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

Today's Top NBA Rumors

Celtics eyeing Smith, Marbury or Moore?

The Celtics did not acquire veteran help at yesterday's trade deadline, but they cleared more roster space by shipping little-used 7-foot center Patrick O'Bryant to Toronto for guard Will Solomon, whom they immediately sent to Sacramento. The Celtics received a future conditional second-round pick from the Kings, who also got cash considerations from Boston. The Celtics traded Sam Cassell to the Kings Tuesday. O'Bryant participated in a shootaround yesterday, then met with coach Doc Rivers and president Danny Ainge. Practice concluded 45 minutes before the deadline. "We're just creating a roster spot," Ainge said. "Free agents will come into play now and over the next couple of weeks." March 1 is the final day waived players can be acquired and still be eligible for the playoffs. Ainge declined to comment about specific free agents, but the Celtics might be interested in Oklahoma City forward Joe Smith and suspended New York guard Stephon Marbury if they are bought out of their contracts. Forward-center Mikki Moore was waived by the Kings and has attracted interest from several teams, including the Celtics, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein, who said Ainge called him yesterday.
Boston Globe


Why Nets didn't trade Vince

In the end, Rod Thorn's action -- or inaction, in this case -- was governed by an immutable truth: "You don't want to give good players away," said the Nets president. "I don't think you ever want to do that." But Vince Carter remained the captain of Thorn's team Thursday, in part because there was no compelling reason to dump the superstar's salary without getting anything in return, and Thorn had plenty of chances in which to do so. Everything his peers had to offer -- from Portland to Houston to San Antonio and beyond -- ranged from the impractical to the insulting. Finding a comfortable landing spot for Carter -- even if he received little in return -- may have benefited his team in the future, if it created more salary cap space. But Thorn also knew he would have severely damaged the present, not to mention alienate every fan who believes that Carter is the Nets' best hope to remain competitive
Newark Star-Ledger


Marbury talks could heat up


Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he believes Stephon Marbury's situation could heat up with the trading deadline in the league's rearview mirror. "As I've told you before, I've dealt with his agent, and I'm sure it'll get a lot more serious as we go forward because the trading deadline's over," Walsh said. "In Stephon's case, I think that most teams just figured why would we trade for him when they're going to cut him, 'cause that's been publicized for so long. "So there weren't teams calling up trying to get him as much. There were some but not a lot." Marbury has to be on any new team by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs. "I'm hoping that we can come to a mutual conclusion, where it's good for him and good for us," Walsh said.
New York Post


Why Cavs-Suns deal failed

The Cavs did talk to Phoenix about Shaquille O'Neal. The Suns were interested in Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract, along with younger players such as J.J. Hickson, Sasha Pavlovic and a draft pick. Cavs GM Danny Ferry won't confirm it, but it's believed the Cavs were willing to part with Ben Wallace and Pavlovic. Having Wallace and O'Neal on the same team and their contracts taking a $35 million bite out of salary cap next season? No way. The Cavs need to re-sign Varejao, and he'd be in the five-year, $50 million range. They need a younger big man. Wallace and O'Neal not only would preclude keeping Varejao, it would be a salary-cap choke chain, meaning they could not sign anyone else of that caliber.
Cleveland Plain Dealer

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Today's Top NFL Rumors.....


Jets making room for Ray Lewis?

The Ray Lewis rumors got a lot louder Thursday night. The Jets left themselves perilously thin at inside linebacker, releasing veteran backups David Bowens and Brad Kassell - moves that could mean they're clearing the deck to pursue Lewis or Ravens teammate Bart Scott, another inside linebacker. "They must be targeting a linebacker, probably from Baltimore," Bowens said in a phone interview. New coach Rex Ryan, previously the Ravens' defensive coordinator, knows Lewis and Scott as well as anyone. Ryan has only one experienced inside linebacker under contract, David Harris, so it doesn't take a genius to connect the dots.
New York Daily News


Panthers may still trade Peppers

I think Julius Peppers is gone. The Panthers can tie him up and lock him down. But I don't expect them to. The rules say that a team has to give the Panthers two first-round draft picks. The rules lie. The Minnesota Vikings gave Kansas City one first-round pick and two-third round picks before the 2008 season for their star franchise pass rusher, Jared Allen. Both Peppers and Allen had 14 1/2 sacks last season. If the Panthers, who are coming off two strong drafts, can get three picks, one in the first round, for Peppers, they should jump. The Panthers will take the best deal they can get. There are some intriguing combinations. My source wouldn't identify the four teams on Peppers' list. He would say only that one of the teams was Dallas, that one was in the AFC and two were teams to which the Panthers would not want to trade Peppers. The latter indicates that the teams are on Carolina's schedule next season. The AFC team? I'd guess Miami, Houston or New England.
Charlotte Observer


Browns-Bucs trade brewing?

