Report: Armstrong to come out of retirement and ride for Astana

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong will come out of retirement and compete in next year's Tour de France, VeloNews reported Monday, citing sources close to the situation.

Armstrong, who will turn 37 on Sept. 18, will join the Astana team and compete in five road races, the sources told VeloNews.

He will compete in the Amgen Tour of California, Paris-Nice, the Tour de Georgia, the Dauphine-Libere and the Tour de France. The sources told VeloNews that Armstrong will receive no salary or bonuses.

Armstrong's manager, Mark Higgins, would not comment.

Sources told VeloNews that Armstrong's comeback will be the focal point of a story in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, to be published later this month.

VIA: ESPN

Hall Bound: Enshrinees Set For Hall of Fame Ceremony Tonight

NBA TV and ESPN Classic will present live the Enshrinement ceremonies for the Class of 2008 into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when the networks simulcast the event tonight from Springfield, Mass beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. This year’s prestigious class of inductees includes NBA legends Patrick Ewing, Pat Riley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Adrian Dantley (pictured above) and William Davidson, as well as women’s basketball pioneer Cathy Rush and ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale. Mike Breen, the voice of the NBA on ESPN and ABC, will host the coverage and serve as master of ceremonies.

VIA: NBA.com

Sources: Chalmers, Arthur caught with marijuana at rookie camp

March Madness heroes Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were thrown out of the NBA's rookie transition program on Wednesday morning after being caught in their hotel room with marijuana and women, according to several sources.

"They were sent home for violating program rules," NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said.

Sources said Chalmers and Arthur, who starred on the Kansas Jayhawks' 2008 NCAA championship team, were also fined $20,000 apiece and could start the regular season on the suspended list. But McIntyre would not confirm that.

"We're still looking into it," McIntyre said. "Once we have all the details, appropriate sanctions will be taken."

The players were caught by NBA security at the Doral Arrowwood resort in Rye Brook, N.Y., where 69 of the league's rookies arrived last night for the four-day seminar in which coaches, referees and former players speak about adapting to the league. Having visitors at the rookie transition program is not permitted

Chalmers, who sank the game-tying, buzzer-beating 3-pointer that forced overtime in Kansas' 75-68 championship victory over Memphis, was drafted 34th by Minnesota. He was quickly traded to Miami, where he is expected to vie for the starting point guard position after playing well during summer league. Chalmers played three seasons for the Jayhawks.

Arthur, also an early-entry candidate who played two years at Kansas, was a sympathetic figure on draft night. Roundly believed to have lottery-type talent, Arthur sank to the 27th spot after erroneous rumors of a health problem circulated throughout the league.

Then, after being selected by New Orleans, the 6-foot-9 forward was traded to Portland, then Houston, before finally settling in Memphis.

Per league policy, Chalmers and Arthur will have to attend the program again next season.

Chris Broussard is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

VIA: ESPN

Johnson expected to compete for starting RB job eventually

Running back Rudi Johnson reached a one-year agreement with the Detroit Lions, the team confirmed Monday.

The former Bengal flew to Detroit after being released and impressed the Lions with his workout and conditioning. Following Johnson's visit, there was a buzz in the Lions' locker room among players who saw his workout.

Johnson had one of his best offseasons, trainingwise, but he missed a good portion of training camp with a hamstring injury.

Because the move was made after 4 p.m. Monday, the Lions didn't have to make a roster move until Tuesday. Tatum Bell, who lost the starting job to rookie Kevin Smith, could be a candidate to be released.

Johnson rushed for 5,742 yards in seven seasons with the Bengals.

Smith is expected to begin the season as the Lions' every-down starter, but Johnson will compete for the job once he learns the offense.

The Lions shouldn't have any problems accommodating a two-back system as they plan to run the ball a lot this season.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

VIA: ESPN

Ravens to start Flacco, look at Harrington, Simms, Bouman

The Baltimore Ravens will go with a rookie at quarterback in their opener on Sunday and due to injuries are still looking for depth at the position.

Joe Flacco, the 18th pick overall, will launch his NFL career against the Cincinnati Bengals. There is a chance the two other quarterbacks competing for the job, Troy Smith and Kyle Boller, both will not be available as backups.

"It wouldn't be realistic to have one of those two guys as a starter, for sure. If they can back up, I think that would be an upset," coach John Harbaugh said Monday.

