Ben Maller's sports rumors and notes
by FOXSports.com
NFL RUMORS AND NOTES
Sources: Favre wanted to un-retire in May
Multiple sources confirmed to the Green Bay Press-Gazette that Brett Favre has inquired about returning to the Packers. According to sources, Favre was wishy-washy about retiring in the weeks following the Packers' loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game. Like the previous two offseasons, Favre told coach Mike McCarthy and General Manager Ted Thompson that he was thinking about quitting. The two previous years, McCarthy or Thompson -- and sometimes both -- made strong attempts to talk Favre out of it. This year, things were different, according to sources. Thompson hardly communicated with Favre in the offseason, which upset Favre, but McCarthy maintained regular contact with him. In March, when Favre told the Packers he was planning to quit, they made little or no effort to talk him out of it. So on March 4, he announced his retirement and two days later held a tearful farewell news conference at Lambeau Field. However, doubt about his decision persisted. Thompson visited Favre at his Hattiesburg, Miss., home in May and, according to sources, Favre would have un-retired at that point had Thompson asked him to come back. But Thompson never broached the subject with him. About two weeks ago, Favre called McCarthy to express his desire to return, but Favre was rebuffed. The Packers are reluctant to take Favre back for several reasons: They're concerned how it would affect Aaron Rodgers, Favre's replacement. They have already gone through an entire offseason preparing Rodgers, and they've adjusted the offense to suit his strengths. -- Green Bay Press-Gazette
Ex-Bengals receiver Henry wants to get back in the NFL
Former Bengals WR Chris Henry, bantering with host Mark Schlemmer, mainly spoke about staying out of trouble and getting another chance in the league. "I'm going to handle myself like a professional at all times," Henry pledged. "I'm going to stay away from the wrong people and never put myself in a bad situation. "It's been a long three months not being on a ballclub," he added. "I'm gonna try to put it all behind me. Just get back to playing ball." Henry said he plans to spend time in North Carolina training and getting into shape just in case he's allowed back into the league and somebody actually remembers he caught 88 passes for 1,370 yards and 17 touchdowns in his three years with the Bengals. -- Dayton Daily News
MLB RUMORS AND NOTES
Jays shopping A.J. Burnett for a shortstop
It's no surprise that the Blue Jays are shopping right-hander A.J. Burnett. But what they're looking for in return certainly is. The Jays are looking to obtain a shortstop in talks with other teams. The Jays have had trade talks with a number of teams regarding Burnett, who is in the third year of a five-year, $55-million US contract. Burnett can opt out at the end of the season and become a free agent. He is owed $12 million in each of the final two years of his contract. Philadelphia Phillies scout Charlie Kerfeld saw Burnett's start at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers and former Jays scout Ted Lekus, now with the Baltimore Orioles, saw Burnett beat the Atlanta Braves last Sunday at Rogers Centre. -- Toronto Star
Phils scout Sabathia and Bedard
The Phillies have Cleveland Indians lefthander C.C. Sabathia atop their wish list and have scouted him in recent weeks. But they also have an eye on Seattle Mariners lefthander Erik Bedard, who is 5-4 with a 3.79 ERA in 14 starts and seems to be available. Charley Kerfeld, special assistant to general manager Pat Gillick, scouted Bedard in Seattle recently. And the Mariners had a couple of scouts in Reading last night to watch righthander Carlos Carrasco, who is considered the Phillies' top prospect. They did not get to see Carrasco, however, because he was scratched after he felt shoulder stiffness in the bullpen before the game. But those Mariners scouts could be in Philadelphia this weekend, taking a look at some of the big-league talent the Phillies might have available. -- Philadelphia Inquirer
NBA RUMORS AND NOTES
Clips Maggette to Spurs or Magic?
