NFL RUMORS AND NOTES

Cards haven't talked extension with Kurt Warner

Late last summer, the Cardinals and agent Mark Bartelstein agreed to suspend negotiations to extend quarterback Kurt Warner's contract because of one unanswered question: Should Warner be paid as a starter or a backup? It took only a few weeks of the season for that question to be answered. Warner is a leading contender to win a third NFL Most Valuable Player award, and the Cardinals are on the cusp of their first division title in 33 years. Yet negotiations haven't resumed. Bartelstein has called General Manager Rod Graves in recent weeks, but the conversations haven't gone beyond pleasantries. "There's nothing new," Bartelstein said Tuesday. "I wish I could tell you something different." Graves declined to comment in detail Tuesday, saying he doesn't want to distract from the team's success. He did say, however, that the Cardinals want to re-sign Warner, but negotiations likely won't resume until after the season. In the meantime, Warner and Bartelstein aren't stressing. "Kurt's and my approach has been, 'Let's enjoy the moment,' " Bartelstein said. "Kurt does not want to be a distraction in any way with his contract. That's not his personality." Warner, 37, is in the last season of a three-year deal worth $15 million, not including incentives. -- Arizona Republic

Redskins could extend DeAngelo Hall?

If DeAngelo Hall is more than serviceable the rest of the season, what's the Redskins' plan? It would be like them to rush judgment on Hall after a few games and initiate contract talks. But like they seem to be doing with quarterback Jason Campbell (which is puzzling), the Redskins seem inclined to have things play out, which is understandable. -- Washington Times

MLB RUMORS AND NOTES

Braves still open to Jake Peavy trade?

Which is why Jake Peavy made the most sense for the Braves, and still does, if you ask me. And no, I don't believe that the Braves have shut the door on this potential blockbuster. And no, Peavy has not told friends he doesn't want to pitch for the Braves. He and his agent gave the Padres a list of five teams for which Jake would considering waiving his no-trade clause in a potential deal, and since they made that list nothing has changed about the city of Atlanta, its location in proximity to Peavy's native Alabama, or its franchise and its chances, whatever they might be, of contending for a playoff spot next season. Of course, one other team on that list is the Chicago Cubs, who I'm figuring would be less inclined, not more, to sweeten their original offer for Peavy, now that Dempster's back in the fold. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bernie Williams would like to comeback with '09 Yanks

Just in case any GMs like Brian Cashman are interested, Bernie Williams also said he has not shut the door on his baseball career. Williams, 40, is not totally ready to move forward away from baseball. Playing in the new Yankee Stadium would be a dream come true for the legendary Yankee center fielder, always a fan favorite. "I'm looking to keeping my options open, keep working out,'' explained Williams, who last played in 2006. "It's been a great two years. I've had the opportunity to do things that I never really had the opportunity to do when I was playing. I had the chance to travel. Take my kids to school, watch my kid graduate from high school, a lot of things that I never would have never had the opportunity to do if I had been playing the game.'' -- NY Post

NBA RUMORS AND NOTES

Mavericks won't buy out Jerry Stackhouse

You have to give Mark Cuban credit for sticking to his guns. He doesn't like paying anybody for doing nothing. That's been his style since he bought the Mavericks, although sometimes it couldn't be avoided (see: Don Nelson). But usually, he expects a fair return on a fair salary, which is why he said this about Jerry Stackhouse before Tuesday's game: "I won't buy him out. I like having Stack around," Cuban said. "Stack's an emotional guy, and I give him credit for doing what he thinks will help the team. He was honest with us. And the guy wants to play." -- Dallas Morning News

Knicks, Stephon Marbury saga could drag into 2009

Stephon Marbury's days as a Knick are drawing to a close, but the veteran point guard could survive until the new year. Knicks president Donnie Walsh has not given up on trading Marbury, who is scheduled to earn $21.9 million this season. Marbury is open to a buyout and has enlisted the help of the Players Association to negotiate with the Knicks. The two sides met last week, but no additional meetings are scheduled for this week, according to a person familiar with the talks. Walsh will not be rushed into making a decision, especially one that could cost the Knicks nearly $20 million. Another source believes that Marbury won't be released until Jan. 1 because Cablevision Systems Corp., which owns the Knicks, won't have to report the financial loss until 2009. A team source, however, insists that the decision to either trade or negotiate a buyout is Walsh's to make. -- NY Daily News

NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES

Knaus: Jimmie Johnson is the best ever

Jimmie Johnson's crew chief Chad Knaus is adamant that his driver is the best in NASCAR history, following his third consecutive Sprint Cup title this year. Knaus, who has been working with Johnson since the Californian's debut season in 2002, believes the series is more competitive and tougher now that it used to be back in time of seven-time champions Richard Petty or Dale Earnhardt, making Johnson's three titles a comparable feat and even a more remarkable one. "I've been fortunate to work with really great race car drivers," said Knaus. "I worked with Jeff Gordon in the No.24 car. I've seen what Jeff can do with a racecar and I've got a lot of respect for what Jeff can do. "To be able to work with Jimmie, he's definitely brought it to a new level. But I'm also a lot more entwined than I was back then, with what's going on. "In my eyes, he's the best that there's been. That may be a little... whatever you want to say, people are going to say Richard Petty is, Dale Earnhardt and all those guys. But with the competition level the way it is today with what you've got to do working, racing day in and day out, no time to take time off, in my mind, he is the best." -- Autosport.com

Jimmie Johnson thinks gap between elite teams and also-rans could become larger

Because Nascar last week banned testing at its tracks in the 2009 season to limit costs, Jimmie Johnson said he believed the gap between the sport's elite teams and also-rans could become larger. But he also said that Edwards had found an advantage. "I still feel like we're chasing the 99 on some of the tracks," Johnson said Tuesday, referring to Edwards by his car number, "so it's going to be preventing us from getting better on the banked mile-and-a-half tracks." -- NY Times

ODD NOTES AND STUFF

Cowboys Tony Romo, movie star Will Smith appear at high school pep rally

The screams were ear-splitting when movie star Will Smith and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo entered the Lake Highlands gynasium for a surprise pep rally visit. The pep rally was for the school's state-bound volleyball team and bi-district champion football team, but Smith stopped by during his swing through Dallas promoting his new movie, "Seven Pounds." The star said it was his first visit to a high school in years. We're not sure why Romo was tagging along, but none of the stunned students were complaining. They were too busy screaming and snapping pictures. Smith and Romo had a little fun with the crowd while also delivering inspirational messages. Smith started out by asking Romo, "How's the pinkie?" to much laughter. Romo held up his hand to show he was fine. -- Dallas Morning News

Former Yankee Bernie Williams goes Hollywood

It was announced last night that Bernie Williams would play a major role in the new movie "Keeper of the Pinstripes.'' ... In the movie, Williams will play the part of a street musician, who eventually winds up in Pinstripes - art perhaps imitating life. -- NY Post

COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES

Ohio State's Beanie Wells projected to be a high NFL draft pick

Ohio State fans should prepare to bid farewell to junior Beanie Wells as well during Saturday's Senior Day against Michigan. That's unless the Buckeyes running back is prepared to pass up a top-five spot in the NFL draft, which is the consensus projection among analysts and scouts despite the nagging right foot injury that has followed Wells all season. "He's the best player I've scouted and it looks like he's coming out," said an NFL scout who works the Midwest. "The fact that he's played through [his foot injury] is a good sign. He's a big guy, he'll carry the load, and that's part of playing in the NFL -- it's a long year and he's going to have to play banged up. I think that's going to help him." Wells still would have to go through physicals at the NFL Combine, but as he's making his decision, it doesn't appear worries about the foot, which caused him to miss three games early in the year, would be among the reasons to stay at Ohio State. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Georgia's Stafford and Moreno to consider NFL Draft

Georgia's Matthew Stafford, the junior quarterback, and Knowshon Moreno, the redshirt sophomore tailback, said Tuesday they will consider their draft options after Georgia's season is complete. "This is not the time yet," Moreno said. He indicated he's not leaning one way or the other. Stafford said the magnitude of the Nov. 29 regular-season finale against Georgia Tech makes it easy for him and Moreno to stay focused on this season. As for the draft, "I don't know what I'll do," Stafford said. "Classmates and fans ask me all the time to stay, that kind of stuff," he said. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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