Seneca Wallace says he was used by the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers waived quarterback Seneca Wallace amid reports that Wallace had planned on retiring. That's the way the 49ers tell it.

Wallace tells it a different way. He says that he wasn't a fit in San Francisco and that he's still willing to play if a team takes a chance on him. He also told reporters that he was used by the 49ers to get Colt McCoy to take a pay cut.  

“I have not retired,” Wallace said in a phone interview with the Des Moines Register. “I have just removed myself from the San Francisco situation because it wasn’t a perfect fit for me.” 


“I’ve been around this game long enough where I can see what’s going on,” Wallace said, “and I realized right away the reason they brought me here was to get Colt to take a pay cut.” 

“San Francisco wasn’t the best place for me,” Wallace said. “I have no hard feelings toward San Francisco. It’s just the nature of the business.” 

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh had announced that Wallace was retiring before the team's final preseason game against the San Diego Chargers. Wallace did not travel with the team.

“It’s something that was his decision,” Harbaugh said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. “He felt strongly about it. I don’t talk people out of that. I’ve never seen it done on game day, but I wish him well.” 

Wallace seemed to be caught off guard by Harbaugh's assumption that he was retiring.

“For him to come out and say that, ‘Hey, Seneca’s planning on his retirement’ ... I don’t think that’s even 100 percent fair for him to come out and say that because I don’t even know him,” Wallace said. “I think that should be my decision.” 

In the meantime Wallace wii take a  wait and see approach with his future. He still would like to play and with the way quarterbacks get injured nowdays he could find himself back in the game.

Gary Payton says he nearly quit basketball as a rookie

It's hard to picture Gary Payton wanting to quit playing basketball early in his career, but it almost happened. Payton says that he was so down during his early years with the Seattle Supersonics that he contemplated giving up the game. 

Payton admitted that he struggled in his first two years under coach K.C. Jones, that if there wasn't a coaching change he might've quit playing. In his third year George Karl replaced K.C. Jones and Payton became one of the top guards in the NBA.

 “I was thinking about it,” Payton said in a phone conversation from his home in Las Vegas. “I was like, ‘What am I out here for? This isn’t even what I want to do. I’m not happy.’ I didn’t want to do anything….

“If we wouldn’t have changed coaches (from K.C. Jones to George Karl),” Payton said, “I would have probably said, ‘Yo, you know what? I want to end this. I don’t want to do this anymore because I’m not happy.’ If they would have stayed with the same coach, I would have probably just shut it down. They would have tried to trade me or I would have told them I don’t want to play there anymore.

“I went to my agent, I went to my father, I just said, ‘I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m good enough to play in this league. I’ve got a coach who wants to play me in the first and the third quarter. He has no confidence in me.’ They told me the same thing. ‘You’ve got to stick it out. You’ve got to be the guy who you’re supposed to be. You’re tough. You’re this.’ My father was like, ‘Are you crazy? If you quit, I’m gonna get in your (body).’ Stuff like that.”

I remember Gary’s struggles. He was on the brink of being labeled a bust then Karl got hired and his career begin to take off. He clearly wasn't the player he was at Oregon State until he was able to play in a system that fit his talents.


 

"It Girl" of the week: Dana Lee

This week's "It Girl" of the week is Dana Lee.

Deion Sanders is unhappy about Johnny Manziel's suspension

Today Texas A&M quarterback received a half game suspension from the NCAA for the autograph for pay allegations that had been floating around for the past few months.

The NCAA released a statement saying "that there is no evidence that quarterback Johnny Manziel received money in exchange for autographs, based on currently available information and statements by Manziel.”

Nice job with the swift punitive judgement. I don't know how others feel but former NFL All-Pro Deion Sanders isn't happy at all with the NCAA's decision.

If you can recall Sanders had dinner with receiver Dez Bryant when Bryant was at Oklahoma State. Bryant lied about it and was suspended for an entire season. So naturally Sanders voiced his displeasure with the NCAA.

1. DeionSanders ‏@DeionSanders2h

   Can we investigate the investigators? @DezBryant got suspended a season 4 lying about a dinner that wasnt a violation & Manziel gets a half.

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Maybe someone should ask A.J Green how he feels about the non suspension that Manziel received. I bet the Miami Hurricanes wished the NCAA would act as swiftly as they did for Texas A&M and Manziel.

