Video turned up on YouTube that's apparently Adam James giving a brief tour of his holding pen, now infamous as the pit where former Texas Tech head footbal coach Mike Leach's career went to die.

It's a dark, grainy cell phone video that doesn't show much, but you get the idea that's it's a somewhat small tech closet and no great pace to spend three hours.

Gun-slinging quarterback Jay Cutler has had a tough year. No doubt about it.

But for one shining moment in a frozen game under the lights of a national Monday Night Football stage, the maligned Bears QB of the future could say he out-dueled the king of the gun-slingers, Brett Favre, in the most entertaining game the Chicago squad played in a dismal 2009 season.

Following what is now an almost predictable Adrian Peterson fumble in overtime, Cutler wasted no time making the Vikings pay. He hit a streaking Devin Aromashodu down the sideline for a quick-strike touchdown to cap a 36-30 victory.

Who knows what this victory means in the long run - other than a thorn-in-the-playoff-seeding-side of Minnesota. In fact, maybe it's best not to think about all the baggage waiting to be unloaded at season's end and simply live in this very un-Bear-like moment of victory. Just ask Jay:

"It's good for the team, it's good for the morale of going out there and putting up points and answering the bell, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime when you have to do it," Cutler said.

Vinny Del Negro doesn't need to worry about the endless snow and bitter cold in Chicago. There's enough heat building around him to keep the embattled Bulls coach warm until spring.

The latest log on the firing fire comes from an ESPN report claiming that the Bulls have already decided to jettison Del Negro and are actively seeking out coaches for a mid-season termination. Barring that, the site reports he's definitely gone at season's end.

John Paxson, Gar Forman and Bennie the Bull all declined comment.

A huge turnaround for the underperforming Bulls could change the team's collective mind on Vinny's fate, but when you watch a young team with high expectations continue to struggle with fundamentals, heart, desire, etc., the future is not good from a coaching employment standpoint. Oh, then there's this:

"I have given my heart and soul to coaching college football and mentoring young men for the last 24-plus years and I have dedicated most of my waking moments the last five years to the Gator football program," said Meyer. "I have ignored my health for years, but recent developments have forced me to re-evaluate my priorities of faith and family."

"After consulting with my family, Dr. Machen, Jeremy Foley and my doctors, I believe it is in my best interest to step aside and focus on my health and family.

 "I'm proud to be a part of the Gainesville community and the Gator Nation and I plan to remain in Gainesville and involved with the University of Florida.

"I'm very appreciative for the opportunity I've had to be a part of a tremendous institution - from Dr. Machen to Jeremy Foley and the entire administrative staff at UF. I'm also very thankful for the chance to work with some of the best assistants in college football and coach some of the best college football players and watch them grow both on and off the field as people. I will cherish the relationships with them the most."

No, we said shooting guard, Gilbert.

Washington Wizards standout Gilbert Arenas is in a bit of a spot after being caught storing firearms in his locker. Not really a good idea in general, particularly bad in the District of Columbia where gin ownership remains a controversial proposition after a zero-tolerance ban on firearms possession - even with a license - was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 as a violation of the Second Amendment.

The three-time All-Star is now a target of an NBA weapons probe.

Turns out Arenas was trying to do the right thing. He removed the guns from his home after the birth of his daughter, according to an interview in the Washington Times:

"I wouldn't have brought them to D.C. had I known the rules," Arenas said. "After my daughter was born, I was just like, I don't need these anymore. I don't want them around the kids. We are working with the league and the authorities."

The Wizards released a statement Thursday evening after the news leaked out, initially being reported by cbssports.com:

"The Washington Wizards have learned that Gilbert Arenas stored firearms in a locked container in his locker, unloaded and without ammunition," the Wizards' statement read. "The Wizards organization and Arenas promptly notified the local authorities and the NBA and are cooperating fully with law enforcement during its review of this matter and will have no further comment at this time."

It's not the first time Arenas has had weapons issues. He was suspended for Washington's season opener in 2004 because he failed to maintain proper registration of a handgun while living in California in 2003 when he played for the Golden State Warriors.

League rules allow for players to own guns, but in accordance with local laws and firearms are prohibited on team property.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Sebastian Telfair was suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount in 2006 after a loaded handgun registered to his girlfriend was found in his pillowcase aboard the team's plane when he was with Portland.

Yes, we're supporting blatant commercialization with this post, but who cares? It's Christmas - the official holiday of rampant commercialization.

Besides, these Nike spots playing up an old school rap battle between Santa Claus (an old school legend - KRS-One) and Blitzen (current Chicago hip hop legend Lupe Fiasco) with the help of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

The Blitzen challenges Santa to a game of hoops, talks a bunch of smack, then gets planted by the Jolly Old Elf. Pretty good stuff, really. Especially good to hear KRS1 again. This might be the best Christmas rap since Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis."

