Ronnie Brown yet to show in Detroit after Jerome Harrison trade

Ronnie Brown is a member of the Detroit Lions, right?

A trade with Philadelphia for Jerome Harrison and an undisclosed pick in the 2013 draft was announced by the Eagles on Tuesday, but the Lions have yet to officially confirm the swap of the two running backs.

There is no mention of Brown on the team's website (Harrison is listed on the rosters on both teams' sites, while Brown is on neither). And Brown was not present at the start of the Lions' practice Wednesday, when reporters had access to the field.

But there is one person within the Detroit organization who is acknowledging the addition of Brown and that is Coach Jim Schwartz, obviously a pretty reliable source.

Schwartz talked about the acquisition of Brown earlier in the day during a conference call with Atlanta-area reporters ahead of the Lions' home game against the Falcons on Sunday. He said Brown should have no trouble catching on to the Detroit offense because he's a veteran player who worked with Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan in Miami.

Brown was considered to be one of the Eagles' so-called Dream Team acquisitions during the off-season, but has just 38 yards on 13 attempts with no touchdowns and one fumble (on an embarrassing backward pass at the goal line against the San Francisco 49ers).

Harrison has rushed for 41 yards on 14 attempts this season.

ALSO:

Is the Raiders' trading for Carson Palmer a good idea? [Poll]

Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell caught in whirlwind with Raiders

— Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Photo: Philadelphia Eagles (now Detroit Lions) running back Ronnie Brown fumbles against San Francisco. Credit: Julio Cortez / Associated Press

NBA labor talks resume after post-midnight session

Efforts to end the NBA lockout have resumed with labor talks with a federal mediator presiding Wednesday.

The session follows a grueling 16-plus-hour session that concluded just after 2 a.m. Wednesday. The mediator, George Cohen, instituted a gag order that kept the sides from assessing any progress.

The length of today's meeting is uncertain given the need of some owners to attend the NBA's Board of Governors gathering today, also in New York.

An NBA spokesman said Wednesday that the owners' planning committee meeting has been moved to "early this evening," as a result of the labor talks.

The Board of Governors are expected to discuss -- and possibly approve -- a revised revenue-sharing program that would help clarify how teams can improve upon a financial system that the league claims created $300 million in losses last season, with 22 of 30 teams losing money.

The planning committee is charged with tackling revenue sharing.

As the owners and players started negotiating Tuesday, they each wanted a 53% split of basketball-related income (BRI) after the players earned 57% last season -- about $2.17 billion. The sides were also divided on the owners' idea of establishing a hard salary cap or extremely prohibitive luxury tax that the players argue would reduce guaranteed money and contract length.

--Lance Pugmire   

Carson Palmer, Jason Campbell caught in whirlwind with Raiders

Carson Palmer and Jason Campbell are two examples of just how fast things can change in the world of the NFL.

On Sunday afternoon, Campbell was in the midst of reviving both his career as an NFL quarterback and the fortunes of the Oakland Raiders. Meanwhile, Palmer was at home, refusing to play for the team that employed him and considering himself to be retired.

Then suddenly Campbell broke his collarbone late in the first half against Cleveland, and everything was turned upside down. Two days later, Palmer was introduced as the Raiders' new quarterback and Campbell is left to wonder if he will ever suit up for the team again.

“I went to bed at 10:30 a retired football player and got a text message at 4 a.m. and was told to get on a plane to Oakland,” said Palmer, who has been sitting out all season and had said he'd never play for the Cincinnati Bengals again. "So it's been a whirlwind."

Campbell had surgery Monday, and while he was confident he'd be back in as little as six weeks, others fear he's out for the season. With just Kyle Boller and rookie Terrelle Pryor as the only other quarterbacks on the roster, Oakland Coach Hue Jackson acted fast, turning to a player he helped recruit at USC.

"I know his passion," Jackson said of Palmer. "I know his dedication to the game. What's gone on for Carson at Cincinnati is over. The time is now and that's what I'm going to worry about.”