The punishment is toothless and the NCAA rulebook is outdated. Sanders might want to be careful before the NCAA drops the hammer on his son and his SMU teammates.   

Report: Tigers could be a player for Yankees' Robinson Cano

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has a pretty hefty payroll. But he has shown that he's willing to spend to get that elusive World Series trophy.

The Tigers are contenders this year and might be in the market for a second baseman if Omar Infante leaves in free agency. One player that has been mentioned is New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

“Owner Mike Ilitch is aggressive and wants to win a championship, and while the team's priority must soon be about signing Miguel Cabrera to his next contract, Ilitch has shown he's willing to expand his budget,”ESPN's Buster Olney wrote.

Olney looked at the market for Cano and says that he expects the Yankees to be major players, the Tigers, Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco Giants might be interested in the 30 year old All-Star.

I don't see the Phillies getting in the Cano sweepstakes since they just signed Chase Utley to a contract extension. I also can't see Cano leaving the Yankees but that team is getting older and I don't know if Cano wants to play his remaining years on that might not be a playoff contender.

I don't see the Tigers spending big for Cano, but who saw the Prince Fielder signing coming. I'd love to see Cano sporting an Olde English D, but I'm afraid it won't happen. If it does happen expect the price of Hot n Ready's to go up.

Ex-Michigan State recruit Jay Harris will embark on a football career instead of rap for now

Former Michigan State football signee, receiver Jay Harris will give college football another shot. Harris left the Spartans earlier this year to pursue a rap career as "Jay DatBull".

Harris has resurfaced at ASA College in Brooklyn. The school has added Harris to the roster under the name James Harris.  Harris plans on coming back to the major college scene in his sophomore year, but he'll continue to earn his stripes in the rap game while playing as a freshman.

Glad to see he has priorities.

Harris was all in with pursuing a rap career, but the former Downington (Pa.) High School East star had a change of heart and will try to make a name for himself on the gridiron.

Bills will sign QB Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart's NFL career has reportedly has new life.

With injuries to rookie quarterback E.J. Manuel and backup Kevin Kolb, the Buffalo Bills have signed free agent Matt Leinart. The Bills were left with undrafted free agent Jeff Tuel on the depth chart.

Leinart, 30, spent last season as a backup with the Oakland Raiders after two seasons with the Houston Texans and four with the Arizona Cardinals, who drafted him No. 10 overall out of USC in 2006.

Manuel has a minor knee injury and Kolb suffered concussion like symptoms in Saturday's preseason game against the Washington Redskins. Bills head coach Doug Marrone is hoping that Manuel will be ready to return for the team's season opener against New England in two weeks.

Mike Tyson makes up with Teddy Atlas

Mike Tyson has come a long way. From being the youngest heavyweight champion to living recklessly to trying to make things right in his life.

Tyson, who says he's trying to recover from being a "vicious alcoholic", has made peace with his former trainer Teddy Atlas.

"Life is short; I made amends with everybody," Tyson told ESPN's Todd Grisham on 'Friday Night Fights' at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y.

"I'm recovering and I'm gonna die. If I don't follow my steps, I'm useless."

Tyson was making his debut as a fight promoter.

Atlas and Tyson buried the hatchet after a long simmering feud. Atlas and Tyson had a falling out following an incident in which Atlas has said Tyson approached a young girl, who was a relative of Atlas' wife, in a crude manner. In his biography, Atlas recalled borrowing a .38 from a friend, tracking down Tyson one night in 1982, telling him to smarten up and firing the gun, deliberately missing.

"Mike has always been looking for an escape, a trap door," Atlas said of Tyson in 2003. "He always lacked one essential ingredient in [situations of] building character: the ability to confront himself."

Tyson admitted to "being wrong" and said that Atlas was important to him back then. That was before he got involved with Don King and other shady characters.

"I have a lot of pain, and I just want to heal it, and that was part of it, right there."

"He behaved like a man, what can I say," Atlas recollected to fellow analyst Joe Tessitore. "He came over, extended his hand and asked me if I'd shake it and said, 'You're not still mad at me, are you? I wish you wouldn't be.' ... I give him credit for showing a gentleman's side."

Tyson's no angel but you have to give him some credit for calling himself out when he reflects on his life.  

One handed hockey player to try out for CHL's Denver Cutthroats

A one-handed Ontario man is attempting to make a professional hockey team as a walk-on.

