Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for April 12, 2007

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Now, with the Raptors having clinched the club's first divisional championship and on the verge of setting a franchise mark for victories, it's clear, based on conversations with various sources within MLSE, that it's a matter of when — not if — Sam Mitchell will be offered a lucrative, long-term contract to continue as the coach. As one company insider put it, "[Raptors president and general manager Bryan Colangelo] would have to be asleep at the wheel if he didn't get this done."

Coach George Karl said Denver is "looking at picking up" a point guard for the playoffs. Candidates include Anthony Carter, Mateen Cleaves and Nuggets player development coach Rick Brunson, who called himself a long shot. "Security and execution of practice," Karl said of needing another point for Denver, which has only Allen Iverson and Steve Blake. Bill Duffy and Danny Servick, agents for Carter and Cleaves, respectively, have had talks with Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor wouldn't confirm Wednesday that either Kevin McHale or Randy Wittman would be back next season. Whether it is a formality that the vice president of basketball operations and the coach will return remains to be seen. But after the Wolves' 105-88 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, Taylor held firm on his stance that those decisions will be made after the season. "What I've said to everybody is that I always wait to the end of the season, but I don't have any reason not to (believe that McHale will return)," Taylor said. "We just don't talk about it until the end of the season. I can't confirm that he is (coming back)." Asked if McHale's return would be OK with him, Taylor said: "That would be my guess."

Allan Ray was about as proud as a big brother could be when his sister, Judith Brittany, a freshman on the Rutgers women’s basketball team, was able to enjoy reaching the NCAA championship game. The Celtics guard had no idea who Don Imus was until the shock jock insulted the entire Rutgers team with his now infamously-racist comment. “My father listened to him, but I never did,” said Ray before last night’s game. Told that Imus plans to meet with the Rutgers players and coaching staff, the rookie shook his head. “If I was them, I wouldn’t accept his apology,” said Ray. “I spoke to my sister, but the coach didn’t want the freshmen to say anything, but she’s pretty upset. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. If you have something like that to say, you should keep it to yourself. To me those were unfortunate comments.”

With Bonzi Wells' career with the Rockets now certain to end out of uniform, Wells and coach Jeff Van Gundy still have not spoken. Van Gundy, however, offered a sample of what he might have said. Van Gundy said he called but could not reach Wells. They exchanged text messages. Van Gundy would not share the contents of their communication, but he said he did not have problems with Wells most of the season and described his lack of production with the Rockets as at least in part the result of a poor fit.

Adrian Dantley, a Nuggets assistant coach, is better known as one of the NBA's greatest players. And his work in seven seasons in Utah stands above the rest. Dantley's No. 4 jersey was retired Wednesday in a halftime ceremony that capped off a day's worth of activities. A luncheon on a sixth-floor suite at Energy Solutions Arena kicked it off, followed by a news conference. "I'm just blessed and humbled," Dantley said. "Utah was the best place for (me). I loved it here. I had a great time here. ... I'm always going to be a Utah guy." Dantley's jersey hangs alongside players Pete Maravich, Darrell Griffith, Mark Eaton, Jeff Hornacek, John Stockton, Karl Malone and coach Frank Layden. With Utah, Dantley was a six-time all-star and finished as the franchise leader in scoring average and field-goal percentage. He is 18th on the all-time scoring list with 23,177 points.

Coach Isiah Thomas bristled Tuesday when a Chicago reporter suggested that the players might have relaxed after they “saved” his job. (The Knicks are 3-12 since Thomas received a contract extension.) “I’m pretty secure in who I am, and I’ve done all right in my life, so I don’t need people saving me,” Thomas said sternly. “But thank you.”

The Celtics, finally reaching an inevitable conclusion, put Paul Pierce to bed for the season last night. The captain, suffering from a swollen left elbow, a tender left foot and a frustrating season packed with many other mental and physical ills, will next don the green in October. The Celtics, who may need 15 blood transfusions if they return in a similar state next fall, will now navigate the last four games, and a hopeful grip on the second-worst record in the league, without the threat of Pierce worsening their lottery odds. Pierce, who declined comment on his decision, finally shut it down after weeks of agonizing deliberation following a pre-game meeting with coach Doc Rivers, director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and team physician Dr. Brian McKeon.

The Indiana Pacers are slashing ticket prices on many upper-bowl tickets for their games at Conseco Fieldhouse next season, some by more than 50 percent. Some seats priced at $55 this season will sell for $25, meaning a group of four would pay $100 instead of $220. The most expensive upper-level ticket will be $45 ($10 less than this year), and the vast majority will sell for $25 or $10.

