Redskins expected to name Fassel as new coach (Washington Post)

The Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora reports that Jim Fassel will be tabbed as the next head coach of the Washington Redskins bench boss.

Also according to La Canfora, Jim Zorn has emerged as the top candidate to fill the offensive coordinator position on Fassel’s staff and Baltimore’s Rex Ryan as the defensive coordinator.  Zorn would replace the presumably fired Al Saunders.

The Redskins still have Gregg Williams under contract as their defensive coordinator despite talking to Ryan and interviewed him four times for the head coaching job replacing Joe Gibbs.

Bonds’ attorneys argue case against ex-Giants slugger should be dismissed (San Jose Mercury News)

The attorneys for free agent slugger Barry Bonds are asking a Federal judge to throw out a federal grand jury indictment because it is so “vague” and poorly crafted that it would violate his constitutional rights to make him stand trial.

From the 31-page motion:

One of two things is true,” the defense wrote. “The first is that, after the grand jury appearance by Mr. Bonds underlying these charges, the government labored for four years to finally produce a charging document of striking inartfulness.”

“The second,” Bonds’ lawyers continued, is that “objectives other than clarity were the governing consideration in drafting charges in this much-ballyhooed prosecution.”

And away we go…

Heyman: Mets take lead in Santana derby (SI.com)

Major League Baseball’s very own “Never Ending Story” continues to roll on as Jon Heyman of SI.com writes that the New York Mets have taken the lead in the Johan Santana sweepstakes.

Heyman writes:

But for the Mets to actually land Santana it will take at least two significant hurdles being cleared, and that doesn’t include having to negotiate a long-term contract with him. First, the Mets have to agree to send over a package of many real prospects, probably five or more, which would considerably deplete their minor-league resources. Second, the Red Sox and Yankees, who are both better stocked at the upper reaches of the minors, have to continue to take a less then enthusiastic approach in the competition to add one of the game’s top two pitchers.

In other words, this really isn’t an update.  It’s just something for us to post.

News and notes while Rick Majerus waits for communion Godot…

Chang, two others get Tennis Hall of Fame nod (AP/USATODAY.com) French Open winner Michael Chang was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and IMG founder Mark McCormack and Tennis Week magazine founder Eugene Scott were selected posthumously.

Source: Cameron to join Ravens staff (ESPN.com) As initially reported by Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, Len Pasquarelli writes that the Baltimore Ravens are on the fringe of hiring Cam Cameron to be their new offensive coordinator.

Indians, Betancourt agree to terms (MLB.com) Cleveland reliever Rafael Betancourt gets a nice raise and an extension through 2010.

Baseball’s never been better (FOXSports.com) Baseball guru Ken Rosenthal writes that Major League baseball has never been better after surviving a gambling scandal, a cocaine epidemic and the strike.

St. Louis special… (JoePosnanski.com) The great sportswriter Joe Posnanski writes about his experience at the BBWA dinner in St. Louis Monday.

Day 10: Federer beats Blake, moves on to Aussie semis (AP/USATODAY.com)

Roger Federer rolled onto the Australian Open semi-finals, enhancing his 8-0 career record against James Blake by downing him 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 Wednesday.

Should Federer win the whole sha-bang, it will mark the third consecutive year he’s captured the Open title “Down Under.”  Also, an Open victory would put him just one behind Pete Sampras’ 11 Grand Slam titles.

He next faces No. 3 Novak Djokovic, who beat No. 5 David Ferrer 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.

On the ladies side, Russia’s Maria Sharapova, ranked fifth, plays No. 3 Jankovic next, while No. 4 Ivanovic will play No. 9 Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, who beat Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-2 Wednesday.

ESPN suspends Dana Jacobson one week for saying ‘F*ck Jesus’ at roast (The FanHouse)

Michael David Smith of The FanHouse writes that ESPN has suspended First Take co-host Dana Jacobson one week for her comments at the “Mike & Mike” celebrity roast earlier this month in Atlantic City, N.J.

The statement:

FROM ESPN
“Her actions and comments were inapprorpriate and we have dealt with it.”

FROM DANA
“I am very sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions at the roast were inappropriate and in no way represent who I really am. I have personally apologized to many of the people involved. I won’t make excuses for my behavior but do hope that I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment.”

While we are surprised at the suspension, we don’t blame “The Worldwide Teaser” for coming down on her after the Catholic League raised their voices at her outburst.  She should, however, face no further discipline over something that occurred in her free time.

Sources: Falcons eyeing Jacksonville’s Smith (ESPN.com)

Michael Smith of ESPN.com is reporting that Arthur Blank’s Atlanta Falcons may finally have their head coach to replace Bobby Petrino, who departed last month for the University of Arkansas.

Mike Smith, the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, appears to be the choice as the team’s new head coach.

As ESPN’s Smith points out, Jacksonville’s Smith, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett (who withdrew from consideration to remain with the Cowboys), and highly-regarded defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, late of the Baltimore Ravens, each interviewed with Dimitroff after the Falcons hired the former New England Patriots college scouting director on Jan. 13.

News and notes while ESPN continues to roll out the unfunny, stupid ‘True Hollywood Story’ of the (Tom) Brady Bunch…

Archbishop Burke would deny communion to Rick Majerus (STLToday.com) We gave our thoughts on it yesterday and now the worm continues to turn: the St. Louis Archbishop told The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would deny Saint Louis University coach the sacrament of communion if he did not change his positions on abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research.  And yes, he’s still asking for the the school, which is not owned or controlled by the Jesuits, to discipline Majerus.  Good luck with that, Raymond.

Cowboys owner Jones: T.O. will return (AP/SI.com) Get your $3 million roster bonus ready: Terrell Owens will be back in Dallas after owner Jerry Jones tells reporters at the Senior Bowl they’ll pick up his bonus.

Rays to announce Shields deal (MLB.com) The Tampa Bay Devil Rays and pitcher Scott Shields are planning announce a contract extension that will keep the hurler in Tampa for…seven years?

NHL, Versus extend contract by three years (AP/Y! Sports) That’s nice, but where’s ESPN?

Injuries, obligations result in All-Star realignment (USATODAY.com) Mike Brehm of USATODAY.com recites all the roster changes for the upcoming NHL All-Star Game, to be played in Atlanta, Ga.

…and finally…

ESPN’s Dana Jacobson emails apology to the Catholic League (Awful Announcing) While at a celebrity roast (and we use that term loosely) honoring ESPN’s Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, First Take co-host Dana Jacobson used expletives to describe Notre Dame (Mike Golic’s college).  After pressure from the Catholic League, she emailed an apology.  Welcome to 2008.