Pearl Update: Hamilton Trusts His Coach

Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton had an interview with WVLT-TV's Wes Boling this afternoon where he claimed, once again, that he trusts coach Bruce Pearl and the idea that Pearl enjoys his time as coach at UT.

Hamilton also said he had not talked with anyone in the Memphis athletic department about the university's interest in Pearl, but that such contact was usually a formality and that most of the hiring talks were conducted by third parties.

Hamilton said he would not release a statement from Pearl until the two parties had a chance to talk.

GoVolsXtra.com's Mike Griffith reported earlier Thursday that Pearl and Hamilton will begin talks this afternoon about Pearl's contract at UT.

“Bruce is my coach and I trust him,'' Hamilton told Griffith. “We have shown in the past we will compensate him fairly and we will continue to compensate him fairly.

"I can tell you that I have no reason to believe Bruce Pearl is going to be anywhere other than Knoxville next year. He has told me he's not interested in anything else and I've got to take him at his word.''

UT officials said they are not aware of a report today by Memphis television station WMC that Pearl has been offered a seven-year, $21 million contract to fill the coaching vacancy at Memphis.

The Commercial Appeal reported on its Web site that Memphis officials are expected to officially ask for permission to talk to Pearl today.

Hamilton repeated Thursday that Memphis has not contacted him asking permission to talk with Pearl.

"I would deny them permission, but I don't necessarily think that means they're going to ask," said Hamilton. "The reality is that's kind of an archaic way of dealing with these changes in the last few years.''

But there are no stipulations in Pearl's contract that would enable Hamilton to deny Memphis access to talk with Pearl.

Memphis spokesman Bob Winn told the Associated Press he conferred with athletic director R.C. Johnson at approximately 10:30 a.m. Central Thursday morning about Pearl.

“To the questions of is he coming here to be interviewed and have we made an offer? No and No,” Winn said.

Here's the interview Boling had with Hamilton on WVLT-TV:

Tim Floyd Stays At USC

A 6:00 press conference on the campus of USC reveals that current head men's basketball coach Tim Floyd is staying in Los Angeles.

Floyd went to Tucson to interview with Arizona AD Jim Livengood Wednesday and was offered the now-vacant Wildcats coaching gig.

Floyd had 24 hours to make his decision.
The decision is that he's staying at the Galen Center.

Chris Gibson's work from the LA Times is in black...
More when we know more...

Pack Your Bags Jay Cutler

Well, the whiny bitch of the west Jay Cutler, willingly or unwillingly got his wish today. He was traded...to the Chicago Bears.

Check out the story from the Denver Post here .

Hmmmm. Good Quarterback+bad attitude traded for a mediocre Quarterback (Kyle Orton) and some draft picks. Maybe the Bears have finally gotten their Franchise Quarterback, who knows. What we do know is that the Broncos have the potential to be a really bad team next season. Orton hasn't really proven anything yet in the pros and the Denver "D" is still horrible. As for the Bears, if Cutler's head is in the game...and/or nobody upsets him, they could be really good. For years, between Orton and Rex Grossman, the Quarterback play has been what has killed them. Until we see who Denver picks in the draft, the jury shall remain out on this verdict.

((photo courtesy of Andy Cross/Denver Post))

Here's coverage from Chris Tanaka and the battalion from KDVR-Fox 31 in Denver...

At Memphis, A Pitch For Pearl

Let the speculating begin as to who will be the new head coach at the University of Memphis. Only those Tiger power brokers and the University administration known who's on the radar screen. Could they be looking east down I-40 toward Knoxville?

A pitch for Pearl has begun. Memphis Commercial-Appeal columnist Geoff Calkins (who has been very popular at the OSG HQ lately) believes Bruce Pearl would be a great fit for the Memphis Tigers. That Pearl would have the charisma and coaching skills to match the departed John Calipari.

Calkins writes: Pearl could drop by Gibson's Donuts in the mornings, just like John Calipari did.

The regulars would love the guy.

