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Welcome to the wonderful of make believe, where deals are consummated and legendary fights take place. There is just one word separating fact from fiction as pertains to Manny Pacquiao, and that's official. 

On Friday afternoon, the world was abuzz with the rumor that Manny Pacquiao had come to an agreement to fight Floyd Mayweather in a bout next year. 

The diminutive pugilist has given us a Billboard hit and years of excellence in the ring, but now he was going to give us the fight of the century. It was Christmas Day, and he was our Santa Claus, only real and less fat. 

There was no reason not to believe such a thing as being true. If you wiped your eyes and opened them, the news was still there, and here and here.

However, missing from the assertions that he will, or that he may, was the all-important word, official. There was no official word from Mayweather. Pacquiao's camp has not been reached for an official statement.

In fact, I went outside and there are no pig's flying over head. So it would seem, the wonderful world that is the Internet got over on us once again.

A soundbite was taken out of conference. Manny could have uttered the words, "I will fight Floyd Mayweather in 2012." But I doubt it.

Money May is still the target of a defamation lawsuit lobbied by Pacquiao. That is nowhere near a conclusion. Pacquiao is yet to fight his next opponent, Juan Manuel Marquez. A bout that is still a couple months away.

A negotiation of this magnitude takes time. More than that, the initial stages have not yet begun. I find it impossible to believe that Pacquiao will fight Mayweather next year. And so should you.

I have to admit though. It was a nice idea.

A peculiar story hit the news wires later Friday afternoon. It involved a former defensive backs coach for Notre Dame and the New England Patriots named Corwin Brown. Now that story is turning into something far more grim. 

The Chicago Tribune reports that shots have been fired at Brown's home. According to reports, a SWAT team has responded to the Northbrook Shores subdivision in Granger after reports of the shots being fired.

That home is allegedly owned by Brown, and unconfirmed reports in the Tribune story have him as the man who allegedly fired an undisclosed weapon. 

The situation all started with a domestic abuse call at 12:55 p.m. At some point after that, according to the Tribune report, shots were fired. A Tribune source has indicated that officers are prepared to breach the house. 

This is an odd situation that is still developing. There is no new word, but we do have a Twitter feed that asserts there is some positive to come from the early goings-on. 

Carl Stutsman of News/Talk 953 Michiana's News Channel (WTRC) tweets, "Nothing new on the Corwin Brown standoff....I've spoken to someone that is with the wife and kids they are all safe,only corwin in the house."

There is no telling what frame of mind Brown might be in. The only positive to glean here is that the family and children are safely out of this precarious situation at this time, according to The Tribune. 

This is still very much a fluid situation that will no doubt be followed with the use of social media tools like Twitter.

Brown has had a prolific career as a defensive coordinator. This is a sad turn in what seemed to be a proud and happy life on the outside. Our thoughts go out to Brown and his family during this very dangerous time. 

There is a domino that is on the brink of falling. That sound you hear is Texas A&M teetering towards the SEC. The outcome of which would prove disastrous to the Big 12. 

We have some rumors swirling that the SEC is busy pilfering other conferences for their own enjoyment. The Star Ledger reports SEC officials are in talks with Texas A&M to leave the Big 12, and with Florida State to nix their allegiance to the ACC. 

For the Big 12, the issue becomes a highly political one. Andy Staples of Sports Ilustrated reports Texas' Higher Education Committee of the state's House of Representatives has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 16.

It is a similar meeting to the one they had last year when the Pac-10 considered a move from Texas A&M and other schools to come west. 

The committee cannot do anything official, but they can certainly apply pressure to A&M to stay within the Big 12. 

For the Aggies, the anger over Texas and their deal with ESPN to launch the Texas Longhorn Network is still ripe. It seems that they would rather join a conference that would mandate annual fights with the likes of Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Florida, rather than be televised on TLN. 

If A&M does jump ship, the rest of the schools will have to determine if it is worth staying a part of a fragile conference. For Texas, it would make sense for them to do what they look destined to do and become independent. 

The Big 12 is a makeshift network that has always had issues since the Southwest Conference and Big Eight were combined. It may be time to wish the conference well, and create a more lasting agreement. 

Texas is well taken care of with their own network. It seem the other schools have an envious eye, and it is clouding their judgement at the moment. 

Staples' column closes with an assertion that networks love the idea of super conferences. It is the networks that ultimately drive any decision. 

It would seem that the Big 12 is going to be the first victim of such things, and there is little they can do about it. 

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The Baltimore Ravens are contenders with needs. Their biggest question mark was on offense. It was difficult to determine who would be the key playmaker at receiver. Well, now we have the answer. 

