Favre is Returning to Football

(Rogelio V. Solis / AP)

Before you get the aw man here we go with this again Brett Favre is returning to football but not to the NFL, Favre will be an assistant high school coach in Mississippi.  In the fall Brett Favre will be working at Oak Grove High School close to his home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Biloxi Sun-Herald reported that Favre is expected to be the offensive coordinator for the powerhouse football program.  In the past,  Favre has helped out with the team unofficially and head coach Nevil Barr stated that they had discussed Favre working with the team but no job title has yet been defined.

Favre retired from the NFL in 2010 and although there has been rumors that Favre was looking to return to the NFL, again, Brett has maintained a low profile since his retirement.  I think that Favre coaching high school football is a good fit, it gives him the opportunity to participate in the sport in which he loves so much without having to endure the spotlight that the NFL brings.

OJ Murdock Dies of Apparent Suicide

Photo from OJ Murdock's Facebook Page

After sending an odd text to his former coach at 3:30 am, OJ Murdock was found inside his car by Tampa police with what they described as self inflicted gunshot wounds.  Murdock's car was found outside of his former high school, Middleton High School, in which his dreams of becoming an NFL star all began.

Murdock sent the following text to his former coach, Al McCray, who was his coach in high school and who also helped him get his career back on track at Fort Hays State:

"Coach I want to thank you for everything you've done for me and my family.  It's greatly appreciated. I apologize"

But Murdock did not state in the text what he apologized for.  Murdock has had a rollercoaster ride in his football career.  He originally went to college at South Carolina to play football, he was redshirted his freshman year, only playing one game, and was then dismissed from the team after being arrested for shoplifting in a Florida store in 2006.  Murdock spent two years at home before eventually enrolling in a small college and then transferring to Fort Hays State with his former high school coach McCray.  After having an outstanding senior year with Fort Hays State, Murdock was signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2011 as an unrestricted free agent.  Murdock then spent last season on injured reserved and was looking to return to the field with the Titans this year.

"It's hard, it really is because he was such a good kid.  He was lazy in the classroom in high school, and of course he messed up at South Carolina, but you're talking about a kid who was on his mom's couch for two years.  He got the grades he needed and he came up here [Fort Hays State] and he had one dream, one goal: 'I'm going to come out here and I'm going to play at a high level and I'll get to the National Football League.' And the kid did it. He did it." -Al McCray, Assistant Head Coach/Receiver

My condolences go out to the Murdock family.  You never know what someone is going through to push them over the edge.  This is a sad end to someone who all he wanted to do is make sure his mother and family was taken care of.  My hear is with them all.

 

Bryant Family News Conference

 (AP Photo/Nomaan Merchant)

Angela Bryant sat along side her son Dez Bryant during a brief news conference about the alleged assault charges.  Angela Bryant stated that no family violence had occurred between herself and her son Dez Bryant that was reported over a week ago.  Neither party answered any questions about the incident and a statement was read by Dez Bryant's Attorney, Senator Royce West.

Statement:

"Did a family disagreement occur? Yes. Did Dez Bryant commit family violence against his mother? No.  They are here together today to show they do love and support each other.  Just as much as they did before the incident a week ago.  But like all families, the Bryants have disagreements.  

 They ask that there not be a rush to judgement concerning their family. they also ask for your continued prayers and support for their family as they work through this matter."

At this time Bryant has yet to meet with the league or the Dallas Cowboys organization about the incident.  Both the league and the Cowboys organization are investigating the matter to see if any disciplinary action needs to take place.  Quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo showed his support for Dez releasing a statement after the news conference which he stated that Dez is a really good guy.

Hope that what they are saying is true, that no assault occurred on Angela Bryant by her only son.  The only thing that has me confused is that why would Angela Bryant lie and then turn around and say that no violence occurred.  And where did the bruises come from that were reported in the incident?  Hmmm

 

Penn State Gets Worse than Death Penalty?

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

The NCAA has come down on Penn State and it wasn't with the death penalty.  Penn State has received a $60 million sanction, 4 year football postseason ban, vacation of all wins dating from 1998 and they must reduce 10 initial and 20 total scholarships each year for four years.

