Book describes troubled Walter Payton

When reading the excerpt from Jeff Pearlman's biography of Walter Payton, "Sweetness", I admit that I wasn't going to read it with an open mind and with a lot skepticism. After reading the excerpt, I was disturbed, shocked and upset. This was

According to a new biography, the late Walter Payton – a legendary Chicago Bears running back nicknamed Sweetness by fans and teammates alike – was.

Sports Illustrated's Jeff Pearlman spent more than two years working on "Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life of Walter Payton" and uncovered startling details about the Chicago Bears running back who was so highly regarded that the NFL named its Man of the



For the 13 years of his NFL career, Walter Payton's life had been a well-organized, well-patterned ode to the routine of the professional athlete. During seasons the Bears made certain all his needs and wants were met.

When reading the excerpt from Jeff Pearlman's biography of Walter Payton, "Sweetness", I admit that I wasn't going to read it with an open mind and with a lot skepticism. After reading the excerpt, I was disturbed, shocked and upset. This was

miles austin | Miles Austin for any occasion

Week 1 Injury Report Arian Foster Miles Austin amp More. Now two years later Miles Austin39s hamstring may pave the way for Jesse Holley to finally get some significant live game action as a wide.

Miles Austin did rehab work before practice began. Bryant should be thankful. He only participated in individual drills on Monday.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin didn39t see much action during the preseason and practiced only in limited fashion this week because of a hamstring injury. However he is listed as probable on the team39s. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that Darrelle Revis will be on Miles Austin on. Austin who missed the final three preseason games with a hamstring injury did patandgo and was stretching in the portion of practice open to the media. It39s just Week 1 of the NFL season though that doesn39t mean that there aren39t injuries that need to be taken into account when setting your fantasy lineup. 1 receiver but it hasn39t happened yet.

Designed to replicate the Pro Cut jersey silhouette the Reebok NFL premier jersey is crafted with polyester mesh and designed with tackle twill player name.

Even before Miles Austin was inserted into the starting lineup in 2009 the Cowboys39 wide receiver and quarterback Tony Romo had an onfield bond. Click to continue reading this. Click to continue reading this fantasy sports article at Rotoinfo.

On this Sunday night game against the New York Jets the Dallas Cowboys go into the game with their star wide receiver Miles Austin complaining of soreness in his hamstring.

Ironically this is the same way Miles Austin found his niche on the Cowboys. He39s expected to be fine for Dallas39 season opener against the Jets on Sunday night.

Jets Darrelle Revis will be matched up on Cowboys WR Miles Austin and Antonio Cromartie on Dez Bryant.

Cowboys WR Miles Austin hamstring continues to be limited in practice.

Dez Bryant may eventually get the respect of a No. For the showdown in what looks to be as. com MLB NFL and NBA player updates.

notre dame football | Notre Dame Football on Michigan Evacuated | Schedule 2011

weather in which blew thru, inflicting any evacuation associated with Notre Dame Ground as well as a postpone greater than a pair of several hours. Together with a swap with quarterbacks – by Dayne Crist that will Tommy Rees in a healthy in aggravation – combined with your different scenarios which happen to have the Irish reeling early within the time of year.

A moment evacuation and stop within enjoy materialized along with 4: 21 quit in your game as well as Irish off by means of 10.

Regarding Notre Dame’s to start with break following 2nd stoppage associated with play, Rees is intercepted, ending any specific pray for restoration.

Michigan healed it is immense 110, 000-seat stadium through Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the help of 1: 27 still left within the 3 rd quarter plus the staff major Western Michigan 34-10. Any leagues after consented to close the game now there.

It in order to contact this Mich activity came not long soon after Notre Dame representatives directed visitors to straightforward that dish with their 81, 000 seat stadium within Southern area Extend, Indiana, by using turbo punches recorded local and extremely superior years estimated.

The particular Notre Dame-South Florida soccer recreation was revoked for two main time in halftime by means of To the The southeast top rated 16-0. It was postponed a second occasion, around 45 moments, together with 4: 21 departed in order to participate in and even Southwest The southwest top rated by way of 23-13.

Basically no storm-related damage ended up being known with ideas initially which will Notre Dame Stadium have been evacuated with at the least 60 several years, higher education spokesman Dennis Brownish said.

This is actually the whole Notre Dame Rugby program for any 2011 summer, such as the team’s opposing team as well as activity spots.

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
09/03/11 vs. South Florida – Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
09/10/11 at Michigan – Ann Arbor, Mich. 8:00 p.m. ET
09/17/11 vs. Michigan State – Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
09/24/11 at Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh, Pa. 12:00 p.m. ET
10/01/11 at Purdue – West Lafayette, Ind. 8:00 p.m. ET
10/08/11 vs. Air Force – Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
10/22/11 vs. USC – Notre Dame, Ind. 7:30 p.m. ET
10/29/11 vs. Navy – Notre Dame, Ind. 3:30 p.m. ET
11/05/11 at Wake Forest – Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA
11/12/11 vs. Maryland – Landover, Md. 7:30 p.m. ET
11/19/11 vs. Boston College – Notre Dame, Ind. 4:00 p.m. ET
11/26/11 at Stanford – Stanford, Calif. 5:00 p.m. PT

Barry Bonds' conviction upheld by judge

Barry Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction has been upheld by a federal judge, who denied the home run king's motion for a new trial or acquittal on the charge.

More than four months after the verdict and one day after hearing oral arguments, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco issued a 20-page order Friday refusing to overturn the only unanimous decision reached by the jury.

Jurors failed to reach a verdict on three counts charging the seven-time NL MVP with making false statements to a grand jury in 2003 when he denied receiving steroids and human growth hormone from trainer Greg Anderson, and when he said he allowed only doctors to inject him. Bonds was convicted of giving an evasive, rambling reply when asked whether he received drugs that required a syringe.

