• Eugene “Mercury” Morris went on ESPN yesterday to rap about how unstoppable he and his ‘72 Dolphins were. Yes, that’s right, I said “rap.” Just read what I wrote last night. That man has lost his mind.
• Andruw Jones didn’t get the long-term contract he’d hoped for, but instead settled for a shorter, 2 year, $36 million deal from the L.A. Dodgers who were in serious need of making some kind of splash in the offseason to more than just their roster.
• How much energy and emotion can a team muster after having gone through what the Redskins have? The league didn’t bump the game back and the Skins didn’t request a change of schedule, so the Bears are in town for a Thursday night match-up full of heavy hearts.
• Driving to drop off that good ol’ rent check yesterday, I caught Colin Cowherd half-assed backtrack for his wrong and disrespectful words about Sean Taylor’s murder. Steinberg breaks it down with quotes and all very well. It’s absurd how arrogant and one guy with a podium can be… and Cowherd continually keeps his reputation as “polarizing” by saying his wrong assumption of Taylor’s death is just like being wrong on his college pick ‘ems. Absolutely breathtaking.
• Heisman Final Four chosen: Florida’s Tim Tebow, Hawaii’s Colt Brennan, Arkansas’s Darren McFadden and Missouri’s Chase McDaniel. How can we convince the NCAA to turn this into some sort of skills playoff? Misguided argument, you say? Aim for the BCS instead? Done and done.

Give the Marlins one thing — at least they’re consistent; consistently cheap. Today a deal should be finalized that sends slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for 6 prospects. They are one of only three teams to win multiple World Series Championships in the last ten years, so maybe they have the game figured out? LeBatard makes sense of it, painting a brighter picture for that depressed, betrayed Marlins fan.

A 17-year-old, Eric Rivera, is allegedly the culprit who murdered Sean Taylor. His lawyers want a plea deal, while the lawyer for one of the other three young men charged with first-degree felony murder and armed burglary is positioning his case in a way that would contend his client had no idea a gun would be used. At any rate, I hope this case is speedy and justice is swift.

Denver Broncos running-back Travis Henry — yes, he of 9 babies with 9 different babies mommas — won his appeal of a 1-year suspension after failing a league administered drug test. He immediately claimed his innocence after the failed test, took a lie detector and retook another test to prove his innocence. Now that’s how you prove your case, my friends. No “Urinator” needed in this case.

• Good ol’ Norm Chad chops up NFL coaches in his own special way.
• Caron Butler is no longer allowed to drink 2-liters of Mountain Dew before and during every game.
• Get excited for Will Ferrell’s upcoming hoops movie, “Semi-Pro.”

They say better late than never, right? Well, as of last night the Patriots would say that anyway, as a late TD helped continue their season of perfection (will the end justify their means?). Love that Randy Moss goes from early career trash-talker to late-career man of wisdom, telling those jabbering Ravens to stop complaining so much when they haven’t (I’m paraphrasing, which means: not looking up the exact quote) “done anything all year.” I did hear the complaints on Sportscenter this morning and if the referees were jabbering back at the jabbering B-more squad, calling them “boy,” and such, Roger Goodell needs to step in immediately so it doesn’t get too crazy, too quick. In the wake of the NBA ref scandal, any problems with refs needs to be squashed ASAP; no need to feed into conspiracy theories, which lead to fan distrust. Meanwhile, Steve McNair was placed on the IR to have surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. He’s in his twilight years but I wouldn’t count him out just yet. If Vinny Testaverte can play into his 80s… McNair’s got a chance.

Hank Steinbrenner is a chip off the old block, isn’t he? First, he helps escort Joe Torre out of New York. Now he’s running his mouth, saying that he would withdraw his offer for Johan Santana from the Twins if they didn’t give him a decision by… yesterday. Nobody believes you, Hank. You said you wouldn’t negotiate with Alex Rodriguez if he opted out of his contract and how did that one end up again? Oh yeah, your “word” fell through. Anyway, if you want to usher Santana into the BoSox’s hands, you’ll be sorry — yet again — in

San Antonio Spurs fans can exhale now that Tim Duncan’s MRI came back negative. Although he won’t play Wednesday versus the Dallas Mavericks, the results confirm no torn ligaments in his knee, so eventually he’ll be back in action.

The man informally known in the NBA as “Sideshow Bob,” Anderson Verejao, as agreed to an offer sheet with the Charlotte Bobcats. According to the Charlotte-Observer the deal doesn’t mean Verejao will end up in a Bobcats uniform. Cavs GM Danny Ferry said he’d match any offer sheets for Verejao and this current offer — reportedly for the mid-level exception for $5 mil + a year — is actually less than the $20 mil, 3 year deal offered originally to the Cavs big man. All I can say is — if he’s not around to help LeBron, Ferry needs to make moves to find someone who will be. How many injuries does Bron-Bron have to sustain before the team realizes that eventually the wear-and-tear will have “King James” running for the hills?