He could take over Cal's Championship Steaks. Call it the Pearl Oyster House.

What a way to make this community gloom disappear.

It would take a $2.5 million to buyout Pearl at Tennessee but the powers that be at Memphis have let it be known money is no object.

Calkins adds: He knows the area (Memphis). He recruits here all the time. He likes big piles of cash as much as the next guy.

And he would like much better in a royal blue blazer than that electric orange one.

UPDATE:

Foxsports.com is citing sources that the Memphis is making a move at Bruce Pearl. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson is expected to ask the University of Tennessee for permission to talk to Pearl and is expected to offer in the neighborhood of $3 million per season.

Their sources also indicate that Pearl would listen.

The Knoxville (TN) News says Pearl and Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton were to meet Thursday afternoon to discuss his contract.

Stay tuned.

Greg Gumbel Sues TV Production Company

((HT: AP))

Greg Gumbel was tricked by a television producer into taping introductions for infomercials -- footage the CBS Sports broadcaster thought would be used for educational programs, according to a federal lawsuit.

Gumbel, who hosts CBS' coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale.

Paul Douglas Scott, owner of the Deerfield Beach-based Encore Television Group Inc., did not tell Gumbel the introductions would be used to promote products ranging from time-shares to tools, the lawsuit says.

Scott approached Gumbel and his agent in 2007 with a deal to introduce educational and news-oriented programming that would be produced by Encore, according to the lawsuit. Scott told Gumbel they would be producing 2-minute education stories called "Eye on America."

The stories were supposed to cover subjects like health technology, business, trends and fashion. Gumbel was paid $50,000 to tape introductions for one day in late 2007 at Encore's studios. He was then paid $60,000 to record for another day in early 2008.

It wasn't until later that Gumbel learned the programs were actually infomercials, designed to look like news broadcasts but paid for by the subjects of the shows, according to the suit. Gumbel claims the shows incorrectly suggest he personally endorsed certain products.

"Gumbel was appalled by the association of his taped introductions with infomercials," the lawsuit said, claiming the broadcaster's name and likeness were exploited for financial gain.

Infomercial subjects included time-shares, real estate, cell chargers, water treatment, fiber products, beverages, magnet therapy, employee-monitoring software, marketing tools and yoga.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages. It also seeks a court order to have Scott remove any videos featuring Gumbel from the Web.

Gumbel's attorney would not comment on the suit, and a telephone number listed on Encore Television Group's Web site had been disconnected.

Here's the time-share version...

Those of us at OSG HQ looked at as many of these as we could find. Gumbel, apparently, cut one opening stand-up, a different intro for each topic, and then the segment ran for about five minutes. Encore is, probably, going to need to settle very quickly.

Tim Floyd To Arizona... Probably...

Steve Rivera of the Arizona Republic has his ears to the train tracks over the new head coach at the University of Arizona that is NOT named Russ Pennell.

Could be current USC head coach Tim Floyd...

Floyd ((pictured, thanks azcentral.com file)) has come and gone in a quick visit to Tucson to talk about the Arizona men's basketball opening, a source close to the situation has told the Tucson Citizen.

It's not clear, however, if Floyd has been offered the job to become UA's new coach. The source said it was a quick trip not knowing for certain if Floyd even visited the UA campus.

Unsigned USC recruit Soloman Hill, who committed to UA and then pledged to the Trojans after Lute Olson retired, said he would "weigh his options" if Floyd goes to Arizona.

Fellow USC forward recruit Renardo Sydney also has not signed a letter of intent to play for the Trojans yet.

"I just heard Tim Floyd had been called down there for a meeting," Hill said Wednesday night. "It's kind of weird that it's Arizona where my (next) coach would go to."

Hill said it's too early to tell what he would do because he hasn't been told that Floyd is taking the UA job.

"It would be a good situation if (Floyd) went there (UA) and a good situation if he stayed," Hill added. "The only thing I worry about is the recruiting class." at Arizona, which has no players signed for next season except for an unproven junior college player.

