An interesting story was dropped by ESPN's Adam Schefter this morning, which stated that a race between the Titans' Chris Johnson and Usain Bolt was in the making. According to him, the only hangup was the distance of said race. Well apparently that's not the only hangup....the story doesn't appear to be true and Bolt's agent wants a retraction. From SbB via Universal Sports....

Bolt’s agent, Ricky Simms, says there is “no truth” to a report by ESPN football analyst Adam Schefter that the Jamaican sprint sensation is trying to set up a race against Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson to determine who is really the world’s fastest human

“There is no truth to the story and I have contacted ESPN in an effort to get them to take the story down because we don’t want this to spread like wildfire,” Simms said in a phone interview with Universal Sports. “Usain doesn’t follow the NFL too closely and is not really familiar with all of the players. He likes (international) football and cricket. But more importantly, he has a schedule and a coach to follow and there is no chance that we would set up this type of event.”

Events of this nature rarely ever actually go down, so I was skeptical when first reading it, but apparently there's no truth to it all. I don't think Schefter made up the story, but just got caught up in a rumor. There has been no retraction by ESPN, and the item is still being talked about on Sports Center.

Sources: Johnson vs. Bolt race planned (ESPN)
Bolt will not race NFL's Johnson (Universal Sports)
Bolt Rep Wants Untrue ESPN Claim ‘Taken Down’ (Sports by Brooks)

Last week, all the buzz was the alleged run-in between Marv Albert and rapper 50 Cent. There were reports of a verbal confrontation and some even said that there was a potential punch thrown in the fracas. Well over the weekend, Marv came out and said that not only was the punch a fabrication, the whole incident was. Via USA Today....

At issue is what happened when Albert last week was getting set to appear on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. As he was walking backstage to his dressing room he "heard something" that he thought were people "kidding around." The raised voices, he thinks, came from someone with rapper 50 Cent— another Kimmel guest — wanting to use a phone in Albert's room. "But I didn't even see the guys and don't even think there was a scuffle."

Still, the diminutive TNT NBA announcer says he and friends and family found various online accounts of "stuff that never happened" — included that he and 50 Cent had a fight. "I kept reading about new things that never happened. Maybe it will keep going until Jimmy Kimmel gets punched."

Well that solves that. It seemed a little far fetched, but crazier things have happened. I'm just happy that we don't have to worry about Albert being gunned down in Vegas after a boxing match. Whew.

Marv Albert finds Web reports 'upsetting' (USA Today)

Well at least that's what Peter King is trying to tell people. is reporting that newly signed ESPN analyst, Matt Millen, is the leader in the clubhouse to replace Cris Collinsworth, but the network is also considering Brian Billick, Marshall Faulk and the one and only....Joe Theismann!!!

Remember I told you a couple of weeks ago how NFL Network was furious with Jon Gruden for agreeing to a deal to do color on the Thursday night games in a two-man booth, then reneging to sign with ESPN? NFL Network wasn't exactly thrilled with the worldwide leader for ripping off Gruden. Well, ESPN and NFL Network may just have to play nice now to get another deal done -- if league TV decides to make Millen the color man to replace Gruden for its eight-game slate of late-season games.

In the wake of NFL Network losing Gruden, the channel has considered a few options of analysts to pair with Bob Papa. One is Brian Billick, the quick-on-his-feet former Ravens coach who had a successful debut on Fox last season. Another would be a three-man booth, with Papa, Marshall Faulk and Joe Theismann, who, presumably, would walk to each game if the network would give him the gig. But I hear Millen is the leader in the NFL Network clubhouse.

Bob Papa and Matt Millen would actually make a heck of a team, but to do so, Millen would have to work approximately 90 hours a week. He'd potentially be in studio for Monday Night Football, have NFL Live during the week, Thursday Night Football and finally College Football work for ESPN on the weekend. Even the most dedicated of broadcasters can't talk that much without losing their voice.

While I think Joe Theismann would be a bad choice, I almost miss him at this point. A three-man booth of Papa, Theismann and Marshall Faulk, would be dreadful....it would certainly provide tons of posts for the site. Hmmm....someone flip a coin for me.

The Matt Millen Job Fair (SI)

I usually pass on stories that involve media member's personal lives, but this one plays out like a bad movie, so I had to share. Michael Strahan has been dating Nicole Murphy since his divorce in 2007, but lately he hasn't been exactly trusting her. Which is why he installed a tracking device on her Range Rover. Of course, Strahan was right about said indiscretions, and after Murphy took her SUV into the shop with her new lover and had the device removed, the "s" hit the fan....

