FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Dr. James Andrews, the world's most renowned surgeon said, "I'm not supposed to say anything but Brett kind of let that cat out of the bag on that HBO show," Andrews said. "I did his shoulder (arthroscopic) a few weeks ago. I visited him in Hattiesburg two weeks ago. He wants to play and he wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings. He wants to end his career on a high note and I hope he can. He's a tough guy, a great guy. I'm pulling for him. He wants to play. He just wants to make sure his shoulder and arm are healthy enough."

Clarion Ledger

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Roger Clemens' lawyer says the pitcher was not among the more than 100 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. Rusty Hardin tells The New York Times that Clemens obtained the results from the drug-testing company and provided them to Congress before his 2008 testimony by waiving his right to keep them private.

Associated Press

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The Lakers have had interest in Nate Robinson since the trade deadline. I didn't exactly see him as the master of the Triangle. But sometimes we - as in media - take N-Rob for granted. He truly is among the best Sixth Man out there.

New York Post

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Like graffiti on a deserted factory building, Ryan Smyth could easily see the writing on the wall. "Obviously, they wanted to move money, and I fit that criteria," Smyth said Saturday, one day after being traded by the Avalanche to the Los Angeles Kings for defensemen Kyle Quincey and Tom Preissing and a fifth-round draft pick. "I'd heard the rumors, and usually when they're that strong, there's something to them." Smyth thought the Avs would be the last team he ever played for when he signed a five-year, $31.25 million contract in 2007. It didn't turn out that way, not after a last-place finish in 2008-09 and the Avs in a rebuilding mode. "They want to go younger and less expensive," Smyth said. "And I respect that. I have a lot of respect for Mr. (Stan) Kroenke and the Colorado organization."

Denver Post

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University of Florida president J. Bernard Machen wants to cut the number of places alcohol is sold at the annual football game against Georgia in Jacksonville. The Florida Times-Union reported Machen sent a letter earlier this week to Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton requesting more city investment in curbing binge drinking at the game once popularly known as the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Machen's letter listed requests for the event that included, among other things, reducing the number of locations selling alcohol by 50 percent and completely prohibiting the sale of shots at the waterfront shopping area, Jacksonville Landing -- a popular location for game revelers.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

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A former University of Oregon women's soccer player sued Sounders FC forward Nate Jaqua and Major League Soccer this week, accusing Jaqua of sexually assaulting her in Eugene, Ore., two years ago. According to the complaint, the woman allegedly met Jaqua on July 1, 2007, and later allowed him to walk her home from a Eugene bar. Jaqua allegedly sexually assaulted the woman in a cemetery along the way.

Seattle Times

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Index understands that Lorenzo Fertitta, the head honcho and part owner of the UFC flew to Zagreb with his own private jet earlier this morning. He was driven to Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's residents shortly after, where he stayed for two hours talking with the Croatian fighter. He returned to the airport afterwards, smiling, where his private jet flew off in to an unknown destination. There is no doubt that Fertitta came to Zagreb to persuade the Croatian fighter to change his mind and to sign with the worlds strongest fight sport organization. We understand that Cro Cop has been offered an incredible deal that should see him fight with the UFC once again.

mmanews.com

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Chrysler is working on a deal to pay off some of its debt to Richard Petty Motorsports, co-owner Richard Petty said at Daytona International Speedway. Petty said last month that Chrysler's bankruptcy put cash flow from the manufacturer to the organization on hold.

jayski.com

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The first time instructor Mike Taylor worked with U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, at Sea Island (Ga.) Golf Club in mid-2007, Taylor hauled a variety of swing aids down to the end of the range to see which the feel-oriented Glover might respond to best. Glover put his bag down next to the pile of gadgets, shook Taylor's hand and deadpanned, "Word travels fast when you aren't hitting it any good." The pair became fast friends, and the subsequent work on Glover's swing plane, impact position and putting fundamentals was instrumental to the victory at Bethpage Black.

Golf Digest

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Germany's Tommy Haas grew up watching Wimbledon masterclasses from compatriots Boris Becker and Steffi Graf, now after 11 years of trying the 31-year-old is finally enjoying some of the limelight himself. "You want to try to maybe accomplish some of the stuff they have, but it's not an easy task," Haas said on Wednesday after reaching his first Wimbledon semi-final by beating Serbia's fourth seed Novak Djokovic. "Obviously Steffi had such great success here. I was watching Boris when I was young. Every year I was looking forward to watching it on TV, him playing Wimbledon." Haas, winner at Halle in June and unbeaten on grass this season, continues to enjoy something of a purple patch at the All England Club after a career riddled by injuries and setbacks. "The year I would have been maybe third seed here (at Wimbledon in 2002), when I was three in the world, my parents had a really bad motorcycle accident so I skipped that year," the 24th seed added. "Then when I had a pretty good decent draw where I felt I could get far in the draw, I stepped on a ball in a warm-up." Saving two match points on his way to a mammoth five-set victory over Croatia's Marin Cilic would suggest this time around fortune has not deserted him.

Reuters

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