Morning News Links
NFL
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson says that he could beat Usain Bolt (the fastest man alive) in the 40-yard dash. "I feel like if I would have kept training for track I'd have a chance, but I play football and he runs track, so it's totally different," Johnson said. "I think I could still probably beat him in the 40." [The Tennessean]
Free agent wide receiver Plaxico Burress is apparently willing to play for any NFL team at the league minimum salary. The 35-year-old recorded 612 yards and eight touchdowns on 45 receptions last season with the New York Jets. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Cleveland Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson plans to undergo a minor knee surgery to clean loose cartilage in his knee. He expects to be ready for Week 1. [ESPN]
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice, who has played in just 15 of the last 32 games due to injury, plans to be ready to go Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. Rice underwent offseason surgery on both of his shoulders. [ProFootballTalk]
MLB
The Texas Rangers and outfielder Josh Hamilton have agreed to put contract talks on hold until after the season. Hamilton will be a free agent in 2013. [CBS Sports]
The Baltimore Orioles plan to purchase the contract of their 2010 third overall draft pick, shortstop Manny Machado, from Double-A Bowie. Machado will join the team tonight against the Kansas City Royals. [Baltimore Sun]
Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is suffering a mild concussion. He may need a stint on the disabled list. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has been cleared to resume swinging a bat on Monday. [The Score]
NHL
Edmonton Oilers left winger Taylor Hall expects to be ready for the start of the season, despite undergoing shoulder surgery in April. [Edmonton Sun]
The plans for an NHL-sized arena have been officially submitted to the city of Markham, Ontario. Construction on the 20,000-seat arena could begin as early as this fall. [Toronto Star]
The Detroit Red Wings have added veteran defenceman Paul Coffey to their roster for the 2013 Winter Classic alumni game. [ProHockeyTalk]
OLYMPICS
Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee to compete in an Olympic track & field competition, will get a chance to run in the 4x400m relay after an appeal by South Africa advanced them to the final. The South African team failed to finish in their heat due to a crash, but it was ruled another nation's fault on appeal, advancing South Africa to the finals. [The Telegraph]
Team France forward Nicolas Batum commented on his punch to the groin of Spain guard Juan Carlos Navarro following their 66-59 loss on Wednesday. "I wanted to give them a good reason to flop," Batum said. [ESPN]
The International Olympic Committee is set to formally strip American cyclist Tyler Hamilton of his gold medal from the 2004 Athens Games, following his admission of doping. [ESPN]