ESPN reports Lee Evans has been traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a fourth-round selection in the 2012 draft. 

The Ravens were unclear which receiver would step up to be the number one option in the receiving corps. Torrey Smith is certainly gifted, but he works much better as a number 2 in the offense. 

The same could be said for Anquan Boldin. The Ravens were sorely lacking a receiver that could shake the corners at contact and get deep. Joe Flacco has missed a player that could make plays downfield, greatly shortening the field. 

Now they get a player that likes nothing more than to mix it up and get vertical. Evans was also his usual confidant self this week as trade rumors circulated. 

At the end of the day, all my teammates know what I can do, who I am and they respect me for that. They know they can trust me, they know they can believe in me, so that goes a long way.

He comes with a faithful set of hands just in time. The Ravens offense could use a receiver they can believe in. He also gets a chance to reinvent himself in Baltimore. 

He would very much like a return to 2008 form when he caught for over 1,000 yards. That type of production would not only make Flacco look brilliant, it would lighten the load for the youngster Smith and the vet, Boldin. 

Evans will stretch the field and take some attention off of the other receivers. We very well could see a breakout year for Smith when the year is out. 

The Ravens settled one of their gaping holes in the nick of time. Now comes the hard part, playing the games. 

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The Arkansas Razorbacks are about to learn the all-important lesson of sports, it is good to be versatile. 

Knile Davis lead all the reason that this team was going to have a top-ten type season. Teams on their schedule were trying to figure out how to stop a prolific running game that would be lead by Davis. 

Now they will have to scramble to create a running back tandem that proves just as fierce. That is because Davis will not be playing this season. Fate and a bum ankle have cut short what was promising to be a stellar campaign by Davis and the Razorbacks. 

ESPN reports Davis suffered a left ankle injury at practice on Thursday. It was severe enough that Davis had to be carted off the field. 

Head Coach, Bobby Petrino, tried his best to put a positive and calming spin on the shocking loss. He told reporters the following. 

He is a captain who was incredibly focused on the upcoming year. His leadership throughout the offseason was significant in the development of this team. Our athletic trainers and medical staff are the best in the country, and Knile's mental toughness will be an asset to him during the recovery process. I am fully confident in the mindset of our running back group and their ability to perform.

The group that Petrino is referring to is juniors Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo. The duo will be counted upon to carry the heavy load that Davis was expected to take care of. 

Without their star running back, the Razorbacks have to make sure they give the keys to the quarterback position to the correct guy. 

For now, it is a race between Brandon Mitchell and Tyler Wilson. Both are accurate passers that are tyring to fill the shoes left by Ryan Mallett. 

Whoever gets the job will be charged with making sure this ship still sails despite the loss of Davis. Arkansas is still a top-ten team. It will just be that much more difficult to prove it as the season begins. 

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Tim Tebow isn't a human being anymore. For millions, he is an idea that they believe in no matter what he does. That is why he can do no wrong for some, and for others he can do no right. Follow me into the fool's errand that is Tebow's NFL career. 

Tebow has somehow meandered off the course as a backup trying to keep his job as a number-two quarterback with the Denver Broncos. 

None of his supporters can give you a concrete answer as to why the love him so. He is a winner. He is clean-cut. Tebow just plays hard. 

These are all subjective reasons to love him. Then there are those that vilify his very being. Why? Well, it has to do with his popularity. Haters, in effect, are gonna hate. 

Otherwise a backup that runs through coverage with a full head of steam would be lauded. This brings me to Thursday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Tim Tebow was 6-for7 passing for 91 yards. By the end of his turn, he had a 118.8 passer rating. From the mere stats, you would have to say that he had a much better game than Kyle Orton. 

In fact, you would have to say that he was ready for prime time. You see, Tebow gets it; he is a winner. 

Yet, you would be dismissing his ragged run that was dismissed by a penalty. He ran past the line of scrimmage, and still tried to hoist the ball. He delivered passes, but the delivery was labored. 

In fact, Brady Quinn did just as well in his stint. Lest we forget, both players were throwing against second-rate defenses at the time. 

Any conclusion has to be measured. Tebow did just fine, but he is far from ready to take snaps in a regular season game. The man for the Denver Broncos has to be Kyle Orton. 

Now for the all important question. Did he help or hinder his chances? Well, that depends on who you ask. A detractor will point out the Tebow misgivings. An apologist will state the game was the best he has ever seen play in years. 

You see, Tebow is more than a player. He is an ideal, and it is hard to find a consensus on such things. 

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James Harrison is a big, bad man that will say exactly what is on his mind. He doesn't care who he offends, until, of course, the lockout is lifted and he has to go back to work. 