The timing of Kevin Garnett's injury absence likely will fuel speculation that it is linked to the team's protected first-round draft pick in June. Last season, Garnett sat out the final six games because of tendinitis in his right knee. The Wolves went 2-4, finished 33-49 and, in winding up with one of the NBA's first 10 selections in the June draft, kept the pick. Had it been No. 11 or worse, they would have sent it to the Clippers to complete the Marko Jaric-Sam Cassell trade from the 2005 offseason. The same terms apply this year. The Wolves (32-46) began play Wednesday tied with Sacramento for the league's ninth-worst record. Their position after the May 22 draft lottery will dictate whether the Clippers again have to wait (10th or better) or get paid off (11th or worse). Not having Garnett down the stretch figures to help, if the club wants to backslide. That, at least, is a widely held perception.

A half game behind the Chicago Bulls, without the tiebreaker for the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, the Cavs' four remaining games are must-wins if they don't want to end up with the No. 5 slot and what appears to be a sure meeting with the defending champion Miami Heat. ``I don't care who we play in the first round,'' LeBron James said. ``If we finish second, that's awesome. We have to get better in the last four games, and that's the No. 1 priority.''

Now come Steve Francis' accusations the Bulls ran up the score in Tuesday night's 98-69 blowout, followed by his singling out of coach Scott Skiles for violating an unwritten NBA code of respect. Skiles declined comment Wednesday, a day off for the Bulls. He may address Francis' words Thursday. Bulls general manager John Paxson didn't attend Tuesday's game but talked to Skiles on Wednesday. Similar to Skiles' postgame comments, Paxson had no problem with his team's actions. "I do think NBA players have jobs to do on the court regardless of the score," Paxson said. "We have a 24-second shot clock and as long as a team has possession of the ball and that clock is on, those players have a responsibility to play the game. Were our players supposed to kick the ball in the stands or hand it to the New York players and let them shoot layups so the game could be closer? "I was around when the Bulls went through the years winning 15 and 17 games and recall many losses by 30 or 40 points. Not once did I ever hear a Bulls team complain about another team running up the score during that time."

Without Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, who remains out with a broken bone on his right hand, the Wizards have been competitive, but have struggled to make plays down the stretch in close losses to Charlotte, Cleveland and New Jersey (twice). But Coach Eddie Jordan said the problems have gone deeper than simply not having Arenas. "Even when we had Gil, we lost some close games because we didn't chase down a rebound," Jordan said. "I can remember the last time we were here [in Miami] we missed two big rebounds and Udonis Haslem hit the shot. So, I know Gil's won some games for us, obviously. But for us, it has to be, over the course of 48 minutes, let's manage the game to where it doesn't come down to that one play. If we don't play the correct way, then we're not going to be there at the end."

Despite today’s forecast for inclement weather, the Celtics are still planning on the Fenway Park tribute to the late Red Auerbach before today’s Red Sox game. Bill Russell is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Johan Santana on Wednesday vehemently denied a Sports Illustrated report that he has broken off contract talks with the Twins, saying, "It doesn't make any sense." The report goes on to say Santana "has told the Twins he won't negotiate again until he hits the open market." Twins General Manager Terry Ryan declined to comment, as he does with all contract matters during the season. Two Twins officials disputed the report, however, with one calling it erroneous. Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, said, "All I can say is Johan wants to stay in Minnesota, and he wants to retire a Twin."

Jose Contreras risked plenty by defecting from Cuba in October 2002 to play baseball in America. A convicted felon is now saying the White Sox right-hander paid plenty to have the pitcher’s family do the same. Geoffrey Rodrigues testified Tuesday in a federal court in Florida that Contreras pledged $200,000 to finance a 2004 smuggling operation to bring Contreras’ wife and daughters here from Cuba, according to a report in Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times. Contreras declined to comment. “I’m behind Jose 100 percent ... ” said manager Ozzie Guillen, an avid follower of Latin American politics. “If (I were in that situation), if I had the money, I'd try to do that.”

Hall of Famer Ernie Banks did not dismiss the notion of becoming part of any group that might purchase the Cubs. "I never thought that Tribune Co. or the Cubs would be sold," Banks said. "The Cubs, to me, are like the Vatican.

Righthander Freddy Garcia says he is finally ready to pitch for the Phillies. Garcia, who opened the season on the disabled list with right biceps tendinitis, threw 70 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla. He rejoined the Phillies yesterday at Shea Stadium. The Phils have not made it official, but unless there is a rainout or unexpected setback, Garcia will make his Phillies debut Sunday against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said that Aaron Miles is not the Red Birds second baseman. "Adam Kennedy is our starting second baseman. That's not a question," La Russa said before the game. "This isn't a platoon situation. He's been fighting it a little and Miles had four hits. With another lefthander going today, it makes sense. There's nothing beyond that." A difficult April comes after Kennedy's trying March. Signed to a three-year, $10 million deal as a free agent last winter, he hit .174 in Florida. He never appeared to become comfortable but tied his readiness to how he felt defensively. Kennedy refused to use his injury this spring as an excuse, but he has yet to appear comfortable at the plate.

