-
30 Oct 2009 09:07
Updated: October 30, 2009, 10:43 AM EDTRams looking to replace QB Marc Bulger?
Marc Bulger's days as the Rams' starting quarterback appear to be numbered. The team, which hasn't posted a winning record since 2003, will lug a 17-game losing streak to Detroit on Sunday. And Bulger, 32, hasn't been able to reprise anywhere near the production of his Pro Bowl season in 2006. Barring an extraordinary Bulger rally, the Rams almost certainly will be in the market for a quarterback next year, and possibly very early in the draft. Unless their fortunes reverse dramatically, they'll be at or near the top of the selection list in a year in which the class of top-shelf QBs figures to be strong. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Esera Tuaolo: NFL has more than 10 active gay players
Esera Tuaolo, who was born in Hawaii and was a second-round draft choice by Green Bay after he played collegiately at Oregon State, said there are more than 10 homosexual players in the league today. "I'm not going to tell you how many," he said. "The guys who are in contact with me � and there are others who are anonymous." Because there are 1,696 players on the active rosters of the 32 teams, it is statistically probable that Tuaolo may be underestimating the number of gay NFL players. -- KC Star
Rockies Garrett Atkins to Orioles?
Baltimore is looking for a third baseman after cutting ties with Melvin Mora. Garrett Atkins could be a possibility as a free agent. He could get released before the 40-man roster is set on Nov. 20 or non-tendered soon thereafter. -- Denver Post
Frank McCourt could keep Dodgers ownership thanks to legal document
They are nine words buried in the fine print of a legal document that divides family assets between Frank McCourt and Jamie McCourt. They sit toward the end of a paragraph that lists properties belonging solely to Frank McCourt: "all assets of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team." Jamie McCourt insisted in her divorce filing this week that she is entitled to a share of ownership in the Dodgers. However, she faces an uphill battle in persuading a court to throw out the legal agreement that says otherwise, according to three family law experts surveyed Thursday by The Times. -- LA Times
NBA star motivated from losing at video games
If you had one guess, what would you say is driving Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant this season? The scoring title? An All-Star appearance? A playoff berth? How about video games? "People might not believe me, but when I go home (after practice) I play video games and I lose all the time," Durant said. "And I get so mad that I come back and I want to win everything. Something that small puts that winning mentality into my head."
Celtics get extra time to extend Rajon Rondo
With negotiations still open between the two sides, the Celtics will have more time to work out a deal with Rajon Rondo than they had originally planned. The Oct. 31 deadline to extend players in the fourth year of their rookie contracts was pushed back to Monday, said league spokesman Tim Frank. According to the collective bargaining agreement, should the date of the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, then it would be moved to the next business day. -- Boston Globe
NASCAR keeps guard up for race manipulation
Would it be possible to manipulate the outcome of a NASCAR race or championship? The question surfaced, then quickly headed back to deep water, after Nelson Piquet Jr. was dismissed from the Formula 1 Renault race team in August. The question remains: If a young driver can alter the outcome of a F1 race, why couldn't that happen in stock-car racing? Anything is possible, but it's highly unlikely. NASCAR officials are ever vigilant when it comes to policing the sport. Drivers are fined or punished for the smallest of violations, such as Juan Pablo Montoya's pit road speeding penalty at Indianapolis that kept him from winning the sport's second-biggest event. There is also tons of self-policing, drivers watching other drivers, teams monitoring opposing teams. "Our guys are such competitors that winning races and championships, while maintaining the integrity of the sport, is what they are all about," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. ... NASCAR can't say a race-fix will never happen, but the sanctioning body will do all in its vast power to try to keep it from happening.-- Daytona Beach News-Journal
Mark Martin: Johnson as good as Dale Earnhardt
Mark Martin has called Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson "Superman" and said he brings back memories of seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt. "Yeah, I think he's as good as Dale Earnhardt," Martin said. "It's a different time and a different day and age. But had he been here with me when I was racing Dale Earnhardt in the early '90's for the title, I think Jimmie would have held his ground. In my opinion, it appears to me that he would have held his ground better than I hold mine."
Wife: Ex-Net Jayson Williams needs to be institutionalized
This week ex-New Jersey Nets hot shot Jayson Williams was a no- show in court. Already set for re trial on 2002's fatal shooting of lim ousine driver Costas Christofi, this week's music he didn't want to face was being played by his separated wife, Tanya. He's not paid the child support she's already been awarded. "Clinically, he needs help," Tanya told me. "I think in his heart he wants to do the right thing, but he's gone crazy. Especially with alcohol. He needs to institutionalize himself awhile. "When he had the resources and celebrity to hide it, he could mask those insecurities. When he's rational we're in touch, but there's mental illness. He's stonewalling everything in our divorce. And now he went AWOL on this court appearance where he was to declare his liquid assets and pay up. He's not taking care of the children and me at all. I have nothing. I'm not looking for pity. Just for what's right. "Look, I know him half my life. We dated in college. I know him to be narcissistic, but he could hide it. Could keep up a façade. He admitted to me he's a master manipulator and people don't see that side of him. He has the ability to charm you. But the second alcohol, Ambien and those prescription pills doctors give him gets to him . . . look out. I told him, do this divorce quickly because if you go to a psychiatrist, you'll really be in trouble." -- NY Post
NFL star spotted doing tequila shots in a private suite during University of Miami game
Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis was spotted doing tequila shots in a private suite at Land Shark Stadium last weekend. I guess he couldn't bear watching his alma mater, the University of Miami, lose to Clemson. But then some skinny knucklehead in the suite found nothing better to do than taunt Lewis. Why? Simply because Lewis quit throwing down. Even if the Ravens were off, Lewis is still in-season. "What's with you?" the unconscious (and drunk) fan asked. "Are you a pussy or something?" Lewis, who's 250 pounds and once was believed to have killed someone (he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge), looked at the dude in the eyes and told him: "And you're a real funny guy!" Believe it or not, Lewis walked away. No one was hurt. -- Palm Beach Post
Bobby Bowden didn't 'not' say he would coach UAB
Why do I believe Bobby Bowden will not be the next head football coach at UAB? Lots of reasons. Here's one: He didn't say he wouldn't be. Taking over a program has become a 12-step program all its own. One of the key steps is denial. Bowden violated what should be one of the cardinal rules of his profession after a Florida State practice this week. He addressed Internet speculation. He laughed at it, but still. In this case, he was asked about the informed speculation or irresponsible rumor -- you be the judge -- that he might just take his ball after this season and come home. To the town where he was born. To UAB. -- Birmingham News
Vols Monte Kiffin: "I ain't retiring"
University of Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin had a simple answer to a web of rumors about his future intentions. "I ain't retiring," Kiffin said Thursday. Monte said he didn't coach 25 years in the NFL then leave for Tennessee so he could get more experience and go back to the NFL either. Both rumors have been working their way in recruiting circles about Lane Kiffin's 68 year old father. -- WBIR
Search the Site
