The Jets, determined to improve upon last season's 4-12 debacle, are continuing one of their busiest offseasons and are close to signing three-time Pro Bowl tight end Bubba Franks, according to two people with knowledge of the negotiations.

Those people spoke on condition of anonymity because talks are ongoing. An official announcement could come as early as tomorrow, when the Jets begin their offseason program.

On Friday, the Jets missed out on tight end Ben Utecht (Colts), who signed an offer sheet with the Bengals. They immediately turned their attention to Franks, who was released by the Packers last month. He has already visited with the Jets.

Franks, an eight-year veteran whose given name is Daniel, has been plagued by injuries the past three seasons but remains a solid blocker and reliable receiver, especially in the red zone. He's viewed as a good complement to starter Chris Baker. The Jets have been searching for a quality backup tight end for several seasons.

Last season, Franks, 6-6, 265 pounds, had just 18 catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in eight games. He missed eight games with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and lost his starting job to Donald Lee. He was due a $3 million base salary this season.

Franks, 30, was a starter for seven of his eight seasons in Green Bay. He recorded 256 career receptions for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. His touchdown receptions are tied for the 10th-most in Packers' history.

A former first-round pick (14th overall out of Miami in 2000), Franks made the Pro Bowl in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Injuries, however, have slowed him in recent years. He has missed 14 games over the past three seasons with knee, neck and back injuries.

The Jets strongly considered drafting Franks in 2000, when they had four first-round picks and selected tight end Anthony Becht in the first round.

(nj.com)

The Firecats' all-time leading receiver Magic Benton was not on the training camp roster, nor was he listed as refusing to show to camp or suspended.

(naplesnews.com)

Wide receiver Jason Geathers rushed for two touchdowns, helping the San Jose SaberCats beat the Arizona Rattlers 63-43 on Saturday night for their 15th consecutive regular-season home victory.

(iht.com)

 New Orleans Saints - Dan Morgan

He’ll need all the help he can get out in Oakland, where the Giants’ former first-round pick signed yesterday . I haven’t seen the terms of the deal, but I find it hard to believe it’s more than one or two years or much more than the NFL minimum.

Actually, I really do believe this: If there are absolutely no expectations for Willie – and really, why would there be? – he’ll be fine. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a solid depth player who will even make a play every six weeks or so. But if they need him to start or be an important player … well, let’s just say he won’t be the Raiders’ ticket out of the bowels of the NFL.

In the meantime, I’d like to wish my Bay Area colleagues well trying to coax a quote out of Willie Jo. May you have better luck than we did in New York, and may you learn something else about Mr. Mystery than the fact that he’s “good.” (Memo to Bay Area repoters: Try not to snicker when he says that).

There is some poetic symmetry, by the way, with Willie Jo landing with the Raiders, one of the least media-friendly organizations in the league. He should be right at home.

(dailynews.com)

Different players have different values to a team. The value of Alex Cora has been an immense. You'll never see his name among the league leaders in the stat categories. But, Red Sox fans know you need a guy like him to get through a 162 game season. 

Cora begins his 4th season with the Red Sox. He's one of those guys who might go unnoticed in most cities, but not in Boston. Not is a city as baseball crazy as Boston.Cora thrives in that intensity.

" I love it. I think if you're going to do what I do it is the perfect place to do it. I would love to play every day in Boston because I know they can appreciate more of my game but the days I play out there they give you a standing ovation for a ground ball to second with a man on second. So, they understand the game and expect that out of you and it's a great place for me. " Click here to continue reading...

WINTER HAVEN, FLA. -- Unless the Indians can be persuaded to do otherwise, they want outfielder Brian Barton and first baseman Matt Whitney back at the end of spring training. St. Louis selected Barton and Washington took Whitney in December at the Rule 5 Draft.

Barton is having an excellent camp with the Cardinals. He's hitting .389 (12-for-34) with one double, two triples, two homers and six RBI.
Whitney is hitting .211 (3-for-17) with one double, one triple, one homer and six RBI for the Nationals.

