Mark Berman's Blog

Nothing ventured, Nothing gained which is the best way to describe the experiment with linebacker Rosevelt Colvin. Signed as a free agent with hopes he could help with the team's pass rush, Colvin is the big name in the group of 21 players released by the Texans Friday.

Colvin had five and a half sacks in nine seasons with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots where he won two Super Bowl rings.

"It's a tough part of the business," said Kennard McGuire, Colvin's agent. "I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for Gary and his staff.

"I have all the confidence in the world we will be able to find a home for Rosevelt that's sutiable for his skill set."

Also released Friday safety Glenn Earl who was in his fifth season with the Texans.  Glenn played in 37 games, starting 31. He missed all of  last season because of injuries.

"It is kind of a strange feeling," Earl said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "I've never been cut before.

"I wanted to be here and expected to be here. If you hang around long enough in this league things happen."

The Texans also cut quarterbacks Shane Boyd, who they signed last season as a free agent, and rookie Alex Brink, who was drafted in the seventh round.

This means the team will open the season with only two quarterbacks on the roster, Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels.

Some of the players released Friday by the Texans will be added to the eight-man practice squad that teams can put together beginning Sunday.

Boyd could be one of those guys.

"I'm not upset," Boyd said. "It's been a privilidge to be here and I'm hopeful I still will be.

"The coaches have done a great job of preparing me and making me a better quarterback which will prepare me for what's to come."

The Texans also released veteran defensive tackle Anthony Maddox. In his third season with Houston, Maddox had a quarterback sack and an interception against Tampa Bay Thursday.

The Texans still have one more move to make by Saturday and Head Coach Gary Kubiak said the club is trying to determine if they are going to keep running back Chris Brown who has been having injury issues.

"Chris is going to be back and ready to go," said Ryan Morgan, Brown's agent.  "We are just waiting on the results of the medical tests.

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports Friday the Houston Rockets traded forward Patrick Ewing, Jr. Friday to the New York Knicks for forward Frederic Weiss.

Ewing, Jr, son of Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing,Sr, is headed to the franchise where his father became an NBA star.

Weiss, who played on the national team of France, is unlikely to be a factor here.

Ewing, Jr. was acquired by the Rockets in the deal that brought Ron Artest to Houston.

This trade is part of General Manager Daryl Morey's goal to manage his roster and salary cap for the upcoming season.

Former Alabama quarterback Nick Fanuzzi is transferring to Rice according to his father, Mike, who was a quarterback at Kentucky  from 1971-1975.

"My son is transferring to Rice and I'm thrilled," said the elder Fanuzzi in an interview with FOX 26 Sports.

Nick Fanuzzi is on the Rice campus and is going through the process of enrolling.

Fanuzzi, a former star quarterback at Churchill High School in San Antonio, was ranked the fifth best quarterback in the nation when he was being recruited.

Fanuzzi played in one game for the Crimson Tide last year as a freshman before redshirting. So he will come to Rice with three years of eligibility. He will have to sit out the 2008 season which is an NCAA transfer rule.

Fanuzzi is perhaps the most important transfer at Rice since quarterback Bert Emanuel transferred to Rice from UCLA in the early 90's.

The Houston Texans announced Monday wide receiver Harry Williams, who underwent surgery on his spine Sunday, will be able to lead a normal life but will never play football again.

Williams suffered a cracked vertebra in his neck Friday when the Texans were playing the Cowboys. He was paralyzed immediately after the injury, but gained feelings in his arms and legs a short time later.

Meanwhile the Texans released fullback Jameel Cook. Cook was arrested Wednesday by a Fort Bend County Sheriff's deputy after a routine traffic stop. Police discovered that he allegedly had marijuana in his car and was arrested on misdemeanor possession.

Cook had been stopped because he didn't have a front license plate and didn't display valid registration. He also did not have a valid Texans drivers licence or proof of insurance.

He gave the officer a Florida driver's license that had been suspended in May.

Cook did not make the trip to Dallas with the team where the Texans played the Cowboys Friday night.

