Don't recognize this guy?  Neither do most of the people in NYC, which is where this man currently resides.  But big blue faithful might remember this guy as Randolph Morris, former University of Kentucky center. 

You'll recall that Morris was the beneficiary of a very curious call by the NCAA, when he was allowed to return to college after declaring for the 2005 NBA Draft and not getting selected, because he didn't hire an agent.  When the NBA declared that Morris couldn't participate in a second draft, he essentially became a free agent, and signed a two year contract with the Knicks after the 2006-2007 UK season, which ended during the last month of the NBA season.

Morris may have made an error in deciding to sign so quickly with the New York squad, or more specifically one coached by Isiah Thomas, the architect of the single greatest salary cap mess in NBA history.  Because, you see, Isiah hasn't been too interested in giving Morris a chance to play.  Through about a full season's worth of games, Morris has seen the floor for a grand total of 50 minutes over seven games.  NY Daily News writer Frank Isola went so far as to joke that "...Knick fans are beginning to think that Morris is his middle name and Inactive is his last name".

Since the Knicks are...well...horrendous this season, you'd think that Morris would get a ton of garbage time.  Clearly, you haven't watched an Isiah-coached team before; nothing is sensible there.  Since Morris is an unrestricted free agent after the season, Isiah is afraid that if he plays Morris, he might perform well, and that might drive up the price to sign him in the off-season (as if THAT'S ever stopped him before).  And according to Isola, Isiah won't send Morris down to the NBDL to get experience because he doesn't want to give the league any credibility...since he pretty much single-handedly destroyed the CBA, the former developmental league for the NBA.

So let this be a cautionary tale for young basketball players.  One; don't leave school until you're absolutely sure you're going to be a high draft pick.  And two; under no circumstances do you voluntarily decide to play for any team run by Isiah Thomas.

The Reds shored up its outfield depth on Monday as they signed free agent centerfielder Corey Patterson to a minor-league deal.  Tired of waiting for a lucrative offer, Patterson takes a shot with Cincinnati where he should have a decent shot at starting in center.  At least with the Reds he will likely get the opportunity to show he still has values.

The signing likely means that the highly-touted Jay Bruce will most likely start the season in Louisville. Bruce is only 20 years old and the Reds don't want to rush him to much. Keep in mind last year at this time he was gearing up for A ball. Any of this is far from a given, as Patterson will have to earn the spot.

Bruce is day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game with what the team is calling a mild left quad strain. 

Patterson was a one-time blue-chip prosepct of the Cubs and the Reds' new manager Dusty Baker knows what to expect from him.  Unfortunately for the Reds, Patterson is left-handed.  If he does win the job in centerfield this would give the Reds three left-handed-hitting outfielders (Ken Griffery Jr, Adam Dunn). Patterson has a nice combination of speed and power and could solve the team's search for a lead-off hitter and there's no doubt he will benefit from playing in Great American Ballpark. 

Patterson hit .269 with 8 HR's and 45 RBI's in 461 at bats in 2006 for the Orioles, just his second season in Baltimore. He had 37 steals in just 132 games.  In 2004, his last full season as a starter, put great numbers for Baker in Chicago - .266, 24 HR's, 72 RBI's, and 32 SB's.

The team also signed free-agent second basemen Jerry Hairston Jr to a minor-league deal. He hit .189 in 159 at bats for the Rangers last season.

"Patterson will come in and compete for the center field job," Reds GM Wayne Krivsky told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Hairston is another versatile guy that can play infield/outfield. Patterson is 28 and Hairston is 31. They've got some experience, but we gave them no guarantees. They'll come in and compete."

After failing to complete a deal for the second time in four days for a defensive tackle, the Bengals did give their defensive line a huge jolt on Monday when they agreed to a five-year $30 million deal with defensive end Antwan Odom.

Following the the foilded efforts to land Shaun Rogers and DeWayne Robertson, the Bengals made sure Odom and wife Brooke didn't get on the plane at the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airport Monday night for a recruiting trip to Arizona and a meeting with the Cardinals, according to the team's website.

"He is very excited to be a Bengal and is looking forward to playing for coach (Marvin) Lewis," Odom's agent Rich Rosa told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Odom, 26, replaces Justin Smith, who signed with San Francisco this weekend. At six-foot-five and 274 pounds Odom provides the Bengals another speedy pass rusher and coupled with the team's attempt to acquire Robertson earlier in the day, it likely means the team will stay in their customary 4-3 setting.

Less than 72 hours after having a trade fall apart for Lions' Pro Bowl DT Shaun Rogers, the Cincinnati Bengals have once again failed to execute a trade that would have landed them Dewayne Robertson from the New York Jets.

Numerous reports broke early Monday that the Bengals had reached deal with the Jets and agreed to send their 4th and 5th Round picks to New York in exchange for Robertson. The deal was pending the team being able to sign Robertson to a new contract and him passing a physical.  FOXSports.com is reporting that  Robertson met with Bengals officials at team headquarters on Monday, but he will not be traded to Cincinnati.

Robertson, the fourth overall pick in the 2003 draft out of the University of Kentucky, was a poor fit in Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme and his highly escalating contract was becoming a burden for the Jets.

The agent for Robertson told the New York Daily News earlier in the day that the trade involving his client had not been completed.

"We have not agreed to a contract, not by any stretch," the agent said. The Bengals and Jets are believed to have agreed on compensation, but the deal hinged on Robertson getting an extension and the Bengals and Robertson were able to get a deal done.

Robertson has more than $18 million remaining on the final two years of his current deal, including $9.8 this season, and apparently the Bengals weren't willing to meet his demands.

The Jets will likely continue to shop Robertson and the Bengals most once again wipe the eggs of their face and go back to the drawing board.  It's easy for Bengals' fans to get frustrated at the team's shortcomings, especially considering that team owner Mike Brown has been often criticized for his refusal to hire a general manager. Even greater criticism is handed to ownership for their conservative spending and outdated approach to free agency. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers locked up quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the next eight years by agreeing to $102 million contract, with over $36 million in guaranteed money.  The deal makes Big Ben the highest-paid player in Steelers history and comes on the heels of the loss of left guard Alan Faneca, who after 10 years in Pittsburgh was to sign a $40 million contract today with the New York Jets.

Big Ben, who led Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl title as a rookie, becomes the sixth quarterback to receive a $100 million contract. Roethlisberger threw for a career-high 32 TD's in 2007 in his first year under new head coach Mike Tomlin after throwing just 17, 17, and 18 in his three years under head coach Bill Cowher.

The Steelers also reached a deal with free-agent running back Mewelde Moore on Monday. The Steelers inked him to a three-year deal on Monday. He will likely compete for time as the third-down running back and possibly get into the mix for kick returns.

Let's take a look at some of the latest news from around the league:

• Patriots getting close to deal with Moss - (Boston Globe)
• Falcons land Michael Turner - (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Atlanta releases Warrick Dunn - (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Crumpler signs with Titans - (ESPN.com)
• Jets add LB in Pace - (ESPN.com)
• Bears send Griese back to Bucs - (St. Petersburg Times)
• Knight finds home with Giants - (Westchester Journal News)