Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for February 01, 2007

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NBA Rumors & Notes

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas has gone out of his way on several occasions to praise the Detroit organization this season. Some have theorized that he is keeping his options open in case Flip Saunders does not return as Pistons coach.

Another factor in Bob Hill's future could be the presence of former Sonics coach and Seattle icon Lenny Wilkens, the team's television commentator on Fox Sports and vice chairman under owner Clay Bennett. According to two sources, Wilkens has had discussions with others regarding a potential return to coaching, although he maintains he is not interested and hasn't campaigned for the Sonics job.

If the Heat does as expected and signs Eddie Jones, the presence of the 35-year-old veteran likely would mean an even more reduced role for Dorell Wright, who started 19 games earlier this season. With the Heat in need of a point guard, it also could mean the team will continue to offer Wright in trade scenarios. The Heat already has included Wright in at least one trade offer to the Clippers for Corey Maggette.

Wednesday was the trigger day for league insurance, which will pay 80 percent of the remaining portion of Kenyon Martin's contract for this season. An approved player needs to miss 41 games for it to kick in. Martin played in the first two games before having knee surgery and will not return this season.

The Wizards will be short-handed without Antawn Jamison, who will receive an MRI exam Thursday to determine the status of his left knee injury, but Coach Eddie Jordan said the team could receive a boost with Darius Songaila's return "right around the corner." Songaila, the Wizards' prized free agent signing, has missed the season with a lower back injury, but he said Wednesday that he plans on making a return before the all-star break. He has been practicing with the team for a week and said he has felt steady improvement.

Ben Wallace said the knee is "feeling better" and that it especially improves as the day progresses. Ice, stimulation and quadriceps stretches ease his morning stiffness and soreness. But Wallace wouldn't speculate when he would return. The Bulls practice Thursday in Seattle and then play Friday in Seattle and Saturday in Portland. "He's better, just not quite ready," coach Scott Skiles said. "We'll see if he can do more [Thursday]. If things aren't bothering him, maybe the Saturday game."

Eddy Curry's bid for a first All-Star appearance appears to have fallen short while David Lee has earned a free trip to Las Vegas. According to a Knicks source, Curry will not be among the seven reserves named tonight to the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Fans voted for the starters while the coaches, who are prohibited from picking their own players, selected the reserves from their respective conferences. Lee was one of the eight second-year players selected to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge. Neither Channing Frye nor Nate Robinson was picked.

It seems inevitable now that Rasheed Wallace and Richard Hamilton will, relatively soon, be serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of technical fouls. Wallace leads the league with 13. Hamilton, who vowed not get another one, has nine. They will serve a one-game suspension when they pick up their 16th -- and then subsequent games for every second technical foul after that. "We have talked about it," coach Flip Saunders said before Wednesday night's game. "Individually and as a team, we have to zip it up and just play. You aren't going to change calls." The Pistons lead the league with 37 player technicals. Saunders has picked up three.

The uncertainty over the likely suspension of Eric Musselman continued Wednesday, when he again coached the Kings as the NBA continued to contemplate his discipline for pleading no-contest to charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. A suspension is a virtual automatic. Unclear is for how long and when, an indefinite wait that carried through all four games of this road trip since Musselman resolved the legal portion of his case last Thursday in Sacramento. Penalties for all basketball-related incidents -- fights, extreme arguments with referees, etc. -- are by rule dispensed before a team plays its next game. There is no such timeline for off-court matters, with the NBA often waiting to read court documents and other relevant materials before ruling.

The Mavericks have made a big push trying to make sure Josh Howard earns a berth on the Western Conference All-Star team. Now comes word that Erick Dampier might be there, also. And if Dampier makes it, he will be halfway toward making the final year of his seven-year, $73 million contract guaranteed. Houston's Yao Ming was voted by the fans as the starting center for the West. Injuries, though, will prevent Yao from playing, leaving the West with just one center, assuming that Phoenix center Amare Stoudemire makes the roster as a reserve. Dampier was third in the voting among the centers, which could give him the inside track on making the team.

With a bone scan showing the healing on Yao Ming's fractured tibia progressing on schedule, the Rockets center was permitted to add to his workouts on the underwater treadmill Tuesday. The progress, however, did not represent on his schedule to return to the court, with more extensive rehabilitation planned for mid-February and playing expected in mid- to late March. "The bone scan shows it's improving," Rockets trainer Keith Jones said. "It's healing. There's no displacement. Everything is still in place, so we keep going on our same route we're going.

LeBron James said it would be a game-time decision whether he plays against Dwyane Wade and the Heat in tonight's nationally televised game in Miami. James did not take part in contact drills during Wednesday's practice at The Q and said the sprained right big toe that has kept him out of two of the past three games felt better. He said the TNT audience, as well as the chance to play against his good friend Wade in front of a celebrity crowd in town for the Super Bowl, would make it extremely difficult to miss the game.

