Today's Top Sports Rumors......

Today's Top NFL Rumors


Source: New Browns execs not sold on Brady

We're hearing that the new power structure in Cleveland -- the combination of coach Eric Mangini and G.M. George Kokinis to which folks around the league refer as "ManKok" -- isn't sold on Brady Quinn as the starting quarterback. One source with knowledge of the dynamics in Cleveland says that the new power structure there is "lukewarm" on Quinn. As a result, don't be surprised if the Browns opt to keep Derek Anderson, pay his $5 million roster bonus, and let Anderson and Quinn battle it out for the starting job. Here's the key -- neither Mangini nor Kokinis need to justify the decision to draft Quinn or to sign Anderson. The new coach and G.M. can focus on what's best for the team, regardless of whether the answer is Quinn or Anderson, or neither.
profootballtalk.com


Ravens owner irritated with Lewis

It appears that linebacker Bart Scott and the Ravens are moving closer to possibly getting a deal done before the midnight deadline Friday for free agency. If the Ravens sign Scott, where does that leave Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis? That's interesting, because there is speculation that Scott could replace Lewis on the inside if the Ravens can't get a new deal done with Lewis. It would make sense because Scott is younger and runs better than Lewis. In the scheme a year ago, Scott was asked to do more than Lewis, like taking on lead blocks so Lewis could make tackles. Scott also covered tight ends and running backs in pass coverage a lot more the Lewis. Lewis apparently irritated owner Steve Bisciotti recently with his comments at the Pro Bowl about possibly playing for the New York Jets or Dallas Cowboys. Bisciotti and Lewis are friends, and Bisciotti even fired head coach Brian Billick partially because Lewis failed to support Billick. Bisciotti has had nothing but kind words about Lewis publicly with regard to negotiations, saying the team would outbid other teams and would not put the franchise tag on Lewis. But Bisciotti was disappointed that Lewis didn't show loyalty to the franchise at the Pro Bowl.
Baltimore Sun


Agent: Haynesworth isn't a Redskin yet

After receiving more than 30 telephone calls and e-mails Tuesday from members of the Washington media regarding a potential deal between his client and the Redskins, Albert Haynesworth's agent, Chad Speck, felt the need to publicly address the situation. "Albert is not allowed to have a deal with another team, and he doesn't have a deal with another team," Speck e-mailed Tuesday night. "We continue to keep the lines of communication open with Tennessee. The rumors suggesting that a deal is in place between Albert and the Washington Redskins are completely false." What is true is that the Redskins are one of a handful of teams that will have interest in Haynesworth. But for whoever signs him, it isn't going to cheap. Haynesworth widely is expected to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, with a deal that will defy today's economic hardships and send tremors around the league. The deal could wind up including a signing bonus in the vicinity of $40 million dollars. Washington will have interest. But so will Detroit, Tampa Bay, Tennessee and others.
NFL.com


Crabtree rethinking surgery

Michael Crabtree is reconsidering running the 40-yard dash for NFL scouts, the Texas Tech WR told NFL Network during a phone interview. Crabtree told NFL Network that running the 40 is "a 50-50 deal," and will re-evaluate whether or not he will work out for scouts at a time earlier than his personal pro day in Dallas on March 26. It was revealed on Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine that Crabtree -- considered the top receiver by many in this year's draft class -- had a stress fracture in his left foot that will require surgery. Crabtree then indicated that he would run a 40 for scouts, and then have surgery to repair the stress fracture. Rather than solidify his status as the top wide receiver in this year's draft class, Crabtree came to the combine and measured in almost two inches shorter than his listed height of 6-foot-3, and then medical examinations revealed the stress fracture.
NFL.com


Rogers wants out of Cleveland

As much as Eric Mangini has tried to change the culture in Cleveland, one of his biggest challenges now is changing the mind of Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. Rogers has grown so disenchanted with the situation in Cleveland that he has asked the Browns not to pick up the $6 million option-bonus payment due to him next month, a source close to the defensive tackle said. Rogers would rather be released after one season with the Browns, despite still being owed another $15 million in guaranteed money. The Browns said Rogers hasn't asked them to be released. Cutting Rogers would be difficult to do financially. If the Browns release Rogers, they would have to count more than $9.7 million against their salary cap. Cleveland has no intention of getting rid of Rogers. It wants him back as the productive team member he was last season, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl. Mangini, according to those within the Cleveland organization, is still optimistic that he can change Rogers' mind once the two men speak. Mangini is said to have recently reached out to Rogers. Those who know Rogers say his mind will not be changed.
NFL.com


