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Big Ben's Saturday Rumors & Notes

Baseball Rumors & Notes

The Red Sox have refused to swap right fielder Trot Nixon to Toronto for Kelvim Escobar, but they are now pushing another name: left-hander Casey Fossum. The deal, according to baseball sources, would be one-for-one, but the Blue Jays are believed to be looking for more from the Red Sox, with that extra bit possibly being a minor leaguer. Fossum, whom the Red Sox refused to include in a winter deal for Montreal's Bartolo Colon, may well wind up being optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

The Pirates are attempting to package Brian Giles and Jason Kendall in a trade. From the Padres, the Pirates would get at least two players from a group that consists of outfielder Xavier Nady, third baseman Sean Burroughs and pitchers Jake Peavy and Oliver Perez.

Will the Braves trade for one of the few proven relievers out there and known to be on the market? They could go for versatile Mets right-hander Dave Weathers or Anaheim lefty Scott Schoenweis.

Pittsburgh starter Jeff Suppan could be headed to St. Louis. The Cardinals also are making a play for Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sidney Ponson and consider Suppan, who has a $500,000 buyout of his option year, a lesser priority. Suppan is scheduled to start Monday against the Cardinals.

The White Sox have no plans to be major players when the trade deadline arrives Thursday. They believe they have made the necessary moves to make a run to the playoffs. Nor does general manager Ken Williams expect to entertain offers for any of his players. ''There is no other side of it,'' he said Friday. ''We're in it to win it.''

The Yankees designated right-handed reliever Dan Miceli for assignment, which he refused. The Yankees have 10 days to trade Miceli, and may have a taker in the Astros.

Brandon Lyon has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury while the Pirates and the Boston Red Sox are in talks to amend a trade that sent pitchers Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Gonzalez to Boston. General Manager Dave Littlefield said yesterday that with Lyon unable to join the team, Nashville's Duaner Sanchez would be called up to join the team today.

The Cardinals have been scouting Sterling Hitchcock and even talked to the Yankees about a possible deal for reliever Steve Kline, but St. Louis finally balked.

Jose Lima returned to Detroit for the first time as a Royal since they fired him last year. "I'm still angry, because I didn't kill anyone," said Lima, repeating what he said when he beat the Tigers earlier this month in Kansas City. "I didn't do anything wrong." Lima reiterated that he centers his anger on Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski. When the club released Lima last September, he had a 7.77 ERA and had recently said the Tigers' organization "stinks -- from the front office right on down."

There were media reports in Boston that Yankees infielder Enrique Wilson was in court yesterday because of a paternity suit. Wilson said he was not in court yesterday, but he declined to say whether he would be in the future. "I don't really like to talk about it," Wilson said. "I think it's because they hate the Yankees here that they put that in the paper."

Pitcher Francis Beltran or second baseman Bobby Hill could be the minor-league player to be named who is eventually chosen by Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield to complete the trade that brought Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez to the Cubs and sent Jose Hernandez and minor-leaguer Matt Bruback to the Pirates.

The Phillies acquired minor-league righthanded pitcher Brian Powell from the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later. Powell, who will report to triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, was 7-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 23 games (15 starts) for triple-A Fresno. He has made brief appearances with Detroit, Houston and San Francisco, and has a 6-16 record and 6.10 ERA.

Interim Mets GM Jim Duquette said that discussions with unsigned first-round pick Lastings Milledge have been more active in the wake of this week's Post reports that detailed the strained negotiations.

Left fielder Raul Ibanezwill miss the Royals' weekend series against the Detroit Tigers. Ibanez is confined to St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City because of cellulitis, a skin infection, in his right leg. "He needs something stronger than the oral antibiotics we've been giving him, and this will allow them to get it into him easier," trainer Nick Swartz said.

Many players have trouble getting hits when in full uniform. Ellis Burks, on the disabled list since June 10 and out for the season, was credited with one on Wednesday when Major League Baseball ruled that a fielding error charged to Boston third baseman Shea Hillenbrand on May 24 be changed to a base hit for Burks. "That was a first for me," Burks said. "I've never gotten a hit before while not only out of uniform but on the disabled list. I took some ribbing from a couple of guys here."

