Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 838 of 1503)

      Cowboys shopping linebacker Greg Ellis

      May 22, 2009 /

      According to Fanhouse.com, the Cowboys are actively shopping linebacker Greg Ellis, who is in the last year of his contract.

      Ellis, 34, has been a productive player throughout his entire career, but the Cowboys want to see more of former first round pick Anthony Spencer. Apparently Dallas is so inclined to move Ellis that they sent him home on the final day of OTA’s this week so that he wouldn’t get hurt. Of course, they did this last year with him too, but head coach Wade Phillips claimed that the reason was because they didn’t want to wear him down.

      Besides creating more reps for Spencer and trying to get something for him before he becomes a free agent, another possible reason the Cowboys want to trade Ellis is because rumor has it he’s not a good locker room guy. He’s been called selfish in the past and this might be another attempt (a la releasing Terrell Owens) by Jerry Jones to spare the Cowboys of those kinds of players.

      The Bengals and Patriots have been brought up in trade discussions, although New England has already stated that they have no interest. Cincinnati doesn’t make much sense considering they don’t play a 3-4, but there must be a reason why Dallas is targeting them as a potential trade suitor.

      NFL

      Ryan Leaf indicted on drug and burglary charges

      May 22, 2009 /

      Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been indicted on drug and burglary charges after being suspected of breaking into an apartment to steal Hydrocodone, which had been prescribed to an injured football player that he knew.

      The indictment handed up Wednesday in Canyon charged the 33-year-old former San Diego Chargers quarterback and former West Texas A&M quarterbacks coach with one count of burglary to a habitation, seven counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and one count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance.

      The indictment said Leaf presented an incomplete medical history to several physicians between January 2008 and September 2008 to get or try to obtain the painkiller Hydrocodone.
      It was not clear whether Leaf had an attorney.

      Canyon police Lt. Dale Davis said Leaf is suspected of breaking into a Canyon apartment on Oct. 30 and stealing Hydrocodone, which had been prescribed to an injured football player.

      “There were signs of a forced entry,” Davis said. “A window in the back of the home was (damaged).”
      The count of delivery of a simulated controlled substance alleges Leaf gave an individual a substance he said was Hydrocodone but was not that drug.

      James Farren, Randall County criminal district attorney, said Leaf has been undergoing drug rehabilitation in British Columbia, the Amarillo Globe-News reported.

      Boy, do the karma gods have this guy by the nut sack or what? You almost feel bad for him seeing as how he’s obviously addicted to drugs he’s breaking into homes while in rehab.

      But then you remember it’s Ryan Leaf:

      NFL, Video

      Peavy declines trade deal to White Sox

      May 22, 2009 /

      It looks like the White Sox won’t be getting the pitching help they need after all.

      The White Sox were able to strike a deal with the Padres for ace Jake Peavy, but Peavy exercised his no-trade clause to officially veto the deal before it could be completed. Peavy cited his desire to remain in San Diego as the main reason he nixed the trade, but many believe he doesn’t want to leave the National League either.

      The conspiracy theorist in me questions whether or not this was a move to wake up the Cubs, who were hot after Peavy in the offseason but eventually walked away from the negotiation table with the Padres. Did San Diego GM Kevin Towers pursue a deal with the White Sox in an attempt to get the Cubs back into trade negotiations?

      Think about it, if Towers knew that Peavy would never agree to join an American League team, then he could pursue a deal with the White Sox to piss Cub fans off and maybe get GM Jim Hendry to come back to the negotiation table. The trade attempt would also show the Cubs that Peavy is still available.

      Again, this is just speculation on my part and my attempt to think outside of the box. The deal with the Sox could have very well been legit and had absolutely nothing to do with the Cubs. But if Towers has his eye on a prospect or two in the Cubs’ farm system, wouldn’t it be sly of him to use the White Sox as patsies to get the Cubs back into negotiations?

      And isn’t it ironic that the day before Peavy rejects a trade to join the White Sox, the Cubs are in town for a three game set with the Padres?

      MLB

      Palmer blasts Ochocinco…kind of.

      May 21, 2009 /

      In a recent interview for NFL Sirius Radio, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer took a few diplomatic potshots at wideout Chad Ochocinco, who has been a no-show so far in minicamps.

      “It’s definitely a new look for the Bengals receiver corps but I couldn’t be happier with the guys we’ve got,” Palmer said. “T.J.’s (Houshmandzadeh) gone and Chad’s pretty much gone, he hasn’t been here, so we’ve got guys that want those two spots, guys that compete day in and day out, when we’re out there on the field, running, conditioning and in the weight room lifting. They’re guys that want to take over for those two spots. They look every bit capable of doing what we’re going to ask them to do.”

      When asked what his expectations about Ochocinco this season were, Palmer said: “Well, I really don’t know. I haven’t talked to him. I haven’t talked to anybody that has talked to him. He wasn’t here last year so I’m expecting him not to be here at all this year. Last year I think he was here for the mandatory camp but didn’t participate in it. So I’m planning on him not being here just because he hasn’t been here yet so we’ll prepare, like I said.

      “We’ve got Chris Henry … He’s a guy that’s had a great offseason, really turned his life around. I’m excited to watch him play. He’s a guy that seems like he catches a touchdown every other ball that’s thrown to him, he’s that explosive. He’s kind of taken over for Chad’s position and he’s a guy that, like I said earlier, does not want to give up that spot right now.”

      While I would hardly say that Palmer openly “dissed” Ochocinco, he definitely put it out there that he’s not pleased with Chad’s absence. Sure, Palmer could have downplayed the situation and avoid the topic, but I think he handled it right. Ochocinco is hurting the team by not being there and Palmer would rather focus on the guys who are busting their ass right now getting ready for the season. For a team leader, I like what Palmer said and maybe this will light a fire under Ochocinco, although I highly doubt it.

      People like to downplay Ochocinco’s actions and write it off as him just having fun. But I don’t care how you slice it – he’s a distraction. And Palmer has it right in wanting to concentrate on the guys who are in camp, as opposed to the one player that isn’t.

      NFL

      Peavy may not approve deal to White Sox – what about Cubs?

      May 21, 2009 /

      According to a report by ESPN.com, Jake Peavy’s agent has expressed doubt that his client will agree to waive his no-trade clause in order for the Padres to complete a deal with the White Sox. Apparently the two teams have already agreed on a trade, but Peavy signing off on the deal is the final step.

      The issue apparently is that Peavy wants to stay in the National League, where he’s played his entire career. It’s obviously much easier to face NL hitting than it is to go to the AL, where they DH the pitcher. It makes sense that he wants to give himself the best opportunity to succeed.

      If this trade doesn’t go down, I wouldn’t fall asleep on the Cubs. They seemed hell bent on trading for Peavy in the offseason, but they eventually walked away. If Peavy doesn’t sign off on his no-trade clause in order to join the White Sox, will it wake up the other team in Chicago?

      Despite battling a slew of injuries, the Cubs remain only three games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. Ace Carlos Zambrano is expected to come off the DL on Friday and start against the Padres (ironically), but adding Peavy to a rotation that already features Big Z, Rich Harden and Ryan Dempster would be killer.

      The question is – do the Cubs have enough prospects to make a deal for Peavy? There probably isn’t a chance in hell they’d be willing to give up a young hitting prospect like Josh Vitters, but what about pitchers Jeff Samardzija and/or Andrew Cashner?

      Nothing at this point suggests that the Cubs will try and re-enter trade talks with the Padres for Peavy, but it could be something to keep an eye on.

      MLB

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