It's a somber, yet hopeful day, at the "Leader". Stephen A. Smith is gracing ESPN's airwaves for the last time today, and has been oddly appearing across all of the network's platforms. He first appeared on First Take to talk about the NBA Playoffs, then went over to Shrutebag's radio show, and left without a goodbye on both shows. Here's some video and audio of the gloomy appearances....

Good lord that's depressing. One of the last moments on a network, and they're talking about meatball marinara subs from Subway! I mean, we're talking about a guy who once had a TV show, a radio show, a newspaper column and had a huge NBA analyst role on ESPN. Now he's out there looking for work. Even if you don't like the guy's schtick, you still have to feel just a little bit bad for him.

You would think that Stephen A. Smith would be a little bit more bitter after ESPN decided to not renew his contract, but he's surprisingly not. The outspoken one even penned a post on his blog to his soon-to-be former employer, and thanked them for the opportunity. Via StephenA.com....

My last day at ESPN is May 1. It’s been a wonderful, wonderful ride, filled with great accomplishments, great memories and, most importantly, great friendships. It’s difficult to express how appreciative I am to everyone at ESPN for all they’ve done for my career. But nothing lasts forever. It’s time to move on.

While my love for sports has never dissipated– of course, I’ll never let go of sports– my desire to venture beyond sports into the world of news, politics and entertainment has grown. Where that will take me? Who knows, but you can keep up with me right here on StephenA.com as well as on Twitter to find out! I’ll just be moving on with some degree of sadness, remembering all the friends I’ll leave behind.

Well that's big of him. To be honest, SAS had started to grow on me a bit. And while I can't stand some of his schtick, I can't say that he lacked the passion and know-how to cover Basketball for the "Leader". Godspeed Mr. Cheez Doodlez....your volume level will be missed.

Goodbye ESPN!!! (StephenA.com)

Stephen A. Smith has been slowly losing responsibility over the last year at ESPN, and many have questioned whether his time with the "Leader" was up. Well according to The Big Lead, that time is upon us, and Smith's contract won't be renewed this May....

We hear that Stephen A. Smith, who just four years ago soared to incredible sports media heights - simultaneously juggling a sports column in the Philadelphia Inquirer, an ESPN radio show, and a TV show on ESPN - will be actively looking for work this summer after his ESPN contract expires following the NBA playoffs.

Within the last month, a source says that ESPN and Smith went to the negotiating table and couldn’t reach an agreement. Apparently, ESPN’s offer was considerably lower than Smith’s previous contracts - which were multi-media faceted - and Smith passed. He was then offered the decision to work through the remainder of his contract, or walk away and still get paid, and a source says Smith decided to work.

While this is obviously still a rumor, it seems to make sense. SAS has been phased out of NBA work for the most part, and really only appears on First Take from time to time. So where does he go next? My first thought is that he will expand on his CNN appearances, but SI and Fanhouse are still out there. It's not like he doesn't have options.

Enjoy Stephen A. Smith While You Can - He’s Got About Six Weeks Left at ESPN (The Big Lead)

Huzzah! The ESPN war that is Simmons vs. Reilly will be heading to the airwaves. Bill Simmons was on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan, and when the hosts asked him about his feud with Rick Reilly, he said things are fine and that the two will be together on the B.S. Report soon. Here's the audio....

Man, I cannot wait for that one. This podcast has anticipation similar to that of Tyson-Holyfield. Oh and Bill, I know the Rushmore thing was technically your idea, but after seeing how it turned out....you might want to distance yourself from it a bit.

Bill Simmons (WEEI)

Herm Edwards was said to be taking a year off, but that will just be from coaching. The former Jets and KC Coach will be joining ESPN starting in mid-February, and will be under contract for one year. Via ESPN PR....

Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is joining ESPN as a NFL studio analyst. Edwards will appear on NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and other programs throughout the year in addition to contributing analysis on ESPN Radio and other platforms. He is scheduled to start in mid February.

A head coach for the last eight NFL seasons, Edwards coached the New York Jets from 2001-05 and most recently the Chiefs (2006-08). He led his teams to four playoff appearances, including 2004 when his Jets squad finished with a 10-6 regular season record and advanced to the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Edwards, who also guided the Chiefs to a Wild Card berth in 2006, is one of only four NFL coaches to lead two different teams to the playoffs in his first season as head coach with those teams.

“Herm is well-liked and highly respected throughout the league, and his insights and opinions as a former coach will make a tremendous addition to our year-round NFL coverage,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production.

Edwards, who worked a brief stint at ESPN during the 2008 NFL offseason as a guest analyst, added: "I'm excited about the opportunity to join the ESPN team and offer my insight as a former player and head coach. I'm going to be truthful with my opinions on all the issues that take place on and off the field of play."

I wasn't a fan of Edwards' brief stint on ESPN in 2008, but that was mainly because current coaches and players are afraid to say anything controversial while still in the league. Hopefully Herm can provide a little bit more this go around, and the addition of another NFL analyst can mean the eventual dropping of a current someone who doesn't belong on the network (*ahem* Emmitt *ahem*)

Rick Reilly is slowly starting to earn that huge paycheck from the "Leader", and along with Homecoming and Mt. Rushmore, the man who is not a fan of the blogging medium is getting one of his own. It'll be called "Go Fish" and you're able to read it now at ESPNTheMag.com.

Not only can you check out what words the writer has made up in the "Rickology" section, but you can also read about how him going to the bathroom and meeting Screech from Saved By The Bell!!!

This week, I was in a bathroom and a guy came up to me and said, "I'm a huge fan. Do you know that? A huge fan. I know who you are! How many people actually know who you are in this club tonight? Only me, right? Give me your cell, Bill. And not your BS work number that some secretary answers. I want your straight-up cell, Bill. I mean it. Give it to me. I'm gonna have Bill O'Reilly's cell. Sweet. We'll hang."

I saw Screech (Dustin Diamond) from Saved by the Bell at XS at the Encore Hotel in Las Vegas last weekend. He has a crazy Afro now and a triangle-shaped mini-beard and is still about nine on the Geekmeter.

Now I know that my entries aren't of the greatest of length, but those are even less than Terrell Owens' first effort at Yardbarker. But who am I to tell someone how to blog, right? Welcome Mr. Reilly, you'll be live-blogging the World Beer Pong Championships in no time!

Reilly: Go Fish (ESPN The Mag)
ESPN Is Officially Trying To Get Rick Reilly To Do More (Deadspin)