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07 Nov 2009 22:25
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07 Nov 2009 05:24
Updated: November 6, 2009, 10:28 AM EST -
06 Nov 2009 07:00
Updated: November 6, 2009, 9:58 AM ESTDolphins LB Porter says refs have different rules for Patriots QB Tom Brady
On NFL Network, Joey Porter went off when host Rich Eisen asked the Dolphins' linebacker whether league officials have a different set of rules for Patriots' Tom Brady than other quarterbacks and players in the league. "No question. When a guy can tell a ref to throw a flag, and he gets it, he's got his own rules," Porter said. "They made the rule that you don't go at the legs for Tom, so when he feels that someone is going at his legs, he just points to the ref and he gets a flag. So I can honestly say that he gets his own rules." The NFL voted this past offseason to adjust a rule and now prohibits players who are already on the ground from lunging at a quarterback if a play is still going on; since that is precisely the kind of thing Bernard Pollard did, tearing Brady's ACL and MCL last Sept. 7, it is called the Brady rule. Porter is not the first player to say this season that Brady calls for -- and receives -- fouls; Baltimore also made that claim after its loss in Foxboro last month. -- Providence Journal
Redskins DeAngelo Hall calls Falcons GM a liar
Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, while speaking to the Washington media on Thursday, fired a shot at Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. "I didn't trust Dimitroff at all," Hall said. "He lied to me several times. He promised me he was going to get something done [on a contract] and he's behind my back trying to shop me at the draft." In his first major move, Dimitroff traded Hall to the Oakland Raiders on March 7, 2008 for a second round and fifth round pick. Hall, a two-time Pro Bowler, with the Falcons was later cut by the Raiders and signed by the Redskins.
Cards GM expects Matt Holliday to reach open market
The Cardinals have 15 days all to themselves to woo Matt Holliday, the free-agent outfielder the club publicly has called a "high priority" to re-sign. But the Cardinals are pragmatic about the real value of an eleventh-hour sales pitch before Holliday and the other free agents hit the open market in two weeks. That's what the previous three months were for. "We need to spend some time with Matt and his agent and share what our vision is, what we have to offer, and at some point I'm sure we will," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "But at the same time, that's part of why we traded for him, to get him here, and at some point you'd think he has a pretty good idea of what we have to offer. ... Most players, if they haven't agreed to terms at this point, it means they are working their way to the open market." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jose Canseco wants to fight Alex Rodriguez: "I'll beat him to a pulp"
Former Red Sox slugger and notorious steroid user Jose Canseco was in Springfield Thursday night to weigh-in for his Friday night Celebrity Boxing fight. While it's always fascinating for me to interview guys I grew up mimicking in the backyard during wiffle ball games, I came into this one knowing that Canseco has become a human caricature. I didn't expect to be wowed by anything philosophical, or even bowled over by his charm. Another thing I didn't expect was for him to call out Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez on video. Which is exactly what he did, adding he would "beat (Rodriguez) to a pulp." He finished his rant - all of which was done in good fun with a smile on his face - saying "That lying little idiot. I'd like to get him in the ring." -- The Republican (Springfield, Mass)
LeBron James unofficial recruiting visit.to New York
This may only seem like a basketball game to everybody else, but for the Knicks, their fans and the city, tonight represents LeBron James' unofficial recruiting visit. "I've never teased the New York media by saying I was coming to New York or playing for the Knicks," James said Thursday. "I say the same thing every time. When July 1 gets here, I'm going to approach it like a businessman and approach it for the best fit for LeBron and his family. I've been a Cav for seven years now and I've never given any indication I was leaving. ... I did the three-year contract for a reason, I'm going to leave my options open." James, who can become the prized catch of the 2010 free-agent class, is expected to decide between re-signing with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and rescuing the downtrodden Knicks. And since James and the new-look Cavaliers, featuring Shaquille O'Neal at center, make their one and only trip to the Garden tonight, this is the last chance for the Knicks to make a lasting impression. The fact that the game falls on the same day the Yankees will be honored with a parade up Broadway is a stroke of luck. James is a huge Yankees fan and is close to Sabathia. Asked if he would attend today's Yankee celebration, James told Cleveland reporters, "No, my parade starts at 8 at night." -- NY Daily News
Skills Kobe Bryant learned from NBA great Hakeem Olajuwon paying off
Each time he backed down Houston's Shane Battier in the post and then deftly spun around him for a layup Wednesday night, Kobe Bryant jogged up court staring into the same pocket of fans seated courtside across from the scorer's table. The man who met his gaze knew exactly the message Bryant was trying to convey. "He looked at me to confirm, 'I'm using what you taught me,' " Hakeem Olajuwon said. "That was the greatest gift for me. It was wonderful." Hoping to improve his footwork on the low block and add a few new moves to his repertoire, Bryant e-mailed Olajuwon this summer and asked if the legendary former Houston center would work with him on his post game. Just a week before training camp began in September, the master of the "Dream Shake" enthusiastically obliged, giving Bryant a two-hour step-by-step lesson on everything from head fakes and ball fakes to spin moves and jab steps. -- Riverside Press-Enterprise
McMurray win might accelerate contract talks with Ganassi
Jamie McMurray 's victory Sunday in the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega might accelerate his contract talks with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing. Both sides apparently have agreed to terms, but they're struggling to convince sponsor Bass Pro Shops that McMurray fits their rugged outdoor persona. -- Augusta Chronicle
Joey Logano: I've gotten used to being a young star
Joey Logano on being a celebrity at age 19. "I've gotten used to being a young star. All of my friends are doing something in racing and they know what I'm going through. I think that's kind of cool because they treat me like a normal Joe. Going into NASCAR at a real quick rate, it's just the one thing I've always wanted to do my whole life." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Yankees Joba Chamberlain enjoys $30k bottle of Methuselah champagne
Hours after dispatching the Phillies, the Yankees went on to win the World Champagne-ship. The players, their families and friends knocked off dozens of bottles of bubbly as they partied until dawn at the Chelsea hot spot 1OAK yesterday while adoring clubgoers cheered them on. 1OAK gave pitcher Joba Chamberlain a $30,000 9-liter bottle of Methuselah champagne to share with everyone in the house, much to the amusement of catcher Jorge Posada. First baseman Mark Teixeira and pitcher A.J. Burnett also joined in on the festivities. All told, some 200 bottles of champagne were polished off.