Cook was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2001 in the sixth round. He is in third season with the Texans. Last year he played in all 16 games for Houston rushing for 24 yards on eight carries. 

The agent for Houston Texans receiver Harry Williams does not want his client to play football again. Williams suffered a neck injury Friday night against the Dallas Cowboys and will undergo surgery Sunday.

The procedure will be to repair a neck vertebra.

Williams was paralyzed from the neck down immediately after the injury but team doctor Walter Lowe said later that night he regained feeling in his arms and legs.

There is no way to determine at this point if Williams can ever play football again.

"Is he going to play football again?," asked Harold Lewis, who represents Williams out of the St. Louis-based firm, National Sports Agency. "I would pay Harry not to play again.

"After what he has been through, I would find him a job so he doesn't have to play football. I would honestly pay him not to play."

Lewis said he has spoken with Williams and that initially his client was having a difficult time dealing with his situation.

"I spoke to Harry (Saturday) morning and at first he was very down," said Lewis. "He said what am I going to do and I said Harry do you realize how lucky you are. You were paralyzed from the neck down and literally the hand of God came down and touched you." 

Lewis said he and a number of his clients were having dinner in St. Louis when he got the news from a Texans official about Williams.

"I am 51 years old and I had tears coming out of my eyes," Lewis said. "My players asked me what was going on and after I told them they started tearing up as well.

"I am talking about some of the biggest linemen you have ever seen. We all said a prayer for Harry and it was answered."

Lewis said It is expected Williams will be able to lead a normal life after the surgery. A life that may not include football, and as far as his agent is concerned, is hardly an issue right now.

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The Houston Texans placed guard Fred Weary on injured reserve Monday. The club now has five days to execute an injury settlement with him. If that happens the Texans could still re-sign Weary and return him to the active roster.

This move could also signal the end of Weary's career in Houston. He is one of four remaining original Texans.

As expected, Weary is handling the news with class and is not upset with the team's decision.

"No, not at all." said Weary in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "I've got to get healthy and get myself ready to go, if it's here or somewhere else. This gives me some time to do that."

Weary said there is no way his career is over regardless of any decision made by the Texans.

"By no means is my career over," said Weary. "I want to walk of the field (when it's time to retire), not be carted off."

Like he was last year.

Weary started the first 12 games in 2007 before suffering a devastating leg injury against Tennessee in December ending his season. Weary broke his right leg in two places and was placed on the reserve/injured list.

The injury played a role in Weary's development in training camp. Bothered by surgical screws that were placed in the leg to help it heal, he recently had them removed with hopes that would get him back on the field.

After starting 12 games during Houston's initial season in 2002, Weary would only start seven games over the next three years. He would then battle his way back into the starting line up, starting 24 games over the next two years.

In November of 2007 Weary sued the City of Houston and two police officers after he was arrested in November of 2006 and shot with a Taser gun during a routine traffic stop.

The lawsuit has not gone to trial yet.

Two years after taking over as Athletics Director at Rice University Chris Del Conte has earned a two-year contract extension from school President David Leebron.

"We've extended Chris' contract to 2013," said Leebron in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "He will now be with us for another five years which is really the maximum that we can do."

Del Conte signed a five year contract in 2006. However, Leebron said to just it call it a two-year extension is "really understating what the school has done."

"We don't discuss terms but there are contractual enhancements," Leebron said. We wanted to make sure Chris is with Rice when we celebrate our centennial in 2012."

While the Owls have had success on Del Conte's watch in the field of play, most notably baseball, Del Conte has had unprecedented success in the business world on behalf of Rice University.

Del Conte has raised more than $72 million earmarked for new facilities and upgrade of current facilties, especially Autry Court. The basketball and volleyball facility is in the midst of a $27 million project to bring the World War II era building into the 21st century.

Del Conte also has poured funds into Reckling Park which houses one of the nation's top collegiate baseball programs. The Owls made their third consecutive trip to the College World Series in 2008 and were one of four Rice teams to win Conference USA Championships.

