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Jason Veritek will continue calling the shots behind the dish for Red Sox

2009-01-31T08:07:00.003-05:00

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox wrapped up their offseason bargain hunting Friday by reaching a preliminary agreement with catcher and captain Jason Varitek that pays him half as much in 2009 as he made last season.

Varitek heads into his 13th major league season, all with the Red Sox, with a guaranteed $5 million for 2009 and a player option of $3 million or a team option of $5 million for 2010, two people familiar with the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.

That's quite a drop from the four-year, $40 million deal that ended after last season and less than he would have made had he accepted the team's offer of arbitration in early December.

The Red Sox handed out cheaper, one-year deals to pitchers John Smoltz ($5.5 million) and Brad Penny ($5 million) and outfielder Rocco Baldelli ($500,000). They also signed catcher Josh Bard, who made $2.2 million with San Diego last season, and reliever Takashi Saito, who was paid $2 million by the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.

Varitek came relatively cheap, in part because there was no great demand for his services after the worst offensive season of his career. If he plays under the player option, he could earn an additional $2 million in 2010 based on games started: $400,000 each for 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 games.

Widely praised throughout his career by Boston's pitchers for his skill in handling them, opposing hurlers usually fared well when Varitek came to the plate last year. The switch-hitter, who turns 37 on April 11, hit. 220 with 13 homers and 43 RBI in 131 games. For his career, he is batting .263 with 161 homers and 654 RBI in 1,330 games

Varitek also struggled trying to throw out base-stealers. They had an 81.2 percent success rate against him last season, worse than 19 other major league catchers.

With pitchers and catchers due to report to spring training Feb. 12, the Red Sox set a deadline of Friday for Varitek to accept or reject their offer. Their only catcher with considerable major league experience was Bard, and there was a chance they'd have to keep George Kottaras or Dusty Brown, who split time at Triple-A Pawtucket last year, as their No. 2 catcher.

Varitek, an All-Star in 2003 and 2005, had declined the Red Sox offer to go to arbitration, which would have resulted in a non-guaranteed one-year contract if no agreement was reached before a hearing. The team decreased his desirability to other clubs because the offer of arbitration requires a club to give up a first-round draft choice if it signed Varitek.

Varitek is the Red Sox career leader in games at catcher with 1,273. Carlton Fisk, who also played with the Chicago White Sox, is second with 990 games with Boston. Varitek was obtained on July 31, 1997, in one of the most lopsided trades in Red Sox history -- they also picked up pitcher Derek Lowe from the Seattle Mariners for reliever Heathcliff Slocumb.

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Antonio Margarito suspending while tests come back

2009-01-29T09:52:00.003-05:00

Former welterweight titleholder Antonio Margarito and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, had their licenses temporarily suspended by the California State Athletic Commission on Wednesday pending the outcome of an investigation into the "plaster-like substance" found on Margarito's hand wraps before his fight last Saturday night against Shane Mosley.

About a half hour before the fight, which Mosley won by dominant ninth-round TKO to regain the welterweight championship, his trainer, Naazim Richardson, objected to the way Margarito's hands were wrapped.

When the wraps were cut off to be rewrapped, officials found what was deemed a "plaster-like substance" in the wraps. Two pieces of gauze, one in each glove, allegedly had the substance on them.

"From what I know, there was a plaster of Paris-like substance in Margarito's wraps and the commission has these wraps under seal and is investigating what kind of substance it is," Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Mosley, told ESPN.com. "I'm happy to see the commission realized how serious the issue is and is acting swiftly. We'll see what the outcome will be of the situation."

Past opponents of Margarito are watching the outcome of the commission investigation with interest. Attorney Pat English, who represents former Kermit Cintron promoter Main Events and Vinny Scolpino, the manager of Joshua Clottey, sent a letter to the commission on Tuesday to alert the panel of their interest.

"We have seen many allegations in this sport and will form no conclusions until the wraps are tested," English wrote. "However, if they test positive for an illegal substance a logical question will be whether the illegal substance was used in other bouts, and we will ask the commissions of the other states where Margarito fought to make appropriate inquiries."

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Michael Redd's season ends with torn ACL/MCL and so goes the Bucks

2009-01-25T21:36:00.005-05:00

MILWAUKEE -- Just when that silky smooth jumper of his was starting to fall just the way Michael Redd likes it, the Olympian's injury-plagued season came to an abrupt and frustrating end. The Milwaukee Bucks' leading scorer will miss the rest of the year with torn ligaments in his left knee.

"I'm deeply disappointed but everything in life happens for a reason and this is God's plan for me," Redd said in a statement issued by the team. "I have faith in my teammates and coaches to continue to work together to make our fans proud. I will be supporting them wholeheartedly from the sidelines and working equally hard to return to the court in the best condition possible for next season."

Redd was just starting to look like the player who helped Team USA reclaim the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics last summer. Having shaken the rust off from that long layoff in November, Redd was averaging 25.0 points per game in January and shooting better than 51 percent from the field. He had 27 points, including five 3-pointers, in a 133-99 dismantling of Dallas on Wednesday night.

But in the third quarter of Saturday night's victory over Sacramento, Redd landed awkwardly on teammate Luke Ridnour's foot after missing a shot near the basket. Redd had an MRI exam on Sunday that revealed the extent of the injury. A surgery date has not been scheduled.

Redd leads the team with 21.2 points per game and is fifth on the franchise career scoring list. The Bucks went 5-9 without him in November, with Charlie Bell filling in at shooting guard. Bell hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of a gimpy ankle.

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Herm Edwards gets the boot in KC

2009-01-24T17:45:00.003-05:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Herm Edwards, the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs during the worst two-year span in team history, was fired Friday.

Edwards goes out with a three-year regular-season record of 15-33 and with one year remaining on a four-year, $12 million contract. As head coach of the New York Jets in 2001-05, he had a regular-season mark of 39-41 and was 2-3 in the playoffs.

Edwards had been waiting to learn his fate since president and general manager Carl Peterson abruptly resigned on Dec. 15. When Scott Pioli was introduced as Peterson's successor on Jan. 13, he was noncommittal and said only that he intended to speak with Edwards.

"This was not an easy decision. Herm is an outstanding football coach and a man of integrity. We appreciate his leadership over the past three seasons, and we wish him all the best in the future," Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said in a written statement.

Pioli said he has had several conversations with Edwards over the last week."After careful consideration, Clark and I felt that it was best to make a change," Pioli said.

Edwards expressed his gratitude to the Hunt family and said he respected "the tough decision that was made to move in a new direction." "There is not a more gracious family in all of professional sports than the Hunts," Edwards said in a statement released by the team. "To the players and coaches who worked so hard for our team, I appreciate their efforts."

Following a 10-year career as an NFL cornerback, Edwards' first experience with Kansas City came as a training camp assistant in 1989. Seventeen years later, he had the distinction of being the first man to become head coach of the team that brought him into the NFL through the league's minority coaching fellowship program.

Edwards' most costly mistake may have been overlooking Brodie Croyle's history of injuries and designating him as the foundation quarterback. A third-round pick out of Alabama in 2006, Croyle could never stay healthy and was 0-8 as a starter when he went down for the season with a knee injury.

Edwards' first year in Kansas City was a success. The Chiefs went 9-7 and captured the last wild-card playoff spot. He became only the fifth man to take two different teams to the postseason in his first year as head coach; the Jets went to the playoffs three times in his five seasons there.

He wanted to begin dismantling an aging team and start rebuilding in 2007. But he ran into opposition from a front office that felt there was enough left for another playoff run. After an encouraging 4-3 start, age and ineffectiveness at several key positions created problems and Kansas City ended 2007 on a nine-game losing streak.

With Hunt's blessing, Edwards finally launched his youth movement in 2008 and opened the season at New England with the youngest squad in the league.

He knew it was going to be a difficult chore because of all the youth. But he did not foresee an injury epidemic that robbed him of his two top quarterbacks, made a shambles of the linebacker corps and weakened the defensive line, offensive line and secondary.

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Rex Ryan becomes the new face in a BIG city

2009-01-20T08:23:00.005-05:00

NEW YORK -- The New York Jets are confident Rex Ryan was worth the wait. The Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator was hired Monday as New York's coach, three weeks after the Jets fired Eric Mangini following a late-season collapse.

"We got the right man for the job," owner Woody Johnson said in a statement.

It became apparent the 46-year-old Ryan was at the top of the Jets' list of candidates when several other teams filled their coaching vacancies and New York's remained open. The Jets needed Baltimore's season to end -- which happened Sunday with a 23-14 loss at Pittsburgh in the AFC championship game -- before offering him the job.

Ryan, the son of former NFL coach Buddy Ryan, will be formally introduced at a news conference Wednesday at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J.

"It's been a dream of mine to become a head coach in the NFL," Ryan said in a statement. "Coming here to the New York Jets, where my father once coached and was part of the Super Bowl III staff, is fantastic. I look around at the facilities and the people they have in place and see a first-class organization. I'm just proud to be part of it."

The Jets announced the hiring, but released no other details. The contract is for four years, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity earlier Monday because the deal had not yet been announced.

The deal was finalized Monday afternoon after Johnson and general manager Mike Tannenbaum flew down to Baltimore in the morning to iron out the details, Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Rex has the expertise and instincts to build on the foundation that we have in place and take this franchise to the ranks of the NFL's elite," Johnson said.

Ryan takes over a team that started 8-3, but missed the playoffs with quarterback Brett Favre after losing four of its last five games.

"I'm very much looking forward to meeting Coach Ryan," wide receiver Chansi Stuckey said in an e-mail to the Associated Press. "His reputation precedes him by the success that Baltimore has had, and I'm very excited to get started."

The Ravens' defensive coordinator the last four seasons is the twin brother of Cleveland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. His Baltimore defense helped the Ravens to the AFC championship game and has been ranked in the top six in total yardage allowed the last four seasons under Ryan, including second overall this season while leading the NFL with 34 takeaways.

"I think it's a gain for them and a loss for us, but it's well-deserved," Ravens linebacker Bart Scott said. "It was a long time coming."

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Steve Spagnola gets out of dodge before the Giants demise

2009-01-20T08:16:00.006-05:00

ST. LOUIS -- At the start of the St. Louis Rams' coaching search, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was not really on the list.

General manager Billy Devaney assumed New York would be back in the Super Bowl and didn't think he could afford to wait for Spagnuolo.

"I'm such a great predictor of football games," Devaney said Monday. "As soon as they were eliminated it was like, 'Wow, let's start this process."'

Devaney's long-term friendship with Spagnuolo helped speed things from there. Their close relationship was evident at the introductory news conference Monday, with coach and GM, both about 5-foot-7, exchanging height-challenged related digs while adjusting the microphone level.

Friendship aside, the 47-year-old Spagnuolo played an integral role in thwarting the New England Patriots' perfect season in last year's Super Bowl and had another successful year last season despite dealing with injuries to key personnel. He quickly won over ownership and agreed to a four-year contract worth just under $12 million Saturday.

"It was like, automatically, he's basically at the end at the head of the class and going to meet ownership," Devaney said. "There was a plan, there was a confidence, the leadership part came out."

The enthusiasm, too, as he headed into the task of rebuilding a franchise that was 2-14 last year and is 5-27 the last two seasons.

"He was excited about it," Devaney said. "All the hot-button topics that were raised, he embraced fully."

Spagnuolo left his interview Thursday in Los Angeles ready to start rebuilding the Rams.

"When it was all said and done, I had a good feeling," Spagnuolo said. "I was sold, as they were. When you feel the right fit, when you feel you're around the right people, and it's something that has been in your heart for a long time, that's the time to do it."

He stopped well short of a turnaround timetable, though, for a franchise that last went to the playoffs in 2003.

"I'm not going to go there," Spagnuolo said. "We're going to have to start at the beginning here, take it one step at a time, and build on it.

"It's not about predictions and bold promises; it's about building."

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Tampa Bay Bucs fire John Grunden and GM Bruce Allen

2009-01-16T19:36:00.003-05:00

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen after the team collapsed following a 9-3 start and failed to make the playoffs.

Gruden, who helped lead the Buccaneers to a victory over the Oakland Raiders in the 2003 Super Bowl, was Tampa Bay's coach for seven years before being dismissed Friday. Allen was general manager for the last five seasons.

A source close to Gruden said the coach was "blindsided" but the move, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.

The Buccaneers were tied for first place in the NFC South heading into December, but finished with losses to Carolina and Atlanta on the road and San Diego and Oakland at home, where they had been 6-0. One more win would have landed a NFC wild-card berth.

The 9-7 record this season left Tampa out of the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.

"We will be forever grateful to Jon for bringing us the Super Bowl title, and we thank Bruce for his contributions to our franchise," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement. "However after careful consideration, we feel that this decision is in the best interest of our organization moving forward."

Gruden had been the head coach of the Buccaneers for seven seasons, coming from the Oakland Raiders. His overall record with Tampa Bay is 57-55, but 22-26 over the past three

seasons.

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Jim Schwartz named leader of the helpless 0-16 Detroit Lions

2009-01-16T14:38:00.004-05:00

DETROIT -- Jim Schwartz faces the biggest challenge among the 32 NFL teams next season: turning around a team that didn't win a single game. Bring it on, says the Detroit Lions' new coach.

"There's no better feeling in football than turning a situation around. That's what drives me here," the 42-year-old former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator said during his introductory news conference Friday at Ford Field.

The Lions badly want the one-time Georgetown University economics major to come up with a formula to fix a franchise coming off an 0-16 season, an eight-season stretch that has been the worst in the league since World War II and a run of more than 50 years with only one playoff win.

While Detroit's football future is far from certain, Schwartz told reporters they can count on at least one thing.

"We'll put a team on the field that you'll be proud of," he said a day after agreeing to a four-year contract worth about $11 million.

The son of a police officer and one of nine kids, Schwartz said he was a blue-collar guy who will fit in well with the culture of Detroit.

"This is what I am," he said, joking that he was wearing one of the two suits he owns.
Friday's coming-out party for Schwartz was the culmination of years of hard work in the NFL.

He began as a scout in Cleveland, moving on as an assistant in Baltimore, then became one of the league's best defensive coordinators in Tennessee.

Schwartz singled out New England coach Bill Belichick and Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher as mentors. He replaces Rod Marinelli, who was fired two weeks ago after he went 10-38 in three seasons, dropping Detroit to 31-97 since 2001 when former team president Matt Millen took over a mediocre franchise and turned it into a laughingstock.

The Chicago Cardinals, who won just 23 percent of their games from 1936-43, are the last team to perform as poorly as Detroit has over an eight-season stretch.

Detroit will count on Schwartz to use his background to come up with ways to improve a defense that ranked last in the league and gave up 517 points -- threatening the NFL record for points allowed (533) in a season set by the 1981 Baltimore Colts.

Schwartz started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Maryland in 1989, later had the same position at Minnesota and went on to become a secondary coach for North Carolina Central and linebackers coach at Colgate.

The Baltimore native became a head coaching candidate because of his work in Tennessee, leading to interviews in previous years with Miami, Atlanta, Washington and San Francisco.

His 2003 defense ranked first in the NFL in rushing defense and led the league in third down defense at 27.7 percent -- the lowest since the 1998 Oakland Raiders. The Titans ranked in the top seven in yards allowed each of the past two seasons and finished second in points allowed per game at 14.6 in 2008.

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Sam Bradford and a few others decide to come back to Oklahoma

2009-01-15T08:17:00.004-05:00

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford announced Wednesday that he will return to college for another season.

The Heisman Trophy winner's announcement came at the same time that two other key offensive teammates similarly announced they will be coming back. Tackle Trent Williams and tight end Jermaine Gresham will return. Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy announced he would return for next season earlier this week.

Bradford had been projected as a first-round draft choice and among the first quarterbacks selected in the draft. But the chance to return and lead Oklahoma to its first national championship since 2000 and direct the Sooners to an unprecedented fourth straight Big 12 title lured him back.

"After looking at all the information and the opportunities, I feel that it's in the best interest for me to come back," Bradford said.

"I've dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little," Bradford said. "My three years here have been probably three of the best years of my life. ... I feel there's no need to cut this experience short."

Bradford led the nation with 50 touchdown passes and in pass efficiency. He ranked third with 4,720 passing yards. His 86 touchdown passes is by far the NCAA's record for players after two seasons.

The announcement came six days after the Sooners lost 24-14 to Florida in the FedEx BCS Championship Game in Miami. It was the Sooners' fifth straight BCS bowl game loss and third consecutive loss in a championship game.

"I did go back and forth several times and I really didn't put much thought into it before the national championship game," Bradford said. "So there's a lot to comprehend in a short period of time. But I feel like this is where my heart is and where I want to be."

Bradford's decision marks the fourth time in the past six seasons that a Heisman Trophy winner has elected to return for another college season after claiming college football's most prestigious individual honor.

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Mark Sanchez looks like he's headed to the NFL

2009-01-15T08:13:00.004-05:00

Sources close to Mark Sanchez and USC tell ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the quarterback plans to announce Thursday that he will forgo his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Sanchez's father, Nick Sanchez, told ESPN's Shelley Smith on Wednesday his son is undecided.

"Mark is waiting for Coach [Pete] Carroll to return from Hawaii, which is tonight," Nick Sanchez told Smith. "Mark didn't want to do anything without Coach Carroll."

Nick Sanchez said his son will meet with Carroll either Wednesday night or early Thursday.

"Mark has gone both ways on this," Nick Sanchez said, "and he is still undecided."

There is a news conference planned for 10 a.m. PT at USC's Heritage Hall.

"None of us will know probably until the 10 o'clock press conference," Nick Sanchez said.

Sources tell Mortensen that family members have discouraged Sanchez from turning pro and that Carroll asked his quarterback to wait until Thursday's NFL deadline for underclassmen to allow for a change of heart.

If Sanchez submits his paperwork to the NFL on Thursday, as expected, he would have four days to change his mind, as long as he does not enter into an agreement with an agent.

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Dallas Cowboys discussing the release of Terrell Owens

2009-01-15T08:08:00.003-05:00

Improving locker room chemistry will be the highest priority for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and that will force serious discussions between Wade Phillips' coaching staff and owner Jerry Jones about whether to release controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, according to team and league sources.

"I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else," a Cowboys source said. "Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? We're like the Redskins used to be when they signed every player they wanted. There's more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team.

"The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard."

The Cowboys released twice-suspended cornerback Pacman Jones last week and Tank Johnson is expected to depart through free agency. Both decisions are at least partly related to the renewed emphasis on creating a different atmosphere in the locker room. The Cowboys began their ill-fated 2008 season with three players on the roster who had been suspended by the league or their previous teams -- Jones, Johnson and Owens.

At least two sources believe that vice president Stephen Jones will attempt to convince his father that Owens should be finished with the Cowboys. But Jerry Jones just last year invested a $12 million signing bonus in Owens, which means there would be salary-cap fallout. In fact, Jerry Jones has suggested that there might be enough damage that the team would find it difficult to sign NFL sack leader DeMarcus Ware to a new contract.
"I think some of people want to just cut our losses and get rid of all those guys … T.O., Tank, Pacman,'' another Cowboys source said. "But I really think Jerry likes the thrill of trying to make it all work."

The discussions involving Owens have not yet been formally initiated and probably will not occur until the Cowboys are more certain of the composition of their coaching staff.