In the most hilarious moment of this still young preseason, James Harrison is doing more backtracking than he will ever do covering a speedy receiver. 

Harrison did what he does second best during the lockout, he ran his mouth. It is only second to busting heads as the star linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

As the lockout lifted, Harrison was forced to go back to work; with the colleagues he dissed, and for the commissioner he trashed. 

ESPN reports Harrison has apologized for comments he made in the August issue of Men's Journal. Harrison sounded very humble in Friday's response. 

The interview that I did and the comments that I made about Roger Goodell were inappropriate, at the least. They were way out of line, and I was speaking out of anger and frustration at the time. Any comments that I made that offended anyone, I apologize.

Harrison ripped NFL commissioner for being a "crook" and a puppet." He also chided with ferocity teammates Ben Roethlisberger and running back Rashard Mendenhall.

Those with half a brain thought at the time, "but you have to eventually work with these guys." Perhaps Harrison was taken out of context as he claims. The fact is, he said what he said, and he has to own up to it now. 

You can bet that there will be a fine coming soon for the venom he spewed at Roger Goodell. I am also concerned at the long term impact his comments will have for the Steelers locker room. 

Harrison is a great player and vital aspect of the Steelers defense. However, he did himself and his team no favors by opening his mouth a couple of weeks ago. Both will pay dearly for that error in judgement very soon. 

Sam's Army and other US Soccer supporters have reason to cheer on Friday. After years of trying, Juergen Klinsmann is finally the head coach of the US side. It will be a proving crowd for both boss and side in the immediate future. 

It was high time for the Americans to act like the big boys and sign a big name to helm their side. The chief does not come with his own question marks though. 

Klinsmann can certainly let his players in on what it is like to lead his team to a World Cup title as a player, but he fell just short as the German coach. 

There will be plenty to prove from Klinsmann as a head coach. Many have credited the German's 2006 run to assistant coach Joachim Low. Whether that is true or not, Klinsmann did reform the German side with a youth movement we can only hope for here in the US. 

The Americans needed a new fire to be lit, and renewed form within the starting 11. This signing will certainly do just that. 

This is a team that has flirted with greatness, but has always fallen short. They almost tipped the Spanish giants in 2009 in the Confederations Cup. 

They were then mere touches away from the elite eight in the 2010 World Cup. However, they have never been able to stay with a consistent effort. 

You cannot count them among the best in the world when they show the kind of form they did in the 2011 Gold Cup competition. 

Simply, the team and boss have much to prove. Klinsmann has to prove he can actually lead a side as well as he commanded one with his own presence. The US have to prove they are ready for prime time against the World's elite. 

It will take a long look at the deep player pool the German has at his disposal. The first thing will have to be defense and pace. 

The US have had a porous back line for far too long. Bradley had become stagnant with his switches on that all-important part of the pitch. It is time for players like Omar Gonzalez to suit up in the US kit. 

It is an exciting time to be a US supporter. The team is about to get a much needed overhaul. The fact that the whole team, from coach to sub, has something to prove will make for an exciting club to watch in the coming years. 

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Ladies and gentleman, I would like to re-introduce the greatest golfer that ever lived, Tiger Woods. He returns with a refreshed knee, different caddy and a, altogether different attitude. This time better work. 

If Woods is ever going to surpass the great Jack Nicklaus for majors, he is going to have to make a charge starting now. 

The last two years have been fruitless endeavors. It is time to get back to winning way. There is absolutely no time for excuses. We have done the injury thing, and the swing coach thing. We have even cut some slack on the caddy thing. 

All of his latest decisions mean Woods is ready to gamble on winning. He knows the best way to accomplish that; I hope. 

ESPN reports the once great golfer that has fallen on hard times, Tiger Woods, will return to competitive play. Woods will play next week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

This will be the first time we see Woods without Steve Williams on the bag. Williams had been his caddy since 1999. Last week, it seemed Woods needed a change of direction. 

It was a reminiscent move to when Hank Haney moved on as swing coach. Woods has been grasping at straws, trying to find out that secret formula that will bring him another tournament win. 

After so many defeats, it is easy to get a bit desperate. Woods may be in the camp of athletes marred in a slump that will do just about anything to get out of it. 

He has said himself that he is feeling fresh and healthy. There are no longer any excuses about the knee, an issues Woods demanded would be 100% healed before he went back to the links. 

Next week, we get Tiger Woods back. The legend will pick up where he left off and try and find his rhythm. He failed in his last outing, and this may be more of the same. We will not know until we see him go through four days of competition. 

What I do know is the excuses are a distant memory, as they should be. 