A team that drafts a Rule 5 player must keep him on its big-league roster all year. If they don't, they must offer him back to his original club. In return, the Indians would have to give back half the $50,000 they received as compensation for each player.

If St. Louis and Washington want to keep Barton and Whitney, they can try to offer the Indians another player in place of them.

(blog.cleveland.com)

Warren Sapp's world was different. He came out of the University of Miami as an All-American, winner of the Lombardi Award, Nagurski Award, practically every award that had someone over 220 pounds attached to it. He was going to be right up there at the tippy top of the draft, but there was one little problem. Marijuana stories, what the scouts call "baggage attached." I remember talking to the Jets' coach, Rich Kotite, who said before the draft, "I've gotta have him."

"You won't have the guts to pick him," I said.

"Bet you a cigar on it," Kotite said.

The Jets took tight end Kyle Brady with the ninth pick. Sapp went to Tampa Bay at No .12. I'm still waiting to collect my cigar. Click here to continue reading...

Chris Myers could be forcing the Broncos to make a difficult decision.

A Broncos starter at left guard and center last season, Myers is a restricted free agent who Thursday visited with the Houston Texans.

No offer sheet was presented and Myers was scheduled to return home today. But the fact Myers has already started making visits nearly five weeks before the restricted free agency period passes indicates he will draw considerable interest.

"I'm going to keep my options open," Myers said. "If a team makes an offer, I'll look at it. If not, I don't want to leave Denver, anyway. I started my career there and I love it there. It's a win-win."

Should the Texans present an offer sheet to Myers, the Broncos would have a week to match the contract terms. At first glance, the Broncos would figure to match an offer to Myers because they would only get the Texans' sixth-round draft pick in return.

However, if Houston offers a "starter" contract to Myers, the Broncos may balk at paying big dollars to a player who may not beat out left guard Ben Hamilton or center Tom Nalen, who are expected to be back healthy next season.

(denverpost.com)

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Ryan Braun's right Achilles tendon kept him from joining his teammates on the two-hour bus trip from Phoenix to Tucson Electric Park.

Manager Ned Yost decided to make Thursday a day off for Braun, who had been scheduled to have Friday off.

"He won't get Friday off now," Yost said. "He had a little stiffness in his Achilles and we banged him [Wednesday]. He feels better today; he feels a lot better today. He'll be ready to go tomorrow."

But the 24-year-old Braun, NL Rookie of the Year last season, will be at the ballpark on Thursday, though he won't be sitting on the bench with his Brewers teammates.

He has a photo shoot scheduled with Sports Illustrated, and he's supposed to be one of the rising stars featured on the cover of the magazine's baseball preview.

"He said he had a cover shot," Yost said. "That's why he's coming up here -- to do it."

Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton and Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki will also be in the photo shot with Braun. Both play with clubs that train in Tucson.

(mlb.com)

JUPITER, Fla. -- At one point last fall, it appeared that Brian Barton would be the first player selected in the Rule 5 Draft in Nashville, Tenn., at the Winter Meetings in December. But offseason knee surgery dropped Barton's stock, and the one-time Cleveland Indians prospect wound up going to St. Louis with the 10th pick.

"I was excited about the opportunity," Barton recalled, "because it was going from a situation not knowing whether I would have an opportunity to be in the big leagues to being put into a situation where it's up to me. Well, not necessarily up to me, but if I do pretty well, at least I know I have a good shot, and that's very exciting to me."

His knee apparently fine, Barton's career track is back in step. He is having a good spring, perhaps good enough to convince the Cardinals to keep him on the Major League roster. Click here to continue reading...

The Texans could be adding a veteran running back and a center at a time when they lost a second outside linebacker.

Denver center Chris Myers, a restricted free agent, is visiting the Texans today. Tennessee running back Chris Brown, an unrestricted free agent, came to Houston on Wednesday and tours Reliant Stadium today.

The Texans are interested in Myers, who started 16 games for the Broncos last season, because they need a younger, healthy center. They're interested in Brown, who played five seasons for the Titans, because they want to add another veteran back who fits the running game new assistant head coach Alex Gibbs is putting in.