Gilbert Arenas's torrid December did not go unnoticed. After averaging 34.1 points and shooting 47.6 percent in 16 December games, he has averaged 27.5 points on 40.4 percent shooting in 13 January games going into last night's game against Detroit. Arenas has seen more double teams, and opponents also have been sending a second defender at him once he starts to penetrate. According to Coach Eddie Jordan, Arenas has handled the added attention well.

How About That? The Cavs are 2-0 this season and 8-2 over the last four years without LeBron James in the lineup.

Injured Warriors guard Jason Richardson is traveling with the team again, but says he's no closer to returning than he was prior to having his hard cast removed last week. "I'm just here to try to give some support, bond with my teammates on the road," Richardson said. "I want to get used to the guys, so when I get back, it won't be like I'm just trying to learn about everybody else." Richardson, out four weeks with a fractured hand, still is targeting the Feb. 21 game against Memphis for his return.

So now Charlotte's Othella Harrington (torn cartilage in his left knee) and Sean May (bone bruise on his right knee) are out for an extended period. Harrington will have surgery this morning and miss 3-6 weeks. May said he expects to miss 10-15 days from the date of the injury (Jan. 26). So figure he'll miss at least four more games.

While Memphis point guard Damon Stoudamire was shooting a free throw less than two minutes into the game, Grizzlies forward Mike Miller walked to the scorer's table and asked: "Is there a heater in here?" A few seconds later, Grizzlies coach Tony Barone Sr. walked over to the scorer's table and asked: "Did we pay the heating bill this week? Are we cutting back on the heat?"

Tony Parker doesn't expect to hear his name tonight when the NBA announces its All-Star reserves. But Parker won't feel bad if he later gets a call from the league asking him to come to Las Vegas as a replacement. The chances of either Parker or Manu Ginobili making the Western Conference All-Star team improved slightly Wednesday when the Utah Jazz announced forward Carlos Boozer has a hairline fracture in his left fibula head and would likely be sidelined at least a month.

Andres Nocioni has hoisted the second-most three-pointers behind Ben Gordon on the Bulls and is on pace to take 347 this season. That would top the 335 three-pointers he took in his first two seasons combined. But Skiles has no problem with Nocioni's dramatic increase, pointing to his 38.7 percent marksmanship entering the Clippers game. He shot 35.2 percent his first two seasons.

Until the Clippers came calling, Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, had been doing a reality TV show since he left the Mavs. "In my TV class at David Stern University, we learn that reality TV is the wave of the future," Mark Cuban said. "If this is the way to get Doug's show back on TV, I think this is great."

Who Knew? The Heat's American Airlines Arena is one of only three arenas in the league in which James hasn't won. The Cavs are 0-6 in Miami since he arrived. The other arenas are in Dallas, where James is 0-3 at the American Airlines Center; and in Phoenix, where the Cavs are 0-4 against the Suns with James at the U.S. Airways Center.

It's looking like the Wolves will be heading overseas next fall. Kevin Garnett and Randy Foye apparently are scheduled to participate in a news conference Saturday in Las Vegas in which the NBA announces a series of preseason games in Europe. The Wolves could have games in Istanbul and/or London.

Knicks coach Isiah Thomas again explained why he continues to bring David Lee off the bench, saying that it is a role that has offered him the best route to success, and basically nominated him for an end-of-the-year award. "He's got a chance to be Sixth Man of the Year," Thomas said. "In the position he's in, he's had excellent success in that role. It's very hard to find your niche and have success in this league, and when you find it you don't necessarily want to tinker with it too much. He' doing okay where he's at. The accolades and the awards are coming in." Then he added with a laugh, "Can you give me credit?"

Cavs point guard Daniel Gibson's transition into the starting lineup has been easier than his transition to his first winter. The Houston native who went to the University of Texas scared himself recently when his SUV fish-tailed while he was driving about 20 mph in the snow. He said he has one big winter coat he wears all the time, despite teasing from his teammates. But he has no gloves, hat or boots. "I've never lived anywhere the temperature went below 70 degrees," he said.

Todd MacCulloch switched from 76ers radio to TV analyst last night on Comcast SportsNet, filling in for Steve Mix, who is down with laryngitis.

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MLB Rumors & Notes

Thursday, February 1, 2007

More likely, the Cardinals will sift the trade market this spring. The Philadelphia Phillies (Jon Lieber) and Los Angeles Dodgers (Brad Penny) are expected to deal a starting pitcher, and the New York Yankees have made Carl Pavano available. "If we can get a top starter we'll go for it," DeWitt said. "That's not just this year or last year. That's any year. If there is someone of that caliber available at a fair price, we're interested. What we don't want to do is pay top starter dollars to pitchers who haven't proven they're a No. 1, No. 2 or a No. 3" in the rotation.

So, if the Phillies did propose this Aaron Rowand deal, what were they thinking? One possibility is that they have another trade they can make involving righthander Jon Lieber that would bring an outfielder in return. Another would be that the talks with San Diego would be expanded with Lieber being packaged with Rowand and the Phillies also receiving an outfielder (maybe Sledge or Mike Cameron). Scott Linebrink, 30, was 7-4, with a 3.57 ERA in 73 games for San Diego last season.

