Jackson Free Press

Times-Picayune reporter Mike Triplett reported this morning that the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Drew Brees should reach a deal by the July 16 deadline. Triplett is also reporting the deal will make Brees the highest paid player in NFL history.

In his article, Triplett expects Brees to sign a bigger contract than the $19.2 million per year signed by Peyton Manning when he joined the Denver Broncos. He is reporting the deal could be between $19.2 million and $20 million a year.

I, like Triplett, will be glad if this deal is done and the only questions left about Brees career is not contract talks but how many more Super Bowls he can win in New Orleans. This long saga could be coming to an end.

If only the bounty scandal would end and we could finally focus on football.

In a move that I wouldn't be surprised to see repeated in the near future in the Magnolia State, Governor Rick Perry of Texas declared today that he [won't be implementing Obamacare][1] in Texas. Specifically, he says the state will not increase its Medicaid roles to cover additional working poor with the program, and the state will not set up the state exchange that's required in the law.

Perry's office sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Monday morning asserting his opposition, both to accepting more than a hundred million federal dollars over the next several years to put more poor Texas adults onto Medicaid, and to creating an Orbitz-style online insurance marketplace for consumers.marketplace for consumers.

The story notes that the insurance exchange isn't optional, and that the Federal government will set up a "one size fits all" exchange for the state.

“If anyone was in doubt, we in Texas have no intention to implement so-called state exchanges or to expand Medicaid under Obamacare," Perry said in a statement. "I will not be party to socializing healthcare and bankrupting my state in direct contradiction to our Constitution and our founding principles of limited government."

Texas, according to the story, has the country's highest percentage of uninsured residents.

But Dan Stultz, president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, said without the expansion, "many will remain uninsured, seeking care in emergency rooms, shifting costs to the privately insured, and increasing uncompensated care to health care providers."

And for folks who think the current ACA is a "socialist" expansion, does anyone find it curious that conservative leaders would leave their state exchanges to the Federal government to set up? It seems you would want a hand in there, making sure free market principles reign and such.

Although I guess stamping your feet and say "No! No! No!" feels like better politics to Governor Perry.

[1]: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-health-resources/medicaid/perry-tx-wont-implement-key-elements-health-reform/marketplace for consumers.

This was just came over the wires and was too juicy to pass up -- brand new from IOVO designs it the new Litterfish, a cat litter box that's not only "attractive" -- it's shaped like a fish -- it's also "functional," according to the press release.

Presumably, that means that cats can poop in it.

http://jacksonfreepress.com/users/photos/2012/jul/10/3580/

The Litterfish, which retails for $170, is "the brainchild of acclaimed Cinematographer Robert Brinkmann (The Rules of Attraction, The Cable Guy, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, U2: Rattle and Hum) and Comic Book Artist Dan Panosian (Marvel Comics, Kung Fu Panda, Duke Nukem), who worked together to produce this revolutionary product."

Oh, yeah. They said revolutionary. Who could argue with that?

Just in case Mississippi starts to get too cozy thinking it's Voter ID law is going to get past the Feds, Attorney General Eric Holder had this to say in Houston yesterday: "we will not allow political pretext to disenfranchise American citizens of their most precious right."

Holder's money quote, as quoted by the Houston Chronicle, might at least suggest how the Department of Justice would view Mississippi's law as well: "Many of those without IDs would have to travel great distances to get them, and some would struggle to pay for the documents they might need to obtain them. We call those poll taxes."

The Rachel Maddow show did a long segment last night tying the inaction in Congress (yet another meaningless vote on "Obamacare") to action in Mississippi -- a court case to determine whether Mississippi legislators overstepped in trying to close down the state's only remaining clinic where abortions are performed.

The court case, which was Tweeted, live-blogged and throughly photographed by JFP team coverage on Wednesday, got the attention the Maddow show, which quoted extensively from our piece. Enjoy!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Props to the whole team!

Kobe Bryant was asked this week if he thought this current USA Men's Basketball team was better than the 1992 Dream Team. Bryant gave his thoughts to the question:

"Well, just from a basketball standpoint, they obviously have a lot more size than we do — you know, with [David] Robinson and [Patrick] Ewing and [Karl] Malone and those guys," Bryant said. "But they were also — some of those wing players — were also a lot older, at kind of the end of their careers. We have just a bunch of young racehorses, guys that are eager to compete."