Juan Cruz pitched well as a starter in Iowa, posting a 4-0 record in seven starts with a 2.01 ERA. The Cubs have basically decided that Cruz is better as a starter than a reliever. Some of that may just be his mental mind-set. If Cruz defeats the Astros in his first big-league start since his latest stint with Class AAA Iowa, and Shawn Estes doesn't have a dramatic turnaround, there will be questions raised of whether it's time to go with Cruz in the rotation at Estes' expense.

Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker will be inducted into the broadcasters wing of the Hall of Fame on Sunday. Jerry Coleman, a former New York Yankees star who was a decorated fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, has been the voice of the San Diego Padres for more than 30 years and is considered to be the next in line.

Why now? That was the obvious question after the Indians exercised the two option years in Eric Wedge's contract that will give him managerial tenure through the 2006 season. ``In my mind and in the Dolans' minds, the sooner the better,'' General Manager Mark Shapiro said, referring to owner Larry Dolan and his son Paul. ``This is the strongest statement we can make about our confidence in Eric.''

Royals owner David Glass arrived in Detroit on Friday night. Perhaps in addition to watching the Royals, he was scouting old Tiger Stadium. The Detroit News reported Friday that Wal-Mart is considering the vacant stadium as a possible location for a discount operation.

Did you know? Since 1994, Cubs utilityman Trenidad Hubbard has been with nine major-league teams, six minor-league teams and one Mexican League team. Hubbard was in the Astros' system from 1986-92 but never played in the majors in Houston. He was known as Trent during that time. Hubbard, 37, is a native of Chicago and makes his offseason home in Missouri City.

A Kip Wells bobblehead giveaway has been added to the Pirates promotional schedule. The dolls will be given out Sept. 20. Originally, it was to be a Mike Williams bobblehead day, as voted by the fans, but Williams was traded Sunday to the Phillies.

Former Tiger Chet Lemon, who less than two years ago survived a life-threatening blood disease, was at Comerica Park on Friday with the AAU team from Florida that he coaches. He threw out the first pitch.

Spotted in the stands at Fenway Park: author Norman Mailer, with old friends Doris Kearns Goodwin and husband Richard. Mailer, who said it was his first game in 20 years, said he hasn't felt the same about the national pastime since the Dodgers fled Brooklyn

NFL Rumors & Notes

Nose tackle Gilbert Brown, unsatisfied with the Green Bay Packers' recent contract offer, has drawn interest from the Washington Redskins and might be making a free-agent visit, according to a National Football League source.

According to a source close to the negotiations, the Patriots, who initiated the discussions in the spring, took another step toward adding Larry Centers to their arsenal yesterday by hosting the former Cardinal, Redskin, and, most recently, Bill at Gillette Stadium. Centers arrived yesterday, met with members of the staff, and was believed to have taken a physical. But Centers, 35, has drawn interest from at least one other team and as of last night it was unknown whether he would sign with the Patriots.

Rams tackle Orlando Pace has missed two days of training camp and isn't expected to pull into Western Illinois University any time soon. Realistically, Rams officials don't expect to see Pace until shortly before the start of the regular season. If then.

Receiver Dennis Northcutt's agent said yesterday that Northcutt is unhappy that the Browns haven't made a strong push to extend his contract and that he thinks he's gone after this season. "Dennis is angry and he feels that the Browns are being unfair to him," his agent Jerome Stanley said yesterday. "His position is that it's time to move on. He loves playing in Cleveland but feels the Browns don't want him."

Vikings owner Red McCombs said Mike Tice was "not ready to coach in the NFL last season."

Brian Urlacher isn't oblivious to the status of the team and coaching staff, knowing that the Bears need to be successful for Dick Jauron and the other coaches to be around for even a good portion of the nine-year extension he just signed. Though it's a topic not broached often by the players, Urlacher took the opportunity. ''We want to win, and we want to keep our coaches here,'' he said. ''I don't want to play for anybody else, I know that much.

The Green Bay Packers want to rebuild their horrendous return game around wide receiver Terrence Wilkins but it remains to be seen if Wilkins wants them. He also visited Carolina, has a chance to rejoin the Indianapolis Colts and has had feelers from Chicago.