The Spurs are expected to soon make an offer to free agent swingman Corey Maggette, if they haven't done so already. After that, the wait begins. Maggette seems to be a popular man in the early stages of this summer's NBA free-agency period, with as many as four other teams reported to have also contacted him to make known their interest. To land him, the Spurs will have to outpitch the likes of Orlando, Utah, Boston and Miami -- all of whom have made Maggette an offer, according to various news reports -- as well as any other suitors who might emerge in the coming days. With a week to go before the moratorium on free-agent signings ends July 9, the Spurs and Magic appear to be the front-runners for Maggette's services. -- San Antonio Express-News
Mavs owner unaware of NBA expansion talks to Seattle
In an e-mail on Wednesday, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was unaware of expansion talks or relocation discussions. Charlotte waited two years before the NBA returned with the expansion Bobcats. Kansas City wasn't as lucky. Not even an NBA-ready facility has been able to lure a team 23 years after the Kings left for Sacramento. Several teams possibly could relocate or be sold in the next five years, including the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. But Seattle isn't the only city in the market for an NBA team. Kansas City, Las Vegas and San Jose, Calif., are among those who also would like teams. -- Seattle Times
NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES
NASCAR's Franchitti might return to sports cars?
Dario Franchitti still was mulling over his future Wednesday after the shuttering of his No. 40 Sprint Cup car by Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and one of his options could be returning to Andretti Green Racing in an American Le Mans Series car. Kim Green, one of AGR's three co-owners, told USA TODAY on Wednesday afternoon that though the team had not talked to Franchitti yet, the door was open for returning in its ALMS lineup, which isn't set after a recent driver shake-up. Franchitti drove in the Indy Racing League for AGR from 2003-07, winning the Indianapolis 500 and Indy Car championship last year before leaving for NASCAR. "We have a lot of respect for Dario, and he did a great job in our sports car last year," Green said. "If he approached us, we would be listening, absolutely." Franchitti told the Associated Press on Wednesday he wasn't sure what he'll do next. -- USA Today
Kyle Busch not worried about public opinion
When a NASCAR driver is cast as the "black hat," the perception generally gains momentum through the race fan community. People will boo Kyle Busch on Saturday night simply because others around them are jeering at the young phenom. Busch says he doesn't take it personally, saying that to really know him is to love him. "There's a lot of people out there that only get to see what I am, whether reading it on the Internet or seeing it on TV or whatever," he said. "They don't know me as a person." -- Daytona News-Journal
ODD NOTES AND STUFF
A-Rod's wife in Paris with Lenny Kravitz
Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez's marriage is kaput, sources told The Post. A-Rod's wife, Cynthia, has been shacked up with rocker Lenny Kravitz in Paris. The couple's two daughters - 3-year-old Natasha and 2-month-old Ella - remained in Miami, sources said. The stunning news emerged a day after revelations that Alex Rodriguez has been paying late-night visits to Madonna's Upper West Side apartment. Cynthia Rodriguez, 34, has been in Paris for at least the past four days visiting Grammy-winner Kravitz. C-Rod was seen outside the 44-year-old Kravitz's pad in the romantic City of Light as recently as Tuesday night. -- NY Post
Sabol: NFL Films is fine
There are fewer faces these days around NFL Films, which in part promoted the dinosaurs and the calls of concern. The company laid off 21 of 283 employees earlier this year in the wake of suggestions that its epic style of filmmaking had fallen out of favor with viewers and the NFL's corporate hierarchy, which is focused on pumping up the struggling NFL Network. "It seemed to be sort of an emotional and sentimental thing with people," Steve Sabol said. "They've been calling to ask if we're doing OK." In fact, Sabol said, things are fine. After a year in which the NFL Network seemingly struggled to find a role for NFL Films, the company is developing three new series that will air on Thursday nights this fall. -- Houston Chronicle
COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES
Texas Tech WR Crabtree up for Heisman?
Texas Tech sophomore wide receiver Michael Crabtree of Carter was recently named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list. Crabtree, who should receive strong Heisman Trophy consideration if he can match his numbers from last season, will likely turn pro after this year. Crabtree was tabbed as the nation's top receiver last year after setting freshman NCAA records with 134 catches for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the nation in each category. -- Dallas Morning News
Vols show Fulmer the money
Phil Fulmer's deal puts him among the highest paid coaches in the league in terms of annual average salary. He will be in the middle of the SEC pack for 2008 at $2.4 million, but his $2.99 million average annual payout during the course of the contract puts him only behind Alabama's Nick Saban, Florida's Urban Meyer and LSU's Les Miles, who all average more than $3 million a year in total compensation. Fulmer, 57, who made $2.05 million last year, is in his 16th full season as the Volunteers head football coach and recently told The Tennessean he plans to lead UT for "eight to 10 years, at least." In addition to the raise, Fulmer would receive a $1 million longevity bonus in 2012 as a reward for being UT's head coach for 20 years. -- Tennessean
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
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