Anyway, Blitzen boasts about his game, telling Santa he'll spot him Kobe, LeBron and points anytime:

It all leads up to this epic rap and hoops battle on the courts, cause, you know, Santa won't be faded:

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen had a bad turnover Wednesday night.

No, not on the court. His Twitter account was hacked and some jokester posted a sexually explicit, NSFW message that went out to the lights-out shooting guard's followers.

Ray ended up having to change his account name - from @sugarray20, which ironically fit the fake message sent pretty well - to @greenrayn20.

Allen was understandably upset and said he may even have to close his account.

That would be a shame. The recent trend of athletes turning out in droves to be more accessible to fans has been refreshing. It brings some added fun to both fans and players that can interact a little more freely and makes games personal to follow again.

In the lawsuit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court, Park says he made the loan because Kreuter "had been a highly compensated Major League Baseball
player" and he assured Park that he "would have no difficulty paying [Park] back."

According to the suit, Kreuter signed a promissory note for the debt, but only made one payment for $290,000.

Now Park wants the remaining $170,000 plus interest and fees for the loan -- totaling $226,358.76.

Rest easy, world. If you felt a sudden disturbance in the force, it had to be the shoes - and certainly not a lawsuit.

The new "Space Jam" Air Jordans - Air Jordan 11 (Air Jordan XI) Retro - are out a day early. Originally due to hit shelves the 24th, you can get Santa to get you your high top fix without any more wait.

The shoe for "everyone," as Nike puts it, retails at $175. Clearly made for the masses - by tiny hands, so think of the kids when you're strapping them on.

Here's the press release from Nike:

Initially set to release on Christmas Eve as a special gift from Jordan to sneaker fans everywhere, the launch date for the Air Jordan Retro 11 has been moved a day up to December 23rd. This change will give everyone more opportunity to get their 11's before retailers close their doors early on Christmas Eve.

See? They are thinking of you, consumer person!

And, of course, some fun Memory Lane moments with the previous must-have kicks inspired by his baldness. Now when do the parachute pants and Michal Jackson zipper jackets come back to compliment the retro theme?

"My wife Brandy, sons Braden and Ryan, and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Toronto Blue Jays organization, its incredible fans, and the City of Toronto.

"I feel blessed to have been part of the Blue Jays since 1995 and am extremely grateful for the opportunities it has provided. Throughout this past 15 years, there have been so many people within the organization that have made a wonderful and significant impact in my life, it would be impossible to name them all.

"I am sincerely grateful for the incredible support and compassion the Blue Jays fans have always shown me. I am in awe of your overwhelming passion and devotion.

"Toronto will forever have a special place in my heart.

"The memories will last a lifetime and so will my gratitude.

"Best regards,

"Roy"

Chad Ochocinco apparently has plans for the Cincinnati Bengals game against the San Diego Chargers today. Plans for some of his trademark showiness, the kind the NFL is tracking him for like he's carrying state secrets.

But unlike his usual showmanship and attention-grabbing antics, this time Ochocinco is doing something fairly noble. He wants to wear Chris Henry's jersey No. 15, according to reports, for the game as a memorial after his troubled teammate died this week in a bizarre incident with his fiancee.

The Uniform Police already have their sirens warmed up for this, most likely. But for once, Ochocinco won't have to bear the brunt of punishement, should it come, out of his own ample coffers.

According to George Atallah, Assistant Executive Director with the NFL Players Association, the union has Chad's back:

"NFLPA will cover any fine levied on Chad Ochocinco imposed by the league and match it with a gift to our Chris Henry memorial fund."

For it's part, the league that prohibits joy or fun in any way has yet to tender an opinion on what action it will take for a show of respect after the tragic death of a teammate. The NFL does have a history with coming down on this sort of thing, though. When Peyton Manning tried a less showy memorial for Johnny Unitas in 2002 after the legendary Colts QB died of a heart attack, the league clamped down with threats of a fine in the neighborhood of $25,000, so Manning backed off.

"Somebody's passed away. I don't want to create a controversy over it,'' Manning said. "I did talk to one of (Unitas') sons, Joe, last night. He said he thought that it would be great, he'd love it. But the league called Bill this morning and said absolutely not. It would result in a horrendous fine, so Bill just said that he would recommend that I don't do it.''

A similar situation occurred after Walter Payton passed away in 1999. Many players around the league wanted to pay some sort of tribute to the Hall-of-Famer, but were denied for the same reason: only the player's own team can have a show on the unifor, usually in the form of a patch or marking.

So Ochocinco has a loophole since Henry was a Bengal. But changing jerseys, especially for a player the NFL is just waiting to pounce on, may be pushing it. For his part, Ochocinco has yet to care much about the league's draconian rules.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets hooked up in the type of NBA action you can really sink your teeth into Friday night. No, really.

