Morning News Links
NFL
Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith says, via an unnamed defensive player, that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams would fine players if they didn't hit players out of bounds. [The Score]
The dating website Ashleymadison.com has offered $1 million to anyone who can sleep with NY Jets QB Tim Tebow. [Yahoo! Sports]
Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has also been charged, with a misdemeanor simple assault, for his part in the domestic violence incident that resulted in Deion's wife getting arrested. [ProFootballTalk]
A Subway restaurant in Manhattan unveils a Robert Griffin III food statue. [Sporting News]
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hints that the players involved in the bountygate scandal will face serious consequences. [Fox Sports]
An engineer for the Saints radio broadcasts disputes the claims that GM Mickey Loomis was listening in on opposing coaches. [ProFootballTalk]
The Philadelphia Eagles are close to a deal with the Atlanta Falcons that would send CB Asante Samuel to the Falcons for a late-round draft pick. [NFL Network]
NY Giants QB Eli Manning says that despite his team winning the Super Bowl, he is still the third most popular QB in New York behind Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. [ESPN]
The St. Louis Rams are dismissing reports that Steven Jackson could be traded. The team also refutes the report that Jackson is seeking a new contract. [St. Louis Today]
The Jacksonville Jaguars claim that the Miami Dolphins are planning to select Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill with the 8th overall draft pick. [ProFootballTalk]
The Buffalo Bills are reportedly "extremely interested" in selecting Alabama safety Mark Barron with the 10th overall draft pick. [WGR 550 Sports Radio]
NBA
Chris Paul is emerging as the favourite to succeed Derek Fisher as the players' union president. [USA Today]
Metta World Peace releases a statement apologizing for his elbow on Thunder guard James Harden. [Ronartest.com]
Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard has apparently "shown significant improvement" in his recovery from back surgery. Doctors expect him to miss the Olympics, but they're optimistic he will be able to play next season. [ESPN]
NBA rescinds DeMarcus Cousins' 13th technical foul. [ProBasketballTalk]
Milwaukee Bucks guard Beno Udrih will pick up his $7 million player option for next season. [Racine Journal Times]
Clippers Chris Paul is questionable for tonight's game against the NY Knicks after he suffered a mild groin strain in Tuesday's loss to the Hawks. [LA Times]
OKC Thunder forward Kevin Durant could become just the seventh player in league history to win the scoring title in three consecutive seasons. He currently leads the scoring title over Kobe Bryant by 0.11 points. Durant plays his regular season finale tonight, while Bryant goes on Thursday. [The Oklahoman]
MLB
NY Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda will seek a second opinion on his injured shoulder, following an MRI on Tuesday. [MLB.com]
NY Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey will visit with Dr. Andrews. He could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. [Newark Star-Ledger]
NHL
Penguins Sidney Crosby defends his decision to decline an invitation from Hockey Canada to play in the World Championships. [CBC]
Ottawa Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson apologizes for his outburst on the bench in Monday's Game 6 loss to the NY Rangers. [Ottawa Citizen] [Video]
Senators forward Milan Michalek will not face NHL discipline for his alleged kick on Rangers defenceman Dan Girardi in Game 6 on Monday. [Yahoo! Sports]
Detroit Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom says he is physically capable of playing another season, but he is not sure if he is mentally up for it. [ESPN]
Claude Giroux and a handful of other Philadelphia Flyers celebrated their series victory over the Penguins by taking in a Nickelback concert. [25Stanley.com]
The San Jose Sharks released their end-of-the-season injury list. Injured Sharks include Ryan Clowe (groin strain / unrevealed concussion), Logan Couture (needs shoulder surgery) and Joe Pavelski (foot fracture / sparined MCL). [CSN Bay Area]