"So I don't know," Bryant continued, the trace of a smile beginning to play its way across his face. "It'd be a tough one, but I think we'd pull it out."

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were quick to stand up for the '92 squad, saying their Olympic team would have beaten this current team. Both were members of the one of the best basketball teams ever assembled.

The great thing about sports is debating ideas or topics we will never know the answer too. Kobe's comments does lead to a great debate.

Could any member of the '92 squad have guarded LeBron James? In like token, could any member of this squad guard Jordan?

Would Magic Johnson and Larry Bird hold up against a squad more talented than any they faced on the way to gold medal in 1992? Could this current team handle the size and skill of two centers like Patrick Ewing and David Robinson?

Here is the roster for the '92 team:

Michael Jordan

Scottie Pippen

Larry Bird

Magic Johnson

Charles Barkley

David Robinson

Patrick Ewing

John Stockton

Karl Malone

Chris Mullin

Clyde Drexler

Christian Laettner

The current squad is made up of:

LeBron James

Russel Westbrook

Kevin Durant

Kobe Bryant

Carmelo Anthony

Kevin Love

Chris Paul

James Harden

Andre Iguodala

Deron Williams

Tyson Chandler

Blake Griffin* (Griffin injured his knee and could be replaced by Anthony Davis)

I have watched players from both teams play and both teams have talented players. Still, there is no question in my mind, the original Dream Team would beat the current one.

No player on the current squad had the drive to win like Jordan, Magic and Bird. The '92 team was made up of 11 future Hall of Famers.

The biggest reason the '92 squad would win is because of Jordan. No one, and I mean no one, closes a game like he did and willed his teams to victory in his prime.

Let the debate begin! Who do you think would win between these two talented rosters?

There might be hope for the country after all. ABC reported yesterday (Wednesday, July 11) that uniforms that will be worn by team USA at the 2012 London Olympic Games were made in China.

Both Democrats and Republicans denounced the U.S. Olympic Committees decision to dress team USA in uniforms made in China. Chinese manufactured berets, blazers and pants while the American textile industry struggles economically with many U.S. workers desperate for jobs sparked the outrage.

"I am so upset. I think the Olympic committee should be ashamed of themselves. I think they should be embarrassed. I think they should take all the uniforms, put them in a big pile and burn them and start all over again," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters at a Capitol Hill news conference on taxes.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference that she's proud of the nation's Olympic athletes, but, "They should be wearing uniforms that are made in America."

House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said simply of the USOC: "You'd think they'd know better."

Now if both sides could find common ground on all issues.

The seemingly never ending story is over. ESPN's NFL reporter Chris Mortensen is reporting Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints have reached a deal before the July 16 3p.m. deadline.

Mortensen reports the deal is five years worth $100 million. First year is worth $40 million and Brees will earn $61 million in first three years of the deal with $60 million being guaranteed.

The $60 million guaranteed to Brees is the largest guarantee in NFL history. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio also has confirmed the numbers, adding that there are $22 million more in “rolling” guarantees as the contract unfolds.

Finally, one of the Saints offseason sagas is over. Now if that pesky "Bounty Gate" will ever end.

More details on the Brees deal:

Drew Brees becomes the NFL's first $20 million man.

Now that the new deal is in place, Brees' cap number will drop next season from $16.37 million to $10.4 million. The cap number for the record setting quarterback will be $17.4 million (2013), $18.4 million (2014), $26.4 million (2015), $27.4 million (2016).

It is important to note that in 2015 the new TV deal kicks in which is why the number jumps so high from 2014. Another important detail, although highly unlikely, on the third day of the wavier wire (normally the third day after the Super Bowl) in 2015 and 2016, Brees will be guaranteed more than half his $19 million base salary (2015) and again more than half his $20 million base salary (2016).

The unlikely part is the Saints must cut the quarterback before the third day of the waiver wire or the club is on the hook for the full guaranteed money. This would allow Brees more time to find a new team if the Saints decide to cut him. Again, highly unlikely as long as the quarterback is playing at a high level but if it does, Brees would hit the market before free agency begins in 2015 or 2016.