A lot of the talk at the combine is centering around the Bucs and their quarterback position. Few believe the Bucs are ready to just hand the starter's job to Luke McCown, so the question is, who they will bring in to challenge McCown for the starter's job. Free agents such as Byron Leftwich, J.P. Losman and Patrick Ramsey are all being thrown around as possibilities but one possibility that is gaining steam would have the Bucs trading with the Browns for Derek Anderson. Anderson has one of the strongest arms in the league as well as just about every physical tool you need to be a difference maker at his position. What he doesn't have is a great understanding of defenses or the game's nuances. With a little work and a bit of a push he could be developed into one of the game's better quarterbacks and word is the Brown might take as little as a third-round pick for him. When you consider that he's younger than Luke McCown but has more experience than McCown it doesn't sound like a bad option for the Bucs to consider, especially with Jeff Jagodzinski running the offense.
St. Petersburg Times


Lions wine & dine Stafford

The Lions hosted a special guest for dinner Thursday night: Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. The potential No. 1 pick in the draft dined at an Indianapolis steakhouse with the Lions brass: president Tom Lewand, general manager Martin Mayhew, senior personnel executive James (Shack) Harris, coach Jim Schwartz and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. The Lions are expected to do the same with a prospect each night at the NFL scouting combine. They need much more than the standard 15-minute combine interview to vet potential top picks.
Detroit Free Press


Colts to part with Harrison

Everyone keeps focusing on WR Terrell Owens' future with the Cowboys. But the more pressing issues surround Colts WR Marvin Harrison. It's no longer a question of if Harrison, 36, will be let go. It has become a question of when. It will happen in the coming days, certainly before the new league year starts a week from Friday, but few are sure exactly when. But make no mistake: It is happening. The Colts no longer can afford to carry Harrison, who is scheduled to have a $13.4 million number for an Indianapolis team that is starving for more salary-cap room to deal with free-agents-to-be such as CB Kelvin Hayden. If the Colts were to release Harrison, his $13.4 million number instantly would come off the books, saving the team $7 million against the cap. Harrison still would count $6.4 million in dead money, but more importantly, there would be the $7 million savings. Plus, the Colts have been bracing for this day, drafting Anthony Gonzalez in the first round and grooming young WRs Roy Hall and Pierre Garcon. The Colts' first-round draft pick in 1996, Harrison will finish his Indianapolis career with 1,102 catches for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. It was a great career. The last chapter soon will be written.
NFL.com


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Today's Top NHL Rumors......


Rangers consider roster tweaks

With the NHL trade deadline two weeks away, Western Conference teams are scoping out the Rangers -- and vice versa. But pressed up against the salary cap, the Rangers can probably only tweak their roster, possibly adding the Stars' Sean Avery if the former Broadway pest is not grabbed on recall waivers on a team below them in the standings. They also could sign a low-rent defenseman, especially with Paul Mara's injured shoulder expected to keep him out or performing well under 100 percent until past the deadline. Some in the organization believe that if defense prospects Corey Potter and Bobby Sanguinetti aren't going to play regularly in New York for the rest of the season, they should continue gaining experience in Hartford.
New York Newsday


Teams eyeing Ducks, Kings talent

With the March 4 trade deadline approaching, will the Ducks and Kings be buyers or sellers? Both teams are still within reach of the playoffs and it's hard to predict what may happen. An unusually large contingent of scouts from opposing NHL teams have been on hand for last week's contests in Southern California. Ten scouts from nine NHL teams were at the Honda Center on Wednesday night, presumably keeping an eye on potential talent. At Monday's Kings- Atlanta Thrashers game, 11 scouts were on hand. Among Wednesday's scouts were representatives of some of the NHL's leading teams. The Philadelphia Flyers, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference, sent two scouts to Anaheim. The league's best team, the Boston Bruins, had one scout in attendance. So did the Chicago Blackhawks, fourth place in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Times


