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Defense used to be a word synonymous with the Chicago Bears. But the Bears' D has fallen on hard times, and its intimidating reputation isn't what it once was. "I think it is gone," said Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian, who played for the Bears from 2004 to 2007. "People being intimidated about who they got around there, that isn't working for them anymore.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

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The Red Sox are making a push to obtain Toronto ace Roy Halladay before the start of baseball's winter meetings Dec. 7, according to industry sources. But the Blue Jays reportedly want top prospect Casey Kelly along with young starter Clay Buchholz. The Sox could retreat from the deal if the Blue Jays continue to demand Kelly. The 20-year-old was their first pick in the 2006 draft and signed for $3 million.

Boston Globe

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Just to be clear on this, Allen Iverson is not walking through that door. But the possibility is something the Celtics have considered - and could revisit. Danny Ainge always has been a fan of Iverson, and he tried very hard to get him here in the summer of 2006 and the season that followed. A number of times, the Celtics president of basketball operations was in talks with the 76ers before Iverson was shipped to Denver.

Boston Herald

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The coach's hopes failed to materialize, but Devils' forward Rob Niedermayer is believed to be on the verge of returning from what The Post has learned is a shoulder separation. Unlikely to join the lineup this week, Niedermayer could start practicing with the team at its morning skate today, or more likely, in a Thanksgiving Day practice before the Devils visit Boston.

New York Post

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Traditionally, Charlie Weis has used the year-end trip to the West Coast to jump-start his recruiting efforts in California, remaining in the state after Notre Dame's season finales against either USC or Stanford. He'll be making a return trip to South Bend much sooner this year. Athletic director Jack Swarbrick confirmed to the Tribune that Weis will not remain in California after Saturday's season finale and instead will meet with Swarbrick on campus to review the state of the program. But Swarbrick hastened to throw water on the idea that it means Weis is out as Irish coach.

Chicago Tribune

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One of many rumors floating around MLS Cup weekend was that the USA will play at the Netherlands a friendly on Wed., March 3, next year.

Du Nord

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According to our friends over at Heavy.com, Shane McMahon recently cashed out $50 of his $80 million dollars in WWE stock, which would be the money he would use to get a piece of the UFC. UFC President Dana White has always said that he'd be willing to let somebody buy into a minority stake of his now billion dollar empire, and McMahon makes sense.

Fight Line

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NASCAR has asked a federal court to stop lawyers for suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield from collecting information from the ex-wife of chairman Brian France. Mayfield's attorneys subpoenaed Megan France last week requesting documents about a lawsuit filed against her by Brian France. The attorneys also asked for joint tax returns and mail addressed to Brian France. The Frances were divorced in April 2008, and Brian France sued his ex-wife in North Carolina Superior Court in September of that year. All documents relating to that case were sealed in December.

Charlotte Observer

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They were there Monday at Rees Jones Breakers West -- from a World Golf Hall of Famer such as Nick Price to a high-handicap amateur -- for one reason: To honor, and help raise money, for Ken Green. Green, a five-time PGA TOUR winner in the 1980s, was involved in a Recreational Vehicle accident June 8 that left three dead -- Ken's girlfriend, Jeanne Hodgin of Greensboro, N.C.; Ken's older brother, William, of Indiantown; and Green's Ginger Shepherd, Nip. Green survived the accident, but had to have his right leg amputated just below the knee two weeks later. Despite the amputation, Green, 51, is vowing to make history by returning to the Champions Tour with a prosthetic leg.

pgatour.com

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Ana Ivanovic has spent recent weeks recharging and has turned to a familiar face -- coach Sven Groeneveld -- to restart her quest to return to the top 10. Coming off a disappointing season in which she finished with a 24-13 record, including a 3-4 mark in her last seven matches, Ivanovic has reunited with Groeneveld to prepare for the 2010 season. "I feel rested and like I am about to re-start everything. The most important thing is to stay injury free and to train in the right way," Ivanovic told the Serbian newspaper Sportski Zurnal. "I will be working again with Sven and it gives me confidence to think how well we worked together during the off-season two years ago." The 22-year-old Ivanovic reached only one final, falling to Vera Zvonareva in the Indian Wells final in March. She failed to reach a quarterfinal since Indian Wells, a streak of nine consecutive tournaments.

Tennis Week

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