Chris Johnson Worth $53

Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans have agreed to a four year extension worth $53 million with $30 million guaranteed. Johnson still has two years left on his current contract, so this deal means he is a Titan until 2016.

Johnson has been outspoken during his negotiations especially to the so called "fake Titan fans."

Johnson went on to write, "I don't have a regular job so don't compare me to you and I can care less if uthink I'm greedy."

Johnson will make an immediate impact even if he has to shake some rust off and learn some new things. Coordinator Chris Palmer has revised the offense and Johnson only has a little over a week to learn the changes. Fullback Ahmard Hall says Johnson has some work to do.

"You're going to have to think," Hall said. "You're not going to just be able to roll in and hit the ground running as if coach (Mike) Heimerdinger were still here. Coach Palmer has put in a lot of good things, but the language is different. He's definitely going to have to think. The sooner he gets in the better."

Good for you Johnson. Make your money while you can, just invest it right. If you need something to invest in, I can make a proposal to you in order to make my blog a full time gig.

(via ESPN)

Pat Summitt Diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia

Legendary Tennessee Lady Vols' basketball coach Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with early onset dementia. Summitt plans to continue coaching, but she knows she will have to work at it.

"Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition since there will be some good days and some bad days."

Summitt plans on slowing down her condition by doing mental exercises and taking medication.  Summitt is a competitive person and does not want to be treated differently.

"There's not going to be any pity party and I'll make sure of that," she told the Knoxville News Sentinel Monday evening. 

This is unfortunate for Summitt. I have researched into the long term effects of concussions on NFL players and I know that dementia can be a debilitating disease. I hope that Summitt can stay as sharp as possible and postpone longterm effects such as Alzheimer's.

(via ESPN)

Colts Sign Collins- Peyton Manning May Not Be Ready

To the disappointment to my fantasy football team and Colt's fans everywhere, the Indianapolis Colts have signed veteran quarterback, Kerry Collins. Collins had originally retired, but signed with the starting position seemingly on lock for the season opener. Apparently not everyone is happy with this decision:

"We don't even know him, we ain't vanilla, man, we ain't no simple offense," receiver Reggie Wayne said. "So for him to can come in here and be the starter, I don't see it. I think that's a step back."

Man this is a bummer. Peyton was my franchise player for my fantasy league and now he may not play the first few games. Peyton has a starting streak of 208, every game he has been able to start. The Colts offense is centered around Peyton and he runs the show. I wonder if the Colts will water it down for Collins?

(via ESPN)

Pryor to Raiders- Offered Bacon as Signing Bonus

Terrelle Pryor was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of today's supplemental draft. Pryor was the only player taken in today's draft. Pryor should see a decent chunk of change from this pick. ESPN reports:

Based on the rookie scale used to sign picks from April's draft, Pryor would be expected to get a four-year deal at $2.36 million, including a $591,000 signing bonus.

That's a lot of tattoos or if you are former Raiders first overall pick, Jamarcus Russell, a lot of bacon. Russell was the last big name quarterback the Raiders drafted, but he was cut after three seasons for several reasons including reports of him weighing over 300 pounds.

(via ESPN)

Terrelle Pryor Eligible for NFL... Just Not Yet

Terrelle Pryor is eligible for the 2011 supplemental draft according to ESPN. The 2011 supplemental draft will take place on August 22, instead of the originally scheduled date of yesterday. He will be suspended for the first five games of the season, although he will be allowed to play in any preseason game. The NFL is continuing the suspension he accepted at the end of the 2010 NCAA season.

Eligibility for the supplemental draft requires that a player be deemed ineligible for the NCAA season, such as failing to qualify academically. Turns out, Terrelle Pryor manufactured his ineligibility:

"... Pryor made decisions that undermine the integrity of the eligibility rules for the NFL Draft," the league said. "Those actions included failing to cooperate with the NCAA and hiring an agent in violation of NCAA rules, which resulted in Ohio State declaring him ineligible to continue playing college football."

I think Pryor is lucky to receive only the five game suspension. He purposefully broke the rules in order to get around his five game suspension in the NCAA and his lack of tattoo funds. The NFL should have made him sit out until next years draft. Instead of a five game NCAA suspension while making no money, Pryor will now have a five game NFL suspension while making hundreds of thousands of dollars to potentially millions. Oh, loopholes.

(via ESPN)

and Thome makes 8

Jim Thome homered twice on Monday night to help the Twins beat the Tigers 9-6. Thome reached the fabled "600 Home Run Club" becoming the eighth player to do so. At 40 years old, Thome is 9 home runs away from reaching Sammy Sosa who is next on the list. Thome had struggled since August 4th to hit a home run.

"Hitting home runs can be very difficult," Thome said. "You sit in bed at night and you think about how's it going to be, how are you going to do this? It goes back to trying to slow yourself down and not being too antsy, too hyped up. It's just a great night." 

Thome is adamant about not using steroids. If this is true, which I am fully inclined to believe it is, Thome would be just the fifth player to reach 600 home runs without steroids. I promise this fact will be hyped up as you tune in to ESPN or read about it on sports blogs. I commend Thome for his accomplishment and I am impressed.  Below is a video of the home run. (I couldn't find an better quality video that was embeddable).

