Johnson is offering scholarship opportunities to senior football players in the metro Detroit area through The Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, Inc. The criteria is that the athletes must be graduating seniors this spring, have no more than a partial college football scholarship, and have a least a 2.5 grade point average upon their high school graduation.

Six scholarships will be awarded at the Annual Catching Dreams Athlete Extravaganza and Scholarship Dinner on June 23, 2012 at the Westin Cadillac Book Hotel in Detroit. The event will include a VIP reception, silent auction, dinner, and presentation of scholarships by the CJJRF founder and president, Calvin Johnson Jr.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is May 25th.

For a scholarship application packet, or more information, e-mail inquiries to cjjrf81@yahoo.com or write to the Calvin Johnson Jr. Foundation, Inc., c/o Catching Dreams Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 1015, Tyrone, GA 30290. (Anwar Richardson – MLive)

This is a great thing that Johnson is doing for whatever student-athletes win these scholarships. These would obviously be students that are good enough to play the game at the collegiate level (who cares if it’s as low as D3) but may not be able to play or even attend school because of financial need.

Who knows maybe one of these kids could surprise and become a future NFL player. Wouldn’t that make for one hell of a story to add to the legend of Megatron?

The Reds are not seeking outside help at third base with Scott Rolen on the disabled list.

“No, because Scott’s not going to be out that long,” Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. “The other thing is I think this is a good opportunity for (Todd) Frazier. It give him an opportunity to play and see what he can do.”

The Reds have had no discussions with the Boston Red Sox, Jocketty said. That shoots down the rumors that the Reds are interested in trading for Kevin Youkilis. (John Fay – Cincinnati.com)

Fay does add that things could change if Rolen would be on the disabled list longer then expected and Frazier struggles.

Right now Frazier doesn’t look to bad. In 2012 he’s batting .270 with two doubles, two triples, a homer and three runs batted in over 37 at-bats. The one negative is his tendency to strikeout, he’s struck out 11 times already.

@matthewcerrone: #Mets fans, Terry says Frank Francisco is still the team’s best option at closer and he will continue in that role.

Remember yesterday Collins refused to make a statement about the teams closer role after Francisco’s loss in which he gave up three runs without recording an out. Yes he got ejected but he wasn’t going to last much longer. Terry refused to make a decision on the spot because of that I will give him credit.

“We’ll address it,” Collins said. “I have eight options,” he replied, when asked if he has other options in the bullpen to be his closer in place of Francisco. “But, I’m not going to address that right now, when emotions are running high. (Mets Blog)”

Even though I give him credit for sleeping on his decision I again have to say I think it was the wrong decision. I think it’s going to be a decision that costs the Mets in the long run.

”We’re still kind of waiting, but I’d really like to be there,” Welker said. ”I don’t know. To say I’m going to one way or another right now, I’m not going to say definite or anything like that. But I would definitely like to be at those minicamps for sure.” (Boston Herald)

”I think we’re on the same page,” he said. ”And we’re all trying to collectively come together and make something happen. I think everybody just needs to know that. We’re all on the same page and we’re trying to work toward something.” (Boston Herald)

The most important thing mentioned in my mind was this:

And he was pretty adamant about not missing games over his contract dispute with the Patriots. He said he had “nine and a half million reasons” why he couldn’t hold out during the regular season, referring to the franchise tag salary he would be paid this season, should he sign the tender, which is sounding more like will be the case.(Boston Herald)

Basically Welker knows how much money he is going to be paid for the 2012 season and he’s not going to pass that up. Saying that makes him look like a guy who cares more about being on the field when it matters then holding out for more money. Truthfully, I think that’s the type of person Welker is and that’s why he’ll be on the field once pre-season games start.

I think the two sides will eventually work out a long-term deal but in the mean time it’s looking more like Patriot fans won’t have to worry about #83 missing any time.

@howardeskin: Just reported on Sports Final @NBCPhiladelphia that I’m told cole hamels agent has told Phillies they r looking for “7″ year deal.