Smith is still feeling the effects of infected tonsils and Boller has a sore shoulder that could ultimately require surgery. In an effort to add depth, the Ravens worked out quarterbacks Chris Simms, Joey Harrington and Todd Bouman on Monday.

"We need a backup quarterback for the game," Harbaugh said.

A source told ESPN on Monday that the Ravens had reached an agreement with Harrington and had chosen him because he had the most recent playing experience. Later in the day, the source said that an agreement was premature and while Harrington was still in the mix for a spot on the Ravens, he was also talking to other teams.

So for now, the focus is on Flacco, who was labeled the team's "quarterback of the future" by general manager Ozzie Newsome on draft day shortly after the Ravens traded up to get the former University of Delaware standout.

Well, the quarterback of the future is now the quarterback of the present.

"This is what I wanted all along," Flacco said. "Things happen funny. I've gotten my opportunity, and now it's up to me to go out there and play."

After two preseason games, Harbaugh essentially eliminated Flacco in what began as a three-way competition to be Baltimore's starting quarterback. The plan was to start Smith in the third game, against the St. Louis Rams, then take a look at Boller.

But neither Smith nor Boller was available to play against the Rams or the preseason finale against Atlanta. Flacco started both games and played well enough to maintain the role in the opener.

"If one of you guys wrote this in a movie script, no one would believe it," Harbaugh said.

Flacco went 35-for-67 for 284 yards and no interceptions during the preseason. His quarterback rating was better than that of Boller or Smith, and he threw Baltimore's lone touchdown pass.

Now, however, it's for real. If he plays well, Flacco might be able to keep the job. But that's not what motivates him.

"The thinking is to win some games. That's the first thing I'm thinking about and the only thing I'm thinking about," the 6-foot-6 rookie said.

The Ravens probably would have preferred to let the 23-year-old Flacco learn from the sideline before thrusting him into a game that counts. But the way the situation played out, that wasn't an option.

"To me, it doesn't even matter. Joe's our guy. We think he can win for us," Harbaugh said. "He had a heck of a practice, and we're excited to go out there and play with him."

Smith, meanwhile, was just glad to be back with his teammates. He may not be able to practice this week, but at least he can be surrounded by friends in the locker room.

"I'm not thinking about starting at all. My health comes first in any situation, and then my team comes," he said. "Just being back around the guys, laughing and joking and being a part of something special here, is what's most important."

Notes
The Ravens waived cornerback David Pittman after reaching an injury settlement with the third-year player. Baltimore also signed four players to its practice squad: tight end Nate Laurie, running back Marcus Mason, wide receiver Bryan Mattison and wide receiver Matt Willis.


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

VIA: ESPN

Pacquiao to move up two weight classes to fight De La Hoya

The notion of the fight began in October 2007 merely as a fantasy in the fertile mind of HBO broadcaster Larry Merchant. On Thursday it became reality.

After weeks of on and off negotiations, Oscar De La Hoya, boxing's most bankable superstar, and Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound king, jointly announced on a media teleconference that they would meet Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fight, which could easily generate $100 million, will take place at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, meaning Pacquiao, who holds a 135-pound lightweight belt, will move up two weight classes to meet De La Hoya, who will come down to 147 for the first time since 2001.

"Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best," said De La Hoya. "I am glad we were able to make this fight happen because while Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me. December 6 can't get here soon enough."

Said Pacquiao, the icon of his native Philippines, "This is my greatest challenge. When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of the Philippines -- the entire country -- on my shoulders. I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have. Like my trainer Freddie Roach says, I have what it takes to win the biggest fight of my life."

Dan Rafael covers boxing for ESPN.com.

VIA: ESPN

Cowboys told Pacman will be reinstated for opener

IRVING, Texas -- Adam "Pacman" Jones has been cleared to play for the Dallas Cowboys this season.

The cornerback-kick returner was suspended all last season, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, because of an accumulation of arrests and legal problems. He was traded to the Cowboys in April, then allowed in June by commissioner Roger Goodell to join the team in training camp and in preseason games.

Goodell, however, was still waiting to decide whether to let Jones play in the regular season. That news came Thursday, hours before Dallas' final preseason game.