Serial tooth-loser Carl Landry and all-everything Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki were battling under the board when Houston Rockets Landry's mouth met Nowitzki's elbow and, well, nobody wins that battle, apparently. Nowitzki went sliding to the floor and immediately started checking his elbow, where he found a few of Landry's chopper embedded. And by few, I mean five teeth in total.

Oddly, this isn't the first time Landry has lost teeth in a game. In April of 2008 he lost a front tooth in a practice mishap with Dikembe Mutombo. He then had that replacement tooth bashed out by Carlos Boozer in a playoff game a few weeks later.

Nowitzki, for his part, gamely took his foul shots left-handed, then quickly committed a foul to get off the court for treatment.

Nowitzki is listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Landry is, hopefully, shopping for a mouth guard.

Jon Runyan, who's been a standout offensive lineman in the NFL long enough that he has a Houston Oilers stint on his trading card, is calling it quits after this season. But whether he's trading up is a point for debate.

He wants to be a congressman. Specifically a 3rd District Republican Representative in New Jersey.

Runyan, currently plowing the way for LaDanian Thomlinson in San Diego, says concerns about federal spending are a big reason he wants to make a run for himself for a change. The 36-year-old lineman, who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, announced last month that he would retire from football after this season.

Speaking to The Associated Press by phone from San Diego on Friday, Runyan said a state assemblywoman called his wife to see if he would be interested in running for office. Runyan says he thought about politics a bit and, between that call and his growing concerns about federal spending, he says the time is right to seek office.

Runyan offered more of his views when he announced in November:

"I really believe it's not going in a positive direction right now. We're spending all sorts of money that we really don't have right now. Everything's going to be controlled by the government. hat's not what we need."

Tonga's neighbor, Lee Hardy, was perched on a 15-foot ladder cutting back some trees when he saw the yellow pickup "zooming" up the Tongas' gravel driveway just a few yards away. Hardy said a shirtless black man clung to the top and side of the truck while standing in the bed, begging her to stop the vehicle.

"He was banging on the top, on the doors, screaming at the lady, 'We need to talk,'" Hardy said. "He said, 'If you take off, I'm going to jump off the truck and kill myself.'"

Hardy said she stopped, hesitating at the end of the driveway, and took off.

"We've gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that's why I'm glad I'm not coaching," he said. "You see we've got a coach at Kentucky [John Calipari], who put two schools on probation and he's still coaching. I really don't understand that.

Royce White came to Tubby Smith's Golden Gophers squad as one of the most highly-touted recruits in the country at forward. He leaves it with nothing more than the hope of having the highest amount of pageviews for his video resignation.

White says he's leaving the Minnesota basketball team because of his legal troubles and the stress they are causing his family and the program.

White has been a suspension machine since heading to the University of Minnesota. First losing time - and doing time - for a theft and assault on a Mall of America security guard incident, and most recently for a dustup over accusations involving a stolen laptop on campus.

Seems that White has had enough, as he discusses in his video, and is leaving the team to concentrate on getting his life in order. Nobody can deny him that worthy goal, but the self broadcast is a little odd. Hopefully it all works out in the end.

Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi said that White hasn't informed anyone in his department about a decision.

White is currently indefinitely suspended from the team

Evanston Township High students Samuel Mendelson and Zachary Shiffrin were charged with misdemeanor battery and consumption of alcohol, while Gaberiel Seigel was charged with misdemeanor battery, according to Evanston Police Cmdr. James Pickett. All are 18-year-old Evanston residents.

The incident happened on Friday about 9:47 p.m. in the west parking lot of Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena, where New Trier had just defeated Evanston 54-50.

The offenders allegedly threw alcohol at the victim's car while beating on the vehicle, Pickett said. When they were told to stop by the victim and two other teens in the car, the offenders struck the victim in the face with a blunt object, dragged him out of the car and beat him with closed fists, Pickett said.

Once the 17-year-old victim's friends got out of the car, the offenders ran and police were notified. The offenders were detained and identified by the victim, Pickett said. He was treated at Evanston Hospital.

Evanston police continue to investigate, according to Pickett, who said police are still questioning others to see if anyone else was involved in the fight.

A Chicago Cub takes some batting practice at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., in 2003.

Mesa has heard the Cubs silence on watch the team's Spring Training plans entail - and where they will eventually end up. And the Arizona home of the team is holding onto plans for batting cage upgrades until the future becomes a bit more clear.

Mesa is refusing to upgrade batting cages at a ballpark used by the Chicago Cubs unless the team enters more serious negotiations to keep spring training in the city. Mesa was about to sign off on about $684,000 for semi-enclosed batting cages at Fitch Park, but decided Thursday to hold off until top city officials meet with Cubs executives Friday in Chicago.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said he expected the Cubs would welcome improvements,, according to the East Valley Tribune, especially since the team has proclaimed Fitch and HoHoKam Park to be inadequate and outdated facilities.

"The silence that came out of Chicago and the Cubs was deafening," Smith said.