Del Conte has earned the respect and trust of the highest leaders on the Rice campus. Recently President Leebron combined intercollegiate athletics with the campus recreation and intramural sports and put the combined department under Del Conte's leadership.

Del Conte became Rice's 14th Athletics Director June 22, 2006 after leaving Arizona where he was the Wildcats' senior asscoiate athletics director.

His first year on the Rice campus was a remarkable one. Football went to its first bowl game in 45 years, baseball went to its sixth College World Series, three teams earned Conference USA championships, and Rice had the conference player of the year in both baseball and basketball.

Calling this a "no-brainer" Leebron said Del Conte has been a tremendous success with the entire Rice community and beyond.

"I think his engagement with the faculty and the trustees has really contributed to our agenda of bringing people together," Leebron said. "Chris is one of the reasons that makes me glad I am working at Rice University."

The Houston Rockets will trade forward Steve Novak to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night.  The two teams will swap future second round picks, with Houston getting the higher choice as compensation for Novak. NBA sources told FOX 26 the official conference call with the League and the two teams is expected to happen later Wednesday.

Meanwhile, NBA sources told FOX 26 the Rockets recently made their first offer to forward Carl Landry, a restricted free agent.  We have also learned Landry's agent, Buddy Baker, made a counter offer but the two sides do not appear close and nothing is imminent.

However, this does show the Rockets and Baker are communicating. Last month Baker acknowledged Landry will listen to all serious offers which includes offers from teams outside the NBA.

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, who is in China and not available for comment, has maintained all along he will match any offer Landry receives.

The Rockets retain the right to match any NBA offer. They do not have that right with offers from outside the league.

Offensive tackle Charles Spencer said he just received a new lease on life. Waived by the Houston Texans Tuesday, Spencer told FOX 26 Sports he has been claimed on waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

"I've been given a new opportunity to go to a new city and reclaim myself," Spencer said.

Spencer suffered a devastating leg injury during the second game of his career in 2006 and has not played since. He said Tuesday he believed he could still become one of the elite linemen in the league.

"The G.M. (Marty Hurney) for Carolina called and said he was excited," Spencer said. "He said there are not a lot of linemen with my ability lingering around.

"He was very excited to get me."

A third round pick in 2006, Spencer won the Texans starting left tackle job during camp only to see his career hit a roadblock with the injury.

"At each level you always have somebody who gives up on you and then you find somebody who is willing to take a chance," Spencer said.

Spencer said he will report to the Carolina Panthers Thursday.

Three-time Olympic diver Laura Wilkinson and her diving partner, Jessica Livingston have failed in their appeal to overturn the decision to keep them from competing in synchronized platform at the Olympic Games in Bejing.

Wilkinson and Livingston, both from the Woodlands, appealed the decision by the USA Diving selection committee to the American Arbitration Association.

Wilkinson, a gold medal winner in the 2000 Olympics, is already on the team and will  compete in Bejing in 10-meter platform.

Livingston's father, Bob, was present at the hearing in Los Angeles which was Friday, with the arbitrator rendering a decision Saturday.

"We lost," Livingston said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "It's a bad decision but I think it was worth the try.

"The ruling is such that the arbitrator decided the governing body can have an open discretionary solution process and not be held accountable to weighting the measures."

Livingston's daugher is equally dissappointed.

"Obviously I think it's the wrong decision," Jessica Livingston said. "We came out here for a reason and I'm glad that we did all that we could."

The elder Livingston said their request in the appeal was two-fold.

"We asked the arbitrator to do one of two things," the elder Livingston said. "Replace the currently nominated synchro team with Jessica and Laura.

"And if they didn't want to do that, within the procedures, add a competition, whether you want to call it a dive-off or continuation of camp."

The selection committee chose a pair of 15-year old divers to represent the United States, Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Beth Dunnichay.

The two teams split the competitons at the select camp with Wilkinson and Livingston owning a higher average. However, Ishimatsu and Dunnichay were chosen because they had the best individual score during the competition and because they had a higher score under a system known as projected competition score.

