Ben Maller’s Sports Rumors & Notes

Rumors Archive for March 30, 2007

top

NBA Rumors & Notes

Friday, March 30, 2007

the most pivotal transaction will be if Boston can pry free a marquee veteran. Minnesota All-Star Kevin Garnett will likely be available, but he can opt out of his contract next summer. Acquiring him only makes sense if he agrees to an extension, and that will only happen if the Celtics can prove they have what it takes to contend for a title -- immediately. Memphis star Pau Gasol, a talented player with multiple skills but viewed as soft by some in his own organization, was on the trading block this winter. If the Grizzlies, who boast the worst record in the league, end up with Oden, they might decide to pull Gasol from the market and build around him and the big man from Ohio State. Pacers veteran Jermaine O'Neal has suggested he might want to move on, but he has also made it clear he prefers to play away from the basket rather than in the trenches. He, too, would have to be sold on Boston's immediate future. None of these players will come cheaply. The asking price would likely include some combination of the draft pick (particularly if it's Greg Oden or Kevin Durant), Theo Ratliff's contract, and Al Jefferson. ... Pierce said he's willing to reach out and sell Boston to potential acquisitions. "I'd love to play with Garnett," Pierce said. "Jermaine O'Neal, too. Boozer's a good player, but he's been hurt so much. Guys with a short history of getting hurt are always going to get hurt. "I also like Gasol. He's proven. He could have easily said this season, 'We suck every night, I'm not going to play,' but he didn't. He put up numbers instead. "If he was in the Eastern Conference, he'd probably be an All-Star the rest of his career. We don't have the glut of forwards and big men they have out West."

Jim Buss set a timetable for the Lakers of making a major acquisition within the two seasons after this one. The Lakers already have $58 million committed for next season which is either right at or over the projected salary cap. This comment will do nothing to quell speculation that the Lakers expect Kevin Garnett to either force a trade or opt out of his contract in the coming years. Garnett can opt out after next season but he would be walking away from $24 million

Kevin Willis, 44, went through a 45-minute workout with Mavs coach Avery Johnson on Thursday. He'll be back today for another workout and could be signed to a 10-day contract and possibly be in uniform for tonight's game against New York, Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. "He was impressive for what we're looking for," said Nelson, who added that no deal has been struck. "It's potentially a fit." Willis said he sees the Mavs as a team on a mission and believes his experience can be an asset.

Paul Pierce made the flight to Philadelphia with the Celtics yesterday but his status for tonight’s game - and indeed for the rest of the season - remains uncertain.

How About That? Kobe Bryant could become the first Laker since the team moved from Minneapolis in 1960 to lead the league in scoring in consecutive seasons. Bryant won his first scoring title by averaging 35.4 points last season. George Mikan led the league in scoring three consecutive seasons (1948-49, 1949-50, 1950-51) when the Lakers were still in Minneapolis. Two other Lakers have won scoring titles: Shaquille O'Neal (29.7 points a game in 1999-2000) and Jerry West (31.2 points a game in 1969-70).

A person within the Pistons' organization confirmed Thursday that team owner Bill Davidson will not be among those inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame this year. Davidson, 89, was nominated for the first time as a contributor. Among the 14 other finalists are two former Pistons: player Adrian Dantley and coach Dick Vitale. ... Davidson's resume includes three NBA titles, two WNBA championships and a long history of bringing innovations to the NBA. He has owned the team since 1974 and is perhaps best known for building the Palace of Auburn Hills, considered a state-of-the-art facility. He also introduced the first private team plane to the NBA and helped the league create its regulations for free agency and the salary cap.

Who Knew? Pistons forward Tayshaun Prince started his 262nd straight game Thursday, behind Bruce Bowen of the Spurs among active players.

The Pistons need to find a new pesticide -- and quick. They can't seem to kill the flu bug that has infiltrated their ranks. Richard Hamilton missed his third straight game Thursday. He didn't even fly with the team to Chicago. Chris Webber, who has been sick since the Pistons were in Phoenix two weeks ago, made the flight Wednesday but was sent back home Thursday morning. Dale Davis and Flip Murray were better Thursday morning, but coach Flip Saunders had a sore throat and Carlos Delfino had nasal congestion. All four were ready for duty by game time. "We are definitely giving Arnie (Kander, Pistons physical therapist) and the doctors a good challenge," Saunders said.

Steve Francis didn't join the Knicks on the team plane to Dallas, a source told The Post yesterday. So, the starting guard seems doubtful to play tonight against the Mavericks or tomorrow against the Hornets in Oklahoma City after spraining his right ankle in Wednesday's 97-93 victory over Cleveland. Coach/president Isiah Thomas was mum about Francis' status and wouldn't divulge the starting lineup after yesterday's practice. "No, it'll be a game-time decision," he said.

