 | 
| A few weeks remain between now and the start of spring training, but teams have been somewhat busy in the interim, making a few last-minute free agent signings, preparing for arbitration hearings, and players and owners alike getting out their short-sleeved shirts for long nights of partying in Arizona and Florida. And then there are the days, spent playing a game for kids in mid-70s/low-80s sunshine�and getting paid gobs and gobs and gobs of money to do so. Sigh. But it�s not so bad for fans, either, and if you can make your way to Arizona or Florida, you�ll never forget it. And it�s not so bad for fantasy players, either, because the start of spring training heralds fantasy drafts. + more |
Miguel Cairo (2B)
New York Yankees
2007-02-02 07:23:22 | Right-hander Matt DeSalvo, designated for assignment last month by the Yankees to make room for infielder Miguel Cairo on the 40-man roster, yesterday was sent outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. DeSalvo, who spent part of last year with Double-A Trenton, will attend major-league spring training as a non-roster invitee. (Newark Star-Ledger)
| Austin Kearns (RF)
Washington Nationals
2007-02-02 07:22:24 | Given the skyrocketing market for players this offseason, it's possible that if Austin Kearns fulfills his potential -- and Manager Manny Acta said yesterday he expects "big things, 25-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs" -- the Nationals could get a bargain. At 26, Kearns is still coming into his prime as a hitter. Injuries and inconsistency have limited him to an average of 103 games a season. He has made four trips to the disabled list, and in 2005 the Reds sent him to the minors because of poor performance. The Nationals, though, are undeterred. (Washington Post)
| Houston Astros (Team)
Houston Astros
2007-02-02 07:20:14 | Who will anchor the back end of the Astros rotation? Asked what his plan is for the fourth and fifth starters, Phil Garner answered, "I have no plan." In other words, he'll head to Spring Training with an open mind. He admitted lefty Rodriguez probably has a "leg up" on the competition for the fourth starter job. Chris Sampson will receive strong consideration to be the No. 5, as will Brian Moehler, Dave Borkowski, Nieve and Matt Albers. Whoever pitches the best in Spring Training may not win a starting job. He may head to the bullpen as a long reliever, which Garner figures he'll need with only two innings-eaters on the staff, Oswalt and Jennings. (Houston.Astros.MLB.com)
| Marino Salas (RP)
Milwaukee Brewers
2007-02-02 07:19:30 | The Milwaukee Brewers continued to build pitching depth by claiming minor-league reliever Marino Salas off waivers Thursday from the Baltimore Orioles. Salas, who turns 26 today, is a 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander from the Dominican Republic. He pitched at Class AA Bowie last season, going 2-6 with a 2.92 earned run average and 19 saves in 44 appearances. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
| Philadelphia Phillies (Team)
Philadelphia Phillies
2007-02-02 07:18:42 | Now Brett Myers, second-year lefthander Cole Hamels and newly acquired righthander Freddy Garcia give the Phillies a top three in their rotation who could stack up against any team in the league. (Philadelphia Daily News)
| Minnesota Twins (Team)
Minnesota Twins
2007-02-02 07:17:46 | With spring training just 16 days away, the Twins have nearly 30 unsigned players on their 40-man roster. But most are not salary arbitration eligible and therefore have little bargaining power. (St. Paul Pioneer-Press)
| Michael Tejera (RP)
Pittsburgh Pirates
2007-02-02 07:17:07 | The Pirates have agreed to terms with left-handed starter Michael Tejera on a minor-league contract, with an invitation to major-league camp. Tejera, 30, has pitched in 111 major-league games, including three last season with the Texas Rangers, and is 11-13 with a 5.14 ERA. Last season, with Class AAA Fresno in the San Francisco Giants' system, he was 8-5 with a 3.80 ERA. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