One Orioles source said the Colorado Rockies approached Baltimore several weeks ago about the possibility of trading for first baseman Todd Helton, who was recently rumored to be headed to the Boston Red Sox. The Orioles lost interest because the Rockies wanted Baltimore to pay a significant portion of the $90 million owed to the first baseman.

Failing to move a large chunk of Todd Helton's contract to Boston - as unpopular as it may have been - leaves the Rockies in a difficult position as they try to retain young talent such as pitcher Aaron Cook, closer Brian Fuentes and, most notably, all-star outfielder Matt Holliday beyond this year. Unless, that is, ownership greatly expands payroll, which it has shown no desire to do. "It makes it tough. But who knows what's going to happen?" owner Charlie Monfort said. "People are already saying that we are not staying with homegrown guys (because of the Jason Jennings trade). But when we say we are going to stick with them, that doesn't mean through thick and thin for 12 to 14 years. "That means you keep them while you can go through arbitration and hope that you have somebody coming behind them to take their place because, quite frankly, in this market we can't afford that. If people want to say that we are a minor-league team for the Yankees and somebody is going to pick Matt off for $14 (million) a year (as a free agent), so be it."

The Barry Bonds contract saga took another mysterious turn last night when his agent said he was not signing a revised version of the one-year, $15.8 million deal after commissioner Bud Selig rejected a section having to do with personal appearances. Major League Baseball and union sources, however, were perplexed by the development and said as far they are concerned the deal has basically been signed, sealed and delivered. "Our office didn't accept it because the personal appearance clause wasn't in concert with the basic agreement," said a source in the commissioner's office. "It was a minor part of the contract, not a big deal." A union source also said last night that the Players Association views the contract as having been signed by Bonds. That didn't stop Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, from saying last night that Bonds had not signed the new deal. "At this time, Barry is not signing the new documents," Borris said.

Congress is ready to step in if baseball players refuse to cooperate with George Mitchell's steroid investigation, two lawmakers told the former Senate Majority Leader. The leaders of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that held steroid hearings two years ago expressed their support for Mitchell's investigation in a letter released yesterday. "We sincerely hope that all relevant parties will work constructively to facilitate the completion of your investigation and your ongoing efforts to clean up the sport," said Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), the chairman of the panel, and Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, the panel's ranking Republican.

Roger Clemens insisted he hasn't decided whether he will pitch in 2007, but he did make it clear that if he does, it would not be before June; that it would be for the Yankees, Boston Red Sox or Houston Astros; and the biggest factor in picking a team will be getting a chance to win another World Series ring. "I'm failing at retirement, let's just face it," said Clemens, who was at the New York Athletic Club to be guest speaker at a banquet to benefit the St. John's baseball program. Asked if close friend Andy Pettitte's return to the Yankees gives them an edge, Clemens praised Pettitte at length but did not answer the question. ... The Yankees, Red Sox and Astros "are planning to win with or without me," Clemens said. "But if somebody goes down and I'm feeling good, I just don't know what my decision's going to be yet. I hope they all get off to a real good start and I can just fade away and come and watch some ballgames up here. I don't think it's going to happen."

For the first time time in the Joe Torre era, Mel Stottlemyre won't have a role with the Yankees this season, not even in spring training. After retiring as pitching coach following the 2005 season, Stottlemyre helped the Yankees make the transition to Ron Guidry in spring training last year. Torre and Guidry wanted Stottlemyre to return to Tampa, but Stottlemyre was interested in a part-time role that included more than spring training work, and the Yankees apparently said no thanks. "I had a nice talk with (GM) Brian Cashman but basically he said he had nothing for me," Stottlemyre said yesterday. "I was a little surprised and disappointed, but I don't have any hard feelings. I just decided I'd move on." Stottlemyre instead could wind up working in a part-time capacity with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

That's the growing concern among Rockies fans regarding Matt Holliday, who hit .326 with 34 home runs and 114 RBIs last season. If the Rockies want to talk about a multiyear contract, Holliday said he'll listen, but the Rockies don't have to do anything. There have been no discussions about a multiyear contract since Holliday hired agent Scott Boras 14 months ago. Holliday takes umbrage with those who say his exit is inevitable because of Boras. "It's ridiculous. They look at Scott and say he's bad for baseball. But he's great at what he does and he works for me," Holliday said. "It will ultimately be my decision."

Bernie Williams has an offer from the Yankees to come to spring training on a minor-league non-guaranteed contract, but a long-time friend of the veteran outfielder said Williams has not decided whether to accept it. "People have been telling him that if he goes to camp, somehow, someway, he'll make the team," said Williams' friend, who doesn't think that he would sign with a team other than the Yankees. "If he wants to play baseball, he'll take it. If not, this is the perfect excuse for him to retire."

Mark Prior will enter spring as the favorite for the fifth starter's job, competing with Wade Miller and perhaps Sean Marshall, whom the Cubs prefer to start out at Triple-A Iowa. If Miller wins the job, there's no assurance Prior will go to the bullpen. He could be sent to Iowa to start the season, even if he's healthy. The Cubs would rather not discuss this hypothetical scenario, but Prior can't go into spring training thinking a roster spot has his name on it simply if he gets through March without an injury.