Not only does Owens have relationship issues with quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten, but the controversial receiver consistently criticized Garrett's play calling and his offensive schemes to the point that sources say the offensive coordinator does not believe they can coexist.

Regardless, Owens could still be jettisoned. His detractors can argue their belief that Owens, 35, is a poor route runner with inconsistent hands and generally a descending player who seldom accepts responsibility for his own shortcomings. There is fear internally that he will become more volatile if his performance continues to deteriorate -- and that he may feel more empowered if he perceives that his presence forced Garrett to depart.

Of particular concern is the apparent negative influence Owens has had on teammates such as Roy Williams and Patrick Crayton and even running back Marion Barber.

"You have to be worried about his influence over there, and I think we'd get some of those players back over to our side if he was gone,'' another source said. "I think we have to decide how detrimental he is to Witten and Romo.''

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Scott Pioli joins the Kasas City Chiefs, could mean end for Edwards!

2009-01-14T08:26:00.002-05:00

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Scott Pioli, who helped build and lead a dynasty in New England, is now in charge of a Kansas City franchise that hasn't won a playoff game in 14 years.

The 43-year-old Pioli will be introduced on Wednesday as Chiefs general manager, replacing Carl Peterson. Pioli was seen packing up his office Tuesday afternoon, a Patriots source told ESPN's Michael Smith.

"He will have complete charge of football operations," Ryan Petkoff, a spokesman for Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, told The Associated Press. "He will report only to Clark."

The decision to hire Pioli likely means Herm Edwards will not be back as Chiefs head coach next season. Among the top candidates to succeed Edwards is New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

A source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Bill Williamson that Edwards sent his assistant coaching staff home to await word on the future in light of the Pioli hiring news.

At this point, Pioli is expected to meet with coaches Thursday so a decision on Edwards and his staff's future could be made in the coming days.

He inherits a young team coming off a 2-14 season but is stepping into a situation that seems ripe for a quick turnaround.

The fan base is loyal, though restive, and the team will be playing next year in a virtually new stadium. Arrowhead, which opened in 1972 and is notorious for being loud and rough on visiting teams, is undergoing a $325 million renovation, which includes new luxury boxes, wider concourses and enhanced amenities in addition to new practice facilities, an enlarged indoor field and a brand new state-of-the-art headquarters building.

In addition, the Chiefs are about $32 million under the salary cap, extra money that will come in handy because they own the overall No. 3 pick in the draft. Besides that, there are a number of promising young players who Edwards was counting on as the foundation of his rebuilding project."We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs," Hunt said in a statement. "With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization."

Pioli's NFL career started when Belichick hired him as a pro personnel assistant for the Browns in 1992. Belichick then brought him to New England shortly after he became head coach of the Patriots.

Now Pioli takes charge of those same efforts to turn this Kansas City Cheifs team around like he did with New England.

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Atlanta Braves add savy veteran Lowe; but at what price?

2009-01-14T08:18:00.003-05:00

The Atlanta Braves and pitcher Derek Lowe have reached preliminary agreement on a four-year, $60 million contract. The deal is pending a physical exam.

"You've got to have pitching," manager Bobby Cox said. "You could have the best hitting team in the history of baseball and you still may not get it done. We will feel confident now that whoever toes the mound on any particular night, we've got a good chance of winning."

With their late push for Lowe, the Braves succeeded in beating out the New York Mets, the other principal suitor for Lowe.

Lowe, 35, has a career 126-107 record in 12 seasons with Seattle, Boston and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's averaged 208 innings the past seven seasons, and consistently has one of the highest ground ball-to-fly ball ratios in the game.

Lowe joins Javier Vazquez, Jair Jurrjens and Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami in a new-look Atlanta rotation.

"We wanted get back to being a pitching team," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "If we can do another couple of moves, we can get back to that point."

During the winter meetings, when it appeared that Lowe was looking for a five-year, $80 million deal, one Braves official said the club had "zero" interest in the pitcher.

Although the Mets had given indications they were willing to increase the money on their three-year, $36 million offer to Lowe, management was never comfortable with the idea of extending its offer to four years.

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Tony Dungy steps down as Colts coach

2009-01-14T08:14:00.002-05:00

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tony Dungy always considered football just a career path.
Not his life's mission.

On Monday, Dungy began the transition from head coach to full-time dad and devoted volunteer by announcing his retirement after seven years leading the Indianapolis Colts.

"We just felt this was the right time," Dungy said. "Don't shed any tears for me. I got to live a dream most people don't get to live."

The move triggered a succession plan Indianapolis put in place a year ago, making Jim Caldwell, the associate head coach, Dungy's replacement.

But the culmination of a 31-year NFL career, which started with Dungy winning a Super Bowl ring as a player in Pittsburgh and ended two years after he became the first black coach to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, brought out some rare emotional moments from the usually stoic Dungy.

"My wife Lauren told me to bring some Kleenex. I thought I would make it a little farther than the first sentence," Dungy said, his voice cracking.

He told owner Jim Irsay of his decision Sunday.

"And we spent about 2½ hours crying," Dungy said. "But I had a real peace about it."

The 53-year-old Dungy informed his staff of the decision Monday morning, then met with some players after the traditional one-week waiting period ended. Dungy and his wife, Lauren, spent the last five years discussing whether he should continue coaching.

Dungy made a remarkable impact around the league. In an era when there were few black head coaches, Dungy helped open the door to rising stars and a growing number of minority candidates. Among those from his Tampa Bay staff who have had head coaching jobs are Herm Edwards, now with Kansas City, Chicago's Lovie Smith, Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin and former Detroit coach Rod Marinelli.

Dungy also set league records for most consecutive playoff seasons (10) and consecutive 12-win seasons (six), and leaves with the highest average of regular-season victories of any coach in league history (10.7).

"People often say that teams reflect their head coach, and that can be said of Tony Dungy's teams, which are consistent winners every single year," New England coach Bill Belichick said. "Tony has been such a fixture in this league that his absence will take some getting used to."

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Tim Tebow announces he will return for senior season

2009-01-11T23:25:00.002-05:00

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Young mastermind Josh McDaniels to coach Denver Broncos

2009-01-11T23:09:00.003-05:00

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos apparently have turned from "The Mastermind" to "The Wunderkid."

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has agreed to take over the Broncos, ESPN reported Sunday night. The network said the 32-year-old McDaniels will be introduced as Denver's new coach on Monday.

The Broncos did not respond to phone messages and e-mails from the Associated Press seeking comment.

McDaniels would replace Mike Shanahan, who was fired Dec. 30 after 14 seasons with three years and $21 million left on his contract. He's the only one of six NFL head coaches to ever get fired by the team for which he won back-to-back Super Bowls

The Broncos won it all in 1997 and '98 but have slipped into mediocrity, winning just one playoff game in the decade since John Elway retired.

McDaniels is a rising star who has spent his entire eight-year NFL coaching career in New England, where he worked his way up from personnel assistant in the scouting department to offensive coordinator for Bill Belichick.

Under his tutelage, Tom Brady threw for a record 50 touchdowns last season and the Patriots came within a whisker of the first 19-0 season in NFL history.

McDaniels' reputation grew ever larger this year when Brady was lost with a knee injury in the opener and Matt Cassel, who hadn't started a game since high school, led the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

McDaniels would be the third member of Belichick's coaching staff to become a head coach in the NFL, following Romeo Crennel with Cleveland in 2005 and Eric Mangini, who joined the Jets a year later. Both were fired this offseason with Mangini replacing Crennel in Cleveland.

McDaniels was the second of seven candidates the Broncos' brain trust interviewed. Owner Pat Bowlen, chief operating officer Joe Ellis and personnel chief Jim Goodman met with him in Rhode Island on Jan. 4, and Goodman conducted a second, lengthy interview with him in the Boston area.

McDaniels will inherit an explosive offense that appears to be one healthy running back away from greatness and a dismal defense that needs another overhaul. That led many observers to believe defensive minds such as the Giants' Steve Spagnuolo or the Vikings' Leslie Frazier had the inside track for the job in Denver.

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Charles Barkley taking leave of absense from TNT

2009-01-10T17:58:00.002-05:00

Charles Barkley is taking a leave of absence from the broadcast booth.

The announcement by Turner Sports came Friday, hours after police said the former NBA star was legally drunk when police arrested him Dec. 31 on suspicion of drunken driving in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Test results show Barkley had a blood-alcohol level at .149, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Arizona.

Barkley, 45, will be off the air for a minimum of several weeks and no return date has been set, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss it.

Barkley was stopped by a Gilbert officer working a regional DUI task force shortly after leaving a popular nightclub at about 1:30 a.m. Barkley failed field sobriety tests but was cooperative.

He was booked and released at a field command post and later issued a statement saying he was disappointed he put himself in that situation.

"When I spoke with Charles, he was apologetic for the events that transpired and it was obvious he understood the significance of this situation," said David Levy, president of Turner Sports, said in a statement. "This is an important time for Charles as he deals with the legal and personal issues that confront him. Charles is a valued part of the Turner Sports organization, and we are concerned for his well-being."

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Boston Red Sox ink John Smoltz and company

2009-01-09T12:24:00.004-05:00

BOSTON -- John Smoltz and Brad Penny are on their way to the Red Sox. Rocco Baldelli was already in Boston, holding up his new jersey.

After missing out on Mark Teixeira, the biggest free-agent prize of the offseason, the Red Sox were poised to make a series of smaller deals that would essentially complete their roster. They announced Baldelli's signing on Thursday night at the annual dinner of the Boston Baseball Writers Association, with more news expected soon.

"I think you'll see us now turn to players who we can take chances on, players who represent potential impact players," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "We still have some things going on."

Epstein would not confirm the deals for Smoltz or Penny, but as he spoke Penny was on his way out of Boston after completing his physical. The two-time All-Star, a native Oklahoman, was off to watch the Sooners play in the Bowl Championship Series title game against Florida.

Smoltz, who spent his first 21 years with the Atlanta Braves, reached a preliminary agreement with the Red Sox worth about $5 million, according to a person familiar with the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity because the final paperwork had not been completed. The person said Smoltz will have the chance to earn another $5 million in performance bonuses. The deal was expected to be announced next week.

"I was going to withhold comment until the announcement of my signing with a new team," Smoltz said in a statement issued through his agent, "but I now feel the need to clear up any misconceptions and inaccuracies about the contract negotiations between myself and the Atlanta Braves. There were large discrepancies between the offer from the Braves and offers from other teams."

The Red Sox are also negotiating with Mark Kotsay to return as a backup first baseman and outfielder. They are also pursuing a catcher, while holding out the possibility that Jason Varitek could return or be replaced by a platoon that played at Triple-A last year.

The Red Sox agreed to pay Baldelli $500,000 for 2009, taking a chance on a player who spent most of last season on the disabled list for the AL champion Rays. The 27-year-old batted .263 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 28 games after being diagnosed with a mitochondrial disorder that causes chronic muscle fatigue.

Further tests, however, and a recent visit to the Cleveland Clinic led to what Baldelli called a "refined" diagnosis of channelopathy, a protein irregularity considered more treatable and less severe.

"The results were positive," he said. "It was something I was definitely excited about for my personal health and for my career.

"I think once I get to spring training and get to my feet again, I'll know a lot more," said Baldelli, who received the Tony Conigliaro Award on Thursday for overcoming adversity with courage and determination. "I anticipate being able to do more than I did last year."

A Rhode Island native who homered against Boston in the Rays' Game 3 victory during the AL championship series and had a go-ahead single in the seventh game, Baldelli can earn $7 million in bonuses.

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Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in trouble with the law

2009-01-09T12:13:00.003-05:00

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- Former mixed martial arts champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson has been ordered to complete community service for leading Costa Mesa police on a chase in which he rammed three cars.

Jackson pleaded guilty Thursday in Orange County Superior Court to felony police evasion against traffic and misdemeanor reckless driving for the July 15 chase.

The 30-year-old apologized and claimed he was delirious from a lack of sleep and food when he fled police cars, narrowly missing pedestrians and cyclists. He had lost his Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title to Forrest Griffin 10 days earlier.

Jackson will have to complete 200 hours of community service, get mental health therapy and pay for the damage he caused to the cars to have the felony dismissed and avoid jail.

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Boston College set to fire Jeff Jagodzinski

2009-01-07T08:06:00.004-05:00

Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski did indeed interview with the New York Jets and he will therefore not be retained by the school, two people close to the situation told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday.

Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo, who told Jagodzinski he would be fired if he interviewed, had not spoken with the coach as of 6 p.m. this evening, but he was hoping to meet with Jagodzinski face-to-face as early as Wednesday.

"It's just a matter of putting two and two together," Chris Cameron, BC's associate director for media relations, said Tuesday night. "He was told by Gene on Saturday that if he went on the interview he'd be fired."

DeFilippo, sources say, thought that Jagodzinski was "disloyal" by not speaking with him before scheduling the Jets interview. One source said on Tuesday that Jagodzinski's decision to follow through on the interview made his fate "a done deal."

DeFilippo said late Tuesday afternoon that he called Jagodzinski in the morning and was waiting for a return phone call. At that time, he didn't know if Jagodzinski already had met with the Jets, who are seeking a replacement for Eric Mangini.

"Haven't heard a word,'' DeFilippo said, according to the Boston Globe.

Sitting in his office late Tuesday afternoon, a relaxed DeFilippo told The Associated Press he last spoke to Jagodzinski on Sunday.

"Sometimes two people who really, really like each other can disagree on an issue. That's OK. Nothing wrong with that," DeFilippo said. "I really like Jags a lot and I've enjoyed working with him here for two years and he did a wonderful job here.

"So we're going to sit down, hopefully, and talk and we'll see where we come out."

The Jets declined comment Tuesday through a team spokesman, neither confirming nor denying that Jagodzinski was interviewing for the coaching vacancy.

Sources told the Globe that Jagodzinski has made multiple inquiries into returning to the NFL, where he was a coach for the eight seasons before taking over the head coaching job at BC.
The newspaper reported that Jagodzinski has put out feelers for offensive coordinator positions as well as head coaching spots.

The Globe also reported that Jagodzinski had told members of his staff that he would give them an update sometime on Tuesday. But nobody had publicly acknowledged speaking to the coach.

A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN's Kelly Naqi that DeFilippo had no idea that Jagodzinski had an interview scheduled with the Jets. The AD found out when a reporter called him on Saturday morning to get his comment on it. DeFilippo immediately called Jagodzinski and asked if it were true, according to the source, and the coach confirmed it.

"The surprise factor definitely played a big role in this situation," the source said.

DeFilippo told Jagodzinski to meet with him in person that afternoon and -- with another representative from BC present -- told Jagodzinski that he'd be fired if he went through with the interview. The source said Jagodzinski made it abundantly clear at that meeting that he was going to go through with the interview, so it was just a matter of time before his termination would become official.

The source said BC was unaware if Jagodzinski had been inquiring about other job openings in the NFL.

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Bob Stoops makes it clear he is an Oklahoma Sooner for now...

2009-01-03T18:25:00.004-05:00

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- It's becoming an annual event: A prime coaching job opens up, Bob Stoops' name lands on the supposed short list of candidates, only for him to say he's happy at Oklahoma.

The latest supposed will-he-or-won't-he scenario: Stoops to the Denver Broncos?

Not happening, Stoops said Saturday after his team practiced at Barry University, just a few miles south of the site of Thursday's Bowl Championship Series title game between his Sooners and the Florida Gators.

"What situation? That's a rumor that I have not heard and no one has contacted me about that so I don't know anything about it," Stoops said. "We're preparing for a national championship, that's all my focus, all my concentration is on that, so obviously I'm not a candidate. I'm sure someone might have told me ... if I was."

The Broncos fired Mike Shanahan after 14 seasons on Tuesday.

"There's no story," Stoops said. "I'm not a candidate. This is the first I've heard about it."

Maybe so, but Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson -- who's from Colorado -- said he heard rumblings of Denver having interest in his boss, who just completed 10 years with the Sooners and earned a $3 million bonus for lasting a decade at the school.

"I love Colorado, but I don't know if that's for him," Wilson said.

Denver already has put together a list of strong candidates, including New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Also, Rick Dennison -- the offensive coordinator under Shanahan -- wants an interview as well.

Stoops indicated that he would try to shoot down the rumor with his players.

"It won't take long," Stoops said.

Still, even if there really is no interest in the Denver job, Stoops hasn't closed the door on one day giving the NFL a try.

"At some point in my life or career, that may be the case," Stoops said.

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Denver Broncos fire Mike Shanahan after 14 seasons

2008-12-30T19:14:00.005-05:00

DENVER -- Mike Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Shanahan joined Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel on the unemployment line after going 24-24 over the past three seasons, including three straight losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

Despite that, and the 52-21 loss to the Chargers that ended Denver's season Sunday, this was a shocker: the ouster of a 14-year coaching veteran who brought two Super Bowl titles to a city yearning for a championship and was considered by many in this town to be "coach for life."

In a statement, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said: "After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned."

Shanahan, 56, was 146-89, but the Broncos remained stuck at only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 after Denver's second championship.

This season was especially ugly. It included a historic collapse that saw Denver become the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

The Broncos' defense gave up 448 points, third worst in the NFL, including 112 during the three-game collapse at the end. It was ranked 29th in yards allowed and tied for last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover margin.

In years past, Shanahan had relieved defensive coordinators -- Greg Robinson, Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer and Jim Bates -- in almost revolving-door fashion.
This year, as the defense floundered, it became obvious it wasn't just a coaching problem. It was an issue of talent on the field, and in Denver, Shanahan makes all the personnel decisions.

His top two draft picks in 2007, Jarvis Moss and Channing Crowder, were barely a factor this season. Two of Denver's top veteran acquisitions from last year, Niko Koutouvides and Dewayne Robertson, also did very little.

Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million.

"I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time," Bowlen said in the statement. "His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history."

Bowlen said that the team will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning to make the announcement, and Shanahan will speak shortly thereafter.

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Robert Marve to transfer from Miami Hurricanes

2008-12-30T19:02:00.003-05:00

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Quarterback Robert Marve is leaving Miami, ending weeks of speculation about his future and adding to the tumultuous start of the Hurricanes' offseason.

Marve started 11 of 13 games for the Hurricanes, but also served two suspensions, including one that kept him out of the Emerald Bowl. He asked coach Randy Shannon for his release Monday night, and the school announced that Marve was leaving Tuesday.

"I had to get out," Marve told the AP from his family's home in Tampa. "I just decided that I can't play for coach Shannon."

The release comes with conditions that don't sit well with Marve. He can't play for teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Southeastern Conference or the state of Florida. It's not unusual for programs to place restrictions on the deal when a marquee player transfers.

Marve said he will try to fight to soften the terms of the release. He is appealing Miami's decision, and a university review panel is expected to hear his side in the coming days. Marve wants to enroll somewhere new in January.

"It doesn't make any sense," Marve said.

Shannon wished Marve well in a brief statement released by the school.

"I have respect for Robert and wish him nothing but success in the future," Shannon said.

Marve's request came hours after Miami fired offensive coordinator Patrick Nix. Marve and Nix were close, but Marve's decision was not made because of the coordinator's dismissal.