Stephon Marbury gave his sneaker rebuttal to LeBron James and said the Cavaliers superstar didn't do his "homework." James, who has a $90 million endorsement contract with Nike, took a shot at the quality of Marbury's sneaker/apparel line before Wednesday's Knicks game. The discounted Starbury shoes go for $14.98 and his T-shirts and sweatshirts for $9.99. By comparison, James' Zoom LeBron IV retails for $150 and a James' T-shirt for $55. "I laughed," Marbury told The Post when he saw the remarks. "I'd rather own than be owned. When he retires, he's not going to own anything. "I don't think he did his homework," Marbury added. "We're putting out the same stuff he's putting out, just at an affordable price. But I understand that he's got to say that because it's part of the business." James said Wednesday he would never have a discount line.

Walter Herrmann's game has also begun to translate well to the NBA. After being confined to the deepest part of the Bobcats' bench for much of the season, he will likely be in the starting lineup tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks. His spot in Charlotte's rotation has solidified over the past eight games. As the Bobcats' injury problems increased, so too did Herrmann's minutes. At 6-foot-9, Herrmann filled in the frontcourt for whoever was hurt at the time -- Emeka Okafor, Sean May or Gerald Wallace. Playing 28.7 minutes per game since March 14, Hermann has averaged 13.8 points and 4.6 rebounds.

Samuel Dalembert has participated in only one NBA playoff series, in 2005, and it looks as if he'll miss out on the postseason party this year as well. But he is convinced the Sixers are developing the pieces that will help them contend in future seasons. As for himself, Dalembert said the important thing was getting off to a good start next season. He will continue to work on his offensive moves and his inside game during the summer, but he also vowed to improve his diet, which he said consists of too much red meat."I'm already talking to some nutritionists about it and finding a better way," he said. "I have a tendency to eat any kind of stuff, but I'm going to change."

top

MLB Rumors & Notes

Friday, March 30, 2007

Mark Prior said Thursday he has no choice but to go to Triple-A Iowa and try to fight his way back to the Cubs, calling himself just another "employee." After returning to the clubhouse before reporting to minor-league camp at nearby Fitch Park, Prior declined to discuss whether he would ask for a trade. "I'm not going down that road," he said. "I'm under their control until I'm not under their control. It's up to them whether they want me. I'm just an employee." Prior is ineligible to become a free agent until after the 2008 season, and it could be longer if the Cubs keep him at Iowa for most of '07. Prior does not have enough major-league service time to prevent the Cubs from sending him to Iowa without his consent. During a 6–-minute briefing, Prior called himself an "employee" several times, which would seem to suggest he doesn't believe he has a long-term future with the Cubs.

Latest on the new rumors that Aaron Rowand will return to the White Sox from Philadelphia: "I'm assuming there will be even more," Chicago GM Ken Williams said. "There has been one every day since December." The Sox refuse to give up one of their main relievers for Rowand.

The problem Roger Clemens and his representation surely see is that of the three candidates in this suddenly strong seller's market, the Astros figure to be Option Three. Clemens certainly would consider being able to pitch from the comforts of his hometown and playing in a weaker division, but the Astros do not compare to the Sox or Yankees when it comes to resources or supporting cast.

The Angels "haven't said anything to me" about a long-term deal since January, Frankie Rodriguez said Thursday. Stoneman said he would not comment on negotiations, except to reiterate he still is open to discussing a new deal with Rodriguez.

The Rockies have expressed interest in Washington closer Chad Cordero, according to a major-league source. But Cordero is currently unavailable.

The Mets don't need Mike Pelfrey until mid-April, so they could wait on adding him. Righthander Jon Adkins is most likely to be released or traded - he's out of options - and that leaves Chan Ho Park, Ambiorix Burgos and Lastings Milledge. The likely scenario is keeping Milledge and Park, which would allow them to option Burgos to the minors.

Ivan Rodriguez of the Tigers has so many milestones within his grasp that it's hard to decide which is the most impressive. With 17 more games, he will break Tony Pena's career record of 1,950 games caught by a Latin American player. Rodriguez has 1,934 games caught. With 66 more, he will become only the fourth player in history to catch in 2,000 big-league games. If he keeps catching regularly, two seasons from now he will break Carlton Fisk's all-time record of 2,226 games caught. Then there is offense. Given the tremendous shape he's in and how much he loves to play, Rodriguez has a shot at one of baseball's most awesome milestones: 3,000 hits. With 2,354 so far, he needs 646 more. "I've been thinking that no catcher has had 3,000 hits," he said Thursday. "I'm not that far from there. I can get it done. If my body feels strong enough to play that long, and if I take care of myself, I can make that." Rodriguez had 164 hits last season. At that pace, he'd reach 3,000 in four years.

The Angels, borrowing a page from the Thurman Thomas and Jerry Rice NFL playbook, will sign former closer Troy Percival to a minor league contract Monday. Percival will then retire and throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Monday's season opener. "I'm honored to retire as an Angel," Percival said. Percival saved 316 regular-season games for the Angels, plus Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, then signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers after the 2004 season. The Angels will honor another World Series hero, Tim Salmon, before Tuesday's game. The Angels have considered retiring the uniform numbers of Salmon and Percival but have no plans to do so next week.

The Phillies are one of three teams to have made a trade offer for Toronto relief pitcher Francisco Rosario. Club officials scouted the 26-year-old righthander in Dunedin this week, but there doesn't appear to be a fit and a trade is unlikely, a source said last night.