Smith says Mesa wants to know where it stands as the team considers leaving Arizona in light of a bid from Naples, Fla., to take the Cubs away.

The Cubs, for their part, are scheduled to make a decision on location in January.

How much is this worth on eBay?

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? Got that perfect gift, fashionable yet sexy, for the significant other?

Well, if you're scrambling to fill the boxes under the tree, this could be your lucky day.

Rachel Uchitel, who spent loads of our precious time on Earth denying an affair with Tiger Woods, will now see some of her clothes hit the eBay auction block. And you thought this scandal had already hit rock bottom.

Here's the mysterious press release content, promising a future announcement on the sale brought to you by club owner JE Englebert about clothes acquired by some waitress and without much detail on the method of acquisition:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Outfit of Rachel Uchitel, the 1st alleged mistress Tiger Woods to be auctioned off !!

A New York City nightclub owner has the VIP Hostess outfit of Rachel Uchitel, the 1st alleged mistress of superstar golf player Tiger Woods. Club owner JE Englebert will announce a press conference soon showing off the garment and announcing his plan to auction it off on Ebay.com to donate the funds to a domestic abuse charity. "When Woods and his wife decided to go clubbing at 230am in the morning this turned into domestic abuse" "They apparently couldn't decide between using the wood (tree) or the iron (fire hydrant)" says Englebert. Englebert received the garments from one of his waitresses who want's to keep anonymous whom worked with Rachel at TAO Las Vegas where Rachel was a VIP hostesses. Reports state that Rachel Uchitel was offered hush money from the Woods camp to keep quiet about her affair in the amount, between $1 and $3 million dollars.

Oh, but it's all for charity? Well that makes it all better.

And how does one achieve the status of "1st mistress," anyway? Is it arbitrary? Alphabetical? Application-based? Tryouts?

"This is an extraordinary opportunity with one of the world's most successful sports franchises," Allen said in a statement released by the team. "I love everything about this assignment; I know what it means to be dedicated to the Redskins. I can't wait to get to work."

Andrews, 31, said Barrett's actions "have had a devastating impact on me, my family and my career."

She told the court she is now routinely subjected to crude remarks by stadium crowds when she is on the job.

"I am a victim of this sexual predator. I would like to see him immediately put in prison for as long as possible," Andrews, 31, told the judge.

She said she fears for her safety as long as he's free.

"I have nightmares," she told the court.

"I walk in crowds and I see him in my peripheral vision. When I'm alone in my house, I have fears that he's going to walk inside and hurt me.

"I don't know him. I've never met him. I don't know why he chose me."

"We will continue," the company spokeswoman, Mariam Sylla, told the Associated Press. "He's the best in his domain. We respect his performance in the sport." She added that Woods's personal life is "not our business".

Turner Gill is about to be named as head coach of Kansas football, according to a report at Yahoo! Sports, though University of Buffalo athletic director Warde Manuel told The Buffalo News he had no information about Gill taking the Kansas job.

Gill takes over the Jayhawks despite finishing 5-7 at Buffalo in 2009, his third losing season in four years at the Mid American Conference school. His overall mark is set at 20-30.

Gill has apparently edged out the likes of hot coaching prospect Jim Harbaugh at Stanford, among others.

The new head Jayhawk never played in the NFL, but was a on his way to stardom in the Canadian Football League when he was forced to retire at 23 from concussions. He was a standout baseball player in high school and was drafted at shortstop by the Chicago White Sox.

Gill will be joining his daughter, a sophomore cheerleader, at Kansas.

Law enforcement sources told NBC 10 one of the johns who tried to pay for sex with a prostitute was 47-year-old Robert Sormanti of Warwick. He is one of several people who plays the Pat the Patriot mascot.

"The Pat Patriot mascot costume is worn by multiple people, each of whom are held responsible and accountable for their actions. The individual in question has been suspended. The mascot responsibilities will continue to be fulfilled by others," said a statement from the team.

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try.

I would like to ask everyone, including my fans, the good people at my foundation, business partners, the PGA Tour, and my fellow competitors, for their understanding. What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.

After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

Again, I ask for privacy for my family and I am especially grateful for all those who have offered compassion and concern during this difficult period.

Woods' troubles began after a Nov. 27 car accident and have spiraled into a tabloid-friendly, wildly personal tale of infidelity played out on the public stage.

Just yesterday, we discussed Rick Reilly's recommendation that Woods do just what he announced he intends to do.

Comments-wise, a vast majority disagreed with this idea, but it looks like the golfer is planning on leaving the links in leiu of repairing what has to be a fractured realtionship with his wife Elin.

Seeking to capitalize on Owens' popularity, the agency will represent him in future endorsements and sponsorship deals in the fashion and personal care industries.

"Well, I'm always putting my hands in and feeding into something," Owens said. "When you've got some good looks like myself, you've got to take full advantage of it."

Kendra Wilkinson, very soon-to-be-mom.

