Skeptical fans aren't the only ones who aren't totally believing Ray Lewis when he says this is his last ride. [Long-time teammate] Ed Reed warned reporters gathered in New Orleans not to be "so sure" that Super Bowl XLVII will indeed be the future Hall of Famer's last game. "Maybe he'll play 10 games next year," added Reed. Lewis reportedly already has a multi-year deal in place to join ESPN as a studio analyst. His son, Ray Lewis III, is slated to follow in his footsteps as a freshman running back for the Miami Hurricanes in 2013. Lewis insisted a week ago that he "can't come back" because family considerations now outweigh his desire to play another season. It's understandable that Reed would hold out hope for one more Butch-and-Sundance championship run. (NFL.com) Comment

First, Pau Gasol isn't OK with coming off the bench, but he's a team player for now. [Gasol] told CBSSports.com Monday he will not request a trade before the Feb. 21 deadline and is committed to the Lakers for the rest of this season. "Not right now," Gasol said when asked if he or anyone on his behalf would lodge a trade request before the deadline. "I don't think now is the time for that step to happen. Right now I'm very focused and committed to our team." Gasol, a four-time All-Star and one of the most gifted 7-footers in the world, has struggled with his demotion to the second unit. ... "It's hard for anybody who considers himself one of the top players in the world to say, 'OK, I'm OK with coming off the bench,'" Gasol said. (CBS Sports) Comment

While it remains a longer shot, general manager Sandy Alderson has placed them in the running. [The] Mets have not given up on being Bourn winners. To that end, [Alderson] and assistant GM John Ricco travelled to Houston last week to have dinner with free agent center fielder Michael Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras, The Post has learned. It was more a getting-to-know-you session than a dollars-and-cents negotiation, at a time when the dollars and cents remain among the most significant hurdles in doing a deal. The Mets' strategy has essentially been this: Patiently wait and hope Bourn's market evaporates as spring training nears, moving him to a) turn to them as the best remaining option and b) lower his financial demands. (New York Post) Comment