Goodbye Ochocinco

Everybody gave Chad Ochocinco the side eye when he changed his last name a couple of years ago, well it looks like we can look at Chad normal again.  Ochocinco has decided to change his name back to Johnson partly due to his recent marriage to "Basketball everything but wives" reality star Evelyn Lozado.

"I'm refocused and locked in.  Time to get back to the old me.  It has nothing to do with football.  Ochocinco is still in me.  It's just my middle name." -Chad told ESPN.com

Johnson originally changed surname to Ochocinco before the 2008 season in order to have his nickname on his jersey.  Johnson had stated before that he would only change his name back to Johnson when the brand Ochocinco stopped making him money, so maybe it really is love between Johnson and non-basketball wife Evelyn.  I guess in due time we will see if it all works out in the end.

Berry Released by Lions

Paul Sancya/ AP

After being arrested for the second time this summer, the Detroit Lions have cut CB Aaron Berry from the team.  

"We have repeatedly stressed to everyone in our organization that there will be appropriate consequences when an expected standard of behavior is not upheld" -Lions President Tom Lewand

The Lions organization felt that Berry's personal conduct had adversely affected the club and therefore was let go by the team.  Berry was arrested on Saturday morning on three charges of simple assault.

The moral of this story kids is just because it is off season doesn't mean you can behave any way you see fit.  Keep it safe.

Howard Will Not Sign Extension

(Derick E. Hingle/US Presswire)

And so the Dwight Howard Saga continues.  Dwight Howard's agent has stated that Howard did not decide to sign a contract extension if traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

"Dwight's position has remained unchanged since the end of this past season.  He fully intends to explore free agency at the end of the next season, regardless of what team trades for him, including Brooklyn." -Dan Fegan, Howard's Agent

With this being the last year in Howard's contract the longest extension he would be able to sign is two years if he remains with the Orlando Magic and three years if he is traded to another team.  If Howard waits until his current deal expires he will be able to sign a five year deal for as much as $116.9 million.

According to Magic General Manager Rob Hennigan Howard told the Magic he would like to be traded to the Nets above any other team.  But when trade between the Nets and the Magic fell through for Dwight Howard Lakers arose as the top team in pursuit of Howard trying to include the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers as potential third parties in the trade.

With Dwight Howard not signing an extension the trade for him is going to get interesting.  The Magic are going to try to get rid of him that way if he decides to leave in free agency next off season they will have at least got something in return for him, but no team is really going to want to trade for him if they're not 100% sure that he's not going to stay another year.  Hmmm this may go down to the wire and with Dan Fegan, Howard's agent, openly stating that Howard has no intention of signing an extension it wouldn't surprise me if teams back off in trying to trade for him and just wait to pursue him in the free agency.  Stay tuned as the Howard Saga continues.

President Obama Picks Dream Team

Kobe Bryant has once again placed his arrogance out there for the world that has led to an open debate on whether the '92 Dream Team is better than this year's Team USA.  Michael Jordan fired back with a statement saying "I just laughed" and literally laughed out loud.  Well President Obama has come out and stated that he feels that the Dream Team would beat this year's team.  President Obama stated "This is a generational thing.  I was around in '92, I was a Bulls fan, so I've got to go with the original Dream Team.  You know Kobe's a competitor so you expect him to do a little trash talking when the opportunity arises.

The '92 Dream Team consisted of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, David Robinson, Karl Malone, Christian Laettner, Clyde Drexler, and John Stockton.

While this year's 2012 Team USA consist of Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love, Deron Williams, Andre Iguodala, and Anthony Davis (who replaced Blake Griffin who suffered a knee injury.

President Obama wasn't able to escape the debate during Monday's exhibition game against Brazil and was interviewed during halftime.  President Obama went on to say "Obviously the talent that we've got at this point is unbelievable, so there's no reason that we shouldn't bring home the gold.  We just have to stay focused."