The Marlins already had decided to replace Jorge Julio as closer. Julio, who also blew a save last week in Washington, was told Wednesday that he would be pitching in the sixth or seventh innings for now. Manager Fredi Gonzalez hasn't chosen a new closer. Henry Owens, Lee Gardner and Matt Lindstrom are candidates. "It is best for me right now," said Julio, who has 99 career saves. "I need to work on my game, especially my command. I like this team, and I want to help it, not hurt it. We have a lot of games to go."

Reds manager Jerry Narron did not see Edwin Encarnacion stand in the batter’s box while his popup sailed to shallow right field Wednesday night. “You know something I was not watching Eddie,” Narron said. “I was watching the ball. I saw Eddie come in here with his bat. I came down here and looked it (on video). He did not run.” So Narron did something you rarely see in the big leagues: He sent Juan Castro out to replace Encarnacion in the bottom of the second.

The Dodgers will face a more difficult decision once Matt Kemp returns in a couple of weeks. Manager Grady Little appeared to indicate that Wilson Valdez might not necessarily be the odd man out, saying the utility player had done "an unbelievable job. He's got a lot of versatility, good running speed, good hands, good defensive player and he's hitting" .438 before Wednesday. Valdez is out of options, meaning he could become a free agent or be picked up on waivers if the Dodgers try to send him to the minors. Would it be tough to lose a player like that? "I'd say," Little said.

Mike Mussina’s injury comes at a time when some Yankees players are privately questioning the new conditioning program. General Manager Brian Cashman hired Marty Miller last winter to replace the strength and conditioning coach Jeff Mangold, creating a new title of director of performance enhancement. Cashman also promoted Dana Cavalea to be an assistant to Miller, who had not been in baseball since 1997 and most recently spent nine years as the director of fitness at the Ballen Isles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Miller also earned a master’s degree in performance enhancement and injury prevention from California University of Pennsylvania in 2004. But injury prevention is not going so well for the Yankees.

Chin-Hui Tsao spent part of Wednesday signing autographs for Dodgers fans. In Los Angeles, he is playing for a franchise that debuted the first Taiwanese player. Tsao, however, admitted that he was open to remaining with the Rockies after missing last season while recovering from shoulder and biceps tendon surgery. "It got to January, and they hadn't made a contract offer. I told my agent I wanted to get signed," Tsao said. "I was really excited to face the Rockies, my old teammates and friends."

Outfielder Lastings Milledge may be headed for a demotion to the minors tomorrow, when the Mets plan to call up the right-hander Mike Pelfrey to start Saturday against the Washington Nationals at Shea Stadium. The Mets have gone with four starters until now, but they will need a fifth for Saturday. Willie Randolph said he did not like to see young players like Milledge sit on the bench. But he added that Milledge benefited from being around the older players in the clubhouse, who can tutor him.

Mariano Rivera was given No. 42 sometime during his rookie season in 1995, and it was two more years before he realized that Jackie Robinson had worn it for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The number was retired throughout baseball in 1997, except for active players who were then wearing it. The only one left is Rivera, who now feels a kinship with Robinson, who broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

The Giants made a surprising roster move after Wednesday night's loss, optioning infielder Kevin Frandsen to Triple-A Fresno. Frandsen said he was told the move was made to clear room on the 25-man roster for Mark Sweeney when he is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday.

Rehabbing Royals right-hander Scott Elarton was cleared to join Class AA Wichita for a Monday start at San Antonio after experiencing no problems with his surgically-repaired shoulder Wednesday in a 50-pitch outing in extended spring training. Elarton is tentatively scheduled to make at least four minor-league starts in building his endurance to 100 pitches. He hasn’t pitched in a game since a July 16 victory at Detroit. He underwent surgery Aug. 1 to repair a torn labrum.

With the burden of a $136 million contract on his shoulders, is Alfonso Soriano putting too much pressure on himself? "Not really," he said. "It has been only one week. There's a long time left. I hope everything turns around sooner or later." Soriano is hitting .200 in the leadoff spot, while the No. 2 hitters have combined to hit .212 behind him. That basically has neutralized the hot starts of Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, who have combined for 27 hits but only nine RBIs.

Dodgers lefty Mark Hendrickson has exhibited pinpoint control in his first two appearances this season, walking none, striking out seven and giving up only one run in six innings. Batters are hitting .105 against him. "He's putting the ball where he wants to," pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said. "When he does that, he moves the ball around and he's got four quality pitches and [hitters] can't really sit on one thing." Honeycutt said Hendrickson "would probably be our top choice" if somebody outside the current rotation needed to make a spot start.