"We have a good recruiting class (at USC)," Hill added. "I guess I'd have to talk to the people I got to know going to USC and see what they think about it."

On Wednesday morning, UA Athletic director Jim Livengood declined to speak about the job opening. He did not return a phone call on Wednesday night.

Arizona sports information officials said no news conference had been scheduled for Thursday, but that could change.

AM 620 KTAR's Mark Asher is more confident.

Done deal: ((Asher)) has learned that Tim Floyd has been chosen to take over the program, becoming the team's fourth coach in the last four years.

Cal Gone: Dead To Memphis

That's the headline that the student paper gave to University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari on Wednesday.

Here's some of the greatest hits from a Geoff Calkins column about what Calipari was able to do for not just the University of Memphis, but the town of Memphis also.

"...this will not make it any easier for the Memphis fans who fell hard for Calipari, who thought next season would be the season the Tigers finally won it all.

It will not make it easier for a city that — let’s be honest about it — cares a little bit too much about its college basketball team.

This is not to say that college basketball isn’t important other places. It’s not to suggest that Memphis is uniquely nutty about this stuff.

But have you watched yourselves these last few days? Have you noticed the craziness — even the desperation — of it all?

Every news channel gave itself over to the story. A TV chopper hovered over Calipari’s house.

Early Tuesday morning, this newspaper reported that Calipari had spent exactly eight minutes talking to some old friends at Gibson’s Donuts, on Mt. Moriah.

Within minutes, the television cameras descended on the place.
What sort of donuts did he eat?
Did he look like he was staying or going?
What exactly did he say?

Then the crowd started to gather in front of Calipari’s house. Just random people, taking time off from their lives to plead with a basketball coach to do his job here instead of somewhere else.

Trevor Berryhill, 24, planted himself at Highland and Poplar with a sign.
“I heard he was out driving around,” he said.

So he stood there. At Highland and Poplar. This kind of thing can’t possibly be all about basketball, can it?

And it’s not, of course. It’s about our fragile sense of ourselves. When Calipari was on national television, Memphis was on national television. When Calipari was winning big, Memphis was winning big.

So what if the city had a lousy mayor and an empty Pyramid and a soul-crushing problem with crime? It had a totally kick-butt basketball coach.

And now the basketball coach was leaving. Going to Kentucky. Leaving Memphis with the mayor and The Pyramid and the crime.

Memphis supporters made these exact points to Calipari. They asked him if maybe, possibly, this is where he was meant to be.

Calipari thought about it. He chose to leave anyway. He is, after all, a basketball coach.

So maybe that’s the lesson here. Not to care less about basketball. But to see how nutty it is to let it define who we are.

Calipari is not as saintly as you thought he was a week ago. He’s not as loathsome as you think he is now.

He’s a basketball coach. Just a basketball coach. Tuesday — maybe as a favor to us all — he certainly made that clear."

Here's WREG's team coverage...


And the Memphis AD, RC Johnson, with his full press conference...

Tony Bennett's Heart Is In Charlottesville...

((HT: WCAV-TV))

Tony Bennett met the media Wednesday afternoon. After reaching an agreement on Monday, Bennett was officially introduced as the new Cavalier men's basketball head coach at a news conference.

The dining area at John Paul Jones Arena was filled with administrators, coaches, and some high profile Cavalier fans. Al Groh, Debbie Ryan, Brian O'Connor, and Howie Long were all there to familiarize themselves with the new coach.

Bennett says he hopes to get to work immediately, and he's already begun filling his coaching staff. Liberty Head Coach, Rich McKay stepped down Wednesday, and is expected to join Bennett's staff. He says he'll build the program on passion and integrity. Bennett is happy about his move to Virginia, and compared it to a relationship, getting emotional when talking about his family.

Not bad for an average of $1.7-million per year...
Here's Marc Davis' 1x1 with Bennett once he hit town...