"Viewed in the light most favorable to the government, the record supports a finding, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the question was material to the grand jury's investigation of BALCO and Greg Anderson for unlawfully distributing performance enhancing drugs, and that defendant endeavored to obstruct the grand jury by not answering it when it was first asked," Illston wrote. "The conviction can be upheld if (the) defendant endeavored to obstruct justice, even if he did not succeed."

Bonds is likely to appeal Illston's decision to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prosecutors have not yet said whether they plan to retry him on the three deadlocked counts. Josh Eaton, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag in San Francisco, declined comment on the decision.

"I haven't spoken to Barry yet and therefore won't have any reaction statement tonight," Bonds' lead lawyer, Allen Ruby, said in an email to The Associated Press.

Illston's ruling marked a victory for federal prosecutors, who have been involved in two cases this year against former baseball stars accused of lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In a Washington, D.C., court room in July, U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ordered a mistrial in the case against Roger Clemens, saying prosecutors introduced evidence he had banned as prejudicial.

The decision was far from the San Francisco Giants' minds, with players more concerned about the pennant race than the team's former star.

"I don't know anything about anything," pitcher Matt Cain said. "I haven't paid attention, and I don't know what half the words mean."

Bonds was among the biggest stars convicted as a result of an investigation into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO) steroids ring, a probe headed by federal agent Jeff Novitzky. Novitzky also is at the forefront of a different grand jury investigation into whether seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong used drugs to get an illicit boost in his victories.

Following a 12-day trial and on the fourth day of deliberations, the Bonds jury unanimously voted that the slugger gave the grand jury an evasive answer under oath. Rather than say "yes" or "no" to the question about receiving drugs that required a syringe, Bonds responded, in part, "I became a celebrity child with a famous father."

Bonds' lawyers argued that the answer wasn't relevant to the grand jury, and that in any case he answered a question that was essentially the same later during that session.

Illston did not agree.

"(The) defendant repeatedly provided nonresponsive answers to questions about whether Anderson had ever provided him with injectables, resulting in the prosecuting attorneys asking clarifying question after clarifying question, and even once resulting in one prosecutor interrupting another who was about to move on to a new topic in order to clarify defendant's mixed responses," she wrote in her decision, issued late Friday night. "An evasive answer about an issue material to the grand jury is not necessarily rendered immaterial by the later provision of a direct answer, even if that direct answer is true."

Illston said Bonds' answer to questions later in his testimony did not make up for his initial evasion, especially because there he was asked about being injected by Anderson.

Illston did not address Bonds' lawyers argument that his conviction was barred by a 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case, U.S. v. Bronston, that declared in a perjury case "a jury should not be permitted to engage in conjecture whether an unresponsive answer, true and complete on its face, was intended to mislead or divert."

Bonds has not been sentenced, with Illston preferring to first rule on the motions to throw out the verdict.

His conviction carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, yet federal guidelines call for 15-21 months. For similar offenses in the BALCO steroids ring case, Illston sentenced cyclist Tammy Thomas to six months of home confinement and track coach Trevor Graham to one year of home confinement.

Jurors said their final votes were 8-4 to acquit Bonds of lying about steroids and 9-3 to acquit him on lying about HGH use. The panel voted 11-1 to convict him of lying when he denied receiving an injection from someone other than his doctor.

Now 47, Bonds holds baseball's season (73) and career (762) records for home runs. He testified before a grand jury that Anderson told him the substances he was giving Bonds were flaxseed oil and arthritic balm, and that Bonds didn't know they were designer steroids.

"Did Greg ever give you anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with?" Bonds was asked.

"That's what keeps our friendship," Bonds said in the part of his answer the government charged was a crime. "You know, I am sorry, but that — you know, that — I was a celebrity child, not just in baseball by my own instincts. I became a celebrity child with a famous father. I just don't get into other people's business because of my father's situation, you see."

The jury instructions said that for Bonds to be convicted, jurors had to find Bonds' answer "obstructed, influenced or impeded, or endeavored to obstruct, influence, or impede" the grand jury "by knowingly giving material testimony that was intentionally evasive, false or misleading."

Cardinals, Fitzgerald agree to $120 million deal

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald have agreed to an eight-year deal that could pay the star receiver as much as $120 million, making it one of the richest deals in the NFL.

The agreement, with guarantees near $50 million, is by far the biggest in the franchise's history.

Fitzgerald and team president Michael Bidwill appeared at a hastily called news conference Saturday night to announce the agreement.

Fitzgerald insisted he "hates this part of sports," but he certainly has made a boatload of money. This is the third major contract he has signed, and he doesn't turn 28 until Aug. 31.

"Growing up, since I was 7 years old, this has been the game I love and something I have been so passionate about," Fitzgerald said, "and to have to talk about it on the business side is a little bit uncomfortable. But I am really happy to put it behind us and it wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the Bidwill family's hard work in making this thing happen."

The Cardinals had said they wanted Fitzgerald's new contract wrapped up by the start of the regular season, and they made it with two weeks to spare.

Bidwill, son of the team's owner Bill Bidwill, said the Cardinals' intent is to have Fitzgerald retire as a Cardinal "but not anytime soon."

Fitzgerald, the third overall park in the 2004 draft at the age of 19, spoke of the opportunity to spend his entire career with one team.

"It is an honor," he said. "I am so fortunate. Not many players have that opportunity but Michael has allowed me that opportunity and I just want to repay him with great effort and winning. That is what is important."

The 6-foot-3, 218 pound receiver has become the franchise's career leader in receptions with 613 and needs just 294 yards to surpass Roy Green for career yards receiving. In Arizona's surprise run to the Super Bowl in the 2008 season, Fitzgerald shattered most of the NFL playoff receiving records.