Mike Scioscia maintains that Ervin Santana hasn't pitched long enough to provide conclusive evidence that the right-hander can't pitch effectively on the road. But the Angels manager is concerned enough about Santana's struggles away from home that he is exploring ways to minimize them. The latest idea Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher have kicked around: Have Santana extend his pregame warm-ups on the road into the top of the first inning to simulate the timing he would have at home, when he goes immediately from the bullpen to the dugout to the mound. ... Santana is only 24, but he has pitched the equivalent of a full major league season at home and close to a full season on the road, and the results are extreme: He is 20-5 with a 3.07 earned-run average in 32 starts at home and 9-12 with a 6.65 ERA in 26 starts on the road.

Bobby Jenks didn't start the ninth inning of the White Sox's 4-1 victory over the A's on Monday and he blew a save Tuesday. But manager Ozzie Guillen reiterated his faith in his closer Wednesday. Guillen was rewarded when Jenks retired the middle of the Athletics' order in the ninth inning to preserve a 6-3 victory. A veteran National League scout said Jenks' fastball topped out Tuesday at 95 m.p.h., a 2 m.p.h. increase from two weeks ago.

Hayden Penn, who long has been tabbed as the heir apparent for a Baltimore rotation slot, likely won't be considered this time. Penn was scratched from his second start for Triple-A Norfolk for health reasons and may not be ready to join the parent club. The answer may come from the bullpen, but that depends on how much time Wright will miss. The Orioles could easily fill his spot for one turn through the rotation, but they'll likely need to summon someone from the Minor Leagues if Jaret Wright needs to go to the disabled list.

Ryan Howard appeared with a slew of celebrities when he taped a commercial for the Super Bowl, but his solo appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Tuesday gave him more goosebumps. Because you've got a live audience," Howard said. And because it's all you: "You grow up watching these shows, watching certain things, like David Letterman, and now you're doing it - it's kind of surreal."

Who Knew? The Phillies claimed infielder Michael Garciaparra, a supplemental first-round pick in 2001, off waivers from Seattle. Garciaparra is the brother of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra. The Phillies have a history of acquiring the less famous of baseball brothers: Ken Brett instead of George, Vince DiMaggio instead of Joe or Dom, Juan Bell instead of George, Mike Maddux instead of Greg, Mark Leiter instead of Al, Jeremy Giambi instead of Jason, and Frank Torre instead of Joe.

How About That? Yanks star Alex Rodriguez's ninth-inning double extended his streak of games with an extra-base hit to eight. In the past 50 years, no other player has had an extra-base hit in each of his team's first eight games of the season. Larry Walker and Phil Nevin in 2001 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997 were the only other players to open the season with a streak of seven such games.

Padres manager Bud Black called Geoff Blum a “valuable component.” After all, how many switchhitters can play every infield position? “He's been great for me,” said Black.

Who Knew? 46 -The number of walks and strikeouts for the Nationals' pitching staff. Washington is the only team in team in the majors that doesn't have more strikeouts than walks.

Mitchell Page, the hitting coach of the team that is last in the National League in runs, has a message for the rest of the league. "We are not in a slump," Page said of his Washington Nationals. After Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves, Page's lineup had scored nine runs in its last six games. Page believes, as do many of the Nationals themselves, that they have hit several balls hard, but directly at defenders. Players are aware that the Nationals' average of 2.33 runs per game is worst in the game. But they continue to say that if one blooper falls in, it could serve to bust down a dam.

Mr. Cub is 76 years old and running out of time and patience when it comes to a chance to watch his team win a World Series. Ernie Banks, it now appears, is growing more nostalgic. "It would be a great joy for me, personally, after 50 years with the organization," Banks said of the possibility of winning a World Series. "At the end of my career we began to do better when Leo Durocher came. My last hurrah was '69, but we didn't make it. We are all just on pins and needles to rejoice when the Cubs are in the World Series. "The big joy will be to see our flags flying in Wrigley. Me and Ryne Sandberg and Billy Williams and Ron Santo … to see our flags flying up there in the seventh game of a World Series … that would be the epitome of my life and I am sure all of theirs too. Whenever we are together, that is all we talk about. Boy, we want to see the Cubs in the World Series so badly. My God Almighty!"

The architect who designed Baltimore's Camden Yards also designed plans for the Twins' new downtown Minneapolis ballpark, plans for which will be unveiled today. But the two are not alike.

Because he's just 14 at-bats into the season, it's far too early to get concerned about the .071 batting average Braves first baseman Craig Wilson has compiled. But if you date back to the middle of the Grapefruit League season, he has collected just five hits in his past 53 at-bats. For those wondering, that equates to a .094 batting average.