(via ESPN)

NCAA Investigating the "U"

According to ESPN, NCAA investigators are at the University of Miami looking into claims that former and current players received extra benefits. The benefits were allegedly given to the players by Ponzi schemer, Nevin Shapiro. 

His attorney, Maria Elena Perez, says Shapiro has told the NCAA he provided players with the use of a yacht and other favors.

According to me, this didn't seem to give the 'Canes much help in recent years. The photo above is from the Bulls victory over the 'Canes last year (I am #64). I can't fault the players too much. The NCAA doesn't provide enough money to get a student through the semester. I remember running out of money several weeks early and holding my breath until the next scholarship check came. If players were paid fairly, things like this would be less likely to happen (They still would happen, it's just that some people are greedy or ignorant of the rules).

(via ESPN)

A- Rod's Underground Fight/ Poker Club

According to my sources (ESPN in case you didn't know) Alex Rodriguez if facing suspension from his involvement in illegal, underground poker games including one that turned violent.

The allegations, first published by RadarOnline.com, are that the New York Yankees third baseman played in at least two of the games, one of which took place at the Beverly Hills mansion of a record executive at which "cocaine was openly used and a fight nearly broke out when one of the players refused to pay after losing "more than a half-million dollars."T

This is one of several infractions Rodriguez is facing. I hope he just fades away into obscurity. He has never lived up to the "Superman" of baseball that he was hyped to be (and paid for). I do not see why he keeps getting chances when he is underwhelming at best. He is a Yankee, not an Astro.

I am just glad football camps have started back up because this will distract ESPN for 24/7 coverage of this. I just figured I would tell my loyal followers about this, so they have some water cooler ammo.

(via ESPN)

 

Sports News of the Day- Moss Retires

Randy Moss has decided to call it quits, but something tells me (and pretty much anyone with a brain) that he will be back. It is just a matter of time or money before Moss decides to call retirement quits and head back to football.

Randy Moss has been a favorite of fantasy football players and Madden gamers for years, but his antics have plagued every team he has ever been with. He was being a superstar diva before it was mainstream. His whole gig of being "more important than the team" is tried and true and some NFL team will realize this when they have a thin receiving core.

Moss will go where the money is. He is young enough to still bring in a hefty pay day, but old enough to not be locked in for years. Who knows? Maybe your favorite NFL team will be lucky enough to pick up Moss from his retirement with Brett Favre.

(via ESPN)

Ocho to Patriots?

Breaking news from ESPN: Sources (ESPN again with their mythical sources) report that Chad Ochocinco has been traded to the Patriots for a couple of draft picks. My own sources (Ochocinco's Facebook profile) can confirm these reports.

This is good news for everyone involved. Ochocinco gets to go to a team who will be a favorite to win it all this year, Cincinnati gets rid of what turned out to be an entertaining disappointment (individuals can't win championships), and the Patriots get a pro-bowl receiver on the same day they get one of the best defensive linemen (when in shape).

I am interested to see what happens with Ochocinco's number. Will he force Aaron Hernandez to take on a new number or will Ochocinco change his name to OchoOcho?

(via ESPN)

Lots of movement today- NFL Edition

Sorry for posting so late today, I've had an interesting morning.

Lots to report about in NFL free agency. Listed below you will find all free agency pickups and new deals that are of any interest to me.

• Reggie Bush- The Saints traded Bush to the Dolphins for safety Jonathon Amaya. It is a two year deal worth $10 million. Bush has never lived up to the hype, but the Dolphins were so bad on offense last year that he may get his chance to shine.

• Stephen Bowen- The former Cowboy signed with rival Washington Redskins for a 5-year, $27.5 million contract including $12.5 million in guarantees. That is a large amount for money for a guy who is not a guaranteed starter. The Cowboys are now left with a need for defensive ends. 

• Daryn Colledge- Super Bowl Champion guard Colledge signed with the Cardinals for a 5-year, $27.5 million contract. The Cards gain a much needed lineman in Colledge and his experience should bring some strength to the line.

• Vince Young- Seems that Young will be released soon. This is not unexpected. The Titans drafted Jake Locker and will nurture him instead of Young's fragile ego. 

• Albert Haynesworth- The Redskins traded Haynesworth to the Patriots for a 2013 draft pick. My first thought on this is good luck to the scout team center for the Patriots. Wilfork and Haynesworth will be putting a beating on that poor guy. 

• Stephen Nicholas- He may not be a household name, but Nicholas is a former teammate of mine and a very reliable linebacker for the Falcons. Nicholas signed a 5-year, $17.5 million contract.

These are just a few of the transactions that have been going on around the league in the last few days. If you want to keep track, head over to the "Worldwide Leader in Sources, " ESPN.

(via ESPN)

Sources say

So I guess ESPN no longer uses actual reporters. As I was checking their website I noticed an unusually high amount of stories that start with "Sources." Who are these mythical "sources." I think ESPN is getting duped by a renegade band of NFL team headquartered janitors. Take a look below.