NBA star works with J-Lo, Kim Kardashian's fitness guru
Carmelo Anthony again spent time this past summer with Beverly Hills-based Gunnar Peterson, fitness guru to such personalities as Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian and Hugh Jackman. His six-week program there, in addition to work with the Nuggets' training staff, led to a drop in body fat from 8.6 to seven percent and a drop in weight from 240 pounds to 228. It has gotten to the point where former Heat guard Anthony Carter, now a Nuggets reserve, has taken to calling Anthony "Slim." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Tennessee players upset with Memphis coach over Lane Kiffin joke
The punch line might not be clear. But Tennessee understands the premise and the target, and it clearly isn't pleased. Copies of a joke Memphis coach Tommy West told at a preseason banquet about Vols coach Lane Kiffin have been plastered around the locker room and the practice field since Monday. And though the story might not make too much sense or be all that funny, the Vols have made clear they're offended heading into Saturday's home game.
Colorado's Dan Hawkins heading into fourth consecutive losing season
Unless Dan Hawkins transforms his 2-6 Colorado Buffaloes into the 2001 Miami Hurricanes this month, he will have his fourth consecutive losing season. There's no shame in that. He has plenty of company. Since 1980, 82 Division I-A coaches have come to a school and had losing seasons in their first four years. However, those who survived much longer are few and far between. Of the 82, 24 were fired soon after the season, or, in the rare case of Vanderbilt's Gerry DiNardo -- who scored a job at LSU -- went elsewhere. Of the 58 who survived past Year 4, 34 were fired after their fifth year. -- Denver Post
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05 Nov 2009 15:16
Updated: November 5, 2009, 10:01 AM ESTTom Cable's Raiders job appears safe, at least for now
Tom Cable worked under the assumption he would survive as head coach through the bye week, even as the Raiders continued their "serious evaluation" of domestic-abuse claims against him. "Yes," Cable said when asked if he expected to remain the head coach in the midst of his second round of assault allegations in three months. Cable said he spoke with Raiders owner Al Davis after Monday's news conference. They discussed team and personnel matters, and they discussed the abuse allegations made against Cable by an ex-wife and ex-girlfriend. -- SF Chronicle
John Riggins says Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is 'a bad guy'
Redskins Hall of Famer John Riggins as a guest on Showtime's "Inside The NFL," asked by host James Brown asked why he's been so outspoken about Dan Snyder and the Redskins. "I've been asked this question a lot, when they say do you have an ax to grind? And I think any time an older player criticizes or says anything about his former team, unless he's throwing Bon Mots at them, that all of a sudden you get a, 'What's he griping at?' type of thing. Maybe that's the case. But truthfully, I do have an ax to grind and I just realized I have been a little bit disingenuous. But this is a bad guy that owns this team. I'll just tell you that upfront. Bad guy. And if the Commissioner is worried about potential new owners and saying some of these guys shouldn't apply, he might want to police his own inside guys...." --Washington Post
Phillies undecided on extension for Cliff Lee
The Phillies have not yet decided whether to offer a contract extension to pitcher Cliff Lee this off-season, but they have discussed the possibility internally. "Clearly, it's on our minds, but we haven't made a decision if we will yet," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said yesterday. "Naturally, you have to think about it, but we're more focused on him pitching in this series." The club holds a $9 million option on Lee for 2010, after which the 31-year-old lefthander will become a free agent - unless he and the Phillies agree on an extension between now and then. -- Philadelphia Inquirer
Brewers J.J. Hardy to Twins?
If the Twins can't re-sign free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, it would be surprising if they don't consider Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy, who is expendable due to the emergence of Alcides Escobar. Lefty starter Glen Perkins would seem a likely bet to be included if there were an offer to the Brewers.