Marve was one of the prized signings in Miami's 2007 recruiting class, yet missed his freshman season because of injuries sustained in a car crash that summer. He won the starting job for 2008, but Shannon also played freshman Jacory Harris in every game.

"I just felt like it wasn't fair to either one of us, honestly," Marve said.

Marve completed 116 of 213 passes for 1,293 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Harris finished the year 118-for-194 with 1,195 yards passing, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and even if Marve returned, Harris was going to enter spring ball as the Hurricanes' No. 1 quarterback.

Marve said he and Harris are good friends, but added that he simply didn't feel a connection with Shannon and decided a change was necessary even though it'll mean he'll sit out again in 2009 under NCAA transfer rules.

Marve told The AP that, while it's disappointing to sit out another year, his body can use the time to continue healing from the crash.
"I don't think people realize how hurt I was," Marve said. "My body changed completely after that."

Where will Marve go?

Florida, Tennessee and LSU were thought of as possible destinations for Marve -- but none of those will apparently be his new home, unless the release terms are changed.

"I've got to sort a lot of stuff out," Marve said.

"Robert has to accept that, 'Hey, I have to be a person that is willing to do what we are doing at the University of Miami,'" Shannon said.

Marve's short time as the Hurricanes' starter was marred, most notably by two incidents deemed serious enough to merit keeping him off the field.

He drew a one-game suspension to start this season because he was arrested on two misdemeanor charges related to vandalism on Oct. 31, 2007. Shannon's rules say an arrest merits a suspension, although the charges were dropped and Marve paid about $100 in damages.

Marve's second suspension was for missing an English class for the fourth time this past semester, though he said he was late to the class because he was speaking with another professor. He went home soon after; other players who were suspended for breaking team rules continued practicing with the team until it departed for San Francisco.

The second suspension cost Marve a chance to play in the Emerald Bowl, which Miami lost to Cal 24-17. The Hurricanes finished the season 7-6, and Marve said it was "very hard, very frustrating" to watch that loss on television.

"I'm very disappointed that it ended this way because I liked the school and I liked the University of Miami," Marve said. "It's just frustrating. ... I wanted to stay at Miami. I loved being a 'Cane and I'll always be a 'Cane."

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Romeo not so suave: OUT IN CLEVELAND

2008-12-29T08:59:00.004-05:00

Cleveland Browns senior vice president and general manager Phil Savage was fired on Sunday and team sources said that coach Romeo Crennel will also lose his job.

After the Browns lost their final six games of the year, the team confirmed Savage's ouster. An official announcement on the GM and the coach is expected as early as Monday and no later than Tuesday.

Browns owner Randy Lerner told Savage by phone before the team left Pittsburgh after losing a 31-0 season finale to the Steelers. The Browns finished the season with a 4-12 record, dropping to a last-place finish in the AFC North behind the Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1).

Lerner is expected to make a run at former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, but there has been no indication that Cowher would embrace a job in Cleveland.

The Browns must adhere to the Rooney Rule and also interview minority candidates for the head coaching vacancy.

If Cowher rebuffs Lerner, sources say the owner wants to go through a thorough process and is expected to interview a handful of candidates for the GM and head coaching positions. League sources have speculated that Patriots vice president of personnel Scott Pioli is a potential successor to Savage. Lerner does not have a prior relationship with Pioli.

If Pioli is hired, head coaching candidates are expected to be Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Lerner was unavailable for immediate comment Sunday and a Browns spokesman also had no comment. Savage also could not be reached for comment.

It was believed that Savage's future was somewhat secure, but in the past week, sources say he was notified by Lerner that he may not be involved in the franchise's process to address the future.

The Browns had high expectations after a 10-6 season in 2007 that resulted in lucrative contract extensions for both Savage and Crennel. Savage received a new four-year deal worth $2.7 million annually and Crennel got a two-year extension through 2011. Crennel has between $9-and-$10 million remaining on his contract, a source said.

Savage has had well-acclaimed drafts since he became the GM in 2004. In April 2007, he drafted Wisconsin tackle Joe Thomas with the third overall pick and traded back into the first round to choose Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. The Browns have had 10-12 players who were either selected to the Pro Bowl or who were Pro Bowl alternates during the past two years.

However, injuries and uneven play on offense and defense contributed to a dismal start that headed downhill after Quinn's season ended with a broken finger on his throwing hand on Nov. 17 in a Monday night 29-27 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

That was the last game the Cleveland offense produced a touchdown during the six-game losing streak to end the season.

Shortly after the Buffalo game, Savage had a nasty e-mail exchange with a disgruntled Browns fan that became public. Earlier, he was embroiled in a dispute with tight end Kellen Winslow, who claimed he was discouraged from disclosing that he had been sidelined by a staph infection, an ongoing dilemma for the team in recent years.

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Boston Red Sox finally get in on the off-season action

2008-12-29T08:55:00.002-05:00

After saving millions when they couldn't sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Boston Red Sox appear to have banked another penny.

Boston media outlets are reporting that the team has agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Brad Penny. The right-hander will received a one-year, $5 million deal and can earn an additional $3 million for throwing more than 160 innings.

Looking to add a catcher, the Red Sox also agreed to a non-guaranteed major league deal with Josh Bard, the Boston Herald reported. The deal is worth $1.6 million, the newspaper said.

While battling shoulder problems last season, Penny struggled to a 6-9 record with a 6.27 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That followed his two most productive major league campaigns. He went 16-4 with a 3.03 ERA in 2007, was name to the All-Star team and finished third in Cy Young voting. In 2006, he was 16-9 with a 4.33 ERA and also made the All-Star team.

In nine years, Penny is 94-75 with the Dodgers and Florida Marlins.

The Red Sox, who lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Championship Series last season, have been looking to shore up a rotation that includes Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield.

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Tom Bardy behind in recovery could mean controversy

2008-12-29T08:49:00.002-05:00

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has fallen behind in his recovery efforts from knee surgery and could risk missing next season if another operation is needed, NBCSports.com has reported.

Brady, who underwent surgery Oct. 6 after tearing the ACL and MCL ligaments in his left knee in the first quarter of the team's first game of the season, had subsequent operations on the knee after it became infected.

That infection resulted in a buildup of scar tissue, which may require surgery on the knee, the Web site reported, citing an anonymous NFL source.

The scar tissue also has affected Brady's ability to begin fully rehabilitating his leg, the report said, and the repaired ligaments remain loose. Another surgery also could be needed for that condition, the Web site reported.

The Boston Globe cited league sources and sources close to Brady that dismissed the report. According to the newspaper, the infection appears to have cleared and Brady's rehab is progressing as expected.

Backup quarterback Matt Cassel replaced Brady as the starter and has helped lead the Patriots to an 11-win season, but New England fell short of the playoffs when Miami beat the Jets on Sunday to win the AFC East.

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Bill Parcells possibly on the move again?

2008-12-29T08:43:00.004-05:00

Will Bill Parcells become a free agent -- again?

It's a possibility, hinging on whether Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga's sale of his majority ownership of the team goes through, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

When Parcells joined the Dolphins as executive vice president of football operations last year, his deal included a onetime out clause that would allow him to walk away, with the rest of his $12 million guaranteed contract fully paid, no strings attached, if Huizenga were to sell the team.

Earlier this year, Huizenga agreed to sell 95 percent of the Dolphins to New York developer and team part-owner Stephen Ross. Huizenga hopes to close on the deal by early January to ensure that the capital gains taxes on the sale remain at 15 percent before President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office Jan. 20, Mortensen reported.

Parcells' contract specifically states only Huizenga can be in authority over him. Once Ross officially becomes majority owner, Parcells has to notify Ross within 30 days that he intends to exercise his walk-away clause and collect the full balance of $9 million, Mortensen reported.

At that time, Parcells would be a free agent. And any team that wants his services would not owe compensation to the Dolphins, according to the report.

Among the teams sources say are on Parcells' radar are the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and the Oakland Raiders. However, if Parcells' son-in-law, New England Patriots vice president Scott Pioli, is interested in any of those jobs, Parcells is unlikely to wind up with that team, Mortensen reported.

Parcells could negotiate with Ross to extend his opt-out clause by one year. But as presently written, the clause doesn't extend after one season, according to the report.

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Randy Johnson the "BIG UNIT" inks deal with the Giants

2008-12-26T22:27:00.003-05:00

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Big Unit is heading home to the Bay Area.

Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a one-year contract Friday, meaning the 45-year-old pitcher will go for his 300th win with a new team.

Johnson, a 21-year big league veteran who spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks, was born in Walnut Creek, Calif., about 30 minutes from the Giants' waterfront ballpark.

The five-time Cy Young Award winner has 295 victories after going 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts last season.

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Mike Singletary to get extension from San Francisco 49ers

2008-12-26T14:47:00.004-05:00

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Singletary has been a remarkable short-term solution to the San Francisco 49ers' woes. With each passing week, the interim coach is looking more like the long-term fix, as well.

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that, according to a source close to the situation, the 49ers are planning to offer a multiyear contract to Singletary shortly after the team ends its season with Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins.

NFL teams cannot sign interim coaches during the season under the league's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate, but the 49ers do not have to bring in more candidates if they are planning to take the interim tag off Singletary.

On Wednesday, Singletary acknowledged he had met with the team's top officials about his future earlier in the week. According to the Bee, Singletary laid out a plan for the 49ers that wowed the club's leadership.

"I will just say this: I don't interpret anything as … really good or really bad," said Singletary, whose club has won four of its past six games. "I think the most important thing is that I just continue to stay focused. After it's all said and done, we can look back at how positive things are, and our direction or whatever, and we can fully pay attention to it."

Team owners John and Jed York haven't responded to requests for comment on Singletary's situation, but they undoubtedly have noticed the 49ers' improved play -- along with the groundswell of Bay Area fan support for the Hall of Fame linebacker.

Singletary's players certainly are in their coach's corner.

"The way guys have responded to him and played for him says a lot," said quarterback Shaun Hill, who is 4-3 as a starter and has one of the NFL's best passer ratings since Singletary promoted him. "Those decisions aren't up to us, but we feel like we can turn the corner with what we have."

Singletary took over for Mike Nolan on Oct. 20, one day after San Francisco dropped to 2-5 with a loss at the Giants. The 49ers then lost the first two games of Singletary's tenure before the current surge, led by Hill's cool passing and a once-awful defense that has allowed fewer than 17 points in five of the past six games.

With a victory over Washington in Sunday's finale, the Niners could finish 7-9 to match their best record in six consecutive losing seasons since John York fired coach Steve Mariucci after a second-round playoff defeat.

If Singletary returns, most believe he'll have to find a new offensive coordinator -- San Francisco's seventh new face at the job in seven years.

Mike Martz, hired in January by Nolan in an effort to revitalize the NFL's worst offense in two of the previous three seasons, has breathed life into San Francisco's effort. But the former St. Louis head coach runs a pass-first scheme that doesn't seem to fit well with Singletary's belief in a run-oriented attack.

Martz acquiesced to Singletary's now-obvious promotion of Hill over Martz favorite J.T. O'Sullivan and bent his game plans to accommodate Singletary's desire for a sturdier running game. Although Martz and Singletary seem to get along well, both might be better off on their own.

"I think everything that I asked him to do, he made every attempt to do the things he needed to do," Singletary said when asked about Martz's future in San Francisco. "Going forward, I just feel that after the season, we have to sit down … and look at what gives us the best opportunity to win."

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Sammy Sosa looking to get back to the Major Leagues

2008-12-26T14:38:00.002-05:00

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Sammy Sosa is still waiting for an offer to play in the major leagues, according to a report published by Dominican newspaper Listin Diario.

Sosa, who previously had expressed his intention to retire from baseball after the next World Baseball Classic in March, believes he can still have an impact at the major league level.

"I still don't have an offer, and I shouldn't be looking for offers out there," said Sosa, the National League MVP in 1998 and the only hitter to surpass 60 or more homers in a season on three occasions. "Any team who wants to sign me should have the initiative and make an offer."

Sosa added that he's still in good physical shape in hopes of making a comeback to professional baseball.

"Those who saw me training know that I'm hitting the ball with the usual authority. I just hope to get the chance to prove that I'm still a threat," said Sosa at a charity event sponsored by his foundation.

The Dominican slugger did not play in the first edition of the WBC in 2006. That same year, the right fielder rejected a contract offer from the Washington Nationals.

The second edition of the WBC, with 16 countries in the field, will begin play in March. The Dominican Republic will play its first-round games in Puerto Rico.

Sosa, who turned 40 on Nov. 12, is a free agent who had 21 home runs and 92 RBIs in 114 games in 2007 with the Texas Rangers. Playing against the Cubs, his former team, Sosa became the fifth player in history to hit 600 home runs, following the path of Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (660).

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Plaxico Burress in the headlines again...but not for catching touchdowns

2008-12-25T11:04:00.004-05:00

TOTOWA, N.J. (AP)—The bloody pants that Plaxico Burress wore when he accidentally shot himself last month, plus a handgun, a rifle and an assortment of ammunition were seized Tuesday by authorities from the home of the New York Giants receiver.

In addition to a 9-mm handgun, a .30-06-caliber rifle and the ammunition, including a clip for a .45 gun, police also said they recovered the sneakers that Burress wore during the accidental shooting during the three-hour search of the Super Bowl star’s Totowa home.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the weapons are registered, so it is unclear whether Burress will face additional charges.

Totowa police chief Robert Coyle said it would is hard to successfully prosecute someone if they have legally registered weapons in one state and stored them in New Jersey.

Burress still faces two felony gun-possession charges following the accidental shooting at a Manhattan nightclub last month.

Benjamin Brafman, the receiver’s criminal attorney, said Wednesday morning that he believed that only a registered rifle was taken from the home. He did not know whether Burress would face additional charges.

"We have not had a chance to review this new information," Brafman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday morning. "When we do, we will have additional comment."

Burress was not at home during the search by Totowa police, four New York City detectives and a Brafman associate, Coyle said, adding the player's wife was present.

Brafman said his client was out of town but did not elaborate.

The New York Post reported that authorities discovered a suitcase full of money, but Coyle said that was not true.

Burress accidentally shot himself in the right thigh at the Latin Quarter nightclub on Nov. 29 when he fumbled with an unlicensed handgun tucked into the waistband of his sweat pants. He checked himself into New York-Cornell Hospital and later turned himself in to police.

The Giants suspended Burress for the rest of the season and also withheld $1 million owed to him as part of his signing bonus.

Burress is due back in court March 31 and faces up to 3½ years in prison on each count.

Burress was also sued last week in Florida's Broward County Circuit Court for rear-ending a woman in May while driving his nearly $140,000 Mercedes-Benz.

According to a document provided by the woman's attorney, his car insurance lapsed three days before the crash. A letter from Allstate says Burress neglected to pay his premiums.

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Dwayne Wade A star on the court and now off the court

2008-12-25T10:53:00.003-05:00

MIAMI -- When Dwyane Wade heard the plight of a South Florida woman whose nephew accidentally burned down her home -- and ruined all the family's possessions -- the Miami Heat star knew he had to do something.

So he helped the family move into a new home, just in time for Christmas.

Wade presented Dawn Smith with the ultimate Christmas gift on Wednesday -- the keys to a her new house, along with some furnishings, clothing and gifts to make sure her family has a joyous holiday, something that didn't seem likely just a few weeks ago.

His Wade's World foundation will make some payments on the home, while Smith and her family get back on their feet.

"That's what I try to teach my kids," said Wade, whose foundation has hosted several charity events this holiday season, mostly for needy children. "It's not about what you're going to receive -- it's what you can give to others from what you've received."

Smith couldn't hold back happy sobs when she saw the home for the first time.

"A big-time relief," Smith said, clearly overcome by emotion. "Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Oh, God, thank you so much."
The NBA's leading scorer this season had a simple message: "Hopefully, you'll like it."

Wade's other holiday events this year included a party for 350 children on Monday, and hosting 100 kids at Tuesday night's Heat game against the Golden State Warriors. He also donated $10,000 to each of three children's organizations, but said he was particularly touched by being able to assist the Smith family.

"We can help this family have a new beginning," Wade said.

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The New York Yankees do it again by signing Teixeira

2008-12-23T17:44:00.005-05:00

The New York Yankees swooped in Tuesday and hooked prized free agent Mark Teixeira, reaching agreement with the first baseman on an eight-year contract worth $180 million, three sources involved in the negotiations told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

The agreement, which is subject to a physical, includes a signing bonus of about $5 million and a complete no-trade provision, The Associated Press reported.

The Yankees had made an offer to Teixeira weeks ago, but then withdrew it; their intention all along was to make an offer, which they did formally on Tuesday, if it fell within parameters acceptable to the organization. The contract will pay Teixeira, who made it clear he wanted to make a decision on where to play next season and beyond by Christmas, an average of $22.5 million per season.

The Yankees had $88.5 million coming off the books (included in that total -- $23.4 million on Jason Giambi, $16 million on Bobby Abreu, and $11 million to both Mike Mussina and Carl Pavano), and even with the Teixeira contract, they expect their payroll to fall below $200 million. New York has committed $423.5 million in salary in the last month, with $161 million going to left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia ($23 million over seven years) and $82.5 million to right-hander A.J. Burnett ($18.5 million over five) last week alone.

The deal also virtually eliminates any chance that free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez has a landing place with the Yankees. New York does have money left to add another starting pitcher, most likely veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte at $10 million if he agrees to terms soon.

Teixeira's salary gives the Yankees, who are preparing to move into their $1.3 billion new ballpark in April, the four highest-paid players in Major League Baseball, including third baseman Alex Rodriguez, shortstop Derek Jeter and Sabathia.

Teixeira's agreement also comes just one day after the Yankees received a $26.9 million luxury tax bill for 2008, when their streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances ended. But with the revenue from their new stadium, where tickets are priced at up to $2,500 per game, their appetite for free agents wasn't diminished.

Just 28, Teixeira is the type of hitter the Yankees hope will revive an offense that dropped from a major league-leading 968 runs in 2007 to 789 last season. The switch-hitter batted a combined .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels, who acquired him July 29. He is also a two-time Gold Glove winner.

The Yankees landed Teixeira at a time it was believed the Boston Red Sox or the Washington Nationals were the likeliest to be his future employer. The Red Sox's offer was believed to be in the range of $170 million, and the Nationals reached out with an offer perhaps greater than that of Boston.
Red Sox executives met with Teixeira and agent Scott Boras last week and were told they were being outbid. Teixeira, who is from Maryland, also had discussed signing with the Baltimore Orioles.

"We would have loved to have had the player, who appealed to us because of the special circumstances of where he's from and where we are. We diverted from our plan to try to get him," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "But at the end of the day, it was just too much to pay for one player. It would handicap our ability to go forward."

The Nationals also held talks. General manager Jim Bowden said his team's owners "demonstrated their commitment to win, when they stepped up in negotiations ... at the highest level."

"We are disappointed we weren't able to sign him," Bowden wrote in an e-mail to the AP on Tuesday, "and will now turn our attention to several other opportunities to improve our major league club this offseason."

The Angels made an eight-year offer during the winter meetings but withdrew it last weekend.

Teixeira will replace a void in the Yankees lineup created by the departures of Giambi and Abreu, who became free agents. It also creates a logjam for New York, which acquired first baseman Nick Swisher last month in a trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner and Xavier Nady. Matsui currently is likely to be the designated hitter much of the time.