Pitino And Kent Staying

Seth Davis, wearing his SI hat, gets word from Louisville Coach Rick Pitino that he will remain Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino, meanwhile, told Sports Illustrated on Wednesday that "I'm not a candidate for the Arizona job and I never was."

"I am not interested in any job. I am definitely returning to the University of Louisville," he told SI.com's Seth Davis.

Last week, Pitino also told reporters there was "no truth" he was interested in leaving Louisville.
Also Wednesday, former UA assistant coach Mike Dunlap accepted a two-year deal to be associate head coach at Oregon, and the Ducks will retain head coach Ernie Kent, the Register-Guard in Eugene reported.

Some thought Gonzaga's Mark Few, also rumored to be a UA candidate, would be interested in the Oregon job if the school had not kept Kent.

Here's Ducks coverage from KMTR-TV...

Danton Gets More Jail Time Before Parole

((HT: CP/TSN))

Former NHL player Mike Danton ((pictured, thanks Jamie Squire/Getty Images)) will likely spend at least several months in Canadian custody even though his time in an American prison for a failed murder-for-hire plot has made him eligible for parole, correctional officials said Wednesday.

Danton, a native of Brampton, Ontario, pleaded guilty in November 2004 in a plot that allegedly targeted his former agent, David Frost, and was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in a U.S. federal prison.

The American sentence translates to six years, two months and 14 days, said Holly Knowles, spokeswoman with Correctional Services Canada.

"Essentially, he's subject to Canadian law now, which means there can be changes in terms of the sentencing length," Knowles said. "According to our sentences, he has reached his (parole) eligibility date."

Danton had been petitioning for transfer to a Canadian prison since 2005 and was transferred to an assessment centre in the Kingston, Ontario, area on March 19, the date he reached full parole eligibility.

Carol Sparling, a spokeswoman for the National Parole Board, said no dates have been set for a hearing but added a review was automatic given the almost 4 1/2 years Danton served in the U.S.

"When someone is past their full parole eligibility date, the board is required to conduct a hearing -- the offender doesn't have to make an application," Sparling said.

Danton could possibly waive his right to parole.

In any event, correctional services would first make a "thorough assessment" of his case for presenting to the parole board.

Such an evaluation could include risk and psychological assessments as well as checking with the community Danton might hope to live in after his release to see what kind of housing or employment supports he might have.

"It does take time to prepare," Knowles said.
"I would definitely say a period of a few months is appropriate."

Danton's plea agreement in 2004 did not identify Frost as the intended victim, and Frost has denied he was the target of the plot. But U.S. prosecutors said in open court that Frost was the man Danton wanted killed.

Frost was acquitted in November at a trial in Napanee, Ontario, of the sexual exploitation of two of his young charges, who cannot be named, when he coached the junior A Quinte Hawks, a team that Danton once played for.

In February, he was acquitted in court in Kingston of fraudulently using Danton's credit card.

Arizona Opening Is Few's "If He Wants It..."

((HT: CBSSports/Gary Parrish))

Multiple sources told CBSSports.com that Arizona used third-party representatives to gauge the interest of Few as early as November at the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, and that informal conversations continued this past weekend, right after North Carolina eliminated Gonzaga from the NCAA tournament.

One source put it simply: "This is Few's job if he wants it."

But does Few want it?

A source told CBSSports.com that Few is intrigued by the tradition of Arizona, but that he would have reservations about taking over a situation that could be similar to what Tom Crean inherited at Indiana. In other words, Few has never done anything but win in 10 seasons at Gonzaga, and so losing game after game next season because of a program that has been decimated by departures and a lack of recruiting is something he might balk at.

Also, Few could be hesitant about taking over at Arizona given that there's an ongoing NCAA investigation.

But sources insisted he'll listen, and that Arizona is talking.

Dallas Officer Resigns After Moats Controversy

((HT: MyFox DFW))

The police officer who detained an NFL player in a hospital parking lot while the player's mother-in-law was dying inside has resigned.