That Jon Coutlangus is still on the roster indicates that the club is trying to move veteran left-hander Rheal Cormier. Cormier makes $2.25 million. The Reds are willing to absorb some of that to facilitate a trade.

Even though he is content with the 25 men selected for the Red Sox Opening Day roster, general manager Theo Epstein said he could not totally rule out a late acquisition prior to Monday in Kansas City. The Sox only have 39 players on the 40-man roster and can open up an additional spot by moving Matt Clement from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day list. “This is baseball, so there’s always the possibility of moving parts, but I expect us to be set,” Epstein said. “The possibility is there because of the roster maneuvering going on, and other teams are trying to sneak players through waivers. We have that one almost free spot with (Mike) Timlin out for a week, but I wouldn’t expect anything.”

The Orioles are still searching for a reserve, right-handed-hitting outfielder, but it's more likely to happen through a waiver claim than a trade, Orioles vice president Jim Duquette said. The club has had discussions about acquiring Kansas City Royals veteran Reggie Sanders, but they are not sure they could keep him content with a part-time role. Whomever the Orioles sign likely would be a fourth outfielder when Payton is healthy. As of yesterday evening, Duquette said the club hadn't yet placed a waiver claim but was considering it. One potential fit is Eduardo Perez, who was released by the Chicago White Sox last week and is free to sign with anyone. Another possibility is Marlon Byrd, who is fighting for a bench role with the Texas Rangers. Byrd, 29, is a career .263 hitter. He would have to be passed through waivers if he doesn't make the Rangers.

Because Barry Bonds has been hounded by allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs, presented in great detail in the book "Game of Shadows," and remains a target of federal investigators, many have wondered whether Bud Selig will join the home-run chase when Bonds closes in on Hank Aaron. Selig repeatedly has declined to reveal his plans, assuming he already has made his decision. "I'm not saying any more than I've already said," said Selig, who launched his own investigation into steroid use in baseball with former Sen. George Mitchell at the helm. "All I'll say is we'll appropriately mark the occasion like we have with everybody else." Everybody else? This is basically a party of two, with Aaron ascending to the throne 33 years ago and Bonds ready to seize power, so to speak.The problem for Selig is that he faces, in essence, a lose-lose situation. If he doesn't attend, he'll be accused of passing judgment on Bonds' purported guilt as a baseball cheater. If he does attend and Bonds later is found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs, Selig will be lambasted for signing off on a tainted record.

Both Bruce Chen and Mike Wood have pitched very well this spring, but because the need is for such a short period of time, Chen's contract situation might work against him. If he makes the opening day roster, he is guaranteed $1.1 million whether he stays with the Rangers past April 10 or not. Wood, on the other hand, has only a $420,000 major league contract and his deal also includes a minor league split. If he is in the majors for a week, it would only cost the Rangers about $25,000.

The Rockies would like to add a veteran to complement setup man LaTroy Hawkins, an area they were unsuccessful in addressing this offseason when they failed to sign Chris Reitsma or Dan Kolb. Kolb, in camp with Pittsburgh, might be available today if he opts out of his contract.

Johnny Pesky, who turns 88 in September, has been hit with another eviction notice by Major League Baseball. MLB once again has decided to strictly enforce its rule governing who is allowed in a team's dugout during a game, which means Pesky, who is in his 55th season with the club, can no longer sit on the bench during games. He'll still be allowed in uniform before games, and on the field and in the clubhouse, but must vacate the dugout before the first pitch. "We've been breaking the rule all along," Sox general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday, "and they told us they were going to strictly enforce it -- heavy fines that progressively get heavier every day he's in the dugout." Pesky, who flew home before yesterday's spring training finale here, was told by Sox manager Terry Francona of MLB's decision earlier in the week. "We told him we were fighting it," Epstein said. "But MLB is unwavering. [Pesky] was a little upset." "He'll lay low for awhile," David Pesky said by phone last night, his father having already gone to bed. "The team wants him. That's the most important thing. Thank God for baseball. That's what keeps him going."

Was Gavin Floyd perhaps not as good as White Sox GM Ken Williams had thought after watching him extensively in the Arizona Fall League? "Actually, he is as good as we thought he would be," Williams said. "Remember, [the stats were] in Tucson. He'll be fine. He'll be part of where we're headed. But where we are right now is in winning mode and taking players most ready to help."

Washington Nationals center fielder Nook Logan went through a series of strenuous running tests Thursday and said afterward that his strained right groin felt "great," giving club officials more hope that he'll be able to start in center come Monday, when the season begins. "He's in tomorrow," Manager Manny Acta said, indicating Logan would play Friday in Norfolk when the Nationals play the Baltimore Orioles for the third straight day. "I wish my other eight guys could run like that."

Japanese phenom Daisuke Matsuzaka will make his final exhibition tune-up in Philadelphia. He is scheduled to throw 40 to 60 pitches, and we're guessing that at least a couple of them will be that ridiculous combination change-up/screwball - don't dare call it a gyroball - that dropped jaws all over Florida this month. "I'd pay to watch this guy pitch," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "He's legit." The Phillies are paying. Sources say they're paying the Red Sox a $500,000 appearance fee for their two-game visit.