Fitzgerald has topped 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven NFL seasons, including the last four. He caught 90 passes for 1,137 yards last season even though Arizona had one of the worst offenses in the league while struggling to a 5-11 record, in large part because of poor quarterback play in the wake of the retirement of Kurt Warner.

While Fitzgerald said he never insisted the team make a big move for a quarterback — "I am not anyone to hold a hammer over anyone's head" — the Cardinals traded for Kevin Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles, then signed him to a five-year, $63 million contract, with $21 million guaranteed. Fitzgerald, who organized team workouts during the lockout, had a practice session with Kolb long before the trade.

Fitzgerald will be under contract to the Cardinals through the 2018 season. It is not known whether the deal contains the kind of terms that gave him huge leverage over the team under its current deal — specifically a ban on making him a franchise player and a no-trade clause.

The contract could have widespread ramifications around the NFL, particularly in the case of running back Chris Johnson, who is holding out for a new deal with the Tennessee Titans.

Johnson tweeted "congratulations to (at)LarryFitzgerald god is good" and Fitzgerald responded with "thanks CJ you up next my guy."

Manning doesn't plan to play in preseason games

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Peyton Manning still thinks he can be ready for the Indianapolis Colts' regular-season opener.

The rest of the preseason appears to be out.

Manning said Saturday he will use the next two weeks to get healthy from offseason neck surgery, a timeline that could put his streak of 227 consecutive starts in jeopardy.

"I certainly want to be out there, and it's hard to keep track of the hours I've spent in rehab," he said. "I was short-changed a little bit by the lockout and I'm going to need every bit of the next two weeks, and then I can give you more of an update with where I am."

The only four-time MVP in NFL history spoke at halftime of Saturday's second high school football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The annual tripleheader is hosted by the PeyBack Foundation, Manning's charity.

He underwent neck surgery in May to repair a nerve and has been on the Colts' physically unable to perform list since the start of training camp.

While Colts coach Jim Caldwell hasn't said when Manning might return to the practice field, it's clear there are concerns within the organization.

About 6 hours before Manning spoke, team owner Jim Irsay used his Twitter account to acknowledge there is a possibility the Colts will start the season without their No. 1 quarterback.

"We r evaluating the QB sitch,(hash)18 healing but we must 2 b prepared 4 early season possibility without him,defense has 2 pick it up,big time!," Irsay wrote.

Manning said he was unaware of Irsay's comments because he had been busy rehabbing. He signed a five-year, $90 million contract in July after the 4½-month lockout ended.

The notion of not having Manning line up behind center will undoubtedly make Colts fans cringe and, until now, seemed inconceivable.

Since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 draft, Manning has started all 208 regular-season games and 19 more in the playoffs, the second-longest streak for a quarterback in league history behind only Brett Favre.

But the recovery from the second operation on his neck in 15 months, has been slower than expected.

"I have made progress, but I still have some work to do," he said. "When I'm healthy enough, I'll be able to play."

The only other time one of his starts appeared to be in jeopardy was in 2008 when Manning needed two operations to remove an infected bursa sac from his left knee. He missed all of training camp and the entire preseason, then struggled early in the regular season before winning his third MVP award.

With Manning, the Colts have been a perennial Super Bowl contender.

Without him, well, the dream of becoming the first team to play an NFL title game in its home stadium would certainly take a hit. Indianapolis will host the upcoming Super Bowl.

Backup quarterback Curtis Painter has started both preseason games and has completed 8 of 16 passes for 95 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. In Friday night's 16-3 loss to Washington, Painter managed only one first down and couldn't get the offense past its 29-yard line despite playing the entire first half.

Painter hasn't played in a regular-season game since relieving Manning in the final two games of the 2009 season — after the Colts had already locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. His career numbers are 8 of 28 for 83 yards with no touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 9.8.

The only other quarterbacks on the roster are Dan Orlovsky, who has played in 13 games in six NFL seasons — though none with the Colts — and undrafted rookie Mike Hartline.

Irsay quickly dispelled one possible move. The Colts won't select former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor in Monday's supplemental draft.

"Not taking Pryor...what VET QB would u vote 4 to sign that's out there? If sum1 has 2 hold the fort early season,who u going with?" Irsay wrote.

But with only three weeks left until the opener, almost anybody the Colts bring in would have to learn on the fly. The Colts rely on lots of calls at the line with Manning, which is why they have traditionally relied on their own experienced quarterbacks, such as Painter and former Colts player Jim Sorgi, to fill in when Manning is not on the field.

When could Manning return?

The Colts aren't saying.

During a conference call with reporters Saturday, Caldwell reiterated the point he's made since the Colts held their first training camp practice on Aug. 1 — it's up to the doctors.

"He's still caught in the same rehab mode, working extremely hard, as hard as he possibly can," Caldwell said. "The doctors, as of today, have not released anything."

Indianapolis had a practice scheduled for Friday afternoon but it was closed to reporters.

Afterward, Manning sped over to the Colts' home field for the prep games. He wore an orange and white striped shirt, jeans, and a baseball hat. He shook hands with students and school administrators, and even heard his name chanted.

The quarterback for Bishop Chatard wore a blue and white jersey with the No. 18, prompting some to wonder when they'd see the famous No. 18 back on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"It reminds me of how fortunate we are to play this game," Manning said. "They (the high school players) play this game because they love it, and I play because I love it."

steve smith | Steve Smith Signs ... With Eagles

In a crazy turn of events over the past 24-36 hours, Steve Smith went from returning to the Giants to becoming a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Giants were kicking around an offer to the injured Smith, pondering how much he would play vs how much he was worth. The prognosis was that Smith would proabably miss at least the first month of the season, maybe more. Tom Coughlin said that Smith’s comeback would be a “long haul”.