Bill Hall, 27, who had a breakthrough 2006 season as the Brewers shortstop but appears headed for center field this spring, is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time as a player with three years of big-league experience. That status normally guarantees a player a quantum leap in pay, and Hall is in line for a huge raise from his $418,000 salary of last year. Before settling on a one-year deal, however, the sides are exploring the possibility of a multi-year contract. Melvin declined to specify the term being discussed, but the Brewers are believed to be interested in buying out all three of Hall's arbitration years and possibly a year of free agency.

For a time, it appeared Tim Hudson's restoration would happen elsewhere. He was at the center of trade discussions as the Braves tried to free up payroll to make an offer to free agent Tom Glavine, who wanted to finish his career in Atlanta. But John Schuerholz ran out of time when Glavine chose to re-sign with the Mets days before the Braves planned to make him an offer. If they couldn't get Glavine, they weren't going to trade Hudson, whose contract looked like a bargain compared to huge free-agent deals this winter. He's owed $32 million over the next three seasons, plus a $1 million buyout if a $12 million option for 2010 isn't exercised. The deal was beginning to look like an albatross around the Braves' necks last season. It doesn't any longer in light of the explosive free-agent market.

Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. insisted Wednesday night the club's unwillingness to match the Seattle Mariners' one-year, $8.325 million bid for righthander Jeff Weaver had everything to do with the value placed on the free agent and nothing to do with the organization's financial flexibility. DeWitt reiterated the club had serious interest in returning Weaver to its starting rotation but not at any cost. That cost apparently became too much for the defending World Series champions after they shaved a two-year proposal to one year with a base salary that a source on Wednesday said topped $6 million.

Which leads us to Chase Utley, in a historical way. At 28, Utley has signed a 7-year $85 million deal that will keep him in a Phillies uniform until he is 35. "My plan is to stay a Phillie for life," Utley said, and there were joyful noises throughout this great valley. There is no reason to not like this signing, or this player-unless of course you are superstitious. Or think there really is something in the water around here that always turns our optimism into acrimony. "This contract's not going to change how I perform," Utley said the other day. "It's not going to change how I prepare. It's not going to change how hard I play." Beginning in mid-February, everything Utley does takes on a new light. A hitting streak is earning his money. A prolonged slump will be seen by some, perhaps harshly, as stealing it. Like it or not, Utley has joined that other group. Like it or not, the championship stopwatch has started.

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will be switching from a six-to a five-day turn in the rotation, meaning he must tweak his strength and conditioning program from years past. “The five-day rotation is a new thing for me, and it’s definitely going to be a big challenge,” said Matsuzaka, wearing a long-sleeved red Nike training shirt, red-laced Nike shoes and black workout pants. “At the same time, I have that sense that I won’t really know till I try it out. I have confidence in my training and my strength.

If you believe the Red Sox are going to be in the market for a starting pitcher next fall, and the Sox always are, ask yourself whether you would consider re-signing Curt Schilling at one year for $13 mil. Oh, one other thing: You have to make the decision by Opening Day 2007 or Schilling will file for free agency. “I think I’ve earned the right to decide one or the other (by the end of spring training),” said Schilling yesterday at the Millennium Boston hotel, where he flanked his wife, Shonda.“If they don’t think the risk is worth the reward, (that’s OK),” added Schilling, who said he was not seeking a raise from the Sox for 2008. “There’s a chance the deal won’t happen. (Shonda) knows that and the kids know that.” Obviously, Schilling is no dope. Since his arrival, Schilling has given every indication that the 2007 season would be his last. Now he wants another year. In between then and now, the pitching market went so haywire that Schilling recognized he was a bargain at $13 million a year. So now he’s putting the screws to the Red Sox.

Jon Lester has put to rest any fears that his cancer scare would significantly set him back this year by being among the first Red Sox players to arrive at spring training in Fort Myers. Lester, who missed the final month of the 2006 season after being diagnosed and treated for anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, told WBZ radio reporter Jonny Miller yesterday that he expects to be ready to take part in the first pitchers and catchers workout on Feb. 18 at the team’s minor league complex in Fort Myers. Whether the Sox allow the 23-year-old to jump right back into things, however, remains in question. “The club always has the best interest of the player, so I’m going to do what they tell me to do,” Lester told Miller. “If they want me to take it slow, I’ll take it slow. If they want me to be normal, I’ll be normal.”

The Baltimore Orioles are close to signing second baseman Brian Roberts to a one-year, $4.2 million contract, thereby avoiding arbitration, according to one source close to the negotiations. The move could be finalized today, though the Orioles did not wish to comment directly on the deal.

Absent from City Hall yesterday was Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner. Yankees general partner Steve Swindal said that Steinbrenner had a conflict in Tampa, Fla., but was doing well and would be at spring training in two weeks. Swindal said Steinbrenner was "absolutely thrilled" about his ballpark hosting the All-Star Game in 2008.