NBA free agent Wally Szczerbiak has surgery, likely retiring
The unsigned Wally Szczerbiak told The Post yesterday he underwent knee surgery three weeks ago at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and is seriously considering retiring in the coming weeks. The surgeons have told the Cold Spring Harbor product another knee injury could affect his ability to lead a normal life because he lacks enough cartilage in the knee after three surgeries. A source said the decision's been all but made to retire because he wants to be able to play with his kids. But Szczerbiak said yesterday an official decision hasn't been reached. "I'm not ready to sign my retirement papers yet," he said. "The doctors have their opinions. I'm getting my body right and see where that takes me. Basketball's been very generous to me financially. It's not about the money." -- NY Post
Charles Oakley wants to coach in NBA?
Charles Oakley suggested in a pre-game media session he might like to coach in the NBA. Then he sounded like he was already a general manager when asked how to construct a team. "I like young guys, willing to do the right thing, that's the No. 1," he said. "These guys don't want to listen, they don't want to buy in. You try to get seven, eight guys you believe in, five guys you can trust and three guys who like what you say all the time. That's how you get to be a winner. Get guys on the same page every night." -- Toronto Star
NASCAR says racing in Milwaukee still possible
Despite the latest setback in signing a new race promoter, racing at the Milwaukee Mile in 2010 remains a possibility, a NASCAR spokesman said Wednesday. After a three-month process, Historic Mile LLC informed State Fair Park on Tuesday that it could not secure the financing necessary and would withdraw as the prospective promoter. Almost immediately, park management turned its attention to a group led by Frank Giuffre, a former promoter, and his brother, Dominic. That group was rejected in August, when the park board of directors instead chose to sign a letter of intent with Historic Mile. The racetrack is on the agenda of a fair board meeting Friday. "We're in touch with the fair board, and Milwaukee is a very important market to us and we're considering every option available," said Ramsey Poston, managing director of corporate communications for NASCAR. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
NASCAR drivers onboard for Formula One style qualifying
One idea being to generate excitement is to look at the way Formula One qualifies. Instead of a single car, single run F1 qualifying uses a timed 'knockout' system. During a break in Goodyear tire testing at Daytona Tuesday, drivers Jamie McMurray, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series most recent winner and 2004 champion Kurt Busch talked about the F1 style of qualifying in NASCAR. "I think they would have to do it a little bit different," said McMurrary who admits he watches Formula One. "I wish our qualifying would be like 30 minutes long or an hour long, kind of like the way we practice, where maybe you don't do a draw, because the draw at a lot of places really hurts you. I think it would be interesting to have an hour of a kind of free for all. It would be a little different at Daytona and Talladega because of the drafting, but at some of the other tracks...
Singer Mary J. Blidge had never been to a baseball game before singing anthem at World Series
Just hours before her performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at the deciding sixth match between New York's Yankees and their Philadelphia opponents, the R 'n' B singer said: "I have never been to a baseball game." The New York-born Blige, wearing a World Series jacket and a Yankees jersey, said: "I have never done it before, so I'm kind of nervous. "But I'm mostly excited because this is my hometown. I was born in Fordham Hospital [New York] in the Bronx, so I'm just happy that [the Yankees] picked me to do this." -- London Telegraph
NBA player: nothing real about Khloe Kardashian reality show
Journeyman NBA player Rashad McCants says there was nothing real about his stint on former girlfriend Khloe Kardashian's reality show. The shooting guard said Khloe and sister Kourtney, who claimed he cheated on Khloe, "made the whole thing up." McCants said a "Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami" episode -- where they were seen hacking into McCants' voice mail and listening to suggestive phone messages apparently left for him by a female fan -- was staged. He said the curvy sisters did not have his current phone number and he and Khloe "had already called it quits" in January, before the segment was even taped. Meanwhile, Khloe wasted no time finding herself another NBA star to play ball -- she wed the LA Lakers' Lamar Odom in September, after a monthlong romance. -- NY Post
Georgia AD backs coach Mark Richt
Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said Wednesday that the stormy reaction of UGA fans to the Bulldogs' 4-4 record is "understandable" but expressed confidence that coach Mark Richt "will lead us through this adversity." "This season has been one that is very, very difficult for us, not what we are used to," said Evans, who called last week's loss to Florida "a sore spot." Evans echoed Richt's position that the appropriate course of action at this point is to focus on each remaining game -- not on fans' calls for changes to Richt's staff. "We are in a business that is very public," Evans said in an interview with the AJC. "When things go wrong, there are different reactions that come from people. But our head coach is very good at what he does, and I have the utmost confidence Mark Richt will continue to lead us in the right direction. "I have confidence in our head coach to make decisions with his program, as I always have. ... I don't think right now is the time for us to talk about staff changes or anything of that nature. What we need to focus on is the task at hand. ... I know [Richt] will evaluate his program at the end of the season, as he always does." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Vols Lane Kiffin adds some new shots at Gators Urban Meyer
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin seemed skeptical that Florida coach Urban Meyer would be severely punished for his recent criticism of the SEC's much-maligned football officials. "Urban Meyer?" Kiffin deadpanned following practice Wednesday when asked of Meyer's comments. "Criticized the officials, wow, that will be interesting. We'll see." The SEC sent out a memo to member schools and media that threatened coaches with fines and suspensions if they publicly criticized officials. Asked if Kiffin was under the impression that the public criticism was supposed to stop, he said, "You guys got the same memo that I got." -- Knoxville News Sentinel
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04 Nov 2009 23:05
Updated: November 4, 2009, 10:22 AM ESTNFL RUMORS AND NOTES
Legal battle could follow Browns' ouster of GM Kokinis
The ominous silence over Monday's ouster of Browns General Manager George Kokinis could signal a legal battle over money still due Kokinis. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Tuesday that the Browns were seeking dismissal ''for cause.'' On Monday, Mortensen reported that the Browns were trying to work out a settlement with Kokinis in which he would resign, but that Kokinis refused. Terms of his contract were never disclosed after Kokinis, handpicked by coach Eric Mangini, was hired on Jan. 23. Mangini avoided almost all questions about Kokinis, even though they had been friends for years. Those ties might have been severed in recent weeks. Kokinis' father, Pete, was Mangini's wrestling coach at Bulkeley High School in Hartford, Conn. Kokinis and Mangini were roommates in a Berea apartment when they broke into the NFL as Browns interns in 1994. Kokinis served on the board of directors of Mangini's foundation. -- Akron Beacon Journal
Raiders owner Al Davis ready to fire Cable?
If you're Al Davis (yikes!), what do you do? His team is 2-6 and at another dead end. He is still employing -- as of last check -- Tom Cable, the ultimate dead-ender coach. Davis has to be embarrassed by the recent reports about Cable's alleged history of violence against women, and Al is justifiably proud about his public and private stances against such behavior. He surely is readying a case to fire Cable "for cause." He knows that his franchise, even as low as it has sunk, will be better off without this baggage. But Davis also knows that Cable will be his second coach fired "for cause" in 14 months, after the Raiders sliced out Lane Kiffin in September last year. -- San Jose Mercury News
MLB RUMORS AND NOTES
Cito Gaston: Hopefully Jays can get something for Halladay before he leaves
Trying to trade Roy Halladay before he potentially walks away as a free agent is a realistic scenario for the Blue Jays. Asked for his gut feeling about Halladay's future on Saturday, Cito Gaston once again reiterated Halladay's wish to play in the postseason. Given Toronto's current situation, making a run at the World Series seems like more of a long-term goal. "My gut is that I think Doc wants to be on a winning team," Gaston said. "He's probably sitting there looking at A.J. [Burnett] out there pitching [for the Yankees in the World Series], knowing that that's where he'd like to be. It's not about money with Doc. It's about him being on a winning team. "I can't speak for Doc, but my gut feeling is if he's here next year with us, then he'll probably leave after next year. Hopefully, if that's the case, then we can get something for him before he leaves." -- BlueJays.com
Josh Beckett meeting with Red Sox about Fenway future
Josh Beckett, who was in Boston to be honored for his commitment to Children's Hospital, told WEEI.com that he and his agent, Michael Moye, are planning to meet with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein in the coming weeks to discuss the . pitcher's future with the team. "We're just letting things die down a little bit," Beckett said. Beckett is entering the last year of his contract with the Red Sox after having his option for the 2010 season vest thanks to making 28 starts in '09. -- WEEI
NBA RUMORS AND NOTES
Pistons dealing Tayshuan Prince, Jason Maxiell?
