Ben Maller's sports rumors and notes
by FOXSports.com
NFL RUMORS AND NOTES
Suggs optimistic about Ravens extension
Unless the Ravens use the franchise tag on Terrell Suggs again, he will be one of the top free agents in the league next offseason. Suggs is probably targeting a contract similar to the one given to Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney (a six-year, $72million extension that includes $30 million in guaranteed money). Suggs' agent, Gary Wichard, also represents Freeney. The Ravens can't negotiate with Suggs during the season because the NFL deadline to reach a new contract with franchise players passed before training camp began. But Suggs said he is "highly optimistic" he will remain with the Ravens. "I think they'll eventually get something done," he said. "I can't worry about it now. I haven't lost faith in them. I still think they want me here. That's all I have to go on. When I came back, everybody was happy to see me and they welcomed back with open arms." -- Baltimore Sun
Cards to Boldin: No trade
The agent for Anquan Boldin has renewed a request that the Cardinals trade the unhappy receiver. And the Cardinals renewed their answer: No. Drew Rosenhaus made the first request in the spring, although Boldin denied asking for a trade. Team officials, however, confirmed that request, and sources close to the situation said Rosenhaus recently asked them again to trade Boldin or allow Rosenhaus to shop for a deal. The Cardinals' stance remains unchanged, according to a team spokesman. They have no intention of trading Boldin and are hopeful of signing him to a contract extension. -- Arizona Republic
MLB RUMORS AND NOTES
Expect Leyland to return to Tigers in '09
How Jim Leyland responds to the crushing disappointment of this season will define his career, because he must not only fight through the Tigers' collective failures, he also must wage war against the perception -- borne through the Colorado debacle -- that his love for the game fluctuates with the fortunes of his teams. Unfair? Yeah, it probably is. But Leyland brought it on himself. Of course he's not going anywhere. He has invested too much emotionally in baseball's resuscitation in Detroit. -- Detroit Free Press
Lo Duca: Steroids didn't make me an All-Star
Paul Lo Duca, who was called up from Class AAA late last week, disputes anyone who says that drugs helped make him an All-Star four times (2003-06), or that stopping their use led to his decline this season. "Don't tell me I can't play this game," said Lo Duca, 36. "Don't tell me that was the reason I was good. I think a lot of people perceive that, so my job is to go out and prove them wrong." -- Palm Beach Post
NBA RUMORS AND NOTES
Source: Ratliff, Sixers agree to 1-year deal
The 76ers could have a veteran backup big man in place as early as today. Theo Ratliff, 35, a veteran of 13 NBA seasons, has sifted through four offers and settled on rejoining the Sixers on a 1-year contract, according to a source familiar with the situation. The source said the 6-10 Ratliff could visit with the Sixers today and accept a 1-year contract for the veterans' minimum of $1.4 million. By the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, a portion of the salary would be paid out of a leaguewide pool. -- Philadelphia Daily News
Shootings tied to NBA player's party?
Chicago Police are investigating whether the Monday morning shootings of two men near the Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's resulted from a fight that spilled out of a club where there was a party for NBA player Antoine Walker, sources said. The birthday party for Walker was held Sunday at Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn, according to sources close to the player. But Walker's mother--who was at the party all night--said there were no fights she was aware of at the gathering. -- Chicago Sun-Times
NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES
Newman gets another new number for '09
Tony Stewart isn't afraid to change his mind. Although it's been less than a week since Stewart introduced Ryan Newman as his teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing, Stewart made a surprise announcement on his "Tony Stewart Live" show on Sirius Satellite Radio Monday night that he is changing Newman's car number for next season. At an announcement over the weekend at Michigan International Speedway, Stewart said Newman would drive the No. 4 Chevrolets next season. Stewart had already decided to drive the No. 14, the former car number of Stewart's hero in racing, A.J. Foyt. On his show, Stewart said he picked his car number because it was special to him and he knew the No. 39 was special to Newman. Newman's first-ever USAC midget win came in the No. 39 car. -- Charlotte Observer
Jimmie Johnson off NASCAR radar?
As for Jimmie Johnson, he and his Hendrick Motorsports team are much like a tropical wave coming off the African coast. They're not necessarily on the radar or utmost in everyone's consciousness right now but they will be soon enough. And over the course of the next 13 weeks leading to the season finale at Homestead, they will be reckoned with. Sure they've had some bad luck during the regular season but a roller coaster is fun because it goes down and up, and Johnson very well could find himself looking down from the dais of the contenders press conference come Championship Weekend. In fact, betting against him and his team would approach sheer lunacy. -- Florida Today
ODD NOTES AND STUFF
Yanks A-Rod working ladies in two towns?
His divorce woes don't seem to be keeping Alex Rodriguez from playing the field. The Yankee star was spotted in two cities squiring two different cuties last week - including one who's a younger version of his estranged wife, Cynthia. A-Rod stepped out with a mystery blonde last Wednesday night, starting with a cozy dinner at Dan Marino's in South Beach (photo, facing page.) The duo showed up around 9 and shared a "fairly animated" dinner conversation, spies told Page Six. "They looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves," said one source. ... Back in New York on Sunday night, Rodriguez hit the roof of Soho House with a tall Asian beauty with "good hair," sources report. And this time, instead of trying to pretend he wasn't with a woman, A-Rod - decked out in jeans, a white T-shirt and black patent-leather Nikes - was "out-of-his-way nice" to the staff. "He seemed in great spirits," said one spy. -- NY Post
Michael Phelps' to consider film and TV offers
Michael Phelps is ready for his close-up. The 14-time gold medalist said Monday that he hopes his success will translate into broader exposure for swimming, with agent Peter Carlisle adding that he will consider film and TV offers "for the good of the sport." Carlisle said the swimmer has been approached by Hollywood agencies here in Beijing, but offered nothing firmer than that. "We're interested in anything that will help bring more context and relevance to the sport of swimming for a broader audience," Carlisle said. Speaking at a press conference for his global sponsor Visa's new ad campaign, Phelps faced his new ultra-celebrity with an easy smile, answering many questions with a humble, "I have no idea what to say." -- Hollywood Reporter
COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES
USC asst coach says Pete Carroll should fire him
USC assistant coach John Morton took the unusual step of saying he should be fired Monday, perhaps a first for a coach in the Pete Carroll era. Morton's offense was that he forgot to play wide receiver Jordan Cameron during Saturday's scrimmage at the Coliseum. "I totally screwed that up. I didn't put him in," Morton said. "I should be fired for that. I made a mental error. I ask the players not to make mental errors so I shouldn't make them myself." Cameron, a transfer from Ventura College, has been impressive in practices, so his absence from the scrimmage was noticeable. -- LA Daily News
LSU's QB Lee out with bad back
Back trouble seems to be catching among LSU quarterbacks. LSU redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee missed Monday's practice with back spasms, two days after a stiff back limited sophomore Andrew Hatch in a scrimmage. LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette said Lee's troubles were unrelated to an ankle injury he suffered last week. Lee missed two days of work. Hatch, who is competing with Lee for the starting job, returned to work and showed no ill effects from his back trouble. Lee and freshman Jordan Jefferson received extra snaps in the 140-play scrimmage Saturday at Tiger Stadium because of Hatch's absence. -- New Orleans Times-Picayune
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
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