As of this week, the Washington Nationals have acquired two young, talented, controversial-off-the-field outfielders in Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes. Sometimes new scenarios and a fresh start helps kick-start the careers of young talent. Sometimes it does not. People deserve second-chances if they want them; as a fan I can only hope for the best, cross my fingers and hope Jim Bowden knows what he’s doing.

• The Washington Redskins paid tribute to Sean Taylor by starting the game with only 10 players on the field. Despite a 17-16 loss to Buffalo, the late #21 was remembered with incredible class.
• BCS Championship set: LSU vs. Ohio State | See all bowl match-ups
• The BoSox are apparently willing to throw Jacob Ellsbury in a deal that would bring in the Twins’ Johan Santana.
• Anyone in Philly still want A.J. Feeley to start over McNabb?
• Andy Pettitte will rejoin the Yankees in 2008.
• Stephon Marbury’s father passed away after last night’s Knicks/Suns game.
• LSU assistant coach Bo Pelini will be the new Nebraska coach.

• Mike Wise draws up an obituary of Sean Taylor (WaPo)
• Fans have set up vigils and tributes for Taylor through the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area.
• LeBron scored 38, dished 13 and added 4 rebounds and 2 blocks on his way to handing the Celtics their second loss of the season with a 109-104 overtime win in Cleveland.
• Ricky Williams’ comeback with the Dolphins is already over.
• Ole Miss will place recently-fired Arkansas coach Houston Nutt in their own recently vacated head coach position.
• The Patriots lost Roosevelt Colvin for the season.

• Redskins safety Sean Taylor was reportedly shot during a burglary in his Florida home. Hope it isn’t as serious are the reports say.
• Missouri’s upset over Kansas moved them into the 1 spot on the BCS standings. West Virginia rolled through UConn to overtake No. 2.
• Six untimely (as if any turnover can be “timely,” really) turnovers led to a Washington defeat in Tampa Bay, 19-13.
• I guess that 24 point spread was a bit premature, eh? The Eagles hung in and lost a close one to those stinkin’ Pats, 31-28.
• Not surprisingly, a “few” voices in Philly say Feeley should take over McNabb’s job whether the incumbent is healthy or not next Sunday.
• Houston Texans assistant coach and former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike Sherman, is expected to take over the top gig at Texas A&M.
• The Yankees and A-Rod are allowed to move forward on his contract signing now that the league approved a marketing deal tied into his contract along with home run milestone bonuses.

• NCAA hoops #11 Oregon upset by Saint Mary’s.
• The Chiefs’ Priest Holmes is expected to retire after reportedly re-injuring his neck.
• What the hell is Nick Saban talking about, comparing a loss to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor? I-d-i-o-t.
• The Lakers make a trade! Of course it wasn’t to deal Kobe away, or else this would be the top bullet point.
• The NFL’s Jones brothers — Thomas and Julius — and their southwest Virginia background and ties.
• Jimmy Rollins, he of those Philly Phillies, won the NL MVP Award.
• I swear, Adam “Pacman” Jones will be news whether he really is or not.
• Despite Stephon Marbury rejoining the starting line-up, the Knicks continue their 7 game losing streak.
• The White Sox parted ways with oft-injured Scott Posednik.
• A little Q & A with Chris Chambers about his move from Miami to San Diego.

• Denver moves into a tie for the AFC West division lead after a 34-20 win over Tennessee last night.
• Michael Vick checks into jail 3 weeks early, assuming he could knock off a few months early and eye an swift return to the NFL.
• A-Rod walks away with the AL MVP very decidedly.
• 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell will return to the Boston Red Sox.
• Mariano Rivera will remain a Yankee.
• Lil’ Romeo signed up to play hoops for the USC Trojans next season.
• The Orlando Magic look kinda legit, one would conclude.

• Following a weekend where he caught another “L” to OSU, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is hanging up his coaching hat today.
• The Celtics finally have their undefeated streak end, losing to the Magic.
• The Patriots don’t remember how to lose.
• The Dolphins can’t spell w-i-n.
• Phil Dawson’s in-and-out field-goal was the most bizarre one I’ve seen… don’t go to Vegas, buddy!
• Very, very interesting series on TrueHoop with an NBA referee answering questions about gambling, perception and the general mood among other refs in the league.

• Barry Bonds was indicted yesterday on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Arraignment date set for Dec. 7. Hypocrites and Bonds Haters United act a fool!
• Alex Rodriguez is close to signing a deal worth $275 million over over 10 years; could rise to $300 mil if he breaks Bonds’ record… or will it be Hammerin’ Hank’s record by then…?
• Dennis Dixon gets injured in the first quarter and watches from the sideline as Arizona upsets No. 2 Oregon, 34-24.
• NYTimes’s Selena Roberts breaks down the three phases of Jim Dolan.