If the Texans sign Myers, the Broncos will have a week to match the offer sheet because he's a third-year restricted free agent. If the Broncos don't match, they will receive the Texans' sixth-round pick in next month's draft.

Myers, 26, is 6-5, 295. Because Steve McKinney is 32 and coming off major knee surgery, and Mike Flanagan was released last month, the Texans have been looking for another center.

"We've known Chris since he was in college," Texans coach Gary Kubiak said. "We think he fits in with what we're doing."

(chron.com)

Dolphins tackle Vernon Carey, ex-Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad and Marlins president David Samson were the big-name winning bidders in the annual Make-A-Wish Ultimate Sports Auction on Tuesday night at the Broward County Convention Center.

Championship at Doral.

Konrad bid $2,000 for unique access to FIU's first game in its new football stadium, Sept. 20 vs. South Florida, including standing on the sideline with headsets. Coach Mario Cristobal announced the winning bidder would get to call FIU's first play, but FIU said Wednesday that won't happen.

Samson bid $4,000 for a package that was supposed to include participating in an Ironman Triathlon workout with former Marlin Jeff Conine (who's training for this year's race) and Samson (who participated in last year's).

The annual event no longer is attended by all the coaches for the local teams, but still drew several prominent athletes, including Dolphins quarterback John Beck, ex-Olympian Bob Beamon and former Canes receiver Sinorice Moss.

The event raised $240,000 to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. About 600 people attended the event, which was emceed by NBC and HBO sportscaster Bob Costas.

(miamiherald.com)

Maybe playing in a city where voodoo is part of the culture is exactly what Jonathan Vilma and Dan Morgan need.

Maybe playing in New Orleans will help reverse the curse that's hung around Vilma the past two seasons and around Morgan for just about his entire career. If that happens, the Saints suddenly could have one of the most talented linebacker corps in the NFL.

But it's a giant leap to say that will ever happen, because the histories of Morgan and Vilma make them two of the biggest gambles this offseason. With these two, it's either boom or bust, and their pasts suggest the latter is more probable.

The Saints don't care, because they haven't had a truly great linebacker since Sam Mills in the mid-1990s, and their defense was a big reason they missed the playoffs last season. The moves come one offseason after the Saints thought they had patched up their defense by bringing in Jason David, Dhani Jones, Brian Simmons and Kevin Kaesviharn. Those moves didn't all work, and other problems were exposed as the Saints finished 7-9. Click here to continue reading...

The New York Daily News hears that the Giants have shown "a lot of early interest" in Miami (FL) S Kenny Phillips. The Giants have the No. 31 overall pick in April. That's right around where Phillips projects to go. Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo likes his safeties to be hitters, and Phillips played both safety spots during his college career.

(rotoworld.com)

With the Giants staying pretty quiet with free agents, the talk around the team has focused more on who has departed so far — and who may be next. This isn’t uncommon for a team coming off a Super Bowl win, but so far, the Giants have kept most of their nucleus intact. The key G-Men are under contract and returning to defend their title next season, with notable exceptions Gibril Wilson (now with the Raiders) and Kawika Mitchell (with the Bills).

But one player a lot of fans around the league are wondering about is Jeremy Shockey.

An unquestionable talent with a fiery personality, his future with the Giants isn’t set in stone, and there have been reports of teams expressing interest in trading for him. The Giants showed they could do it without him last year, going on their storied run after Shockey was placed on the IR with a broken fibula on Dec. 17. There were even some juicy rumors that Eli Manning was happy with Shockey’s Super Bowl absence, although we’re (unfortunately) not aware of there being any truth to them. Click here to continue...

MIAMI - The alleged shooter in the murder of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor told police he and the other suspects burned their clothes in an attempt to cover up the crime.

The statement by 17-year-old Eric Rivera Jr. and those by two other suspects were released Wednesday by state prosecutors at the request of The Associated Press and other news outlets. All three statements are heavily redacted on a judge's orders, and do not contain outright confessions to the crime.