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Lebron James not in New York just yet...

2008-12-21T12:14:00.003-05:00

A few NBA teams are clearing cap room for the summer of 2010, but LeBron James' future might be long decided by then.

James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer he is pleased with the Cleveland Cavaliers' improvement and is considering signing an extension during this summer.

"You play out this season of course; I will consider it," James told the Plain Dealer on Saturday before the Cavs practiced at the Pepsi Center.

"The direction we are headed is everything I expected and more."

James has not talked publicly about signing this summer until now. The Cavaliers have made great progress this season and are off to a 22-4 start, the second-best record in the NBA

James had signed a three-year, $43 million deal with the Cavs in 2006. That contract includes a player option for 2010-11 worth $17.4 million. Many believed James would forego the option, but no one had considered his signing an extension. There has been speculation James will end up in one of the NBA's larger markets -- maybe with the New York Knicks.

"I definitely want to keep an open mind, I will look at everything," James told the Plain Dealer. "[The extension] is a good point. I think me and my group have pretty much made good decisions so far and we'll look at the options and go from there."

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David Beckham set to play for AC Milan in attempt to rejoin England squad

2008-12-20T15:13:00.004-05:00

David Beckham has revealed that he has craved football "at the highest level" after being presented as an AC Milan player ahead of a three-month loan deal from LA Galaxy.

Beckham hopes the move to the Serie A giants will keep him in the thoughts of England manager Fabio Capello and get him back to match fitness.

"Moving to America was a big step for me because there was a lot of people who were criticising the move, but I still believe it was a move where I wanted to challenge myself and I was able to challenge myself in different ways," Beckham told a press conference in Milan tonight.

"But I have always said that I would always miss playing at the highest level. I'm not saying that in America they won't get to the highest level - it will take time and it will happen. But with five months off during the season I personally can't do that.

"I needed to be able to be playing top-flight football to keep myself fit, to keep myself in contention for other things that are going on."

Beckham began the press conference by addressing the assembled media with a few words in Italian and will be in the stands to watch his new team take on Udinese on Sunday evening.

He will then join them at a training camp in Dubai and could make his debut when the Serie A season resumes with a trip to Roma on January 11.

He added: "I'm really happy to be here, it is a great honour. I hope to add to the team, I hope to give everything that I've always given in my career and it's a huge honour.

"To be able to have the chance to play for another one of the biggest clubs in the world...I've played for the biggest club in England, the biggest club in Spain and now I'm going to be playing for the biggest club in Italy.

"I've been very lucky in my career to have done that, and I'm just going to enjoy it because I think to be given this opportunity is incredible."

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Super-Agent Scott Boras says it will take $195M

2008-12-19T22:14:00.009-05:00

Super-Agent Scott Boras seeks $195 million + for his client Mark Teixeira.

Red Sox executives flew to Texas on Thursday believing they were close enough in negotiations to complete a deal with Mark Teixeira. But after they arrived, they were informed that their offer to Teixeira -- something in the range of $165 million to $170 million -- was short by upwards of $25 million

It's unclear exactly what offers Teixeira has in hand. But as of Friday morning, the New York Yankees had not made an offer, and the Baltimore Orioles had not increased the single offer that they had made, and there remained an expectation in place that unless Teixeira is willing to give Baltimore a major hometown discount, he will be playing someplace else in 2009.

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Eric Devendorf suspended for the rest of the semester

2008-12-19T22:08:00.004-05:00

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf must perform 40 hours of community service and be reinstated by the university before he can play after being accused of hitting a female student.

Devendorf can petition to be readmitted for the spring semester that starts Jan. 12 if he completes the community service, the University Appeals Board ruled Friday.

The second-leading scorer for the No. 11 Orange could be readmitted prior to the start of classes if he completes the community service, university officials said. That means he will miss at least the game at Memphis on Saturday and Coppin State at home on Monday, but could return for the Big East opener against Seton Hall on Dec. 30.

Devendorf was suspended following an off-campus altercation on Nov. 1 in which he was accused of hitting a female student on the jaw with the heel of his hand.

The 21-year-old from Bay City, Mich., played while he appealed the suspension.

The original decision by a judicial hearing board had recommended he be suspended through the academic year.

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Rafael Furcal will rejoin the Dodgers

2008-12-19T21:57:00.002-05:00

LOS ANGELES -- Shortstop Rafael Furcal finalized his three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.

Furcal agreed to terms of a contract worth at least $30 million with the Dodgers two days earlier, prompting the Atlanta Braves to claim the 31-year-old switch hitter reneged on a deal with them.

"Raffy has proven to be a very important player for us over the last three seasons," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement issued late Friday. "He sets a great example with his enthusiasm and passion for the game and his teammates."

Furcal hit .357 with five homers and 16 RBI last season, but was limited to 36 games and 143 at-bats by back problems. He had back surgery July 3 and was sidelined until the season's final week, but started each of the Dodgers' eight postseason games, hitting .258 with one homer, three RBI and nine runs scored.

"You can't overestimate Raffy's value to the team," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "He brings so much more to the table than just his ability to play the game. The players feed off his energy and I think he's an integral piece of the puzzle. I look forward to having that leadership in a Dodger uniform for the next several years."

Braves president John Schuerholz has vowed to never again do business with Furcal's agents, whom Schuerholz accused in a newspaper interview of conducting "despicable" dealings with the team.

Schuerholz and Braves general manager Frank Wren were quoted as saying the Wasserman Media Group, headed by Arn Tellem, negotiated dishonestly by taking the team's signed terms of agreement sheet for Furcal to the Dodgers. Wren said he believed the request by agent Paul Kinzer for a term sheet signed by the Braves late Monday meant an agreement had been reached.

"Having been in this business for 40-some years, I've never seen anybody treated like that," Schuerholz was quoted as saying in Friday's editions of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company -- ever. I told Arn Tellem that we can't trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I've never seen any (agency) act in such a despicable manner.

"It was disgusting and unprofessional. We're a proud organization, and we won't allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs, and we'll deal with the other hundred agents."

Schuerholz did not respond to a telephone message left Friday by the Associated Press.

The players' association is likely to maintain that a team cannot boycott players based on which agent they retain.

"I've been in touch with Arn Tellem," said Michael Weiner, the general counsel for the players' association. "I intend to be in touch next week with the commissioner's office to make sure the Braves are made aware of their obligations under the Basic Agreement."

Furcal gets $6.5 million next season, $8.5 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. The deal includes a $12 million team option for 2012, and the option would become guaranteed if he has 600 plate appearances in 2011. He also can earn an additional $1 million annually, including the option year, if he remains healthy.

Furcal also will get a $3 million payment by the end of the January following the contract's completion. He has a limited no-trade provision allowing him to block deals to a specified number of teams.

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Joe Paterno can't hang it up just yet...

2008-12-17T08:33:00.003-05:00

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Penn State coach Joe Paterno has a new three-year contract extension to go along with his new hip.

The Hall of Famer and winningest coach in major college football history has agreed to a new deal with the university, the athletic department said Tuesday in a statement.

The agreement will provide "for the opportunity of Coach Joe Paterno leading the football program through the 2011 season," the statement said. JoePa turns 82 on Sunday.

"It was also agreed that the parties might re-evaluate their circumstances and alter the arrangement by either shortening or extending its length as necessary," the statement said.

The agreement ends months of speculation about Paterno's future since his current deal had expired following this season. University president Graham Spanier and Paterno had announced in the spring that Paterno didn't need something in writing to stay on a job he's had a record 43 years.

Yet contract questions still dogged both sides until Nov. 22, when Paterno said after the Big Ten title-clinching win over Michigan State that he planned to return in 2009.

He had hip replacement surgery the next day. Back on his feet and easing back into his coaching routine, Paterno told reporters last week that he wasn't worried about getting an extension done before the No. 8 Nittany Lions (11-1) play No. 5 Southern California in the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Citi on New Year's Day.

"If we can work out something that they are comfortable with and I'm comfortable with before the bowl, fine," Paterno said. "I just get tired of recruits asking me, 'How long are you going to be there?' But most of them are fine."

Terms of the extension were not announced.

Records released by the State Employees Retirement System last year put his 2007 salary at about $512,000. The state data did not reflect other sources of compensation such as bonuses or outside income.

By salary alone though, Paterno's contract is nowhere close to those of other big names such as Alabama's Nick Saban, the highest-paid coach at $4 million a year.

As for his health, Paterno has said he is feeling fine and that rehab is going well. He's eager to get back to the sideline, where he hasn't coached from since late September.

Paterno stayed vague about how much longer he thought he could coach.

"There's no reason for me not to think that I can go for a while," he said. "Now how long is a while? I don't know."

Counting Paterno's 16 seasons as a Penn State assistant before taking the head-coaching job in 1966, the 2009 campaign would be JoePa's 60th year on the Nittany Lion coaching staff.

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DeMarco Murray out for BCS title game wIth hamstring

2008-12-17T08:28:00.003-05:00

NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray will have surgery to repair a partial rupture of his left hamstring tendon and will not play in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game against the Florida Gators on Jan. 8.

Murray, the Sooners' second-leading rusher, was injured on the opening kickoff of the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 6. The Sooners initially believed Murray had suffered a bruise, but an MRI exam revealed the injury to be more serious. Surgery has been scheduled for Dec. 22, the university said.

The school said that according to head trainer Scott Anderson, it will be about five months before Murray is cleared to resume training.

Murray scored 18 touchdowns and accounted for 1,397 yards of total offense (1,002 rushing, just eight fewer than team rushing leader Chris Brown) this season, or 19.1 percent of Oklahoma's 7,307 yards from scrimmage. The Sooners' 7,307 yards of total offense was second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2008, 39 yards behind Tulsa.

"Obviously we're very disappointed for DeMarco," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "He has been an important part of our success this year and we will miss his contributions. DeMarco has had an incredible year. "

"With Chris Brown and Mossis Madu, we still have two very fine backs. Our team has a lot of confidence in their abilities."

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MONTE KIFFIN TO JOIN SON LANE AT TENNESSEE

2008-12-15T22:14:00.002-05:00

TAMPA, Fla. -- Monte Kiffin is giving up the NFL to join his son on the sidelines in the Southeastern Conference.

Tampa Bay's longtime defensive coordinator ended weeks of speculation, confirming he will leave the Buccaneers at the end of this season for a position on the staff of Lane Kiffin, the new coach at Tennessee.

"I think we all respect his situation. We had a pretty good indication that he was going to join his son," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "It's a great reunion, I think, for the Kiffin family. I'm happy for him."

Kiffin was unavailable for comment, but he told reporters after Sunday's 13-10 overtime loss in Atlanta that he made the decision the previous weekend and informed Gruden, general manager Bruce Allen and the players last Wednesday.

"It was a very, very hard decision. ... When you've been in a place since 1996, you don't just jump ship," Kiffin said.

"I've had other opportunities. There was one that came up last year that was a great opportunity, and people don't even know for sure about the whole thing. But I stayed here, decided to sign back up for two years. But the club was very good about giving me the option to go with my son," he said.

Kiffin is in his 13th season of running the Bucs defense, and the unit has ranked among the best in the NFL for most of that tenure.

Even before Tennessee officially hired Lane Kiffin to replace Phillip Fulmer, there was speculation that the elder Kiffin might be interested in joining his son, who was fired earlier this season by the Oakland Raiders.

Gruden said Kiffin's impending departure won't be a distraction for the injury-depleted Bucs, who have lost two straight games but remain in contention for a playoff berth at 9-5. He also declined to speculate about a possible successor for the 68-year-old assistant.

"We're going to finish this season. We have a lot of guys that are on the last year of their contract -- players, coaches, that's league-wide," Gruden said.

"I don't want to speculate. I want to finish the season. We've done so many good things. ... We're fighting through some very tough injuries and we've got to make some tough decisions on where we go next," he said.

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ECONOMIC WOES CAUSE THE AREANA LEAGUE TO CANCEL SEASON

2008-12-15T21:30:00.005-05:00

The Arena Football League will shut down for 2009 but plans to reorganize and return in 2010, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and The New York Times have reported.

"I think it's a historic day for the league," the owner and chief executive of the Cleveland Gladiators, James L. Ferraro, told The Times in a telephone interview Sunday night. "I think this league will be much, much stronger, and it will be here for a long time because of what happened."

Citing a league source, The Plain Dealer said an official announcement would come Monday. The Times reported the announcement was conditional on approval from the players' association.

Officials held a conference call last week and announced that no consensus had been reached and that talks would continue in hopes of coming up with a better business model.

According to The Plain Dealer's source, the league's board of directors met by conference call again Sunday and voted to shut down because too many big-name owners or big-name cities said they would not return in 2009.

"We couldn't be taken seriously if we lost too many teams, especially in big markets," the source said, according to the newspaper. "That's what was going to happen. We needed to shut down and reorganize."

The AFL has endured a season of uncertainty. On Tuesday, the 16-team league delayed indefinitely the start of free agency, the release of its 2009 schedule and a dispersal draft to award players from the defunct New Orleans VooDoo.

No permanent replacement has been named for longtime commissioner David Baker, who abruptly resigned from the 22-year-old league in July two days before the ArenaBowl championship game.

ESPN has a minor, nonmanagement financial interest in the AFL.

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PAYNEINSIDER.COM LIVE SPORTS BETTING PODCAST

2008-12-15T08:39:00.003-05:00

PAYNEINSIDER.COM LIVE SPORTS PODCAST:

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ROUND #1 GOES TO SAM BRADFORD & THE SOONERS

2008-12-13T21:51:00.003-05:00

NEW YORK -- Sam Bradford's biggest score: the Heisman Trophy.

Oklahoma's amazingly accurate and quick-thinking quarterback won the Heisman on Saturday night after guiding the highest-scoring team in major college football history to the national championship game.

A year after Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman, Bradford became the second and kept the Florida quarterback from joining Archie Griffin as the only two-time winners.

Bradford, who leads the nation in touchdown passes with 48, received 1,726 points. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was second with 1,604 and Tebow -- who received the most first-place votes -- was third with 1,575 points.

"I was definitely surprised and I think it's everything I imagined," said Bradford, who raised the 25-pound bronze statue with his left hand still in a cast from a recent surgery. "I think it will take a couple weeks to set in."

It was the closest vote between the top two since Nebraska's Eric Crouch edged Florida's Rex Grossman by 62 points in 2001. The only other time the margin between first and third was smaller was also '01, when Miami's Ken Dorsey was 142 points behind Crouch.

Bradford and the No. 2 Sooners (12-1) will face Tebow and the No. 1 Gators (12-1) on Jan. 8 in Miami, marking the second time Heisman winners will play against each other. The first was in the 2005 Orange Bowl, when '04 winner Matt Leinart and Southern California beat '03 winner Jason White and Oklahoma for the national title.

The Big 12 South was the epicenter of college football this season, with both the national championship race and Heisman chase turning weekly on games played by its three powerhouse teams.

McCoy was the early Heisman front-runner after leading the Longhorns to the No. 1 ranking with a victory against Oklahoma in October. Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, who finished a distant fourth in Heisman voting, then moved to the forefront after he tossed a last-second, game-winning touchdown pass to beat Texas a month later.

But Bradford closed strongest, leading his team to a string of blowout victories, including one against Texas Tech, and a spot -- even if it was somewhat controversial -- in the BCS title game.

Bradford leads the nation in passer rating (186.3) and has thrown for 4,464 yards, directing the Sooners' fast-paced, no-huddle offense.

Oklahoma has already racked up 702 points to blow past the record of 656 set by Hawaii in 2006, and last week the Sooners became the first major college team in 89 years to score at least 60 in five straight games.

"This is an individual award but I feel like I'm receiving it on behalf of my teammates," Bradford said. "I feel like our whole offense bails me out every game," Bradford said. "They make me look good."

Bradford is the fifth Oklahoma player to win the award, and second during coach Bob Stoops' 10 seasons with the Sooners. Bradford matched White by taking home college football's most famous bronze statue. Next he'd like to join Josh Heupel, his position coach and a Heisman runner-up, who quarterbacked OU to the 2000 national title.

"You were one of my heroes growing up," Bradford told Heupel, one of many former Heisman winners at the ceremony.

Bradford wasn't projected to be the Sooners' next star quarterback coming out of high school in Oklahoma City. He arrived in Norman with little fanfare and not enough weight on his 6-foot-4 frame.

In his recruiting class, Rhett Bomar was the much-hyped, five-star recruit, but he eventually was kicked off the team because of NCAA violations.

Turns out, losing Bomar wasn't that big a loss.

After redshirting in his freshman season, Bradford won the starting job last year and it took him little time to show that he had no plans of giving it up.

Bradford went on the set an NCAA record for TD passes by a freshman with 36. He completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,121 yards and led Oklahoma to an 11-3 season. And he was only warming up.

While no match for Tebow and McCoy as a runner, Bradford's Heisman moment came on a scramble against Oklahoma State in the regular-season finale. He sprinted away from pressure, turned up the sideline and about 5 yards from the end zone tried to vault headfirst to the goal line. Bradford got hit and flipped, arms and legs whipping around, and landed hard out of bounds, but popped right up. On the next play, he sneaked into the end zone from a yard out.

The face of the Sooners' latest national championship contender has also become a hero to a nation.

Bradford is 1-16th Cherokee, through his great-great grandmother Susie Walkingstick. Bradford admittedly knew little about his Native-American roots growing up, but he's developed an enormous following among Oklahoma's large Native-American population.

Then again, these days it'd be hard to find anyone more popular throughout Oklahoma than Bradford.

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AUBURN FINDS ITS NEW HEAD COACH IN GENE CHIZIK?

2008-12-13T21:39:00.004-05:00

Iowa State coach Gene Chizik has been hired as the next football coach at Auburn, Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard said in statement.

"Gene [Chizik] confirmed for me today that he is accepting the head coaching position at Auburn, Pollard said "I'm disappointed for our Iowa State fans and student-athletes that he has chosen to leave our program after only two seasons.

"I understand that it [Auburn] is a dream job for him, but the timing and the way it played out has been hurtful and disappointing. Although this is a significant set back, we will get through the challenge because the Iowa State University athletics program is far greater than one person."

A former Auburn defensive coordinator, Chizik will succeed Tommy Tuberville, who resigned following 10 seasons. The hiring was first reported by several media outlets, including AuburnUndercover.com, the Birmingham News and the Mobile Press-Register.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs has not confirmed the hiring.

"I think that if everything continues to go well in the next few days, we'll have the process narrowed down pretty well," Jacobs told reporters after landing in Auburn on a university jet. "We'll just go from there."

Asked if he had hired Chizik, Jacobs said: "We're just still working through the deal."

Jacobs was on the plane with university President Jay Gogue and other athletic department officials, reportedly returning from a trip to Memphis, where Chizik's agent, Jimmy Sexton, is based. A couple of dozen fans greeted the plane and some of them heckled the Auburn officials for apparently choosing a coach with a losing record.

An Auburn spokesman said no announcement was scheduled and an Iowa State spokesman also said he couldn't confirm the reports. Sexton declined to comment. Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard was out of town and unavailable for comment, spokesman Steve Malchow said.

Chizik is 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State after stints running the defenses at Auburn and Texas. He coached the nation's top scoring defense in 2004 in his third and final season with the Tigers. That defense allowed just 11 points a game and Auburn went undefeated.