Dolphins passing on Houshmandzadeh

Bengals free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh told associates he would welcome Miami interest, but a Dolphins bid would be surprising. The Dolphins have said receiver will not be a priority in free agency and seem more inclined to draft one. They spoke with several at the Combine, including North Carolina's Hakeem Nicks.
Miami Herald


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Today's Top MLB Rumors


Dodgers refute sales rep's Manny rap

Ned Colletti briefed reporters Tuesday that nothing was new in negotiations with free agent Manny Ramirez, but for the second consecutive day club officials had to knock down rumors of a signing. The latest one was triggered by a Dodgers ticket sales representative who left a voicemail recording for a potential season-ticket buyer, providing "inside info" that the Dodgers "are on the verge of signing" Ramirez. The recording was quickly posted on the Internet and the sales rep had more phone calls than he ever wanted to handle. Club officials insisted the rep was acting on his own, that there has been no agreement with Ramirez and nobody in the sales department had been instructed to say there was. On Monday, the club denied a radio report that Manny "should be a Dodger later this week" with a multi-year deal.
MLB.com


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Today's Top NBA Rumors


Why Celtics want Marbury

After several months of being embroiled in a soap opera, the Knicks worked out a buyout of Stephon Marbury's $21 million contract today. Two NBA sources said that once the two-time All-Star clears waivers -- which is expected to be Friday morning -- he will sign with the Celtics for a prorated $1.3 million minimum contract for the rest of the season. The Celtics became intrigued with Marbury in the preseason when he averaged 8.5 points and 3.1 assists and went to the line regularly in seven games. He scored 16 points against Boston in an Oct. 21 game. In Boston, the 6-foot-2-inch Marbury would be expected to come off the bench, joining Eddie House as the reserve backcourt. He likely would defend the bigger guards and do most of the ball-handling to lessen the pressure on House. If he signs Friday, he could be in uniform against Indiana that night.
Boston Globe


Oden injury perplexes Blazers

Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has joined the ranks of the confused and curious in regard to Greg Oden's injured left knee, which caused the rookie center to miss his fourth game in a row on Tuesday. "I'm where everybody else is with it," McMillan said. "I get a daily update and we thought, everybody thought, that he would be moving by now, if not playing. But things just keep getting bumped back." The injury is a chipped knee cap, suffered when Oden collided with Golden State's Corey Maggette on Feb. 12. At the time, Oden went to the floor in pain, but went on to play about six more minutes. "I just thought I would get some ice and get it over with," Oden said Tuesday. "It turned out to be bigger." Or longer, to be more precise. Initially, Oden thought he would be back for the Blazers' first game after the All-Star Break. Now, there's no guarantee he will play again in February.
The Oregonian


Arenas closer to return

Though he says he does not know whether he will return to game action this season, three-time all-star guard Gilbert Arenas acknowledged yesterday that he has been practicing at full speed with his Wizards teammates since Feb. 16 and that his left knee, which has undergone three surgical procedures since April 2007, is nearly at full strength. "I'm out there feeling like the old Gilbert Arenas again," Arenas said, shortly after Washington practiced at Verizon Center. "I'm running, jumping, dunking, feeling good. No pain, no swelling. My balance is back, my speed is back. The only thing I have to get used to again is being around other bodies out there on the court. I'm working on getting my timing back. The only thing I'm not doing is playing in games."
Washington Post


Iverson experiment failing in Detroit

Truly, it isn't Allen Iverson's fault. He has played basketball one way for 13 seasons. He has amassed more than 23,000 points and 10 All-Star appearances doing it. The Pistons knew who and what he was when they traded for him and they did not expect him to change when he got here. They expected him to play better than he has, certainly. But they knew what they were getting. They knew they were going to have to alter their defense to protect his deficiencies. They knew they were going to have to make a hard decision with Richard Hamilton, having him come off the bench, because they knew they had to have a point guard on the floor (Rodney Stuckey). What they couldn't have known was that it just wouldn't work. And it doesn't work, as the present six-game losing streak and the freefall back to .500 (27-27) attests. Even when Iverson plays his best, like he did against San Antonio, the rest of the players on the floor with him become statues. They stand around and watch Iverson skittering all over the floor, probing for a shot. They've never had to play that way. They aren't very good at it and they don't like it.
Detroit News