Scott Stafford, who lost his left hand due to complications at birth, will attend open tryouts for the Central Hockey League's Denver Cutthroats this weekend, according to the Denver Post. The Cutthroats are a Colorado Avalanche affiliate.

"This kid is fun to watch," Cutthroats head coach Derek Armstrong told the Post. "It really is amazing."

Stafford, a 23-year-old from St. Thomas, Ont., has certainly never shied him away from a challenge in the past.

Last season, the right winger played for the Dundas Real McCoys of the Allan Cup Hockey league. Stafford posted 17 points in 22 games in his second season in the ACH, a senior men's league that often features retired NHLers.

“It’s only a disability if you let it be, and I never let it be an obstacle on or off the ice," Stafford said recently, when asked by Cable 14 in Hamilton about playing hockey with one hand.

Prior to his time with the McCoys, Stafford played in the Ontario junior B circuit for the St. Thomas Stars and Thorold Blackhawks.

Pittsburgh releases former four star quarterback, Tra'Von Chapman

Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst released troubled freshman quarterback Tra’Von Chapman from his scholarship on Friday, less than a month after Chapman pleaded guilty to assaulting a former girlfriend.

Chryst said in a statement it’s in “everyone’s best interest” for Chapman to continue his career elsewhere.

The 19-year-old Chapman from Kent, enrolled in Pittsburgh in January after a standout career at Roosevelt High. He was arrested in Kent on April 26 and charged with one count of assault and one count of unlawful restraint.

Chapman pleaded guilty on July 29 and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 40 hours of community service and a $200 fine. He spent three days in jail, with the remaining 87 days suspended. Chapman had been suspended indefinitely prior to his dismissal.

Chris Chelios to rent out his Malibu home

You might not be able to play like Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Chelios, but now you can live like him.

The former Red Wings defenseman has put his Malibu, Calif., house up for rent.

According to realty.com, the house, which has unobstructed ocean views and a guest house, rents for $25,000 per month if you take it for a year.

If you only want the house to enjoy the summer months, it goes for $40,000 per month.

The listing reads:

Unobstructed ocean views from Point Dume to Palos Verdes. This is the best location in Malibu within the prestigious Paradise Cove area with the sandiest beach. Located behind gates on the sand with a main house and a detached guest house.

Chelios was named as an analyst for Fox Sports 1 and will be covering 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

SMU looking into Deion Sanders Jr.'s backstage visit with Lil' Wayne

Maybe SMU is being proactive or they're still snakebit by the death penalty they received in 1987, but the school is looking into a backstage visit made to rapper Lil Wayne by Deion Sanders Jr. and some of his teammates.

Last week, photos appeared on social media websites of SMU wide receiver Deion Sanders Jr. and some of his teammates hanging out backstage with rapper Lil’ Wayne.  The father of the SMU receiver told Adam Lawson of the Valley Morning Star that “his son was being investigated because ‘they’re trying to say (he) got into the concert because (he’s) an SMU player.’”  The elder Sanders went on to explain that Lil’ Wayne is one of his best friends.

While the former Florida State star claimed that the NCAA is investigating his son, his son’s school claims otherwise.

“It’s not the NCAA. It’s our compliance office. Just doing their due diligence,” SMU official Brad Sutton said via text message when asked about who was probing what. “We don’t expect to find anything amiss, but it’s our responsibility to check stuff like this out.”

This is almost the same thing as Jay-Z making an appearance in the Kentucky basketball team locker room.  

I'd be nervous if I were SMU since the NCAA likes to hammer the smaller schools. And since they received the death penalty before the mighty NCAA probably would hit them with three years probation for this one.

The whole thing is rather harmless as the younger Sanders was probably treating his teammates to a good time and the school is making a bigger deal out of it than it really is.

Rays make a sand sculpture of Mariano Rivera

The Mariano Rivera farewell tour is making its final rounds. Teams have been giving the New York Yankees closer gifts as passes through their city one final time. Unless the Yankees make the playoffs Rivera will be retiring at the end of the regular season.

The Tampa Bay Rays have unveiled a sand sculpture to honor Mariano Rivera on the New York Yankees closer's last regular-season visit to Tropicana Field.

The sculpture, located in the rotunda near the main gate, will be on display for fans to see throughout the three-game series that concludes Sunday.