The Phillies are known for not giving out long contracts to pitchers. We were all shocked when they gave Cliff Lee a five year deal so why should we expect them to give Cole seven years? He’s a damn good pitcher but you can’t expect the Phillies to go that length to appease the fans especially at the corresponding dollar figure, which should be around $20 million.

If the Phillies don’t intend to meet his demands it’s time to start seeing what teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and others may be willing to give up via trade.

A trade is not what we want to see as fans but the bottom line is if the Phillies won’t give Cole seven years, someone will. So might as well get something in return especially if they don’t get themselves into contention soon.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Mets, the team this year is bringing back banner day, which was last held in 1996. Dwight Gooden and Rusty Staub (both on the team in 1984) as well as the WFAN broadcasters Howie Rose and Evan Roberts will be judges for the event, which will be held on Sunday, May 27, before the Mets play the Padres. (New York Times)

The process of judging has changed to reflect the times. The Mets will involve social media in choosing the winners. On the day of the even the judges will pick three finalists and instead of them choosing the winners the fans will pick vote via text, Twitter or Facebook. The winner will receive a trip to next years Spring Training.

So Mets fans rejoice the day you’ve all wanted to return is back, so get your thinking caps on! You can get more info at the Mets website.

Here’s some past photos from Banner Day.

The team is quietly preparing to offer third baseman David Wright a long-term contract extension at some point later this year—perhaps as soon as this summer—according to a baseball official briefed on the Mets’ thinking.

The Mets hold a $16 million option to retain Wright for 2013, so there is no urgency for them to begin discussing an extension with his representatives. But they are likely to do so before next winter, the official said, because if they cannot reach an agreement, the Mets would have to consider trading him in the offseason. (Wall Street Journal)

The good news for fans is that they really do sound serious about trying to keep David. General Manager Sandy Alderson even said, “I certainly do not foresee, under any circumstances, David being a topic of discussion at the trade deadline.”

His main reasons are:

• Wright sounds genuine in his desire to stay in New York, not like Jose Reyes who just wanted the biggest paycheck he could get.
• With the option year the team has more then enough time to negotiate and if they get it done now could get a discount (unlikely but could).
• And finally that Wright is well, the face of the franchise.

I’m not sure if Wright will stay in New York but if he keeps playing this way I don’t see how the Mets could let him walk. For the fans sake hopefully he does stay.

Wide receivers Maudrecus Humphrey and Marquel Wade (pictured), along with tight end Andrew Peterson, were all arrested on Saturday and charged with residential burglary. The trio was booked Saturday into the Washington County Detention Center, where Humphry and Peterson were charged with nine counts of residential burglary. Wade was charged with one count of residential burglary.

According to the police, the thefts took place over the course of a week, with 10 reports of stolen items from the Northwest Quad dormitories.

Video from the location showed the three Arkansas players going into dorm rooms and taking items such as textbooks, laptops, DVDs and cash. The cash value of the stolen items comes to $4,817. (CBS Sports)

Here’s the worst part in my opinion. The Arkansas News reports that the guys were selling the stuff at the Campus Bookstore! For all of you who went to college you know why this is makes the guys even dumber. The bookstore is usually the one stealing from the students! They don’t pay SHIT when you sell stuff back.

A clerk in the Campus Bookstore later identified Peterson, Humphrey and Wade as having been in the store “multiple times” selling textbooks. Textbooks and other stolen property also were recovered from Peterson’s suite in the Northwest Quads. (Arkansas News)

Obviously all three of the players have been suspended indefinitely. Like they should.

“Marquel Wade, Maudrecus Humphrey and Andrew Peterson have been suspended indefinitely,” coach John L. Smith said in a statement. “We have high standards for our student-athletes and I expect them to conduct themselves appropriately. Poor conduct and misbehavior will not be tolerated and is not what we expect from the University of Arkansas football program.” (CBS Sports)

The only good thing for the football program out of all of this is that none of the players were major contributors. Only Wade had a chance of being an important piece to the team as he was expected to be their return specialist.

Now for these idiots hopefully they learn from these stupid, absolutely stupid, mistakes or there won’t be much a future in their lives.