UPDATE, 1 a.m. Friday: Kendra Wilson and Hank Baskett welcome a new Baskett, son Hank IV, according to US Magazine.

Hank Baskett IV, who weighed 9 lbs 5 oz, was born via C-section early Friday morning in Indianapolis.

"Mother and baby are doing well," a source tells Us. "Kendra and Hank are very happy."

Former Playboy model Wilkinson and current Indianapolis Colt Baskett got their early Christmas present after a lenghty labor. The reality TV diva went into labor in an Indianapolis hospital late last night, several sites are reporting, with the couple's first child. Hank Baskett IV wasn't expected until Christmas Day, but nobody wants a Christmas birthday - fewer gifts and all.

You know it's a joyous day when Hugh Hefner is dropping you love on Twitter:

"I send my love to Kendra, Hank and the baby on this memorable day."

As if President Obama weren't having enough issues lately, Afghanistan escalation, dropping public opinion numbers, the Nobel Peace Prize, etc., Now comes the left field oddity he probably never could have predicted: Tiger Woods.

The January Golf Digest cover story, 10 Tips Obama can Take From Tiger, was written over the summer and the issue went to press in November before Tiger's world fell apart, but it's still sure to be fodder for late-night jokes for a time.

An interesting quote from the issue:

"Woods is a good role model ... because he has always been able to pull himself together after setbacks. Woods never does anything that would make himself look ridiculous."

The idea was that Obama could take a page from the master tactician's golf game in dealing with adversity. Let's just all hop that the extreme crisis management Tiger's working on right now isn't a skill the president has to put into use anytime soon.

Damien Pettie, 29, told police he approached Thomas and a group of people at a Denny's 24-hour restaurant at about 3 am on Wednesday and said, "Hey, what's up?" to the player.

Thomas responded by swearing at Pettie and using racial and gay slurs, according to the police report.

Pettie swore back, and told police that at that point he was hit in the face by someone in Thomas' party.

"Then all parties within both groups began to throw chairs, knock over tables and fight each other," the report said.

Rich Harden's career post-Cubs is going South. All the way to Texas, that is.

ESPN's Buster Olney has the Canadian right-hander signing a one-year deal - pending a physical, which is no slam dunk here - for smewhere in the $7 to $8 million range.

Harden was one of those Cubs moves that was easy to get excited about when he came over in 2008 from Oakland one day after the Milwaukee Brewers added C.C. Sabathia. Great fastball. Ridiculous changeup - one of the filthiest in baseball. And a strikeout pitcher mentality that fit in with the staff of a team riding pitching to the postseason.

But. (Isn't there always a but with big Cubs moves?

But he just couldn't stay healthy, especially for a guy you look to to be a workhorse, staff ace-type.

On and healthy? Unhittable at times. But seldom on and healthy.

But now he looks to get a fresh start in a warm climate, perhaps just what a tender arm needs to goose a career.

It was not clear whether the university sent the hostesses to visit the football players, the newspaper (New York Times) reported.

In one case, hostesses traveled nearly 200 miles to attend a football game at James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C., one of the nation's best high school football programs, where at least three potential Tennessee recruits were playing, according to the report.

Marcus Lattimore, a running back who had made an unofficial visit to Tennessee but was not interested in attending the school, said the hostesses brought signs, including one that read, "Come to Tennessee," according to the report.

Two of Lattimore's high school teammates, Brandon Willis and Corey Miller, have orally committed to Tennessee. Lattimore said the hostesses were "real pretty, real nice and just real cool" and thinks they had "a lot" of influence in his teammates making oral commitments, according to the report.

"I haven't seen no other schools do that," Lattimore said, according to the report. "It's crazy."

In a letter the NFL sent this week to Ochocinco, the league wrote, "During the second quarter of the Bengals qame, you were observed gesturing for, and then wearing, a decorative poncho and sombrero in the bench area. ...

"Compounding your violation is the fact that your actions were premeditated and deliberate. Prior to the game on your publicly accessible Twitter account, you posted the following: '@adam_schefter what I've planned for today will get me fined when I score but it's so worth it.'"

"My decision to leave ESPN and move on at this point in my life has been conflicted," Gammons said in a statement on the network's Web site. "I owe a great deal of my professional life to ESPN, having spent more than half of my 40 years in journalism working for the network, and the choice to move on was made with nothing but the strongest feelings for the people with whom I worked. ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am.

"I just saw Matt Damon, how he swung a golf club, and I thought if I ever made a movie, I want him to be me," Daly said. "The tough part is who would play me at 290 pounds. Now Kevin James, he's my bud, but he'd be good."

When asked what the main storyline might be, he said: "It would just be the life, it would be the whole thing. the guts of it all."

"The problem is who is going to play all the ex-wives?" added Daly, who has four ex-wives, to laughter.