Leafs most likely to be traded

The Leafs, it's needless to say, have only one untouchable on their roster, and that's Luke Schenn. Otherwise, any player could be had, with different trade values assigned to them all. The four players believed to be most in play, however, are rearguards Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle, and forwards Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore. Kubina and Kaberle both have no-trade clauses and time on their contracts beyond this season, while Antropov and Moore are both pending unrestricted free agents. Interestingly, the approach on all four is likely to be very different. For Kaberle, don't listen too closely to what Burke is saying publicly. He's trying to set a market. But the approach the Leafs will take is that they will decide what they must get in a deal - let's say a first round pick and a top prospect - and then only listen to offers that hit that standard Otherwise, Kaberle stays, at least until next February when his value might be even higher. With Kubina, you get the best deal you can knowing you can always trade him in the summer when his no-trade evaporates. San Jose wanted him last winter and his value hasn't dropped, but if Burke has to wait until the draft to move the big blueliner, he'll wait. With Antropov, the Leafs will take the best offer. Antropov's going, and the value on his services will be set by the number of teams Burke can get interested in the tall Kazakh. Finally, Moore is the trickiest scenario of all. Teams are going to want him, and he's having a very strong season. But do the Leafs? They plucked him off the waiver wire last winter, and if they could get a second rounder or the kind of young player with size and toughness that Burke wants, chances are they make the move. What's a bit unclear is whether the Leafs intend on signing him if he isn't moved before the deadline.
Toronto Star


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Today's Top College Rumors......


UCLA losing recruit to USC?

With highly touted Fairfax High big man Renardo Sidney set to announce the college of his choice on Sunday, it appears that UCLA has dropped out of the running, sources said. As recently as a few days ago, the Bruins were thought to be a frontrunner to sign the 6-foot-11 senior, who is widely considered to rank among the 10 top prep players in the nation. There was some question about whether Sidney, who has not taken the SAT, could qualify academically. But little more than 48 hours from his announcement, it was not confirmed why the Bruins lost interest. The sources who said UCLA was out of the picture required anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Sidney might now be headed across town to USC. Sidney and his parents met Wednesday with USC Coach Tim Floyd, Athletic Director Mike Garrett and two other school officials.
Los Angeles Times


Miami rescinding top recruit offer

Top national football recruit Bryce Brown said he has decided to take his last of five official visits to the University of Miami -- but that decision might be too late. Citing an anonymous source ''involved in recruiting the running back,'' The Associated Press reported UM will not reissue its athletic scholarship offer to Brown when his national letter of intent expires Wednesday. Brown wrote Tuesday night on the website poten tialplayers.com that he planned to visit UM during spring practice March 3-5 ``to see how the coaches interact with the players at practice and look at how the new offense is coming along. And most importantly spend some time with my brother [UM linebacker Arthur Brown].'' Bryce Brown, a running back rated by Rivals.com as the nation's No. 1 overall prospect, also officially visited Missouri, Oregon, Clemson and Tennessee. He wants to make an unofficial visit to LSU the weekend of Feb. 27. Brown declined to choose a school Feb. 4, known as National Signing Day. However, the signing period officially ends April 1.
Miami Herald


Bradford back in 2010?

Not only was former Sooner center Jon Cooper not surprised quarterback Sam Bradford returned for his junior season at Oklahoma, Cooper fully expects the Heisman Trophy quarterback to stay for his senior year, too. "Me and him have gotten to be pretty good friends. He loves it at OU, there was no doubt he was going back," Cooper said. "I bet right now, he's planning on going back again. That could change, but right now, there's no thought of leaving in his mind. He's the quarterback at OU. Nothing beats college life. I miss it already, I tell you that much. There's nothing bad to say about it."
Daily Oklahoman



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Today's Top MMA Rumors.......