In a two-sentence letter (click here to see a PDF copy) , Dallas Police Department officer Robert Powell ((pictured, thanks Fox4 Dallas)) resigned Wednesday over the March 18 incident in which the officer drew his gun and threatened Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats.

"I made this decision in the hope that my resignation will allow the Dallas Police Department, my fellow officers, and the citizens of Dallas to better reflect on this experience, learn from the mistakes made, and move forward," Powell said in a statement released through his attorneys. (Click here to read the full statement.)

Powell stopped Moats' SUV in suburban Plano after the vehicle rolled through a red light. Moats' wife, Tamishia, and other relatives were also in the car.

While Powell lectured Moats and wrote him a ticket.

"I can screw you over," Powell, 25, can be heard saying on the video. "I'd rather not do that. Your attitude will dictate everything that happens." As they argued, the officer got irritated. "Shut your mouth," Powell said. "You can either settle down and cooperate or I can just take you to jail for running a red light."

Moat's mother-in-law died before he made it up to see her.

Powell later issued an apology. Moats' agent, Jordan Woy, said the couple has accepted the apology and will meet with Powell because he wanted to apologize in person. Woy said in an e-mail Wednesday that they'll meet so "the matter can be finalized and everyone can have closure to this situation."

Powell said he wants the meeting "to personally express my deep regret, sympathy, and to apologize for my poor judgment and unprofessional conduct." He also said he wants to apologize to his fellow officers.

A call to Dallas police was not immediately returned Wednesday.

In the video, Tamishia Moats and another woman disregarded Powell's order to get back inside their vehicle, and they rushed into the hospital. Powell yelled at Tamishia Moats to stay in the SUV.

"Excuse me, my mom is dying," Tamishia Moats said before going into the hospital.

"Do you understand?"

She was by the side of her mother when Collinsworth died a short time later.

Moats explained that he had waited until there was no traffic before continuing through the red light. When Powell asked for proof of insurance, Moats grew more agitated and told the officer to go find it.

Police said the ticket issued to Moats was dismissed. Police Chief Kunkle has apologized to the family over the incident, saying, "When we at the command staff reviewed the tape, we were embarrassed, disappointed."

Bob Gorsky, Powell's attorney, said his client felt it was "time to move on." He said Powell had no immediate employment plans but hopes to return to law enforcement.

"He wanted to keep his job very much, but he considered the toll this story was taking on his family and himself," Gorsky said.

Here's the dashboard cam tape from Powell's police car...

((HT: KDFW-TV))

Day After Calipari Bolts, Memphis "Wowing" Coaching Candidates.

On this day 1 AC (After Calipari) the fans, boosters and administration of the Memphis Tigers are either in serious denial or just plain delusional. Whatever the case, the University and it's power brokers are ready to throw mad money for a new coach.

Not only do they want to throw mass quantities of cash for a new coach but seem to be obsessed with creating a"wow" factor in the hire.

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal is reporting that University of Memphis super donor Alan Graf, who is helping spearhead the search for a new basketball coach, said today the school is intent on making a “wow hire.” Graf is chief financial officer of FedEx and president of the Tigers Scholarship Fund.

“We’ve asked for a lot of permissions (to speak with coaches) and we’ve gotten them,” Graf said. “I think we certainly have a capability of making a wow hire."
“Some of the names (being considered), if people heard them, they’d say, ‘Wow.’”

The Commercial-Appeal says it is believed school representatives are contacting Louisville head coach Rick Pitino to gauge his interest. Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl is believed to also be very high on the list.

Louisville’s sports information director, Kenny Klein, said Memphis had not contacted Louisville about speaking with Pitino.

Those of us in the OSG HQ aren't saying "wow" but "are you kidding me!" Money talks though and we will see just how big of a check the University of Memphis is willing to write.

