News and notes while veterans on the Falcons start revolting against head coach Bobby Petrino…

Leinart breaks collarbone (AP/FOX Sports) The Cardinals starter took a nasty hit from blitzing Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon late in the first half in the Cardinals 34-31 victory in St. Louis.

The latest AP poll (AP/SI.com) Cal climbs to No. 2 in AP poll, USC tumbles to No. 10.

Justin Leonard bags Texas Open (AP/TSN.ca) The three-time winner of the Texas Open beat Jesper Parnevik with a 10-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a playoff.

Jones’ apology sounds like another false start (USA Today) Jon Saraceno of USA Today takes his shots at track star Marion Jones after her “confession” Friday.

A-Rod: All eyez on me — ALDS Game 3 (Bugs & Cranks) A continuing chronicle of Alex Rodriguez, October’s Mr. Snakebit.

Trent Green’s career might be over (AwfulAnnouncing) Watch video of Miami’s Trent Green taking a knee to the head from Houston Texan Travis Hanson early in the first quarter.

News and notes while panicking over fantasy baseball results thanks to the one-game playoff…

U.S. snags President’s Cup (AP/ESPN)  Did you know this event happened amid the seven top 25 football teams losing, the NHL debut in London, the crazy NFL week four games and the nail-biting MLB season races. Yeah, we forgot about it, too.

North Carolina reviews recruit’s visit (Charlotte Observer) North Carolina is conducting a review to determine whether NCAA rules were broken during a basketball recruit’s campus visit last weekend.

Amazin’ disgrace (Y! Sports) National baseball writer for Yahoo! Sports TIm Brown chronicles the collapse of the New York Mets.

Padres may pay for saving Peavy (FOX Sports)  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that the San Diego Padres may regret holding back starter Jake Peavy during Sunday’s contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Favre bridges past to present on record breaker (SI.com) Sports Ilustrated’s Don Banks takes a look at Brett Favre’s touchdown record and its impact on two generations of football fans.

Ladies and gentleman, Jade McCarthy (Bugs & Cranks) NBC10 in Philadelphia’s Jade McCarthy enjoys getting wet in the Fightin’ Phils post-game celebration.

News and notes while thanking our lucky stars that we don’t have children…yet…

Woods will team with Howell III for President’s Cup (ESPN News Services) Woods and Howell III will take on K.J. Choi and Nick O’Hern in their opening President’s Cup match.

Vick tested positive for marijuana (ESPN) More of the Michael Vick follies as Kelly Naqi reports that the troubled NFLer tested positive for marijuana on Sept. 13.

Wilbon is afraid of blogs (Awful Announcing) We caught this interview yesterday while driving around town and must say we were completely surprised Michael Wilbon stated that “blogging has zero accountability”, but a major sports network could report a story related to the Michael Vick case becomes so false that they swept it under the rug.

Simmons: Booing breakdown (ESPN Page 2) Bill Simmons gets to the bottom of the question: why do we spend so much time booing our teams?

Kiss your grass goodbye (Reading Phillies) What better way to remove a playing surface that’s already slated for replacement than having a demolition night featuring five tribute bands? (Tip o’the cap to Deadspin)

News and notes while Mike Vick encounters more problems…

Golf organizations set anti-doping policy (AP/ESPN) The World Golf Foundation institutes list of banned substances.

Griffey likely done for ‘07 (Cincinnati Post) How do we know? Let’s let him describe it: “The best way I can describe it is that it feels like someone bungee jumped off my right (testicle).”

Mets ownership not happy (SI.com) Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.com writes that the ownership of the New York Metropolitans are none too happy with the ball club’s recent slide. Other notes within the notebook include: Joe Mauer and his legs, Torii Hunter lives near Arlington, home of the Rangers and Jim Thome isn’t really Hall of Fame material…yet.

Let’s see what Junior can do (SportsBiz) Sports business guru Darren Rovell dissects the deal that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. signed and what impact will it have on his new sponsor, Pepsi-branded drinks Amp and Mountain Dew.

