NFL
– In an interview with the Indianapolis Star, Colts’ QB Peyton Manning (neck) said he has no immediate plans to retire, and acknowledged that he has “no idea” in what direction owner Jim Irsay is headed at quarterback. Manning said he doesn’t know whether he’ll be healthy in time for his $28M option bonus that’s due on March 8. Manning then took a jab at the team, saying, “I’m not in a very good place for healing, let’s say that. It’s not a real good environment down there right now, to say the least. Everybody’s walking around on eggshells.” Manning continues to work out on a daily basis, but wouldn’t confirm whether or not he’d play in 2012. In all likelihood, if Manning does play again, it’ll be somewhere other than Indy. Stay tuned.
– Cardinals’ RB Beanie Wells (right knee) will undergo surgery on Tuesday. No word yet on the extent, although it’s expected to be a simple cleanup. Wells re-tweaked his knee in Week 7, averaging just 4.0 YPC over his final 10 games. Despite a streak of great games, Wells remains an injury risk and has yet to prove he can withstand a full season of games. This will be his second career knee surgery (torn meniscus in September 2010).
– According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chiefs’ QB Matt Cassel will “for sure” be the starter heading into training camp. This comes two weeks after new coach Romeo Crennel supported Cassel at his press conference. Per Schefter, the Chiefs could add someone to push Cassel, but the feeling among organization higher-ups is that he can still be an NFL starter. Free agent QB Kyle Orton has hinted he won’t be back after leading the Chiefs to a 2-1 record.
NBA
– Hornets’ G Eric Gordon’s (knee) injured knee is “structurally sound” according to team doctors, and he will be able to resume “basketball activities” in 3 weeks. There remains no official diagnosis, but early rumours suggested a fractured patella. Now, it looks like a cartilage or bone bruise, but the fact that it took 2 months to heal is not good news. Gordon was the main asset going to New Orleans in the Chris Paul trade, and after stretching it out far longer than it should have been, Gordon may seriously be hurt. Commissioner David Stern cannot be happy about this. Of note, Gordon has a contract extension deadline set for this Wednesday. Gordon said the extension is in Stern’s hands and awaiting approval. If Gordon remains hurt or cannot live up to his end of the contract, Stern will be hearing it for the next number of years. Stay tuned.
– A source tells Bulls’ beat writer K.C. Johnson that F Luol Deng (left wrist) has ligament damage. Deng was seen wearing a soft cast after Monday’s game, but has yet to be diagnosed by team doctors. Johnson’s source added “I think it’s going to be a little bit.”
MLB
– The Blue Jays have officially signed RHP Brandon Morrow to a 3-year/$20M contract extension with a $10M club option for 2015. The deal covers Morrow’s two remaining arbitration seasons and his first year of free agency. It’s a risky deal for the 27-year-old who’s career has been plagued by inconsistency and poor control, but Morrow has incredible ‘stuff’ and has ace potential. He had a 4.72 ERA and 10.2 K/9 in 30 starts last season.
– According to to Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, the Orioles and Blue Jays have shown the most trade interest in Rangers’ RHP Koji Uehara. The Jays were linked to the setup man earlier this week by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, while the Rangers were reportedly trying to re-aquire him all winter. Uehara, 36, posted a 2.35 ERA and 85/9 K/BB ratio in 65 innings last season between Baltimore and Texas. He’s owed a $4M salary in 2012.
– Sources have told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal that it’s “possible” RHP Edwin Jackson could accept a 1-year deal. E-Jax started the offseason asking for a 5-year/$75M contract, but didn’t get anything close to his asking price. The 29-year-old is expected to sign a 1-year/$8-10M contract somewhere. He can test free agency again next winter.
– The Athletics have officially signed OF Jonny Gomes to a 1-year/$1M contract with $200K in performance-based incentives. Gomes posted a .209/.325/.389 batting line with the Reds and Nationals last season, but has an .877 career OPS against lefties and should be a nice platoon outfielder.
– According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have signed 3B Wilson Betemit to a 2-year contract with an option for a third year. The deal was initially believed to be a 1-year pact. Betemit is expected to serve as the club’s DH and back up first and third base. The 30-year-old batted .285/.343/.452 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and a .795 OPS over 359 plate appearances last season between the Royals and Tigers, and owns an .817 career OPS against right-handed pitching.
– Cuban LHP Gerardo Concepcion worked out in front of Rangers executives Monday in the Dominican Republic. The 18-year-old is drawing interest from the Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, White Sox, Royals, Marlins, Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox.
WWE
– WWE announced on RAW that for the first time ever, every Superstar will be eligible to be in this year’s 30-man Royal Rumble main event, including WWE Champion CM Punk.
– Chris Jericho and Mick Foley have been confirmed as participants in the Royal Rumble match. Jericho finally spoke on RAW and said that “the world as we know it will end” on Sunday at the Rumble, playing off the cryptic videos that hyped his surprise return on January 2.
– After losing to R-Truth on tonight’s RAW Supershow, The Miz earned the #1 spot in this Sunday’s 30-man Royal Rumble main event.
– Triple H will return on next week’s RAW Supershow. He will be there to give a “formal job evaluation” to Interim RAW General Manager John Laurinaitis and determine whether Laurinaitis will keep his job or not.
– After Kane chokeslammed Zack Ryder through the stage on RAW and the former United States Champion was taken away in an ambulance, the storyline is that Ryder has suffered a broken back. Expect Ryder to miss a few weeks of television due to the storyline injury.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entierty at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
His Weekend Car Accident: “Saturday I was coming home from watching the Oklahoma women defeat Texas in Big 12 Womens Basketball when I was involved in a car accident. A fellow made a left turn right in front of me while crossing into my lane as he was coming from the opposite direction and we pretty much hit head on.
“Luckily, no one was seriously injured as best I know. I have been very sore the past couple of days and may go see our family doctor just to make sure every thing is o.k. but I certainly caught a break as this could have been a tragic situation. Wearing one’s seat belt and having the benefit of an air bag certainly saved my bacon as I had no time to brake and hit the other vehicle, a pick up truck, with a stiff shot.”
“It looks as if my Cadillac Escalade is totaled and I assume the same for the other vehicle. My vehicle was a 2004 with only about 60,000 miles on it so to be able to replace it in the state that we maintained it will be likely impossible. My truck was in pristine condition with low mileage and replacing it with the same isn’t going to be easy.”
CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler This Sunday: “I’d love to see Punk and Ziggler compete for 30 minutes or more at the Royal Rumble. This would hopefully be a one on one contest would be a defining moment for both men at WWE PPV events and add much needed anticipation and impetus for Wrestlemania 28 no matter who the two, young stars face in Miami.”
Undertaker At The Rumble? “Will Undertaker be back for the Rumble?” I’d say no. The Rumble always seems to bring with it a few surprises but ‘Taker coming back, unadvertised, would floor me. I do expect to see the Undertaker before Wrestlemania but not at the Royal Rumble but I’ve been wrong before. Quite honestly, ‘The Streak’ at Wrestlemanis is arguably bigger than any Title match that could take place in Miami.
Whether He’ll Be On Legends House: “Were you approached to be in WWE Network’s Legends House?” No. I’m not sure how good a fit I would be as there are many more personality driven individuals who will thrive in that environment. I’m looking forward to the show whenever the WWE Network launches. BTW WWE Network is on Twitter @WWENetwork so hit them with questions and suggestions.