| Mike Matheny (C)
San Francisco Giants
2007-02-02 07:16:09 | Mike Matheny retired on Thursday, and it was shocking to nobody. The Giants' catcher never fully recovered after he was hit in the head by a series of foul tips in late May, and he was not in the team's plans for 2007. Last month, the Giants signed catcher Bengie Molina to a three-year, $16 million contract. "I know I'm getting better. I can do anything most normal people can do," said Matheny, still dealing with post-concussion syndrome. "The frustrating part is, I can't do the one thing I love to do, so that's where the frustration comes in. "This was not a shoulder or a knee or an elbow. We're talking about the brain, and sometimes that was difficult for me to understand. As much as we do know about it, there's so little that we actually know about the workings of the brain." (San Francisco Chronicle)
| Brian Meadows (RP)
Cincinnati Reds
2007-02-02 07:15:24 | The Reds added more competition for spots on the pitching staff Thursday when they signed veteran reliever Brian Meadows to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training. Meadows was 3-6 with a 5.17 ERA and eight saves in 53 games last season for the Devil Rays. A Major Leaguer since 1998, the right-hander has also pitched for the Marlins, Royals, Padres and Pirates. (Cincinatti.Reds.MLB.com)
| Tony Armas (SP)
Pittsburgh Pirates
2007-02-02 07:14:34 | The Pirates yesterday finally found the right-handed starter they had sought all offseason, signing free agent Tony Armas to a one-year contract worth $3.5 million. There is a mutual option for 2008 that would pay $5 million if exercised, possibly more based on his 2007 performance. If the team or player does not agree to that option, the team must pay a $500,000 buyout. That would seem to be a high price for someone not guaranteed a starting spot. Earlier this month, the Pirates retained Shawn Chacon with a one-year deal worth $3.8 million. And their plan, as general manager Dave Littlefield confirmed last night, is to use spring training to determine which of those two -- and, possibly, Shane Youman or Marty McLeary -- will start and which will work in long relief. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
| Brett Myers (SP)
Philadelphia Phillies
2007-02-02 07:11:33 | Phillies righthander Brett Myers agreed to a three-year contract extension last night. The deal, which is contingent on Myers' passing a physical exam, is worth $25.75 million. The physical is considered a formality. Myers was examined by the Phillies' medical people earlier this winter and checked out fine. The 26-year-old pitcher is serious about having a strong season - both for himself and the team. "We've got some pretty darn good arms," he said. "Hopefully, from a competition standpoint, we'll all push each other. Let me tell you, [Cole] Hamels is going to be tough to beat in strikeouts this season." Myers and Hamels ranked first and second in the National League with 107 and 101 strikeouts after the all-star break in 2006. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
| John Patterson (SP)
Washington Nationals
2007-02-02 07:10:50 | Nats ace John Patterson, who is coming off elbow problems that limited him to eight starts last year, said he has had no problems in offseason workouts. "I haven't had anything go wrong," he said, and he expects to proceed with a normal spring training and be ready for Opening Day. (Washington Post)
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West Conf Hot/Not Report (Feb. 2) | 
| In this week�s Hot/Not report, we feature a recently traded wing with Center eligibility: none other than Warriors SF/PF/C Al Harrington. The trade has been very kind to the multi-eligible sudden stat machine. Other players who are getting it done include a certain journeyman PG (Memphis' Chucky Atkins) and three emerging young bigs that have been cleaning so much glass they may need union memberships. Plus, we examine the true value of another higher profile young glass cleaner. Let�s get right down to business.
