All-Time Scorer (Lakers)

was appreciative after passing Jerry West to become the Lakers' all-time scoring leader, calling it a "great honor". Bryant scored 44 points to become the all-time leading scorer for the Lakers. What next for Kobe Bryant? He considers Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record is within reach if he plays long enough. Time will be the final judge, as always, but Bryant said he would "probably" be able to do it. Abdul-Jabbar had 38,387 in 20 seasons before retiring a few months before his 42nd birthday. Lakers Coach Phil Jackson thought Bryant was distracted by trying to break the record. Jackson said the record was "not important" and that the win would have been more important. He was going to get that record regardless. Which is very true but congrats to Kobe.

Starter

Last year we were talking about whether Michael Vick would ever get a chance to resurrect his career. After spending time in jail, there were many who felt Vick did not deserve a second chance. But he got one and the talk would progress to what role he could play for the Philadelphia Eagles. And now the talk is where he can find a starting job. The most recent rumor has him going to Buffalo and the loving arms of wide receiver Terrell Owens. ESPN's Len Pasquarelli is reporting that they have gave thought to adding the Vick to the offense and that it will only cost the team a conditional draft pick. Vick believes he is still one of the "top 10" in the game. A 10-part Vick documentary starts tonight on BET (10 p.m.)

Biggest Game Ever

Reggie Bush has mastered the Three R’s of football. Running (390 yards, a 5.6-yard average and five touchdowns). Receiving (47 catches, three touchdowns). Returning. (four career touchdowns, plus one in the 2009 playoffs). It took a while for Bush to fulfill the potential the Saints saw in him when they selected him second overall. He didn’t have the bulk to be an every-down running back. He didn’t have the size to be a full-time wide receiver. And no one has the luxury of spending a first-round pick on a kick returner. Yet he has been doing all three for the Saints. His only problem is that he tries to force big plays instead of allowing the big play to come to him. It's my decisiveness that has hurt him. Now Bush has raised his game in the playoffs and has helped the Saints reach their first Super Bowl. Now, he wants to help them win it.

CJ Wants to be Paid like the Best

Only into his second year of his contract and Chris Johnson is asking for another one. He thinks he deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league or at least the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback. Currently Stephen Jackson is the highest paid running back and the two prior to him was Jones-Drew and Clinton Ports. Clearly, Johnson outperformed all three backs this past season. Johnson’s agent didn’t want to discuss contract numbers or the possibility of an extension, and neither did the Titans. Johnson may consider holding out if the Titans seem disinterested. He’s already said he won’t attend offseason workouts in Nashville but plans to be there for offseason practices. He's not going to create a stir about renegotiating his contract.

Marshall Retire a Bronco?

Brandon Marshall said he is no longer disgruntled during Sunday's Pro Bowl. Marshall expressed his desire to stay with the Broncos, even though his actions during the regular season suggest otherwise. "I love the city of Denver," Marshall told ESPN. "I started there and would love to finish there." The Broncos, though, are expected to trade Marshall, according to a recent report in the Denver Post. No matter what he says though, you can never be sure with the Broncos. The team traded away Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler last year. It won't hesitate to deal its Pro Bowl receiver this year. Especially that now that Josh McDaniels has been given all but free rein of the Broncos' franchise, a greater emphasis has been placed on systems and team-before-self players.

NYK Still Goes to Get All-Star

Despite a published report indicating the Knicks are showing renewed interest in Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, a representative for Rubio's agency in Spain says he isn't likely to land at Madison Square Garden anytime soon. I think Minnesota knows what they have so I don't see his rights getting traded so easily. Knicks are not any better off in getting him than anyone else in the league. Rubio has been on record saying he wanted to remain in Spain for two seasons before coming to the NBA. Rubio has also "publicly said that he wants to win some championships in Europe before he goes over." So better luck NY on trying to get your All-Star team set up.

Preparations for 2010

Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor on preparing for next year, being a role model

Granted Extra Year

Robert Griffin says his surgically repaired right knee is "feeling good" and that he's running again. Griffin had surgery on his right knee in mid-October to repair a torn ACL. He said Monday that he expects to be ready for the start of the 2010 season, but plans to wear a brace as a precaution. He will be limited in spring practice and likely won't participate in contact drills. After a standout freshman season, Griffin was injured in the third game of his sophomore season last September. He has been granted a hardship waiver by the Big 12, which means he still has three seasons of eligibility left. He comes back he may contend Jerrod Johnson as the most athletic QB in the conference. To me, Griffin is more a Dennis Dixon who can be threat if he gets weapons and his line protects him.

Bronzed Saban

Work has begun on a statue of Alabama football coach Nick Saban and his wife will have a say in how it looks. The Tuscaloosa News reports that the completion goal for the statue to commemorate the Crimson Tide’s fifth national championship coach is April 17, the date of the annual A-Day spring game. MTM Recognition, the company that did the statue of the four previous 'Bama national title coaches along the Walk of Champions plaza outside Bryant-Denny Stadium is also doing the bronze replica of Saban. Project manager Corey Beltz says Saban’s wife, Terry, is one of several people who gets to give input. They’ve been told to emphasize Saban’s love of student-athletes and of teaching. 'Bama athletic facilities director says the cost is estimated at about $50,000.

Sooner Than Later?

Great news out of the U. After Graig Cooper's knee injury in the bowl game, talk was that he would sit out next season, get a medical redshirt and return to UM in 2011. But Cooper's father said the surgically repaired injury was less serious than feared, doctors are optimistic, and Cooper believes he will be ready to start the 2010 season. Cooper was told he had a partial ACL tear and no MCL tear and after surgery, can take as long to heal as a full year. That means if he returns in September, it might take another month for him to feel where he was before the injury. But he would need to regain his old form to earn a lot of playing time. They are stacked with Damien Berry will be the favorite to start, and teammates rave about Lamar Miller (who is the fastest back). No matter though who he is competing against, if Cooper is healthy enough to play, it doesn't seem likely he would agree to sit out 2010 and return to UM in 2011, delaying an NFL career.