Today's Top Sports Rumors & News

Phillies sign OF Juan Pierre to minor league deal

Phils-ville | phillyBurbs — Having dealt utility man Wilson Valdez to the Reds earlier in the week and looking to add more speed off the bench, the Phillies have signed veteran outfielder Juan Pierre to a minor league deal with

Phillies sign Juan Pierre

Gronk's dad on high ankle sprain

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — In an interview with WIVB-TV in Western New York, Gordy Gronkowski -- the father of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski -- touched on the excitement of his son preparing for Super Bowl XLVI. Gordy Gronkowski also noted that his son suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship Game, but expects him to play in the Super Bowl. The experience has been memorable for the entire family. "It's unbelievable. Every week in my life right now, it's just so unbelievable," Gordy Gronkowski tells WIVB-TV.

Papa Gronkowski spills the beans: TE Rob Gronkowski has a high-ankle sprain

Sixers sign free agent Francisco Elson

Sixerville | Philadelphia Daily News — With two centers still nursing injuries, the Sixers signed free agent Francisco Elson, who spent time with the team two seasons ago.

Yankees make it official, announce Hiroki Kuroda signing

Blogging the Bombers | New York Daily News — All of the physicals are now complete, and the Yankees have finalized their rotation revamp: After announcing the trade for Seattle righthander Michael Pineda Monday, the team on Thursday made official its one-year agreement with free agent righty Hiroki Kuroda. General manager Brian Cashman ...

Owner's remarks suggest a rift with Manning

Tennessean — Two days after Peyton Manning publicly complained about the atmosphere at team headquarters, Colts owner Jim Irsay stunned everyone by calling his franchise player a "politician" who had decided to air dirty laundry.

Grant: ‘I don’t care about their revenge’

True Blue | Bergen Record — The Patriots lost to the Giants in their first Super Bowl meeting. But it’s Deon Grant who says he’s looking for revenge. “I don’t care about their revenge. I’m trying to win a Super Bowl,” said Grant, who was a Carolina Panther when they lost to the Patriots in 2004 in Super Bowl XXXVIII. “It’s like when I’m getting in a fight with somebody. I’m not looking at why he’s gonna be coming in and swinging really hard because of what’s in his mind. I’m trying to knock him out before he knocks me out. I could careless what’s in his mind.” Grant did not play in Super Bowl XLII when the Giants ups...

No Gronk at full-pads practice

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Injured tight end Rob Gronkowski was not present for the start of Patriots practice today. Gronkowski has a high ankle sprain, his father told WIVB-TV in Western New York. He had been held out of Thursday's practice, the Patriots' first since advancing to Super Bowl XLVI. Patriots reporters are present for the start of practice, which includes stretching and some agility drills, before departing. Usually when a player is not present for the start of practice, it means he'll miss the entire session.

USA Today: Wilfork plays for parents

New England Patriots Blog | ESPN Boston — Nice piece put together by Tom Pedulla of USA Today, who profiles Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork today. Pedulla writes: Vince Wilfork balances an abundance of excitement with equal measure of regret. As the New England Patriots defensive mainstay prepares for Super Bowl XLVI, the four-time Pro Bowl lineman cannot help but mourn anew the loss of his parents, who died a little more than six months apart when he was a sophomore at the University of Miami in 2002.

JPP won't be wide-eyed against Brady

Giants Blog | ESPN New York — Jason Pierre-Paul will be playing in his first Super Bowl. But let's just say he won't be in awe of the moment or the quarterback he'll be chasing. When asked if he might be wide-eyed going up against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, Pierre-Paul said, "No, not me." "I just say, a quarterback is a quarterback," the defensive end said of how he views all quarterbacks. "He might have speed, he might be great at throwing the ball and all that but at the end of the day, it is going to start up front with this D-linemen and the offensive line.

As expected, regents rubber stamp Brown's contract extension

Austin American-Statesman — After University of Texas regents approved extending football coach Mack Brown's contract to 2020 on Thursday, one interested observer said it won't shock him to see Brown, 60, finish out the deal.

Lidge's days with Phils come to an end

Courier-Post — At his best, Brad Lidge provided one of the most indelible images of the past three decades of Phillies history, closing out Game 5 of the 2008 World Series. At his worst, perhaps no player in recent memory was more roundly critiqued and criticized.

Manning earns praise

Boston Globe — Patriots defensive players know they’re going to have their hands full with Giants quarterback Eli Manning in the Super Bowl, but even his counterpart, Tom Brady , heaped on the praise yesterday.

Report: Giants agree to one-year deal with Hensley

CSN Bay Area — The Giants have reached a one-year, low-risk deal with relief pitcher Clay Hensley, the same Clay Hensley that Barry Bonds took deep for his 755th career blast.

Kevin Youkilis says team failed

Boston Herald — Kevin Youkilis spent most of the winter in California, recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia that sidelined...

Practice: Nicks out, Bradshaw on field

Giants Blog | ESPN New York — Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks missed practice for the second straight day while running back Ahmad Bradshaw appeared to be practicing on Friday. Here's the breakdown from the portion of practice open to the media on Friday afternoon. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder): Nicks was on the side during practice and appeared to be missing his third straight day. Nicks injured his shoulder against the 49ers but said that he is going to play in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

Club plans more talks with Josh Hamilton

Texas Rangers Blog | ESPN Dallas — Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Friday on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's 'The Ben and Skin Show' that he plans to have more conversations with Josh Hamilton's representatives before full-squad workouts begin in Surprise, Ariz., next month. Hamilton, who will be a free agent after the 2012 season, said this offseason that he doesn't want to discuss his contract after spring training begins, opting to concentrate on getting ready for the season. (That's something Albert Pujols did as well with the Cardinals last year).

We’re discussing Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay, and Andrew Luck

Colts Insider | Indianapolis Star — QUESTION: I am sitting here watching this situation unfold between Peyton Manning and Jim Irsay and cannot help but to wonder what Andrew Luck is thinking.  Peyton only orchestrated the most NFL wins over the course of a decade, won a Super Bowl, went to another, was key in the building of a new stadium, won four MVPs, etc., and is being treated like this after 14 years. Who would want to follow that? Do you think Irsay may be sending a negative message to current players, the fans, and potentially even the future No. 1 overall draft pick? – from Karry, Honolulu, Hawaii   ANSWER: I doubt it. T...

Stock Report: Matrix rises, Odom falls

Dallas Mavericks Blog | ESPN Dallas — Our weekly look at which Mavs stock has risen and fallen most: STOCK UP Shawn Marion – The compressed schedule hasn’t prevented the 33-year-old Matrix from playing like he’s in his prime. The last week might have been his best in a Mavericks uniform. He averaged 20 points on 55-percent shooting, 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals to lead the Mavs to a 3-1 record. Marion continues to be the Mavs’ defensive tone-setter and is filling in as the go-to guy while Dirk Nowitzki tries to get right.

Patrick Chung, Patriots safety, on Super Bowl 46

Patriots Football Coverage | WEEI — Patriots safety Pat Chung joins the program to talk about Super Bowl 46.

New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon said mutual agreement was made to hold off contract extension

Times-Picayune — Hornets guard Eric Gordon said all he can do at this point is come back from his knee injury.