The Raiders gave up a lot to get the 32-year-old Palmer -- a first-round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional second-round pick in 2013 that could become a first-rounder. But Jackson called it "the greatest trade in football."

“I know a lot of people think we've mortgaged the future of the organization,” Jackson said. “I don't see it that way. I don't think you ever mortgage the future of an organization when you're putting a real big-time franchise quarterback on your team.”

Palmer, 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds, is a classic downfield thrower, although an elbow injury in 2008 may have affected his arm strength.

But, he said, “I've been throwing and my arm feels as good as it ever has. I feel confident in it. It's my job to answer that question. The only way I can do that is on the field, throwing it.”

Palmer reportedly agreed to a restructured contract that would pay him $2.5 million this season, $12.5 million in 2012, $13 million in 2013 and $15 million in 2014, with $7.5 million guaranteed next season.

Where all this leaves Campbell -- the man who led the Raiders to a surprising 4-2 start -- is unclear. But it probably isn't in Oakland, at least not for much longer. His contract is up at the end of the year, so his days with the team may have been numbered anyway.

But at least he got a chance to put on a pretty good audition for another team during the first six weeks of this season.

ALSO:

Chargers face another old 'friend' on Sunday

Is the Raiders' trading for Carson Palmer a good idea? [Poll]

-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photos, from left: Carson Palmer (Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press); Jason Campbell (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press).

Dan Wheldon crash investigation grows; IndyCar test run canceled

With a public memorial service for Dan Wheldon set for Sunday, the investigation into the death of the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner has picked up pace.

IndyCar has announced that two larger auto-racing organizations will take part in the Wheldon crash  investigation: Formula One governing body FIA and auto-racing sanctioning group Automobile Competition Committee, according to the Associated Press. Meantime, IndyCar officials on Tuesday canceled tests planned for this week of the new 2012 race car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the 33-year-old Wheldon died in a stunning 15-car crash Sunday.

Dario Franchitti had been set to to make the test run in Vegas on Wednesday and Thursday.

Franchitti's wife, actress Ashley Judd, said on Twitter: "I appreciate IndyCar canceling my husband's test at Las Vegas track. The new car needs development — but not now, and never again there."

Judd earlier memorialized her husband's good friend:

As we continue to absorb Dan's accident -- we forget, remember, re-experience shock, denial, anger, pain -- I'm reminded of a favorite poem: DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, Due not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest & sleepe, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure then from thee, much more must flow, And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie. One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die. J Donne.

Sunday's service is set to begin at 4 p.m. Eastern time at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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Crash investigation is launched

Wheldon's death hits the racing community hard

Bill Dwyre on Dan Wheldon: An engaging young champion

-- Amy Hubbard

Photo: A memorial to Dan Wheldon is displayed on a Las Vegas Motor Speedway sign. Credit: Robert Laberge / Getty Images

HBO Explores Link Between N.H.L. Fighting and Depression

In the aftermath of the deaths this summer of three N.H.L. players, HBO’s “Real Sports” produced a segment that does not shine a positive light on fighting in the game.

The piece does not answer the question whether the deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak were directly connected to their roles as fighters. N.H.L. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly tells the reporter, Bernard Goldberg, there is no concrete medical evidence that proves there is a link.

Goldberg, however, receives testimony from former enforcers about the toll of knowing they had to engage in fights, starting with the first day of training camp.

“I was this fun-loving boy who loved hockey, and all of a sudden I became a monster,” said Jim Thomson, a former enforcer with Los Angeles. A frequent fighter, Thomson racked up 162 penalty minutes in just 45 games with the Kings in the 1991-92 season. “I was afraid, 24-7. I was shivering every night, curled up in a ball, knowing I had to go in and fight.” Thomson recalls a conversation he had with Belak: “I asked him, ‘Do you like (fighting).” Thomson said Belak responded, “I hate it.”