The Eagles didn’t seem to care. They have been spending like drunken sailors this summer and Smith does two things for them immediately: bolsters their long-term picture at WR and keeps one of Eli Manning‘s favorite targets from hurting them down the road.

This is the latest indication of how much of a cap crunch the Giants are experiencing. Smith is the second Giants’ offensive staple to flee to another team in the past week. TE Kevin Boss signed with the Oakland Raiders last Friday night.

adam scott | Adam Scott Wins at Firestone. Or was it Steve Williams

Adam Scott knew he was getting a good caddy when he hired Steve Williams but what he didn’t know was that at their first win together Williams would get more attention. As Scott strode triumphantly to the eighteenth green with a three stroke lead, the crowd was chanting “Steve…Steve…Steve” and singing ‘Stevie, Stevie, Stevie.” To say it was bizarre doesn’t quite capture it.

Adam Scott played great golf to beat a field of the best golfers in the world to win by four strokes. He had an air of confidence about him all day and was dressed to intimidate. The Aussie wore all black from head to toe and maybe that was in deference to Williams’ favorite rugby team The All Blacks. Whatever the reason, it worked as Scott’s five under 65 was more than enough to pull away from the field.

His golf was amazing but the overwhelming theme of the day was Williams claiming victory with his new man in a place that Tiger has owned for years. Afterwards, with as broad a smile as he could muster Williams said, “I’ve caddied for 33 years and this is the greatest week of my life.”

It doesn’t end there. Williams gave a long, unfiltered interview to many of the media after the tournament and said he was “short shifted” by Tiger and that he “was absolutely shocked that I got the boot.” Asked how he felt about the win he said, “It’s the most satisfying win I’ve ever had.”

The still bitter Williams said he was told on the phone that “we needed to take a break, and in caddy lingo that means you’re fired. Simple as that.”

Williams spoke like he finally had that Team Tiger Duct Tape ripped off his mouth. He reveled in this win like few caddies ever have.

As Scott dropped his birdie putt on eighteen Williams gave an emphatic fist pump, much like Tiger used to. He was asked if there was a little extra emotion in that and he smiled as wide as he could with the answer, “Absolutely!” Take that Tiger.

It was a strange scene: the winning caddy warranting more media that the winner. But these past two years with Tiger and Williams have been as strange as they come.

Adam Scott and Steve Williams can now set their sights on their first major together. Won’t that be some interview.

United back at Wembley for City test | Community Shield may give hint to whether balance of power is shifting

   City beat United in an FA Cup semifinal in April before going on to end their 35-year trophy drought and Barcelona inflicted a comprehensive defeat on Alex Ferguson’s team in May.

While the Community Shield doesn’t have the same magnitude or prestige, the English season’s traditional curtain raiser is an early chance for the Premier League champions to assert their authority over resurgent City.

The game will be a test for United with the squad recovering from its recent preseason tour of the United States and with some players on international duty, but the stakes are always high when the Manchester rivals meet.

“You couldn’t get better motivation to start the season with a bang,” United striker Wayne Rooney told Four Four Two magazine. “I hadn’t even thought about it until I turned on the TV and someone was talking about potentially the best Community Shield ever. Playing City is the best way to start.”

Ferguson, though, is downplaying the importance of the fixture.

“It’s very easy to get emotional about this type of game,” Ferguson said. “I don’t think we’ll be changing our policy. I’ve always viewed the Community Shield as a stepping stone for the first game of the season and there are two or three players who will need a game (to boost fitness levels).”

Michael Carrick are set to miss the match after picking up a minor Achilles’ injury in retired goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar’s testimonial match on Wednesday.

Mexico striker Javier Hernandez will miss the start of the league season as a precaution after he was hospitalized for a concussion sustained during a training session during the US tour.

“Considering he had a concussion some years ago we are just playing safe with that but he should be back by the end of August,” Ferguson said.

Former United striker Carlos Tevez—last season’s top scorer for City— will be missing Sunday as he recovers from the Copa America.

But on the bench will be €38 million pound transfer Sergio Aguero, who joined City as a ready-made replacement for Tevez.

“Because of the particular facet of the club that they have the money to spend I thought maybe they would spend more this summer and that may still happen, they may still sign a couple more players,” Ferguson said. “We get this almost every year when clubs round about us buy, and that’s how you view the importance of winning the league these days.

“Chelsea had this great spell of buying when Jose (Mourinho) first went there and we accepted that challenge. It’s good to accept challenges, it keeps the complacency away from your door and we carry on as best as we can.”

While the Premier League season doesn’t start for another week, the 72 clubs below the top flight are back in action this weekend.

In the second-tier, former England managers Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren will be looking for instant promotion with League Championship sides Leicester City and Nottingham Forest.

Eriksson’s England successor was McClaren, whose failure to lead the team to the 2008 European Championship cost him the job.

Fresh from posts in the Netherlands and Germany, McClaren was hired by Forest during the offseason following the departure of Billy Davies.

hightower | Secrets for Hightower | Dont’a Hightower ‘back at 100 percent’

If the RB coach is really as good at teaching RBs to not fumble we can turn Hightower into a 1000 yard back and trade him away for a 2nd or 3rd next offseason meaning that for Holiday and a late pick we get a 2nd or.

The Redskins traded defensive end Vonnie Holiday to the Arizona Cardinals for local boy Tim Hightower.

Ashburn VANewly acquired running back and local product Tim Hightower spoke to the media for the first time today since he was traded to the Redskins.

Hear that That39s the sound of 1 billion on its way out of Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He was found by a caretaker at his Los Angeles home.