The Rays also presented Rivera with a check for $3,150 - a number that represents $50 for each save he has earned against Tampa Bay - for the Mariano Rivera Foundation.

Texans' J.J. Watt and Arian Foster will be featured in GQ magazine

Superstars J.J. Watt and Arian Foster are perfect examples of how much the Texans have increased their popularity over the past couple years.

The duo is featured in the September NFL Kickoff issue of GQ, which describes 38 things that are making the NFL the most exciting it's ever been.

In the article on Foster, the magazine lists 10 reasons why the three-time Pro Bowler is GQ's favorite running back in the game.

In the Watt feature, which is titled "Big Tex", the defensive end talks about his rise from pizza delivery man to stardom and the NFL's 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Nice to see some positive stories coming out of professional sports.

Redskins GM Bruce Allen calls the NFC East the 'SEC of the NFL'

The NFC East has probably been the most competitive division in the NFL since the mid 1980's. There might have been a few to come close but none that come to mind immediately. Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Andy Reid and Buddy Ryan had a lot to do with that run of excellence.  

Maybe that's why Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen  called the division the 'SEC of the NFL. During a recent interview with Chris Russell and Rich Campbell on ESPN 980, Allen explained why the NFC East has always been the top division in the league.

“There’s so many changes in the playoff teams each year — I think half of them change each year anyway,” the GM noted. “And in our division, you know, we’re in the SEC of the NFL. This is the big leagues. I think when the Giants last won the Super Bowl, they won it with a 9-7 record. So we have to keep competing in our division, and that’s what our focus is.

“And if we can hold our ground in the division, we’re going to be ok, because they are elite teams in our division,” Allen continue. “That’s where our focus has to remain. We were successful [last year] — 5-1 in the division — and that leads to good things. I think once again the young talent that we have on the team, they tasted success. As long as they’re not spoiled by that little bit of success, then it bodes well for our future.”

Sounds like SEC-speak to me. But Allen's words do ring true. You win the division, you get in the playoffs. From that point on anything can happen. Save for Donovan McNabb's meltdowns in NFC title games and the Dallas Cowboys not being able to win a playoff game in forever, the division has done well for itself in the playoffs.

Despite pasting New England, the Lions shouldn't be too high on themselves

The Detroit Lions beat the New England Patriots handily, 40-9, in both teams' third preseason game.

The third preseason game is usually a good indicator of how a team will play in the regular season. Even though the Lions beat down the Patriots, I'm not buying it. I think it was possibly the worse thing that could happen. It's always good to get that winning mindset but I think Lions players might get a little full of themselves.

True the defense played with a lot of fire and the defensive line showed that if everything is clicking they are a force to reckoned with. But as always the old bugaboo came back to haunt the Lions. Personal fouls. And coach Jim Schwarz has seen enough. After the first two against Nick Fairley and C.J. Mosley, Schwartz benched defensive end Willie Young for the rest of the game for taunting Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and drawing a flag in the process.

Defensive end Jason Jones was impressive with two sacks and three tackles for loss. Jones said the defensive line was trying to send a message and their mission was accomplished.

"Everyone's eye was on the Patriots, not us," he said. "But it's cool. We did our thing.

"Watching the game, people can see what kind of talent we have on the defensive line. And man, we're not even playing with (safety Louis) Delmas right now. He's going to add another dimension to our team."

While the offense has struggled somewhat in the preseason it's good to see the defense have a game like last night. But instead of using words like mission accomplished, they should just realize that when it all comes together they can be good, because their mission is far from accomplished. If the Lions players think so, they're in for a rude awakening. Just check out last season. I think the players felt that since they made the playoffs in 2011 that they arrived.

I have a feeling that they're starting to think too highly of themselves after a preseason win.  

Coaches that could be in trouble this season

The college football season is fast approaching. While some teams are in clear rebuilding mode, some teams are forever rebuilding. Or there are some that have plateaued or underachieved. That normally lands a coach in hot water. I have an opinion on who might be in trouble this year if their team can't catch a lucky break.

Mike London, Virginia- London came to Charlottesville with some impressive credentials after two years at Richmond. He had a 4-8 season his first year but orchestrated an 8-5 turnaround in his second season and won ACC coach of the year, which inflated fans and administrators' expectations. After taking a step back with another 4-8 season the heat is on London's Cavaliers squad to at least make a bowl game. If not London could find himself looking for another job.

