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Lucky Tom: Gisele is the world's top-earning model

Tom Brady's girlfriend Gisele Bundchen is once again the world's top-earning model, according to Forbes magazine, and it ain't even close.

The Forbes list, which you can read about right here, estimates total earnings over the past 12 months. Forbes said that Bundchen made $35 million over that period, a figure that makes big-time athletes' contracts pale in comparison, and which is more than double the second-ranking Heidi Klum.

A Steelers fan in the office just noted that that if Brady married Bundchen, he could retire today.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:49 PM to Patriots | Permalink | Comments 0

Rule change for free throws in high school basketball

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Rebounders on free-throw attempts will be positioned along the foul lane three feet farther from the basket during high school basketball games next season.

The National Federation of State High School Associations, the umbrella organization for more than 18,500 U.S. high schools, approved a rule change vacating the two marked lane spaces closest to the basket to reduce rough play and fouls while rebounding missed free throws.

Starting this fall, players will move back one lane space during a free-throw attempt. A new mark also will be applied to the lane line nearest the free-throw line to designate the last lane space. There is no change in the distance from the basket for the shooter.

The change was recommended by the federation's basketball rules committee after it was tested last season by the Georgia High School Association.

"According to data from the experiment, the number of fouls during free-throw rebounding action was reduced," NFHS assistant director Mary Struckhoff said Thursday. "At the same time, defensive rebounding percentages fell within an acceptable range. This data was the most compelling the committee had seen to date."

Another proposal to use instant replay to review certain situations in state tournaments was defeated. Struckhoff said the issue arose after three states had last-second shots in championship games.

"The committee discussed the issue extensively, but there was very little support for implementing video review," Struckhoff said. "Some felt the use of video to review officials' decisions is against the philosophy of high school sports. Others said that video review doesn't always provide a conclusive decision, and the equipment would not be consistently available in facilities throughout the country," she said.

The federation also approved a proposal to assess a technical foul to the head coach, rather than the player, if the player's uniform does not comply with NFHS design specifications. It also clarified an existing rule on headbands and added black and beige to the list of approved colors.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Jerod Mayo introduced in Foxboro (with photo)

AP photo / Stephan Savoia
First-round draft choice Jerod Mayo poses with Robert and Jonathan Kraft today at Gillette Stadium.

By SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

Jerod Mayo arrived at Gillette Stadium today, and after meeting with team owner Bob Kraft in his office and also with Bill Belichick, he met with the local media.

After being presented with his ceremonial number 1 jersey, Mayo -- who was dressed remarkably similar to both Bob and Jonathan Kraft, as all were in dark suits and a red-patterned tie -- was swallowed by a wave of cameras and microphones.

"I'm excited; I'm overwhelmed," Mayo said. "Just sitting in Mr. Kraft’s office, sitting there talking with the owner of the team, really overwhelmed me. I’m ready to get my playbook and start learning this defense."

As he said on Saturday shortly after he was drafted, Mayo said that he just wants to contribute to the Patriots, whether that be on special teams or as a defensive starter.

In his comments, Bob Kraft noted that he like Mayo's taste in ties, and thought it was funny that when he asked Mayo what his thoughts were on the connection between himself and the New England Patriots, Mayo said, "Kraft and Mayo go together."

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 2:39 PM to Patriots | Permalink | Comments 0

Brown's Raymond signs with Jets; Brown's Yearwood invited to Chiefs' mini-camp

Brown University wide receiver Paul Raymond (Miami, FL) has signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets of the National Football League. Raymond will attend the Jets' Rookie Mini-Camp that begins on Friday, May 2. In addition, senior Jose Yearwood (Spring Hill, FL) has been invited to attend the Kansas City Chiefs' upcoming mini-camp.

A Sports Network All-American, Raymond, excelled in the Hula Bowl, and was a second team All-Ivy selection in 2007. He finished sixth in career receiving yards (1,800 yards) at Brown and sixth in career receptions with 116 catches. In 2007, Raymond ranked second in the Ivy League and ninth in the nation with 97.8 receiving yards per game. His 978 receiving yards rank eighth in the Brown record book.

Raymond registered the best day of his career against URI, making six receptions for 221 yards, the fourth best receiving day (receiving yards) in the Brown record book. Raymond also returned five kickoffs 102 yards vs. URI, giving him 323 all-purpose yards, fifth-best in Ivy League history and the highest total since 1991.

Yearwood was Brown's starting safety, making 57 total tackles, sixth best on the Bears' squad, and picking off three passes. Yearwood had a big game against Yale, making a season high 10 tackles, including eight solo tackles. He picked off passes against Duquesne, Dartmouth and Columbia. Yearwood was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection as a junior after making 66 total hits.