Jaguars defensive end Tony Brackens moved another step closer to the possible end of his NFL playing career yesterday. Brackens, the Jaguars' all-time leader in sacks, was placed on the "active/physically unable to perform" list because he has not recovered fully from knee surgery and a recent appendectomy.

The Redskins are attempting to resolve the status of veteran defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, who has been told by the Redskins he could be released if he does not agree to reduce his team-high $3.5 million salary. The team wants Wilkinson to accept a pay cut but has offered him the chance to earn back any lost income through incentives based on playing time, sources have said. The Redskins could have an equally difficult time finding a replacement but are trying to determine if any capable defensive tackles will be available before the season.

Add the name Gilbert Brown to the Washington Redskins' list of possible alternatives to defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson. NFL sources confirmed last night that the Redskins are considering signing Brown, who has been balking at a minimum-salary offer to re-sign with Green Bay.

Earlier this year Ron Wolf labeled his former team, the Green Bay Packers, as "soft." On Tuesday, Wolf was asked again about his rather jarring characterization of the team for which he served as general manager from 1991 until his retirement in spring 2001. "Well, I've always felt that," Wolf said. This is a great place to play, but sometimes the people around here are too nice."

Jason Sehorn wants to prove he can play free safety. He's doing a good job of that so far because the Rams have been lining him up with the first team defense in camp, ahead of last year's starter, Kim Herring. "I've proven I can play cornerback," Sehorn said. "Now I've got to prove I can play this position. But whether you're a No. 1 or a No. 2 you still have to play. I figured I would have played eventually. It was just going to take time for me to learn the system."

James "Big Cat" Williams, whom the Bears released last February after 134 straight starts, fully expects to play in the NFL this season. "He's feeling better than he has in a couple of years," Williams' agent, Don Yee, said. Several teams apparently have inquired about Williams' availability, but so far the Bears haven't.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick believes Troy Brown did sufficient work in the offseason to get back to his Pro Bowl numbers from the 2001 season. ``I think Troy has had a very good offseason and from what he's done in the offseason program, there are expectations that he'll be a very good positive contributor to our football team, as he has been,'' Belichick said.

RB Onterrio Smith is the last holdout at Vikings camp. "I don't know who he thinks he is," coach Mike Tice said. "He has to get in here. The parade is not waiting for him. He's a fourth-rounder. He has to get in here and show us he can play. We're not waiting for him."

Assuming first impressions matter at training camp, consider Tim Carter the front-runner for the Giants No. 3 receiver position. Especially with Ron Dixon on the sidelines because of his ailing knee.

Steelers starting guard Kendall Simmons will likely miss one to two weeks as doctors treat the sudden onset of a diabetic condition. Team officials are confident Simmons will be able to play.

In Ravens camp... Orlando Brown, known as "Zeus," is back in the NFL after a three-year absence caused by a freak injury. During a game on Dec. 19, 1999, when he was playing for the Cleveland Browns, the offensive tackle -- he is 6 feet 7, about 365 pounds, one of the largest players in the league -- was felled when a referee threw a penalty flag weighted by BBs that flew past the face bar on his helmet and accidentally struck him in his right eye. Brown literally didn't know what had hit him. In games this season, he will wear a face shield because, even though he dislikes it, he has no choice. He has to protect the eye.

Artrell Hawkins said Bengal players are calling new coach Marvin Lewis "the black Jesus" because "he's resurrecting the franchise." But it really doesn't matter. The Bengals know the way their new coach runs things. After this, so will everyone else. An NFL Films crew shot mini-camp and miked Lewis during practices for a 30-minute slice-of-Marvin show called, naturally, "Return to the Jungle." It debuts Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. on ESPN.

What happened to Tom Brady, the unheralded quarterback who led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl upset of Warner's Rams in January 2002, returned to earth last season. Actually, Brady's numbers in his second season as a starter weren't much different from those in 2001, when he replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe.

The NFL needed a scapegoat to appease the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Johnnie Cochran -- and few organizations in the last 40 years have worn the horns as naturally as the Lions. But Millen should fight commissioner Paul Tagliabue's fine. If nothing else, he could expose the league's minority hiring policy as a sham.