Andy Marte will begin what the Indians hope is his first full big-league season Monday, when the team opens its season in Chicago against the White Sox. General Manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge believe that Marte will slide under the radar and be given sufficient time by the media and the sporting public to get his feet on the ground. ``He could be the beneficiary of low expectations,'' Shapiro said. ``We don't need him to carry the team, and I don't think most of the focus is on him.'' Marte came to Cleveland with a reputation as a run producer and as an infielder adept on the defensive side. In his two-month trial with the Tribe late last season, he demonstrated his skill at third but struggled at the plate.

Asked if Steve Swindal's problems impact his future with the Yankees - Joe Torre is in the final year of a contract - Torre said, "I have no idea."

It has been six weeks since Carlos Zambrano proclaimed in Chicago that if the Cubs don't re-sign him, "Sorry, but I must go." Negotiations are down to the nitty-gritty now, with three days left before Zambrano's deadline for signing an extension. Zambrano's agent, Barry Praver, is set to meet with general manager Jim Hendry this weekend in Las Vegas, hoping to complete a five-year extension before Monday. The Cubs finally have made Zambrano an offer, and now it's up to Zambrano to decide whether he wants to stay for less money than he might be able to get on the open market in November. Zambrano said he's not involved in the contract talks and is letting Praver do his talking. Praver is not talking to the Tribune and advised Zambrano to do likewise, but the emotional right-hander has ignored Praver's advice.

Nats RF Austin Kearns will have the job of protecting No. 3 hitter Ryan Zimmerman in manager Manny Acta's lineup. During the offseason, Kearns signed a three-year deal that guarantees him $17.5 million. Kearns, acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in July, is one of the building blocks for the club's future. "I would rather have people have expectations than none," Kearns said. "That's fine. There's always going to be expectations, and you welcome that."

Pirates management informed Dan Kolb late last night that it would not place him on the 25-man roster by the midnight deadline stipulated in his minor-league contract, and Kolb will exercise his right in that contract to declare free agency today. If Kolb had been added, he would have made $1.25 million in base pay and a maximum $1.3 million in performance bonuses. His elimination apparently clears the way for two other right-handers, Jonah Bayliss and John Wasdin, to take the final two spots in the bullpen.

Did You Know? The Red Sox this season will pay nearly $10 million less in cash than what their “official” payroll number of roughly $160 million suggests. That is why some people will refer to the Sox as having a $150 million payroll while others insist it is $160 million.

By all accounts, the final spot in the Brewers bullpen is a three-way battle between Greg Aquino, Jose Capellan and Chris Spurling and the final roster spot is a decision between outfielder Tony Gwynn and utility man Vinny Rottino."I'm probably about 80%," Ned Yost said when asked if he knew which way he would go on the final roster. "If I knew for 100% certainty I'd go ahead and do it. But I don't." That means jobs could be won or lost in the Brewers' two-game swing through Texas to close the exhibition season. It also means the players involved will spend another couple of days on edge.

After Yanks manager Joe Torre practically guaranteed him a bullpen spot early in camp, Ron Villone has had a disastrous spring, compiling a 14.40 ERA in five innings. Batters are 13-for-25 (.520) against him. He has faced strong competition from 25-year-old Sean Henn to be the second left-hander in the Yankees bullpen. When Torre announces his roster today, as expected, it's hard to say if Villone will be on it. Of course, Villone says, it's been frustrating. His arm feels fine, he's in good shape, his velocity is getting up there. But his command? "I've got no location," the left-hander says bluntly. "The fastball's just erratic, it's all over, it's like one's up, one's down. Instead of getting ahead with the fastball, I'm falling behind with it."

Jim Bowden's adjustment, now, is working within the framework of Stan Kasten's larger plan, one that has the Nationals' payroll whittled to $36 million for 2007 and has the baseball operations department intensely focused on the decidedly less glamorous pursuits of scouting and player development. Kasten, too, is a hands-on president, speaking to the team when spring training began, helping with the hiring of key baseball operations staff.

Pirates manager Jim Tracy would not say if Freddy Sanchez moved closer to avoiding the 15-day disabled list, but he did strongly indicate that management will let Sanchez dictate that. "I am going to listen to what the player tells us," he said. Tracy acknowledged management is considering keeping Sanchez on the roster as a pinch-hitter until he is fully recovered. "That's one option."

With only three days to go before opening day, the Milwaukee Brewers are ahead of their ticket-selling pace of last year, according to a team official. Tyler Barnes, vice president of communications, did not provide specific sales numbers but said the team was close to a "double-digit increase over 2006" sales.

Mariners minor leaguer Chris Minaker did an 86-page master's thesis at Stanford on the social pressure athletes facing to use performance-enhancing substances. His conclusion: "If the need for steroids is broken down by sport, it becomes clear that baseball has the biggest problem."