Belak’s death this summer was suspected to be a suicide. Rypien’s was reported as a suicide and Boogaard died of a drug overdose.

Later in the segment, Thomson says, “I know, from lying in my bed and thinking about taking my life many, many times, I was depressed. How can I not be depressed, knowing I had to go out tomorrow night and fight two 6-foot-6 monsters? Was I supposed to be happy? That was depression.”

Goldberg also interviews the former journeyman enforcer Brantt Myhres, who claims fighting led him to abuse alcohol and drugs (he received a lifetime suspension from the N.H.L.), and Cam Stewart, a former agitating forward who coached Boogaard in the minors and spoke with him frequently before his death. Dr. Robert Cantu, a Boston neurosurgeon, says N.H.L. enforcers have told him they suffer concussions “every fourth or fifth fight” but never tell doctors of their symptoms for fear of losing their jobs.

This edition of “Real Sports” debuts tonight on HBO at 10:00 p.m. with frequent repeats over the next two weeks.

UFC 137: GSP out with knee injury, Carlos Condit philosophical

Georges St Pierre has been forced to withdraw from defending his title at UFC 137 after sustaining a knee injury in training, leaving Carlos Condit the welterweight title challenger, in limbo.

UFC President Dana White put out a disappointed message on social networking site twitter that the leading welterweight in the world – GSP – removed himself from the UFC 137 main event.

As a result, it is ironic that Nick Diaz, initially scheduled to face GSP, now steps into the main event against BJ Penn. The rescheduled main event is likely to affect the ppv figures.

Condit has removed himself from the card altogether as he wishes to wait for a title shot against GSP. It is understood that Condit will be the first opponent for GSP when he is fit again.

Condit said: "I have trained for over a decade in mixed martial arts with the clear goal of becoming the best fighter in the world at my weight class. I have worked this long to become the UFC Welterweight Champion. I will work a little longer."

“I am greatly disappointed, for both myself and UFC fans, that I will no longer be fighting for the Welterweight title at UFC 137, but I also understand that injuries are a part of this business.

"As a professional fighter, it is my job to be prepared for any and all circumstances, positive and negative, that come my way during training and the actual fight. Georges is a great competitor and I know that he will want to return to 100 percent health as soon as possible so that this fight can be rescheduled.

This is the best training camp I have ever had, and I look forward to carrying over the growth that I’ve experienced in this camp to my next one."

Malki Kawa, Condit’s agent, claimed GSP against Condit "is the best match-up at this weight class".

"Carlos is hungry for the title shot and when this fight is rescheduled, he will be ready to show the world what made him the top contender,” said Kawa.



White tweet: I just landed in New York City, and what do I always say? I have to deal with bad [stuff] every day. GSP is out with an injury!!!”

There have been numerous injuries to top level fighters this year. Losing GSP will definitely hurt the PPV buy rate for 137. With the UFC planning 34 events in 2012, alongside its new 7-year television partnership with Fox, this is a stark reminder that events can be hugely affected by the twist of an ankle, or in some cases a cut.

Injuries to leading lights this year, who have had to pull out: Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar, Jon Jones, Rashad Evans, and now GSP.

Red Sox pitchers deny report they drank in dugout

The Boston Red Sox may have not made the playoffs, but the controversy surrounding their late-season collapse continues to make an October run.

Red Sox pitchers Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey strongly denied a television report that they drank beer in the dugout during games. WDHD-TV in Boston cited two unidentified Red Sox employees who claimed players would drink beer in the dugout after filling their cups in the Fenway Park clubhouse.

One of the unnamed Red Sox employees told the station that the three players were "bored on nights they weren't pitching and this is how they entertained themselves."

Team President Larry Lucchino denied the allegations in a news release:

"Tonight our organization has heard directly from Jon, Josh, John, and former manager Terry Francona. Each has assured us that the allegation that surfaced today about drinking in the dugout during games in 2011 is false, and we accept their statements as honest and factual."