Truth + Rumors

NFL

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Pro Bowl cornerback Chris McAlister and Deion Sanders are expected to report to the team for the Ravens final week of preseason. Having recently spoken with Sanders about a comeback, coach Brian Billick said, "He has put a lot of thought into this. That very much impressed me and sold me on the fact that this has some real validity to it."
 -- Baltimore Sun

The Steelers aren't willing to trade Jerome Bettis to Miami.
 -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Cowboys have been fielding calls about kickers Billy Cundiff and Matt Bryant, as well as their running backs.
 -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Both sides denied Mike McKenzie's agent was in Green Bay Tuesday for a meeting with Packers officials about the cornerback's holdout.
 -- Green Bay Press Gazette

Charles Woodson will end his holdout and join the Raiders next week.
 -- Contra Costa Times

Talks between the Steelers and Kendrell Bell's agent have ended and he'll play out the final year of his contract.
 -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Jets QB Quincy Carter said other teams expressed interest in him but declined to name them.
 -- Washington Post

MLB

White Sox GM Ken Williams hinted he might not risk re-signing Magglio Ordonez.
 -- Chicago Sun-Times

Jeromy Burnitz wants to remain a Rockie, but is bracing for his exit with negotiations stalled. Charles Johnson cleared waivers and has the interest of the Twins, who also have scouted Shawn Estes.
 -- Denver Post

It's unlikely the Yankees will trade for Randy Johnson or lefty Estes. But David Wells may return to the Yankees, who need a lefty starter, in 2005.
 -- New York Post

The Tigers' primary offseason objective is obtaining a No. 1 starter. Failing that, some free agent No. 2 starters -- Minnesota's Brad Radke, Philadelphia's Eric Milton or Kevin Millwood and the Cubs' Matt Clement -- might be attractive.
 -- Detroit Free Press

Roger Clemens' wife will try to persuade him to return to the Astros for one more season.
 -- New York Daily News

Carlos Beltran said his two months in the NL will help him decide where to sign.
 -- Houston Chronicle

Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta won't acquire a catcher before the postseason roster freeze.
 -- Los Angeles Times

Manager Jack McKeon expressed a desire to return to the Marlins next season. The club has yet to commit.
 -- Palm Beach Post

Cuban defector Kendry Morales has the interest of the Indians -- and probably many other teams -- after being granted residence status in the Dominican Republic.
 -- Akron Beacon Journal

NBA

The NBA approved the Mavericks-Warriors deal that sent Eduardo Najera, Christian Laettner, the draft rights to Luis Flores and Mladen Sekularac, two future first-round draft choices and cash to Golden State for Erick Dampier, Evan Eschmeyer, Dan Dickau and Steve Logan.
 -- Dallas Morning News

The Nuggets want to bring back Jon Barry and Rodney White and perhaps Ryan Bowen.
 -- Denver Post

NHL /Hockey

Teen phenom Sidney Crosby has been offered a three-year, $7.5 million contract by the Hamilton franchise in the World Hockey Association. It would pay the 17 year old $2.5 million for each of the three seasons and a guaranteed $2 million even if the fledgling league can't get off the ground.
 -- Ottawa Sun

Speculation persists that goaltender Kevin Weekes will sign with the Rangers.
 -- Toronto Sun

Only insurance technicalities are holding up a Red Wings-Chris Chelios one-year contract. Mathieu Schneider's return to Detroit looks possible and Steve Yzerman will work out a deal before training camp.
 -- Detroit News

Devils coach Pat Burns, still recovering from cancer treatments and surgery, won't be ready if training camp opens in three weeks.
 -- Newark Star-Ledger

Soccer

England's star 18-year-old striker Wayne Rooney wishes to leave his Everton club.
 -- The Guardian