Your best source for quality Arizona Cardinals news rumors analysis stats and scores from the fan perspective. Those assets belongs to investors working with financial advisors Paul Pagnato and David Karptwo veteran Merrill advisors who.

Tim Hightower is leaving the team that drafted him but in return for this a chance to compete for a starting job and to play in front of family and friends.

Here39s what a couple scouts think of newlyacquired running back Tim Hightower.

Bubba Smith the former NFL star who became famous as Hightower in the Police Academy movies has died at the age of 66. So yes he welcomed a trade that will send him from Arizona. about two and a half hours north of Phoenix when he received word he had been traded to the Redskins.

ASHBURN Tim Hightower was well on his way to Cardinals training camp in Flagstaff Ariz. One of the scouts Dave Razzano was with Arizona in 2008 when the Cardinals drafted him in the fifth round. Police have not revealed the cause of death.

The Redskins announced that they have acquired RB Tim Hightower from the Cardinals in exchange for DL Vonnie Holliday and an undisclosed draft pick. Listen here to what he had to say.

sidney rice | Seahawks Agree to Terms with WR Sidney Rice

NFL Insider Jay Glazer is reporting the Seahawks have agreed to terms with former Vikings WR Sidney Rice, on a 5 year deal. He feels it's worth noting it isn't signed yet, but that's a given, no FA contracts can be signed until Friday. Also, from other reports we've heard it seems the Seahawks are looking to have Rice work out, which means they want to give him a full medical before signing the contract. If his hip is still a problem, the deal could still fall through (and it can still change for other reasons, this is only an agreement).

Schefter reports the deal is up to $44 million over those five years, with $18.5 million guaranteed. Jason LaCanfora further details that of the $44 million, $3 million is in pro bowl escalators. Sean Jensen confirms the contract is pending a physical. The contract compares well to Santonio Holmes' 5-year, $50 million contract with $24 million guaranteed).

We've discussed throughout the season how the Seahawks could do well with a #1 WR. Sidney Rice is an interesting fit. He is an injury concern, having missed quite a few games in his career, but he is young and has one very impressive season to his name. In 2009, he caught 83 balls for 1312 yards and 8 TDs. Rice's upside is basically Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, a kind of super-possession receiver. Not a great deep threat (though Rice is certainly fast enough), but someone who makes very valuable catches in very difficult situations. Seahawks fan Doug Farrar recently did a good writeup on Rice, go and read it if you want to learn to know the WR.

Barring injury problems (and the deal falling through), this gives us a pretty great starting couple in Sidney Rice and Mike Williams. Both are big receivers skilled at outreaching cornerbacks and making catches in difficult situations. This is great for a mediocre QB situation like we have, all the QB has to do is toss it up there, to either one, and most of the time they'll come up with the ball.

tarvaris jackson | Seahawks Agree to Terms With QB Tarvaris Jackson

Danny O'Neil is now reporting that the Seattle Seahawks have signed agreed to terms with QB Tarvaris Jackson. This confirms claims originally stated by Dave Softy Mahler of 950KJR,

Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft in 2006 out of Alabama State. He is 6'2, 225 and has a career 24 TDs to 22 interceptions. He's passed for 3,984 yards, has a career 76.6 passer rating with a 58.7% completion percentage.

Jackson wasn't particularly well-received in Minnesota despite playing quite well at times. In an interview with Judd Zulgad, he stated, "Since Day 1, I don't really think I was really welcome here anyways, because nobody really knew who I was, being from a smaller school. A lot more things probably play into it, too. It's just the way things are. I can't help that."

Just the way things happened, like the way I was thrown into there, the way where it was me or Brett [Favre] or all this stuff. Just a lot of different things played into it that kind of soured our relationship. Fans are going to be fans."

This relationship with the fans is probably not going to be much rosier here in Seattle. He's replacing (or appears to be replacing - will have to earn starting job obviously) a guy that's been here for a decade and has a very hard-core, loyal following. The hate and hysteria has already started but I would just caution a little optimism and a wait-and-see approach. He's been fairly inconsistent; flashing brilliance at times but then struggling at others, but could surprise some people. In my mind, he's not too different from Kevin Kolb. Kolb had some big games and some pretty terrible games, he just had his chance to show off more recently. If you look at the numbers, though, neither player is particularly impressive.

Judd Zulgad added his analysis when talking to 710ESPN as well. He said, "My thoughts are this, you would get - or Seattle would get - a quarterback who looks very good in practice, has a big-time arm and athletically is gifted."

"Tarvaris has really dedicated himself to being in shape, and coming into which ever camp he goes into in far better condition than he did last year. That being said, you've seen this guy play in games, I've seen him play in games, and as Brad Childress used to say, 'when the bullets fly' so to speak, Tarvaris has his issues."

Zulgad refers to Jackson's entire career body of work there, but especially his struggles in the playoffs in 2008, where he went 15-for-35 for 164 yards in the game with no touchdowns and one interception in a Wild Card Playoff round with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

He's had his fair share of decent games as well - and seems to fit the mold as a game-manager type QB. The previous 3 games before the not-so-brilliant start in the playoffs that year, he showed consistency and the ability to take care of the ball. In those 3 games, here are his numbers: He went 11-17 for 165 yards, 4TDs to 0 interceptions to beat the eventual NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals; he went 22-36 for 233 yards and 1 TD to 0 interceptions in a loss to the Falcons; then in the final game of the season, he went 16-26 for 239 yards with a TD and a pick lead the Vikings in victory over the Giants.

He lost his starting job the next season (after the poor performance in the playoffs that I mentioned above) and has only started one game since. Could be better, could be worse.

Regardless, what Tarvaris brings to the Seahawks is a big arm and some mobility. Moreover, he knows the offense so should be able to convey it to our offense in short order. He will be cheap. He will not cost us any draft picks. He could be a bridge to the QBOTF, whenever he arrives in town.