But there are hints throughout of what happened and what led up to the Nov. 26 shooting, which authorities say took place in a botched robbery attempt at Taylor's Miami home. Taylor, an All-Pro safety for the Redskins, died the next day from heavy blood loss. Click here to continue reading...

WACO -- Michael Irvin's first trip into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame might be forgettable because he looked and felt like a man kissed with the flu, but unforgettable because of the reminder it served.

When Irvin was escorted into the Tom Landry Theater on Tuesday he had to stop and take a bit longer to look at the exhibits on the iconic late Cowboys coach.
It's often overlooked that in 1988 Irvin was Landry's last first-round pick. Landry was fired after that season by new owner Jerry Jones.

It is often mistakenly assumed that Irvin was drafted by his college coach, Jimmy Johnson. But without Landry pushing to draft the star receiver from Miami, Irvin might never have ended up with the Cowboys.

"To walk in and see all of the other guys that are in the Hall of Fame, I stood and looked at Landry [exhibit]," Irvin said. "I wouldn't be here had he not pulled the trigger. It's definitely an honor."

Known for his gift with words, Irvin was not his normal, entertaining self Tuesday. He was sick, and he sounded and looked every bit the part of an ill man.

"I'm not my usual self," he said. "I wouldn't have missed it no matter how poorly I feel. I was going to make it."

Irvin was part of an eight-member class that was inducted in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 at Baylor's Ferrell Center.

(thescoreboards.com)

Get Ravens safety Ed Reed's autograph at the Hilton Garden Inn from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Owings Mills. Visit www.fullaccess20.com.

CLEVELAND -- First, Danny Graves' hair was cut. Then, Graves himself was cut.

The Indians designated the veteran Graves for assignment after Friday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers, giving them 10 days to trade or release him. To replace Graves on the active roster and in the bullpen, the club has called up right-hander Fausto Carmona.

Graves, who was making $575,000 this year, had become the poster boy for the 'pen's struggles. He owned a 2-1 record and 5.79 ERA in 13 appearances this year and never really settled in, whether used in long relief, mopup duty or tight situations.

"Danny had showed signs," Wedge said. "But it was more about his inconsistency. He has a huge heart and a lot of guts. He's a great competitor. But ultimately, we felt we needed to make a move to helps us solidify things in our 'pen."

The 32-year-old Graves showed up to Jacobs Field on Friday with three inches of his hair cut off. He was hoping the new 'do could inspire some improvement in his performance, but he was told of the decision shortly thereafter.

Graves was not available for comment after the game.

(mlb.com)

BALTIMORE, March 11 -- The black tuxedo was handsomely tailored, and the burgundy vest was a nice touch. The black shoes were polished perfectly, and the sunlight streaming in from a nearby window shone brightly off the diamonds in the watch on his left wrist.

But none of that stood out about Kevin Everett on this evening.

It was the walk.

It has been six months since Everett, as a reserve tight end for the Buffalo Bills playing on the kickoff coverage unit, suffered a severe spinal cord injury while making a tackle during a game against the Denver Broncos on the opening weekend of the NFL season. His doctors said publicly in the days that followed that he had nearly died and was unlikely to walk again. But Everett wasn't listening. And as he made the rounds early Tuesday night at the Ed Block Courage Awards, what was most noticeable was how normal he looked while walking. His strides were made confidently, and there was no hint of unsteadiness or a limp. Click here to continue reading...

If there is one thing Darius Rice can do best on the basketball court, it’s putting the ball inside the hoop. The 6′10″ 222-lb Rice is known as a dangerous offensive player with a knack for hitting shots from way beyond the three-point arc.

In the championship game in the NBDL last year, Rice put on one of the best, if not the best, scoring performances in league history. He exploded for 52 big points, highlighted by 11 triples - including one that sent the game into overtime with four seconds left. The Dakota Wizards went on to win the title after dominating the overtime period. Rice copped the finals MVP trophy.