Things came to a head Feb. 20, after Spencer and Murphy took her Range Rover to a luxury dealership in Thousand Oaks, Calif.. Mechanics quickly discovered the tracking apparatus.

"This is the second tracking device he's had put in her car," one source said.

"This one was found behind the front dashboard." Murphy and Spencer went to have lunch while the tracer - which one source said provided up-to-the-minute location status - was removed.

Seconds later, Strahan barged into the garage, "yelling and screaming," a source said.

Spotting Murphy's car with the tracking device exposed, Strahan walked over, ripped it off the dashboard and stormed out of the shop.

Well that's just about the craziest thing I've heard this month. It seriously sounds like an episode of "Cheaters". This story did come from the NY Post, so remember that it might not be entirely true. It's definitely worth a read though, even if it's made up.

Strahan's Love Bug (NY Post)

I know I go overboard when it comes to Chris Mortensen, and I know that people hate Stephen A. Smith posts, but I just couldn't pass up this comparison on the heels of the Chris Bosh rumors. Stephen A. came out last week and said that Chris Bosh was telling the Raptors that he wasn't resigning with the team, and that Toronto was looking into trading the All-Star. Both Bosh and management said that the whole story was entirely made up and to not listen to the ESPN analyst, but Smith is fighting back the best way he can. By blogging about it!

In case anyone didn't comprehend what I reported first on ESPNews Sunday morning, then SportsCenter Monday night, let me be clear: My sources tell me Chris Bosh wants out of Toronto. Preferably before 2010, when he's free to opt out of his contract. They've also informed me Bosh has quietly made the Raptors aware of this, that he wouldn't mind interest from Miami or Dallas, at all, and that he's hopeful his days as a Raptor will come to an end sooner than when the LeBron James' Sweepstakes hits the fan in 2010.

Both Bosh and Raptors' President, Bryan Colangelo have emphatically denied Bosh has made the Raptors aware of anything. Feel free to believe them if you want to. And while you're at it, feel free to to conveniently forget that Damon Stoudamire, Marcus Camby, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter all echoed similar sentiments before they skipped town, too.

I find it hard to believe that anyone working at an organization as large as ESPN, would be in the habit of making up stories, but I could be wrong. I also thought that the "Leader" was phasing out Screamin' A., but apparently they're keeping around for the controversy. As far as Bosh goes, you know he's leaving but he has to deny it because I'm sure he doesn't want the Vinsanity treatment when he returns.

Boshed (Stephen A. Smith)

I really didn't want to post either of these on their own (mainly because they're both about Baseball and that's the last thing I want to talk about), but I think they make the perfect post in unison. The MLB Winter Meetings are kicking off this week, which means an inordinate amount of coverage from ESPN. While the network plans to have a handful of people in Las Vegas (seemingly to provide you with up-to-date trade rumors that won't pan out), they'll also be airing a special Baseball Tonight "Hot Stove" editions from 5-6pm on ESPN2 through Thursday night. Karl Ravech and John Kruk will be your hosts and will be joined by a cast of MLB regulars throughout the week.

And speaking of Karl and John, the Krukster sat down with The Morning Call to shed some light on their relationship....

Kruk seems to have a good rapport with ''Baseball Tonight'' host Karl Ravech, but says like with any family, there are some less-than-harmonious moments.

''You better have a good rapport because we're on four days a week from March through October,'' Kruk said. ''If we didn't get along, it would be hard.

''I mean there have been times when I wanted to punch him in the face. And, I'm sure there are times when he'd like to do the same to me. We argue. One time we went three days without speaking to each other, except on the air.

''A lot of it has nothing to do with TV. He might have said something while we were golfing or something like that. It's just like teammates on a baseball team. There were days I wanted to walk into the clubhouse and drop someone and I'm sure someone wanted to do it to me.''

Good times! Seriously though, ESPN does an excellent job covering those meetings. While I could care less about them at the moment, for those that do, it's probably your best option at this point. And last year even had a couple of nice trades to spark your interest as well. Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera both ended up in Detroit during last year's meetings. And while those moves didn't pan out last season, they were certainly exciting at the time.

Kruk the same genuine guy off camera (The Morning Call)

I mentioned this the day after the Packers QB retired but apparently the rumor that networks were scrambling to contact Favre has been validated by a current studio personality involved in contract discussions. Barry Switzer was talking with Scout.com when he dropped this little nugget.....

That’s why FOX included Switzer on its studio show last year, pairing him as a “Grumpy Old Man’’ with long-time friend/nemesis Jimmy Johnson. But Switzer told me on Friday that while the network is still negotiating with him about a role, FOX may replace him on its totem pole with another legendary name.

