Ben Maller's sports rumors and notes
by FOXSports.com
NFL RUMORS AND NOTES
Bears would be wise to consider dealing Hester?
This is the perfect time for the Bears to trade Devin Hester--when his returning skills are at their peak and before he has shown what he cannot do as a wide receiver. As a third-year player with a low salary-cap figure, Hester on the trade market would be as hot a commodity as a snowblower after a November blizzard. A lot of teams could convince themselves Hester is the one player who could make the difference for their season. And they might not be wrong. Could you imagine Hester on the Chargers? The Jaguars? The Giants? Hester could have an instant impact on any team as a returner. -- Chicago Tribune
Rams to extend RB Steven Jackson
Rams coach Scott Linehan reported, talks have begun with RB Steven Jackson's recently hired agent, Eugene Parker, on a new deal. In fact, a team official confirmed that the two sides were in discussions late Thursday night. "That has been a priority," Linehan said. "I know within the last couple of days there has been dialogue. Our hope is that will be done pretty soon." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
MLB RUMORS AND NOTES
Yanks and M's continue talks of Washburn deal?
The Yankees and Mariners continue to have serious discussions about a deal that would bring left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn to the Bronx. The Yankees would like to put disappointing lefty Kei Igawa in the deal, but Seattle's not sold on him yet. The Mariners are looking for some outfield help, and the Yankees might talk about players such as Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner or Justin Christian in the right deal. Seattle asked about Austin Jackson but was told no. Washburn does have a no-trade clause that would allow him to block a trade to the Yankees, but there's some sense that he would waive it for a chance at a pennant race. -- Newark Star-Ledger
Tigers looking at O's Sherrill
The Tigers were among the 10 or more clubs that scouted Wednesday night's game between the Blue Jays and Orioles, teams that already have made pitchers available on the market. Toronto right-hander A.J. Burnett started that game, but it's not believed the Tigers are actively pursuing him. Burnett is making $12 million this year, and the Tigers are reluctant to add to what was a $138-million payroll Opening Day. Baltimore closer George Sherrill would be intriguing to the Tigers if Dolsi is unavailable for any length of time, but the price tag on Sherrill, a left-hander, is expected to be high. -- Detroit Free Press
NBA RUMORS AND NOTES
Sasha Vujacic may leave Lakers to play in Europe
Lakers reserve guard Sasha Vujacic, a restricted free agent, is prepared to leave the team and accept an offer from a European team in the next few days if the Lakers don't make him an offer he deems fair, according to a source in the Vujacic camp who spoke only on the condition of anonymity. The source said Vujacic is seeking a multiyear deal from the Lakers averaging about $5 million a year. Vujacic was hoping for a six-year deal, but anticipated it could be a shorter contract. -- LA Times
Nets looking to trade Swift and Williams?
The Nets still have a lot of power forwards. That means if they can find takers for Stromile Swift and/or Sean Williams - I know some of you won't like that I include his name but they are looking to move him - the Nets will deal each or both. -- Bergen Record
NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES
Hornish has no regrets with NASCAR move?
While he acknowledged he's "a long shot" to become the first driver to win both the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400, Sam Hornish Jr. insisted he has no regrets about his career choices. "We knew it was going to be tough; that's why I wanted to do it," Hornish said during a teleconference earlier this week. "It was nice over in the IRL when you felt like you could win every day, but I just felt like I wasn't getting as challenged as much as I needed to anymore. "This was going to be something that I wanted to do for the next 10 years and to keep me occupied and focused at what I was doing. Even with the frustrations and things that haven't been good, it's been good for us." -- Free Lance-Star
France happy with NASCAR drug policy
Brian France asked if NASCAR has taken a look at its drug policy: "We're about completed with our work on our policy. As I've said before, we have a long-standing policy that worked well. We also acknowledge there are different circumstances and different things today that might not have gone on when we originated the policy and that if there are ways to improve it - and there probably will be - we will. We'll have those answers pretty shortly, within a month or six weeks. I wouldn't look for dramatic changes in our policy because the basis of our policy, No. 1 is we can test anytime we want for cause. You can have any policy you want, but if the punishment isn't tough, that's the lesson of the time. If you look at lifetime suspensions, and we have several out there today, what happens on a first infraction in our sport is very severe. Frankly, it probably means your career is over. Certainly a second infraction probably will end a career. A third gets you a lifetime suspension. Our policy ought to be looked at and reviewed. It's important to point out we've got some very strong parts of our policy we want to make sure we preserve." -- Augusta Chronicle
ODD NOTES AND STUFF
NBA star goes under alias SpongebBob SquarePants
Members of Team USA are keeping an age-old tradition of celebrity aliases alive. Spies tell me that one of the star players goes by the alias "Bruce Wayne," the alter ego of "Batman," and another has taken the name "SpongeBob SquarePants," the animated cartoon character from the hit TV show of the same name. Several Team USA players have been using their favorite aliases during their stay at Wynn Las Vegas this week. -- Las Vegas Review Journal
McEnroe Steps In For Tennis Campaign
More than 15 years after leaving the professional tennis tour, John McEnroe, the sport's former bad boy, has come to the rescue of the United States Tennis Association. -- Wall Street Journal
COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES
Saban is happy he left Fins
Former Dolphins coach Nick Saban never was comfortable in front of a microphone. That hasn't changed. He still says things he shouldn't. He still squirms. He still reflects on his time in Miami, too. On Thursday at the Southeastern Conference Media Days, Saban said his brief stay with the Dolphins was a tough time for his family. ''It was a difficult situation for the Sabans,'' he said. ``This has nothing to do with any particular place. But we love college coaching.'' Saban coached the Dolphins for two seasons and went 15-17 before leaving South Florida for Tuscaloosa, Ala. One year after Saban left, the Dolphins had the worst season in their history (1-15). For Saban, it was a valuable life lesson. ''Sometimes you learn about yourself when you go places and do things,'' Saban said. ``We took a tremendous amount of criticism for that, and as hard as we tried to stay focused and stay on the task at hand, it was difficult at times.'' -- Miami Herald
Georgia QB Richt expects QB Stafford to return for senior season
Georgia coach Mark Richt said he knows that quarterback Matthew Stafford is rated at the top of many NFL draft boards even though he's only a junior. But Richt said he expects Stafford to return for his senior season. "I hope that he is the first pick in the draft -- two years from now," Richt said. "You know, I'm sure Matthew is going to have to make a tough decision when the season is over. But I know he came to win a lot of games and to win a lot of championships. He came to play great as a collegian. I'm sure he feels like he hasn't reached his full potential as a college player and as a Georgia Bulldog. He is ready to have a great experience and that's what we're hoping for." -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
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