Brees will receive a $37 million signing bonus (paid out over the next six months) and a base salary of $3 million this season (2012). Because of the new deal, New Orleans gains $6 million in salary cap space for this season.

The team also announced that Drew will available in a press conference on July 24 at Saints Camp in Metairie. The time is to be determined.

How could the clinic already be on its way to being shut down if the judge said it could remain in operation while its paperwork is reviewed? It makes more sense once you read the AP piece.

If you ever want to break a drought in Mississippi, just hold a PGA golf tournament. No matter the location, time of year or name of the tournament. Rain seems to find its way into the storyline.

This year is no exception with rain interrupting play in the opening round of the True South Classic. The majority of the field was unable to finish their first round.

The leader in clubhouse was Jason Bohn who finished his opening round with 64 at 8-under. He was followed by Luke Guthrie who shot a 65 in the first round to come in at 7-under.

Defending champion was at 4-under through seven holes before weather halted play. Brandon native Jonathan Randolph was able to finish his open round carding a 67 for 5-under tied eighth.

The tournament will restart at 8:30a.m. Friday morning with players finishing their opening round. Tickets from Thursday’s tournament play will be honored on Friday.

According to weather.com there is a 40% chance of rain for Friday. Rain stays in the forecast through the weekend with a 30% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday.

According to the Denver Post, 50 people were shot and 12 are dead during a midnight showing of the latest Batman film in Aurora, Colorado. The gunman has been arrested, and is identified as a 24-year-old white male with no apparent terrorist ties. Some reports are naming the suspect, James Holmes.

The suspect had a handgun, rifle and gas mask, and is reported to have thrown an "explosive" into the audience, thought is some reports to have been tear gas.

Witnesses report a horrific scene that included the shooting of children and teenagers.

Play has been suspended in the True South Classic with round two still under way. Round one was delayed by rain on Thursday and a brief bit of rain slowed play on Friday making it harder to finish the first round and get the full second round done in the same day.

Leading the tournament before play was suspended is Billy Horschel who posted a 9-under 63 and 13-under for the tournament. His second round was highlighted by eagles on the par five fifth hole and par five 18th hole.

Horschel shot a 68 in round one to finish the round at 4-under. Day one leader Jason Bohn completed just nine holes in his second round and was at 4-under before play was suspended.

Bohn is tied for second place with Matt Bettencourt at 12-under, with both players still needing to finish their second round. Bettencourt finished his second round at 6-under and shot a 66 in both rounds of play.

Defending champion Chris Kirk finished his second round shooting a 68 for 4-under. Kirk is 9-under for the tournament heading into round three.

Brandon native Jonathan Randolph was unable to finish his second round and was even through four holes. Randolph currently is at 5-under for the tournament.

Australia’s Steve Bowditch is fourth at 11-under after carding a 66 in round one and a 67 in round two. J.J. Killeen is the only other player currently double digits under par at 10-under and is currently in fifth place but has not finished his second round.

When play was suspended the projected cut line was at 3-under. Play will continue at 7:30am with players finishing round two and starting round three, if there are no more weather delays.

Favre watch is never over.

The former NFL quarterback has been in the news quite a bit this week. In an interview with Deion Sanders, Favre spent time discussing how he doesn't need his jersey retired in Green Bay to validate his career and that he played in 2010 for, wait for it, the money.

Now comes reports from Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald that Favre is expected to return to football as offensive coordinator of Oak Grove High School. Favre's agent Bus Cook confirmed the legendary quarterback is taking the job.

"He is taking a job out there," Cook told the Sun Herald. "He is going out there, and it will give him something to do."

Oak Grove coach Nev Barnes told the paper nothing is official but the two sides will talk on Monday to gauge how much the former three-time NFL MVP wants to be involved with the program. Favre is currently on vacation in Colorado.

Favre has worked out with the football team at Oak Grove for several years. His workouts at the high school have often sparked "Favre Watch" in recent summers.

After the Fondren "C Spire Summer Music Series" concert originally scheduled for Thursday was rained out, organizers have decided to move the concert to Monday, July 23. The event is free to the public and picnics are encouraged, although coolers are not. (Soft drinks and beer available onsite.) The concert features local bluegrass group the Vernon Brothers on the front porch of the historic Cedars House, located on Old Canton Road just south of Meadowbrook Road in Jackson.