“Well, they’re talking to Favre,’’ said Switzer as we both attended OU’s Honorary Degree luncheon on the school’s campus. “I still think they want me involved in some way. But with Brett. … they might pair him in a segment with (Terry) Bradshaw, I don’t know. … It’s a lot of fun for me, but there’s only so much time (available) on that show. And, hey, he’s Brett Favre!’’

I would be all on board for replacing that pointless "Grumpy Old Men" segment, but having Favre as a gimmick and not a host would probably get just annoying. I have nothing against Southern gentlemen discussing anything, but with the way FOX does things they'd probably call it Rednecks in the Red Zone and have them talk about crawfish and hunting.

While the move would certainly make a splash for FOX not every player is right for TV. I just don't see Favre providing anything exciting week to week, but I could be wrong.

Switzer Speaks: Favre to Fox? (Scout)

One of the big stories regarding the "Leader" last week was the signing of WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman. Well according to Canoe.com those rumors are false....

In a statement to SLAM! Wrestling, Dave Nagle, Manager of Media Relations for ESPN's Communications Department, stated that "all I can say is that these 'rumors' are untrue...we do not have a signed deal. There is nothing more to say."

The rumours on Coachman's departure began soon after his seemingly final Smackdown broadcast on April 26, 2008. As of the Backlash pay-per-view April 28, Coachman had been replaced by Mick Foley as the Smackdown colour commentator alongside play-by-play man Michael Cole.

Saying that they do not "have a signed deal" doesn't really deny the fact that they are interested I guess, but it appears all of the Wrestling sites last week were wrong. Most of you said the guy is pretty good on broadcasts outside of the WWE, so hopefully you're right and ESPN gets that contract signed.

ESPN denies Coachman signing (Canoe)

I don't think Chuck could have done a worse job at hinting at the question on everyone's mind, but D Wade finally addressed the rumor that he and Star Jones were dating....

Funny stuff, but can someone tell me what the hell Kenny Smith is talking about? I obviously get Barkley's cougar reference, but one milk shake/two straws? Huh??? There's no way that was a "There Will be Blood" reference is it? I'm so confused.

(Via Real Clear Sports)

Enough with reality getting into my Sports. Apparently Michael Wilbon suffered a minor heart attack and was rushed to the hospital at 3am Monday morning. I don't know how a whole day went by without anyone finding this out but reports are starting to come in now.

From Sports Media Watch....

Michael Wilbon acclaimed longtime colunmist (sic) at the Washington Post and Pardon the Interruption (PTI) co-host suffered a minor heart attack this morning. It was reported that at 3 a.m. he complained of chest pains to his wife who took him to the hospital. Doctors found minor blockage in his heart and performed an angioplasty, which successfully removed the blockage.

Though he is weary he is expected tom be back at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona tomorrow.

Our thoughts and for those who pray - prayers - are with you.

I am skeptical that the original story came from a site called "Pass the Word", but apparently Tony Kornheiser mentioned the chest pains during PTI this past evening. Also, friend and editor Roy S. Johnson (Men's Fitness) spoke with the PTI host earlier in this evening and confirmed everything is okay. Best wishes Mr. Wilbon.

Fan IQ also has a more eerie take on the situation.

Update: Here's the PTI clip in which Tony says he had chest pains. I'm just glad he's doing okay....



ESPNs Wilbon Has Heart Attack (Sports Media Watch)
Pardon the Interruption, But Michael Wilbon Had A Heart Attack (Madden Curse?) (FanIQ)

Stephen A. Smith would love this one. An LSU Fan site has a post titled "Herbstreit's Source" that claims the College Gameday's Source was a prank caller pretending to be Desmond Howard. Again just a rumor, but how funny would it be if this is how it went down. Via Tiger Droppings...

This is what happened to Herbstreit...
1)He received a voicemail saying the deal is done, he's going to Michigan, will be announced early next week, and Tenuta is coming with him.
2)The person who did the voicemail was personating Desmon Howard and said they were Desmond
3)Desmond was in Hawaii covering the game
4)Herbstreit took this information to his supervisor WITHOUT calling Desmond back or confirming it.
5)His supervisor said run with it
6)Once it came out, Herbstreit himself started hearing things that it wasn't true.
7)They called Hawaii and woke Desmond Howard up about it.
8)Desmond knew NOTHING about it
9)Herbstreit was embarrased and still is and ESPN is trying to cover their somehow. 10)Basically he published this on a prank call

Even for something that could be made up this is pretty detailed. Maybe this is why Herbstreit said he was never going to report on anything again.

With all of that said, Les still hasn't signed the papers.

Herbstreit's Source (Tiger Droppings)
So Wait … Is Les Miles Staying or Going? (The Big Lead)