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Hideki Irabu was found dead on Thursday. He leaves behind a legacy of success, but also of great tumult and hardship. A life that was hard to live is equally hard to see leave. 

ESPN reports Irabu was found dead in a Los Angeles suburb of an apparent suicide. Irabu did more with his talents than most ball players. 

He played at the highest level, and was a hero for Japanese fans when he signed with the Yankees. The promise of a great pitcher was never fulfilled. He finished his career with a 34-35 record and 5.15 ERA.

His stay with the Yankees was a roller coaster of performances and emotion. Deceased owner, George Steinbrenner was famously hard on the pitcher. 

He once berated Irabu in public and forced him off the team charter to Los Angeles. His life after baseball was just as difficult.

He was arrested twice in recent years. Once for driving drunk and another time for assaulting a bartender in Japan.

Now a sad tale gets an even sadder ending. A man that was once welcomed to the applause of thousands goes out in the loneliest of manners. TMZ reports that Irabu may have indeed taken his own life. 

The man made millions as an athlete. He had two World Series rings, and the adoration of a nation. Sometimes, having it all is not nearly enough. 

Irabu leaves this world far sooner than he should have, and we are left to wonder why. Choosing the positive in all this. I will remember a pitcher that came over from Japan, and furthered the game worldwide. 

He was a gunslinger that clocked the fastest pitch in Nippon League history. That is what I will dwell on today. 

Today we can forget all about the ill and tumult that marked his life. There will never be another Hideki Irabu, and I am sad for that.

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The US Men's National Team seemed to be shackled in recent years. For every step forward they took, they took another back. Wallowing in quicksand, Bob Bradley has been fired, leaving the US to look forward for the first time in years. 

ESPN reported on Thursday Bob Bradley has been fired as the manager of the US Men's team. The Americans have looked more flat than polished in recent matches, and something had to be done. 

You can not completely regard Bradley's legacy as a failure, because it wasn't. There were indeed many triumphs that he we must tip our cap to as he cleans out his desk. 

At the 2009 Confederations Cup, the US took on a talented field and placed second. They very nearly took the game from eventual World Cup champs, Spain. 

They also welcomed the opportunity to play int he round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup, despite flat play. The latest bipolar flurry came at the Gold Cup. 

There were times when the American dominated, and times when they looked second class. All the while, it was clear that something must be done. 

The US seemed destined to have the worst back line no matter the opponent. Bradley's eleven forever featured a defense that was more confused than stout. 

It was deplorable that the Gold Cup did not feature more talent in the full back position. Omar Gonzalez was an obvious omission. 

We say goodbye to some amazing moments provided by Bradley's boys. However, it is time to move on. You can't dwell on the international stage, especially if the side is marred by stagnant play. It is time to spark this team with change. 

Bradley did a lot of good for the Americans, but you cannot discount the bad. Change is never easy. In this case, it was vital for the team to move forward.

There are two sides to every story. The truth is often a luxury that is never afforded to us fans and bystanders. Toni Kukoc is in the middle of high profile prostitution scandal, and we have two ways of looking at it all. 

The Croatian Times reports Toni Kukoc, that man nown in NBA circles as "The Waiter," is being implicated in a high-profile prostitution ring. 

Nebojsa Perunovic Pance was arrested last week. Pance is being charged with pimping out young girls to the rich and wealthy. Kukoc is allegedly one of them. 

I want to stress here that the former Bulls star denies the charges, but not vehemently. The three-time world champion has instead shrugged off the allegations as if they were charges of bad taste. 

The he said, they said, story will go on for some time. Any private detective could tell you that there is something amiss form the body language, but we must take Kukoc at his word. 

It is rather odd. An ESPNChicago article by Melissa Isaacson in June paints a very different picture. There we see an old man clinging to the passion to compete.

Despite a hip replacement, the Croatian star has taken to golf with the same zeal that he played basketball with.

That is the picture most of remember and know. However, these athletes have a very different personae when they leave the arena. The money and power draws out a very tenuous morale fiber. That may be what sunk Kukoc, if he did indeed sink.

The Croatian report cites one girl that claims she slept with the retired basketball player. She stated, "I went there, I can’t remember the name of the hotel. In the hotel I had sexual relations with [Toni] Kukoc who paid me 500 Euros."

We don't know who to trust in all this. We have a woman claiming that Kukoc played a part in the prostitution. And then we have "The Waiter," he is ever so coolly shrugging this off as is it didn't matter.

We have two tales told on the same story. It would be easy to believe one of the greatest NBAers to come out of Eastern Europe. I can't help but believe there is something much more to all this.

Guilty or not, Toni Kukoc is not what he used to be.  