Posted by Art Martone  at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Photo gallery: Nine dramatic Red Sox wins

For the month of April, plus the two games played against Oakland in Japan, the Red Sox have won eight games in which they scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning or later. That compares to just three such victories last season, when the Red Sox were a little less dramatic and more methodical in roaring out of the gate on their World Series championship season.

We've put together a photo gallery looking back on the eight dramatic wins, plus the equally dramatic rain-soaked game in Boston in which the Sox held off a Yankee comeback. Click here to view the gallery.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:30 PM to Red Sox | Permalink | Comments 0

Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Another dramatic victory

Click the play button below to hear Sean's comments, recorded this morning. Today's topics: A fourth consecutive fine pitching performance offsetting the general offensive futility, Toronto's penchant for beating itself, the latest injury news and the advantages of a potential spring-training move to Sarasota.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:15 PM to Red Sox | Permalink | Comments 0

Coates, Morris and Nance are Patriots Hall of Fame finalists

By SHALISE MANZA YOUNG
Journal Sports Writer

The Patriots have announced the three men selected as finalists for this year's inductee into the franchise's Hall of Fame.

Tight end Ben Coates, center Jon Morris and running back Jim Nance were chosen by a 23-person nomination panel made up of local media, Pats' alumni and team employees as the most deserving candidates this year.

Now it will be up to the fans to decide which player becomes the 13th member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame; it is expected that this year's induction ceremony will be held inside the Hall at Patriot Place, which is currently under construction.

Voting began today at www.patriots.com , and will continue through July 4. Only one vote per e-mail address can be cast.

Here's a bit about each player from the press release:

Ben Coates played for the Patriots for nine seasons, appearing in 142 games from 1991-99. His 50 total touchdowns rank second in team history; his 490 receptions rank third; and his 5,471 receiving yards place fourth. Coates was the Patriots’ leading receiver five times in a six-year span from 1993-98, and his 96 catches in 1994 set a team record at the time. Coates was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1994-98. He was selected by the Patriots in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft (124th overall) out of Livingstone College.

Jon Morris played for the Patriots for 11 seasons, appearing in 130 games from 1964-74. He earned seven consecutive American Football League All-Star appearances from 1964-70, and his seven league All-Star selections ranks second in Patriots history behind Pro Football Hall of Famer John Hannah (9). Morris anchored an offensive line that opened holes for Jim Nance to amass a team-record 45 rushing touchdowns from 1965-71. He was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 1964 American Football League Draft out of Holy Cross.

Jim Nance played for the Patriots for seven seasons, appearing in 94 games from 1965-71. His 45 rushing touchdowns are a franchise record, while his 5,323 rushing yards place second in team history. He was the American Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 1966, leading the league with 1,458 rushing yards - the highest single-season total in the AFL’s 10-year history and a mark that stood as a Patriots record for 20 years. Nance was the AFL’s leading rusher again in 1967, totaling 1,216 yards. He was selected by the Patriots in the 19th round of the 1965 American Football League Draft out of Syracuse.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:09 PM to Patriots | Permalink | Comments 0

Ohio State writes $2.74 million check to Jim O'Brien

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio State paid former men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien $2.74 million for improperly firing him for violating NCAA rules.

O'Brien's attorney, Joseph Murray, on Thursday confirmed the payment of $2.74 million. That amount represents the award, plus interest, he won in a lawsuit against the university in August 2006.

The Ohio Supreme Court refused to hear the university's appeal in February.

O'Brien was Ohio State's coach from 1998 to 2004. He was fired by then-athletic Andy Geiger for giving a Serbian recruit $6,000.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Dennis Rodman arrested, charged with domestic violence

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been arrested for allegedly hitting a woman at a Century City hotel.

Los Angeles police say the 46-year-old Rodman was arrested Wednesday night after officers answered a report of a domestic dispute.

Officer Sara Fayden says they learned Rodman had struck a woman, who suffered injuries to her arm.

Rodman was jailed for investigation of felony domestic violence and freed on $50,000 bail early Thursday.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 0

Get this week's fishing report early

Outdoors writer Tom Meade has filed tomorrow's Fishing Report early. You can read it now: Just click this link to find out what's hot and where.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 10:36 AM to Fishing | Permalink | Comments 0

Download today's sports cover

On today's sports cover, Kevin McNamara and Bill Reynolds report from TD Banknorth Garden, where the Celtics continued the trend of home teams winning in their playoff series with the Hawks. And Sean McAdam has the news on the latest walk-off victory for the Red Sox.

Click here to download the file in pdf format.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments 0