-- Hot --
SF/PF/C Al Harrington, Golden State
Baby Al is turning into a dominating fantasy presence with the Warriors. In his last three games, Al has averaged 28.5 ppg (76.0 FG%, 70.6 FT%, 3.5 3PM), 4.5 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.0 spg. Obviously, those numbers will not be sustained, but they indicate the kind of nutty production possible in Nellie�s system. + more |
Carlos Boozer (F)
Utah Jazz
2007-02-02 07:35:49 | Former Cav Carlos Boozer, now a star with the Utah Jazz, is out four to six weeks with a fracture in his leg. That assures he'll miss the meeting with the Cavs in Salt Lake City in two weeks and puts his playing in the Jazz's lone visit to Cleveland, on March 17, in doubt. Since Boozer left two seasons ago, he has been able to play against the Cavs only once, and that wasn't in Cleveland. (Akron Beacon Journal)
| Brevin Knight (G)
Charlotte Bobcats
2007-02-02 07:34:00 | Scratch that "Brevin Knight needs a week of practice" plan. Having missed 19 games with a torn abdominal muscle, Knight, the Charlotte Bobcats point guard, plans to play either tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers or Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. More likely, Knight said, he'll wait until Saturday so he doesn't immediately face games on back-to-back nights. However, he has given up on waiting for a full-scale practice to test his recovery. (Charlotte Observer)
| Antawn Jamison (F)
Washington Wizards
2007-02-02 07:32:28 | Forward Antawn Jamison will miss three to six weeks with a sprained left knee, removing the Washington Wizards' most versatile front-court player from the lineup for at least eight and as many as 19 games as the team tries to hold on to its position atop the Eastern Conference. (Washington Post)
| Eddie Jones (F)
Miami Heat
2007-02-02 07:31:24 | Eddie Jones said he strongly considered signing with the Dallas Mavericks, but decided instead to come back to familiar territory. Jones, a 6-6 guard, is a Pompano Beach native and spent five seasons with the Heat from 2000 to 2005. ''I'm just happy to be here where I have an opportunity,'' said Jones, who led the Heat in scoring in four of his five seasons in Miami. ``It's still home. I'm just trying to get it right. It's the Eastern Conference, and I feel like this team is going to get right.'' Jones' role this time will be defensive stopper. His signing came less than a week after Knicks guard Jamal Crawford torched the Heat for 52 points. A day later, Bulls guards Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon combined for 60 points to beat the Heat. ''I can still defend and I can still lead,'' said Jones, who was named to the NBA's All-Defensive Team on three occasions. ``I'm just willing to do almost anything needed. I'm just happy, man. I haven't had a smile this big in a long time.'' (Miami Herald)
| Los Angeles Clippers (Team)
Los Angeles Clippers
2007-02-02 07:29:59 | Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said it is unlikely the Clippers would make a trade before the Feb.22 deadline. But one player - not named Corey Maggette - wants out. Maggette requested a trade more than a month ago, through his agent. The Clippers explored options but none surfaced that interested them. Now second-year forward James Singleton wants to change teams. Singleton was the first player out of the locker room after Wednesday's victory over Chicago. "I don't want to sound like I'm whining," Singleton said. "I just want to play, and I don't think it'll be here. I'm never getting the opportunity, and so I told my agent to call them and ask them to trade me." (OC Post)
| Smush Parker (G)
Los Angeles Lakers
2007-02-02 07:27:52 | Smush Parker will start another game at guard for the Lakers tonight, 137 consecutive and counting. An unrestricted free agent come July, Parker has performed at an improved level recently, averaging enough points (16.5) over the last two games to make Coach Phil Jackson acknowledge, "He's playing much better." ... Jackson revealed Thursday that Parker, in the final year of a contract that pays him $798,000 this season, was bothered by contract issues at the start of the season. He makes significantly less than several Lakers guards, none of whom are starters. (LA Times)
| Raef LaFrentz (F)
Portland Trail Blazers
2007-02-02 07:27:15 | Raef LaFrentz is barely playing these days for Portland. ... LaFrentz, 30, is seeing the prime of his career slip away. His contract runs through 2009, and it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually seeks to be traded. "That's talk for later," said LaFrentz, making $11.53 million this season. (Rocky Mountain News)
| Dikembe Mutombo (C)
Houston Rockets
2007-02-02 07:26:24 | Dikembe Mutombo, amidst a victory lap of a final season, might just come back for an encore. With every blocked shot, every rebound, every locker-room joke that has left him roaring, Mutombo seems to move another step further from retirement. Realizing this, Mutombo has reconsidered his plan to complete his contract and retire after this season, and he said this week that if he can stay healthy he would like to play another season after all. "Things have gone to our favor," Mutombo said. "The team is playing great. The defense is going good. I'm playing well. That changed a lot. That changed my perception of myself and the future and how I want to exit the game. That's why I have to make a decision, should I exit now or should I play one more year. "At this point, it seems like I'll be coming to play one more year." (Houston Chronicle)
| Vince Carter (F)
New Jersey Nets
2007-02-02 07:25:25 | With the NBA's trading deadline only three weeks away, rumors continue to circulate Vince Carter could be on the move from the Nets, who have until June 30 to extend his current contract no more than three years. One of the teams often mentioned in the running for him is the Magic -- partly because he owns a home in Orlando, partly because the Magic can come close to paying him the $16.3 million the Nets will owe him if he doesn't exercise the opt-out clause in his contract. "There's nothing to talk about," Carter said before the season began. "It's an option, but it's an option that I'm not worrying about or talking about because this season is more important to me than worrying about my option." (Daytona Beach News-Journal)
| LeBron James (F)
Cleveland Cavaliers
2007-02-01 20:56:01 | Cavs star LeBron James tried to shake off a sore big toe Thursday night, returning to the lineup after missing the previous game. James scored 17 points and had 9 dimes, he shot poorly (6-18 FG, 3-8 FT) in the 3 point loss to Miami.