According to Red Sox media relations director John Blake, Daisuke Matsuzaka is covered daily by the following:

7 all-sports daily newspapers

3 to 5 other daily newspapers

2 wire services

1 major Internet site

1 radio station

6 television networks

Right-hander Shawn Hill, who will start against Florida on Tuesday, posted the longest outing for any Nationals starter in the exhibition season. He worked seven of the 10 innings in a 3-3 tie and gave up eight hits and three runs, two of them earned, while concentrating more on his offspeed pitches. After six spring outings in which he posted an ERA of 1.37, Hill said he enters the season with confidence.

Fans who show up at Fenway Park on April 10 for the Red Sox home opener are in for a surprise: The team has added 230 seats to the old ballpark. The new seats, which are already in place on the right field roof, are expected to be filled during the 2007 season. However, the seats will be empty for the home opener because the Red Sox still are waiting for the city to officially sign off on the new seating. Whether these seats remain for future seasons will depend on other renovations that are on the drawing board.

top

NFL Rumors & Notes

Friday, March 30, 2007

Chargers restricted free agent Michael Turner was a hot name over at the NFL meetings in Phoenix this week. Teams looking for a starting running back are assessing whether to make a run at trading for Turner or filling their needs in the late-April NFL draft. "There was a lot of activity," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "Very interesting. We'll see what all the talk means. "There's legitimate interest on a few teams' part. A couple others are asking." Smith declined to discuss specifics in terms of interested teams or what offers he has fielded. But it's known that the Green Bay Packers are highly interested in Turner. The Buffalo Bills also have interest.

Although Cleveland and Detroit have expressed interest in Chiefs quarterback Trent Green, his representative has spoken only to the Dolphins, and trade discussions are ongoing between Miami and Kansas City, agent Jim Steiner said Thursday. The Dolphins this week have remained intent on waiting out the Green situation instead of making a bid for quarterback David Carr, who was released by the Houston Texans last week. The Dolphins have expressed interest in Carr but have not made an offer or scheduled a visit.

If you’re David Carr or Joey Harrington, both of whom have plenty of starting experience in the NFL (Carr has 75 starts; Harrington 66), why would you contemplate coming to a team whose starter has three years remaining on a five-year, $38 million contract and is said to have a secure job as a starter? Unless, perhaps, that starter’s job is not as secure as we’ve been led to believe. Publicly, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and coach John Fox have emphatically thrown their support behind Jake Delhomme time and time again saying “he’s our starting quarterback.” But if that were completely true, why then wouldn’t Carr and Harrington be looking at teams where they actually have a chance to start. There are plenty of them out, believe me. The

With one year remaining on his current contract, veteran defensive tackle Pat Williams hopes to land a long-term extension with the Vikings before training camp. "I want to feel like I'm wanted. I don't want to feel the same way I did in Buffalo," Williams said. "I want to feel that there is a home for us. I don't have to look over my shoulder. "I want to retire a Viking." The Vikings are open to making that a reality. Agent Angelo Wright confirmed Thursday that he has had preliminary discussions with the Vikings, but he declined further comment. Vikings officials were unavailable for comment.

Interviewing the top draft candidates may become moot in the coming days and weeks, though, as the Redskins wait to hear back from the Chicago Bears about linebacker Lance Briggs. An NFL source said the Bears coaches and front office are scheduled to meet this weekend to decide whether to trade Briggs and the No. 31 pick overall to the Redskins for the sixth pick.

A videotape showing Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter - and a group of men believed to be with him - attack another NFL player at a casino will not be released until the case is resolved, a Las Vegas police spokesman said. The tape shows Porter punching Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Levi Jones while he gambled at the Palms hotel on March 18, according to a police report. It states that after Porter punched Jones - an on-field rival from Porter's years with the Pittsburgh Steelers - other men joined in and also punched Jones.

Oakland may emerge as the front-runner to sign Broncos free-agent guard Cooper Carlisle, but Seattle, Tampa Bay and Miami also are keeping in touch with him.

Rumor has Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden so enamored with Calvin Johnson that he would move up from the fourth spot to get him. Gruden, though, brought up the first word of caution about Johnson, saying he did not play in a pro-style offense at Georgia Tech.

Interest in Aaron Moorehead apparently is picking up. The former Indianapolis Colts receiver, who became an unrestricted free agent March 1, will meet with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. At least two other teams also have shown an interest. Moorehead joined the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He appeared in 28 regular-season games, all off the bench, and totaled 23 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown.

There are few dirtier phrases in football than “torn ACL.” But in the case of Patriots receiver Chad Jackson, that term may not be all that it seems. According to multiple sources close to the 2006 second-round pick, the degree of the tear in Jackson’s knee was very slight compared to most cases. The injury happened on a kickoff in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts and did not involve contact. In the days following the injury, word is that Jackson thought he had torn his ACL, but the swelling was so minimal that most around him doubted it. An MRI detected the tear. Reconstructive surgery cannot be performed until after the swelling goes down, so Jackson was able to have the operation quickly. Sources say that Jackson will be running by the time the Patriots hold their veteran minicamp in June and should be cleared for contact by the opening of training camp in mid-July. But the thought is that, with the two-week trip involving the China Bowl in Beijing looming over camp, Jackson will return to the field after the team’s first two preseason games, both against the Seahawks.These are all projections, of course.

