Aaron Rodgers Wants the Packers to Welcome Back Brett Favre

Posted today at 10:09am

Joe Robbins/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Brett Favre last played quarterback for the Green Bay Packers in 2007, and current Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers thinks it time for both sides to heal their fractured relationship.

"It's been too long," Rodgers said. "You know, our country and the state of Wisconsin, these people are a people of second and third and fourth chances. I think it's time to let the healing process begin for those who are still upset for what went down."

Back in 2008, the team traded Favre to the New York Jets after Favre once again decided to come out of retirement. He wanted to keep playing for the Packers, but the team had Rodgers waiting in the wings and the team was ready to move on.

While the relationship ended on a sour note, it is hard to overlook Favre's accomplishments with the team. For 16 seasons, Favre was one of the best quarterbacks of his era. He won a Super Bowl with the team during the 1996 season and won three MVP awards.

Favre last played for the Packers arch-rival Minnesota Vikings and retired following the 2010 season.

Phillies Place Second Baseman Chase Utley on the DL

Posted today at 9:33am

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- In a sight that has become all too familiar for Philadelphia Phillies fans, the team has placed second baseman Chase Utley on the disabled list with a mild oblique strain.

"We do believe and hope that Chase will be ready to play in Philadelphia within 15 days," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We are being cautious with this injury as it is a tricky one and want to make sure it isn't an issue for him throughout the season."

Earlier in the week, Utley was scratched because he felt a "burning sensation" in his rib cage. The team decided it was best to put the former All-Star on the DL so he can heal properly.

This is a tough blow to Utley, who has battled knee injuries over the past few seasons. He had missed 185 total games over the previous three seasons.

The 34-year old Utley was off to a great start this season. In 44 games, Utley was hitting .272 with seven home runs and drove in 25 runs.

The Phillies offense will miss Utley, as they rank 26th in the majors in runs scored. Still, Freddy Galvis is expected to take over for Utley while he recovers.

Jerry Jones Defends Jason Garrett

Posted today at 8:50am

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Even though the Dallas Cowboys have underperformed under head coach Jason Garrett, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones is standing behind him.

In his first two full seasons with the Cowboys, the team has gone just 8-8 back-to-back years. He is also entering the third year of his four-year contract. While some are putting Garrett on the hot seat, Jones doesn't see it that way.

"Well, no, he's not ... to the last question: Is Jason coaching for his job? No," Jones told the NFL Network. "What we're doing is taking the assets that we have, and Jason being right at the top and certainly our premier asset, and we're using them to the best of our ability."

While he served as an assistant coach with the team, Garrett was a much heralded coaching prospect, but it has yet to translate on the field. Despite a talented roster, the team has yet to reach the playoffs under Garrett. The team did have the sixth rated offense in 2012, but also had the 19th ranked defense.

Garrett is reportedly considering relinqueshing the play-calling duties to assistant head caoch Bill Callahan, or another coach on the staff, for the upcoming season.

Patrick Roy Agrees to Coach Avalanche

Posted yesterday at 11:43pm

Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images(DENVER) -- NHL Hall-of-Fame goalie Patrick Roy has agreed in principle to join the Colorado Avalanche as its Head Coach/Vice President of Hockey Operations.

“This is an unbelievable day for me,” said Roy. “It’s a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank (Owner) Stan and (President) Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as (Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations) Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me."

"Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am,” he continued.

Roy played seven-and-a-half seasons for the Avalanche, winning two Stanley Cups.

The 47-year-old three time Vezina Trophy winner, has spent the last eight seasons as the head coach and general manager of the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he had a 348-196-0 record.

For his 19-year NHL career with Montreal and Colorado, Roy had a 551-315-131 record, and won four Stanley Cup championships.

Tyrann Mathieu Signs Four-Year Deal with Cardinals

Posted yesterday at 11:40pm

Chris Graythen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The Arizona Cardinals signed their third round draft pick Tyrann Mathieu to a four-year contract Thursday.

“I never doubted it,” Mathieu said on the team's website when talking about signing an NFL contract. “I knew it was a long shot and it would be a process, but to finally sit down and sign my name on the dotted line means a lot to me.”

League sources told ESPN's Ed Werder that Mathieu will receive a $662,500 guarenteed signing bonus.