News and notes while feeling a bit refreshed…

Police: No bail for O.J. Simpson (CNN) Orenthal James to spend some quality time in a Vegas slammer for his role in a robbery at Palace Station Casino.

Kraft perturbed by Belichick’s spy games (ESPN News Services) New England owner Robert Kraft claims he had zero idea that his coach was participating in “technological espionage” (we just love that phrase).  The Jets, meanwhile, don’t think this issue is dead yet.

Tiger wins the FedEx Cup (USA Today) Tiger Woods captured the PGA Tour’s “championship”, writes USA Today’s Steve DiMeglio. Woods carded a 23-under par 257 to become the first winner of the FedEx Cup.  His paycheck? $10 million.  Yeehaw!

Will A-Rod opt out of NYC? (The Hardball Times) THT takes a look at the offseason’s number one question in MLB: will Alex Rodriguez stay in New York?

Mercury socks Shock (SI.com) Ho-hum: the Phoenix Mercury unseat the Detroit Shock to capture the WNBA title.  Awesome.

USC still No. 1; LSU, Florida making some noise (USA Today) USC remains numero uno in the early and meaningless polls.  And our Irish still suck.

News and notes while O.J. Simpson has to answer a few questions in Vegas…

Tiger making charge at FedEx Cup (ESPN) Check out the leaderboard of the FedEx Cup standings.

Sabres’ Numminen needs heart surgery (AP/TSN.ca) Sabres defenceman Teppo Numminen needs surgery to correct a heart condition — his third such operation.
Broadcasting guide to the new NFL season (SI.com) Richard Deitsch of SI.com chimes in on the current state of NFL broadcasters.

Tejada (kinda, sorta) asks for a trade (FanHouse) The AOL Sports’ blog The FanHouse reports via a Baltimore newspaper that Orioles shortstop isn’t too happy with his current role on the squad.

What you’ll see on the countdowns this weekend (new segment alert!) (Awful Announcing) Sports media blog Awful Announcing predicts what will be the stories of note on NFL pre-game shows this weekend.

News and notes while betting on NFL players’ fantasy statistics…

Woods, Els join list of FedExCup’s critics (USA Today) More critics, still no explanation how this tournament really works.

Niedermayer to discuss future Thursday (TSN.ca/The Hockey News) The Anaheim Ducks will discuss the future of All-Star captain Scott Niedermayer(!) Thursday.  It is already known that he will not be attending training camp.

Shock hold off Mercury (AP/ESPN) Detroit’s Shock win game one over Phoenix Mercury. Color us thrilled.

Raiders to name McCown starter for opener (NFL Network) The NFL’s Adam Schefter reports that Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has named Josh McCown his organization’s starter for their Week 1 against Detroit.

A-Rod’s case for megabucks gets stronger (FOX Sports) It’s going to be downright hilarious that the possibility of his departure looms after A-Rod puts up epic numbers and could conceivably capture the AL MVP.  The sight of Yankee fans crying might flood NYC.

Browns corner jailed after airport run-in (AP/SI.com) An NFL player from the state of Ohio was arrested and charged after he drove a sport utility vehicle in reverse down a one-way street outside an airport, became verbally abusive with police…and he doesn’t play for the Bengals: Leigh Bodden of the Cleveland Browns.

Mickelson pulls out of BMW Championship (AP/USA Today)

Just a day after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship, Phil Mickelson has decided to withdraw from the BMW Championships in Chicago this week for unspecified reasons related to his ongoing tete-e-tete with PGA Tour commish TIm Finchem.

Mickelson was playing a corporate outing with sponsor Bearing Point in the Chicago area and could not immediately reached for comment.

From the AP:

Mickelson had planned to miss the third event, and winning in Boston while paired with Woods in the background gave him a platform to air some of his complaints. Without prompting, he mentioned on NBC Sports after his two-shot victory that he had made several suggestions to Finchem that were not acted upon.

“My frustration from this past year came from asking for a couple of things in the FedEx Cup that weren’t done and not really feeling all that bad now if I happen to miss (an event),” Mickelson said Monday.