President Obama and First Lady Michelle court side during
Monday night's exhibition USA vs. Brazil Basketball game

Ray Rice Signs 5-year Deal with Ravens

Ray Rice signed a 5-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens Monday worth approximately $40 million. Rice will get $17 million this upcoming season and receive $8 million during the 2013 season. If Rice hadn't signed a long term contract by 4 pm Monday he would have played this upcoming season under the $7.7 million franchise tag tender. Rice took to twitter saying "Baltimore I'm back well I never left lol #Ravens". Rice scored a franchise high fifteen touchdowns last season. Veteran RB Ricky Williams had the following to say about Rice:

"He's got all the God-given ability, but he also works hard. It's rate to find that combination. In my mind, there's only one way to have success, and that's to work hard and have a little bit of talent. He's got both."

Dez Bryant Allegedly Assaults Mother

Matthew Emmons US Presswire

Dez Bryant was arrested early Monday after allegedly grabbing his mother's t-shirt and hair and hitting her across the face with a ball cap, according to the incident report.  Angela Bryant, Dez's mother, was quoting as stating "I can't keep letting him do this."  According to Angela this is the not the first time in which her son Dez Bryant has assaulted her.  Dez has been charged with Class A misdemeanor for assaulting a female family member after allegedly striking Angela in the hand and wrists.  According to the incident report bruising was observed on both of Angela's arms.  Dez Bryant was released late Monday after posting $1,500 bond.  What is this world coming to when people are assaulting their parents?

Kyrie Irving Breaks Right Hand

Being in the NBA definitely does not make you mature faster and this incident with Kyrie Irving proves that.  Irving broke his right had slapping a padded wall during practice on Saturday.  The young Cavs star was upset after making a turnover and slapped the padded wall in a high school gymnasium.  Irving traveled back to Cleveland Sunday to be examined by team doctors on Monday and is expected to miss two months.  The young star is scheduled to have surgery on his broken hand this Wednesday.

This incident came just days after it had hit the net that Irving had challenged Kobe Bryant to a one on one game, in which the winner would receive a cash sum from his opponent to be donated to the charity of their choice.

Terrell Owens Missed Hearing

Looks like Terrell Owens is in deep trouble yet again.  TO is currently behind on his child support $20,000 and could face jail time for the missed payments.  TO was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday but did not show up for the hearing upsetting County Judge John Goger according to WSBTV.com.  Owens' attorney David Hartin accepted blame for TO missing the hearing claiming that he did not communicate with Owens about hearing.

Terrell Owens had agreed to pay Melanie Page Smith, mother of his 7-year old daughter, $5,000 per month and has not made a payment in several months.  Judge Goger reset Owens hearing for this Thursday and Owens is facing jail time if he does not show up for the rescheduled hearing.

"It's a tragedy, not only that we are here today; this is the third case she [Smith] has had to file in the last year.  We are hoping next week the case will come to a resolution and Mr. Owens will pay and pay every month." -Randy Kessler, Smith's Attorney

I hope that TO gets his act together, I'm sure he doesn't want to be remembered as the guy that didn't take care of his kids.  Of course these situations will not overshadow his play on the field, but the fact that these cases are being played out in the public eye is very sad, especially with his kids getting to the age to where they can understand what is going.  Let's hope that Owens will take care of his responsibilities from this day forward.

UPDATE: Owens paid the $20,000 he had missed avoiding the jail time he was facing from missing his child support payments as well as the hearing last week.

Blake Griffin Injures Left Knee

The USA Basketball team hasn't been together a week and already someone is hurt.  Blake Griffin injured his left knee during a scrimmage at team USA training camp according to ESPN.  Griffin returned to Los Angeles to have his knee examined by Clippers' physicians.  USA Basketball released a statement saying that Griffin would miss the scrimmage today against the Dominican Republic after complaining about discomfort in his left knee.  Griffin is expected to undergo a MRI exam and be evaluated on Sunday.  USA Basketball announced that the 2012 number 1 draft pick, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Hornets was asked to report to Team USA training camp and will dress out in place of Griffin in tonight's scrimmage game.  Davis is one of six alternates for Team USA after not making the 12 man team due to a sore ankle he suffered from during try outs.  Whether Griffin is able to return to Team USA or not I'm sure that they will be able to bring home the gold.