It's not clear at this point that the Seahawks are done in the quarterback free agency sweepstakes, but it seems Jackson will be brought in to compete with Charlie Whitehurst for the starting position this season.

Sergio Batista resigns as coach of Argentina

(CNN) -- Coach Sergio Batista has paid the price for Argentina's unsuccessful 2011 Copa America campaign after having his contract canceled on Monday.

Expectations had been high with Argentina hosting the tournament and seeking a record 15th title, but "La Albiceleste" lost on penalties in the quarterfinals to neighbors Uruguay -- who went on to claim that milestone instead.

Batista, a World Cup winner as a player in 1986, replaced the iconic Diego Maradona as coach in July 2010, having previously guided his country's Olympic team to a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) hopes to announce a successor to the 48-year-old former Argentinos Juniors boss within a week.

"The national teams committee has decided to rescind the contract that attached Mr. Batista with the Argentinian Football Association," AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo told reporters.

"In a very good-natured, mature telephone conversation, Mr. Batista and Mr. Julio Grondona (the AFA president) talked and Batista left his situation in the hands of the AFA.

"Batista is a man who does not need any explanation. He talked to the AFA president and allowed him to decide whatever he considers the right thing."

Cherquis Bialo said the AFA would now take time to consider potential candidates to replace Batista.

"In the upcoming seven days, we hope we can reveal the name of the new coach. The candidates' names will be evaluated by the national teams committee," he said.

The main objective for the new head coach will be qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a campaign which begins on October 7 with a home match against Chile.

steve williams | Woods gets rid of Steve Williams as a caddie

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tiger Woods fired caddie Steve Williams on Wednesday, ending a 12-year relationship in which he won 72 times worldwide and 13 majors.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Stevie for all his help, but I think it's time for a change," Woods said on his website. "Stevie is an outstanding caddie and a friend and has been instrumental in many of my accomplishments. I wish him great success in the future."

Woods did not say who would replace Williams or when he would return to golf.

Williams, who previously worked for Raymond Floyd and Greg Norman, had worked the last three tournaments with Adam Scott. That included the last two majors, which Woods skipped while trying to recover from injuries to his left leg.

When asked over the weekend at the British Open if he was still working for Woods, Williams grinned and said, "Why would you ask a question like that?" He never answered the question but gave no indication that he would not caddie for Woods when he did return.

Turns out he had known for two weeks.

Williams told The Associated Press that he met with Woods in a board room at Aronimink after the final round of the AT&T National and told him they would no longer work together. Williams said he chose to keep quiet out of respect to Scott, not wanting the Australian to face queries from the British media at Royal St. George's.

The caddie posted a comment on his website that it "came as a shock."

"Given the circumstances of the past 18 months working through Tiger's scandal, a new coach and with it a major swing change and Tiger battling through injuries, I am very disappointed to end our very successful partnership at this time," he said.

great khali | The Great Khali and Kane Both Hurting

First of all I'd like to say that I mean no offense with the title of this thread. After all I am Indian myself. It's more of a joke at the WWE and their tendency to indulge in stereotypes. After all, divorce isn't as shameful a thing in India as WWE would like to think it is. Some of the more orthodox families might be offended by it but it has become pretty much acceptable and understandable in the urban society. But then maybe Vince doesn't believe that an urban society exists in India.

Either way, it doesn't really matter. Let's get back to the thread.

For the past few weeks we have been seeing Jinder Mahal squash a few jobbers with the help of The Great Khali. It was apparent that Mahal exuded some sort of control over Khali and that Khali held Mahal in high esteem but we did not know why this was the case until this week's Smackdown.

It seems that Mahal has married Khali's sister and is threatening Khali that he would divorce her unless Khali followed his commands. This is what Ranjin Singh, the little bloke who is supposedly Khali's brother and also his manager. This seems like a decent storyline on paper but that is until you discover that Great Khali is involved in this.

This is a type of storyline that would demand a lot of promo work. Mahal is decent but Khali is horrible. He doesn't know much English and even his Indian or Hindi is nothing to write home about. Trust me, he is incomprehendible. On the flipside, this could be an opportunity for someone like Ranjin Singh to shine and show that he can be a capable manager.

The story can unfold in quite a few ways. I'd like to see Khali help out Mahal for a few weeks and then suddenly turn on him in the middle of a tag title match or something. Ranjin can play an important part here by maybe convincing Khali that Khali's sister divorcing Mahal would be a blessing in disguise. Maybe Ranjin can take the lead and coax his sister into filing a divorce case against Mahal before Mahal does so or maybe he could even try to expose Mahal in front of Khali's parents who might be unaware of the type of person that Mahal is.

The other thing in which this could play out is by Mahal turning face. It might appear too soon but WWE is apparently keen on grasping on the increasing popularity of the WWE in India and it has been reported on quite a few wrestling sites that Vince is interested in turning Mahal face in the future. Maybe this could lead to Mahal turning back on his old ways and deciding to be a loving husband henceforth. That would be a pretty sloppy way to end this angle though.

What I would like to see is Khali's sister getting divorced from Mahal and Mahal being the one that gets shit on for the divorce. Mahal could then lose it and blame Khali for everything which leads to a match between them which I would like to see Mahal win as he stands to gain more from the victory.

all star game | 2011 All-Star Game Thread

Now it counts! Seriously, how dumb is it that this glorified exhibition will decide home field advantage in the World Series? I can’t wait for that fifth inning matchup between Aaron Crow and Hunter Pence to decide whether or not the Yankees get to play three or four games in the Bronx come late October, assuming they make it that far of course. Don’t want to jinx it.

