Friday, November 10, 2006

Rumors and Headlines

Louisville's national title hopes? Rutgers put those to rest, pulling off the biggest victory in school history as the 15th-ranked Knights beat the No. 3 Cardinals 28-25 to stay undefeated at 9-0.
Cnnsi.com

Most of the experts have Carlos Lee headed to Houston because he has a ranch there, but sources close to Lee insist the Cubs are his preferred destination because of his numbers in Wrigley Field and a chance to show up the White Sox.
Chicago Tribune

Lee and Soriano are expected to sign two of the off-season's richest contracts. And, since owner Mike Ilitch likely will authorize a payroll near $90 million, the Tigers might have the financial capability to sign one or the other.
Detroit Free Press

Early candidates to replace Josh Barfield at second base in San Diego are free agents Craig Counsell and Nomar Garciaparra and the Braves' Marcus Giles.
San Diego Union-Tribune

Two different major-league officials believed Yankees OF Gary Sheffield will end up with the Cubs or Athletics. The Padres are also in the mix, but the Astros aren't.
New York Post

LeBron James grew particularly close with Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul on Team USA this summer, though there were some incidents with others who resented the star treatment James seemed to expect. There was an incident early in Team USA's training camp when Spurs veteran Bruce Bowen took exception to a brusque exchange with James and suggested quite loudly that "a please or a thank-you would be nice on occasion."
Chicago Tribune

Larry Brown confidants say he will coach again, possibly for his buddy Michael Jordan in Charlotte.
New York Post

This past summer, Kenyon Martin was on the trade block and both the Nets and Knicks discussed trade scenarios for Martin, who declined to comment if he had requested a trade. He did spend a lot of time around the Nets during last spring's playoffs. Jason Kidd makes it no secret that he'd love to have Martin back.
Newsday

Seattle has been all but mathematically eliminated as a long-term home for the Sonics, meaning the future of professional basketball in the area is down to two options -- the suburbs or so long. By overwhelmingly approving Initiative 91 on Tuesday, Seattle voters effectively ended any notion that the NBA and the team would remain in its namesake city.
Seattle Times

In an attempt to recapture his trademark accuracy, which didn't make the trip to Cleveland 11 days ago, Chad Pennington has been instructed to stick with his basic reads and stop trying to outfox the defense by scanning the entire field.
New York Daily News

When Damon Huard returns Sunday to South Florida with the NFL's second-best passer rating as the Chiefs' quarterback, it will serve as yet another painful reminder of the Dolphins' dreadful search for Dan Marino's successor. And considering former coach Dave Wannstedt chose Jay Fiedler as the starter in 2000 despite Marino's persistent lobbying for Huard to serve as his successor, it certainly could be argued that the team moved in the wrong direction.
Miami Herald

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with a move for Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon cost Juventus a total of £32m when he moved from Parma in 2001.
Talking Soccer

Freddy Adu has been granted permission by D.C. United and MLS to join renowned English club Manchester United for two weeks of offseason training beginning Nov. 18, the first step in what might lead to a permanent move to Europe next year.
Washington Post

Deportivo de La Coruña's Portuguese international center-back Jorge Andrade has shown himself to be open to approaches from Barcelona or Valencia. The defender let the confession slip in an interview with Portuguese daily O Jogo.
Goal.com

Italian giant Juventus is considering bringing Fabrizio Miccoli back to Turin. The idea is to reinforce the Vecchia Signora's attack in a potential return to Serie A given the sharp performances that the number 30 has been putting on in Portugal -- when he's not injured.
Goal.com