The Cubs are hosting two Chinese National Team players in extended Spring Training this month. Outfielder Qi Ze and catcher Hao Guochen both are working out in Mesa, Ariz. The two will train until April 18

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is working out with a personal trainer, preparing for the possibility he will be traded, his father said Wednesday. Darome Jenkins,speaking from his home in Hawaii, said Kris called him after seeing the Observer's story on the subject of a possible trade. St. Louis, Denver and Kansas City are among teams rumored to be interested.

The visit for running back Corey Dillon, which was scuttled last week, still has not been rescheduled. The Titans, however, remain interested in the running back, who, according to a source, has had several conversations with Jeff Fisher over what his role would be in Tennessee. However, Dillon has not yet made up his mind as to what he wants to do, according to the source.

Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson visited the Lions' Allen Park headquarters Wednesday. Quarterback Jon Kitna is among those who think the Lions should draft Johnson if he is available when they pick second overall.

Falcons DT Grady Jackson skipped his second day of voluntary minicamp and is not expected at today's final workout. He is suing the team for allegedly releasing medical records to some media outlets last summer. He has not attended any offseason workouts.

Even if Dallas drafts a receiver in the first round, T.O. isn't going anywhere, at least until the end of this season. That's because history has shown most rookie receivers don't make much of an impact. The Cowboys don't want to give up on a talent like T.O. – even if he does a lot of things that get on their nerves – until they have an adequate replacement.

Grant Wistrom knows what's best for him. "I haven't turned in any (retirement) papers yet. But in my mind, it's official," the veteran defensive end said Wednesday. "I keep waiting to second-guess myself, but I haven't done it yet." Wistrom's three-year stint with the Seahawks ended abruptly, and unceremoniously, when he was released March 8 -- three days after the club agreed to terms with free-agent defensive end Patrick Kerney and less than a year after the team selected defensive end Darryl Tapp in the second round of the NFL draft. "I saw it coming last year, when they'd take me out on third down and started rotating Tapp in," Wistrom said. "As soon as I saw they were bringing in Kerney, I called the movers. "It was over."

LSU QB JaMarcus Russell made a pre-draft visit to Redskins Park yesterday, but Coach Joe Gibbs cautioned not to read too much into it. Russell is a leading candidate to be taken by the Oakland Raiders with the top overall selection in the NFL draft April 28-29. The Redskins have the sixth choice and already have a youngster who is a former first-round draft pick, Jason Campbell, as their starter at quarterback. But NFL teams generally meet with as many draft prospects as they can, and club officials said their meeting with Russell was nothing more than making sure they prepare properly.

If Adam "Pacman" Jones is hoping the NFL Players Association will jump on board, he didn’t exactly get a ringing endorsement on Wednesday. Carl Francis, director of communications for the NFLPA, said no appeal had yet been filed by Jones or his attorneys. Asked if the union would support Jones or Chris Henry’s attempt to file an appeal, Francis replied, “I would rather not comment on that until such an appeal is actually filed.” Jones has 20 days to file a written appeal with Goodell to appeal the suspension. Goodell would then have 10 days to establish a date for a hearing, which would be heard by the commissioner on the matter.

St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan knew Ted Ginn Jr.'s sprained left foot wasn't fully healed. But the Rams still chartered a plane and brought a six-man contingent to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Wednesday to see the private workout of Ohio State's speedy junior flanker and kick returner. ``He's making progress. Obviously there's still a ways to go yet,'' Linehan said afterward. ``But even not 100 percent, he ran faster than most guys.'' Nearly every NFL team was represented, and most scouts who filtered out of the building said their stop watches timed Ginn in 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Ginn made three tries and his father, Ted Ginn Sr., said his son went in 4.38, 4.40 and 4.41. Ginn's agent, Neil Cornrich, was not permitted to attend, but said Ginn's times were all 4.3s. ... Linehan sounded willing to be patient with a player whom he thinks can have the same impact as Chicago Bears standout Devin Hester, a rookie from the University of Miami who had six returns for touchdowns in 2006 (including postseason).

Falcons WR Joe Horn is hoping to resurrect his career and a wide receiving unit banking on the development of Michael Jenkins and Roddy White and the healthy return of Brian Finneran. The 35-year-old, four-time Pro Bowl pick has been racing out of the huddle, rocketing through his routes, racing back and getting on teammates who don't follow suit during the three-day camp. He wasn't messing around when he said he was going to lead by example. He started weeks ago, along with position mates, with voluntary workouts with the quarterbacks. That has allowed the wideouts to be a step ahead of some of their teammates during minicamp. So far, things have gone well for the receivers, Petrino said, in part because of Horn's leadership, energy and playmaking.

The Vikings would not confirm the names of any players who visited Winter Park as part of their predraft evaluation Wednesday. Players known to be on the list included Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams, Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis, Minnesota tight end Matt Spaeth and Tennessee offensive lineman Arron Sears.