It was curious when Tayshaun Prince was a late scratch Tuesday due to what the team reported as a lower back strain, and Jason Maxiell didn't play against Orlando. Was there a trade in the works? Were they considering packaging Prince and Maxiell for another expiring contract that could help them next summer in the free-agent shopping market? Pistons GM Joe Dumars shot down the suspicions, insisting there are no deals looming. He figures that the Pistons already have enough new faces. -- Detroit Free Press
George Karl: NBA picks on Denver Nuggets
Denver coach George Karl is frustrated by the NBA's suspension of Kenyon Martin for Saturday's game against Sacramento, expressing that the NBA has "picked on" the Nuggets when it comes to suspensions and league rulings. Martin was called for a technical foul Tuesday when he smacked Phoenix's Boris Diaw on the face, but Thursday the league declared it was a flagrant foul, which pushed Martin over the limit for flagrant points earned in a season. The penalty is a one-game suspension, which will be served right in the heart of the playoff race. "We get picked on," said Karl, whose team is in the eighth and final playoff game, a game ahead of Golden State. "I think there's a harder core judgment to our guys than to some other guys. Maybe we've earned that, I don't know." -- Denver Post
NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES
Kurt Busch: NASCAR needs to focus on new generation racecar
Sunday at Talladega two cars flipped, the Chevy's raced by Ryan Newman and Mark Martin. According to Kurt Busch, NASCAR needs to focus on the new generation racecar that was introduced fulltime to the series in 2007. "It's 'careful what you ask for'" Busch said. "We wanted bigger greenhouses to protect the drivers but ultimately all a bigger greenhouse does is create a bigger parachute for the air to grab when the car turns around in reverse that's why the cars are lifting a little easier. Do we need better roof flap systems? That's something we need to look at. Cars are definitely flipping over too easily." -- Examiner
NASCAR official critical of ABC's race coverage
A NASCAR official criticized ABC's broadcast of Sunday's Talladega race, stating in a blog that the network "missed a lot of very good racing." ABC defended its coverage in a statement Tuesday, saying: "We feel we had a strong telecast." Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications, didn't see it that way. "The ABC broadcasters certainly weren't happy with the race and they felt compelled to remind viewers of that virtually every lap," Poston wrote Monday night on NASCAR.com. "They seemed to blame NASCAR's enforcement of the rule prohibiting bump-drafting in the corners for every moment they didn't like. Along the way, ABC missed a lot of very good racing. "... Interestingly, a caller on Sirius NASCAR Satellite Radio (Monday) morning said that he first watched the race on ABC then listened to the MRN broadcast and said, 'It was like two different races,' referring to the excitement and action portrayed on the radio broadcast." -- Virginian-Pilot
ODD NOTES AND STUFF
Vikings Brett Favre turns down Leno, Letterman TV shows
Brett Favre is so focused on winning games this season that the Vikings QB has respectfully declined guest appearances on the Jay Leno and David Letterman TV shows. -- Pioneer Press
MLB sells prime World Series seats to lawmakers, congressional aides at face value
Tickets for Wednesday's World Series game are nearly impossible to come by at face value. But that isn't the case if you are a member of Congress or one of their aides. Federal lawmakers and people who work for them have gotten their hands on scores of tickets to the sold-out World Series games this year between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies courtesy of a perk not available to the public. Major League Baseball and the teams sell a limited number of prime seats to lawmakers and congressional aides at face value, often hundreds of dollars less than the going rate. The league has sold about 75 World Series tickets to a total of 15 lawmakers or aides in the past week, according to Pat Courtney, a spokesman for Major League Baseball. Mr. Courtney declined to identify which lawmakers and aides sought the tickets. Because the recipients pay for the tickets, the offer complies with ethics rules for Congress and the executive branch. The arrangement, however, highlights what some ethics watchdogs say is a loophole in recently tightened congressional ethics rules, which ban officials from receiving just about any gifts. -- Wall Street Journal
COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES
Houston QB Keenum could pass on NFL draft for another year of college
Case Keenum has been steadfast in intention to quarterback the Houston Cougars again in 2010. While Keenum has the red-blooded college football player's dream of playing in the NFL, he is more than willing to wait. "It's definitely a thing that would be cool to do one day," Keenum said. "But who knows? I feel that's a long way away." -- Houston Chronicle
Colorado RB Scott's interest in UCLA is 'really high'
The news of Colorado running back Darrell Scott's possible transfer to UCLA sent Bruin message boards and chat rooms into a tizzy Tuesday. Scott was the consensus top running back recruit in the nation after his senior year at St. Bonaventure of Ventura after transferring from Moorpark High before the season. He considered attending UCLA out of high school but ultimately picked Colorado over Texas, Florida and LSU. The Bruins are mentioned as a possible destination after the transfer of Scott's uncle, wide receiver Josh Smith, from Colorado in early September. Smith has been a standout on the scout team during his redshirt season and is expected to fight for a starting position next year. Smith would not comment on the situation. -- LA Daily News
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04 Nov 2009 06:17
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03 Nov 2009 10:37
Updated: November 3, 2009, 11:15 AM ESTAccorsi could be brought into bigger role with Browns
Ernie Accorsi has been in touch with Browns owner Randy Lerner in the past week or two. Accorsi has been offering advice and help as Lerner tries to right his organization after a brutally bad first half of the season. It's very possible and likely that Lerner would ask Accorsi -- formerly a general manager of the New York Giants and Browns -- to become more involved with the team on a full-time basis. It's not known if Accorsi would take a full-time job, or if he would act as a consultant. But Accorsi and former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar have a relationship dating to Kosar's playing days.-- Akron Beacon Journal
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell seeks Congressional amendment to avoid future Williams suits
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants Congress to amend the Labor Management Relations Act to protect the league's collective bargaining agreement from state-law challenges such as those Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams are using to fight their suspensions. Goodell plans to testify to a House subcommittee today that changes are necessary so players cannot use state law to circumvent the sport's drug-testing policies and gain unfair advantage over their fellow competitors. "A narrow and targeted amendment would preserve the rights of sports leagues and their player associations to negotiate and administer effective anti-drug and steroid programs," Goodell said in an opening statement for the subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. -- Pioneer Press
David Ortiz: I want to finish my career with Red Sox
David Ortiz is entering the final year of a four-year, $52 million deal that will pay him $12.5 million for 2010. The club holds a $12.5 million option for 2011, but it's a safe bet the Red Sox won't exercise it if he repeats last year's performance. "Everybody is used to seeing me hitting 40 homers with 140 RBI," Ortiz said. "But I tell you, anybody will take 30 and 100. If I hit two more homers and get one more RBI next year than I did this year, what are people going to say? "The numbers are always going to be there. And if you don't sign with somebody, someone else will sign you. That's how it goes." That said, Ortiz made it clear he hopes to remain with the Red Sox next year and beyond. "I want to finish my career here," he said. "I think I still have another three or four good years in me. It's not like I'm going to play until I'm 50, but I know I can still swing the bat. All I know is last year I had the worst two months of my career and still almost ended up at 30 and 100."