A source of ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said Mathieu will receive $265,000 upfront with the rest of the money coming through annual roster bonuses.

Mathieu becomes the sixth of the Cardinals nine draft picks to sign.

Red Wings Blank Blackhawks, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Posted yesterday at 11:37pm

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- Jimmy Howard saved all 28 shots he faced leading the Detroit Red Wings to a 2-0 Game 4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in their Western Conference semifinal playoff series Thursday night.

The Red Wings lead the series 3-1, and are one win from eliminating the top-seeded Blackhawks from the postseason.

Howard has now held the Hawks to one goal or less in three straight games.

"He has kind of been in a groove for a while now," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "And we need that to be successful."

Red Wings defensemen Jakub Kindil scored his first goal of the postseason 10:03 into the second period.

Corey Crawford had 25 saves in the loss for Chicago.

Game 5 is Saturday night in Chicago. Start time scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

Rangers Stave Off Elimination, Beat Bruins in OT

Posted yesterday at 11:35pm

Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Chris Kreider scored 7:03 into overtime Thursday night, to give the New York Rangers a 4-3 victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series.

The Bruins now lead the series 3-1.

The B's took a 2-0 lead in the second period on rookie Torey Krug's third goal of the series, but just 58 seconds later, Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask fell and Carl Hagelin slowly pushed a puck past the fallen goaltender to make it 2-1.

Derek Stepan tied the game just 1:15 into the third period. Stepan was behind the Bruins' net when he forced a turnover on Zdeno Chara and smacked one past Rask.

Bruin winger Tyler Seguin scored his first goal of the playoffs at the 11:54 mark, but Brian Boyle scored on the power play just 1:54 later, the last goal of the period.

Before the victory, the Rangers had been 0-3 in overtime games this postseason.

Game 5 is Saturday in Boston. The puck is set to drop at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Coyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Scoreboard Roundup - 5/23/13

Posted yesterday at 10:05pm

Getty Images/Hemera(NEW YORK) -- NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference Semi-Finals - Game 4: New York Rangers 4 – Boston Bruins 3 OT (Bruins lead series, 3-1)

Western Conference Semi-Finals – Game 4: Detroit Red Wings 2 – Chicago Blackhawks 0 (Red Wings lead series, 3-1)

Game 5: Los Angeles Kings 3 - San Jose Sharks 0 (Kings lead series, 3-2)

MLB: Cleveland Indians 12 (27-19) – Boston Red Sox 3 (28-20)

Los Angeles Angels 5 (20-27) - Kansas City Royals 4 (21-23)

Detroit Tigers 7 (26-19) - Minnesota Twins 6 (18-26)

Pittsburgh Pirates 4 (29-18) – Chicago Cubs 2 (18-28)

Toronto Blue Jays 12 (20-27) – Baltimore Orioles 6 (25-22)

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

LeBron James Leads The First Team All-NBA

Posted yesterday at 5:29pm

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Miami Heat forward LeBron James was a unanimous pick for this season’s All-NBA first team, the league announced Thursday. The four-time reigning MVP received all 199 votes from a group of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout North America.

Joining James on the first team is Los Angeles guard Kobe Bryant, who earned his 11th first team selection, tying him with former Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone for most picks.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan round out the team.

The All-NBA second team is led by New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin.

Houston Rockets forward James Harden was selected on the All-NBA third team. He's joined by Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, Indiana Pacers forward Paul George and Golden State Warriors center David Lee.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Robert Griffin III: My 'Knee Feels Great'

Posted yesterday at 2:13pm

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Washington Redskins franchise quarterback Robert Griffin III returned to the field to work out with some of his teammates on Thursday.

Griffin returned just four and a half months after surgery that reconstructed torn ligaments in his right knee. He appeared in a heavy black-brace.

"The knee feels great," Griffin said. "I'm able to do all the stuff out there without any hesitation, that's the best part about it. I'm excited about that."

"It's all about having that confidence and if you put the work in, you'll have that confidence when you get back out there on the field. It's about playing like you were never injured," he added.

Griffin said he still plans on being ready for the Sept. 9 season opener -- a Monday night game at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I stand behind that," Griffin said. "That's always been the goal, but once again, I'm not going to risk my career to play in one game."

Griffin also said he wants to limit hits from opposing teams and that he has learned a lot after playing one season in the NFL.