Morning Jolt: Mendenhall responds to Harrison's shot
Thursday, July 14
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Mendenhall responds to Harrison
James Harrison didn't make many friends at NFL headquarters with a recent magazine article, but he was also harsh on some teammates, too -- including Ben Roethlisberger and "fumble machine" Rashard Mendenhall. At least two Steelers responded with comments on Twitter. Steelers safety Ryan Clark wrote: "He's just James! You know what you're getting" and "Nobody has to leave. We will all be in Pittsburgh. Brothers disagree, brothers fight, call each other names. You're still family! ALWAYS! Mendenhall wrote: "I don't have a problem with what [Harrison] said because I know him." ... [Bill Parise], though, also noted that his client made some serious points about what Harrison thinks are the league's misguided attempts to increase safety. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)Comment
This could very well be the home stretch of Brian Cashman's career in New York. Cashman's three-year deal worth $6 million expires at the end of the season and after 14 years he could decide that's enough. Or Hal Steinbrenner could opt to bring somebody else in. Recently, the 44-year-old Cashman's name was linked to the Cubs job which is expected to be open when owner Joe Ricketts sacks Jim Hendry, but the supposed front-runner for that spot is White Sox assistant general manager Rick Hahn. Eight years ago Cashman introduced a policy of not doing contract extensions in the middle of a season. Now, he is sticking to the rule. "If I couldn't do it with Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and [manager] Joe Girardi, how can I do it with myself," Cashman said. (New York Post)Comment
Pistons narrow coaching search
The Timberwolves aren't the only team in the Midwest without a coach. NBA coaching sources say that the Pistons are inching closer to a decision, though. Of the five known candidates for job, sources say that former Pistons assistant Mike Woodson is still the closest thing to a favorite, thanks largely to Woodson's good working relationship with Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and the fact that Detroit would know exactly what it's getting after Woodson's work under Larry Brown during the Pistons' 2004 title run. Yet sources say that one reason Detroit's search has dragged out so long is the strong impression that Lawrence Frank made on new Pistons owner Tom Gores and his advisers, among them former New York Knicks executive Dave Checketts. (ESPN.com)Comment
Must-See Photo
Brian Wilson wore nothing but spandex to the ESPY's on Wednesday. (Reuters)
Must-See Video
This is what NBA players do during a lockout. Riveting.
Game To Watch
Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET, YES
SI Vault: More Michael Jordan
This Day in Sports
- 1998 -- Michael Jordan scores 45 points, stealing the ball from Karl Malone and hitting a jumper with 5.2 seconds left to give Chicago an 87-86 win and a 4-2 series victory over Utah for a sixth NBA title.
- 2005 -- Michelle Wie becomes the first female player to qualify for an adult male U.S. Golf Association championship, tying for first place in a 36-hole U.S. Amateur Public Links sectional qualifying tournament at Belle Vernon, Pa.
- 2007 -- Sidney Crosby, 19, skates away with the Hart Trophy, becoming the NHL's youngest MVP since Wayne Gretzky.
