Minnesota Vikings’ Brett Favre says he may have cracked rib

Brett Favre told ESPN he may have a cracked rib.

Herbie Awards include Georgia Tech as ACC champ

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit unveiled his annual Herbie Awards, and he shunned the preseason Virginia Tech hype by picking Georgia Tech to win the Coastal Division and the ACC title.

Smart move.

You can't go wrong with that pick, especially since the Hokies lost Darren Evans for the season, and Georgia Tech returns just about all of its skill position players from a year ago. Still, the one thing that separates those two programs for me is up front, and until we see how the Jackets fare in that regard on both sides of the ball, Virginia Tech has the edge there. I've got no problem, though, saying Georgia Tech can beat Virginia Tech and win the ACC title this year. In case anyone forgot, they were co-champs of the Coastal last year.

The one pick that surprised me a little was grouping Clemson in with the teams that are "Movin' on up." However, considering the program hit rock bottom at midseason last year, it's the only direction to go. And there's no reason to question the talent on the roster, though I think we need to hold off before we proclaim the offensive line is much better than it was a year ago. Remember, all five starters return. They're older, but are they better? And the coaching staff, particularly on offense, is still unproven.

It's another difficult season to predict how the ACC race will shake out, but it wouldn't surprise me if any of Herbstreit's picks -- Georgia Tech, Florida State, NC State or North Carolina -- play their way to the top of the standings.

Two items of potential interest (make that three)

Lou Montanez went 1-for-3 today in his second game with the Gulf Coast Orioles, his first stop on an injury rehab assignment that also will take him to Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie before the minor league season ends. Montanez, recovering from thumb surgery, is still likely to go on the 60-day disabled list. The Orioles are trying to get him ready for winter ball. Also, I checked with a team official tonight, and there were no discussions about claiming...

Mum on Cassel’s status

Brodie Croyle kept getting hurt and Tyler Thigpen seemed ill-suited for an NFL offense, so the Kansas City Chiefs traded for Matt Cassel and gave him a guaranteed $28 million contract before the first snap.

Gardner could begin rehab stint Thursday

Brett Gardner is set to face pitchers for the first time since fracturing his left thumb, and he hopes to begin a Minor League rehab assignment by Thursday.

Sources: Ricky Rubio to Barcelona after Timberwolves’ visit fails

Ricky Rubio won't be coming to the NBA until 2011 at the earliest, sources told ESPN.com Monday.

Osi Umenyiora out of practice; New York Giants’ coach doesn’t no why

Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora missed practice on Monday and coach Tom Coughlin didn't know why.

No need for Warner, Cardinals to panic

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

David from Jacksonville writes: I'm a huge Kurt Warner fan (we went to the same college) and now a Cardinals fan. I was pretty disappointed in their performance against the Packers in the first half, but your comment that it's only preseason helped make me feel better. Yet, I still don't think the general football public believes the Cardinals are a true contender to defend their NFC crown. What do you think the Cardinals will need to show this season to dispell those long-held feelings that these Cardinals are 'the same old Cardinals?'

Mike Sando: The Cardinals just need to be more consistent. The gap between their worst and best efforts was striking. They were horrible some weeks and terrific other weeks.

Strength of opposition stands out when I watch exhibition games involving NFC West teams. The Cardinals have played the Steelers, Chargers and Packers. Those teams have very strong first-team units. Warner very much relies on preparing well enough to anticipate his throws. Arizona will not game-plan for its opponents until the regular season. I think Warner depends on preparation and game-planning to an uncommon degree. That would be particularly true at this stage of his career.

There's a chance Warner will hit an age wall this season. He wouldn't be the first quarterback to drop off considerably at age 38. I just wouldn't make that determination based on a few exhibition games against strong opponents.

Green Bay in particular has been known to unleash fury during the preseason. I remember them taking it to Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks during a 48-13 preseason victory in 2007. The performance embarrassed Mike Holmgren much the way Arizona's recent performance embarrassed Ken Whisenhunt. What did it mean? Nothing. Hasselbeck enjoyed one of his finest seasons in 2007, setting career highs for passing yards and touchdown passes.

Vikes QB Favre says he might have cracked rib

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre says he might have a cracked rib.

Ravens need receiver, and Heap is standing out

Mike Preston: No one is expecting the Heap of old -- who caught 60 to 70 passes a season -- to return. But if he can stay healthy, then he could fill an important role for the team.

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