"After the season, in talking to my parents and obviously Coach Weis, I jut feel it's the right time,'' Clausen told ESPN.com Monday. "Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to go. He thought I've improved so much since I came to Notre Dame. So, I'm taking his advice, and I'm going to head out.''

For those of you foolishly pining for the days when Rex Grossman would be a world-beater for the Chicago Bears as this year's unit bumbles its way though the season, a slight jog for your defective memory.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub separated his left shoulder on the first play of a 23-18 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.

After getting sacked by Derrick Harvey, Schaub stayed on the ground as trainers rushed onto the field. Schaub eventually walked off without any help, but spent just a few minutes on the bench before heading to the locker room for tests.

Enter Rex - as only Rex can.

Grossman threw an interception on his second attempt and finished 3 of 9 for 33 yards before the Texans decided it would be better to drag their banged-up franchise quarterback back onto the field after falling behind 17-0.

With all the ex-Bears busts flourishing throughout the league, it's kinda heartening to see that Rex will always be the same.

Though the Texans fans have yet to learn their lesson. Busy calling for head coach Gary Kubiak's head, they clearly have been too busy to study history and trends - at least that's the impression you get from this comment on a running game blog for the Houston Chronicle that reported Grossman's entry into the game:

IN GROSSMAN WE TRUST

They'll learn. And if you know a Texans fan, do them a favor and offer up some education.

You'll have to head here for the full interview videos.

Former NBA referee and gambling enthusiast Tim Donaghy is out of prison after 11 months for a mob-fueled gambling scheme that rocked the league. And, of course, he's made a beeline for TV, ostensibly to explain away why he did it and how it never affected the outcome of games.

Donaghy sat down with Bob Simon on "60 Minutes" in an attempt to clear the air, if not his name. And while admitting to being highly successful - Donaghy and the FBI say he won his bets as much as 80 percent of the time - he never threw a game, he says:

"Because the FBI did a thorough investigation, and even the NBA concluded that I did not fix games in the NBA," Donaghy said.

"He said, 'Knowing the information that I had, I didn't have to do anything on the court to pick a winner. I could pick a winner 80 percent of the time just knowing what I knew an hour before the game,'" Special Agent Philip Scala said. "And watching the tapes we could see that there was never something outlandish where you could see he called a foul or he omitted a foul because he wanted to see a certain team win. We never saw that."

The NBA's investigation came to the same surprising conclusion: "It seems plausible to us that Donaghy may not have manipulated games... We are unable to contradict the government's conclusion."

"I tried to put it out of my mind. And I think that that I was able to do that," Donaghy said.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson sustained what looked to be a very serious leg injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals. 

While trying to tackle Cardinals running back Tim Hightower, Henderson collided with teammate Jamarca Sanford, flipping over before laying on the ground in obvious pain. He was carted off and NBC's replay suggested that the prognosis will not be good.

Henderson is a seven-year veteran out of Maryland and entered Sunday's game with 73 tackles on the year.

Facing third-and-26 at the Redskins 44, Brees backpedalled under pressure and threw a desperation pass deep over the middle toward Jeremy Shockey in triple coverage. Kareem Moore dived over Shockey's back to make an interception, rolled over, got up and ran 14 yards before Meachem simply took the ball away from an upright Moore and started running down the sideline -- high-stepping 44 yards for the team's ninth return touchdown of the season, tying the game at 17 with 22 seconds left in the first half.

Q: Is it frustrating to you Pete Carroll, for example, portrayed in one way...
CW: Let me ask you this question: You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. He's doing it in Malibu and it's not national news. What's the difference? I don't understand. Why is it okay for one guy to do things like that, but for me, I'm scrutinized when I swear. I'm sorry for swearing; absolve my sins.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

"It is a little bit odd, but on the other hand, I like the publicity about it, because it sort of tells people here are the ramifications, first of all," Capt. Matt Langer of the Minnesota State Patrol said, according to WCCO-TV. "And you're going to get caught."

As James went to the free-throw line, Bulls center Joakim Noah had seen enough. He essentially yelled from the bench that there was a fine line between celebrating and showing up a team, and James was crossing it.

"It's really kind of ironic that the New Orleans Saints overcame the hurricane a few years back," Rodriguez said, referring to Hurricane Katrina, which damaged large sections of the Gulf Coast in 2005. "I used to live and coach in New Orleans for a couple years, and I know how devastated that city is and how they overcome and rebuild the stadium and rebuild the program.

"And we've had a few hurricanes of our own. We had a big hurricane in August, and it kind of hit us like a ton of bricks. But you had 120 young men and a bunch of people on the staff that said this is not going to tear our program apart.

"He's got to understand I don't care about the first down," Ryan said. "I care about him." He added, "I never want him diving forward. I thought we were clear on that."

Sanchez said in the heat of the moment that he just lunged for the first down, and he knew he would take heat from Ryan for doing it. Ryan said that if Girardi were watching, he would have called Sanchez a "knucklehead."