Photos Courtesy: Getty Images

Donte Stallworth Is Charged

[HT/AP]

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth will be charged Wednesday with killing a pedestrian last month while driving drunk in Miami, according to people familiar with the case.
Two people said an arrest warrant charging the 28-year-old Stallworth with DUI manslaughter will be filed Wednesday in the March 14 accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes. The people requested anonymity because the charges haven't been announced.

The charge carries a possible 15-year prison sentence. Stallworth's blood-alcohol level after the crash was .12, well above Florida's legal limit of .08, according to results of a blood test. Stallworth will also be charged with DUI, according to the people informed about the case.
Stallworth, who is expected to surrender in court Thursday, released a statement last month saying he was "grief-stricken" over the accident.

A Miami Beach police report said that Reyes was not in a crosswalk on busy MacArthur Causeway when he was struck by the Bentley luxury car driven by Stallworth. The construction crane operator was trying to catch a bus home after finishing his shift around 7:15 a.m.
The report also quoted Stallworth as saying he flashed his lights at Reyes in an attempted warning and that Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured much of the year. He previously played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans.

Rosh Lowe has the update from our friends at WSVN-TV...

Coach Cal Wins The Press Conference At Kentucky

Fresh from sleeping on his decision and eating his morning doughnut, new Kentucky head coach John Calipari met to media from the Bluegrass Wednesday morning.

Calipari thanked every just short of Ashley Judd. I'm sure the ghost of Adolph Rupp was pleased.

Here's the festivities from start to finish thanks to our friends at WDRB-TV in Louisville.




Those of us at the OSG HQ put this presser in the win column for Coach Cal.

Coaching Career Ends For Kilrea

((HT: CP))

Andrew Agozzino's overtime goal ended the Ottawa 67's season, and coach Brian Kilrea's storied career ((pictured, thanks Dave Sandford/Getty Images)).

Agozzino scored 13 seconds into overtime to give the Niagara IceDogs a come-from-behind 4-3 win over the 67's Tuesday night to win their best-of-seven Ontario Hockey League opening-round series 4-3. His goal came as he took a centring pass from Freddie Hamilton and beat Adam Courchaine low stick side.

The 67's were eliminated after forcing Game 7 with a 4-0 win over Niagara Monday in Ottawa.
It was the final game behind Ottawa's bench for Kilrea, who retires with 1,193 wins, a Canadian junior hockey record. He will remain as the team's general manager.

"It's not so much the coaching as the fact that we lost the series," the Hall of Fame coach. "I wasn't thinking about anything else. I learned a long time ago that when you get beat with your best players on the ice you learn to accept it."

Kilrea took the time to congratulate his team on what he said was a season that produced much better results than he had imagined.

"If someone had said to me at the beginning of the year that we were going to win 40 games and take a team to seven games, I wouldn't have thought it. So it's not like this is a major disappointment," said Kilrea who has coached teams to three OHL titles and two Memorial Cup championships.

"I'm proud of them. We saw a lot of young kids improve this season and in tonight's lineup we had five 16-year olds who played well."

There wasn't a dry eye and barely a whisper to be heard from the 67's following the game. Owner Jeff Hunt said it was the most emotional 67's locker-room he had ever seen. Overager Thomas Kiriakou had to reject a few interviews as he was unable to compose himself.

"I can't take this jersey off," a tearful Corey Cowick said after the game. "Everything I owe in my career I owe to Brian Kilrea and to have it end like this is horrible. I would give anything to drop that puck again for him."

Here's the tribute that ran the night of Kilrea's last regular-season game in Ottawa for the 67's.

((HT: Ottawa 67's))

Mike Danton Eligible For Parole

((HT: TSN))

TSN has learned that former NHL player Mike Danton, who has been serving time in a Federal prison in the United States, is back in Canada and could be a free man very shortly.

The Brampton, Ontario native pled guilty to "murder-for-hire" charges in November of 2004. He has served over four years of his seven and a half year sentence at FCI Sandstone, a Minnesota prison. After petitioning to be moved to a Canadian prison since 2005, Danton finally got his wish on March 19th as he was transferred to Kingston Penitentiary.

