Oft-troubled Cowboys cornerback/returner Pacman Jones has been told that he will be reinstated for the season opener. Jones has been involved in several incidents off the field since he was drafted by the Titans in 2005, including six arrests.

We’ll see if owner Jerry Jones’ gamble pays off. Pacman missed the entire 2007 season because of his violations of the player conduct policy. (Read More)

Chargers Linebacker Shawne Merriman will discard advice from doctors and play in 2008, despite having PCL and LCL tears in his left knee. There is always a possibility for further injury but this shows exactly what kind of player Merriman is.

San Diego can’t expect him to put up the kind of Pro-Bowl numbers they have been accustomed to seeing but Merriman playing hurt is better than most guys they could put in the lineup. His 39 ½ sacks in three seasons is the most in the NFL in that time. (Read More)

Michael Strahan did his best Brett Favre impersonation, toying with the idea of a comeback, but in the end decided against it. According to Strahan’s agent, Tony Agnone, Strahan was, “very close to returning, but the great part about Michael is that he takes his time to think about things and he is very thorough.” It all came down to the mental preparedness of Strahan, and in the end he simply couldn’t picture getting back to where he was. (Read More)

A nine-year-old in New Haven, Connecticut throws 40mph and league officials think it’s too fast for kids his age and the league may disbanded. Jericho Scott is the most dominating pitcher in the league and parents and opposing coaches would much rather see him at other positions only because it’s a beginner’s league and younger kids could be frightened by seeing pitches that speed.

Others think that’s unfair that Scott has to be told that he’s too good and can’t pitch. Couldn’t agree more. What kind of lessons are they teaching their kids in this league by making this kid stop pitching? Back down from a challenge, which would be trying to get a hit off a kid who throws that hard? Are they always going to say this, alright son he throws too hard, we’ll make them pitch another kid who throws slower. (Read More)

That sweet smell of burgers, brews and pigskin are upon us. College football fans can rejoice knowing that there are only four more days until kickoff. As the rankings continue, 15-19 will be revealed. All of these schools have great potential to be champions in their respective conference. In fact, three of the five schools won their conference last year and two of them went to BCS bowls. To recap, schools ranked 20-25 included Oregon, Illinois, Penn State, Connecticut, Fresno State, and rounding out the bottom half is Pittsburgh. (Read More)

The day finally came, after opposing the even the idea of instant replay for a number of years, MLB and the World Umpires Association agreed to only review questionable home run calls. It doesn’t sound like it will be used often at all but if there had to be a system put in place, at least it won’t slow the game up too much.

Replay would only be used if the umpires are unsure if a potential home run was fair or foul or if it’s questionable whether or not the ball actually cleared the fence. One issue that will come up is that if a home run call is overturned, umpires would have to determine where runners would have advanced if ball hit the wall. (Read More)

For so long Olympic Basketball was property of the United States. After a long struggle to redeem their horrific showing in Greece four years ago, the US defeated Spain 118-107 Sunday to take the gold medal.

With less than two and a half to play in the game the US only led by four, but they began to pull away and hold off the Spanish. Kobe Bryant’s clutch four-point play with about 3:00 left in the game took a little bit of the wind out of the Spanish crowd. After Dwyane Wade hit from three to make the score 111-104 and the clock nearing the two minute mark, the US seemingly put it on cruise control. Wade finished with 27 while Kobe Bryant also contributed 20 points. Spain’s Rudy Fernandez scored 22 and Bryant’s teammate Pau Gasol had 21. (Read More)