The Philadelphia Eagles will reimburse its employees living in the Philadelphia region and New Jersey who purchase wind energy, making it the first organization to pick up this type of cost for employees.

Did You Know? The Buffalo Bills make their first Monday Night Football appearance since 2000 (when they suffered a 44-20 loss at Indianapolis) and their first home MNF appearance since 1994 (when they beat Denver, 27-20) when they face the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 8 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It also will mark Wade Phillips' head-coaching return to Buffalo, where he coached from 1998 to 2000.

a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10120993">Of the five first-year head coaches in the league, only one will open the season at home on Sept. 9 (Oakland's Lane Kiffin, against Detroit). That same day, there will be road head-coaching debuts for the Steelers' Mike Tomlin (Cleveland), the Falcons' Bobby Petrino (Minnesota) and the Dolphins' Cam Cameron (Washington). Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt will make his head-coaching debut at San Francisco in the second half of a Monday Night Football doubleheader. Also on Sept. 9, Norv Turner makes his debut as San Diego's coach at home against Chicago and Wade Phillips makes his debut as Dallas' coach at home against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football.

Baltimore and Denver share the distinction for most appearances on MNF with three. Besides their Sept. 10 opener at Cincinnati, the Ravens' other MNF games are at Pittsburgh on Nov. 5 and at home against New England on Dec. 3. The Broncos' Monday night games are at home against Green Bay on Oct. 29 and against Tennessee on Nov. 19, and at San Diego on Dec. 24.

Who Knew? The Eagles have consecutive games at the Meadowlands (Sept. 30 against the Giants and Oct. 14 against the Jets), separated by an Oct. 7 bye.

Rodney Peete, co-host of FSN's "Best Damn Sports Show Period," on Titans CB Pacman Jones being suspended for the entire football season: “There’s a new sheriff in town. Roger Goodell is laying down the law. But I think it’s a little hard on Pacman because the new policy wasn’t in place at the time he did those things. At some point, you have to draw the line, but a whole season is a little harsh.”

The six-year deal linebacker Nick Barnett signed Tuesday is worth $34.85 million and will earn him $11.47 million in salary and bonuses in 2007, a source with access to NFL salary information said. Barnett received a signing bonus of $5.1 million to go along with a $5 million base salary and bonuses of $1.275 million (roster) and $100,000 (workout) this year. In lieu of a big signing bonus, the Packers beefed up Barnett's base salary so they could apply a bigger chunk of the contract to the 2007 salary cap.

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Odd Notes & Stuff

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning threw down his Mastercard to treat his arch-rival, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, to sushi and sake. The Indianapolis Colts QB, who was in Boston doing his Reebok spokesjock thang, spent nearly two hours talking trash with Tom and Pats special teams titan Larry Izzo before heading over to the Big Papi party at Underbar. The big boys, we’re told, chowed down on black cod with miso, toro tartare, hamachi with elephant garlic and lots and lots of Kobe beef maki. Which isn’t so surprising since good ol’ boy Peyton doesn’t seem like a raw fish kinda guy - unlike Tom, the Cali-bred, supermodel-dating metrosexual! “There was a lot of stuff,” manager James Sun told the Track. The Japanese spread was all washed down with many shots of Otokoyama Daiginjo saki, which probably primed Peyton for Underbar’s VVIP section up the street, where a posse of Pats was lying in wait for him to arrive.

What was the hottest topic for the Lakers at practice Wednesday? Luke Walton and Britney Spears. Linked by an Australian website to the pop singer, Walton stressed that he has never even spoken to Spears, who has attended several Lakers games this season. "The rumors aren't true," Walton said. "I'm sure Britney is a great person, but I don't even know her. I have a girlfriend. I'm very happy with my relationship." Has his famous father, Bill, called to ask about the rumors? "No," Walton said, "my dad probably thinks it's true."

The Las Vegas Review Journal... Pete Rose, making an appearance Wednesday at the VFW Post 1753, at 705 Las Vegas Blvd. North, to promote Power Tax Relief, a taxpayer assistance company. An odd partnership, considering Rose spent five months in jail in 1990 for tax evasion.

Former Phillies broadcaster Andy Musser, now a rep for Anchor Brewing Co., was riding an Amtrak train a year and a half ago. In the rest room washing his hands, he removed his 1980 World Series ring. The train jolted. The ring flew. "It hit the counter, and then a perfect high hopper to shortstop - right in the hopper," Musser told me. (Looking for a play-by-play job, Andy?) No one on the train could help, and Musser couldn't reach the cleaning service. He ordered a new ring.

Broncos QB Jay Cutler's last paying job was hauling trash from the back of a garbage truck for $8 an hour. His 2007 salary: $11.2 million (includes $3 million bonus if he takes 45 percent of 2007 snaps).