Ron English, Eastern Michigan- It doesn't help when you inherit a hopeless situation. It also doesn't help when Sports Illustrated names you as one of the five worst coaches in college football. Two years ago it looked like the Eagles were poised to turn the corner after posting a 6-6 record. After last year's 2-10 record it looks like it was more of a fluke than legit. With Northern Illinois going to a BCS bowl last year, Eastern Michigan needs some dramatic improvement for English to keep his job. That's a steep hill to climb.

Lane Kiffin, USC- This is an obvious choice and everyone knows why. After being hailed as a national championship contender last season and thought of as the team to end the SEC's championship dominance the Trojans failed miserably, finishing at 7-6. Kiffin is more bluster than sideline genius, but he did get a vote of confidence from athletic director Pat Haden. Doesn't make Kiffin secure but the Trojans better be in the Rose Bowl conversation in November and December.    

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa- Even though Ferentz has been at Iowa for 14 years, this is a what have you done for me lately business. Ferentz has twice dragged the Hawkeyes out of mediocrity and into national prominence. He's also been named Big Ten coach of the year three times.  If the Hawkeyes lose to another MAC team or two, and if they finish below .500 in conference play in what appears to be a less-than-stellar Big Ten, it might finally make fiscal sense to get Ferentz out of town. The Hawkeyes were 4-8 last season and finished with six straight losses to end the season.

June Jones, SMU- This might be a little unfair since the Mustangs still haven't fully recovered from the 'death penalty' levied by the NCAA. After his success at Hawaii I'm pretty sure the administrators at SMU were looking forward to seven win seasons and mediocrity. They want to be a BCS buster/playoff contender. I think Jones is secure at SMU but you never know.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri- This also might be unfair since Pinkel will now be judged on what he does in the SEC than for his full body of work. He made the Tigers nationally relevant and achieved a No.1 ranking at one point in 2007 when they finished at No.4. The Tigers suffered some injuries to their main playmakers last season derailed their potent offense but were just a few plays from being bowl eligible. If things don't turn around soon, he might be out as head coach of Missouri. However, no one should ever doubt the amazing job he has done at Missouri.   

Robert Griffin III fined $10,000 for wearing 'Operation Patience' t-shirt

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III has ran afoul of the NFL's apparel police once again.

Griffin was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing unauthorized apparel during warmups prior to their Monday night preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Players are prohibited from wearing unauthorized apparel during the period on game days when they are visible to the stadium and television audiences, including pregame warmups.

Griffin III was wearing an 'Operation Patience' t-shirt made by Adidas. Nike is the league's official apparel maker which makes wearing Adidas apparel a no-no. This is the second time Griffin III has been fined $10,000 by the league for wearing Adidas apparel.

Even though it seems petty for the NFL to fine Griffin III that much for wearing Adidas gear, they can't have one of the league's young marquee players pimping other apparel other than what the league sponsors.

I also understand that Adidas sponsors Griffin III so they need him to market their apparel whenever possible.

L.J. Rose is granted a waiver to play immediately at Houston

University of Houston sophomore guard L.J. Rose will be eligible to compete for the Cougars during the 2013-14 season after the NCAA recently granted his waiver request.

Rose will have three years of eligibility remaining with the start of the 2013-14 season. He and his Houston teammates return to classes for the fall semester on Monday, Aug. 26.

“We are extremely grateful that the NCAA has granted L.J.’s request. Family is so important, and this gives everyone in L.J.’s family the best opportunity to watch him play,” head coach James Dickey said. “We look forward to the start of the 2013-14 season with L.J. as a member of our program.”

Four members of the 2013-14 Houston Men’s Basketball team were ranked among the nation’s top 100 prospects by ESPN. Sophomore guard Danuel House was ranked No. 15 in 2012, while redshirt freshman guard Danrad Knowles was listed at No. 56 in 2012. Rose came in at No. 63 in 2012, and junior forward TaShawn Thomas stood at No. 92 in 2011.

Rose, who was one of the nation’s top prep players out of Westbury Christian, competed at Baylor during the 2012-13 season. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard played in 33 games for a team that won the NIT championship. He posted career highs with 14 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and two steals in a win against Hardin-Simmons in mid-January and dished out five assists in 16 minutes at Big 12 rival Iowa State in early February.