That said, the All-Star Game isn’t boring, at least I don’t think so. I just hate that it impacts the World Series. It’s fun to see all the different players and a new pitcher every inning, usually I’m fumbling around MLB.tv to see these guys play, and for this one night they’re all playing in one stadium. That’s pretty cool. Here are your starting lineups…

American League
Curtis Granderson, CF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Jose Bautista, RF
Josh Hamilton, LF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Alex Avila, C

Jered Weaver, RHP

National League
Rickie Weeks, 2B
Carlos Beltran, DH
Matt Kemp, CF
Prince Fielder, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Lance Berkman, RF
Matt Holliday, LF
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Scott Rolen, 3B

Roy Halladay, RHP

The full rosters can be seen here. David Robertson and Russell Martin are the only other Yankees actually at the game and eligible to play after Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, and CC Sabathia backed out. If needed, the two managers have confirmed that Jose Valverde and Brian Wilson will serve as closers, and Valverde apparently rehearsed a new jig should he close out the game. Seriously. Anyway, first pitch is scheduled for 8pm ET and can be seen on FOX. Talk about the game or anything else your heart desires here. Enjoy.


all star game | 2011 All-Star Game Thread

home run derby | Home Run Derby Open Thread | 2011 Home Run Derby

PHOENIX -- The Home Run Derby has become a staple of the All-Star experience, a exhibition of raw power unlike anything else you'll see all season.

There's a bit of a new wrinkle to this year's event: One captain was chosen from each league (David Ortiz and Prince Fielder) and they were allowed to select three competitors apiece to join them in the Derby.

Ortiz chose three other players from the AL East: Red Sox teammate Adrian Gonzalez, the Yankees' Robinson Cano and the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista. Fielder took one of his teammates from the Brewers, Rickie Weeks, along with the Dodgers' Matt Kemp and the Cardinals' Matt Holliday.

I'll try to provide a few updates during the course of the Derby, but I'm also still working on my main All-Star piece about Tyler Clippard, Joel Hanrahan, Manny Acta and the circumstances that allowed them all to overcome adversity in 2009 with the Nationals to reach their first midsummer classic. Be sure to check the homepage later for that, and also be sure to tune into Comcast SportsNet at 6 p.m. Eastern to see my live report from outside Chase Field...

2011 HOME RUN DERBY
Where: Chase Field
Gametime: 8 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: ESPN-980 AM, XM 176
Weather: Dome (Outside: Partly cloudy, 97 degrees)

PARTICIPANTS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Prince Fielder (Mil)
Matt Kemp (LAD)
Rickie Weeks (Mil)
Matt Holliday (StL)

AMERICAN LEAGUE
David Ortiz (Bos)
Jose Bautista (Tor)
Adrian Gonzalez (Bos)
Robinson Cano (NYY)

8:20 p.m. -- And the Derby is underway, with Adrian Gonzalez at the plate and ... Manny Acta(?!) pitching to him.

8:25 p.m. -- Wow, nice opening round from Gonzalez. Nine home runs, setting a high bar for the rest of the competitors. He even dropped one into the pool in right-center field.

8:35 p.m. -- Matt Holliday made the unconventional decision to have Cardinals teammate (and fellow All-Star) Yadier Molina throw for him. It might have been a costly decision, because Molina didn't seem totally comfortable throwing BP. Holliday wound up with five homers, though one of them was a bomb onto the overhang in deep left-center, about 30 feet above the 413-foot sign.

8:49 p.m. -- Man, did Robinson Cano just put on a show. It wasn't so much the number of homers (eight). It was the majesty of nearly all of them. Just some towering blasts, including a 472-foot moonshot that reached the Diamond Club three levels up in right-center.

9:09 p.m. -- Rickie Weeks stepped to the plate to a chorus of boos from the Chase Field crowd. Why? Because folks around here were upset Prince Fielder selected his Milwaukee teammate instead of the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton. Well, those boos only intensified as Weeks struggled big-time to hit the ball out of the park. He wound up with only three homers, worst among the competitors so far. By the end of the round, the crowd was chanting: "We want Upton!" Jose Bautista, meanwhile, put four balls over the stands during his first round. Not quite as dominant as his usual performances in the regular season.

9:18 p.m. -- Hmm, another weak showing from one of Fielder's picks. Matt Kemp nearly was shut out. Down to his last out, he stepped out of the box for a moment and took a deep breath. AL catcher Russell Martin (a former teammate in Los Angeles) walked out there with a Gatorade bottle for Kemp. And what did he do on his next swing? Homered at last. So Martin brought him another Gatorade bottle. And he homered again. Sadly, that was the end of the streak. Kemp finishes with only two homers.

9:27 p.m. -- Well, Big Papi just opened the door back up for the NL squad. A disappointing five-homer round for David Ortiz. If Prince Fielder can top that, he'll automatically qualify for the next round (along with Gonzalez and Cano) and leave Papi in a tiebreaker with Holliday.

9:38 p.m. -- And Fielder finishes with five homers himself. So now we've got three guys tied for the two remaining spots in the semifinals. Ortiz, Holliday and Fielder each get five swings in this tiebreaker.

9:43 p.m. -- The captains deliver big-time in the Swing-Off. Papi blasts four homers in five swings. Prince does him one better, connecting all five times. Holliday is eliminated after hitting only two out. So we'll have four left-handed semifinalists: Fielder, Ortiz, Gonzalez and Cano. Tough luck for anyone who bought seats in the left-field bleachers.

9:59 p.m. -- Ortiz is up first in the semifinal round, and he adds four more homers to his first-round total of five. Since everything is cumulative now, that means he's got nine through two rounds. Gonzalez already had nine in the first round. Cano had eight. It will take a miracle for Papi to advance to the finals.