It would be a nice start if someone would remotely begin to explain in the most simplest of terms how exactly this FedEx Cup thing worked.

News and notes while getting into the groove of things again…

Federer, Roddick to faceoff in U.S. Open (ESPN.com News Services) A sure-fire ratings grabber: Roger Federer to meet Andy Roddick in U.S. Open men’s tennis quarterfinals at Flushing Meadow, N.Y.

Shock advances to WNBA finals (AP/ESPN) Ohhhhh boy! The defending WNBA champion Detroit Shock will get another shot at winning the crown after downing the Indiana Fever 81-65.

Ravens give Lefwich a look (Baltimore Sun) The recently dumped Byron Leftwich is drawing the interest of several teams, including the Baltimore Ravens.

Broncos ink Simeon Rice (AP/SI.com) Days after it was rumored that the released defensive end was believed to have signed with the Rams, Simeon Rice hooked on with the Denver Broncos and signed a one-year pact.

Astros to interview Amaro (FOX Sports) The Houston Astros will interview Philadelphia Fightin’ Phils assistant general manager Ruben Amaro for their vacant GM’s position, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes.

Mickelson outduels Tiger (USA Today) Phil Mickelson held off Tiger Woods in the Deutsche Bank Championship and jumped to the top of the postseason points race for the $10 million grand prize.

News and notes while MLS holds their breath over the long-term health of ‘Becks’…

Fourteen wrestlers tied to steroid network (SI.com) SI has learned that a dozen professional wrestlers have received steroids and/or human growth hormone through an Orlando-based drug network.  Names include: Chris Benoist, John Hennigan (’Johnny Nitro’), Brian Adams (’Crush’) and Adam Copelan (’Edge’).

PGA: Drug testing could begin in ‘08 (AP/ESPN) Commissioner Tim Finchem is nearing completion of a comprehensive drug policy and testing may begin next year.

Stern to sit tight while investigation plays out (AP/ESPN) David Stern defended his current referees and vowed to wait until a review of the NBA’s officiating program is finished before he decides on any punishments.

Gibbs racing eyes switch to Toyota (Wire reports/USA Today) With a news conference scheduled for next week, word has leaked that Joe Gibbs Racing will field Toyotas next season, ending its 16-year relationship with General Motors.

Brohm, Louisville dominate (AP/Y! Sports) Lousville’s Brian Brohm threw for 375 yards passing and four touchdown tosses to lead the Cardinals over Murray State 73-10.

LSU overwhelms Mississippi State (AP/SI.com) A 25-hour pre-game show led to this — a 45-0 shutout victory for LSU.

Blake wins his first five set match (AP/USA Today) The No. 6-seeded Blake outlasted Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round of the U.S. Open Thursday.

News and notes while Dalton Carriker is on cloud nine this morning after his walk-off to win the LLWS…

Mark Prior: The little legend that might (Chicago Sun-Times) Perennially injured Chicago Cubs righthander Mark Prior is hopeful to be back by Opening Day 2008. It’ll likely be for another club, though.

Jockey Baze suspended for whip use on horse (AP/Y! Sports) Russell Baze apparently was a bit liberal in his use of the whip on an injured horse that later died.  To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men: “Doesn’t he just feel like the asshole.”

Mercury sweep Storm to reach Western finals (USA Today) The Mercury’s Diana Taurasi nailed a pressure-packed three-pointer to unknot an 85-85 tie with 2:25 left and send the Mercury off to zzzzzz….a 95-89 victory.

Stricker wins Barclays (AP/ESPN) Steve Stricker birdied four of his last five holes to close with a 2-under 69, turning a one-shot deficit into a two-shot victory over K.J. Choi and taking the early lead in the FedEx Cup.

Sevilla defender suffers two cardiac arrests (AP/Y! Sports) Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta was in “very serious” condition Sunday after two cardiac arrests during his team’s 4-1 win over Getafe.

News and notes while Carl Edwards takes a victory lap at Bristol…

Sources: Falcons to seek $22 million from Vick (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) More Vick drama: The Atlanta Falcons will attempt to reclaim $22 million in bonuses already paid to the suspended Michael Vick.