Rose, who is a Houston native, was ranked among the nation’s top-75 players by Scout.com, ESPN, MaxPreps.com and Rivals.com. As a senior in 2011-12, he led the Wildcats to the TAPPS 4A state championship game, scoring 17 points on the way to All-Tournament honors.

Before attending Westbury Christian, Rose competed for his first three high school seasons at Second Baptist School. There, he earned All-District 4 and Class 4A All-State honors as a freshman and again as a sophomore.

He also owns international experience on his resume. Rose was a member of the U16 National Team that won the gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Argentina.

The Rose family is no stranger to the Houston program. His father, Lynden, lettered for the Cougars’ Phi Slama Jama teams from 1980 to 1982 and was a sixth-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982. His father also served on the UH Board of Regents from 2004 to 2009, while his uncle, Cecile Rose, scored more than 1,200 points in 114 games from 1974 to 1978.

This team has the potential to be good, but if leading scorer Joseph Young hadn't transferred to Oregon, the Cougars might've been a dangerous team to play in the new American Athletic Conference.    

Saints cut former No. 2 pick, Jason Smith

The New Orleans Saints released offensive tackle Jason Smith on Wednesday, coach Sean Payton announced.

That means the second pick in the 2009 NFL Draft is currently on the market. Smith was drafted by the St. Louis Rams after Matthew Stafford.

Smith came to the Saints after spending last season with the New York Jets as a backup and blocking tight end. He was brought in by the Saints to compete with for the starting left tackle job. Instead the Saints opted to go with Charles Brown and Terron Armstead.

There is a possibility that Smith will be picked up somewhere down the line, but you have to wonder why three teams have given up on him so quickly.

"It Girl" of the week: Kimmi Kennedy

The "It Girl" of the week is Kimmi Kennedy

Ex- Rams GM, Billy Devaney, doesn't think too much of the Raiders' Alex Barron

Once upon a time, Billy Devaney was the general manager of the St. Louis Rams. The team compiled a 10-38 record during his tenure (2008-2011) and because of that performance he was fired.

Devaney is now one of the contributors on ESPN's NFL Insiders show. Earlier today on the show Devaney explained that he didn't think much of Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Alex Barron.

Barron was drafted by the previous GM in St. Louis and Devaney traded him away because he didn't believe that Barron had the heart to play football. He didn't stop there and said that Barron only played football for the money. 

“He’s got the skill to play. He does not have the heart to play football. He does not like anything about the game except getting paid,” Devaney said of Barron, who is currently the starting left tackle for the Raiders.

Memo to Devaney, that's why we have jobs so that we can get paid. I'm not defending Barron because the guy is blessed with a special skill set that many of us don't have. But maybe the guy knows he has a family to feed and really doesn't care to play but he knows he can earn a large paycheck to do so. Maybe he's just that bad. I don't know.

I know I go to work to get paid, not necessarily because I love my job. On the other hand many of us out here dream or have dreamed of playing any professional sport. I know it has to burn some fans up inside knowing that someone is playing just to get paid and not because he wants to help his team win or just loves the game.

Ex-Michigan receiver David Terrell facing a drug related felony charge

Former Michigan wide receiver David Terrell is facing a drug related felony charge in Chicago.

 ESPN.com reports Terrell was arrested Friday after police received a call of people smoking marijuana in a building. Authorities say Terrell and two others were observed with cannabis and “materials to package and distribute narcotics” in plain view.

Terrell is also facing a misdemeanor count of battery on a police officer after resisting arrest.

After being caught with marijuana and "cannabis scales" on Friday, Terrell resisted arrest. The report explains how he "struck the hand of an officer" during the incident, and another officer reportedly had to be taken to the hospital after Terrell's attempt to resist arrest.

Terrell was a first round draft pick (number 8 overall) by the Bears in the 2001 NFL draft. He played four seasons with the Bears and one with the Broncos. He finished his NFL career with 128 receptions and nine touchdowns.

It's a shame that he wasn't able to match the production he had at Michigan.

Tom Izzo says he's 'ticked off' at Duke's success against Michigan State

Michigan State head basketball coach Tom Izzo coaches as if his life depends on it. The Spartans have made six Final Fours on his watch. He's firmly entrenched as the Spartans' head coach until he retires but that hasn't stopped him from having some kind of motivation for his team.

His latest factor for motivation. Michigan State's 1-7 record against Mike Krzyzewski and Duke.