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard had acknowledged on Friday in a statement that he was aware Chizik had met with Auburn officials and was a serious candidate for the job.

Before coming to Iowa State to replace Dan McCarney, Chizik was one of the hottest defensive coordinators in the country. He led teams at Auburn and Texas to a 28-game winning streak over two-plus seasons before losing in 2006 to Ohio State while at Texas. He was Frank Broyles national award winner in 2004 and served as the coordinator on Texas' 2005 national championship team.

But he's gone just 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State -- including a 2-10 mark in 2008. The Cyclones went winless in Big 12 play this season, and their win total has dipped in each of the past three seasons.

Chizik's defense regressed in every major statistical category this season. The Cyclones worsened from 65th to 111th nationally in total defense, 93rd to 110th in scoring defense, 44th to 95th in rushing defense and 91st to 115th in total defense.

Their struggles were particularly apparent in the Big 12 game, which has become one of the nation's highest-scoring conferences in the last several seasons. The Cyclones allowed at least 28 points in every conference game this season and at least 422 yards of total offense. Iowa State also had allowed 28 points in 14 of 16 conference games under Chizik.

Iowa State currently has a 10-game losing streak which ranks tied for the second longest in FBS football with SMU. Washington has the longest at 14 games.

But the Iowa State program has traditionally struggled in the latter stages of the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. The Cyclones had 17 non-winning seasons in a 19-year period before Dan McCarney took them to five bowl games during a span of six season from 2000-05. McCarney was let go after a 4-8 record in 2006.

Iowa State has never notched an outright conference championship in the 117-season history of the progam. The Cyclones shared Missouri Valley Championship titles as co-champions in 1911 and 1912.

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76'ERS FIRE MAURICE CHEEKS

2008-12-13T12:31:00.003-05:00

CheeksThe Philadelphia 76ers fired coach Maurice Cheeks on Saturday, sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Assistant general manager Tony DiLeo will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, the sources said.

Cheeks' deal with the 76ers, who started the season 9-14, was guaranteed through next season.

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ANGELS FINALLY MAKE OFFER TO TEIXEIRA

2008-12-13T09:13:00.002-05:00

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Angels made an eight-year offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira during winter meetings in Las Vegas.

Team spokesman Tim Mead said Friday that no financial details are being revealed about the offer to the free agent, who is being sought by numerous teams.

Boston, Washington and Baltimore all have expressed interest in the 28-year-old Maryland native, who also met with the New York Yankees ahead of the winter meetings

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RAUL IBANEZ NEWEST MEMBER OF CHAMPS

2008-12-13T09:06:00.004-05:00

The Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, pending a physical. The deal is believed to be worth $30 million over three years.

The 36-year-old Ibanez will become the Phillies' new everyday left fielder, and his signing means the Phillies no longer will pursue their longtime left fielder, Pat Burrell, who is also a free agent.

Ibanez had drawn significant interest from a number of teams, including the Cubs, Mets, Angels and Braves. But he had been sending signals through friends that the Phillies were his first choice.

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign him Thursday after it became known that the Angels also were negotiating the parameters of a deal with Ibanez as their No. 1 alternative if they lost out in efforts to sign Mark Teixeira.

Ibanez, who turns 37 next June, has spent the past five seasons with the Mariners, where he was a longtime favorite of Pat Gillick, then the Mariners' GM and now the outgoing Phillies GM.

Ibanez hit .293 this season, with 23 homers, 110 RBIs, a .358 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage. He is one of just five outfielders who have driven in at least 100 runs in each of the past three seasons. The others: Carlos Beltran, Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Lee and Bobby Abreu.

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JUDGES EXTEND INJUCTION: PLAYERS CLEARED FOR REMAINDER OF SEASON

2008-12-12T10:25:00.003-05:00

MINNEAPOLIS -- A federal judge extended his preliminary injunction against the NFL's suspension of five players for violating the league's anti-doping policy, a move their lawyer said will let them play the rest of the season.

In his ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson asked both parties to propose a schedule by Dec. 22 for further proceedings that would lead to an eventual hearing on the merits of the case, a process that could take months. The regular season ends Dec. 28.

Kevin Williams and Pat Williams of the Minnesota Vikings and Charles Grant, Deuce McAllister and Will Smith of the New Orleans Saints were suspended last week for four games each. They tested positive during training camp for a banned diuretic, bumetanide, in the dietary supplement StarCaps.

Bumetanide can be used as a masking agent for steroids. Diuretics are also used to quickly shed weight. The StarCaps label didn't list the diuretic as an ingredient.

"The players and the union are thrilled," Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney for the NFL Players Association, told the Associated Press. Kessler said the judge's timeframe is long enough that the players can finish the season and go to the playoffs if their teams make it that far.

Kevin and Pat Williams, who aren't related, are star defensive tackles for a Vikings team that is 8-5 and in first place in the NFC North. They play Sunday at Arizona.

"My attorney gave me a little bit of it, but I was focused on the game. I really wasn't focused on that," Smith said Thursday night after the Saints lost in overtime to Chicago 27-24. "So I got to sit back either tonight or tomorrow and talk to him and see what happens."

Smith said he wasn't even aware, until told by a reporter, that Magnuson had extended the injunction.

"I guess that's a good thing, so see what happens, you know," he said.

"Since there has to be discovery and other proceedings, it's unlikely we would agree on a schedule for a trial until sometime after the Super Bowl," Kessler said.

Magnuson issued his initial injunction Dec. 5 after hearing arguments from the league and the NFLPA. That move came two days after a Minnesota state court judge had issued a restraining order in a lawsuit brought by the Vikings players.

The union argued the NFL didn't properly inform players about what it knew about StarCaps. The NFL's attorneys argued that claim, and others, had been considered and rejected in a process set out by the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Magnuson urged both sides to negotiate a solution. If they can't, he will preserve the status quo until there is a full evidentiary hearing on the case. The two sides have until Dec. 22 to negotiate a proposed schedule for filing papers ahead of that hearing, otherwise the judge will schedule it himself. Magnuson did not set a hearing date.

The judge said the players union had shown it will likely succeed on its claims that the NFL breached its duty to the players by failing to share what it knew about StarCaps. Another issue is whether Jeffrey Pash, the NFL's chief legal officer who upheld the five players' suspensions, was too partial to be an arbitrator.

"We are extraordinarily pleased for Kevin and Pat as well as for the Vikings fans," Peter Ginsberg, an attorney for the Williamses, said in a statement. "We appreciate the court's decision to allow us to conduct a full and fair hearing to explore the full extent of the NFL's failure to live up to its obligations to the players."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement the league accepted the decision.

"This is consistent with the approach the judge has taken in giving careful consideration to these issues, which we fully respect," Aiello said.

Richard Berthelsen, acting executive director of the players union, said the decision shows that the league can't ignore the rights of players in issuing arbitration rulings, and that courts will intervene if it does.

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BOSTON CELTICS CONTINUE TO MAKE HISTORY

2008-12-12T10:06:00.004-05:00

The Celtics' 122-88 thumping of the Wizards on Thursday added another historic notch to Boston's 2008-09 campaign. With 21 wins in their first 23 games, the Celtics eclipsed their franchise record for the best start to a season. Six more wins against New Orleans, Utah, Atlanta, Chicago, the Knicks, and Philadelphia -- five of them at home -- and they'll stand alone atop history, besting the 1969-70 Knicks and the 1966-67 Sixers, who each started 26-2. The 13-game win streak is Boston's longest since winning 14 straight late in the 1985-86 season.

Of course, the Celtics are no strangers to rarified air. Head coach Doc Rivers told the Boston Globe that a stellar finish is far more important to the team than a jackrabbit start. Championships have a way of trivializing the novel, and nothing accomplished in autumn for the title-holders can offer any measure of fulfillment.

Thursday night, the Celtics shot a blistering 55.7 percent and generated 31 assists off their 44 made shots. After Kevin Garnett hit Kendrick Perkins on a perfect backdoor cut with 2:54 left in the first, the Wizards never sniffed single digits. Boston managed to rest four of its five starters for the entire fourth quarter. Ray Allen settled matters early, beating his defenders off screens to drain four shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter. He finished with 22 points. Paul Pierce wasn't graceful but still tormented the Wizards' defense, earning six trips to the line [off fouls committed by six different Wizards] to also finish with 22 points.

What's made the Celtics so devastating this season is their ability to vary their offense so effortlessly. The Celtics beat opponents with a kick-and-drive scheme initiated by Rajon Rondo. But they're just as apt to come down with a lot of fluid ball motion. At times, they employ an almost Sloan-like flex offense. Everyone in the starting lineup understands how to use space, even the hulking Perkins, who can navigate the baseline and fill a vacant spot underneath as well as any big man. All these offensive principles were at work last season. Even though opponents have since learned the Celtics' playbook, they're still powerless because Boston's execution is so precise.

Perhaps Washington isn't the best measuring stick to gauge the C's force. The Wizards were unable to build on a solid home win over Detroit on Tuesday night and dropped to 4-16 on the season. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, who picked up the slack last season during Gilbert Arenas' absence, appeared worn down, though they combined for 36 points. The Wizards were slow to the ball all night. The team gave up 12 offensive boards, but collected only 20 defensive rebounds -- an atrocious ratio.

Help arrived for Washington's thin backcourt on Wednesday, when the Wizards acquired Memphis castaways Mike James and Javaris Crittenton. Both saw action ... in a manner of speaking. James went 0-for-6 from the field in 11 minutes, while Crittenton committed four turnovers in six minutes without a point, rebound, or assist.

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CUTTINO MOBLEY'S CAREER SADLY COMES TO AN END...

2008-12-11T15:35:00.007-05:00

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley retired from the NBA on Thursday because of a heart disease that he said has gotten worse.

Mobley said doctors told him he faced significant risks if he kept playing. The 11-year veteran said by walking away now, he could live a normal life.

Mobley announced his decision at a press conference at the Knicks' training center, where he confirmed he has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and said he had no choice but to end his career.

"The specialists I've seen made it clear that my heart condition has gotten worse and I couldn't continue to play professional basketball without putting my health and life in serious danger," Mobley said. "As much as I want to keep playing in the NBA, I have no choice but to follow the advice of my doctors and step away from the league."

The Knicks acquired Mobley last month from the Los Angeles Clippers. He never played for the Knicks after his physical exam and subsequent visits with specialists showed his condition was worse than previously thought.

"The doctors said to not chance it and I feel as though they're right, having an 8-year old son, having a long life ahead of me, it's the smart thing," Mobley said. "It's a tough thing to swallow, but things in life happen, but you have to keep going."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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YANKEES CONTINUE TO BE MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE MARKET

2008-12-11T08:24:00.007-05:00

LAS VEGAS -- The New York Yankees, making a hard late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for A.J. Burnett, offered the free-agent right-hander a guaranteed five-year contract Wednesday, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

The proposed deal is worth about $85 million, the source said.

Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, was believed to be seeking a deal approaching Carlos Zambrano's five-year, $91.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. Sources said Braunecker and New York general Brian Cashman were still engaged in discussions late into the evening Wednesday at the Bellagio hotel in an effort to address final contract details. Several New York players have also been calling Burnett and lobbying him to choose the Yankees over the Braves.

Burnett is moving closer to making a decision on his next destination, a source told ESPN.com, and a deal could be in place as soon as Thursday.

The Braves offered Burnett a four-year deal with a fifth-year option worth a guaranteed $60-65 million before the meetings. Foxsports.com reported that the Braves have since increased their offer to five years and $80 million, but ESPN.com couldn't confirm if that's the case.

The Yankees, intent on upgrading their starting rotation, agreed in principal to a seven-year, $161 million contract with CC Sabathia early Wednesday. If the Yankees can sign Burnett, indications are that they will turn their attention to former Milwaukee Brewer Ben Sheets, who will probably sign a one- or two-year deal after suffering from elbow problems late in the 2008 season.

The Yankees have also expressed interest in Derek Lowe, but are looking for a less expensive alternative if they have indeed invested almost $250 million in Sabathia and Burnett.
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com.

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CARMELO ANTHONY TIES NBA RECORD

2008-12-11T08:17:00.004-05:00

DENVER -- Carmelo Anthony had an easier time matching the NBA record for points in a quarter than he did trying to figure it out.

Anthony matched George Gervin's NBA record with 33 points in the third and finished with a season-high 45 points in the Denver Nuggets' 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. "I've never been a part of a quarter like that before," Anthony said. "I just felt that good. I can't explain it. My 3-ball was going in, driving to the basket, getting fouled. Just the complete game tonight."

Gervin scored 33 points for San Antonio in the second quarter against New Orleans on April 9, 1978. Anthony broke the franchise record of 32 set by David Thompson against Detroit, also on April 9, 1978.

Chauncey Billups added 24 points in Denver's eighth straight win over Minnesota. After the game, he was still in awe of Anthony's performance.

"I've played against some great ones and played with some great ones," said Billups, whose team trailed by 16 in the first half. "That's the best I've ever seen in a 12-minute span. He was awesome. He got us back in the game, got us a nice lead. Single-handedly put us on his back tonight and did what a lot of great players do."

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PHOENIX SUNS LOOKING TO ADD SCORING BY TRADING FOR RICHARDSON

2008-12-10T18:29:00.004-05:00

The Phoenix Suns have completed a deal with the Charlotte Bobcats to acquire high-scoring swingman Jason Richardson, according to NBA front-office sources.

Boris Diaw and defensive ace Raja Bell, two mainstays from the team that averaged 58 wins over the last four seasons under former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni.

The Suns will also receive a future second-round pick from the Bobcats and forward Jared Dudley while sending Sean Singletary to the Bobcats.

Senior writer Marc Stein covers the NBA for ESPN.com.

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CC SABATHIA INKS $140 MILLION WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES

2008-12-10T08:10:00.005-05:00

This season's biggest free agent, CC Sabathia, has picked the New York Yankees, the New York Post reported early Wednesday morning. The left-hander has agreed to a deal worth at least $140 million over six years, the Post said, the most lucrative contract for a pitcher in baseball history.

The newspaper did not name its sources, but did note that there are "minor" hurdles to finalize, notably that Sabathia must pass a physical.

The Yankees have long been in pursuit of the 2007 AL Cy Young winner in hopes of building a depleted pitching staff around Sabathia. There had been a delay in talks because Sabathia was reportedly interested in pitching on the West Coast, where he is from.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco to meet with Sabathia personally on Tuesday night, which is when Sabathia made his decision to pick the Yankees, the Post said.

The Yankees beat out other teams in the CC sweepstakes that reportedly included the Giants, Dodgers, Angels and Brewers, among others.

Sabathia was traded last season from Cleveland to Milwaukee where he helped the Brewers reach the playoffs for the first time in more than 20 years.

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PAYNEINSIDER.COM & THE JIMMY V FOUNDATION TEAM UP

2008-12-09T22:11:00.004-05:00

PayneInsider.com will be donating 50% of all membership packages sold this week to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. PayneInsider will also be taking donations for it's Free Picks they provide everyday and 100% of those donations will given as well.

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K-ROD LANDS IN THE BIG APPLE

2008-12-09T18:31:00.002-05:00

The New York Mets agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Rodriguez's deal, worth $37 million plus additional incentives, is pending a physical, which the New York Post reported will take place Wednesday.

"I feel good where we are today, compared to where we were yesterday," Mets GM Omar Minaya said Tuesday. "I'm going to stay positive. But total completion of the deal is when everything is signed, sealed and delivered, and [right now] we continue to have dialogue. That's the best I can tell you."

The deal is a one-year increase over the two years and $24 million the Mets are said to have initially offered the closer, who broke the major league single-season saves record last season with 62.

FoxSports.com previously had reported that the Mets had offered Rodriguez a third year.
The Mets, whose bullpen was a major culprit in the team's second straight September swoon, are in need of a front-line closer to replace the injured Billy Wagner, who likely will miss all of 2009 following elbow surgery.
Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, had hoped to get a five-year contract, possibly equaling the $15 million average salary Mariano Rivera is earning from the New York Yankees.

But with baseball executives worried about the national recession, Kinzer accepted a more modest deal.

With the agreement, the Mets are ceasing negotiations with Brian Fuentes and career saves leader Trevor Hoffman, two other free-agent closers, a source told The Associated Press. Rodriguez's contract will contain an option for 2012 that could become guaranteed based on his performance, a source told ESPNdeportes.com.

A three-time All-Star who turns 27 next month, Rodriguez was regarded as the top closer on the market. While some teams were worried about his violent pitching motion and drop in velocity last season, he developed an outstanding curveball to go along with his other pitches.

Rodriguez and Kinzer arrived in Las Vegas last weekend and dined Sunday night with Minaya, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and other team officials at a steakhouse.

In a slow free-agent market, Rodriguez was the first of the top-tier free agents to reach an agreement. Pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, first baseman Mark Teixeira and outfielder Manny Ramirez are among the high-profile players still searching for deals.

The contract would pay Rodriguez about $3 million more than he was offered by the Los Angeles Angels in spring training and $6 million less than Wagner's deal with the Mets.

Information from ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick was used in this report.

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COLT McCOY COMING BACK TO FINISH BUSINESS

2008-12-08T22:43:00.005-05:00

Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy will return for his senior season, the Austin American-Statesman reported Monday on its Web site.

"I'm not going anywhere," McCoy told the newspaper.

McCoy, who had previously said he would file paperwork to receive feedback from an NFL advisory committee about his draft prospects, is hungry for a national title after the Longhorns fell just short of a berth in the BCS Championship Game, the Statesman reported

"I'm coming back because we have a solid coaching staff," McCoy said. "And I'm coming back because I feel like I can develop the young receivers we have."

The Longhorns (11-1), who will face Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5, finished the regular season ranked third in the BCS standings behind Oklahoma and Florida.

McCoy, a redshirt junior, said Monday he had also decided against testing the waters for the draft or seeking an evaluation for his coaches at UT from the NFL.

McCoy set team records this season with 3,445 passing yards and 32 touchdowns. The Heisman Trophy contender also led the team in rushing with 576 yards.

McCoy had hinted before that he would stay for a fourth year at Texas.

"I've been blessed to be able to play here," McCoy told The Sporting News in October. "Not very many people get to [start] here for four years, so what an opportunity."

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#1 OKLAHOMA SOONERS VS. #2 FLORIDA GATORS

2008-12-07T20:38:00.007-05:00

#1 Oklahoma and Sam Bradford will take on #2 Florida and Tim Tebow in the BCS FedEx Championship Game

BELOW IS A COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2008-2009 BOWL SCHEDULE:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3444571

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O J SIMPSON'S SENTENCING SPEECH

2008-12-06T10:43:00.003-05:00

PLAXICO BURRESS, THE "BARNEY FIFE OF HIP-HOP"

2008-12-06T10:25:00.006-05:00

2008 WEEK #2 BCS RANKINGS

2008-10-26T20:36:00.005-04:00

#1. Texas (.998)
#2. Alabama (.950)
#3. Penn State (.926)
#4. Oklahoma (.827)
#5. USC (.782)
#6. Georgia (.770)
#7. Texas Tech (.743)
#8. Florida (.730)
#9. Oklahoma State (.675)
#10. Utah (.670)
#11. Boise State (.636)
#12. Ohio State (.537)
#13. TCU (.506)
#14. Missouri (.475)
#15. Florida State (.338)
#16. Ball State (.338)
#17. Minnesota (.306)
#18. Tulsa (.297)
#19. LSU (.292)
#20. BYU (.290)
#21. Michigan State (.212)
#22. North Carolina (.210)
#23. South Florida (.067)
#24. Oregon (.065)
#25. Connecticut (.063)

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COMPLICATIONS WITH PRETTY BOY'S SURGERY

2008-10-24T12:34:00.003-04:00

Doctors are aggressively fighting an infection in Tom Brady's surgically repaired left knee.