"Laura and Jessica were denied the right to compete even though they won the competition," said Bob Livingston. "That is why we filed the appeal.

"The procedures used were not followed as they should have been."

Wilkinson has already said, at age 30, she will retire from the sport after the Olympics. Bob Livingston said her daughter will no longer work toward making Team USA. The elder Livingston said, Jessica, who is 22, will leave the sport after completing her eligibility at the University of Texas next year.

Wilkinson believes some good will come from the appeal even though they lost.

"It's not just that my teamate and I can't go, but we had to drag another team in and we like those people," said Wilkinson. "Now I don't know if that's going to break our friendship.

"I hope not but if we can advance the future of the sport and make it better, then it's worth it."

Wilkinson believes the selection process used is flawed.

"It's good but it's not being implemented correctly," said Wilkinson. "There are a lot of problems with it.

"We've tried to discuss it with USA Diving but we just hit a brick wall. We're hoping this (appeal) will bring it to light and we'll be able to change things from here."

Houston Astros catcher Humberto Quintero will be home for the Fourth of July and nothing could make him angrier. Quintero was placed on the 15 day disabled list Tuesday after he was hit on the head by the backswing of Los Angeles Dodgers shorstop Luis Maza.

Quinterto suffered a concussion and spent one night in the hospital. Quintero still has a headache. His eyes still bother him, and he's still a little dizzy, but the only place he wants to be is with his team. For the moment that's not possible.

"I have never come out of a game before and I feel bad about that," Quintero said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "I don't want to sit at home and watch the game but there's nothing I can do about it."

Quintero said he is slowly recovering.

"I am feeling better but I still have a headache and its hurts a lot." Quintero said. "I am still a little dizzy too, but the doctors say that is normal."

The fact that Quintero cannot remember what happened bothers him a great deal.

"I don't remember anything," Quintero said. "It's scary, man. After they told me what happened I said, Wow.

"He didn't hit me hard, but he hit me in the right spot."

Maza called Quintero to apologize and, while the Astros catcher said it wasn't necessary, he appreciated the gesture.

"Luis called me on my cell phone," Quintero said. "He called to tell me he didn't mean to do it and that he didn't want to hit me.

"It means a lot. We've been friends for a long time. He thought (calling) was the right thing to do."

Quintero, who recently shook off getting hit in a bad place to stay in a game, said he'll be back in the Astros lineup as soon as possible.

"I've been working hard and calling the game good and my swing is good," Quintero said. "I am going to forget about what happened, work hard, and do what I have to do."

The Houston Rockets exercised the team option on forward Steve Novak's contract  meaning they retain the third year forward from Marquette.

League sources told FOX 26 Sports Novak will make $787,581 during the 2008-2009 season.

"We picked up Steve's option," said Daryl Morey, the Rockets General Manager. We think Steve is a valuable asset."

In two years with the Rockets Novak played in 70 games, starting one. He averaged 2.7 points a game.

His three pointer as the clock ran out Feb. 13 beat Sacramento at Toyota Center keeping the Rockets winning streak, which reached 22, intact.

Pitcher Shawn Chacon officially became former Astros pitcher Shawn Chacon Monday afternoon when he cleared waivers. His agent told FOX 26 Sports he will begin the process of trying to find a job for Chacon and that the Major League Baseball Players Union will file a grievance on his behalf.

"He is a free agent now," said Dan Horwits, Chacon's agent. "We'll start calling teams and see if there is interest in Shawn."

Astros General Manager Ed Wade said Thursday the club would terminate Chacon's contract meaning he would not be paid what the Astros would have owed him for the rest of the season.

The Players' Union said then a decision like that would be in violation of the player's basic agreement.

"We just talked to the Union and decided to file a grievance," Horwits said. "That process will begin (Tuesday)."

An attorney for the Union told the Associated Press they believe Chacon was improperly terminated.

The Astros made their decision to terminate Chacon's contract after a conversation between Chacon and Wade Wednesday turned violent with Chacon throwing Wade to the floor. 