As for the Jamie Walker role, though, the Tigers have five candidates. It's an interesting mix that includes:

• Edward Campusano, coming out of the Rule 5 draft with impressive minor league numbers.

• Felix Heredia, who's pitched with varying success in 511 major league games.

• Joey Eischen, who had several good years in the Montreal/Washington organization, including a 6-1 record and 1.34 ERA in 59 appearances for the Expos in 2002.

• Bobby Seay, whom the Tigers thought enough of to bring back this season.

• Tim Byrdak, a long shot, but one who can point to 31 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings as a specialist for the Orioles in 2005.

Next up for Cubs GM Jim Hendry is Carlos Zambrano, whose arbitration hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20. Hendry declined to comment on the lull in negotiations since his meeting with Zambrano's agent at the Cubs Convention. Zambrano is asking for $15.5 million, while the Cubs have offered $11.025 million, a significant gap. At this point neither side seems willing to budge, though there's still plenty of time. Zambrano becomes a free agent next November.

After seven years of last-minute political defeats, the plan to help the Florida Marlins build a new ballpark with the help of state funds got a major boost Wednesday when Gov. Charlie Crist announced he is a fan of using taxpayer money to subsidize sports stadiums. Crist, a former Major League Baseball attorney and one-time college quarterback, said stadiums rev up local economies and benefit communities in other ways. The Marlins have a lease on Dolphin Stadium through 2010, at which point the club wants to move to a new, retractable-roof stadium, which would cost an estimated $420 million. Miami-Dade County has previously offered to spend $120 million, and the club said it would pitch in $210 million. But that leaves a $90 million gap, and Marlins and county officials want the state to kick in $60 million over 30 years.

Red Sox assistant general manager Jed Hoyer said the team still isn’t close to reaching a contract agreement with unsigned outfielder Wily Mo Pena, who may become the first arbitration case to proceed to a hearing under Theo Epstein’s reign on Feb. 16.

Hearings have been set for the Washington Nationals' three remaining arbitration cases -- closer Chad Cordero, outfielder Austin Kearns and right-hander John Patterson. The club and the players' representatives have until the hearings to reach agreements on contracts. If they fail to do so, arbiters will choose between the salary the club offered and the bid the player submitted.

The Pirates continue to say they like Ryan Doumit's offensive potential, and they should: He is only 25, and he has shown power at all levels. The Adam LaRoche trade virtually eliminated any non-injury chance Doumit might have had to start.

Did You Know? Barry Bonds has hit 51 HRs since turning 40 on July 24, 2004. The record for most HRs by a player after turning 40 is 72 by Carlton Fisk.

Daisuke Matsuzaka apologized to the Japanese media and nation for scheduling his press briefing yesterday on the same day as the start of spring training in Japan. Yet Matsuzaka’s timing, as well as his admission that he has found the vegetables and fish in the United States much better than he could have hoped for, were perfect for Red Sox fans. Matsuzaka seemed to appreciate the moment as well. “Going forward, as spring training approaches closer and closer, I feel to myself I have to increase my level of excitement and increase my level of energy as I head into spring training,” Matsuzaka said through interpreter Masa Hoshino at the headquarters of his agent, Scott Boras. “This season I have a chance to work a little bit harder and I feel like my training has come along really well and also the climate here has been great for my training. Things are coming together very well.”

Mets pitcher Dave Williams had surgery yesterday to repair a herniated disk in his neck and it's unclear how long he could be sidelined. The team also announced that it agreed to a minor-league contract with outfielder Ruben Sierra and invited him to spring training, and right-hander Jason Standridge chose to become a free agent after he was designated for assignment last week. Williams started feeling pain when he began his off-season throwing program in January. He'll have X-rays next week. After they are evaluated, it will be determined when he can resume baseball activities.

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NFL Rumors & Notes

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Giants LB Antonio Pierce is trying to convince another Pro Bowl linebacker to join him in East Rutherford: the Bears' Lance Briggs. It would create an ideal scenario for Pierce -- Arrington, his teammate with the Redskins, on one side with Briggs, his longtime friend and fellow Arizona Wildcat, on the other. "I talked to him about that," Briggs said yesterday, four days before the Bears face the Colts in the Super Bowl. "I told him, 'If it doesn't work out in Chicago, maybe.'" Briggs' comments about the Giants came one day after he told reporters he wants to remain with the Bears. "Sometimes you sacrifice some dough to win championships," he said. Briggs' agent is Drew Rosenhaus, who also represents Pierce. Rosenhaus could demand a deal more lucrative than the seven-year, $54-million contract (with $18 million guaranteed) the Seahawks gave Julian Peterson last year. Before this season, Briggs turned down an extension reportedly worth more than $30 million over six years.

