FanNation - The Republic of Sport

In a taped halftime interview with Bob Costas of NBC, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he opted not to pursue quarterback Mike Vick due to the existence of a civil suit against starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "Given some of the things that my quarterback was going through, I didn't think it was the appropriate time to add another quarterback to the mix," Tomlin said. "He's going through somewhat of a trying time with the civil allegation, a case against him. I didn't want to do anything that was less than supportive to Ben."

profootballtalk

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It's not a done deal that Rich Harden is going to the Twins, although it seems certain he's not coming back to the Cubs. Hendry has set a high asking price for the guy he acquired from Oakland a little more than 13 months ago, reportedly seeking two solid prospects -- perhaps relievers Anthony Slama and Rob Delaney? But the guess here is that Twins general manager Bill Smith is going to wake up Monday, consider how catchable the Detroit Tigers remain and pay the price.

Chicago Tribune

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Add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of NBA teams that were -- and perhaps still are -- interested in acquiring trade-craving Carlos Boozer. While you're at it, scratch South Africa off of Boozer's more immediate travel itinerary. Though it's still unclear where exactly he'll end up this NBA season, Boozer won't be going to Johannesburg this week to participate in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program Wednesday through Sunday as was announced earlier this summer.

Deseret News

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The San Jose Sharks are still the top contender for Dany Heatley, although they could be ready to make an offer sheet to Bruins RW Phil Kessel. Sharks GM Doug Wilson is described by counterparts as "a terrible tire-kicker who sticks his nose in everything, but has a tough time getting anything done." The Senators don't want RW Jonathan Cheechoo and the deal changed after D Christian Ehrhoff was sent to Vancouver Friday.

Ottawa Sun

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When Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick chooses the adjective "important" to describe his football program's 2009 season, and when he's asked to elaborate on that choice, it kind of begets another question. Specifically: How isn't it an important season for the Irish? "Football at Notre Dame has to succeed," Swarbrick said. "All of us engaged feel an equal obligation to get us back there, to where people view us as one of the better teams in the country." When Swarbrick recently sat down to chat with the Tribune, the focus was on Irish football and coach Charlie Weis. And the bar for this year and the future was clear: Be in the conversation to play in January, or face the consequences of disappointment.

Chicago Tribune

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Former Tottenham director Paul Kemsley, who is working in the United States following the collapse of his British property business, is attempting to revive the fortunes of America's most famous football club -- New York Cosmos. Kemsley, whose company Rock Investment went into administration last June, has bought the image rights of the team, which has laid dormant since 1985 after the demise of the North American Soccer League. It is understood Kemsley has retained enough of his multi-million pound fortune to get Cosmos up and running again. It is believed they will be built up as an all-star touring team before attempting to gain an MLS franchise.

The Daily Mail

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It was announced during the UFC 102 post-fight press conference that Randy Couture has inked a new UFC contract. Going into UFC 102, Couture had one fight left on his deal and it was revealed at the post-presser that "The Natural" signed a new UFC deal for six fights or 28 months. Couture expressed interest in just taking "interesting fights", not clarifying whether or not his future will be at Heavyweight or Light Heavyweight.

mmanews

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Brad Keselowski remained noncommittal this weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on his future in NASCAR, though he did say an announcement on his plans will come "shortly." Keselowski, a full-time Nationwide Series driver for JR Motorsports and a part-time Sprint Cup driver for Hendrick Motorsports and Phoenix Racing, is rumored to be joining Penske Racing in 2010 -- perhaps running both series full time for the team.

Scene Daily

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Tiger Woods left the Barclays exactly the way he arrived - in a bad mood. He had a six-foot putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff and have a chance to win The Barclays almost out of spite. "If I would have hit a poor putt, I would have been (angry)," Woods said later, "but I didn't." He wanted to make this very clear: It was the greens, those tricked-up greens, that led to his near miss in Jersey City on Sunday, and certainly not the player holding the putter in his hands. "Not too many golf courses that you misread putts that badly," he added. "This course is one." He sounded like a shortstop blaming the infield grass for an E-6 or a goalie blaming the Zamboni for a bad goal. This was denial, plain and simple, and it was coming from the most unlikely athlete.

Newark Star-Ledger

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Watch what you tweet. That's the message tennis authorities are delivering as the U.S. Open gets set to start Monday, telling players and their entourages to be careful about what they post on the social networking site Twitter. Signs are being posted in the players' lounge, locker rooms and referee's office at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with the header: "Important. Player Notice. Twitter Warning." The signs, written by the Tennis Integrity Unit, point out that Twitter messages could violate the sport's anti-corruption rules. "Many of you will have Twitter accounts in order for your fans to follow you and to become more engaged in you and the sport -- and this is great," the notices read. "However popular it is, it is important to warn you of some of the dangers posted by Twittering as it relates to the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program Rules." Andy Roddick, for one, is not a fan of the warning. In a tweet Friday night, the 2003 U.S. Open champion wrote that he thinks it's "lame the US Open is trying to regulate our tweeting.. I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can't do it on our own time ... we'll see." He added in another tweet: "I definitely respect the rule about inside info and on the court, but you would seriously have to be a moron to send 'inside info' through a tweet."

Associated Press

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