Verbatim release:

Thursday nights' concert at The Cedars has been rescheduled for Monday, July 23

Join us this coming Monday night, July 23, for the C Spire Summer Music Series at The Cedars featuring the Vernon Brothers. Rain might have delayed our original date but there is no reason to cancel some summer fun!

Get together with your family and friends over the weekend and make your plans to attend this incredible night of music and fun. If you have never heard the Vernon Brothers, you are in for a real treat. They are a fantastic mix of country, bluegrass and hillbilly - just perfect for the "front porch" stage at The Cedars! Mother nature is showing she is all clear on Monday, so bring a blanket or lawnchair and a picnic supper - no beverage coolers please. Brown Bottling will be on hand with a variety of Pepsi product offerings as well as Aquafina Water. Southern Beverage will be offering a selection of craft beers as well as two popular regular varieties. Beer will be $4.00 in bottles - craft beers available will be Covington Strawberry, Shock Top Lemon Shandy, Tallgrass 8-Bit Pale, Diamond Bear Pale Ale, Steven's Point Belgian White, Back Forty Truck Stop Honey and Back Forty Naked Pig - new 8% craft beers we will have available are Steven's Point Raspberry Saison and Steven's Point Whole Hog 6 - Hop IPA - we will also offer Bud Light and Michelob Ultra.

Worried about the mosquitoes? No need, we will spray again Monday after the rain from the weekend! The Cedars is located at 4145 Old Canton Road and as always, convenient parking is available across the street at St. Andrew's Lower School.

So, join us in Fondren this coming Monday night for this great night offamily fun and entertainment starting at 6:00 p.m. - and remember, it's FREE! See you there!

A special thanks to all of our sponsors. This Fondren Renaissance Event is presented by C Spire in cooperation with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, Pepsi, Southern Beverage and Trustmark. Mark your calendars now for the last concert in this series on August 16, "Delta Honky Tonk Night" featuring Pryor and The Tombstones.

The True South Classic has battled rain every day of the tournament. Saturday was no exception with early morning showers holding up players from finishing the second round and starting the third round.

Players finished the second round late in the afternoon with 3-under being the cutline. There was not enough time Saturday to get the third round finished before the tournament was suspended for darkness.

When the tournament was stopped, Scott Stallings was in the lead at 18-under through ten holes. Three players, John Bohn, Billy Horschel and Heath Slocum, were tied for second at 14-under.

Bohn and Horschel were only through nine holes and Slocum had played 13 holes when play was suspended. William McGirt was in fifth play at 13-under after he was one of the few players to complete their full third round.

A group of eight players were tied for sixth place at 12-under. In that group is Brandon native Jonathan Randolph through 14 holes of his third round.

Defending champion Chris Kirk is still at 9-under through 11 holes in his third round. Kirk has some work to do at nine strokes back if he wants to repeat as tournament champion.

Play will begin Sunday at 7am with players completing their third round and the fourth round starting soon after. If the rain stays away the tournament should wrap up on Sunday but rain has slowed the tournament every day since it started on Thursday.

Needing to finish the third round and start the fourth round, rain finally stayed away from the True South Classic. The tournament had been hit by rain on the first three days causing delays from the weather.

Rain and delays couldn’t slow down Scott Stallings who won shooting 24-under for the tournament. Stallings carded a 68 for 4-under in the final round, to hold off Jason Bohn who finished second at 22-under, to win by two strokes.

Stallings played solid golf all week only recording only three bogeys for the entire tournament. He didn’t even have a bogey in the second or third round to go with the four eagles he posted in the first three of rounds of play.

The solid golf Stallings played was on display at the 18th hole. Up three strokes, Stallings played smart, conservative golf hitting safely from the tee, laying up and finishing the hold with a par to keep his lead at two strokes.

Stallings earned his second PGA Tour win (he won the 2011 Greenbrier Classic in a playoff). By winning the tournament, Stallings earned $540,000 of the $3 million purse.

Billy Horschel finished in third at 20-under and Bud Cauley finished fourth at 19-under with a group of three tied for fifth at 18-under. Defending champion Chris Kirk finished tied for tenth with two other at 15-under.