The 49ers want to sign running back Frank Gore to a contract extension. But they certainly don't need to get one done. Frank Gore, however, needs a contract extension or he runs the risk of leaving behind a lot of money during his football career. The 49ers essentially control Gore's rights for the next three seasons, and there is nothing Gore can do about it. If his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is looking for a contract that pays Gore the kind of cash that LaDainian Tomlinson signed for in 2004, he is taking a major gamble. The 49ers are not going to pay Gore that kind of money - in the neighborhood of $60 million over eight years with $21 million guaranteed. ... Gore turns 24 in May, yet there are those who have followed his career that believe he has three good seasons remaining before all the hits start to catch up to him.

Donovan McNabb absolutely does not want to be traded, agent Fletcher Smith reiterated after McNabb spoke publicly yesterday for the first time since his Nov. 19 knee injury. Both McNabb and Smith made it clear that McNabb wants to stay because of the Eagles' organization and the chance he still sees to win a Super Bowl, not so much because he feels the love of the fan base and the media.

One NFL source said Ron Rivera would not rule out Dallas, but Rivera hopes to remain a candidate in the Cowboys' head coaching search. His contract with the Bears expires after the Super Bowl. The Bears have a short period of exclusive negotiating rights before Rivera becomes a "free agent." The Cowboys can't interview a coach from the Bears' or Colts' staff until after the Super Bowl, which includes possible candidates Rivera and Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell. There are no rules preventing Turner from talking to Rivera.

Donté Stallworth didn't get to live out his Super Bowl dream this season with the Eagles, but he did make his way to Super Bowl XLI. So where's he going next? The wide receiver said yesterday that he hopes the answer to that question is "back to Philadelphia." "I hope they want me back," Stallworth said. The consensus among Eagles fans and players is that the team should bring back Stallworth next season. The growing belief, however, is that another NFL team will give the wide receiver a big contract that the Eagles will be unwilling to match.

Two of the biggest defensive stars in this game -- Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and Bears linebacker Lance Briggs -- are scheduled for free agency after this season. Both would be mighty tempting for the Saints. But the safe bet is both their teams will hang on to them, either with a contract extension or franchise tag.

Could Sunday's Super Bowl be Tony Dungy's last game? The Indianapolis Colts coach admitted that retirement has crossed his mind in recent years. "It's something that [Colts owner] Jim Irsay and I will talk about afterwards, our long-range plans for the team," said Dungy, 51. "I will talk it over with my wife. "I still have a great passion for the game. I love it. I love the coaching. I love the preparation. I love our guys.'' Dungy then added the "but." "My family is growing older," he said. "They are growing up. I have some other things that I really want to do, some things in the ministry work I want to do. When will that come? We will see. Right now, I'm able to do everything, and I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to this game, and we'll see what happens." The odds are that Dungy will continue coaching a few more years, but football isn't the most important thing in his life.

While the Vikings presumably wait out Super Bowl XLI before hiring their next defensive coordinator, two members of Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy's staff are emerging as likely targets. Special assistant Leslie Frazier and defensive backs coach Alan Williams have long histories in Dungy's Tampa-2 defense; each would employ a scheme similar to the one favored by Vikings coach Brad Childress. NFL rules prohibit the Vikings from approaching either coach until after Sunday's game, but it would not be surprising if they hire one of them next week.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook was asked whether he'd ever consider retiring in the prime of his career the way the New York Giants' Tiki Barber did this season. "I could," Westbrook said. Right now? "I could," he repeated. "I think... a lot of people just didn't understand the punishment that a running back takes. He's been doing it for 10 years. He's really been starting about maybe five or six years, but he's been doing it consistently, doing it for 10 years. He's been getting it done. And if he has his next career that he's working on, and it's a lucrative opportunity for him, then you have to take it." Westbrook, as far as we know, isn't fielding the lucrative offers Barber received to work in television, so you can probably count on him being back with the Eagles next season.

After six seasons of rebuilding the Bears through trial and error, Jerry Angelo has a contract that is set to expire this spring -- along with those of most other members of the personnel department. Coach Lovie Smith has only one more year on it, creating an issue that could arise as early as next week. Meanwhile, highly respected special teams coordinator Dave Toub -- whose group led the NFL in most statistical categories -- reportedly is planning to take a similar position in Philadelphia. And defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is among the possibilities to coach the Cowboys. The Bears' two-year record of 24-8 has brought Smith to the top of his profession, but the slate is not nearly as clean for Angelo. Since joining the Bears before the 2001 season, Angelo has run through 11 quarterbacks -- from Jim Miller to Kordell Stewart to Chad Hutchinson to Kyle Orton -- and some would argue the position remains unsettled in the hands of Rex Grossman. Angelo's Bears lost 32 of 48 games between 2002 and 2004, along the way making some embarrassing gaffes.

The contract extension signed by Ravens coach Brian Billick two weeks ago is for one year and will pay him about $5.4 million, a league source said yesterday. That means Billick, who was entering the final year of his contract, is signed through the 2008 season. His two previous extensions with the Ravens were multi-year deals. Billick, who turns 53 this month, is going into his ninth season, which is tied for the third-longest current tenure in the NFL.