Phil Jackson: Kobe a better leader this season

Kobe Bryant's scoring average is down again this season. He's playing better than ever. Cause and effect? "Kobe's playing as well as he did last year," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Most of that is simply because he's a better leader. He's more determined in that aspect." Bryant averaged a league- leading 35.4 points in 2005-06, but the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs. He averaged 31.6 points in 2006-07, leading the league again, but the Lakers lost to the Suns again in the opening round. His averaged dipped again last season to 28.3 points, but he won the league's MVP award for the first time in his career and helped the Lakers reach the NBA Finals for the first time in four years. This season, Bryant is averaging 27.6 points and the Lakers have the league's best record at 46-10 going into tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics in the Finals last June has stoked Bryant's competitive fire, Jackson said. "I think mostly it's the drive," Jackson said. "Every game he comes out and there's a purpose these guys have to play for, there's a reason to go out there and win. There's a motivation he provides by always pressing the team forward. A lot of times it over runs guys. They're upset they're not getting as many shots. And he says, `OK come get the ball. If you want to take it from me, you've got to show me you're as hungry to score, as hungry and aggressive as I am.' "So that's the leadership he provides."
Los Angeles Daily News


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Today's Top NHL Rumors


Who's paying Coyotes' bills?

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs on Tuesday defended the city's bailout of the Phoenix Coyotes, saying it's not what it appears to be. 12 News obtained city documents showing the Coyotes had not made lease payments for Glendale-owned Jobing.com Arena for the past seven months. Based on city records of past payments, the bailout could be worth up to $4 million over the course of a year. "I know who is going to pay the Coyotes' rent," Scruggs said in an interview. "The taxpayers will not lose any money." But Scruggs declined to say who was picking up the tab, citing the confidential talks between the city and potential Coyotes investors over the team's lease agreement. The National Hockey League reportedly has been paying some of the Coyotes' bills.
Arizona Republic


What Panthers want for Bouwmeester

The parameters have been set publicly, in a roundabout way, by Panthers general manager Jacques Martin as to what it would take for the Panthers to part with unrestricted-free-agent-to-be Jay Bouwmeester before next Wednesday's trade deadline. Now, it's a matter of which teams can meet those narrow parameters. It's a list shorter than the Panthers' playoff history. ''I think the priority for us right now is to improve our club, to make the playoffs this year and I don't want to disturb that,'' Martin said during a conference call Monday. So interested teams shouldn't call the Panthers with a package of picks and prospects. Florida wants roster players who can help it make the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season, get some home playoff games then boost next year's season-ticket sales. Martin has declared he would like to upgrade the Panthers' group of centers and add forward depth.
Miami Herald


Avery to join Rangers soon

New Rangers coach John Tortorella emphasized that his players would begin operating with a clean slate. And though he could not say so because of league tampering guidelines, that clean slate will apply to Sean Avery, regardless of the opinions Tortorella expressed earlier this season while working for TSN. It's only a matter of days before Avery returns to Broadway.
New York Post


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Today's Top MMA Rumors


Carano getting own action figure

Known to many as the "face of female mixed martial arts," Gina "Conviction" Carano has parlayed great ability in the cage and a glamorous look out of it to burst onto the MMA scene and in many ways transcended the sport. Now, the unbeaten star has announced she will be working with Round 5, the leader in collectible MMA figurines, to produce a figure that reflects her stardom. Carano joins an All-Star lineup of 13 MMA standouts who currently work with Round 5. The Carano figurine is tentatively scheduled to be released as part of Series 4, which is planned for a summer 2009 release. As in the earlier Series, Carano will maintain creative control of her likeness, including the pose, facial design and shorts. She will have a major hand in creating the final design and will benefit from a royalty agreement that gives her a considerable portion of the proceeds from the sale of her unit.
mmanews.com


Topps UFC Trading Cards Released today

Although released on Ebay for a short time, apparently some stores received their shipments today. 2009 TOPPS UFC ROUND 1 T/C 16/8
Configuration: 12 boxes*/16 packs**/8 cards
* Each box contains 3 autographed cards, 3 relic cards, 20 Parallel cards, and 8 insert cards!
** Each pack contains 7 Topps UFC Round One cards plus one Parallel Card
SRP: $5.00 per pack