Speaking of the Reebok party, Red Sox hurler Josh Beckett had eight strikeouts earlier in the day at Fenway. But unfortunately his K-streak continued at Underbar, where one striking young redhead didn’t buy his pitch! We hear Beckett homed in on the party gal and opened with his best line: “Hey, you.” Blown away by his sparkling repartee, Big Red responded by saying “hi,” and then walked away. “She knew who he was, but she’s from Michigan and doesn’t have the hero worship for the Red Sox,” said our spy on the scene. “Plus she doesn’t care about him being a pro athlete.”

People can't seem to get enough of Don Shula these days, either. His 219-seat restaurant in Conshohocken is the latest addition to his steak-joint empire, which now numbers 26 across the country. Shula's oldest son, Dave, who coached the Cincinnati Bengals for four-plus seasons in the early '90s, runs the restaurants for his father.

Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra was a big hit Tuesday night. After the Twins lost to the Yankees 10-1 in the Metrodome, and after watching videotape of his batters, Vavra made his usual drive to his home in Menomonie, Wis. Pulling off the highway on an exit ramp shortly before midnight, he was flagged down by a young man outside a stalled pickup truck in the middle of the road. It was cold and sleeting and windy and dark. "Didn't know what to think; it looked kind of suspicious," Vavra said. So he circled back and asked the fellow, who turned out to be a 19-year-old college student from Eau Claire, Wis., if he could help. The guy told Vavra he was on his way back from the Twins-Yankees game and his pickup just stopped running. And his cell phone, which happened to have a Twins logo on it, wouldn't connect from the location. Vavra hooked up jumper cables, and while the two waited for the dead pickup battery to charge, he mentioned that he was the hitting coach for the Twins. "He kind of did a double take," Vavra said. Vavra followed him eight miles down the road, until the car stalled again. But this time, the fellow reached his father, who rescued him. Vavra got home at 1:30 a.m.

A new reality show, "Fast Cars & Superstars -- Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race," a 7-episode series to air on ABC prime time beginning Thursday, June 7 (8:00 - 8:30 p.m. ET). ... Celebrity Drivers will be singer Jewel, actor William Shatner, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, actress Krista Allen, 7-time World All-Around Rodeo Champion Ty Murray, former NBA Champion John Salley, former NFL Super Bowl Champion John Elway, World Wrestling Entertainment Champion John Cena, tennis star Serena Williams, volleyball great and model Gabrielle Reece, legendary surfer Laird Hamilton, and former NFL Super Bowl-winning Head Coach Bill Cowher. Gillette Young Guns are Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has been among the leaders of the movement to force Mr. Imus off the air, said in a telephone interview that “we have been halfway successful so far” and that he and others would continue to press CBS to join NBC in cutting ties to Mr. Imus. Mr. Sharpton said he was organizing a rally to take place today outside CBS’s corporate headquarters on West 52nd Street in Manhattan. “This has never been about Don Imus,” Mr. Sharpton said. “I have no idea whether he is a good man or not. This is about the use of public airwaves for bigoted, racist speech.”

FCC spokesman Clyde Ensslin confirms that the FCC has received complaints about Don Imus' racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. The FCC has no authority to regulate such language, a point former FCC Chairman Michael Powell made to CBS News, but it looks into all its complaints as a matter of course. Ensslin discounted media reports that said it was conducting an official investigation.

Jerry Reinsdorf's generosity extended to the late New England Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley, who died last week at 55. Reinsdorf offered Stingley, who became a quadriplegic after a vicious tackle in a 1978 exhibition game, an open invitation and total access any time to attend Bulls games during the Michael Jordan era. Reinsdorf provided him close parking to the stadium for his special-needs van and free admission for his caregiver.

The National Collegiate Paintball Association announced that a record 500 student-athletes are expected to participate in the JT USA College and High School Paintball National Championships, April 20 through 22 near Dallas. The NCPA also announced execution of an agreement with Fox College Sports to televise the NCPA College Paintball National Championships in 2007, 2008, and 2009 throughout the United States and internationally.

Carolina Panthers radio play-by-play man Mick Mixon has agreed to a new four-year contract. Mixon replaced Bill Rosinski,the original voice of the Panthers, before the 2005 season, when Mixon was given a two-year deal. Mixon had been the game analyst for the University of North Carolina network.