"It feels good man, you know, to get a second chance and I just have to take advantage of it," Jones told The Dallas Morning News. "First and foremost, I don't want to let myself down, definitely my little girl down. I'm thankful for [Cowboys owner] Jerry [Jones], the fans in Dallas and my teammates for believing in me. I need to keep doing what I've been doing to get reinstated, staying with myself and my teammates and staying away from those knuckleheads and just stay focused."

Jones received partial reinstatement to the NFL on June 2 from Goodell and as part of his reinstatement was permitted to participate in organized team activities as well as training camp and preseason games.

While that decision gave Jones the chance to earn his way back into the league, Goodell didn't guarantee he would be reinstated.

Jones was suspended in April 2007 following an accumulation of arrests and legal problems, including his connection to a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club. He's been arrested six times and involved in 12 incidents requiring police intervention since being drafted in the first round by Tennessee in 2005.

Police said Jones "instigated" a brawl inside the club by showering strippers on stage with dollar bills from a large plastic trash bag.

Jones was charged with two felony counts of coercion stemming from allegations that he threatened to kill club employees and scuffled with a bar bouncer. He was never charged in the shooting, which paralyzed a club employee.

Jones missed all of last season under the player conduct policy and could miss all or part of the 2008 season if he has another incident.

Since being traded to the Cowboys, Jones has tried to surround himself with a better support group. He's befriended former Cowboys Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. Jones has also become friends with several of his new teammates, including Tank Johnson, whom the Cowboys helped return from a similar suspension last season.

"Adam has worked hard to get to this point, but he also knows that there is still a lot of work ahead of him," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "He is fully aware of the opportunity that he has been given, and he knows that this is an ongoing process."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail that Goodell wouldn't have a comment Thursday regarding the reinstatement.

Two weeks ago, Jones sent a letter to Goodell asking to be cleared for the regular season, and saying he would stay out of trouble. Jones knows he has to if he wants to stay in the NFL.

"I think from the beginning there were a lot of critics saying that this couldn't be done, that he couldn't turn his life around," said Jones' agent and attorney, Manny Arora. "He's proven everyone wrong. He's got a very bright personal and professional future."

Jones had said repeatedly since being cleared almost three months ago to practice that he was confident that he would be reinstated for the regular season and that he was doing everything expected of him.

Still, there was a sense of relief when he got the official news.

"There's no sure thing in life. It's nice to finally get the affirmation for all the hard work he's put in," Arora said, after speaking to Jones. "The rest is up to him. It's time to play football. He's a very motivated player. ... I think he's matured greatly through this. He has a good head on his shoulders. He should be fine."
Jones played in the first three preseason games, making his first start for the Cowboys last Friday. He was at left corner in place of injured Pro Bowler Terence Newman after rookie Mike Jenkins started the first two games. Jones had eight tackles and a pass deflection in those three games.

Newman (groin) is expected to be back for the Sept. 7 opener at Cleveland, but Jones will still be a prominent player on passing downs and special teams. Jones had punt returns of 18 and 24 yards during the preseason, and coach Wade Phillips said this week that he was considering Jones for kickoff returns because of injuries in that spot.

The Cowboys had been operating under the assumption that Jones would indeed be reinstated for the season. Jones' involvement in different schemes increased throughout camp as he got comfortable in the system.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

VIA: ESPN

Setting a New Standard: Leslie Sets New U.S. Olympic Record in Win Against Mali

Lisa Leslie was perfect -literally- in the U.S. Women's Senior National Team's 97-41 win against Mali. Leslie shot 7-for-7 setting a new Olympic record in scoring 16 points. Katie Smith (2000) and Nikki McCray (1996) previously held the record for highest field goal percentage, with each going 6-for-6 from the field. Tune in to USA Network tomorrow as the U.S. Men's Senior National Team faces Greece at 8:00 a.m. ET.

VIA: ESPN

Nike Air Rejuven8 on CSN

One of the many shoes that Nike has introduced for this summer is the Nike Air Rejuven8. The shoe is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and environmentally friendly as well. For those who have been watching ESPN lately, Lebron James has been wearing the Air Rejuven8 while nursing his injured ankle before the Olympic Games next month.

Lifestyle Editor Bradley Carbone and Wed Editor Joe La Puma of Complex Magazine introduce the shoes in a way that rivals the cheesy cable shopping channel. Check it out at Complex Video. VIA: www.nicekicks.com