Update to Rumored UFC 98 Fight Card

UFC 98: MAY 23, 2009venue: TBA in Las Vegas, Nevada

-Frank Mir (#3 Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Brock Lesnar (#10 Heavyweight in the World)*
-Matt Hughes (#6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (#7 Welterweight in the World)*
-Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
-James Irvin vs. Drew McFedries
-Andre Gusmao vs. Houston Alexander
-Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
-George Roop vs. David KaplanMain
-Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida

card airs on pay-per-view for $44.95 in the United States* Based on the MMAWeekly.com World MMA RankingsSource: MMAWEEKLY.com


Dana White hints at Evans v Machida in the UK

Dana White has promised exclusively on Setanta Sports that The UFC will stage a title fight on British shores ‘this summer’.January 2008 was the last time UK fight fans witnessed a title fight, when BJ Penn destroyed Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 in Newcastle. Since then, main events have included Matt Hughes v Thiago Alves, Michael Bisping v Chris Leben, and Dan Henderson v Rich Franklin – none of which were five-rounders. With Bisping’s next fight against Henderson set for UFC 100 in Las Vegas, White has confirmed the summer UFC event in the UK will be headlined by a title fight – most likely to be Lyoto Machida vs Rashad Evans. Penn v Florian is pencilled in for UFC 99, GSP v Alves for UFC 100, Silva v Leites for UFC 97, and Lesnar v Mir for UFC 98, leaving Evans’ first title defence the obvious option. White also confirmed that Machida would get his shot 'this summer'. “British fans always terrorise me about showing title fights in the UK,” White told Setanta Sports News. “The answer is this...yes there will be a big event in the UK this summer and yes it will be a title fight.” The UFC president also had a message for Scottish fight fans, promising to take a UFC event north of the border by the end of 2010. “There will also be a card in Scotland, I thought we might manage it this year, maybe we still will – but yes it will definitely happen soon.”
Source: Setanta.com


Sanchez scoffs at Penn fight

Diego Sanchez is likely to fight B.J. Penn for the belt sometime in the summer, potentially in June at UFC 99 in Germany. Sanchez, though, scoffs at the match and said the fight will weaken the public's perception of the championship. "I beat Kenny Florian in, what, two minutes and 30 seconds?" Sanchez asks. "I went out there and dominated him. I beat him up bad, worse than you've ever seen, and you know what? He didn't even land a punch on me. I did something that not even [former UFC lightweight champion Sean] Sherk could do. I gave him the worst beating of his career." Florian, though, is a vastly different fighter now than he was then, though it's nothing Sanchez wants to hear.
Yahoo! Sports


Kimbo limbo over?

The Kimbo Limbo is finally ending. On Oct. 4, last-minute replacement Seth Petruzelli knocked out YouTube sensation Kimbo Slice in 14 seconds, live on CBS. EliteXC, the promotion that brought mixed martial arts to prime-time network TV, didn't last much longer. Ailing parent company ProElite closed down most of its operations and reduced itself to a skeleton crew. For four months, multiple interview requests went unreturned, and fighters such as Slice and Gina Carano were left idle. Strikeforce recently bought many of ProElite's assets. The deal can bring several fighters back into action after an agonizing wait. Cris "Cyborg" Santos, poised to face Carano after some dominant wins, has come to terms with Strikeforce, as has EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler. Also out of limbo is Showtime, CBS' premium cable channel, which aired many EliteXC events. Strikeforce, which already has a deal with NBC for late-night programming, will mark its new relationship with Showtime with a live card April 11 featuring MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock against Nick Diaz. Scott Smith, who twice faced Lawler in EliteXC, will fight Benji Radach. The rest of the card is undetermined while Strikeforce nails down contract details with many of EliteXC's top fighters. Near the top of Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker's wish list: Carano, an explosive fighter and ubiquitous sports media presence.
USA Today


UFC 97 will play in Montreal

A UFC 97 event planned for the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, has reportedly been saved. Lat week Canadian officials said the UFC could not conduct the April 18 "UFC 97: Redemption" card with the UFC's current rules. However, according to corussports.com, a French-language website that has covered the series of events, the UFC will prohibit foot stomps at the commission's request, but elbow and knee strikes will not be banned for the upcoming pay-per-view show. The commission's current policies only apply to boxing, kickboxing and something called "mixed boxing" that does not include MMA. The policies do not provide regulations on the use of a cage.
Yahoo! Sports

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