Barring a surprise arrival by defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, the Broncos' trade with Miami for him will be voided today. If so, the Broncos will get back their sixth-round pick in the April 28-29 draft.

The Tom Coughlin quotes did not sit well with Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League. "Giants coach Tom Coughlin appears to be ignorant of who Hitler was and what he did when he likens criticism he received for a losing football season to that against the man who caused World War II, murdered 6 million Jews in the Holocaust and millions of others," Foxman said in a statement. "Using the comparison to Hitler in such a cavalier manner is insensitive and denigrates the memory of millions of Nazi victims. Coach Coughlin needs a reality check and some education." Coughlin could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hanlon said the coach wasn't misquoted, but beyond that he had no further comment. Giants president John Mara and team chairman Steve Tisch did not respond to requests for comment.

The string of pre-draft invitations for Gillette Stadium visits continued yesterday, with South Carolina WR Sidney Rice and Washington QB Isaiah Stanback penciled in. Rice is a potential first-round pick who lacks polish after leaving the Gamecocks following his sophomore season. He’s an imposing presence at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, and he clocked a 4.51 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Stanback was a sprinter on the UW track team and a 2006 Baltimore Orioles draft pick. He could be converted and used as a versatile weapon on offense.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said this week he would have enjoyed coaching Courtney Brown more, but because Brown had serious knee trouble, Shanahan recommended the former No. 1 overall pick call it a career. Denver released Brown last week. The defensive end missed all last season after his second micro-fracture knee surgery. Shanahan said if Brown continued to play, he would risk permanent damage. "I told him if he was my son, I'd tell him not to play," Shanahan said. "He's done everything he can, but he's got bone on bone. I think he'll be able to do everything a normal person does for the rest of his life, but if he comes back again after what he's been going through the last five years, eventually you can't walk anymore. ... Why take a chance after what he's been through?"

Cornerback Marquice Cole went into his senior season at Northwestern as a pro prospect and came out of it with something to prove. He ran his way back into better NFL draft status Thursday at the school's pro timing day, running the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the school's indoor facility. "Not too bad, but I can run faster," said the Hillcrest High product, who had only two interceptions as a senior after picking off five as a junior. His career punt-return average of 13.8 yards figures to help him.

Owner Jim Irsay wants the record to show he was the first to include a poison pill clause, back in 1993 with the Colts. “The poison pill, I was the inventor of that,” Irsay said this week at the NFL owners meetings. “I don’t know how much pride I should want to have attached to that, since it could be perceived as a negative, but we’re all super competitive and that pushed us over the edge at the time.” Appearing alternately proud and sheepish, the good-natured Irsay recounted the acquisition of left tackle Will Wolford from the Bills in 1993. That was the first year of free agency in the salary cap era and Irsay, then Indy’s general manager, had helped the league design parts of the collective bargaining agreement, so he knew the system. His three-year, $7.65 million offer sheet to the two-time Pro Bowler and transition player included a clause that stated Wolford had to be the highest paid offensive player on his team. The Colts weren’t paying anyone nearly that much, so it wasn’t an issue. Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, however, was earning roughly double that amount. And thus the poison pill was born.

Say goodbye to drab concrete and hello to shining aluminum and glass. After more than a year of debate, the Giants and Jets are closing in on a final design of their $1.2 billion stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Earlier this month, the teams revealed the essence of the building they will construct, as well as the new Giants practice facility, in a preliminary planning document they submitted to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. ... As the documents reveal, there is a little something for everyone here: tailgate zones, lined football fields in the parking lot for pickup games, field-level suites for the team owners, multiple stadium clubs and a plaza area that connects a new rail station to the stadium. For two teams that have been rivals for years, on and off the field, the near-final plans for the stadium are a significant development.

As part of their predraft scouting, the Patriots were scheduled to work out quarterback Toby Korrodi yesterday. The lefthanded Korrodi (6-4, 230) is a Division 2 prospect from Central Missouri State who registered the highest throwing velocity at the NFL combine last month.

top

Odd Notes & Stuff

Friday, March 30, 2007

Halle Berry tried to commit suicide over her failed first marriage. Berry, 40, admits in Parade magazine - coming in Sunday's Post - that she was so miserable in the wake of her break-up with baseball player David Justice, she attempted to gas herself. But she pulled out at the last minute. "I was sitting in my car, and I knew the gas was coming when I had an image of my mother [Judith] finding me," Berry told Parade. "She sacrificed so much for her children, and to end my life would be an incredibly selfish thing to do . . . It was all about a relationship. My sense of worth was so low. I had to reprogram myself to see the good in me . . . Because someone didn't love me didn't mean I was unlovable. I promised myself I would never be a coward again."

Joe Theismann on Thursday rejected an offer to be a college football analyst for ABC and ESPN. ''Joe feels he's an NFL guy and wants to stay focused on the NFL,'' said Theismann's agent, Sandy Montag. Although Theismann could try to escape his contract to pursue NFL work at another network, Montag said that scenario hasn't been discussed.

