by FOXSports.com

NFL RUMORS AND NOTES

Bears to give QB Jay Cutler new contract?

The Bears will look to do something long term with Jay Cutler, perhaps during the season. They'll need to make that move in October probably in order to take advantage of the cap room and apply money to this season. It makes perfect sense. Yes, Cutler remains under contract for three more seasons. But he has a $12 million roster bonus in 2012 that the team would probably like to avoid. Forget the idea of waiting to see how Cutler performs. They got him for the long haul and they're going to invest in him for the long haul. But quarterback deals take time to put together. Why not start during training camp? -- Chicago Sun-Times

Titans LenDale White loses weight, says it won't be back

LenDale White has come too far to blow it now -- he promises. Since the end of last season, the Titans running back has remained on a strict diet and been loyal to the team's offseason conditioning program. The results have shown up in his shrinking waistline, as well as on the scale -- he weighed in at 229 pounds last week. But with minicamps now a thing of the past and training camp not set to begin until July 31, there's plenty of time for him to balloon, of course. Heaping barbecue plates will certainly be calling his name at Fourth of July cookouts … "It's not going to happen,'' White said, shaking his head at the suggestion. "I am not going to let it all go to waste, not the way I feel. My body feels good -- my knees, my ankles, everything feels great out there. And I am trying to keep it that same exact way. So whatever I have to do, I am going to maintain. And when I check into camp (my weight) won't be nothing over 230.'' -- Tennessean

MLB RUMORS AND NOTES

M's hope to use Bedard as trade chip?

Erik Bedard is in the final year of his contract, and the Mariners have discussed a new contract with his agent, but only casually. If healthy, Bedard could be a trade chip next month before the deadline. If he's not healthy, teams are unlikely to offer much, if anything. -- Tacoma News-Tribune

Arizona hasn't ruled out trading Dan Haren

Though a trade seems unlikely, the Diamondbacks do not appear to have ruled out the idea of moving Dan Haren. It likely would take a package similar to the one they gave up two years ago to pry him away. Haren is signed through 2012 with a club option for 2013. -- Arizona Republic

NBA RUMORS AND NOTES

Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest

According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events.-- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sources: Raptors after Knicks David Lee

Capping a whirlwind 24 hours to open the negotiating period, league sources say Toronto is trying to obtain David Lee, an energetic rebounder who is a New York Knicks restricted free agent. The sources couldn't say whether the move on Lee would be a straight offer or whether it would be a sign-and-trade transaction with any of Toronto's current free agents. -- Toronto Star

NASCAR RUMORS AND NOTES

Meth mess could put brakes on Jeremy Mayfield's NASCAR career

Jeremy Mayfield has for years been trying to be a major league stock car driver. He's come close in the past, but, now with the allegations of drug use - and a NASCAR official saying Wednesday his drug test turned up methamphetamines - he may forever be known more for what was in his urine than his skills behind the wheel. Until Wednesday, NASCAR officials steadfastly refused to reveal what the substance was that got him in this pickle. Now that the case has ended up in federal court, though, all bets are off. "We will prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jeremy Mayfield did violate the NASCAR substance abuse policy and tested positive for methamphetamines," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston told reporters Wednesday. It was the latest step in a verbal battle that has been ongoing since Mayfield was suspended, and threatens to mar him for life. Likewise, it's the first time under NASCAR's new drug-testing policy that a top-level driver has been driven out of the sport because of a positive test result. -- NY Daily News

Dale Jr.: This season was a big failure for us

Dale Earnhardt Jr. asked what his feelings will be at the end of the season: "When the race is over at Homestead, what am I going to be feeling about next year? ... Am I going to go 'Man, we didn't really fix it yet'? Or am I going to go 'Holy [expletive] man, we're gonna be [awesome] next year.' I hope I feel good. I want to. I'm optimistic, but I'm also worried. ... The season wasn't a success. Even if we win three or four races the rest of the year, I wouldn't count it as a success. This season was a big fail for us. I carry all the responsibility as the driver. ... We're starting to look and feel more like a top 10 team. We're not. I wouldn't even label us a top 10 team yet, but we're starting to look like one. And that's a long, long ways from winning races and dominating." -- Orlando Sentinel

ODD NOTES AND STUFF

Cowboys Tony Romo: no marriage rumors with Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson was greeted by a slew of photographers when she first arrived in Washington D.C. Tuesday. She was jokingly asked if she's waiting for Tony Romo to win a Super Bowl before she agrees to marry him. Simpson (who turns 29 July 10) replied, "He'll win. Tony is playing with Tiger tomorrow. That's all I'm thinking about." Romo recently addressed marriage rumors. There are "none that I can think of," he told Entertainment Tonight. "I'm sure you guys can tell me something new here soon enough, though."-- Us Magazine

Former NBA star faces foreclosure on home

Former NBA star Latrell Sprewell faces yet another foreclosure lawsuit. Sprewell has failed to make mortgage payments since November on a home on E. Hampshire St. in Milwaukee, Harris National Association, formerly Lincoln State Bank, alleges in a lawsuit filed last month in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The bank wants to foreclose on its $920,000 loan and have the home sold. Sprewell has not responded to the lawsuit. City records describe the property as a 5,200-square-foot, 70-year-old mansion with six bedrooms and four fireplaces. It is assessed at nearly $1.1 million. Sprewell, 38, who five years ago reportedly spurned a three-year, $21 million contract offer as insulting, has amassed a history of financial trouble since his 13-year NBA career ended in 2005. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

COLLEGE SPORTS RUMORS AND NOTES

U of Miami safety Wylie decides to transfer

A day after the University of Miami said it expected safety Joe Wylie to remain with the program, Wylie has decided to transfer. Coach Randy Shannon indicated earlier this week that Wylie was still on campus and was expected to remain at UM. But UM said Wednesday that Wylie has decided to transfer to Tennessee State. Wylie, from Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson, played only one game during his freshman season and wanted to go to a school where he would get more playing time. -- Miami Herald

Florida State fights NCAA to keep 14 football wins

In the rebuttal it filed on Wednesday to the NCAA, Florida State argued once again why it shouldn't be forced to vacate victories in the aftermath of a widespread academic fraud scandal and the university described as "woefully inadequate" the NCAA Committee on Infractions' rationale that led to the disputed penalty. As it did in its original appeal, Florida State maintained that innocent coaches and athletes should not be punished for the actions of the 61 athletes and three former university employees who were implicated in the scandal, at the heart of which were improprieties in an online music course. If the Committee on Infractions' ruling stands, victories from FSU's 2006 and 2007 seasons would be vacated. At stake are two national championships in men's track and as many as 14 victories in football. If FSU is forced to vacate the football victories, then it would likely end Coach Bobby Bowden's pursuit of retiring as the most victorious coach in major-college football history. -- Orlando Sentinel

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