Later this week, Upper Deck is launching its latest sports trading card set, Spectrum Baseball 2007. In those packs along with cards featuring Major League Baseball stars: autographed inserts of celebrities from the 1970s and '80s, actors and musicians whose fame -- like the speed of a Maddux fastball, despite his continued greatness -- has arguably faded in recent years. But all have hope that there's a comeback in the cards for them with this latest outreach to a new fan base, people that might be too young to remember their hit TV shows, movies or songs. Among those involved: Barry Williams ("The Brady Bunch"), Todd Bridges ("Diff'rent Strokes"), and reality television star, Corey Feldman ("Goonies"). ... Oscar(TM)-award winner Lou Gossett, Jr. has written "May-o-naise!" next to some of his signatures, the nickname his hard-nosed drill-sergeant character in "An Officer and a Gentleman" gave basic-training recruit Richard Gere. And satellite radio host Barry Williams signed 'Johnny Bravo' and 'Greg Brady'

Former Mariners reliever Shigetoshi Hasegawa was on hand Wednesday to do some broadcasting for NHK, which was televising the game back to Japan.

The Indianapolis Star's Mike Wells was unable to report on the Pacers' game against the Bucks on Wednesday due to a snowstorm that closed the Milwaukee airport most of the day.

The new University of Phoenix Stadium already is making history -- the History Channel that is. The stadium's roll-out natural grass field will be featured on "Modern Marvels: Yard Tech," scheduled to air April 12 in prime time on the History Channel.

Who Knew? A Harris poll indicating that 89% of Angelenos favor bringing the Olympics to Los Angeles in 2016. ... A conservative estimated economic impact in Los Angeles of $7.2 billion.

Former Bulls public address announcer Ray Clay is scheduled to retire in July after 30 years with the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he is the director of campus recreation.

New Sun Nutrition, a developer and distributor of healthy beverages and nutritional supplements, announced that champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong has joined the company's board of directors. In addition to serving as a business advisor and outside board member, Mr. Armstrong will also play a key role in New Sun Nutrition's marketing programs including being featured in the company's print advertising campaigns.

His talents are more suited toward the national anthem, but Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Billy Joel will be throwing out the first pitch before Friday's Indians home game against the White Sox. Joel will be in town to play a sold-out concert next door at Quicken Loans Arena later that night. "Billy is a huge baseball fan and has been following the weather challenges that have plagued the city of Cleveland the past few days," said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians' vice president of public relations. "This is his way of paying tribute to the passionate Tribe fans who have been patient to get the home season started."

The Indians are planning on giving out Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn glasses to fans at an upcoming home game. The promotion was originally scheduled for Tuesday but had to be rescheduled to April 25 because of the move to Milwaukee.

The Philadelphia Daily News... Joey Vento is offering a $1,000 reward for info leading to arrest and conviction of the guys who stole the top of a table outside of Geno's Steaks (1219 S. 9th), in the early hours of March 31. Vento says the laminated table top, full of pictures of his friends and family, is worth "$1,200 not counting sentimental value." The thieves look like they were in their 30s, he says. He has a photo of the culprits from his surveillance cameras posted outside the landmark. Vento, 67, is hurt that some people watched the thieves tear off the table top without alerting management.

Goya Foods is bringing the taste of Latin America to historic Yankee Stadium this season, as it becomes a new sponsor of the celebrated franchise. The season-long sponsorship includes a permanent porch sign in left field, a promotional day on July 31st and the operation of a Latino food concession stand featuring food made with Goya products and ingredients.

Sprint announced that, for the second consecutive year, NFL fans can watch live television coverage of the NFL Draft and receive exclusive wireless NFL Draft content via NFL Mobile only from Sprint.

More than 40,000 people will descend on Dayton over the next two weekends for the WGI Sport of the Arts World Championships, bringing an estimated $10 million in economic impact to the area, acccording to WGI. The event includes color guard competitions and indoor percussion competitions.

Zach Johnson may have won the Masters but in 1997 he stumbled in his hometown Fort Dodge Amateur men's golf tournament. Johnson, a Drake University junior that year, had tied playing partner and eventual champion Chris Emanuel at nine-under par with five holes left in the tournament. His finish? Bogey, double-bogey, double-bogey, par, triple bogey — eight shots behind Emanuel.

Would you believe Maxwell and Agent 99 are back? The big-screen version of "Get Smart," starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway, is filming in L.A. Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and Alan Arkin are also onboard for what's sure to be a whole lot of laughs - and a bit of KAOS thrown in for good measure.

A federal grand jury in Reno, Nev., returned an indictment charging Joseph R. Francis with tax evasion, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service announced. The indictment alleges that Francis, whose companies Mantra Films Inc. and Sands Media Inc. produce and sell the Girls Gone Wild videotapes and DVDs, deducted more than $20 million in false business expenses on the companies' 2002 and 2003 corporate income tax returns.

On Opening Day Tuesday, Verizon Wireless saw customer usage at Fenway Park in Boston increase by an estimated 120% year-over-year.

Saddam Hussein is "alive and well" - or so says an agent selling what he purports is "forensic evidence" tha