Morning News Links - The NFL and the replacements
NFL
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning says that he is not better than his brother Peyton Manning, but he doesn't feel he needs to be. "I've accepted at times that I wasn't maybe as good as him because he was the No. 1 high school player in the country," Eli said. [Yahoo! Sports]
The NFL and NFL Referees Association are not making any progress towards a new deal. The league expects to begin the 2012 regular season with the replacement officials. [ESPN]
VH1 has decided to cancel the proposed reality TV show "Ev & Ocho." The show has been cancelled following Chad Johnson's arrest for domestic violence. Johnson was released from the Miami Dolphins for the same reason. [Arts Beat]
The Louisiana State Police found no evidence in their investigation that the New Orleans Saints or general manager Mickey Loomis had the Superdome rigged with wiring to intercept opposing coaches' play calls. [ESPN]
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was carted off the field at practice yesterday after suffering an injury in a collision with teammate Nate Allen. [The Score]
Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor was not happy with his play in his 2012 preseason debut. Pryor was 8-15 for 50 yards and one interception. Following the game he criticized his own play. [CSN Bay Area]
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace is expected to report to the team before the regular season begins. [ESPN]
John Skelton is the favourite to win the starting quarterback job for the Arizona Cardinals over last year's starter Kevin Kolb. [ESPN]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Vincent Jackson says that quarterback Josh Freeman should be considered among the top five quarterbacks in the league (this is not a joke). [NESN]
NHL
Restricted free agent defenceman P.K. Subban still does not have a contract, but he is optimistic that he will have a long career with the Canadiens. "I grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan. I love playing there and I want to play there for the rest of my career," Subban said. [NHL.com]
Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos are all expected to be present today in Toronto when the NHLPA presents their CBA counter proposal. [RDS]
The Montreal Canadiens signed forward Max Pacioretty to a six-year deal, worth a reported $27 million. He posted 33 goals and 32 assists in 79 games with the Habs last season. [NHL.com]
Former Phoenix Coyotes forward Gilbert Brule has signed a one-year contract to play in the Swiss league. Brule recorded five goals and nine assists in 33 games with the Coyotes last season. [ProHockeyTalk]
According to the NHL's most recent tax filing, league Commissioner Gary Bettman earned $8 million in salary and benefits last year. [Sports Business Journal]
The Edmonton Oilers have begun preliminary contract talks with forward Taylor Hall. He posted 27 goals and 26 assists in 61 games last season. [TSN]
NBA
Newly acquired Philadelphia 76ers centre Andrew Bynum is expected to undergo the same experimental knee procedure in Germany that Kobe Bryant, Grant Hill and Alex Rodriguez underwent. [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace will play a sex-crazed vampire in a fictional TV comedy series titled "Real Vampire Housewives." [Gawker Assets]
The Houston Rockets have agreed to a one-year contract, with a team option for a second season, with guard Carlos Delfino. [Houston Chronicle]
MLB
The Texas Rangers could promote highly-touted infield prospect Jurickson Profar from Double-A to the big leagues later this month. [MLB Blogs]
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista has begun swinging a bat and hitting balls off of the tee. [Sportsnet]
Derek Lowe pitched four scoreless innings last night, earning the save in his New York Yankees debut. [NESN]