At a coaching clinic Izzo mentioned that  Krzyzewski is the best coach he's ever coached against since the Blue Devils have the Spartans number. He also mentioned that it ticks him off to lose to the same guy so much.

Izzo let this be known during the Michigan Elite 25 coaching clinic Tuesday when he told event co-founder Tim McCormick and the rest of the crowd that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is the best coach he's faced head-to-head.

"Krzyzewski's probably still the guy because we're (1-7) against him, so anybody who beats us that much I've got to say is the best coach," Izzo said. "And it really ticks me off, to be honest with you. You know, that's what drives you a little bit, too."

Izzo also mentioned that he'd like to leave a lasting legacy at Michigan State.

Considering that Izzo has turned down two NBA jobs (Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers) I think his legacy is pretty secure. I would still like to see him capture at least two more national championships before we mention him with the all time greats.

The program has his stamp on it and when you think of Michigan State you think of a well coached, hard nosed team and Tom Izzo.  

Phoenix Suns rookie plans on giving teams that bypassed him 'hell'

Most rookies in any sport are humble and happy to be in the league in which they're playing in. You will find some that don't or won't respect anyone or have a chip on their shoulder determined to prove their doubters wrong.

You can put Phoenix Suns rookie Archie Goodwin in the last category.

Goodwin was selected 29th in the first round by the Suns but felt he should've gone higher. Maybe teams didn't see what he saw in himself or maybe they remembered him for being on an underachieving Kentucky team that failed to make it into the NCAA tournament.

After a good showing in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Goodwin has a message for those who bypassed him.

“It would have been great to have been drafted where I thought I should have been,” Goodwin told SLAM during last week’s Panini photo shoot portion of the Rookie Transition Program. “Now every team that didn’t pick me, I’ve got to give them hell.”

“I know a lot of guys in this [Draft] class are not better than me,” said Goodwin. “I’m blessed to even be here, but to see how far I slid down—it was a surprise. Every game I go into, I’m showing every team that didn’t pick me that they made a mistake.”

Goodwin is working to improve his jump shot and round out his overall game.

Even though he's only a  rookie and has a lot to learn about the NBA, if Goodwin is determined and works hard he might be giving some of those teams a lot of 'hell' over the course of his career.  

Hawks rookie Lucas Nogueira will stay in Spain

Atlanta Hawks first round pick Lucas Nogueira will be spending next season in Spain so he can get some meaningful minutes and develop his game with Asefa Estudiantes Madrid.

The seven foot center was taken by the Boston Celtics with the 16th pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft and quickly traded to the Hawks.

Nogueira would've found it hard to get minutes in a crowded frontcourt that includes Al Horford, Elton Brand, and Paul Millsap.

“We are very encouraged by what we’ve seen from Lucas this summer,” general manager Danny Ferry told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday. “Going back to Estudiantes will allow him to continue develop while also playing meaningful minutes against very good competition. We will closely monitor his progress as he works towards his goals as a basketball player.”

Nogueira doesn't seem to mind, but last month he stated that he hoped to stay with the Hawks.

“If I stay here, I’m happy,” he said. “But if I need to go back I’m happy too because in Spain everybody believes in me. I’ve lived … in Spain and I know my club and everybody knows me. I’m happy. I know I can improve my game in Spain. I improved so much this year from last year. Right now, the most important thing is my body. I can’t improve my body in Spain. I’m perfect to stay here because the most important thing is to improve my body.”

Knowing that Danny Ferry cut his teeth in the San Antonio Spurs front office I'd have to say this is a Spurs type of move and could pay off for the  Hawks in the long run.

Report: Doc Gooden's family evicted from their New Jersey home after he fails to pay rent

A report by TMZ says that Dwight Gooden's estranged wife and two kids have been evicted from their New Jersey mansion last month after Gooden refused to pay rent. The family moved into the home back in September 2011, but  when the marriage hit the skids, Dwight moved out in March.

The former New York Mets star stopped paying the $4,500 per month rent in February. The owners claim the family stayed in the home all of March, April, May and June and never received a rent payment, which put Gooden and his family in a serious hole.

The landlord is suing for about $19,000 plus legal fees. Gooden's wife and kids were forced out of the home on July 11.

There is no word on where they are staying at this moment.

"It Girl" of the week: Love Barnett

This week's "It Girl" is Love Barnett.