Steelers officials already have told their starting quarterback Tommy Maddox they will not upgrade his $650,000 salary this season and to wait at least until 2004 to get a raise. Now, they want him to become more diligent when he drops back into the pocket. The Steelers led the AFC with 36 turnovers and tied for the conference lead by throwing 22 interceptions last season. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey wants to plug the leaks.

Did you know? The Raiders will have a tough time getting back to the playoffs this season. Of the previous four Super Bowl losers, only the Tennessee Titans returned to the postseason when they went 13-3 in 2000, only to lose their first playoff game to Baltimore.

In Giants camp... Ron Dayne and Dorsey Levens is going to be interesting. Since Levens, a 10-year veteran, was signed April 7, even QB Kerry Collins has wondered who the No. 2 running back behind Tiki Barber will be. "That's a good question," Collins said. "It's hard to know what they're thinking, what Jim's thinking and what Ernie (Accorsi, the GM) is thinking. I hate to say that Ron's days are numbered because I don't know if they are, I don't know if they're not. Certainly bringing Dorsey in here at the very least, provides competition."

There were no harsh words for the Dolphins from Oronde Gadsden on the first day of training camp, but the wide receiver apparently still sent a message, using his clothes instead of his mouth. After the morning practice, Gadsden, who signed last month after long and sometimes contentious negotiation with the Dolphins, changed into overalls. The overalls included some custom lettering, with "Training Camp" on the back and "Employee 86" on the front.

The Cowboys released safety Keith Davis. The biggest reason Davis' name is included is because he disobeyed an edict by coach Bill Parcells. The players were instructed by Parcells to not go to strip clubs. Davis suffered multiple gunshot wounds outside a Dallas topless club last month. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said a couple of weeks ago the incident might cost Davis his spot.

Browns president Carmen Policy seemed baffled that long snapper Ryan Pontbriand, one of two fifth-round draft choices, had not signed. ``If this were my son, I know how I'd be handling it,'' Policy said. ``I'd be walking him in here and saying, `Sit down and meet your coach and thank him for drafting you. Thank the Cleveland Browns for giving you a truly, truly market deal regardless of the position (you) play.' '' The Browns brought back Bryan Pittman to snap in camp -- perhaps sending Pontbriand a message? Pittman spent last season with the Puget Sound Jets of the Northwest Football League.

Warren Sapp came out wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey on the day after Bryant was charged with sexual assault last week.

NBA Rumors & Notes

Lamar Odom is the highlight of Plan B, but Randy Pfund hinted Friday that the team might not extend an offer sheet to Odom unless the Heat is absolutely certain the Clippers will not match. Pfund expressed concern about missing out on other free agents while the team awaits Los Angeles' decision.

The Pistons have added veteran big man Elden Campbell to their already burgeoning lineup. The team will hold a press conference today to announce Campbell's agreement to a two-year contract worth $8 million. Campbell, 35, averaged 6.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 15.5 minutes in 56 games last season with New Orleans and Seattle.

They haven't gone on record as saying so, but the Mavericks are treating the Big Three of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley as if they're not available as trade bait. The Mavs have some interest in power forward Tyrone Hill, former Mavericks forward Donnell Harvey and Yugoslavian power forward Ognjen Askrabic.

With 6-10 Keith Van Horn on-board, the Knicks believe they can get away with Kurt Thomas at center. The team has stopped shopping Thomas, but Charlie Ward and Othella Harrington are still squarely on the block. Still, Thomas is tired of all the trade talk. Dallas has long coveted Thomas, a Dallas native, but the Knicks wouldn't trade him for Raef LaFrentz. "It's wearing on him," said Thomas' agent, Jerry Hicks. "If it's going to happen, let it be a good one." The Knicks, meanwhile, have made inquiries about Arvydas Sabonis, but word is that the 7-3 center wants to retire.

Reggie Miller is at the top of the Pacers to-do list. Indiana hopes to resign Miller at a lower rate.

Maybe signing with the New Orleans Hornets will help take the sting out of Darrell Armstrong's unceremonious exit from the Orlando Magic. Armstrong officially moved on Friday, signing a two-year contract for about $6 million with the New Orleans Hornets. Armstrong, who will back up Hornets starter Baron Davis, has decided to change numbers. He said he will wear No. 3 in honor of "one of my idols," former NFL kicker Mark Moseley.