Brady recently acknowledged on his Web site that doctors went in "to clean and to test the wound" on Oct. 15 because of the infection. The New England Patriots quarterback has had two more similar procedures since then.

The story was first reported by the Boston Herald and confirmed by ESPN's Wendi Nix.

The Patriots, sources told ESPN early Thursday, are upset because they wanted Brady's surgery done under the direction of doctors of their choosing in Boston.

The Patriots later denied that report in a statement: "Today, ESPN cited an unnamed source who supposedly expressed the feelings of the Patriots 'organization.' This unsubstantiated report does not represent the team's views whatsoever. We have supported Tom Brady one hundred percent from day one of this process and will continue to do so."

Brady's surgery was done in California by a doctor his family preferred, and now there are major problems. Brady was supposed to be back in New England by now, but a timeline for his return remains unclear.

A person close to Brady told ESPN: "Tom is looking at months, not weeks, to fix this."

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Brady's surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, consulted with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews after the initial infection appeared.

Andrews, based in Birmingham, Ala., gave his support and affirmation to ElAttrache's procedures and follow-up, as well as ElAttrache's credentials.

"[Neal is] very knowledgeable and as good a decision-maker in taking care of athletic injuries -- including complications -- as anyone in the world," Andrews told the Times.

Andrews said that according to ElAttrache, Brady appeared to be recovering well, and was responding to the aggressive, infection-clearing treatments, according to the Times report.
" ... Once the healing process catches back up, it really doesn't set him behind to any degree relative to the overall healing process. The main thing is to save the graft," Andrews said in the Times.

According to the Herald, Brady is on a six-week course of intravenously administered antibiotics, and is still having follow-up exams at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, where the surgery took place. The Herald reported the infection originated from an incision to repair the medial collateral ligament.

If the infection is not brought under control, the patellar tendon graft used to replace Brady's anterior cruciate ligament could become compromised, according to the Herald's report. If that happens, he will have to undergo another surgery on the ACL. That would reset the clock on his rehabilitation.

Brady had surgery on Oct. 6 -- 29 days after he was injured in the Patriots' season opener -- on a hit by Kansas City Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. Brady reportedly tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the knee.

New England Patriots spokesman Stacey James said Wednesday the team would let Brady comment on the status of his injury.

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VICK TRYING TO GET HIS LEASH REMOVED

2008-10-21T21:50:00.003-04:00

SURRY, Va. -- Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick plans to plead guilty to state dogfighting charges, a step that could allow him to qualify for an early release from federal prison and into a halfway house, court papers show.

In a motion filed Oct. 15 in Surry County Circuit Court, Vick's attorneys asked to have him enter his plea by video teleconference. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Oct. 30, Surry County Circuit Court administrator Sally Neblett said Tuesday.

The court papers note that allowing Vick to appear on two-way video would save the government the considerable expense of transporting him from prison in Leavenworth, Kan., to Surry County. His guilty plea would also allow him to pursue a halfway house program.

Under federal rules, Vick is ineligible to be released to a Residential Re-entry Center in the federal system until any pending charges against him are resolved.

In a statement, Vick attorneys Billy Martin and Lawrence Woodward said their client "is committed to taking responsibility for his actions. He is hopeful that, through this motion, the trial court will allow him to finally resolve these matters and put the charges behind him so that he can begin to focus on his future and to prepare to be reunited with his family."

The plea deal, if approved, also would satisfy the county's need to hold him accountable for the grisly crimes he bankrolled and participated in at a rural house he owned there.

"I'm not trying to make him suffer," Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Poindexter said in a telephone interview. "I'm just trying to make him account for what he's done."

Vick pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy charges tied to the dogfighting operation last summer and is serving a 23-month term. Three convicted co-defendants also face local charges. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons lists Vick's projected release date as July 20, 2009.

Vick will have three years of federal probation upon his release from prison, and the deal offered by Poindexter would tack on an unspecified jail sentence, which would be suspended, and an additional year of probation in the county, he said.

Poindexter said he's not sure how quickly the judge would rule on the motion.

If permitted by a judge, Vick's video participation in the plea hearing would not be the first time he has participated electronically. Prison officials in Kansas have allowed the former Atlanta Falcons star to listen via telephone line to each of his several bankruptcy hearings in recent months.

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TIGER BACK ON THE COURSE & IN RARE FORM

2008-10-21T07:49:00.004-04:00

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Four months after his epic U.S. Open victory, Tiger Woods returned to Torrey Pines on Monday without a limp.

He didn’t have golf clubs, either...

Hopping from a cart, Woods walked up to 59-year-old John Abel, doffed his cap and extended his right hand. “Hey, I hear you’re looking for a caddie. I’m Tiger Woods—pleased to meet you.”

Out of action since beating Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff for his 14th career major, Woods came back to Torrey Pines to deliver on his end of the “Tee Off with Tiger” online sweepstakes sponsored by Buick.

Showing no signs of his season-ending knee surgery a week after the U.S. Open, Woods wore a green caddie’s bib inscribed with Abel’s name as he guided him around the back nine of the South Course, where he has won six times in the Buick Invitational and once in a U.S. Open he called his best ever.

Playing with torn ligaments in his left knee and a double stress fracture in his leg, Woods made a 12-foot birdie on the final hole to force an 18-hole playoff, made a 4-foot birdie on the 18th in the playoff to stay alive and finally won with a par.

Woods checked into the Lodge at Torrey Pines on Sunday night and noticed the pin in the same spot it was during the Monday playoff.

“I opened the curtains and saw the 18th green,” Woods said. “I was like, ‘You know what? That is pretty cool.’ A different atmosphere. You can actually see. They don’t have the grandstands in the way. I saw where the pin was and was thinking, ‘You know what? I remember that putt.”’

Woods was in character from the minute he drove up to the 10th tee, on cue from a video crew that recorded every one of Abel’s shots. Reporters and photographers from two media outlets—The Associated Press and the San Diego Union-Tribune—were allowed to watch on the 10th and 18th holes.

Woods drove the cart. He handed clubs to Abel, then wiped them off with a towel and put them back in the bag. He squatted to line up putts and tended the pin. He warned how fast the greens were, then chuckled as Abel five-putted the 10th for a quadruple-bogey 8.

“It was fun,” said Woods, who once caddied for former Stanford teammate Jerry Chang. “This was totally cool. I’ve caddied before many times. For me to be out here and to be able to do it again, it’s always fun. John’s a good guy. It was a fun day for me.”

Abel, from West Berlin, N.J., said his round went better than expected.

“I wasn’t as nervous after maybe the third or fourth hole,” he said. “Nerves come into it, I don’t care who you are, and these greens are unbelievable. Tiger was telling me that they’re actually 3 feet slower than what they played for the Open.

“It was just such a hoot to play with him,” said Abel, who regularly shoots in the 90s. “He showed me things I never even thought about. Like when he walks into a sand trap, he feels with his feet. It was just so neat. it really was.”

Seriously, imagine handing your fairway wood to Tiger Woods after a shot.

“That’s the funny thing,” Abel said. “I’m just so used to taking my club and putting it in the bag, and he keeps holding his hand out. It’s like, ‘OK.’ You don’t want to. What else can you say? You just don’t think about things like that.”

The pin on 18 was moved Monday to where it was during the final round of regulation at the U.S. Open—front right—when Woods rapped that 12-foot birdie putt that bumped along toward the hole and swirled into the back corner of the cup without an inch to spare.

After Abel finished his round, Woods gave him a final treat by dropping the ball at the same spot of his Sunday putt.

“When they asked me, do you know what you’re doing?’ I said, ‘No,”’ Abel said. “When I was stepping up to it, they mentioned it. They said, ‘This is his putt.”’

Abel missed.

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HIT OF THE WEEK IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

2008-10-20T19:43:00.003-04:00

REGGIE'S BREAK OUT SEASON PUT ON HOLD

2008-10-20T08:38:00.004-04:00

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- On a day the New Orleans Saints would rather forget, the team learned that running back Reggie Bush needs arthroscopic knee surgery that could sideline him for several weeks.

Bush injured the meniscus in his left knee on a punt return late in the first half of Sunday's 30-7 loss to Carolina. He reversed field on his run, which ended when he stepped out of bounds on the Carolina sideline. He seemed to pull up a bit and favor his left leg after that.

"The plan is to scope it. We'll have this week and then the bye week and we'll see where he's at," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "I'll probably know something [Monday]. Right now, we're going to have to evaluate it and go from there."

Bush had 55 yards on nine carries, caught one pass for five yards, and had a 3.5 average on three punt returns against Carolina. Payton said the Saints became "one-dimensional" after Bush left the game.

But quarterback Drew Brees noted the Saints played the final four games of last season without Bush -- they went 2-2 while he was out with a knee injury -- and proved this year they could persevere when Shockey and receiver Marques Colston missed games.

"Of course it's tough. He's a big-time playmaker," Brees said. "We're going to miss him, and I hope he's not out very long."

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LIKE FINE WINE, BETTER WITH AGE...

2008-10-19T21:07:00.003-04:00

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- It was a performance for the ages and the aged. Bernard Hopkins unleashed "The Executioner" against Kelly Pavlik at Boardwalk Hall on Saturday, and for Pavlik, the result wasn't pretty.

It was vintage Hopkins -- the man who takes away his opponent's best weapon and uses it against him. He battered and befuddled Pavlik for 12 rounds. When the fight was over, he had taken an overwhelmingly convincing decision and recertified his Hall of Fame credentials.

"I think this is my best performance -- better than Trinidad, better than Tarver, better than Oscar, better than my 20 straight defenses," Hopkins said.

Of course, he owes all his success to the media.

"Ninety percent of the media picked Pavlik," Hopkins said. "I always appreciate naysayers. That's what motivates me when people go against me."

Pavlik, who suffered his first professional defeat, wasn't even competitive against Hopkins. One judge, Alan Rubenstein, scored it a complete shutout for Hopkins (119-106, with each fighter having a point deducted for fouls).

Watching Hopkins dismantle Pavlik was eerily similar to his deconstruction of Felix Trinidad seven years ago at Madison Square Garden.

Most doubted that Hopkins had enough fuel left in the tank to do what he did to Pavlik. He had showed troubling signs in his previous fight, against Joe Calzaghe in April, such as excessive holding and clinching to get a breather.

The previous time fight fans had doubted Hopkins was when he went against Trinidad. Most vowed they would never do that again. Still, Hopkins was a heavy underdog going into the fight against Pavlik.

Never again will the wily vet be underestimated. Even if Hopkins fights until he's 90 years old, and he might be able to do just that, no one will doubt his capabilities or his ability to show up a younger foe.

An emotional Hopkins leaned on the ropes facing press row at ringside, his bottom lip quivering, tears welling up in his eyes as he mouthed to the writers working on deadline, "I'm tired of proving myself."

His legacy was secure after he successfully defended the middleweight title 20 straight times. He fought like a living legend against Pavlik. Pavlik's toughest opponent before Hopkins was Jermain Taylor, who narrowly defeated Hopkins to stop his title defense streak and did it again to retain the title. But the old cliché of "styles make fights" was never more apt than when comparing Hopkins-Taylor, Pavlik-Taylor and Hopkins-Pavlik.

Hopkins stunk against Taylor. His performance against Pavlik, however, was sublime. It drew rave reviews. The most uttered single-word response was "Wow!" Even those who thought Hopkins would win couldn't predict he'd turn in such a stunning performance.

"I thought Hopkins fought a great fight," said Shane Mosley, who partners with Hopkins at Golden Boy Promotions. "To be 43 years old and move around the ring like that … He outboxed, outsped and outthought Pavlik the whole fight. He looked like he was having fun in there. At one point, I thought he was going to do the Ali Shuffle. He definitely should be fighter of the year for what he did out there."

What might get lost in the performance against Pavlik is the strategy that Hopkins' team devised and Hopkins flawlessly executed. He said he studied tapes of the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto fight to see what the pressure might be like.

"If I was going to fight a 43-year-old guy, that's what I would do is pressure him," Hopkins said.

But Hopkins didn't allow Pavlik to get untracked. He took the fight to Pavlik because he didn't think Pavlik could fight going backward. Without his jab, Pavlik couldn't use his most effective weapon -- the one-two combination -- and was a toothless tiger. Hopkins moved with the grace of a dancer on those 43-year-old legs, getting in and out of striking range with ease.

Hopkins kept Pavlik turning to his left.

"He couldn't throw across his chest with the right hand," Hopkins said.

If Hopkins can fight the way he did against Pavlik, he probably can fight for another two or three years. He seemed ageless. Hopkins would like to fight Roy Jones, whom he lost to as a middleweight 15 years ago. First, though, Jones must get past Calzaghe on Nov. 8.

Hopkins was unusually humble after the big win. He had railed after losing to Jermain Taylor and Calzaghe. Maybe he is getting old and tired. Getting too tired of trying to prove to people just how good he can be when everything goes right.

"Like Martin Luther King said, I've been to the mountaintop," Hopkins said. "I've been there about three or four times, and I keep pulling a rabbit out of the hat."

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RODGERS LEADS BEAVERS TO UPSET VICTORY OVER #1 USC

2008-09-26T00:29:00.004-04:00

Thursday night in Corvallis-Oregon the Beavers set their trap for #1 USC.

25-Point Underdog Oregon State shocks the world with a 27-21 Victory over the Trojans.

Oregon State jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and took that same 3-Touchdown edge with them to the half.

Freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers had 186 yards and 2 touchdowns proved to be the constant weapon USC could not stop. Both the Beavers offensive and defensive lines dominated Thursday night and continually frustrated the visiting Trojans.

USC came out of half-time firing with two straight touchdown passes by Mark Sanchez. The Trojans trailed at that point 21-14 with 2:56 left in the third quarter. The Beaver fans at Reser stadium started to quiet and grow weary of the upset that was once brewing. You could see the tide turning and the heads on the Beavers sideline starting to drop.

Both teams then traded some blows on the defensive side of the ball as both offenses were over matched late in the third quarter and well into the fourth.

USC would get it's chance to tie this game up late, but Mark Sanchez threw a costly interception deep in his own territory. That would lead to a 2-yard Rodgers touchdown plunge that put the Beavers up two scores 27-14.

The Trojans would score a late touchdown to make it 27-21, but it was a little too late as they were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick. The Beavers would run out the clock as the fans rushed the field in celebration of knocking off the #1-Ranked USC Trojans

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JACKSON'S GROWING PAINS LEAD HIM TO THE BENCH

2008-09-17T17:52:00.003-04:00

The Minnesota Vikings, with an 0-2 start to the season, are turning to veteran Gus Frerotte to bring them out of the hole.

No coach had more faith in his quarterback than coach Brad Childress had in Tarvaris Jackson, who has made 16 career starts. But Childress named Frerotte the starter for the remainder of the season, announcing the decision at his Wednesday media availability.

"I'm just not seeing right now the aggressiveness from Tarvaris that I saw throughout the offseason, training camp, the two preseason games that he played in," Childress said. "And part of it may be experience. I know Gus will give us that. And I know his approach will also lend itself to that."

Jackson was 8-4 as a starter last season, even though he completed only 58.2 percent of his passes and had a 70.8 quarterback rating.

This season started even slower for Jackson. He completed only 30 of 59 passes for 308 yards in two games, in an offense that is ranked 24th in the league in passing despite a strong running game from Adrian Peterson.

Jackson has been playing with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, an injury that forced him at times to wear a brace. In the season opener, a 24-19 loss to Green Bay, he threw a game-ending interception that sealed the Packers' victory.

Vikings fans booed him throughout Sunday's 18-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts when the Vikings, despite a 160-yard rushing day by Peterson, had to settle for five field goals.

"I know there's many other plays, there's a lot of other people that have to step up," Childress said. "But then when you go back through and look at the tape, and most importantly be able to sit across from the young man and want to be able to verify what you're feeling -- it's kind of like looking in your kids' eyes and saying one [thing] and feeling another."

Jackson was unavailable for comment during the time the locker room was open to

reporters.

With a tough home game coming up against the Carolina Panthers, Childress decided to go with the strong-armed Frerotte. The 37-year-old Frerotte is in his 15th season, and spent the past two seasons as a backup in St. Louis.

"I was very surprised," receiver Bobby Wade said. "I didn't anticipate that. Obviously it's the coach's decision and the administration's decision and we have to run with that."

Frerotte was signed in the offseason to be Jackson's backup, but now finds himself trying to turn around a team that had high expectations.

"I can't say that it was a shock, because I've been playing for a long time," Frerotte said. "I've been through a lot of shocking moments in my time, so nothing really shocks me anymore. It's obviously something coach wanted to do."

Frerotte has been with seven teams, but this is his second tour with the Vikings, having spent 2003 and 2004 in Minnesota.

Frerotte has completed 54.2 percent of his passes during his career for 19,134 yards and a 74.3 quarterback rating. He's 37-44-1 as a starter.

"I've never been part of a team where a quarterback was benched that early on," said Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme, whose Panthers play at the Metrodome on Sunday. "But it can be a spark to a team."

Frerotte showed in training camp this year that his arm still has plenty of juice in it. Wade said the playbook may open up with a veteran in there, as opposed to a player who has had guy who has 16 total starts.

"I think the coach was keeping it limited for a reason, obviously not to try to put too much on a young player and trying to get a guy more comfortable and more confident," Wade said. "You might see some things change this week with Gus back there."

Childress said that barring injury, Frerotte will be the quarterback for the rest of the season. However, Childress added he hasn't given up on the 25-year-old Jackson as an option for the team's long term.

"While I know he doesn't like it, I'd worry about him if he did like it," Childress said. "I know he'll make the most of it."

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TRESSEL HAS HIS POKER FACE ON, SAYS WELLS IS DOUBTFUL

2008-09-11T13:34:00.005-04:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel says it's doubtful that starting tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will play Saturday night against top-ranked USC.

Wells injured his right foot in the No. 5 Buckeyes' opener against Youngstown State, did not play last week against Ohio and has not had contact in partial practices this week.

Tressel said Tuesday that Wells would play in Saturday's game at USC after missing last week's game with an injury to his right big toe. He said how much Wells would play would depend on his progress in practice.

But Tressel said Thursday there was lingering soreness for Wells after he worked out the night before. Wells did not practice with the team Thursday morning.

Tressel said team officials would monitor Wells' condition before deciding whether to rule him out for the game in Los Angeles.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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MERRIMAN COMES TO HIS SENSES & ELECTS TO HAVE SURGERY

2008-09-10T10:50:00.003-04:00

SAN DIEGO -- Star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman pulled the plug on his 2008 season on Tuesday when he told the San Diego Chargers he'll have surgery on the two torn ligaments in his left knee.