Jamie McCourt seeks to remove Dodgers from divorce hearing
Jamie McCourt argued in a motion Monday that the Dodgers should not be a party in a divorce hearing, asking the court to throw out papers filed in the team's name that "unnecessarily and gratuitously attack" her. The motion is expected to be considered Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court as part of a hearing to determine the validity of McCourt's demand for immediate reinstatement as the Dodgers' chief executive. Frank McCourt, her estranged husband, fired her two weeks ago. After she filed for divorce last week, he responded in a filing that her reinstatement would be "akin to throwing a bomb into a crowded room." -- LA Times
Jazz CEO: Carlos Boozer could get new contract
Jazz CEO Greg Miller even was asked about possibility of a new contract for Carlos Boozer next offseason -- something seemingly unfathomable last summer. "I wouldn't rule it out," he said, "and it's ... (because) we always want to be as competitive as we can be. "There's no personal hard feelings against Carlos," Miller added, "and if we could come to terms economically, and Carlos wanted to be here, and we felt that Carlos was still in a point in his career where he could help us win, we would absolutely entertain an opportunity to bring him back." -- Deseret News
Mavericks forward Drew Gooden allegedly yelled homophobic slur
Heckling by Los Angeles Clippers fans may have led to the Mavericks' Drew Gooden saying some allegedly insensitive comments during the Mavericks' game at Staples Center on Saturday. Gooden did not play and was dressed in street clothes behind the bench. According to the Web site Outsports.com, Gooden yelled a homophobic slur at a pair of fans seated near the Mavericks bench. The Web site said Gooden yelled the slur at actor Chris Wylde, who is married and is not gay and was attending the game with a friend. Owner Mark Cuban would not comment, but e-mailed Wylde, according to the Web site, and said the team would deal with Gooden internally. -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Kyle Busch plans to cut back schedule next year
Whether Kyle Busch wins the Nationwide Series title this year, he won't be around to defend it in 2010. He plans to cut back his schedule next year. In addition to his regular Sprint Cup schedule, he plans to drive in 24 Nationwide races and 14 in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He says the reduced time in the other series can help him attain his ultimate goal: a Sprint Cup title. "Taking a little out of the schedule should help because I won't have to do as much traveling back and forth," he said. "Maybe the biggest thing that's hindered my performance is spending time away from the [Sprint Cup] team and crew chief. We need to do what we can do to make it better." -- Dallas Morning News
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: restrictor-plate racing like lottery
Some fans are just discovering what drivers have said for years: Restrictor-plate racing is not true racing. In its effort to put on a show, NASCAR has created reality programming, but with no basis in reality. Safety measures keep cars artificially close and render the idea of the fastest car winning absurd at this track. "I feel like racing here with the (Car of Tomorrow) and the plate is a lottery," Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. "We show up to bust our (rear) and work hard to get our cars to handle and drive right and do right everywhere else, but when you come here, you just sit in the bus and wait for the (darn) race to start and see what you're number is at the end of the deal. It's a lottery." -- Virginian-Pilot
CBS sportscaster Nantz ordered to pay $1M in alimony, child support
CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz will have to pay his estranged wife nearly $1 million a year in alimony and child support, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday. While Judge Howard Owens states in a nine-page decision that a large part of testimony before him by Nantz and his wife, Lorrie, related to faults for the breakdown of their 26-year-old marriage, he ruled the conduct of either party was far from "egregious." "While there was some testimony of the husband's interest in another woman in the few short months preceding the filing of this dissolution action, the breakdown occurred years before this relationship developed and the court finds this remote event in no way contributed to the breakdown of the marriage," the judge stated. "The court finds neither party at fault for the breakdown of the marriage," he added. Owens ordered Nantz to pay his now-former wife $72,000 monthly in alimony until either his death or she remarries. He will pay her $1,000 a week in child support for their 15-year-old daughter, Caroline, for the next two years. He will also be solely responsible for paying her college expenses until she turns 23. -- Connecticut Post
Laker Lamar Odom's wife regrets getting a "tramp stamp"
Khloe Kardashian says most of her tattoos are "meaningful." She has the words "I Love You," in her late father's handwriting on her wrist and she recently got the initials of her new husband Lamar Odom on her hand. But there is one area she wishes she hadn't gotten inked. "On my lower back, I don't like the location... I got a trendy location. It's called a "tramp stamp," she said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show Monday. (The tattoo is a cross and angel wings with "Daddy" written above it - in honor of late father, Robert.) -- Us Magazine
LSU title could leave league out of BCS party
