Bills’ Everett showing movement in both hands, greater in strength in legs (AP/ESPN)

The good news keeps getting better for Buffalo’s Kevin Everett: the tight end is gaining movement in both hands and showing improved signs of strength in his legs following some testing conducted by doctors.

“Kevin Everett remains medically stable in the intensive care unit, and continues to make daily improvement in his neurological status,” Bills doctor John Marzo said Monday in a statement released by the team.

Marzo provided his evaluation after the player was examined Sunday evening by Bills orthopedic surgeon Andrew Cappuccino.

“Kevin demonstrated increased strength in the muscles of his legs,” Marzo said. “In addition, he was able to show some movement in both hands.”

The Bills team physician also noted they’re going to turn more of their efforts on muscular and neurological rehab.

We look forward to providing continuing, positive developments for Mr. Everett.

ESPN shrinks Dan Patrick’s old slot, nabs Mike Tirico (The Big Lead)

The news is finally in on who will replace Dan Patrick on his daily show on ESPN Radio and it’s a name we’re already familiar with: Mike Tirico.

Tirico finally acquiesced after “The World Wide Teaser” agreed to cut the show one hour to two hours each day.  Who will take over for hour number three?

Screamin’ A. Smith.

So ESPN’s new radio line-up, courtesy of The Big Lead:

6-10 a.m. Mike & Mike in the Morning
10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Herd with Colin Cowherd
1-3 p.m. The Mike Tirico Show
3-4 p.m. The Stephen A. Smith Show
4-6:30 p.m. SportsBash with John Seibel
6:30-7 p.m. Best of Pardon the Interruption
7-9 p.m. The Pulse with Doug Gottlieb
9 p.m.-2 a.m. Game Night
2-6 a.m. AllNight with Jason Smith

Belichick to turn over materials in spying probe (AP/ESPN.com)

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick will comply with the NFL’s wishes to turn over all materials connected to the NFL’s ongoing spying investigation.

“Of course,” he said, when asked about the request for materials.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fined Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 last week for violating a league rule that prohibits clubs from using a sideline camera to videotape the opponent’s sideline. New England also must forfeit a first-round draft pick next year if it makes the playoffs or a second-and third-rounder if it doesn’t.

Stern says he’s confident that Crawford is ready to referee games (ESPN News Services)

NBA commissioner David Stern has decided to re-instate suspended referee Joey Crawford after evaluating the situation.

“Based on my meeting with Joey Crawford, his commitment to an ongoing counseling program, and a favorable professional evaluation that was performed at my direction, I am satisfied that Joey understands the standards of game management and professionalism the NBA expects from him and that he will be able to conduct himself in accordance with those standards,” said Stern in a statement.

Stern suspended the veteran ref after Crawford ejected San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan following a snippy conversation the two had during an NBA playoff game between the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks.

News and notes while Roger Goodell says he’s prepared to hit the Patriots with more sanctions…

Heyman: Rollins is my favorite player (SI.com) Jon Heyman of SI.com’s Daily Scoop is highlighted by his love for Fightin’ Phillie Jimmy Rollins. Other notes include the potential co-existing in a Red Sox clubhouse that could include Curt Schilling and Alex Rodriguez.

Oden’s knees passed test (The Oregonian) The Portland Trail Blazers continue to defend their selection of Greg Oden.

Report: Westhead considering jump to Sonics (ESPN News Services) What’s next for a coach that wins a WNBA ring? An assistant coaching gig with the Oklahoma City Seattle Sonics.

The Daily Quickie (danshanoff.com) Pats, Browns, Schaub, Wynn, CFB Top 25, More!

The OJ Simpson feel good moment (Deadspin) The guys at Deadspin sum up the ballad of Orenthal James perfectly.

‘Joke’ no laughs (Boston.com)

Remember when you were a lil tyke and snagging autographs of your favorite players?

A 10-year old Boston Red Sox fan named Griffin Whitman is avid autograph collector and when he offered up his autograph notebook to New York Yankees slugger Shelley Duncan on Friday, he and his parents were in for quite a shock. 

What did he write? “Red Sox suck! Shelley Duncan”

Apparently, the parents of the young boy were none too pleased with the outcome, telling the Boston Herald: “This is someone who wears the Yankee uniform and is on the payroll and should be setting an example for 10-year-olds.” Sure thing, m’am: try not “setting an example” by seeking attention for what took place.

As for Duncan, he took the joke — and subsequent reaction — in stride.

“I thought I was back in middle school or high school, where you try to make a joke or say something funny, and you end up saying something that gets you in trouble,” Duncan said before the Yankees’ 4-3 victory last night. “I try to be interactive with people, be funny, have a good time and have a laugh.

“It’s not always Yankees fans that have us sign stuff. I try to rile ’em up and be fun. I don’t expect anybody to make a big deal about it. Nobody ever has before.”

