Top News:
Kate Hairopoulos / Dallas Morning News:
Johnny Manziel's father: If son doesn't get help, QB 'won't live to see his 24th birthday' — Johnny Manziel's family is concerned for his well-being, but the NFL quarterback has twice declined to be admitted to area rehabilitation facilities in the last week, according to his father, Paul Manziel.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, fox8.com, ProFootballTalk, CBS Cleveland, CBS Dallas, NESN.com, TMZ.com and Crime Blog, more at WeSmirch »
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Plain Dealer:
Deion Sanders says Johnny Manziel's volatile relationship with Colleen Crowley ‘is crippling him’ — Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com By Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com — SAN FRANCISCO — Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders said Thursday that Johnny Manziel's volatile relationship with Colleen Crowley is his No. 1 problem.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and Dallas Morning News
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
J.J. Hoover Wins Arbitration Hearing Against Reds — Right-hander J.J. Hoover has won his arbitration hearing against the Reds and will be awarded a $1.4MM salary as opposed to the $1.225MM figure submitted by Cincinnati, Jon Heyman reports (via Twitter). The Ballengee Group client …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports and Red Reporter
Gregory Strong / Canadian Press:
Jose Bautista says he'd like to be a Toronto Blue Jay for life — Toronto slugger Jose Bautista would like to be a Blue Jay for life. It appears to be up to the team's new front office to make the next move. — Bautista, who is entering the final year of his contract …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Yahoo Sports, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign David Aardsma To Minor League Deal — The Blue Jays announced that they have signed right-hander David Aardsma to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. — Aardsma, a client of TWC Sports, will look to force his way into a bullpen …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles sign left-hander Hideki Okajima to minor league deal
Orioles sign left-hander Hideki Okajima to minor league deal
Discussion:
FenwayNation, Baseball Essential and MLB Trade Rumors
Bill Novak / madison.com:
Ex-Badgers star Montee Ball arrested for allegedly battering girlfriend at Downtown hotel — Former Wisconsin Badgers star running back Montee Ball was arrested by Madison police early Friday after he allegedly pushed his girlfriend into a table at a Downtown hotel.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, It Is What It Is, NESN.com and Deadspin
Washington Post:
Inside Peyton Manning's secret investigation into Al Jazeera documentary — BROWNSBURG, Ind. — Five days before a documentary alleged that quarterback Peyton Manning and other star athletes had used performance-enhancing drugs, two men hired by Manning's lawyers visited the parents of the documentary's key witness.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, CBS Boston, Deadspin, NESN.com, Arrowhead Pride and ProFootballTalk
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers' Howie Kendrick on MLB free agent system: 'It's hurting everybody' — It was the opportunity Howie Kendrick awaited his entire baseball career. — For the first time, after 10 years in the big leagues, five playoff berths, and one All-Star Game, Kendrick became a free agent in November.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, Fox Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, True Blue LA, Inside the Dodgers and Yahoo Sports
WCMH-TV:
Retired Marietta officer able to purchase K9 partner for $1 — COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Retired Marietta Police Officer Matt Hickey will get to keep his K9 Ajax. — Mayor Joe Matthew says Hickey has purchased the K9 for $1.00. — The mayor says the city's legal consultant with state attorneys make sure all laws were followed.
Discussion:
WRIC-TV, WKBN-TV, KSNG-TV, WCBD News 2, Associated Press, WOOD-TV and CBS Pittsburgh
WNCT-TV:
Continuing Coverage: Dave Mirra dead at 41 — GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - BMX legendary athlete Dave Mirra died Thursday afternoon in Greenville. — Greenville Police said at approximately 4:00 p.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Pinewood Road for an apparent suicide.
Discussion:
KLFY-TV and The Big Lead, more at WeSmirch »
Carson Cistulli / FanGraphs Baseball:
2016 ZiPS Projections - Milwaukee Brewers — After having typically appeared in the very hallowed pages of Baseball Think Factory, Dan Szymborski's ZiPS projections have been released at FanGraphs the past couple years. The exercise continues this offseason. Below are the projections for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Discussion:
Miller Park Prospects and Al's Ramblings
Andy Nguyen / Eye Opener:
We're Gunna Eat HOW Much On Super Bowl Sunday?! … Super Bowl is the second largest day for food consumption in the U. — S.? — Here are some — game day — numbers for you to chew on. — According to the National Chicken Council, more than 1.3 billion wings are expected to be devoured
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Trade Despaigne To Orioles, Announce Rodney Deal — The Orioles and Padres are in agreement on a trade that will send right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne to Baltimore in exchange for minor league right-hander Jean Cosme, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Gaslamp Ball, Camden Chat, Yahoo Sports, Baseball Essential, Fan Interference and School of Roch