Son of Eagles coach faces new drug, DUI charges (AP/ESPN)

Britt Reid, the 22-year old son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, was charged Wednesday with driving under the influence and drug violations while still awaiting sentencing for a separate road-rage incident earlier this year.

Reid was jailed just last week for violating his bail after police said they found 33 pills, including the painkiller hydrocodone, on him.

In the latest incident, Reid was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, three drug violations and careless driving, authorities said.

Zambian soccer player collapses, dies during practice (AP/Y! Sports)

Chaswe Nsofwa, a forward who played for Zambia at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, collapsed during a practice session Wednesday in the Israeli city of Beersheva and died minutes later in a hospital, the Israeli rescue service said.

Rescue workers tried to restart his heart for several minutes on the field before taking him to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.

“When we arrived we found the soccer player lying on the grass. We found his friends trying to help him,” he said. “We gave him first aid, electric shocks and an external pacemaker, but despite all our efforts, he was declared dead at the hospital.”

Earlier this week, a midfielder for the Spanish club Sevilla named Antonio Puerta, died three days after collapsing during a league game.

Richard Jewell found dead in home (AJC.com)

The security guard that was accused of bombing a park during the 1996 Summer Games — but later cleared — was found dead in home in Meriwether County Georgia.

County coroner Johnny Worley said Richard Jewell’s wife discovered him dead in their Woodbury home at about 10:30 a.m., and he was pronounced dead by Worley about 45 minutes later.

He was 44 years old.

Report: Vikings back out of plan to buy land near HHH (AP/USA Today)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Vikings have decided not to purchase property that resides near their current stadium, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.  The publisher of the paper, Publisher Par Ridder, currently owns the land that the Vikes were eyeing.

In an e-mail to employees, Publisher Par Ridder said the Vikings had advised the company that the team no longer intends to buy the land.

“While we had reached agreement on a deal in principle, the Vikings reevaluated their plans in light of the recent credit market turbulence and other factors,” Ridder wrote.

The Vikings had announced plans back in June to buy the four blocks from the Star Tribune’s owner, Avista Capital Partners, for a reported $45 million. The blocks would have been candidates to be part of the proposed redevelopment.

Dodgers claim starter Loaiza off waivers from A’s (AP/ESPN)

The Los Angeles Dodgers claimed right-hander Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, assuming nearly $8.5 million in guaranteed salary.

That makes two pitchers added in less than a week for the Dodgers after adding free agent David Wells late last week, who was designated for assignment by division rival San Diego.

News and notes while wondering if anyone really reads what we post…

Cowher: not coaching in 2007, 2008 (USA Today) The former Pittsburgh Steeler coach reiterates that he has zero plans to coach this season or next.

Brewers tab Sheets to start (AP/ESPN) Milwaukee Brewers hope that Ben Sheets’ middle finger, blister give club a boost.

Chewed up Michael Vick cards sell for $7,400 in online auction (AP/Y! Sports) Proceeds of card sales go to Human Society.

Why is Schrutebag in the ESPN booth Friday? (AwfulAnnouncing) A question that needs answering: why is Colin “Schrutebag” Cowherd in ESPN’s booth with Sean McDonaugh and Chris Spielman?

The height of douchebaggery (Deuce of Davenport) The L.A. Kings have some new “fans.”

The top 25 “obscure sports” movies (The Ghosts of Wayne Fontes) The link is the list of the top 15, so don’t be alarmed if you math majors can’t put two-and-two together here.

Jennifer Walcott has a cyberstalker (SPORTSbyBROOKS) The one-time Playboy Playmate — who had to be dated NFLer Adam Archuleta for an eternity — has an online admirer, which netted him a felony cyberstalking charge.

My list of the NFL’s 500 best players (SI.com)

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King put together a list of his top 500 players currently in the National Football League. You’ll find some of the usual suspects (Manning! Brady! LaDanian!)

The criteria for such a list? Let’s let King rattle it off:
More after the jump »

La Russa: Still crazy, and quite successful (STL Today)

Earlier this season — like two weeks ago — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa didn’t have a drink of water throughout a game despite a thermometer whose mercury tickled the upper-80s and humidity levels hovering in the 80-percentile range.