Word circulating around the Media Center is that 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who is the leading candidate to replace Bill Parcells with the Cowboys, wants the Bears' Ron Rivera as his defensive coordinator. Rivera's contract expires after the Bears play the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. Owner Jerry Jones, who interviewed 49ers assistant head coach Mike Singletary for almost eight hours, said he won't make a decision until next week. He can interview Rivera as a possible head-coaching candidate and then pay him $2 million or so to head up Turner's defense.

Bengals cornerback Deltha O'Neal might be able to negotiate a plea bargain on a drunken-driving charge in Clermont County, the prosecutor said Wednesday. "We'll consider anything they propose," Don White, Clermont County prosecutor, said of O'Neal and his lawyer. But "he's not going to get a break because he's Deltha O'Neal. He's not going to get a break because he's a Bengal."

Devin Hester will be center stage in Super Bowl XLI against the Colts on Sunday, when his return ability and 4.27 speed could prove an X-factor in what projects to be a close contest. “Devin Hester could easily be the difference in this game,” said Bears coach Lovie Smith. The Colts are taking him seriously. Word is Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy plans to play a number of his defensive starters on special teams in an effort to slow Hester, who has vindicated the Bears brain trust for selecting him in the second round out of Miami, even though the corner was basically just a return man. “You have to have the mentality that you can’t be stopped,” Hester said. “If you don’t have that mentality, you shouldn’t be back there.”

Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who interviewed for the top jobs in Arizona and Pittsburgh, reportedly is under consideration for both the head coach and defensive coordinator posts with the Dallas Cowboys. A source told the Tribune that owner Jerry Jones and Norv Turner, mentioned as a frontrunner to succeed retired head coach Bill Parcells, will be in Miami for Sunday's game and afterward. Rivera's contract with the Bears expires after this season. Rivera leaving the Bears is viewed as a long shot under any scenario, particularly for a troubled franchise like the Cowboys.

Police in two suburban municipalities and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office are continuing investigations into separate traffic incidents involving two of Eagles coach Andy Reid's sons. The first incident, on Tuesday morning, involved Britt Reid, a second man, and a gun. Law enforcement officials would not say who possessed the weapon. NBC10, quoting a law enforcement source, reported last night that investigators found a gun in Britt Reid's car, and a platinum handgun during a search of the Reid home Tuesday night in Villanova. That gun was reportedly in a lockbox in the basement. When asked last night if a search warrant had been served on the Reid home, Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman said: "West Conshohocken police served two search warrants yesterday... . I will not comment on what was found during the course of the search." In the second traffic incident, police said they found Garrett Reid in possession of drug paraphernalia after he was involved in an automobile accident Tuesday afternoon. The Reids and the Eagles declined to discuss the incidents.

The Dolphins have fired defensive line coach Dan Quinn, meaning the team has to fill three vacant assistant positions under new coach Cam Cameron. Quinn, who joined the Dolphins in 2005, was initially offered a two-year contract extension by Cameron, but when the sides could not come to agreement on a new deal, Cameron called Quinn into his office and fired him. Quinn, who had one year remaining on his contract, is expected to draw interest from several teams, including Arizona and Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers had requested permission to interview Quinn in January and were denied by the Dolphins.

Tennessee Titans chief operating officer Steve Underwood and head coach Jeff Fisher appeared Wednesday to be close to wrapping up the evaluation process of the seven candidates for the team’s vacant general manager’s position. Those applicants who make the final cut are likely to head to Houston soon for face-to-face interviews with owner Bud Adams, who will make the decision as to who will replace Floyd Reese, who resigned Jan. 5. Currently, Seattle Seahawks vice president/football administration Mike Reinfeldt still appears to be the front-runner on the Titans wish list. Others who have interviewed and still could be in the mix include former Atlanta Falcons vice president of player personnel Ron Hill; Seahawks vice president of player personnel Ruston Webster; Green Bay Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie; Jacksonville Jaguars director of pro personnel Charles Bailey and in-house hopefuls Rich Snead and Mike Ackerley. Miami Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller was initially a candidate as well, but apparently decided against interviewing.

Colts WR Marvin Harrison has 55 career playoff receptions in 13 postseason games, which is slightly more than four catches a game and two below his regular-season average. He has gone his last eight playoff games without scoring a touchdown. In fact, he has reached the end zone in only one of his 13 playoff games, scoring twice against the Broncos in the 2003 divisional round. Since that day, when Harrison set career postseason highs in catches (7) and yards (133), he has struggled to maintain his regular-season production in the playoffs. He hasn’t had a 100-yard playoff game nor caught more than five balls in a game since then.

Ricky Proehl, now with the Colts, is retiring after the Super Bowl. "This is it," said Proehl, who will be suiting up for his fourth Super Bowl. "I came back to this football team because I felt like this team had the best chance of getting to the Super Bowl and, luckily, I was right. This is it for me. This is my last game." A 17-year veteran, Proehl, 38, signed with Indianapolis on Nov. 29 and saw action in two regular-season games, catching three passes for 30 yards. He's been inactive for the last five, including all three playoff games.