UPDATE: Griffin has been diagnosed with a medial meniscus tear in left knee and will miss the Olympics according to the LA Times and will likely have arthroscopic surgery next week. Anthony Davis was named to replace Griffin in the 12 man roster for Team USA. Griffin is expected to miss at least 8 weeks but should be ready to go by the time training camps begin in October.

Rashard Lewis to the Heat

Rashard Lewis is headed back to Florida, only this time he is headed to Miami not Orlando. Lewis has agreed to a two year $2.8 million deal with the Miami Heat. Lewis agreed to a &13.7 million buyout from the New Orleans Hornets after they traded with the Washington Wizards for Lewis last month thus making him a free agent. Lewis had interest in other teams, including the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, but was sold on the Heat after meeting with Pat Riley. Lewis has become the second veteran the Heat has agreed to a deal with after his former Supersonic teammate Ray Allen agreed to a deal with Miami this past Friday. Lewis is expected to sign his contract Wednesday along with Allen.

Lou Williams to Hawks

Looks like Lou Williams is headed back home to Atlanta. According to sources the Gwinnett County native has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Williams finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year category, behind guard James Harden, after averaging a career high 14.9 points and 3.5 assists. Williams announced last week that he would not be returning to Philadelphia after talks broke down between the two parties. Williams opted out of the final year of his contract worth $5.3 million. Lou Williams took to twitter to announce the news to his fans.

USA Basketball

The USA Olympic basketball team has been announced and consist of the following 12 players:

Lebron James
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Durant
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Love
Blake Griffin
Deron Williams
Andre Iguodala

Chris Bosh Will Sit Out Olympics

(Getty Images)

Coming just a few days after Wade announced that he would miss the Olympics, Heat teammate Chris Bosh announced that he would miss the Olympics as well.

Bosh decided to sit out the Olympics so he can still heal from the abdominal strain suffered during the playoffs. Bosh told USA basketball on Friday that he is withdrawing from consideration for the London games. Chris Bosh made the decision after consulting with Heat team physician Dr. Harlan Selesnick and others. With Bosh and Wade out, there are sixteen players left for twelve spots on the US Olympic team and the roster is scheduled to be announced July 7th. Bosh agent released the following statement:

"This injury was a pretty serious one. He was able to comeback and play under the circumstances because he was trying to contribute to them winning a championship. There's still pain. There's still discomfort. And the real concern is if he doesn't rest and do the rehab associated with the injury, this could become sort of a chronic thing for him." -Henry Thomas, Bosh agent

Lamar Odom Traded to Clippers

Well we all know how Lamar Odom felt about being in Dallas and it showed in his play. Well look like Dallas is fed up with his acting out and Odom is headed to back to LA, only this time he won't be with his beloved Lakers. Lamar Odom is headed back to where his career began as the Mavericks traded Odom to the Clippers Friday as part of a four team trade. The Clippers sent Mo Williams to the Utah Jazz who will use the trade exception it created in the Mehmet Okur deal with the Nets this past season to take on Williams contact. Mavericks will create their own trade exception worth $8.9 million by shedding Odom's contract without taking any salary back. The mavericks received the draft rights to Forward Tadija Dragicevic from Utah and cash considerations from the Houston Rockets. The Clippers sent draft rights to second round pick Furkan Aldemir to Houston in the trade. Jazz also received draft rights to Shan Foster from the mavericks.

Dallas originally had until Friday to either pay $2.4 million to buyout Odom's $8.2 million salary for next season or have him on the books for the 2012-2023 season. Mavericks and Odom agreed to extend the buyout deadline in Odom's contract to Saturday while Williams decided on whether to pick up his $8.5 million option for next season.

Kevin Garnett Decides to Return

AP

According to sources Garnett will not be retiring and has decided to return to the Boston Celtics. Garnett will receive a 3-year $34 million deal going into next season. Garnett just finished his fifth season with the Celtics after playing twelve years with this Minnesota Timberwolves. A source close to the situation states that the decision came down to whether Garnett still wanted to play and when he decided he did it was going to be with Boston, that he wasn't going to leave Doc and those guys to play with anyone else.