You signed an autograph for a son of hypersensitive parents, so remember that next time.

O.J. Simpson memorabilia: what’s it really worth? (SportsBiz)

When he’s not hunting down the real killer, Orenthal James is banging on hotel room doors looking for his stuff.  Specifically, he wants any memorabilia that he claims belongs to him:  proclamations from the NFL, a picture with J. Edgar Hoover (who the heck wants that?), assorted autographed baseballs (Pete Rose? Go figure) and, of all things, pictures of the suit he wore when he was found “not guilty” in the murders of his Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

SportsBiz reporter Darren Rovell of CNBC delves into the question of what is the value of O.J. Simpson’s stuff with this latest skirmish with the law?

So will O.J. stuff go up or down in value, especially if he goes to jail? Early indications say that more O.J. items will be sold (this past week, 302 items were sold on eBay compared to 106 the week before and 40 the week before that), but that the average price of the item will stay about the same (the $16 range on eBay).

We’d like to know what his real-life “get out of free” card.

The morning after the Niners sit atop the NFC Western Division…

Bengals 45, Browns 51 — Offensive explosion, anyone? Carson Palmer threw six TDs — and two picks — for 401 yards and Rudi Johnson trudged for 118 rushing yards for the Bengals.  Derek Anderson, who took over as the Browns’ No. 1 after the trade of Charlie Frye to Seattle, tossed five TDs — and one pick — for 328 yards and running back Jamal Lewis exploded  for 215 yards and one touchdown in the Browns’ 51-45 win.  Shwew!

Colts 22, Titans 20 — Peyton Manning threw for 312 yards and a touchdown, and the Colts held off Tennessee for a 22-20 victory when their defense — yes, the Colts defense again — stopped Tennessee’s Vince Young on a final-drive comeback.

Bills 3, Steelers 26 — “Fast Willie” Parker garnered 126 yards on the ground while Ben Roethlisberger tallied 242 yards through the air as the Steelers downed the emotionally drained Buffalo Bills, 26-3.

Cowboys 37, Phins 20 — Terrell Owens compiled 97 yards and a key fourth-down touchdown reception with four minutes remaining to key a 37-20 win for Dallas at Dolphin Stadium in Miami.

Chargers 14, Patriots 38 — This one’s for Bill (Belichick): Tom Brady had a terrific night in the pocket (three TDs, one INT and 279 yards passing) and the running back tandem of Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris combined for 128 yards rushing on 25 carries — plus a TD — to help the Patriots clip the Chargers, 38-14.  San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson was held to just 43 yards on the ground.

More after the jump »

The morning after Jim Thome became the first player ever to have his 500th dinger be of the walk-off variety…

Rookie Jair Jurrjens took a no-hitter into the sixth inning in only his fifth major league start for the Tigers; the Phillies moved to within 3 1/2 games of the Mets; ‘The Captain’ spoils it for the New England faithful and the Brewers remained one game ahead of the Cubs in the NL Central;

Royals 4, Indians 3 — A kid named Billy Buckner shutdown the red-hot Indians into the sixth inning and helped the Royals earn a road victory in Cleveland, 4-3.

Angels 7, White Sox 9 — The White Sox put up a pair of crooked numbers for back-to-back innings late to surge past the AL West leaders 9-7.

Tigers 6, Twins 4 — The Tigers keep their chances for October alive by downing Minnesota 6-4 at the Metrodome. They remain 4 1/2 behind division-leading Cleveland and their head-to-head three-game set starts Monday.

Yanks 4, Red Sox 3 –  Derek Jeter’s blast over the Monster off of Curt Schilling in the eighth inning sent the Yankees home happy with a 4-3 win over their hated division rival Red Sox.

More after the jump »

News and notes while feeling a bit refreshed…

Police: No bail for O.J. Simpson (CNN) Orenthal James to spend some quality time in a Vegas slammer for his role in a robbery at Palace Station Casino.

Kraft perturbed by Belichick’s spy games (ESPN News Services) New England owner Robert Kraft claims he had zero idea that his coach was participating in “technological espionage” (we just love that phrase).  The Jets, meanwhile, don’t think this issue is dead yet.

Tiger wins the FedEx Cup (USA Today) Tiger Woods captured the PGA Tour’s “championship”, writes USA Today’s Steve DiMeglio. Woods carded a 23-under par 257 to become the first winner of the FedEx Cup.  His paycheck? $10 million.  Yeehaw!

Will A-Rod opt out of NYC? (The Hardball Times) THT takes a look at the offseason’s number one question in MLB: will Alex Rodriguez stay in New York?

Mercury socks Shock (SI.com) Ho-hum: the Phoenix Mercury unseat the Detroit Shock to capture the WNBA title.  Awesome.

USC still No. 1; LSU, Florida making some noise (USA Today) USC remains numero uno in the early and meaningless polls.  And our Irish still suck.