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0 Comments | USA TODAY, July, 2007

Starting five

Today's top stories, recommended reading and hot topics:

1. John Elway: No. 6 in our Top 25 went out a winner

2. World Series of Poker

3. New England Patriots: Super goal and giant expectations

4. Tony Stewart: Ends 20-race victory drought

5. Gary Sheffield: Injects race into talk about Yankees stint

Random thoughts from readers

*Captain Rick on the Phillies' 10,000th loss: "When I die I'm going straight to heaven because they have made me suffer enough on earth."

*b slater on Gary Sheffield: "Sheffield has a chip on his shoulder. But the man can flat hit."

*earthboy on the Patriots' preseason expectations: "The Pats will be good, but it's hard to win with a...