Remember Mets prospect Sidd Finch, an aspiring monk who threw 168 m.p.h.? Sports Illustrated reported on him for its 1985 April Fool's Day issue, and CSN's Chuck Garfien has tracked him down in Oak Park. His name is Joe Berton. No joke. Garfien's interview with Berton runs at 10 p.m. Sunday (April Fool's Day) on "SportsNite."

Bob Christianson might be the only viewer in America who roots for TV timeouts so CBS can play its brassy NCAA basketball tournament theme song — da, da, da, da, — and go to commercials. He wrote it in 1992 and gets paid each time it plays: "Last weekend when there were so many timeouts, I was, 'Yessss!' " He won't say what he earns overall and or even per airing — "trying to figure out how they figure those numbers is like figuring out the Department of Motor Vehicles: It's beyond human comprehension." And he can't recall exactly how many instruments were used in his latest version of CBS NCAA Basketball Theme: "It was a crunch job in two days. We used a real guitar, maybe some real brass."

Saturday, John Thompson, the ex-Georgetown coach who's now a TNT NBA analyst, will work Westwood One's national radio coverage of the Final Four — including John Thompson III coaching Georgetown against Ohio State. He'll wear the lucky socks he's sported, unwashed, throughout the Hoyas' run: "You don't want to wash the luck out of them."

Officials from the University of Detroit Mercy, Ford Field and the city's Tourist and Convention Bureau are in Atlanta today studying the Final Four, preparing for their turn as host of a regional next March and the Final Four in 2009. But one thing they know: They will put on a bigger show than Atlanta or any other Final Four. The Detroit organization has a target: An attendance record. NCAA officials have given approval for a midfield court placement, which will allow more than 70,000 to attend. The record of 64,959 was set in 1997 at the Louisiana Superdome. Ford Field set the attendance record of 78,129 in 2003 for a game between Kentucky and Michigan State billed as "Basket Bowl." It was the first time the court was set up at midfield in a dome. Normally, courts are set close to one side of the stands and temporary bleachers are set on the other side to give it an arena feel. In that configuration, more than half the dome's seating is unused.

Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton can swing a bat, but can he handle a hammer? TV viewers will find out on "A Home Run For Trademark," a 9 p.m. Saturday special on TLC. Hamilton, making a comeback after three years away from the game due to multiple drug suspensions, helps real estate broker Richard C. Davis restore the former home of baseball great Shoeless Joe Jackson in Greenville, S.C.

The NY Daily News... "Jackass' " Johnny Knoxville showed off his super-sharp moves at the L.A. premiere of "Blades of Glory," about two rival Olympic ice skaters who pair up after being banned from competition. Nancy Kerrigan showed her sense of humor and also attended, but the "banned" aspect of the film was apparently too painful for no-show Tonya Harding.

For the Beijing Summer Olympics on NBC, expect 700-1,000 hours of live online action — the first live Olympic action ever available in the USA. But what kind of action? "The vast majority will be stuff that's never been seen (on TV) before," says NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol. "Every single sport will be available, the vast majority in their totality." The Olympic world TV feed, shooting every second of Olympic action and available to every network paying to air the Games, offers about 3,000 hours of action. Finally, you'll be able to sneak peaks at, say, Olympic men's field hockey at your office.

A $6.5 million employee joined the Padres' clubhouse staff yesterday. Closer Trevor Hoffman pitched an inning in the afternoon game at Peoria, then donned the khaki-and-blue attire of a clubhouse attendant.

How About That? Sunday's Kings-Suns telecast on ABC earned a 1.0 Nielsen rating, the lowest ever for an NBA game on network TV. NBC got the same rating for an NHL game that day, the difference being NBC doesn't pay a cent in rights fees. Disney pays the NBA $400 million a year.

Get a good look at Uga VI while you can because this coming football season may very well be his last. The Georgia Bulldogs' beloved mascot, the sixth in a line of pure white English bulldogs dating to 1956, turns 9 years old in July. None of his predecessors have continued past the age of 10. Savannah attorney Sonny Seiler, who has owned the dogs since he was a UGA student in the 1950s, was asked if this coming season would be the last for Uga VI. "Historically speaking, yes, probably so," Seiler said. "We want a dog that presents well, not one that slouches around. Uga VI has been wonderful. He still stands up for most of the games, and he's the biggest dog we've ever had. But dogs get old like people do. ... "It's hard work being the world's greatest mascot."

NOBU in London was the scene of a scene the other night. Soccer stud David Beckham and his newly blond wife, Victoria (formerly Posh Spice), were sitting near the table where former model Kelly Killoren Bensimon was dining. "Beckham was straining his neck to check Kelly out the entire time. Everyone at her table was commenting on it," a witness said. "Finally, Posh got up and left, and she barely ate anything." A rep for Beckham told us, "If David was checking anyone out, it was his wife."

Former Cub Eric Young has joined ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" team. The funny and outspoken Young had some memorable squabbles with his former manager, Don Baylor.