Wade was trying to set up a meeting with Chacon, himself, and Astros Manager Cecil Cooper after Chacon had told FOX 26 Sports he wanted to be traded or released.

Horwits said the Union and his client decided to file a grievance  because there are other facts that must be considered.

"More of the facts regarding the event that took place need to be on the record and looked at by an independent arbitrator," Horwits said.

Chacon was unhappy that he had been demoted to the bullpen. Now he is looking for work and will await the outcome of his grievance against the Astros.

He is trying to recover $983,607 of the $2 million dollar/one year contract he signed before the season.

Forward Robert Horry has ruled out retirement and wants to return to the NBA for a 17th season. Included in his reasons is to add his collection of NBA Championship rings which stands at seven. Only six NBA players have won more in league history.

Horry will become a free agent July 1.

"I don't want to retire, especially after a year like I had last year," Horry said. "I know I could have had a better year. The year started off crazy for me with family issues and then it ended crazy for me getting hurt right at the end of the season.

"I didn't get a full season in like I wanted to see if it's really time for me to retire. My last game I want to walk off the court sweating, My last game so far I walked off the court with a DNP (did not play) and I don't want it to happen that way."

Horry said he would like to return to the San Antonio Spurs where he spent the last five seasons and if that's not possible then he would like to go to the Houston Rockets where he played his first four seasons in the league.

"My pecking order is I will contact San Antonio of course, then Houston" Horry said. "Orlando and New Orleans are tied. Since I have a relationship with (Hornets head coach) Byron Scott, I probably will pick New Orleans third and then Orlando and then Dallas."

Horry acknowledges it would be fun to finish his career with the Rockets.

"Playing with Yao and Tracy would be like playing with Shaq and Kobe," Horry said.

Horry said his desire to continue playing is not about making more money.

"It's not about breaking the bank," Horry said. "I just want the minimum. I've made enough money.

"I just like being with the guys and competing and having fun."

Horry, known as "Big Shot Bob", for the many times he has won games with crucial shots, is proud of the fact that only six players in NBA history have won more championship rings than him.

"That's one of the things I always wanted to do throughout my career, prove people wrong," Horry said. "Coming out of high school Dick Vitale called me the most overated high school player in the country.  (I) proved him wrong.

"Getting booed by the fans here, (draft night in Houston), proved them wrong. Played 16 years in the league so far, been on great teams and make people better around me. That's been a great thrill."

Former Toronto Raptors point guard T.J. Ford will not get the official word from the NBA that he has been traded to Indiana until July 9th, but he told FOX 26 Sports Friday he has taken the necessary physical that's required to make the deal work.

"I went to the Roger Clemens facility (Roger Clemens Institute at Memorial Hospital in Houston) and took an MRI and I'm pretty sure they sent the information to either Toronto or the Pacers and have their doctors look at it," Ford said.

"I haven't got any calls so I think everything's okay."

The blockbuster trade sent forward Jermaine O'Neal to the Raptors for Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, the 17th pick in Thursday's draft , and a second round pick.

According to NBA rules the trade cannot be made official until July 9th because Ford's contract makes him a base-year compensation player.

"Tjhis is something that was definitly expected," Ford said. "I wasn't coming into the offseason 100% thinking I was going back to Toronto.

"I'm happy to be a Pacer. Fresh, new start and an opportunity to play a lot of minutes and try to lead a team that wasn't in the playoffs, back to the playoffs."

Ford played high school basketball at Willowridge in suburban Houston and was an All-American at the University of Texas. Ford still makes his off-season home in Houston.

"It's exciting because it's a big challenge ahead," Ford said. "Going to a situation where a team is trying to change the face of the organization and the team is trying to get fans back into the arena. To say I'm part of that change feels good.

"They traded an All-Star player for me."

In his first interview since the trade became public, Ford said he hopes the Indiana Pacers can become his home for a long time.

"Hopefully, this is my home and a place where I can really, really establish myself and be the type of player I know I'm capable of being," Ford said.

"It's just taken me a little longer to find a home where I can sit there and be there for more than two years. So hopefully this is the place."

Ford began his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to Toronto.