The loss of Merriman, whose hard hits earned him the nickname "Lights Out," is a big one for a team that has Super Bowl expectations.

Merriman's decision came two days after he barely resembled the player who had an NFL-high 39½ sacks in the past three seasons and played in three straight Pro Bowls.

Merriman, known for his spasmodic sack dance, didn't immediately return e-mails and telephone calls seeking comment. His agent, Tom Condon, declined to comment.

"Shawne informed me he did not feel right and thought it best to shut it down," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said in a statement. "The road to winning the AFC West just got more difficult, but not impossible. Nothing is impossible. Shawne is a great player and an inspirational leader. He will be missed. We wish him a successful surgery and a speedy recovery."

Smith didn't return calls seeking further comment.

Merriman had only two tackles and no sacks in a shocking 26-24 loss to Carolina at home on Sunday. Even though Merriman appeared to be a non-factor, coach Norv Turner said he thought the linebacker looked "explosive and very physical."

Merriman wore a brace on the knee on Sunday. At one point, he had to go into the locker room to have it readjusted because it was slipping due to sweat.

The Chargers were outgained 388-316 on Sunday by a Panthers team playing without leading receiver Steve Smith.

The Chargers are also without inside linebacker Stephen Cooper, who was suspended by the NFL for the first four games this season for testing positive for a banned stimulant. Cooper led the Chargers with 179 tackles last season, when San Diego won the AFC West at 11-5 and reached the conference championship game before losing 21-12 at New England.

Late in training camp, Merriman said that the posterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments in his left knee were torn.

He spent several days getting opinions from four doctors from outside the organization, all of whom recommended he have surgery. But on Aug. 27, he announced that he was going to play, saying, "If you give a football player a decision to play, you know, I'm going to play."

But, he acknowledged, "I'll have the surgery at any point. Nobody knows. I kind of left it on the table when to have it. Not even doctors can tell me that."

Rehab is expected to be six to seven months.

Merriman has said he's had pain in the knee since late in the 2006 season. He also injured the knee during a game at Tennessee on Dec. 9. He sat out the following Sunday, but played in the last three regular-season games and the Chargers' three playoff games, including the loss to New England. He also played in the Pro Bowl.

Merriman had offseason arthroscopic surgery to repair torn cartilage in the knee.

Second-year pro Jyles Tucker is expected to take Merriman's spot. Tucker, who has played in only seven regular-season games, received a five-year contract extension two days before Merriman announced he was going to play rather than have surgery.

Merriman was suspended for four games in 2006 after testing positive for steroids. Both he and his lawyer blamed it on a tainted supplement. The Chargers went 4-0 in his absence.

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BEANIE WILL PLAY AND SAYS: "I WANT 45 CARRIES"

2008-09-09T16:01:00.005-04:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday that running back Chris "Beanie" Wells will play in Saturday's game against top-ranked USC after missing last week's game with an injury to his right big toe.

How much Wells plays largely depends on his progress in practices Tuesday and Wednesday. Wells will run and go through individual drills Tuesday before participating fully in Wednesday's workout.

"He probably ran better than I thought he might [on Monday]," Tressel said.

Wells has been testing the foot/toe on a stationary bike and in the pool. He's listed as the starter on this week's depth chart ahead of Dan "Boom" Herron, who received the bulk of the carries last week.

"He said to [offensive coordinator] Jim Bollman and I walking into the meeting room on Monday, he said, 'I'm ready to carry 45 times on Saturday,' " Tressel said. "He's not going to carry it 45 if he's not effective. He wants to play and he's going to do all he can do.

" Wells' teammates are confident the 237-pound junior will be ready for USC.

"Beanie told me he was going to play," defensive end Lawrence Wilson said. "When Beanie says he's going to do something, he does it. He's a tremendous competitor."

Saturday's game will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

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2008-09-07T19:52:00.002-04:00

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is expected to miss the rest of the 2008 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, according to a source familiar with the injury.

While New England coach Bill Belichick said in his postgame press conference that he had no update on the status of Brady’s injury, two sources indicated it involved serious damage to the knee.

“It’s bad,” a team source said. “We’re going to have to play without him.”

Brady was hurt as he stepped up in the pocket to make a throw to wideout Randy Moss. Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, who was on the ground, lunged forward and struck Brady’s leg, which buckled as he released the ball.

Brady was helped off the field and was later led down a staircase by team officials, presumably to undergo tests.

Fourth-year quarterback Matt Cassel, who had thrown just 39 passes in his career before Sunday, replaced Brady and completed 13 of 18 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown. Cassel, who backed up Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC, hasn’t been a starting quarterback since high school. He won a competition with Matt Gutierrez during the preseason to retain the job as Brady’s primary backup.

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SUPER BOWL CHAMP STRAHAN TO REMAIN WITH FOX

2008-08-27T08:25:00.004-04:00

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Michael Strahan is staying retired, although his agent said that the seven-time Pro Bowler seriously considered returning to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

"He was very close to returning, but the great part about Michael is that he takes his time to think about things and he is very thorough," Tony Agnone said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday night. "You can get excited about coming back and running through the tunnel one more time."

Agnone said that Strahan struggled deciding whether he could give 100 percent mentally.

"In the end, he felt he could not get back to where he was," Agnone said.

The first report of the news was provided by FoxSports.com, which contacted Strahan in Greece where he was vacationing.

"This has been one of the toughest nights of my life," Strahan told FoxSports.com. "But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it's just best if I stay retired."

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has asked the 36-year-old Strahan to reconsider his retirement on Monday, just 48 hours after the Super Bowl champions lost Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season to a knee injury in the preseason game against the New York Jets.

Strahan needed just about a day to turn down an offer to return for a 16th season with what could have been an $8 million contract.

"I really love my life now," Strahan said. "It's great having nobody put a finger on me. You really put yourself through an awful lot in this league, more than people realize.

Agnone said money was never an issue.

"We know the parameters of the contract and the Giants would have been generous," Agnone said.

Reese did not seem surprised by the decision.

"We knew it was a long shot, but we owed it to ourselves to exhaust the possibility," Reese said late Tuesday evening. "We appreciate Michael even considering ending his retirement. He has a new career in front of him and we wish him nothing but the best. As we all said when he announced his retirement, Michael was and is a great Giant."

The Giants moved Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker to defensive end on Monday to take over for Umenyiora, who had successful knee surgery on Tuesday morning and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.

The move will not be a major one for Kiwanuka. He was drafted in the first round in 2006 as a defensive end and started nine games as a rookie. He also lined up as a defensive end in third-down situations last season.

"There is a reason he went in the first round obviously," middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "The guy, he is playing behind Strahan and Osi, and then we moved him to linebacker, so obviously he is one of our top players on the team and he is going to show that he is a top defensive end in the league."

Pierce also said the team was ready to move on with or without Strahan, the team's sacks leader who retired in June, four months after earning his first title ring.

"We know we are a confident team and we are a playoff-capable team and we have to go out and perform like it," Pierce said before Strahan announced his decision. "The reason we took the [underdog] role last year was because everybody said it, and we just went with it. We're not thinking like that this year. We do have a chip on our shoulders and it grows more and more when somebody gives us something to feed off of."

What's bugging them now is the belief by some that they don't have the players to get the job done with Umenyiora out.
Pierce never thought that money would be the deciding issue for Strahan.

"The only reason he will come back is if he wants to play," Pierce said.

Obviously, Strahan did not want to play.

Strahan has signed a $2 million deal to work for Fox Sports on its NFL pregame show on Sundays.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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LOOKING LIKE A "BOLT" OF LIGHTNING, USAIN STRIKES TWICE IN BEIJING

2008-08-20T20:06:00.004-04:00

BEIJING -- Clearly, Lightning can strike twice.

Usain "Lightning" Bolt won his second Olympic gold medal in his second world-record time. He won the 100 meters Saturday while goofing around. He won the 200 on Wednesday while running dead serious. He is a multipurpose, multievent, multimood ballistic missile.

For the first time since 1979, one man holds the world record in both events. He was a Jamaican then (Donald Quarrie), and he is a Jamaican now. A nation with an outsized sprinting heritage has found its biggest star yet.

"Everything came together tonight," Bolt said. "I just blew my mind. I blew the world's mind."

He certainly blew Michael Johnson's mind. Johnson had owned the 200 record until now: 19.32 seconds. He set it in 1996, making it the oldest sprint record in the books.

Bolt already owned the 100 record, which is why he commenced showboating in the final meters of that race and lowered it by "only" three-hundredths of a second when he could have come close to hacking away a full second. He badly wanted a matching set of sprint marks.

"I saw I could get the world record in the 200, so I said, 'I'm going to leave everything on the track,'" Bolt said. Then he went out and did it.

He ran with complete focus through the finish, even noticeably straining a bit. The effort was needed to shave two-hundredths of a second off Johnson's mark and awaken the echoes of that hot night in Atlanta 12 years ago.

Johnson wore gold spikes then. Bolt wore them now.

When Johnson hit the wire then, he glanced to his left at the clock and threw his arms wide in jubilant shock. Bolt reacted in much the same way.

Earlier on Wednesday, Johnson said Bolt would break his 200 record someday, but probably not this day. Johnson cited Bolt's relative inexperience running the curve and said he'd need to improve in that area first.

Turns out Bolt's steep learning curve includes significant progress in running the curve. This race was so over by the time the 6-foot-5 Bolt roared into the straightaway.

"Michael Johnson is a great athlete, and he revolutionized the sport," Bolt said. "I just changed it a little bit."

He changed it in part by being so tall for a sprinter. Bolt is far longer than the archetypal speedster, but with none of the awkwardness that might inhibit someone with limbs like his. As he flowed away from the field in the 200, his 9-foot strides looked effortless.

"He's beautiful to watch," said former Olympic gold medal hurdler Renaldo Nehemiah. "He's poetry in motion."

He's silliness at rest. In a sport rife with preening prima donnas, Bolt has taken posturing to a new level before, during and after a race. It seems relatively harmless -- goofy kid's stuff from a guy who just turned 22 on Thursday and was serenaded with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" by the Chinese fans at the Bird's Nest.

"He added spirit to the sport," said American Shawn Crawford, who benefited from two disqualifications for running outside the lanes to vault from fourth to second in the 200. "He danced in the introductions, and he danced at the end."

When Bolt was introduced to the huge crowd, he wiped his hands across the top of his head 11 times, wiped his brow in each direction and struck his now-familiar pose -- arms cocked skyward. Vague translation of all that: The rest of you are in deep trouble.

Afterward, Bolt briefly appeared overwhelmed by his accomplishment. Then he watched the replay on the big screen (his thought: "I look cool") and began one of the more lavish celebratory victory laps in Olympic history.

He did something approximating a limbo. He wiggled his knees. He waved his arms. He went over to the stands at several places to grab a flag or a hug. He took off his shoes and walked barefoot for a while.

"I was just happy," he said.

And eternally happy-go-lucky. Far and away, the two dominant stars of these Olympics are swimmer Michael Phelps and Bolt -- two child prodigies in their sports who have come to full flower here. Yet their excellence is accompanied by such markedly different personalities.

Phelps' massive caloric intake is expressly designed to feed a voracious metabolism -- he takes his food seriously. Bolt eats chicken nuggets whenever possible, including on race days. His mellow disposition allowed him to sleep until noon, then he asked his masseuse to bring him nuggets for lunch and nuggets for dinner.

Phelps is a mask of inscrutable concentration before a race, never acknowledging any outside presence when he's introduced. Bolt can't wait to mug for the camera and the fans.

When Phelps finished his races, his emotion tended to be directly proportionate to how close they were. He truly exulted over the close ones. Bolt hasn't had a close one here, but he has reacted like Chad Johnson on his showiest day.

But by midnight Wednesday, Bolt was decompressing and showing the effects of eight races here, counting prelims.

"I want to chill out," he said. "I just want to sleep. I wish I was in sandals right now, ready to take a weekend."

He could have won the 200 in sandals. But before it's time to take a weekend, Bolt still has to anchor a 400 relay team as the Jamaicans attempt to further their takeover bid of all the speed events.

So far in Beijing, the Jamaicans have won seven medals in events of 400 meters or shorter, while the Americans have won nine. But the tiny Caribbean country leads the big, bad U.S. in gold medals 4-2, and could add several more.

"We want to prove to the world we're the best," said Jamaican 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Melanie Walker.

"I talked to the prime minister," Bolt said. "He told me everything in Jamaica is blocked off. Everyone is in the streets."

Lightning bolts usually send people running indoors. But Lightning Bolt striking twice is a reason to party in Jamaica.

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KILLER INSTINCTS AND TIMELY SHOOTING JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

2008-08-20T19:58:00.003-04:00

BEIJING -- Deron Williams couldn't talk about the play of the night immediately after the game, because he was the Team USA player randomly selected to take a doping test afterward.

Perhaps he tested positive for that little-known substance called "gamechange-amine."

Because in a game that was a tale of two entirely different halves, what Williams did in the final four seconds of the first half played a big part in Team USA's 116-85 blowout victory over Australia.

With six seconds left in a first half in which the Australians had managed to stay within striking distance of the Americans (by using an effective zone and keeping Team USA from forcing turnovers and getting out into the open court), Mark Worthington lined up from the 3-point line and let a shot fly.

Had it gone in, it would have been a six-point game at the half. A half in which the Americans had only two assists on 21 buckets and missed 10 of their 20 free throws and 10 of their 13 3-pointers while displaying virtually none of the ferocity that had carried them into the medal round on a wave of positive vibes.

But the shot missed, and Chris Bosh corralled the rebound and made a quick outlet pass to Williams, who already had turned upcourt.

"I looked up and saw I had time to get off a shot," Williams said. "When I caught it, it was about three seconds. I thought I could make it to the basket, a big man came up and I thought I could go by him and get to the basket, but he kept backing up, and I rose up for the 3."

What was striking about the 3 was the way Williams kept his cool and was able to get his feet set right at the base of the 3-point arc. The form was perfect, and the shot was, too.

"Usually a jump shot is better [than a runner]. That's the way you practice it," Williams said.

The sequence amounted to somewhat of a six-point swing in the final six seconds, and the Americans had a 55-43 lead going into the locker room. And as we've seen over the course of these Olympics, there is little hope for anyone who falls behind by double digits against these guys, and when the Americans came out and scored the first 14 points of the second half -- Kobe Bryant scored nine of 'em -- the Australians were cooked.

G'day and g'bye.

"Plays like that, they really hurt teams," Bosh said. "Especially when the game is close, they've been playing as hard as they can and then they're down 12. It really puts them at a disadvantage and hurts their confidence. It really was a turning point."

If there's anything for the folks back home to worry about, it's whether any opponent can find a way to do what Australia did so well for 20 minutes and keep doing it for the entire 40 minutes.

What kept Team USA from having to play from behind in the first half was its work on the offensive boards, grabbing 13 of its own missed shots to create extra possessions.

Australia's game plan included dropping four players quickly back on defense while letting a fifth, one of its speedy point guards, apply ball pressure and make the Americans use an extra few precious seconds before getting their offense running. The Australians also placed a premium on protecting the ball and turned it over only once in the first quarter -- something no American opponent had managed to do until then -- and dared the U.S. team to beat them from behind the arc (the Americans did finish 12-for-25 after the poor start). And when Team USA managed to get open looks, especially from inside, the Aussies gave hard fouls and took gambles that the Americans would miss from the line.

For a half, it worked, and the game would have been even closer if Australia hadn't missed several open looks from underneath and if Andrew Bogut hadn't fumbled the ball out of bounds two times during a second quarter in which Australia coughed up seven turnovers.
Too much NBA style, not enough FIBA style?

"Exactly, exactly. And that doesn't really work too much unless somebody's hot," Bosh said.

Bryant said afterward that, personally, he wants to play Argentina in the semifinals because the Argentinians, as the defending Olympic champions, are the holders of exactly what the Americans want: gold medals.

"You want to be able to play the guys who won it the last time," Bryant said. "There's a sense of pride that comes with beating a champion."

Bryant's wish will come true, as Argentina defeated Greece 80-78 in a barnburner that came down to the final seconds. Manu Ginobili and friends escaped with the win when Vassilis Spanoulis missed a 3-pointer from straightaway just before the final buzzer.

So if the Americans complete their gold-medal quest, they'll have defeated three of the toughest teams in this tournament -- Greece, Spain and Argentina -- at least once apiece .

But first they have to get to the gold-medal game, in which the opponent will be either Spain or Lithuania. And if they're sharp for only 20 minutes again, winning won't be as easy against Argentina as it was against Australia.

"It's go time, and we're all ready to go. The money's on the table," Bryant said.

And, if the Americans get through Friday, the gold will be on the table Sunday.

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STEVEN JACKSON TO REPORT TO CAMP AS SOON AS TOMORROW

2008-08-20T19:38:00.003-04:00

St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will end his holdout on Thursday while his agent, Eugene Parker, negotiates a new contract.

Jackson had notified the team of his intentions and was scheduled to arrive in St. Louis from his home in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

A new contract for Jackson, who has one year remaining on his rookie deal, appears imminent given that the Rams refused to negotiate with Parker as long as Jackson was not in camp. Jackson, on the other hand, had been adamant about not playing this year without a new long-term contract.

Recently, the Rams and Parker held preliminary conversations, clearly positive enough to motivate Jackson to report. The Rams have been fining him $15,000 a day.

Formal, intense negotiations are expected to begin immediately with the aim of getting a new contract completed quickly for the centerpiece of the Rams' offense.

The 235-pound Jackson, a bruising runner and the centerpiece of the team's offense, is entering the final year of a five-year, $7 million deal he signed as a first-round pick in 2004. His prolonged stand perhaps reflected a realization of his value to an attack that averaged only 16 points last season while going 3-13.

The Rams cut off negotiations in late July on the first day of training camp after Parker turned down a deal the team said would have put Jackson in the top echelon at his position.

At that time, Jay Zygmunt, the Rams' president of football operations, said there would be no further talks until the running back reported.

"This is certainly a step in the right direction," coach Scott Linehan said. "We're hoping we can get this thing squared away real quickly."

Parker did not return a telephone message from The Associated Press.

Jackson is scheduled for a physical Thursday morning and could make it onto the practice field that day. The Rams have a workout scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT.

"Steven is one of the best players in the NFL and we'd like to have him back," linebacker Chris Draft said earlier Wednesday before Jackson ended his holdout.

Jackson had his third consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2007 despite missing four games with injuries and the Rams had made signing him to a contract extension a priority in the offseason. Zygmunt said the team approached Jackson's agent not long after the season to discuss a new deal, but negotiations stalled when Jackson switched representatives and signed with Parker in late June.

Linehan said earlier in the week that he didn't think it would take Jackson long to learn the new offense, which is similar to that run by the 1999 Super Bowl championship team, because he participated in offseason workouts. New offensive coordinator Al Saunders was a top assistant under Dick Vermeil on that team.

Throughout the holdout, Linehan was careful to avoid criticism of Jackson. However, after the backup running backs combined for 144 yards on 28 carries and a touchdown in a 7-6 preseason victory over the Chargers on Saturday, the coach said Jackson's absence was getting to the critical stage.

It's likely Jackson will get a rude welcome back from fans in the Rams' third preseason game against the Ravens on Saturday. The Rams failed to sell out three games last season and Jackson was often critical of the lack of support.