It’s the kind of performance the Purefoods TJ Giants hope to see when Rice puts on the team jersey in the 2008 PBA Fiesta Cup. The team is in the midst of finalizing contract details with the ex-Miami Hurricane standout and if the negotiations pull through, the Giants will have in their hands, a certified scorer who can shoot the lights out in any given day. It will not be surprising if Rice goes on to average 60 points a game because that’s what he do best. With James Yap, Peter June Simon, and Rice, Purefoods will have the best perimeter weapons in town. Click here to continue reading...

Tickets to the Devin Hester autograph-signing session at Sports Fanatic Store in Spring Hill Mall are almost sold out. The Chicago Bears' kick-return specialist will sign merchandise at 5 p.m. April 2. Tickets are $100 per autograph, payable by cash only, and are available from the Sports Fanatic Store. A personal message can be added to the autograph for $25. In addition, a special raffle will be held for three separate Hester autographed items. Each raffle ticket is $5 and all proceeds will benefit the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

(dailyherald.com)

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame Induction Committee chaired by Dave Campbell announced its 2007 class of inductees who will be inducted during the special enshrinement ceremonies on Tuesday, March 11 in Waco. The class includes Dallas Stars Center Mike Modano, former Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver Michael Irvin, former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team forward Mia Hamm, former Baylor and Cleveland Browns Offensive Lineman Jim Ray, former Texas A&M and Houston Oiler Defensive Tackle Ray Childress, former Texas Tech Football Coach Spike Dykes, former North Texas State and Dallas Texans Running Back Abner Haynes and Granbury Girls Basketball Coach Leta Andrews.

(pegasusnews.com)

TUCSON, Ariz. — This competition in Mariners camp for a backup roster spot? Charlton Jimerson is just glad his name is being mentioned with the others — Mike Morse, Greg Norton, Jeremy Reed and Wladimir Balentien, primarily.

Jimerson, 28, is probably a longshot. He's out of minor-league options, so if he doesn't make the major-league roster with Seattle he will go to the waiver wire, where another team can sign him. Click here to continue reading...

Six months before the season is set to start, St. Louis Rams backup quarterback Brock Berlin is the odds-on favorite for most likely third-stringer to see action.

Berlin sat behind Marc Bulger and Gus Frerotte in 2007. He played in one game last season. But the Rams Monday inexplicably not only signed Trent Green to become the fragile Bulger’s primary backup. They also reportedly gave the concussed one $8.9 million for three years – including a $2.1 million signing bonus.

Frerotte, who once sprained his neck head butting a brick wall, shows admirable durability compared with this duo. Bulger, when healthy, is a top eight NFL quarterback, at worst. But he has missed 12 games in three seasons and Green, with two horrendous looking concussions that left his career temporarily in doubt, has played just 13 games the last two years.

So if I were Berlin I’d make sure I know the playbook.

(zoneblitz.com)

Fans will get a chance to meet miracle man Kevin Everett of the Buffalo Bills at signings in Beaumont and Houston for his book Standing Tall: The Kevin Everett Story.

The tight end, who overcame tremendous odds to walk again after suffering a neck injury in the Bills' first regular-season game of 2007 left him a quadriplegic, will appear at 2 p.m. March 22 at the Barnes & Noble at 4155 Dowlen Road in Beaumont.

At 2 p.m. on April 5, he will be signing his book at the Barnes & Noble at 12850 Memorial Dr., Suite 1600 in Houston.

(chron.com)

PHOENIX -- Manager Ned Yost likes the idea of left-fielder Ryan Braun batting cleanup behind Prince Fielder.

"They're gonna pitch around Prince, just because of Prince's intimidation factor," said Yost, who sat Braun for the Cactus League game Monday against the Cubs.

With Fielder on base, Braun will have more opportunities to knock in runs, something that he proved capable of doing in bunches [97 RBIs in 113 games] as a rookie last season.