| Daniel Gibson (G)
Cleveland Cavaliers
2007-02-01 20:33:09 | Cavs G Daniel Gibson scored 19 points in a losing effort Thursday night. He was extremely efficient offensively (5-6 FG, 4-6 3PM, 5-6 FT).
| Shaquille O \'Neal (C)
Miami Heat
2007-02-01 20:30:18 | After missing the last two games, Heat C Shaquille O'Neal was back on the court Thursday, playing 28 minutes while delivering 16 points and 8 rebounds, easily his best all-around outing since coming back from knee surgery. He also fouled out.
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The Power Play Report (Feb. 2) | 
| In this week�s edition of the Power Play Report, we rewind for a moment (two months to be exact) and take a look back at the PP report from December 2. That article explained how important it was to pay very close attention to certain power-play trends and how they can influence a player�s performance. In particular, we examined the Ottawa Senators and how a power-play that was hovering around the 10 percent mark was affecting the poor production of Daniel Alfredsson during the season�s first two months. With fantasy owners frustrated and left wondering about his performance, we predicted that the Senators� captain would dramatically increase his numbers once their power-play improved to a more realistic and stabilizing number. + more |
Sergei Gonchar (D)
Pittsburgh Penguins
2007-02-01 23:43:27 | Penguins� defenseman Sergei Gonchar had 2 goals and 1 assist in his team�s exciting 5-4 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night. All three of Gonchar�s points came on the powerplay.
| Marian Gaborik (RW)
Minnesota Wild
2007-02-01 23:41:01 | Wild winger Marian Gaborik took over his team�s game with the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night to lead his team to a 5-3 victory. The speedy Slovak had 2 goals, including the game winner with less than five minutes remaining, and added an assist in arguably his best performance of the season.
| Markus Naslund (RW)
Vancouver Canucks
2007-02-01 23:39:28 | Canucks� winger Markus Naslund had 1 goal and 1 assist in his team�s 5-3 victory over division rival Edmonton on Thursday night. Naslund�s goal was not only beautiful but also was the game winner.
| Evgeni Nabokov (G)
San Jose Sharks
2007-02-01 23:37:48 | Sharks� goaltender Evgeni Nabokov got the start on Thursday night after Vesa Toskala had started the previous two games in a row and was promptly pulled after allowing 2 goals on only 8 shots in the 1st period. The Sharks were defeated by the Stars on 4-2.
| Ed Belfour (G)
Florida Panthers
2007-02-01 21:52:18 | Panthers goalie Ed Belfour got the nod again on Thursday stopping 27 shots in Florida's 6-3 victory over Washington.
| Dainius Zubrus (RW)
Washington Capitals
2007-02-01 19:44:20 | Capitals forward Dainius Zubrus recorded three points on Thursday scoring 1 goal and 2 assists in Washington's 6-3 loss to the Florida Panthers.
| Alexandre Picard (D)
Philadelphia Flyers
2007-02-01 19:32:07 | Flyers defenseman Alexandre Picard had his best game as a pro recording 5 assists in Philadelphia's 6-5 overtime loss to New Jersey on Thursday.
| Vaclav Prospal (LW)
Tampa Bay Lightning
2007-02-01 19:26:12 | Lightining forward, Vaclav Prospal had two assists in Tampa's 4-0 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.