Antonio Pittman, signed by the Rams last season after the Saints drafted him in the fourth round and then released him in their final roster cuts, gained 67 yards on nine carries last week as the stand-in feature back.

"I would approach it the same way if he was here," Pittman said. "I'm trying to compete and get better every day. Competition pushes us all and you can't look too far ahead. If you do, you might not be here."

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AFTER TROTTING TO A WORLD RECORD IN THE 100M, BOLT LOOKS TO BE THE FIRST SPRINTER TO WIN THE 100M & 200M SINCE CARL LEWIS

2008-08-19T11:16:00.005-04:00

BEIJING -- Usain Bolt played to the cameras before his 200-meter semifinal and slowed down before it was over -- the usual drill for a sprinter who doesn't look like he can be beaten at these Olympics.

Bolt won his semifinal in 20.09 seconds Tuesday night, keeping alive his chances for the first 100-200 Olympic double since Carl Lewis in 1984.

The Jamaican sprinter, who set the world record in the 100 at 9.69 seconds Saturday, beat defending 200 champion Shawn Crawford of the United States by 0.03 second. The noticeable difference, though, was that Bolt appeared to be loping to the line, while Crawford was busting across at full speed.

"I wouldn't say jogging," Bolt said. "I'm just trying to get through to the next round."

American Wallace Spearmon used a late burst to finish third and will join a third American, Walter Dix, in the final Wednesday night.

Bolt had fun during his short stay on the track, pretending to smooth his closely shaven hair before the start and pointing toward the camera before he climbed into the starting block.

Starting in Lane 6, it took him about 10 steps to make up the lag against Spearmon in Lane 7. Crawford was in Lane 5 and actually looked like he might win the heat, but Bolt passed him for the win -- and possibly to send a message to one of his prime contenders for the gold.

The big question, however, is are there any real challengers?

Bolt's win by 0.2 second in the 100 was impressive not just because of the world record, but because he was hamming it up -- pounding his chest and holding out his hands -- with about 20 meters to go. His left shoelace was even untied.

He broke his own world record by 0.03 second. Next up is a run at Michael Johnson's mark of 19.32 in the 200, a record set 12 years ago.

In qualifying for the 110-meter hurdles, with two top medal contenders out, American David Oliver ran a strong quarterfinal heat Tuesday night to advance along with world record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba.

Oliver finished in 13.60 seconds to win his heat by 0.23 second.

The U.S. Olympic trials champion, Oliver came into the games widely considered in the medal mix. His chances for gold increased when China's Liu Xiang withdrew in the first round with a foot injury and America's two-time Olympic silver medalist, Terrence Trammell, pulled out because of a hamstring strain.

The 110-hurdles final Thursday night was supposed to be one of the highlight events of these Olympics, with Liu -- one of China's biggest celebrities -- trying to defend his Olympic title in the 91,000-seat Bird's Nest.

Instead, it is setting up as a chance for Robles to improve the record time of 12.87 seconds he ran in June and Oliver, whose personal best is 12.95, trying to pull an upset.

Robles easily won his quarterfinal in 13.19 seconds.

American David Payne also advanced and said that with Liu gone, the race is open.

"That's a medal for anybody that steps up," Payne said.

There were no surprises in the second round of women's 200 heats. Americans Allyson Felix, Muna Lee and Marshevet Hooker all made it through, as did the Jamaican trio of Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart.

In the 100, the Jamaicans swept and the Americans finished 4-5-8. The two countries could again earn six of the eight spots in Thursday night's 200 final.

"It fueled my fire," Lee said of Jamaica's dominance. "I'll just think about that in the final."

In women's 5,000-meter semis, American Shalane Flanagan kept her hopes alive for two Olympic medals.

Flanagan overcame stomach troubles to win bronze in the 10,000 and said she's still celebrating that success.

"It's beautiful," she said. "It's kind of like I'd imagine if you have a newborn child. You're fascinated with it. You're like, 'Wow, that really is mine? That's mine?'"

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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LEAD BY DWIGHT HOWARD USA CRUSHES GERMANY & NO-HEART NOWITZKI

2008-08-18T10:12:00.004-04:00

BEIJING -- The U.S. Olympic team put away Dirk Nowitzki and Germany in a hurry.

Next up: the only team so far these Americans couldn't blow out.

After destroying Germany 106-57 on Monday, the Americans (5-0) move on to a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday against Australia, the team that's provided them with their toughest test in China.

The U.S. led by only seven points midway through the fourth quarter of an 87-76 exhibition victory in Shanghai two weeks ago over an Australian team that didn't have starting center Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks. He was resting a sore right ankle.

It's hard to imagine a repeat of that semi-Shanghai surprise with the way the U.S. has played in Beijing.

Dwight Howard scored 22 points and LeBron James had 18, 16 in the first half, Monday as the United States completed an undefeated march through pool play.

Not since the Dream Team rumbled through Las Ramblas 16 years ago in Barcelona has a team been this dominant. The Americans won their pool games by 32.2 points and averaged 103 points.

The only thing they might have to work on is Kobe Bryant's dunking. He blew two Monday, but hit three 3-pointers after going only 5-of-24 in the first four games.

Bryant finished with 13 points as the Americans shot 55 percent from the floor and tossed in 11 more 3-pointers after making 12 in their last game.

With the top seed in their group already clinched, the Americans could have come out flat like Lithuania, which entered Monday as the other unbeaten and was trounced 106-75 by Australia.

Instead, they came out and flattened Germany.

The Americans scored 3 seconds into the game when Howard batted the tip to James, who threw it ahead to Carmelo Anthony for a layup. That was the start of eight straight U.S. points, and the end of any suspense.

Germany missed nine of its first 10 shots, including a blown dunk and a botched putback by Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman. Bryant missed a dunk, too, during that stretch, but Howard and James had consecutive slams to make it 18-3.

The Americans were scoring so easily, they practically got in each other's way. Chris Paul led a 3-on-1 break and threw an alley-oop that could have gone to either James or Dwyane Wade. James jumped higher and got it to lay it in, then stepped outside to hit his second 3 for a 23-5 bulge.

Up 19 after one, the U.S. scored the first eight points of the second to make it 39-12. The lead was 28 after James drilled 3-pointers on consecutive U.S. possessions, and ballooned to 30 for the first time when Howard scored four straight to make it 49-19 with 3 minutes left in the half.

Bryant hit the side of the rim on another slam attempt early in the third quarter, so he backed up 20 feet and tossed in back-to-back 3s for a 62-29 cushion. Howard slammed down an alley-oop from Wade right after Nowitzki checked out, turning into an 80-39 bulge with 2:41 remaining in the period.

Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks All-Star, scored 14 points for Germany (1-4), which completed a disappointing Olympics. The Germans looked like contenders in a 95-66 rout of Angola in their opener, but then dropped four straight.

Kaman, who joined the Germans this summer after getting German citizenship, managed just six points.

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WAS THERE EVER A DOUBT SUPERMAN WOULDN'T WIN 8???

2008-08-17T00:04:00.003-04:00

BEIJING -- Cheering from the pool deck, Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold medal of the Beijing Games on Sunday to become the grandest of Olympic champions.

Jason Lezak held on to the lead Phelps gave him, anchoring the United States to a world record in the 400-meter medley relay against an Australian team that did its best to spoil history.

But Phelps, with a big hand from three teammates, would not be denied. He eclipsed Mark Spitz's seven-gold performance at the 1972 Munich Games, an iconic performance that was surpassed by a swimmer fitting of this generation: a 23-year-old from Baltimore who loves hip-hop music and texting with his buddies.

"I don't even know what to feel right now," Phelps said. "There's so much emotions going through my head and so much excitement. I kind of just want to see my mom."

Debbie Phelps was sitting in the stands at the Water Cube, tears streaming down her cheeks, her two daughters sitting with her.

Even though the Americans have never lost the medley relay at the Olympics, the latest gold was hardly a breeze. When Phelps dived into the water for the butterfly -- the third of four legs -- the Americans were third behind Japan and Australia.

But Phelps, swimming the same distance and stroke that he used to win his seventh gold a day earlier, powered back to the front on his return lap, passing off to Lezak with the Americans in front.

Australia's Eamon Sullivan tried to chase Lezak down and appeared to be gaining as they came to the wall. But Lezak touched in 3 minutes, 29.34 seconds -- Phelps' seventh world record in his personal Great Haul of China.

The Aussies took silver in 3:30.04, also under the old world record, while Japan held on for the bronze.

"Nothing is impossible," Phelps said. "With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination, and that's something I learned and something that helped me."

Phelps patted breaststroker Brendan Hansen on the head and threw his arms in the air after Lezak finished, though the Americans still had to wait a couple of tantalizing minutes for the official results to be posted. Aaron Peirsol swam the leadoff leg for the Americans.

Finally, it flashed on the board.

World record.

Gold medal No. 8.

On deck, a beaming Phelps slapped hands with his teammates and thrust his arms toward the Water Cube roof. The winning swimmers locked arms as if they were in a football huddle about to break for a play.

Phelps, meanwhile, couldn't stop smiling.

"Without the help of my teammates this isn't possible," said Phelps, who won five individual races and three relays in Beijing.

"I was able to be a part of three relays and we were able to put up a solid team effort and we came together as one unit," he said. "For the three Olympics I've been a part of, this is by far the closest men's team that we've ever had. I didn't know everybody coming into this Olympics, but I feel going out I know every single person very well. The team that we had is the difference."

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IF THIS WAS USA'S BIGGEST CHALLANGE, GOLD LOOKS CERTAIN

2008-08-16T14:30:00.005-04:00

BEIJING -- Spain tried everything. Pretty much none of it worked.

The zone? Team USA shot over it, drove the baseline against it, picked it apart.

The pick-and-roll? Spain tried it a lot early, and you know how many points their best player, Pau Gasol, had in the first 12 ½ minutes against it? Zero.

The press? Let's put it this way: If another team tries to use the full-court press against Team USA, they may as well just walk off the court and forfeit. Open up the court for the Americans, like the Greeks did two nights earlier and like the Spanish foolishly tried to in this one, and they'll crush you.

What made Saturday's 119-82 throttling of Spain so awesomely impressive was the way the Americans did everything so extraordinarily well. They're getting better each game, they're improving their few weak areas, and only thing that's scary about this 37-point beatdown is the notion that they might have peaked.

It's up to them to prove that they haven't, because the plane ride home is still more than a week away. But if they're going to keep bringing it like they brought it against the reigning world champions, there's no way they're going to lose.

"Twenty-eight turnovers is just a staggering number," said Gasol, whose team's field goal total matched its turnover total.

Another staggering number from the box score. The fast-break points were listed as 32-0.

"First time I've ever seen that happen," Carmelo Anthony said.

There was another astonishing number at halftime, when the U.S. team had already opened a 16-point lead despite Spain shooting 58 percent from the field. By then, the Americans had already forced 17 turnovers, and all 10 players Spain had used had at least one.

"The only place Spain is beating us tonight is at the ashtray," NBA and USA Basketball official Brian McIntyre said outside the media entrance, where Spain's nicotine addicts had the American media outnumbered something like 15-2.

It never got close in the second half, and Jason Kidd even managed to attempt his first shot of the Olympics, a lefty layup off a feed from LeBron James on a 2-on-1 break after Dwight Howard had rejected Marc Gasol's shot at the other end.

"I thought he was going to give it back to me, because J never shoots the ball. Couldn't believe he laid the ball up. I thought he was going to give it back to me off the backboard," James said.

The victory clinched first place in Pool B for the Americans, who complete opening round play against Germany on Monday, then will likely face Australia in the quarterfinals, then Argentina or Lithuania in the semifinals.

James could find only one fault with Team USA's performance, saying they had three or four unforced errors when they tried to force outlet passes to the point guards when Spain hung back on defense. But he rated this performance, overall, as superior to the one two nights earlier against Greece.

"We didn't shoot the ball particularly well against Greece, from the free throw line or the 3-point line. But we shot 45 percent from 3 and almost 80 at the line, so that's a plus. We know we're going to defend, we know we're going to get fast break points, but when we can shoot the ball from the outside like that, and shoot free throws, it's going to be tough for anybody to beat us."

Gasol called it a statement game by the Americans. "They're for real. They're serious about this."

James? He didn't totally agree.

"Statement game? I don't know. It means nothing. It means that we're 4-0, but we've got to continue to play better," James said. "I'm the leader of the team, and I'll make sure there's no slippage."

Slippage is what tripped up the Americans two years ago in Japan -- slippage and panic. And when they fell behind by eight in the third quarter against Greece and started pressing and panicking, the deficit ballooned to 18 before they knew what had hit them.

So as much as it appears this Olympic basketball tournament is going to be a gimme, as much as it appears Team USA is going to be the 12-man version of Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt, the Americans can't allow themselves to let up, to be overconfident, to put any more stock into this victory than what it was -- a preliminary-round victory.

They've still never had to play from behind, they've still not had to deal with early foul trouble for their big men, they still haven't run across a referee who seems out to get them (although Spain did in its game against China).

They still haven't won anything.

"This was a good lesson for us to learn what we need to do to compete with a team that's at the U.S. level," Gasol said, "So hopefully we'll learn and put it behind us."

That's what the Americans need to do, too. Put it behind them.

The charter flight back to the good ol' U S of A doesn't go wheels up until a week from Monday, and the best thing they can do from here is fight off the mental and physical fatigue, keep their eye on the prize and forget about what happened against Spain. It's still too soon to feel too good about themselves, no matter how uncommonly awesome they looked. That's what they need to take away from this game.

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PHELPS DOES IT AGAIN...THAT'S NUMBER SEVEN!!!

2008-08-15T22:57:00.003-04:00

BEIJING -- Michael Phelps swam into history with a magnificent finish Saturday, tying Mark Spitz with his seventh gold medal by the narrowest of margins in the 100-meter butterfly.

His arms soaring through the water one last time, Phelps got his hand on the wall a hundredth of a second ahead of Serbia's Milorad Cavic.
Phelps' time was 50.58 seconds, the only time in these Olympics that Phelps won an event without breaking the world record.

The 23-year-old from Baltimore has now pulled even with the greatest of Olympic records, matching Spitz's performance in the 1972 Munich Games.

Call this one the Great Haul of China -- and it's not done yet.

Phelps will return on Sunday to swim in his final event of these games, taking the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay. The Americans will be heavily favored to give him his eighth gold, leaving Spitz behind.

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PATRIOTS BOLSTER SECONDARY WITH SAVY VET

2008-08-15T12:10:00.002-04:00

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- One day after visiting New England, former Denver Broncos safety John Lynch has reached a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Patriots, according to a source.

Lynch, 36, was released by the Broncos, who wanted to re-adjust his role this season. After talking to coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos gave him a chance to land elsewhere. The Patriots were the perfect fit.

Belichick became interested in Lynch after losing safety Tank Williams for the season because of a knee injury suffered on Aug. 7 in a 16-15 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Williams was expected to be used 10-to-25 plays a game in certain defensive packages that needed a hard-hitting safety.

Neither of last season's starters, Rodney Harrison and James Sanders, played in the preseason opener and both have missed several practices in training camp.

Sanders became a starter last season, his third with the Patriots.

"Whatever moves they plan on making it'll be what's best for the team," Sanders said after Thursday's practice. "He's just a hard, tenacious hitter. He's a big guy and he brings it every time he makes a tackle. So he's a tempo setter."

Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees said Williams, who spent his first four seasons with Tennessee then played for Minnesota last season, had been playing well in camp.

"I hate to lose him. You hate to lose anybody," said Pees, a 36-year coaching veteran in high school, college and the NFL. "But when you've done it for as long as we've all done it, it happens every year. So somebody else has just got to step in and take his place."

After leaving Denver, Lynch said he could sign elsewhere.

"I still have a great passion for the game of football," Lynch said after being released by the Broncos. "I still very much love it in my heart. I still feel like I can compete at a Pro Bowl level, but the situation is going to have to be right. I'm not going to just play for any team or any situation."

Lynch, who spent his first 11 seasons with Tampa Bay, played every snap in Denver's last three games last season, but earlier he was taken out on passing downs.

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WAITING GAME BEGINS FOR "PAC-MAN", I MEAN...ADAM

2008-08-14T10:15:00.004-04:00

Adam Jones will mail a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Thursday in which he will ask for full reinstatement to the league, The Dallas Morning News reports.

According to the newspaper, the Cowboys cornerback will receive a ruling on his status before the start of the season.

"I'm feeling real good," Jones told the newspaper in reference to his letter. "It's just a letter why I feel I should be reinstated. It's my chance to respond and we'll see how it goes."

Jones received partial reinstatement to the NFL on June 2 from Goodell and as part of his reinstatement, was permitted to participate in organized team activities as well as training camp and preseason games.

While that decision gave Jones the chance to earn his way back into the league, Goodell didn't guarantee he would be reinstated.

"This limited reinstatement is a step in the process," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "Adam is aware of the things that need to be done in order to take the next step."

Adam Jones played in the Cowboys first preseason game against San Diego on Aug. 9, recording a tackle. Jerry Jones said he was treading lightly while awaiting Goodell's decision on Adam Jones.

"That's at [Goodell's] discretion, and I don't want to do or say anything that would imply that I'm getting anxious or pushy about it," Jerry Jones said.

Jerry Jones wouldn't speculate on when he expected to hear from Goodell, acknowledging that the decision "probably will be very late in the preseason." Jones did say, however, that he anticipated to at least "get a feel" of what to expect before the Cowboys have to cut their roster to 53 players on Aug. 30.

"I'm just guessing that," Jones said.

A final determination will be made by Sept. 1. Jones will have to be on perfect behavior in order to be eligible for the 2008 season.

"Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," the NFL said in a June 2 release. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement."

Adam Jones, who has been arrested six times and has been involved in 12 incidents requiring police intervention since being drafted, was the main player involved in the league's player conduct policy, which was created to discipline players who have had repeated confrontations with the law. Jones missed all of last season under the player conduct policy and could miss all or part of the 2008 season if he has another incident.

In late May, Jones met with Goodell to discuss his status with the league. By giving Jones the chance to work at the Cowboys facility, Goodell apparently accepted Jones' explanations for allegedly giving money to a suspect in a shooting incident in Las Vegas. Goodell also must have accepted Jones' explanation for a $20,000 marker at a casino that was just recently paid.

Since being traded to the Cowboys, Jones has tried to surround himself with a better support group. He's befriended former Cowboys Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. Jones also has become friends with several of his new teammates, including Tank Johnson, whom the Cowboys helped return from a similar suspension last season.

"The important thing is getting him here and getting him acclimated," Johnson said. "I have told him you are a good kid, we know you and we're looking forward to having you on the team and we're excited about you proving everybody wrong."

Jerry Jones said Adam Jones has avoided being a distraction at training camp thus far.

"We're just doing everything we can do to have an uneventful training camp relative to Adam, and he's doing his part," Jerry Jones said. "He's working his tail off, he's making it that way."

The Cowboys could use another good cornerback, but they're not hanging their hopes on Jones, having spent a first-round pick on Michael Jenkins. Jenkins and fellow first-rounder Felix Jones also can handle kick returns if Jones isn't around -- or even if he is.

"If [Pacman] can come out and help us here, great," said linebacker Bradie James, the defensive captain last season. "But if he doesn't, we've got enough guys to make it happen."

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