The Southeastern Conference is the best college football league in the country this season but that does not mean the SEC is a lock to have a team play for the national championship. LSU is very much alive in the SEC race. If the Tigers win the title, it's likely - as things stand right now - that the SEC would be left out of the national title game for the first time since 2005. LSU fans can blame Pete Carroll and the University of Southern California. Oregon's 47-20 thrashing of Southern Cal on Saturday put the Ducks in position to win the Pac 10 title and go to the Rose Bowl. The victory also had the side effect of greatly enhancing Boise State's 19-8 victory over Oregon on Sept. 3, making it possible for the SEC - only with LSU as its champion - to be left out of the BCS national championship party. -- Monroe News-Star
Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews to address his coaching future
Longtime Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews told reporters here on Monday that today he would address whether he plans to coach beyond this season. Andrews, whose defenses were the cornerstones of the Seminoles' dynasty years, has coached at FSU since 1984 but he has indicated that this would be his final season. He said before the season began that he came close to retiring in each of the past two offseasons and that he was anticipating the days when he'd be able to spend more time with his wife, Diane, and their grandchildren. "I said one year last year," Andrews said in August. "This is the one year. I've got some things that I've got to get done with my family that I haven't been able to do while coaching. When I get out of coaching, it won't be because I can't coach or don't want to coach but I've got to do things that I owe my wife and our daughter and grandkids. "That could very well be after this." FSU Coach Bobby Bowden said Sunday that he hoped Andrews would return for one more season. Asked about that on Monday, Andrews said, "There probably will be something on that tomorrow." -- Orlando Sentinel
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02 Nov 2009 17:31
Updated: November 2, 2009, 9:45 AM ESTBrowns owner Randy Lerner says Mangini's job safe for now
Randy Lerner admitted Sunday that he's "sick about" the 1-7 Browns -- but not enough to fire coach Eric Mangini during the upcoming bye week. When asked specifically if he'd make a coaching change, the Browns owner said no. "I think I should evaluate me," he said, only half-jokingly. He indicated that he wasn't ready to give up on Mangini despite being obviously distraught about the state of the team. But he did strongly indicate that it's time for him to bring in a football authority who can help straighten out this mess. "There's absolutely no question about that," he said. "The highest priority that I have is a strong, credible, serious leader within the building to guide decisions in a far more conspicuous, open transparent way. I can maybe defend decisions by saying I've sought advice and I've brought people in, and we've gone to see people -- and I think my highest priority is to have a stable figure that represents the voice that explains the decisions." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Chiefs could still release Larry Johnson?
According to an industry source, the Chiefs considered releasing RB Larry Johnson -- who has a history of misbehavior -- but was cautious of the precedent it might set. The Chiefs didn't want to send the message that, if a player wants out of Kansas City, all he has to do is speak out or act up to get his way. The Chiefs have spent most of the past seven days trying to figure out how to react to Johnson's latest bout of poor judgment. He disparaged coach Todd Haley on a Twitter post, insulted some of his Twitter followers for not being rich, and used gay slurs in two separate public instances. It's not out of the question that Johnson has played his final game with the Chiefs, and the next week will go a long way toward determining what happens next. Johnson is being watched. According to the source, the Chiefs are keeping a close eye on Johnson and how he reacts to his two-week suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Giants could go for Jason Bay, Garrett Atkins?
Word is circulating that the Red Sox would offer free-agent outfielder Jason Bay $60 million over four years. Maybe the desperate-for-pop Giants would consider topping that. They could play up the West Coast angle with Bay living in Seattle. He could commute with Tim Lincecum. Another possibility for the Giants: third baseman Garrett Atkins, 29, who's coming off a bad year (.226, nine homers) after averaging .305 with 25 homers his previous three years. Atkins, who lost his job to Ian Stewart, is eligible for arbitration, and the Rockies might non-tender him before the Dec. 20 deadline, turning him into a free agent. -- SF Chronicle
Braves shopping Javier Vazquez?
The Braves are expected to shop Javier Vazquez after signing Tim Hudson to a three-year contract extension. -- Chicago Tribune
Spurs Ginobili: didn't mean to kill bat
Perhaps bracing for the inevitable PETA protest, Spurs forward Manu Ginobili swears he didn't mean to kill the bat, and doesn't think he did. He said afterward the bat was still moving when he scooped it up. "I just stunned him," Ginobili said. Reports conflict as to the ultimate fate of the bat. Saturday night, multiple arena sources confirmed the animal's demise. Sunday afternoon, team officials reported the bat had actually recovered and flown away. -- San Antonio Express-News
Kings could trade Andres Nocioni?