Under Canadian law, Danton ((pictured, thanks Jamie Squire/Getty Images)) is now eligible for full parole.

A source has told TSN that Danton, who spent parts of three seasons playing for the St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils, is now seriously considering a return to professional hockey.
In 87 career NHL games, the 28-year old has nine goals and five assists while picking up 182 penalty minutes. He was the Devils fifth round pick, 135th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry draft.

Here are audio copies of the fourth jailhouse phone call Danton had with agent David Frost- the man who Danton wanted killed.

((HT: CBC/The Fifth Estate))

The other three phone calls can be listened to in black... The transcript of Call 4 is there as well.

Bob McKeown and the rest of the Fifth Estate crew kicked some serious ass with this topic.

It's required viewing...

Washing Broncos Cutler-y

((HT: Mike Klis/Denver Post))

Seems like the on-again, off-again relationship between Denver Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels and QB Jay Cutler is, officially, off.

Irreconcilable differences that not even emoticons on text messages can fix...

"Numerous attempts to contact Jay Cutler in the last 10 days, both by head coach Josh McDaniels and myself, have been unsuccessful," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. "A conversation with his agent (Bus Cook) earlier today clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos. We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

Cutler heard about Bowlen's statement Tuesday, but said by text, "I'm not talking about it."
For now, the Broncos' starting quarterback is Chris Simms, who has thrown just two passes since sustaining a ruptured spleen in the third game of the 2006 season, or nine games before Cutler replaced Jake Plummer as the Broncos' starting quarterback.

Good luck with that one...

Washington and the Jets are in play for Cutler's moodiness...

Was it really this long ago...?

((HT: ESPN/NFL))

Anderson Stays in Columbia

((HT: KMBC-TV))

The University of Missouri has struck a deal to keep head coach Mike Anderson in Columbia after he nearly led the basketball program to the Final Four.

MU has reached an agreement on a seven-year contract, which will keep Anderson in charge of the Tigers through the 2015-16 season.

Sources tell KMBC that Anderson's contract will be worth $1.6 million per year.

"We are excited Coach Anderson is going to be at the University of Missouri for a long time," athletics director Mike Alden said in a news release. "He's done a tremendous job rebuilding our basketball tradition and is poised to lead our program to new heights in the coming years."

"I am excited to remain here at Missouri," Anderson said. "We are looking forward to the future of this program and can't wait to continue building on the success of the past season."

Anderson has led the Tigers to a 31-7 record, and the team had an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Several universities had been courting Anderson, including Memphis and Georgia. Sources said Anderson turned down a $2.5 million offer to coach at Georgia.

Here's the report from KSPR-TV:

Cal Gone: Handicapping Memphis

Now that Coach Cal is gone...

Here's your contenders for the gig...

Tim Floyd/USC- Has a home in Hattiesburg, was rasied in the south, and won't compete with football if he shows...

Andy Kennedy/Ole Miss- Would it be a step backward...? But his incident in Cincinnati may preclude him in all of this...

Frank Haith/Miami (FL)- Haith's ready to get out of town, but it'll be a rebuilding project.

Tony Barbee/UTEP- Coach Cal's, rumored-to-be anyway, hand-picked choice. But would Barbee and assistant Josh Pastner want to leave and head to UK...?

Reggie Theus- Would "Rush Street Reggie" become "Beale Street Reggie?" Would a lack of success in the NBA and the Mountain West stop his candidacy...?

And, yeah, we buried the lead here...

Nolan Richardson- Here's an idea for you... bring Nolan back. He's proven that he wants to still coach since he's been the coach for the Panamanian and Mexican national squads. He's plugged into the Memphis, Oklahoma, and Ark-La-Tex scenes like no other coach available. And it would also give an absolutely cheap pop to a program that needs it right now.

You wanna make a statement...? Make that kind of statement... Let him go for another handful of seasons and give him the ride into the sunset that a lot of people think he deserves.

Just a thought (or two))