avid Football fan who became a fan herself because of John Madden." Maureen D.

Great example of how Madden helped the NFL's popularity. He also had a huge carry-over effect through his EA Sports video game.

"Of all the stories written yesterday and today on John, nobody captured him as well as you did." Adam at NBC.

Thanks, Adam. I was great at capture-the-flag as a kid, too.

"Thinking of John Madden's retirement brings full meaning to the phrase sung by Jimmy Durante -- Thanks for the memories." Alex in Williams, Ore.

Surely you recall Durante put out an album called, "Songs for Sunday." Well, Madden sang the NFL's tune on Sundays for three decades (aside from those few years on "Monday Night Football").

"I was disappointed to see you covered just about everything regarding John Madden except his Newfoundland dogs." Berry B. in Oak Harbor, Wash.

Doggone it, I can't believe I left something out.

"I like Shaun Hill as a player, but he's not a franchise QB. Alex Smith was gut wrenching to watch, even when healthy." Arthur G.

Enjoy your 2009 49ers quarterback derby, Arthur.

"Wow Cam, if I'm reading today's article correctly, you'd take/keep Ja-Hugeness Russell over Jay Cutler. What have you seen in Russell's short body of work that makes you think he is or has the potential to be a Pro Bowl QB?" Joe P.

Wow, one line you say Russell is huge, then next you say he has a short body. If he can get that body (see: mind, torso, knees) to round into Pro Bowl form like his big arm, he indeed has Pro Bowl potential.

"San Jose Sharks getting ready to compete in the tough NHL Playoff gauntlets, and I'm wishing them lots of luck. Are the Warriors, Raiders, 49ers , A's, Giants ... or anybody else, for that matter, getting ready for their end of season Playoffs for the Championships ????" Dick A. in Antioch

Sorry about the month delay to your e-mail, but, well, now the Sharks are like our other flailing franchises who don't have a championship in sight.

"Mr. Inman, good article and Bochy should be on a short leash this year, but Sabean should be cut before Bochy shouldn't he? After all, he is the one who did nothing to get a bat for the middle of the lineup, which is the team's biggest need." Mr. Sekino

A 10-10 start is acceptable, and I bet an 82-82 finish would keep Brian Sabean employed at 24 Willie Mays Plaza. But Bruce Bochy is still going to be the scapegoat for another season without a playoff trip.

"When we get/develop a QB, and things turn around, let's remember to blame Al for that too." Bruce

You say "remember" as if you're expecting many more ugly years before finding that franchise-turning quarterback for the Raiders. Your pal Al thinks he already has that QB in JaMarcus Russell.

"Lame article." Anonymous, regarding the Raiders' wise signing of backup quarterback Jeff Garcia.

If you thought that was lame, can't wait to hear your response for this column!

Look for Cam Inman's Web-only "Candid Cam" takes whenever there's a breaking sports story, or whenever Cam's got something to say _ in short, just about every day. You can reach Cam at www.twitter.com/CamInman.