The result? A club win and a Rick Ankiel home run.  And a dehydrated manager who guzzled water during his post-game presser.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell notes in his latest column more superstitious behavior of the soon-to-be club all-time wins leader.

More after the jump »

You can own a piece of Mike Tyson’s poop (100% Injury Rate)

For the ultimate sports memorabilia aficionado this Christmas, you might want to think about buying something else: a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in celebrity skin and body fluids is shlepping “matter” from boxing great Mike Tyson.

That’s right — for a mere $31, you can buy a pinched off loaf that came from Tyson’s stool.  If you are a bit on the cheap side, buck up $12.75 and buy a skin cell or two.  But when purchasing, be forewarned as the following:

For fecal and urine specimens, you will receive 2.0-3.0 cubic centimeters of specimen packaged in a hermetically-sealed transparent plastic cylinder (about the size of a film canister). The contents will be clearly visible through the cylinder. We do not recommend opening the cylinder after purchase, and we cannot be held liable for any injuries you sustain from engaging in this highly risky behavior.

Happy holidays!

Tip o’the cap to Deadspin for the link.

Yi signs to play for Milwaukee (JS Online)

Yi Jianlian, the Chinese import that was having reservations about playing in Milwaukee, WIsc. after being drafted sixth overall, has decided to ink a multi-year pact with the club, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting.

The Bucks announced the signing at 2:15 a.m Milwaukee time (3:15 p.m. in Hong Kong).

Tip o’ the cap to The Big Lead for the link.

The morning after some position shuffling in the NL Central…

The preseason “Big Three” of Jeff Suppan, Ben Sheets and Chris Capuano haven’t won a game since June 30 and Suppan hasn’t notched a “W” in 12 starts; the Yankees trimmed the Red Sox lead to seven games after downing Boston; the Cardinals jumped into second-place as Tony La Russa tied the club record for wins as manager and the Cleveland Indians extended their AL Central lead to 3 1/2 games over Detroit.

Red Sox 3,Yankees 5 — Johnny Damon hit a tiebreaking homer and Andy Pettitte won his sixth straight start as the Yankees topped the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series.

Twins 5, Indians 6 — Joe Borowski worked out of another late mess for starter Jake Westbrook, rookie Asdrubal Cabrera drove in the go-ahead run and Cleveland gained a key win over the Minnesota Twins.

Tigers 3, Royals 6 — Kansas City’s Brian Bannister won for the sixth time in seven decisions, Alex Gordon hit a three-run double and the Royals beat the Tigers 6-3.

Angels 10, M’s 6 — Vladimir Guerrero had four hits and three RBIs as the Los Angeles Angels rallied from five runs down to beat the Seattle Mariners 10-6 and extend their AL West lead to four games.

More after the jump »

News and notes while Michael Strahan talks to the Giants…

Granderson ready to join some elite company (USA Today) The Detroit Tigers centerfielder is barreling in on a 20-20-20-20 (homers, doubles, triples and stolen bases) campaign. Both he and Fightin’ Phillie Jimmy Rollins are poised to join the elite club that includes Willie Mayes and Kiki Cuyler — Hall of Famers.

Yankees pull Mussina from rotation (AP/Y! Sports) The Yankees pulled Mike Mussina from the starting rotation and plan on promoting Ian Kennedy, the club’s first round draft pick from 2006, from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of Triple-AAA.

No heavy favorite in ‘07 Heisman chase (SI.com) With the college football season ready to kick off, so is the Heisman Trophy watch.

Ex-USC star Marinovich arrested in Newport Beach (OCRegister) Todd Marinovich, former USC quarterback and NFL bust, was charged with felony drug possession and resisting a police officer Sunday morning (Tip o’the cap to SPORTSbyBROOKS).

49ers name Staley starting right tackle (AP/USA Today) San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan announced late Tuesday that rookie Joe Staley is the new starter at right tackle over veteran Kwame Harris.

Roddick, Sharapova coast (SI.com) The elegantly dressed Maria Sharapova downed Roberta Vinci of Italy, 6-0, 6-1. Andy Roddick knocked off Justin Gimelstob ,who was playing in his last match as a pro, 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-3.