Chiefs tab Huard starter (AP/FOX Sports) The 11-year veteran career back-up was named the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback by head coach Herman Edwards.  Damon Huard beats out second-year player Brody Croyle for the gig.  (A note to our KC pal: that’s gotta hurt.)

Oklahoma recruit shot, killed (AP/ESPNU) Herman Mitchell, a Houston-area high school football standout who had orally committed to play at the University of Oklahoma next year, was shot to death at an apartment complex in Harris County on Friday.

Annika to wed (AJC.com) LPGA golfer Annika Sorenstam is set to marry Mike McGee, her boyfriend of two years, as he popped the question Saturday morning at their home in Orlando. No date has been set.

More important to their team down the stretch: Mulder or Pedro? (Doberman on the Diamond)  Folks in Palm Beach, Fla., will get a rare treat Sunday as two former all-star pitchers — New York’s Pedro Martinez and St. Louis’ Mark Mulder — duel one another in rehab outings.

Georgia, Japan reach Little League finals (AP/SI.com)  Georgia — 5-2 winners over Lubbock, Texas — will face Tokyo on Sunday after Japan beat Willemstad, Curacao, 7-4.

Jacobsen offering $5K reward for stolen golf clubs (AP/ESPN)

From the AP:

The Champions Tour player is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the return of a set of Titleist clubs he uses on the tour and three other bags of clubs with sentimental value.

The older clubs included a set he used at Lincoln High School and at the University of Oregon.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies said the clubs have an estimated value of $28,000.

Jacobsen said his tour clubs were tailor-made five years ago for his body size, shape and style of game.

“When you get fit for a set of clubs it’s like getting fit for a tuxedo or a prom dress or a tailored suit,” he said. “I spent a lot of time and effort getting these fit just right.”

News and notes while wondering if The Rolling Stones will ever tour again…

Webb’s scoreless streak comes to an end (AP/ESPN) Brandon Webb’s scoreless streak ended at 42 innings Wednesday when Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder singled home a run in the first against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tillman’s widow makes rare public comments (AP/ESPN) Marie Tillman, the widow of slain Army Ranger — and former NFL player — Pat Tillman told a gathered audience at the University of Arkansas that the country needs “authentic leadership.”

Just another embarrassment for the O’s (FOX Sports) Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that the Baltimore Orioles add another embarrassment to a long-line of them in their 30-4 shellacking by Texas.

Sharapova unveils U.S. Open togs (AP/SI.com) Hmmmm. While we like, has tennis really come to this?

FedEx Cup set to begin Thursday (USA Today) Steve DiMeglio writes that because of the system’s scoring variables and cuts after the first three events, most of the 144 players will have an extremely difficult time toppling favorites Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and others in pursuit of the $10 million grand prize in the FedEx Cup.

Bill Murray: Drunken driving in a golf cart? (AP/CNN)

Actor/comedian/legend Bill Murray was pulled over in Stockholm, Sweden over the weekend while driving through the streets of downtown…in a golf cart.

“He refused to blow in the (breath test) instrument, citing American legislation,” Detective-Inspector Christer Holmlund of the Stockholm police told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “So we applied the old method — a blood test. It will take 14 days before the results are in.”

He was let go by police after Murray agreed that he was driving under the influence and would have a police officer plead guilty for him should the case goes to court.

Blind golfer hears the shot of her career (AP/USA Today)

Not many people in life get the chance to nail a hole-in-one on their favorite municipal golf course. In fact, Golf Digest said in 1999 that the odds of an amateur getting a hole-in-one are 1 in 12,750.

There’s an even slimmer total of the population that have done it without the benefit of sight and accomplishing the feat.

Count Shelia Drummond among the select few who can say that she’s downed a hole-in-one while blind: Drummond, blinded by diabetes 26 years ago, experienced the highlight of her golfing career Sunday, recording an ace on the 144-yard, par-3 fourth hole at Mahoning Valley Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  She knew it was in the hole as soon as she heard the ball hit the pin and drop.