| Joe Pavelski (C)
San Jose Sharks
2007-02-01 13:41:24 | According to the San Jose Mercury News, Sharks Center Joe Pavelski is questionable for Thursday night's rematch with the Dallas Stars after suffering a minor injury on Tuesday when a puck struck him in the foot.
| Jeff Tambellini (LW)
New York Islanders
2007-02-01 13:15:58 | According to TSN, New York Islanders Forward Jeff Tambellini has been recalled from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL and will play tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers.
| Bryan Berard (D)
Columbus Blue Jackets
2007-02-01 12:51:21 | After missing 82 games over the past two seasons due to serious back problems, Columbus Blue Jackets Defenceman Bryan Berard finally returned to action on Wednesday night versus the Edmonton Oilers, playing for just under 14 minutes and picking up a +1 rating.
| Brad Boyes (C)
Boston Bruins
2007-02-01 12:12:01 | Boston Bruins Sophomore Brad Boyes will skate alongside Stanislav Chistov and Petr Tenkrat on the teams fourth line tonight against the Buffalo Sabres as he looks to end a season-high 15 game pointless streak.
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Power Conferences Report (Feb. 1) |  | We are finally reaching the time of the year in which college basketball will be king. The Super Bowl will be out of the way, NFL draft nerds have several months to really get whipped into a froth, and NBA regular season games seem pre-decided. From February through March, college basketball hits the homestretch and any team can make a run toward glory by getting hot at the right moment, winning their conference tournament, and doing some damage in the NCAA tournament. For the big boys, seeding is yet to be determined and a team can drop several seeds with just one loss. Every night on several cable stations there are meaningful, hard-played basketball games that often come down to the final minute thanks to the three point shot. + more |
An early look at six top QBs | 
| The 2007 season is still a ways off, but it�s already time to look ahead. Projecting the top quarterbacks is always an inexact science, particularly with the season still months away. In any case, this is an early projection of six quarterbacks I�d expect to start the year as the top ones in college football. Is there any question Colt Brennan should be the top fantasy quarterback for next season? After that, things are a little muddy for the two and three spots, but Graham Harrell and Chase Holbrook are ones to watch. Additionally, John David Booty should only get better with another offseason of working within their offensive systems, while Pat White and Brian Brohm will continue to be strong.
Colt Brennan, Hawaii
The Warrior faithful have to be pleased Brennan returned for his senior year on the islands; now he can begin an assault on his own record-setting 2006 season. + more |
Ben Mauk (QB)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2007-02-01 20:21:33 | ESPN.com is reporting Mauk has decided to transfer from Wake Forest. Mauk wants to transfer due to academic reasons, but he was unlikely to claim the starting job from Riley Skinner.
| Al Pena (QB)
Oklahoma State
2007-01-28 18:22:00 | ESPN.com is reporting Pena is seeking a transfer from Oklahoma State to play at Houston in his final year of eligibility. The senior quarterback was planning to use the NCAA rule that stated players could transfer and be immediately eligible if they had already graduated. The NCAA changed that rule after the 2006 season.
| Willie Williams (LB)
Louisville
2007-01-26 05:36:24 | ESPN.com is reporting Williams has decided to transfer to Louisville. Williams is known for his troubles while at Miami, but he played last season at West Los Angeles Community College.
| Max Hall (QB)
BYU
2007-01-22 19:10:06 | After Jacob Bower decided to quit the Cougar football team, Hall has become the front-runner to win the starting job in 2007.
| Jacob Bower (QB)
Brigham Young Cougars
2007-01-22 19:00:22 | ESPN.com is reporting Bower has decided to leave the Cougar football team.
| Steve Slaton (RB)
West Virginia Mountaineers
2007-01-18 21:31:37 | SportingNews.com is reporting Slaton had surgery on his wrist and will miss spring practice.
| Colt Brennan (QB)
Hawaii
2007-01-17 19:54:45 | Brennan has announced his intention to return to Hawaii for his senior season. Brennan set the NCAA record for most touchdown passes in a season with 58 in 2006.
| Ben Cleveland (TE)
Arkansas Razorbacks
2007-01-17 19:52:21 | Sportingnews.com is reporting Cleveland intends to stay at Arkansas, despite two of his Springdale teammates - Mitch Mustain and Damian Williams have decided to transfer.
