Morning Jolt: Favre to mentor Cam Newton?
Wednesday, May 11
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Will Favre's next gig be mentoring Cam?
What's next for Brett Favre? Whenever [Favre] returns this week from assisting tornado victims in the devastated town of Hackleburg, Ala., former Carolina Panthers DT Brenston Buckner has another mission suggestion for the iconic quarterback: Help rookie quarterback Cam Newton be everything he can be for Carolina's Sept. 11 season opener against Arizona. After all, Favre said last week that he might try his hand at coaching or some TV analyst work down the road. With the NFL lockout preventing Newton and other rookies from working with coaches or teammates, Buckner told USA TODAY that Favre would be another mentor to help accelerate Newton's learning curve the way Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon and quarterback guru George Whitfield, Jr. already have. (USA Today)Comment
Joe Mauer hasn't played since April 12, and his return to the scuffling Twins remains unknown. Addressing the media at Target Field before the Twins' game against the Detroit Tigers, the 2009 American League most valuable player and three-time batting champion has the modest goal of joining his teammates for regular batting practice during their homestand. But Mauer had no idea when he would be able to resume playing, crouching behind the plate or even taking hacks in the batting cage with the rest of the team's regulars. ... "I've still got some work to do, and I wish I knew when I would be back, and I know everybody else out there wishes, too. But I've just got to keep going in the right direction." (Pioneer Press)Comment
Bird takes pay cut to finish job
Herb Simon is sticking with Larry Legend. What was to be a three-hour business lunch in Los Angeles was much shorter when the men quickly agreed about the direction of the franchise. Bird and David Morway will remain the team's president and general manager, respectively. "They both want to complete the job they started. I'm happy about it," Simon said during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. "We had a good, frank, open discussion about everything. Larry wants to win." ... Simon's son Stephen also took part in the meeting with Bird. Bird's contract status will continue to be a handshake agreement with Simon. Bird's salary will be less than $5 million a year he made previously, but Simon declined to say what that salary will be. Simon said Bird can "stay as long as he wants." (Indianapolis Star)Comment
Must-See Photo
China's Ma Lin concentrates as his opponent, Andrei Filimon of Romania, prepares to serve Tuesday in the first round of the Table Tennis World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Must-See Video
In honor of the Bulls-Hawks series going on in the NBA Playoffs, here's a throwback to 1991 when Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins squared off.
Game To Watch
Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5: Grizzlies at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT (Series tied 2-2)
SI Vault: Matt Leinart
This Day in Sports
- 1963 - Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax throws the second no-hitter of his career, beating the Giants 8-0.
- 1977 -- Ted Turner managed an Atlanta Braves game.
- 1996 -- Al Leiter threw the first no-hitter in Florida Marlins history.
- Today's Birthdays -- Matt Leinart (1983)