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The NFL is nearing an end to their lockout, a season is saved to the glee of fans. Please do not hope to see the same outcome as it pertains to the NBA's lockout. 

The signs abound that the NBA is headed into a very long winter. You don't need a Groundhog to tell you when it will all end, just know it won't be soon. 

The biggest culprit may be the players lack of desire to settle so quickly. In any lockout, you always have one party that is ready to settle for fear of losing money. 

The NBA will find that their players are very well taken care of. Jeff Zillgit of USA Today paints a grim picture for NBA fans. It is one where players can kick up their feet and wait out the prolonged CBA negotiations. 

It seems several players have decided to have their salaries doled out over time, allowing them to ready for such an occasion as they get paid through the lockout. 

Many players just plain prepared for what has always been conceived as a very lengthy period. The report also states that official negotiations have not even been scheduled let alone taken place. 

For the time being, the NBA landscape is a barren wasteland. It is no surprise then, that players are keen on leaving these shores to play overseas. 

Basketball is a rare sport that is played in a multitude of countries that turn a huge profit. Player like Deron Williams can play in Turkey for as much $500,000 a month. 

In a sense, there is very little motivation for players to suit up. They, like the owners, can wait. You are seeing that effect now as the bargaining table currently seats none. 

The days pass with no news on when the two sides will begin to negotiate. That comes as little alarm to players, and grim news to fans. 

The athletes are fine with a long winter. I wish I could say the same about us fans. 

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If you want to see what a man forced into a corner looks like, take a gander at Frank McCourt. The owner of a bankrupt team is fighting to keep the Dodgers despite opposition to the cause, and he is losing. 

On Friday, Delaware court Judge Kevin Gross, ruled that Frank McCourt cannot use a loan he secured from hedge fund Highbridge Capital. 

Judge Gross mandated that McCourt must negotiate with Major League Baseball and the $150 million loan they have on the table. 

The lower interest rates make it far more agreeable to the longevity of the team than the terms he received on his own with Highland Capital. And really, that is the heart of what is at stake here. 

MLB is trying to save the Dodgers, and McCourt is trying to save his skin. This ruling in no way makes the Dodgers any more likely to land in the league's lap, it just makes it all the more uncomfortable for McCourt. 

ESPN reports McCourt stayed clear of the MLB loan offer from threat of being overruled by the overreaching arm of Bud Selig. 

Now, ti seems, he has no choice. Judge Gross was very careful in stating that the MLB loan should not come with any extra authority from MLB in controlling the Dodgers. For now, it is merely a loan. 

The real question is whether McCourt can keep the team after declaring bankruptcy. That will be decided later, as will whether McCourt needs permission to enter into TV deals outside MLB agreement. 

The sad fact for Dodgers fans is McCourt is trying to sell off pieces of this proud franchise just to stay afloat, not further the Dodgers chance at winning, or the fans enjoyment at Dodger Stadium. 

McCourt is the worse kind of failing owner, a fighter. He cares little of the effect he is having on the slowly-dying franchise. He is going to fight. Despite a losing battle, he will fight. 

Even though fans hate him, he will fight. McCourt will stick like a virus intent on getting his way. This is why Friday's news is good for Dodgers fans, but in now way the signal of the end. 

To be an NFL star is the dream of every little kid. You get the fame, money and women. You also get the ability to skirt the law when needed. 

There have been those that have paid for their crimes, Michael Vick and Plaxico Burress come to mind. Then there are some NFL stars that are allowed a little more slack. 

Braylon Edwards was arrested this past year for a DWI. That legal issue has come full circle, and Edwards is free to join the NFL, after paying a paltry $500 fine of course. 

Edwards has been pulled over numerous times for speeding, then arrested in 2008 for misdemeanor assault. His latest legal escapade has amounted to little more than a slap on the wrist. 

Edwards was expected to fight the charge, but must have thought it was the perfect time to plead no contest. 

The NFL is knee deep in trying to work out a ten-year deal to put football back in our homes. All the attention is on the negotiations that are hitting a high note at the moment. 

NFL fans don't care about Braylon Edwards at the moment, but they should. There has been over 19 arrests since the NFL went into lockout mode. 

The most beloved sport in the nation has a problem with its player acting correctly off the field. The lenient manner Edwards was let off is just one reason why. 

Athletes know full well that they face a fine which they can pay off, and possibly a minimal suspension. Yet they have a feeling that they can always come back. 

An NFL career is extremely short, and somehow that is not ingrained in the subconscious. An arrest here, a fine there, and it is all good. 

Legal issues are just not dealt with the same gravitas as they once were, and that will one day threaten to kill the league.