No personal checks, please. The rights to O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" tell-all book will go on the auction block April 17 in Sacramento, Calif. There's no clue what the minimum bid will be but a legal notice posted by the Sacramento County sheriff says all bidders should bring cash or certified bank check to the sale - no personal checks or credit cards. The Goldman family will get the proceeds from the sale to help satisfy the $38 million wrongful death judgment Simpson owes them.

ESPN isn't happy about the empty arenas at the NCAA women's tournament either. ESPN's Carol Stiff said the network will work with the NCAA to remedy the problem. "It's a big-time concern for us," Stiff said. "With the amount of competition we have in the market for people to browse through all the channels, it's important that it's a welcoming environment, an exciting environment. . . . We sometimes have to shoot the arena in a different way than we would like to. We'll talk to the NCAA, and they'll talk to us. We're just there to try to improve it."

The Las Vegas Review Journal... Denver Broncos running back Mike Bell and actor Ryan Gosling, at separate tables at Tangerine (Treasure Island) on Wednesday.

America loved "Rocky," but enjoys seeing heavyweights trade blows, too. "It doesn't matter if the team is as well known or a Cinderella," said Sean McManus, CBS president of news and sports, "as long as the story lines are compelling." Oden's potential, Florida's chance to repeat and the legacies of UCLA and Georgetown are plenty compelling. So is a Final Four with nothing but high seeds.

Boston's 7News likes to say it’s “right now.” But if they keep on making embarrassing I.D. gaffes, a more appropriate slogan might be “wrong now”! During an early evening promo for the 11 p.m. newscast Wednesday night, the WHDH bunch aired footage of ex-Red Sox SS Nomar Garciaparra while pumping up a story about former Sox reliever Ugueth Urbina, who’s heading to jail for attempted murder! The Nomie news was, of course, about the birth of his twin daughters. As for Ugie, he was sentenced to 14 years for the attempted killing of five of his family’s farmhands. Which is very different. “It was an unfortunate incident of human error,” WHDH spokesgal Ginny Lund told the Track. “Unfortunately, someone in our promotions department put the photo of Nomar with the wrong story. We made the correction and mentioned the error in our newscast.”

It's official: San Diego State has a new radio home. All football and men's basketball games will air on KOGO-AM (600) for the next five years under terms of a contract announced yesterday. No matter what station SDSU is on, the bottom line is the same: Except for a handful of diehards, most San Diegans will pay attention to the Aztecs only when they are successful. ... perhaps the most interesting part of yesterday's announcement was what wasn't announced: the identity of the play-by-play voice. What makes it particularly interesting is that while Learfield Sports – the company that purchased the Aztecs' multimedia rights – had final say over the radio station, the school gets to OK the broadcasting “talent.” There's little doubt KOGO would like to use its own sports guy, Lee Hamilton. Cliff Albert, the station's program director, said Hamilton “definitely is one of the leading candidates and it would not be surprising if he gets the gig.” But . . . when I mentioned Albert's comments to SDSU Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel and asked for his thoughts on a broadcaster, he replied: “I really don't have any other than the fact I really enjoyed having Ted Leitner as our voice. That's the first exploration we will make. After that I don't know.”

X-rated flick chick Jenna Jameson has annoyed Hollywood heavyweights who want to turn her best-selling book, "How to Make Love Like a Porn Star," into a movie. "She hasn't been showing up for meetings" with a major production company interested in "Porn Star," a source claims.

The Las Vegas Review Journal... Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Rob Schneider, spotted Thursday at Burger Bar inside Mandalay Place at Mandalay Bay.

Should Mayor Bloomberg run for President, he will have a major ally in fellow billionaire Rupert Murdoch. The media mogul was singing Bloomberg's praises recently, just as The Washington Post reported Monday that despite official denials, Bloomberg has been telling friends he's considering a run for the White House. "Murdoch said, 'Bloomberg would be my choice,' " our source claims. "He said Bloomberg would be the most efficient President. That he attracts good people. "Bloomberg has the bug. I expect him to run as an independent. If the polls show he has even a 5% chance of winning, he'll run. He's the type of guy who will spend a billion dollars of his own money." Forbes has set the fortune Bloomberg made from his financial-data business at $5.5 billion. Because Bloomberg has more than enough of his own money to spend on a presidential campaign, he doesn't have to enter the race until next year.

top

College Rumors & Notes

Friday, March 30, 2007

Most people right now believe Kentucky will make a massive play -- the latest rumored number is $4 million a year -- for Florida Coach Billy Donovan once the Final Four is over. Most people expect Florida will match whatever Kentucky offers, and Donovan will turn it down. Next in line, if you believe the whispers, is Texas Coach Rick Barnes -- except Barnes doesn't want the job either. Nor does Michigan State's Tom Izzo. Marquette's Tom Crean's name is also being tossed around. Memphis's John Calipari might be a fit, but he just signed a new long-term contract.

Other names being tossed around: Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings appears to be the leader in the clubhouse right now for the Michigan job. Stallings played and coached at Purdue and has probably hit the ceiling at Vanderbilt, which was one shot (or one missed traveling call, depending on yo