With Mike James signing with Boston and Travis Best looking to move on, Randy Pfund said the Heat is considering bringing back point guard Anthony Carter. "He's one of a number of point guards that we'll continue to monitor," said Pfund, with Nuggets free-agent Shammond Williams also believed to be in that group

Spurs coach Greg Popovich made his run at bringing Stephen Jackson back into the fold, but Jackson most likely will wear a new uniform next season. "It would be very difficult to bring Jack back into the mix now," Popovich said. "We had conversations (with Jackson). I told him we wanted him back and he said he wanted to be back. But apparently he got some different advice somewhere else.

Don Newman, the only in-house candidate in the Milwaukee Bucks' search to replace coach George Karl, has already interviewed for the job. Newman has spent the past four seasons on the Bucks' staff as an assistant coach under Karl. Whether his association with Karl works for or against him remains to be seen.

Kobe Bryant could not have picked a worse state to get arrested in on a rape charge. "You don't want to be charged with sexual assault anywhere, but Colorado is one of the worst places to be charged with sexual assault," said Craig Silverman, a criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor in Denver. "Over the past five years, the legislature has rewritten the statutes and beefed up the penalties. The goal is to isolate a sexual offender from society, and then keep him under tight supervision basically for life."

An alleged witness to the Kobe Bryant alleged rape of a 19-year-old Eagle woman wrote Speakout! that Kobe Bryant was heard calling the alleged victim a “white bitch.”

College Rumors & Notes

Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer isn't making any bold predictions about this season, but he does have a promise. The concept of team will be re-introduced to Tennessee football. In some of his strongest comments to date, Fulmer said yesterday that he allowed too much individualism to rear its head last season.

Seven members of the 2002 Ohio State national champions will try to make it at the next level. Five are draft picks -- safety Michael Doss (second round, Indianapolis), defensive lineman Kenny Peterson (third round, Green Bay), linebacker-defensive back Cie Grant (third round, New Orleans), linebacker Matt Wilhelm (fourth round, San Diego) and Nickey (fifth round). Punter Andy Groom (Tampa Bay) and defensive lineman David Thompson (New York Giants) signed as free agents.

Former Central Florida basketball player Al Miller -- is missing. Miller, a former starting point guard for the Golden Knights, recently ditched his in-home monitoring device and last week failed to show up in Orange County Circuit Court for his trial on an armed-robbery charge. Sims said he is worried about his client's health, though he has no facts or evidence to suggest Miller was a victim of foul play.

We're 28 days away from the start of the College Football season.

Potentially a big blow for Arkansas is that starting FB Mark Pierce -- a punishing blocker for a team that relies on the run -- has left the team to take care of personal issues. He could miss the season.

Good news for Ohio State. Air Force LB Anthony Schlegel transferred to the school during the spring and will be eligible next season. Now, Indiana LB John Kerr has announced he, too, will be a Buckeye; he also will be eligible next season. Both are vastly underrated nationally.

Odd Notes & Stuff

The search continues at KSDK to find a replacement for longtime sports director Mike Bush. Two Channel 5 alums who worked under Bush before leaving for the big time at ESPN have expressed different degrees of interest in the job. Ironically, Trey Wingo, who grew up not far from the ESPN studios in Connecticut, sounds more interested in the position than does native St. Louisan Matt Winer. "It's one of the few jobs in the country I'd leave ESPN for," Wingo said. "It's a gold mine. In local TV, so many places have sports as an afterthought. At Channel 5 it's not that way."

Donovan McNabb filmed a commercial for the Eagles new Lincoln Financial Field.

With his deal to purchase two Atlanta professional sports teams finalized, the only remaining hurdle between auto baron David McDavid of Fort Worth and ownership of the NHL's Thrashers and NBA's Hawks is approval of the respective leagues.

Former Miami Hurricanes running back Najeh Davenport put his theater degree to work in the offseason, playing a nightclub owner in the upcoming action thriller Blood Money starring Busta Rhymes. Davenport, now a 250-pound halfback for the Green Bay Packers, also had to turn down a role in Barbershop 2 because filming coincided with training camp.

The New York Liberty of the WNBA will play part of their home schedule next season at Radio City Music Hall because the Republican National Convention will be held at Madison Square Garden.

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