"He's our knucklehead and we love him," Ryan said. "But man, oh, man."

This morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the quarterback has a sprained PCL, and will be able to play in the Jets' Dec. 13 game if he's able to handle the pain.

"Woods is a good role model -- not because he would make a good president (he wouldn't and neither would Phil Mickelson or anyone else who has spent his working life traveling between driving ranges on private jets), but because he is such a complete master of his talents and ambitions, and because he has always been able to pull himself together after setbacks that would have ruined the rounds, or even the careers, of lesser players."

If the trade rumor mill is to be believed, Bulls fans may not have Tyrus Thomas to kick around much anymore.

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the Bulls are shopping Thomas and Jerome James for New York Knicks forward Al Harrington.

The Bulls have been chatting up teams while the enigmatic Thomas rehabs an arm injury. The report, citing league sources, says talks have been ongoing for several days between Bulls GM Gar Forman and Knicks president Donnie Walsh, who has been reluctant to move Harrington.

"Nothing is imminent, but both sides would like to figure out a way to do this," one league executive briefed on the talks reportedly said.

Harrington's scoring and $10.2 million expiring contract have piqued the Bulls' interest. The talented, but often frustrating Thomas, 23, was the fourth pick in the 2006 draft. He finished last season with 10.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. But he also adds a $13 million cap hold to the Bulls roster after this season.

Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni nearly got a chance to coach Thomas in 2008 when he was the odds favorite to take over Bulls coaching duties before them team decided on Vinny Del Negro.

Serena Williams can't catch a break lately.

Williams was fined a record $82,500 Nov. 30 for making a boob of herself in a threat-filled U.S. Open tirade and could be suspended from that tournament if she has another "major offense" at any Grand Slam in the next two years.

Probably seemed like a good idea to head off to Barbados to chill out a bit before blowing her top again. Until she, you know, blew her top again. Serena has fallen victim to the celebrity curse: caught on camera mid wardrobe malfunction.

If you need to ogle her athletic form, the NSFW photo can be found here. Let your own conscious be the guide.

Luckily, the only outburst on this day would be of the swimsuit variety. The London Daily Mail reports that the fiery 28-year-old kept her temper in check and merely laughed off the double fault with friends.

The Erin Andrews peephole case against Michael Barrett has taken another turn for the weird. The FBI served warrants to Google and Yahoo on Wednesday over what may be yet another naked woman video, possibly on a Flickr account of Barrett's.

One of the items they want Yahoo to turn over is a video of another naked woman that was posted in June to Flickr.com by a user.

Authorities believe the Flickr account belongs to 48-year-old Michael Barrett, who pleaded not guilty last month to interstate stalking. Flickr is owned by Yahoo.

Barrett pleaded guilty in November to charges of interstate stalking over the now infamous hotel room nude scene.

Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao after Pacquiao beat Miguel Cotto in November. (AP)

More issues around Manny Pacquiao's camp as the feared Filipino continues to weigh the Floyd Mayweather bout being kicked around possibly for March 13. Pacman's trainer, Freddie Roach, has been sued for assault and battery and infliction of emotional distress.

In a report on TMZ, the incident apparently occurred between Roach and boxing writer Alex Vidal:

According to a lawsuit just filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Freddie Roach became enraged at Wildcard Gym Boxing Club in L.A., after coming face-to-face with Alex Vidal -- a boxing writer who penned a story titled, "Sick Roach Misses Conception's Last Workout (oddly unavailable online)."

Roach -- who suffers from Parkinson's disease -- allegedly challenged Vidal, claiming "he was not sick and that he only went to a clinic." Vidal says he apologized and said he was merely quoting a statement from boxer Bernabe Conception's manager.

Roach allegedly went on a tirade, pushing Vidal "roughly" in the left shoulder, and yelled, "The next time you write about it, I will kill you."

Vidal is suing for the ever popular "unspecified damages.

Now, if we could just get to that fight in the ring.

A metro Atlanta shopping mall was evacuated Wednesday night after a man dressed as an elf allegedly told the mall Santa that he was carrying dynamite.

But when the GBI bomb squad examined three packages left near Santa, the incident was declared a ho-ho-hoax.

The bad elf, William C. Caldwell III, was being held without bond Thursday in the Clayton County Jail, charged with having hoax devices, making terroristic threats, false imprisonment, simple assault, reckless conduct, disorderly conduct and false public alarm.

The 45-year-old Caldwell apparently waited patiently in line to get his picture taken with Santa and then twice declared that he was in possession of explosive materials. Authorities quickly detained the 5-foot, 108-pound workshop-helper-wannabe.

Police said that despite his attire, Caldwell had no connection with the mall's holiday presentation.

While promoter Bob Arum continues to work with Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines to come to terms on the heavily anticipated bout with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., it seems the pound-for-pound most feared man in boxing is passing his time in stride.

