Cam Jordan cuts down Big Ben, Pelicans in ‘fear’ of Davis leaving
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan interrupted a reporter at his locker who suggested that Ben Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Famer and one of the five best QBs in the NFL. “The top five of this era? . . . You putting him at Number 5?” He shrugged. “OK.” Jordan clearly was not interested in crediting Roethlisberger, whom the Saints will face Sunday in the Superdome. Most likely Jordan was reprimanded by the Saints coaching staff for providing extra motivation for Roethlisberger. Jordan tweeted: “To be honest, I was thinking first ballot not naïve or biased to see that he isn’t a HOF but alas. . . “
Dear Cam: The Steelers are a very dangerous team when motivated. They may be the most talented team in the NFL, but often they are listless. You’ve made sure to summon their best effort.
Anthony Davis has Pelicans afraid he will force a departure
Anthony Davis is under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans for another season after the current one, for which he’s paid $26 million. He’s Las Vegas sports book co-favorite (with Giannis Antetokounmpo) to be MVP at 25. Davis has expressed no unhappiness about being in New Orleans, and the Pelicans have indicated no interest in trading him. And yet, the NBA acts as though he’s a commodity being shopped around the league. LeBron James tweets for him to join him on the LA Lakers: The Bron and the Brow Show. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is the other top contender for MVP, approaches him after Wednesday night’s game in Milwaukee and says, “Come onto the Bucks, man.” Just kidding, he says later. Without quite tampering, the Boston Celtics are letting it be known they’re interested in him. Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry could not have been more emphatic when he said Wednesday, “It doesn’t matter what anybody says or does, we’re not trading Anthony Davis.” But it’s not just their decision. With the limitless future that seems destined for him, Davis is in a powerful position. NBA reporter Brian Windhorst (ESPN’s The Jump): “Hanging around the Pelicans you can almost smell the fear. LeBron just made it a bigger headache by talking about it.” Hall of Fame guard Tracy McGrady said: “It seems to be a distraction for this organization. The question keeps coming up.”
Dear Anthony: You might want to be more forthcoming . Are you interested in playing anywhere but New Orleans? Do you want to explore other options? If so, be prepared for endless questioning.
Colt McCoy hopes to play for Washington 27 days after breaking a leg
It was widely assumed that when Washington Redskins QB Colt McCoy suffered a broken leg during a game in Philadelphia on Dec. 3, his football season was over, with only four games remaining on the schedule. But his coach, Jay Gruden, said this week that he expects the former Texas Longhorn to return to action on Dec. 30 against the team that ended his only start of the season. Asked how confident he was of McCoy playing in Week 17, Gruden said that on a scale of 10, “I’d say 10 for Colt. I just think Colt’s a crazy dude.” But he added, “It’s up to the doctors. If it’s safe for him to play, then of course he will play.” There may be something on the line, or maybe not. Washington is 7-7, with remaining games at Tennessee and the finale at home against the Eagles. Dallas leads the NFC East at 8-6.
Dear Coach: Is it wise to rush McCoy back into pro football violence? You already have one quarterback , Alex Smith, recovering very slowly from a compound fracture of a leg. It would be tragedy and folly if this happens again.
Patrik Berglund prefers losing $12 million than playing for Buffalo
When Patrick Berglund played for the St. Louis Blues, his contract allowed him to have a no-trade call on 20 teams. But because of an apparent snafu by his agent, the list of teams was not properly submitted, so the Blues last July were able to trade Berglund to one place he most definitely did not want to go: Buffalo. The agent, Peter Wallen, did not return calls from reporters seeking details about Berglund’s contract. After playing 5 1/2 months and 23 games for the Sabres, Berglund quit the team – and the contract that would have paid him $12 million guaranteed. The 30-year-old center scored only 2 goals and 14 points while averaging 13.0 minutes of ice time for Buffalo.
Between the Lines: The Sabres are happy to unload an expensive contract on a declining and disgruntled veteran player. No doubt they would have taken a buyout if Berglund had been a bit more patient.