| Mitch Mustain (QB)
Arkansas Razorbacks
2007-01-16 17:44:42 | ESPN.com is reporting Mustain has asked and received permission by head coach Houston Nutt to transfer from Arkansas.
| Marcus Cross (RB)
Utah State
2007-01-16 17:39:28 | ESPN.com is reporting Cross has decided to transfer from Utah State. According to the report, Cross will transfer to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
| Demetrice Morley (DB)
Tennesee Volunteers
2007-01-13 22:13:19 | SportingNews.com is reporting Morley has been dismissed from the Volunteer team. Morley was a starting safety this season and apparently his dismissal has to deal with academics.
| Kole McKamey (QB)
New Mexico Lobos
2007-01-12 18:29:08 | ESPN.com is reporting McKamey has decided to end an attempt to play for the Lobos in 2007. McKamey suffered a season ending injury last season and was attempting a comeback for next year, but he has decided not to play next year.
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Wide Receiver Cheat Sheet (Playoffs) | 
| Want to win at playoff fantasy football? All you need to do, really, is master the art of drafting receivers. There are so many to choose from, but only a handful will have really big playoff seasons. Lose out and you'll fail entirely; land the post-season's top wideout and you will find success.Should Philadelphia go far, they'll need help from Reggie Brown and Donte Stallworth. Brown has been the lead guy but who is to know what to expect now that January has arrived. Indianapolis has several key receivers but Marvin Harrison's injury concern (at least in the opening round) will force the team to rely more heavily on Reggie Wayne (who is also a little banged up). + more |
Chicago Bears (Team)
Chicago Bears
2007-02-02 06:58:42 | Lance Briggs, discussing defensive coordinator Ron Rivera's credentials to be a head coach, said: "People define greatness by Super Bowl wins. He has played in one, and he has coached in a few, and he's definitely coaching in this one and winning it." A reporter located Briggs later Thursday morning and quizzed him on whether he was in fact guaranteeing a Bears victory. "No � no," Briggs stammered, mindful of coach Lovie Smith's playoff directive not to issue inflammatory statements. "I don't know how that publication got out. I was just talking about what a win would do for [Rivera]." (Chicago Tribune)
| Denver Broncos (Team)
Denver Broncos
2007-02-02 06:56:50 | When the Broncos decide what they want to do with quarterback Jake Plummer in the coming weeks, they will have to alter their approach some. While Plummer and safety John Lynch are still represented by Athletes First, the agency's lead agent, David Dunn, has been suspended from negotiating for his clients or personally pursuing new clients for a year by the NFL Players' Association. The penalty comes in the wake of an old lawsuit that was a result of Dunn splitting from Leigh Steinberg's agency. Plummer and Lynch have said they would retain Dunn but that someone else from the agency would have to handle any negotiations. That includes any talks with the Broncos. (Rocky Mountain News)
| Miami Dolphins (Team)
Miami Dolphins
2007-02-02 06:56:07 | Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor ($9.47 million) and kicker Olindo Mare ($2.32 million) were the NFL's highest-paid players at their respective positions in 2006. Zach Thomas ($7.29 million) ranked second among linebackers behind Baltimore's Ray Lewis ($8.43 million). (Fort Lauderdale News-Sentinel)
| Chukky Okobi (C)
Pittsburgh Steelers
2007-02-02 06:55:18 | Chukky Okobi, Jeff Hartings' Steelers backup the past six years who likely will take his spot next season. There's no guarantee that Okobi will take over -- rookie Marvin Philip also was on the roster last season -- and the Steelers have a new head coach and offensive line coach. But they have been grooming Okobi for this day. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
| Frank Gore (RB)
San Francisco 49ers