10:11 p.m. -- Fantastic performance from Cano in round two. Twelve more homers, which combined with his eight previous homers, gives him an even 20 for the entire competition.

10:27 p.m. -- And Gonzalez matches Cano with 20 total homers. He hit seven in a row at one point during his 11-homer round, including two opposite-field shots. So unless Prince Fielder clubs at least 15 homers here, it's going to be Cano and Gonzalez in the finals. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Great, just what everyone wanted.

10:33 p.m. -- No dice for Prince. He adds four homers to his first-round total of five. That gives him nine in total, not nearly enough. So it's Cano and Gonzalez in the finals. Yankees-Red Sox. Given the way contests between those two teams usually go, this should only take about four more hours to complete.

10:48 p.m. -- OK, Gonzalez sets the bar with 11 homers. That ties the record for most homers in the championship round. So for Cano to win this thing, he'll have to establish a new record.

11:03 p.m. -- And Cano does it! Twelve home runs in the final round to beat Gonzalez. The Evil Empire triumphs again. Robinson Cano is your 2011 Home Run Derby champion.

Harper hits back hard at Indian players

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Australian umpire Daryl Harper, under fire from Indian players following his poor decisions in the first Test in Kingston, hit back saying West Indies team had expressed concerns of over-appealing by India.

'West Indies expressed concern over Indian players' habit of charging at umpires when appealing which is against the spirit of the game,' said Harper.

Defending his wrong decision on Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicket in the first Test, Harper said: 'Errors in international cricket matches were as common as Indians eating beef burgers. I should never have applied the laws of cricket to Indian players.'

On his exchange of words with Dhoni, Harper said: 'We did not share many pleasantries in the match.'

Harper, however, admitted that the Kingston Test was not his best of the year. Stung by severe criticism, Harper decided to step down from the third Test, which would have been his farewell match.

'I didn't have my best game of the year but referee Jeff Crowe, who observed every ball, calculated that I had managed to get 94 percent of all my decisions correct. That analysis was confirmed from (International Cricket Council) headquarters in our Dubai office,' Harper was quoted as saying by Headlines Today.

Recalling the wrong decisions, Harper said: 'There was one LBW against Harbhajan Singh that would have been reversed had the Decision Review System been available. I also failed to detect a no ball when West Indian Bishoo's back foot touched the side or return crease. It's about as common as Indians eating beef burgers.'

On his decision against batsman Virat Kohli, Harper said: 'Another decision that was notable involved Virat Kohli. He flashed wide of his body at a short ball that passed well outside his body down the leg side. He clearly gloved the ball and was given out. Replays could not confirm that my decision was right...and they could not confirm that my decision was wrong.'


Harper hits back hard at Indian players

philadelphia flyers

Philadelphia Flyers – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern … [Read More] Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Clubhouse
According to report, the Philadelphia Flyers have acquired blue-chip forward Brayden Schenn, power forward Wayne Simmonds and a second-round pick for Mike Richards who was the Philadelphia Flyers captain last season. This trade came unexpectedly but helps make the Philadelphia Flyers a younger team going into next season – Brayden Schenn is considered one of the top prospects in hockey.
The trade of Jeff Carter came as less of a shock as many analysts believed the Philadelphia Flyers would trade Jeff Carter to clear cap space. Jeff Carter was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Jakub Voracek, plus first and third round draft picks.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are very pleased and excited to acquire Jeff Carter,” GM Scott Howson said in a statement. “Jeff is a proven No. 1 center in the National Hockey League and we look forward to him having many productive seasons as a Blue Jacket.”
Carter’s 11-year, $58 million contract extension, which he signed in November, kicks in next season. He’s signed through the 2021-22 season at a $5.27 million yearly cap hit.
Voracek, a first-round pick in the 2007 draft, had 14 goals and 32 assists a year ago.

mike richards | Mike Richards Traded to L.A. for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds

In a surprise blockbluster trade, the Philadelphia Flyers sent captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings for center Brayden Schenn, right winger Wayne Simmonds and a draft pick.
The news was broken on Twitter by sportscaster Gord Miller and then added to by ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
Richards, a dynamic center who averaged nearly 71 points per season the past four years, served as the focal point of the Flyers team. But with Philly's dissappointing postseason sweep in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Bruins, Flyers management began seeking a way to retool their squad. The Flyers also dealt leading goal-scorer Jeff Richards to Columbus on Thursday.
The soon-to-be 20-year-old Schenn played in only eight games this past season with the Kings. He notched two assists.
Simmonds tallied 30 points in the 2010-11 campaign, netting 14 goals and dishing out 16 assists.
The 26-year-old Richards was by no means an old veteran, but after signing a hefty 12 year, $69 million contract in 2009, moving the former captain was the easiest way for the Flyers to clear some salary cap space to make future deals.
I love Mike Richards, you lucky bastards. BUt, that seems like a lot to give up for such a huge contract. by ScottyKnows on Jun 23, 2011 1:17 PM PDT reply actions. Oh and you also have bigger problems if Simmonds is your
Ask a question in our next Bruins mailbag @MurphysLaw74 RT @TSNBobMcKenzie: PHI also receives 2nd rd pick from LAK along with B Schenn and Simmonds in exchange for Mike Richards. 25 minutes ago @MurphysLaw74 RT @THNJohnGrigg: For the record,
Per TSN's Gord Miller: "Done deal, and it's a blockbuster. Phi trades captain Mike Richards to LA for Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds."
By Dan Arritt Out of the blue Thursday afternoon came news the Kings made a deal with the Flyers to obtain center Mike Richards, the team captain and 66-point scorer last season. No doubt, many scribes needed a double take to make sure the press


philadelphia flyers, flyers, tsn, pittsburgh penguins, nhl trade rumors