Everyone knows that Jeff Garcia played well when the offense was reconfigured to feature more of running back Brian Westbrook, and everyone knows that Garcia is now a free agent, and Donovan McNabb could not have made his feelings plainer than he did when asked about it on SIRIUS satellite radio: "I would love to have Jeff back, because he's that type of player, that type of person."

It isn't tampering when two good friends talk about the prospect of playing together. New York Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has chatted with Bears linebacker Lance Briggs about Briggs coming to New York. "I talked to him about that," Briggs said Wednesday, "I told him, 'If it doesn't work out in Chicago, maybe.'" The Newark Star-Ledger reported that another Giants player confirmed that Pierce has been in touch with Briggs, a friend and former college teammate at Arizona, several times in recent weeks.

Monday, Ben Roethlisberger had dinner with new Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, and Roethlisberger has no big commercial television ads or other endorsements scheduled anytime soon. "He's laying low and focusing internally," said Ryan Tollner, his agent.

QB Jim Sorgi's not sure if the Colts will re-sign him after this season, but he is sure he could be an NFL starter somewhere. "I played well when I got in there,'' Sorgi said. "I've got a world of knowledge backing up Peyton my first three years so even though I don't have a lot of playing time in the NFL it's given me confidence that sooner or later this will be my steppingstone to a starting career.''

Nick Harper plans to be on the field and in the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts face off against the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI Sunday. The question remains, however, whether Harper’s plans may eventually be derailed by Colts coach Tony Dungy. After sitting out last week’s practices with a sprained right ankle, the six-year veteran cornerback wore a walking boot during Wednesday’s media availability. ... “Nobody wants to sit out. All the guys that have injuries, they’re hiding it. There are some guys that are probably nicked up, but you won’t be able to tell. You won’t be able to tell, you won’t be able to tell until after the game. But as long as I can walk around here, I think I can play. I can talk, I can play. I can walk, I can play.”

Bears DT Tank Johnson was confined to house arrest, facing 10 firearms charges, after police raided his home in December and discovered everything from a .44-caliber revolver to a .308-caliber Winchester rifle to two assault-style rifles and more than 500 rounds of ammunition. And here's where accountability lies with Johnson: He blames racism. Not himself.

Colts RB Joseph Addai said Edgerrin James harbors no ill will toward his former team. “If he’s upset, he doesn’t show it,” Addai said. “He’s been happy for us getting to the Super Bowl. He’s been telling me throughout the playoffs, ‘They are going to really need you in the playoffs.’ “It doesn’t seem like he is mad about anything. He’s been helping me out with little keys to the NFL.”

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb responding to trade rumors: "Let's just start by saying the so-called rumors that have started, they're false," McNabb said. "I'm a Philadelphia Eagle ... and hopefully I'll retire as a Philadelphia Eagle. "No, I do not want to be traded. I plan on getting myself back healthy to be ready for the season." The Eagles have a decision to make on Garcia's future. He is a pending free agent and his popularity in Philadelphia soared as he led the Eagles to the playoffs in McNabb's absence.

Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck, 55, learned the one-gap scheme at the knee of George Allen during three seasons coaching under him in the United States Football League. "They penetrated to knock off the pulling guards of the Green Bay sweep," he said. "So we'd penetrate, and if there wasn't a pulling guard keep going and go meet at the quarterback." He coached Michael Dean Perry for two years in Cleveland, Kevin Greene in Los Angeles and Neil Smith in Denver. More recently, he helped make a star out of Dwight Freeney and an effective starter out of left end Robert Mathis. Teerlinck indicated that he would absolutely love to coach a slender, fast, long-armed pass rusher like Green Bay's Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

During an interview on Sirius NFL Radio during media day in Miami, Colts rookie linebacker Freddie Keiaho was comparing the difference between the Indianapolis defensive scheme and the much more complicated one he played in at San Diego State. One would assume the college system would be much easier to understand than the pro one, but Keiaho said that's not the case. He referred to the Colts' scheme as a "crayon defense," because it's so simple to understand and execute.

The only glitches in the day’s workout came when a carload of female fans drove by and yelled “Go Colts!” before motoring off. Also, the Dolphins’ practice facility is located near the flight path for the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, which made for a noisy day. “That’ll make Tony feel right at home. That’s what it was like for him to practice everyday with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers],” Indianapolis team president Bill Polian said afterward.

Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones is scheduled to appear in Davidson County General Court today on misdemeanor assault charges from an alleged spitting incident in a Nashville night club. Krystal Webb, the plaintiff in the case, claims Jones spit on her while both were in Club Mystic back on Oct. 28.

Legendary Redskins wide receiver Art Monk is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the seventh time and with a relatively weak field, Monk might finally be bestowed with the honor that many feel is long overdue Saturday.

When will the virtual handcuffs be taken off Rex Grossman so that he can make last-second adjustments at the line of scrimmage? "At times Rex does [have audible power], if we have bad pass protection called or if the defense outnumbers us on a certain side, then he has the flexibility to get out," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "But we won't do that a whole lot. Some games obviously more than others … but I call it structured flexibility."