"They're not gonna pitch around Prince too long with me behind him," said Braun without even a hint of cockiness. "Obviously, we have a lot of great hitters in the lineup.
"Whether I'm third or fourth, there should be plenty of protection. It doesn't make much of a difference to me."

But the key to Braun handling the duties of the No. 4 hitter is selectivity. He can't come to the plate hacking at just anything, Yost said.

"If he's not, then I've gotta change the order," Yost said. "Then I have to put him in front of Prince. ... If Braunie stays in his game, Corey Hart's gonna have a helluva year. Or Billy Hall. Or so will both Prince and Ryan."

Braun didn't disagree.

"Our lineup is dangerous all the way throughout," said the 24-year-old Braun, who spent most of last season in the No. 3 hole. "So I don't think they'll have too much of any opportunity to pitch around anybody."

(mlb.com)

MIAMI (AP) — A rented sports utility vehicle is apparently involved in the November shooting of Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor at his Miami home.

Court documents released Monday say the mother of a teenage girl rented a black Toyota Highlander, thinking the girl and a friend planned to attend a football game in Orlando. The mother told prosecutors she didn't know the girls would allow young men they knew to use the vehicle.

Her daughter, identified as R.L. in the documents, said Charles Wardlow and Eric Rivera drove the vehicle. It was later left at a Fort Myers school parking lot. Wardlow, Rivera and two other men are charged with fatally shooting Taylor.

(ap.com)

Carey would benefit from a move back to right tackle, where he's a potential Pro Bowler, but that doesn't mean he didn't do well at left tackle last season. Truth is, Big Vern held his own, and only on occasion had issues with pass rushers and blitzes. Unless the Dolphins sign a grizzled veteran left tackle who has been there and done that for a number of season expect Carey to remain at left tackle for at least one more season. This is the last year of his contract and left tackles get paid a lot more than right ones do. If the trifecta like what they see expect them to lock Carey up to a longterm deal, but he might be auditioning for his next team. Either way I expect a big year from Vern.

(sun-sentinel.com)

Although the Dolphins have already added two defensive tackles since the start of free agency last week, they met with former Giants defensive tackle William Joseph Friday.

Joseph, a 6-foot-5, 308 pounder, was the 25th draft pick in 2003 after a solid career with the University of Miami. Joseph, 28, missed the Giants' entire Super Bowl championship run last season with a back injury, and was released on Feb. 29.

Joseph has played in 55 games with 17 starts. He has 72 tackles and seven sacks.

The Dolphins acquired veteran defensive tackle Jason Ferguson in a trade with Dallas last week, and on the same day signed free-agent defensive tackle Randy Starks, who at 24 is nine years younger than Ferguson.

No offer was extended to Joseph, who is also talking to the Browns, another team that uses the 3-4 scheme. Joseph began his career at UM as a rush end before moving inside.

(sun-sentinel.com)

In 2004 an interesting OLB prospect came into the draft as a senior out of Linebacker U. He was fast (4.48 40yd, faster than most WR), freakishly agile (11.4 in the 60yd shuttle, beating the benchmarks set for coverage safeties) and unbelievably explosive (38" vertical, higher than was expected out of CBs and WRs). DJ Williams entered the draft with teammate Jonathon Vilma as the top linebacking prospects, hands down.

Part of what set DJ apart was tremendous lower body strength, which gave him exceptional balance, heightened his agility and made him a powerful hitter. He was regarded as "instinctive in the gap", and a natural at reading his zone. In fact it was rare to find a dissenting opinion on his future greatness and potential. John Madden, who spoke at Williams High Scool team banquet remarked, "DJ is the only player I have ever seen who could go straight from highschool to the pro level." There was only one unanswered question in the minds of many scouts who watched DJ: "You will not see sixty minutes from him in any one game where he absolutely dominated," one NFL scouting director said. "But you see that he is still learning and progressing. You like to see that. I just wonder if he’ll ever be able to play up to his best all the time." Click here to continue reading...

The Chicago Bears have claimed defensive Marcus Maxey off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs. Maxey had first been drafted by the Chiefs last year. He did not play in the first two games of this season and was then waived.