2007-02-02 06:54:37 | As his last act of the season, Frank Gore vowed to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record next season. The 49ers running back made his vow on New Year's Day, proclaiming, "Yeah, I'll get that." Dickerson, 46, had been unaware of that comment until Thursday. Upon hearing Gore's boast, the Hall of Fame running back delivered a surprising, diplomatic response: He laughed. "I said the same thing to O.J.," Dickerson said. Dickerson met O.J. Simpson during a recruiting visit to USC. Before a Trojans practice, the high school senior introduced himself to the man who had rushed for 2,003 yards. "I said, 'I'm from Sealy High School and I'm going to break your record one day,'" Dickerson recalled. And how did the Juice respond? "He said, 'Oh, really,' " Dickerson said. Dickerson welcomed the challenge. As he prepared for a celebrity flag football game at the Super Bowl, MediaNews tracked him down to let him know that Gore has him in his sights. "I like it," Dickerson said. "I like a guy who feels like that, that he has a chance to break that record. ... I think Frank is that kind of back." (Contra Costa Times)
| Marlin Jackson (DB)
Indianapolis Colts
2007-02-02 06:53:55 | A day after Colts coach Tony Dungy described Nick Harper's situation as "pretty iffy," defensive coordinator Ron Meeks said he is operating on the assumption Harper won't play. That means Marlin Jackson would start and Kelvin Hayden would assume Jackson's role as the nickel back. "I'm in the game plan already. It just means I would be in it even more," Jackson said. "I still think (Harper) is going to play. It's the Super Bowl. But either way, I am preparing myself mentally to do whatever I need to do." (Indianapolis Star)
| San Diego Chargers (Team)
San Diego Chargers
2007-02-02 06:52:49 | Marty Schottenheimer is looking for another position coach. Greg Manusky, the Chargers' linebackers coach the past five seasons, has been hired as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. �I'm trying to move up the ladder of success,� Manusky said. �Hopefully I'll have that in San Francisco.� Manusky is the third assistant to leave since the Chargers' season ended in a Jan. 14 playoff loss. Shawne Merriman will be taking assistant linebackers coach John Pagano, who likely will be the leading candidate to take over for Manusky and could even be a candidate to replace Wade Phillips if Phillips is hired in Dallas. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
| New York Jets (Team)
New York Jets
2007-02-02 06:51:25 | A source said former Dolphins defensive line coach Dan Quinn interviewed Thursday for the same position with the New York Jets and also has drawn strong interest from Arizona. Quinn was fired by new Dolphins coach Cam Cameron earlier this week after refusing to sign a contract extension, two sources said. (Fort Lauderdale News-Sentinel)
| New York Jets (Team)
New York Jets
2007-02-02 06:50:34 | According to an NFL source, the NFL has exonerated the Jets of any wrongdoing in their pursuit of former Patriots receiver Deion Branch, who was in a contract squabble with the Patriots in training camp and ended up going to the Seahawks. But New England officials accused the Jets, who were also interested in acquiring Branch, of tampering and filed a complaint to the league. (New York Post)
| Miami Dolphins (Team)
Miami Dolphins
2007-02-02 06:49:43 | Randy Mueller is staying as the Dolphins' general manager. A candidate for the Tennessee Titans' vacant GM job, Mueller is not among the three finalists that the club picked to interview a second time with owner Bud Adams. Mueller did not interview with the Titans, and that is the primary reason he is no longer being considered. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga is expected to confirm today that Mueller will remain with Miami. Huizenga, along with coach Cam Cameron, is scheduled to meet with the media this afternoon. (Miami Herald)
| Corey Simon (DT)
Indianapolis Colts
2007-02-02 06:49:01 | The date for a hearing regarding a grievance defensive tackle Corey Simon filed with the league against the Colts will be set in the near future, according to NFL Players Association general counsel Richard Berthelsen. Simon filed a grievance against the team after it placed him on the league's non-football illness/injury list in early October and refused to pay him the final $1.9 million of his $2.5 million base salary. The Colts also are attempting to recoup an $8 million option bonus they paid Simon last offseason. He suffered a knee injury that required surgery in training camp, then was placed on the non-football illness/injury list with an undisclosed illness. (Indianapolis Star)
| Tennessee Titans (Team)
Tennessee Titans
2007-02-02 06:48:13 | Former Green Bay Packers executive Mike Reinfeldt is a leading candidate for the Tennessee Titans' general manager job, but the Packers' current director of pro personnel, Reggie McKenzie, no longer is in the running, said sources familiar with the Titans' search. (Green Bay Press Gazette)
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