Kings coach Paul Westphal said he has enjoyed Andres Nocioni. "He's a great guy," Westphal said. "He just wants to come play basketball and come give everything he has. Everybody would like to have him on their squad." Which is a blessing and a curse, of course, because it means uncertainty remains for Nocioni. When the February trade deadline arrives, some of the league's better teams may be interested in his skill set and competitive reputation. ... His contract, while certainly not small, is movable because his salary declines every season through its end in 2012. Nocioni is owed $7.5 million this season, $6,850,000 next season, $6,650,000 in 2011-12 and there is a team option worth $7,500,000 in 2012-13. -- Sacramento Bee
Drivers protest against NASCAR's rule?
In the aftermath drivers were complaining about the harsh no bump-drafting rule, calling the racing boring and some in the media asked if maybe the long strung out field was a protest of sorts against NASCAR's rule. Roush-Fenway Racing driver Greg Biffle, who finished fourth ahead of the carnage, said that while NASCAR's prerace warning may have had an effect on the racing, drivers were still able to bump draft in the corners. "I think so. I think the guys were a little more cautious," Biffle said. "I think that's why you didn't see some of those big wrecks. The guys kept it a little more cool and up in three and four they ran into each other pretty hard up there. They tried to wreck three or four times and it just didn't happen." But Biffle added though that despite the rule, the single file runs were certainly no protest and the racing wasn't too different then normal. "If you look back at the races in the past, we've done the same thing," Biffle said, "Three years ago, I was running fourth and we were all lined up on the top. I think Reutimann was right in front of me and blew up or something, so we've done that here a lot." -- Examiner
McMurray doesn't think win will help job prospects
Jamie McMurray, who has been reported as a leading contender to replace Martin Truex Jr. at Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, said he didn't think the win would enhance his job prospects. "I don't think so," he said. "There's not a lot of rides available right now. I think that everybody knows what rides there are out there. Certainly if a sponsor were to call me, that would make it a lot easier with the amount of teams that are shutting down." Despite the win, McMurray said he is going to "miss being a part of this organization." "Certainly the performance hasn't been what I think either one of us expected coming in," he said of him and Roush. "Coming over here I thought it would be kind of a sure bet, and it just hasn't been as good as what it needed to be."
Ex: Yanks A-Rod had portraits of himself as half-human and half-animal hanging over his bed
A former Alex Rodriguez fling remembers seeing portraits of the Yankees slugger, 34, as a centaur hanging over his bed. "He was so vain," his ex tells Us Weekly. "He had not one, but two painted portraits of himself as a centaur. You know, the half man, half horse figure?" Adds the ex, "It was ridiculous." -- US Magazine
Pats' Tom Brady's wife Gisele Bundchen passes pilot test with flying colors
Word from the South Shore is that supermodel mommy-to-be Gisele Bundchen has passed her written test and is one giant step closer to acquiring her helicopter license. Gi, as we told you previously, has been taking chopper lessons down at Marshfield Airport for about two months. Word is, Mrs. Tom Brady wanted to find a way to shorten her commute between Boston, where the couple has set up housekeeping, and NYC, where many of her modeling assignments are. Before she can be fully licensed, the FAA requires 20 hours of flight lessons with an instructor and then 10 hours of solo flight. An additional 10 hours of either dual or solo flying is required for pilot wannabes who don't already have a certificate to fly airplanes. Before Gisele can take her flight test, she had to pass the written exam, a multiple-choice test covering regulations, navigation and other aeronautical subjects. Bet she aced it! "She is one of the best pilots I've seen in a long time," Shoreline Aviation prez Keith Douglass told us. -- Boston Herald
Punching RB LaGarrette Blount returning to Oregon Ducks?
Pacific-10 Conference commissioner Larry Scott met Sunday with Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, university president Richard Lariviere, university counsel, coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Mike Bellotti to discuss the possible return of Blount. In the hours and days following Oregon's season-opening 19-8 loss at Boise State, the punch thrown by Blount symbolized the struggles of the Ducks and first-year coach Kelly. Now, it symbolizes how far the Ducks have come: Kelly is odds-on-favorite to be coach of the year, the Ducks have won every game since, and Blount could come back this week and play Saturday at Stanford (5-3, 4-2 Pac-10). "This is not a football decision,'' Kelly said. "If he has an opportunity to come back, then that's awesome for LeGarrette Blount, but this doesn't have anything to do with any decisions from a football standpoint.'' -- The Oregonian
Did Florida LB Brandon Spikes attempt to gouge Georgia players eyes?
Internet video of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes reaching into Georgia tailback Washaun Ealey's helmet at the bottom of a pile drew a lot of attention on message boards frequented by UGA fans who felt Spikes was attempting to gouge at Ealey's eyes. Both Georgia coach Mark Richt and Florida coach Urban Meyer were asked about the incident on their Sunday teleconferences. "If that's the case, I will have a very serious talk with him," said Meyer, who called Spikes "a very emotional player." Richt said he had not seen the video. "I did have someone bring it to my attention that they thought that might have happened or whatever," Richt said, "but I don't want to make any kind of comment on that particular incident." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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02 Nov 2009 01:21
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01 Nov 2009 10:58
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