Breaking down the candidates

ESPNThe 2009 Heisman class has it all: a former winner in Tim Tebow; a former candidate in Colt McCoy; the nation’s best defensive player in Ndamukong Suh; a national title contending running back in Mark Ingram; and a running back who put Stanford football back on the map in Toby Gerhart. Each has impressive numbers. Each helped his team win.Only one can walk off with the statue Saturday (ESPN,… Read more

Mandela saw Freeman as the actor to play him in films

MiamiHeraldLOS ANGELES — There was an actor Nelson Mandela had in mind when asked in 1995 who should play him in a movie of his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Morgan Freeman was that man.”From then on it was Morgan Freeman was going to play Nelson Mandela somewhere down the line,” Freeman says in an interview about the Clint Eastwood movie “Invictus,” in which he plays Mandela.But,… Read more

Rule 5 Draft

According to David Lennon of Newsday, a scout said teams had been trying to move up to select RHP Carlos Monasterios, who the Mets drafted then immediatly traded to the Dodgers. …by the way, the Mets just announced the trade in a press release… Updated at 10:32 am: The major-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft is over. …i will do a recap of the minor-league phase later in the day…… Read more

Divergent strategies for Brown, Coakley

BostonHOLYOKE – From the opening moments yesterday of their special election battle for US Senate, the contrasts between Republican Scott Brown and Democrat Martha Coakley were clear.Brown, a state senator from Wrentham, signaled he would go after the attorney general with everything he had. She indicated she would do all she could to ignore him.He kicked off his six-week push with a press… Read more

Zelaya talks to leave Honduras for Mexico hit snag

Washington PostTEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) – Talks on Wednesday between ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto government about leaving the country for Mexico after spending nearly three months holed up in the Brazilian Embassy hit a snag over the issue of asylum.If Zelaya leaves Honduras it will end his hopes of returning to office and seal a victory for the coup leaders who… Read more

Bob Ford: Eagles’ Vick turns back clock against Falcons

PhillyVick played along. Why not? That would be fine with him."We’re always saying things about what we’re going to do and stuff," said Vick, who didn’t have to add that much of the time those things don’t happen.Everything happened yesterday, though. The crowd greeted him with a mixture of cheers and boos, even when he scored a touchdown on a quarterback draw on the first drive of the… Read more

Iraqi Officials Study Delayed Election Date

New York TimesFiled at 3:55 a.m. ETBAGHDAD (AP) — An Iraqi election official says discussions are under way to set a new date for the country’s parliamentary elections.The elections had been scheduled for Jan. 16, but officials are now studying at least a six-week delay until late February or early March. Iraqi lawmakers finally approved rules for the election late Sunday after weeks of… Read more