Pacquiao has earned a reputation as the man where Mexican fighters go to die. As his dominance has grown, he's bested Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Mexican-Americans Oscar de la Hoya and Chicago's own David Diaz. If that weren't enough, now he takes on Richie Valens with this karaoke take on "La Bamba," caught at TMZ.

Of course, the seven-time champion and Filipino national hero hasn't just been singing as the Mayweather booking develops. He's also in the midst of his second run for Congress. filed his candidacy to represent the southern province of Sarangani under his own People's Champ Movement, the local Commission on Elections office said. He'll run against Roy Chiongbian, brother of the incumbent who due to term limits can't seek re-election.

In a country that literally shuts down when Pacquiao fights, it's a wonder he lost the first time.

And about Pacquiao-Mayweather? March 13 is the date everyone's circling after Roy Jones' stunning loss in Australia to Danny Green as the Vegas date is now open.

Norman Rockwell's "The Dugout," courtesy Christie's Images Ltd., 2009

Finally, a sleepy scene from the Cubs dugout ends with a positive. Sadly, this is not a reference to the current batch of North Siders and their aging caretaker, Lou Piniella.

New York auction house Christie's spun off the Norman Rockwell painting "The Dugout" Wednesday in an auction worth a nifty $662,500 - plus some fees that are hardly worth mentioning on top of that pile of dough.

Here's what Christie's had to say on the work:

The Dugout is exemplary of Rockwell's ability to imbue his work with narrative and capture the essence and character of the people that he depicted. In the present work he adeptly captures the anxiety tinged focus of the player who is next at bat, while his teammates' glum facial expressions and body positions reveal that the game is not going in their favor. Rockwell masterfully captures the energy of the crowd behind the players, as the highly developed individuals cheer fervently.

In discussing his career, Rockwell commented, "I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed. And perhaps, therefore, this is one function of the illustrator. He can show what has become so familiar that it is no longer noticed. The illustrator thus becomes a chronicler of his time." (as quoted in Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, p. xii) With The Dugout Rockwell succeeds not only in chronicling his time, but also in capturing the nostalgia associated with baseball. This masterwork brought a national pastime home to houses across America and continues to do so for today's viewer.

Though much like the actual Cubs, this was a bit of a disappointment. The piece was expected to fetch $700,000 - $1,000,000. Art imitating life yet again.

Whatchugonna do, brother, when you finally rid yourself of your pain of an ex-wife? If you're Hulk Hogan and the 24-inch pythons, you certainly don't get scared out of marrying again.

TMZ ran into the Hulkster and his girlfriend of a couple years, Jennifer McDaniel - you know, the one who looks like his daughter, Brooke, at LAX and he seemed to be a Hulkamaniac for the lucky lady, who was sporting a giant diamond.

The feeling must be mutual. McDaniel has "Terry," Hulk's real name, tattooed on her right wrist - the left hand is saved for the rock.

This whirlwind of romance comes just four months after Hulk finished a bitter divorce to his ex, Linda Bollea. Either he's punch drunk and has forgotten that fresh Hell or hope springs eternal, brother.

"Check that left hand out," Hogan, 56, told TMZ.com. "That could be the new Mrs. Hogan."

Sadly, while looking for that video, this unfortunate link was also uncovered at TMZ - Hulk pantsing Ric Flair during a bout in Australia Thanksgiving week. Yes, there's a picture if you really need to see the hidden parts of the Nature Boy.

Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full extent of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect.

But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who don't share my view on that. But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within one's own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions.

Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have been shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though it's difficult.

I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology.

Girardi had to work around the brace on Sanchez's left leg.

"We tried to help him learn how to slide on the other leg," Girardi said. "It's not an easy thing to do."

Sanchez said Girardi taught him how to "hook" the leg because "you don't want to hook that leg into the ground because it might get stuck.

Sanchez seemed to appreciate the one-on-one attention from the champ.

"It meant a lot to me personally for him to come out, take time out of his schedule . . . to help me out with something like sliding," Sanchez said. "There's nobody better to get coaching from than him, especially in this area.

"I've never really been a slider. In baseball, I slid head first. In football, I've done the same thing, or tried to get out of bounds or throw the ball away."

"They've put it out there and I've told them I'm all for it. I can do it. I can't wait for [Terry Francona] to call me and ask, 'can you do it?' I can do it. I really want to do it."

GPD spokesman Keith Kameg said officers responded to a reckless driving call and found a red 2000 Chrysler stopped at a green light at an intersection near 200 SW 34th St. in Gainesville at 3:25 a.m. ET. The car did not move after the traffic lights changed several times. When police approached the car, Dunlap was slumped over in the driver's seat.

Kameg said the driver's side window was cracked and officer Robert Rogers was able to awaken Dunlap, though Dunlap "would only open his eyes momentarily and then fall back asleep."

Dunlap is tied for the team lead with seven quarterback sacks and would potentially be a first-round pick if he leaves for the NFL after this year.