Brandon native, Jonathan Randolph finished in a large group that was tied for 21st place at 12-under.

This morning the NCAA came down hard on Penn State in an unprecedented action not involving infractions of NCAA rules. Penn State was hit with a four year bowl ban, $60 million fine and a reduction of 10 initial scholarships and 20 scholarships for the next four years. Also 111 wins vacated from 1998 to 2011, basically symbolically ending Joe Paterno's legacy.

While the NCAA didn't give Penn State the death penalty, it did cripple the program for the next 10 to 20 year if not more. Players still eligible can transfer to other schools and play immediately.

The feeding frenzy of coaches trying to lure Penn State players away might show football programs are not even thinking twice about happened to the Nittany Lions today. I doubt that the punishment of Penn State will curb the spending and power of college football.

Even though NCAA president Mark Emmert says the Penn State punishment doesn't open Pandora's Box in college sports. It does raise a serious question of why not.

The NCAA did nothing in 2003 when Baylor basketball player Carlton Dotson murdered teammate Patrick Dennehy. Former Baylor head coach Dave Bliss even conspired to cover up the true facts of Dennehy’s murder. Baylor was punished for NCAA violations but in there was no punishment that was included for the murder of Dennehy. Baylor basketball has bounced back to play in the post season in basketball four times since the NCAA levied penalties on the Bears in 2005.

Should the NCAA go back and punish Baylor (retroactively punishing school is something the NCAA does all the time)?

What about the death of Virginia women’s lacrosse Yeardley Love? In 2010, Love was murdered by her former boyfriend and men’s lacrosse player George Huguely.

Love’s mother, Sharon Love, is suing the state and coaches ignored Huguely's erratic behavior, including two alcohol-related arrests, frequent intoxication and attacks on another female student, a teammate and a Virginia tennis player.

Sharon Love claims the university, head coach Dom Starsia, assistant coach Marc Van Arsdale, and athletic director Craig Littlepage didn’t discipline Huguely for his behavior or get him treatment for anger management and alcohol abuse.

If the claims are true, should Virginia be punished for not protecting Love from Huguely and because of their lack of concern she ended up dead?

In an ongoing investigation, several Montana football players along with another man are accused of gang raping a fellow student. In the Montana case, head coach Robin Pflugrad disciplined several players but didn’t report the incidents to his superiors.

Montana university president Royce Engstrom said in a statement "The University of Montana has determined not to renew the contracts of Athletics Director Jim O'Day and head football coach Robin Pflugrad." Then Engstron thanked both O’Day and Pflugrad for their service as he let them go.

The Department of Justice is investigating the university and campus police, along with the …

The opening ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics haven’t even taken place but there has already been some early Olympic excitement. France put a scare in the USA women’s soccer team early today in Glasgow, Scotland.

Things didn’t look good for the U.S. women early, who are seeking to win their fourth gold medal in soccer and repeat as Olympic champions, as France struck first to take a 1-0 lead 12 minutes into the game off a nice goal from Gaëtane Thiney.

France put the U.S. women in an even deeper hole after the USA failed to clear a French corner kick and France moved the ball around to find the back of the net again. Marie-Laure Delie scored the second French goal to give them a 2-0 lead less than 15 minutes into the match.

The USA team got on track in the 19th minute when Abby Wambach scored off a header from a U.S. corner kick. Wambach, one of the greatest women’s soccer players in U.S. history, once again sparked this team.

Team USA pulled level when Alex Morgan scored to make it a 2-2 game 32 minutes into the first half. France still looked dangerous in the first half barely missing a couple of chances at a third goal. The teams were tied 2-2 at halftime.

In the second half, the U.S. women slowly took control of the game earning more possession and playing sounder defense in front of goalkeeper Hope Solo. The comeback was complete when Carli Lloyd scored in the 56th minute to give the U.S. their first lead of the game at 3-2.

The French women look to tire as the second half went on and the more talented U.S. side began to play up to their talent level. U.S. talent and French fatigue led to a final, nail in the coffin, goal for the ladies from the USA. Alex Morgan scored her second goal of the game in the 66th minute to give the U.S. women a 4-2 lead. USA held off any offensive attacks from France in the final minutes of the game.

The two French goals are the most goals allowed by the USA women in any game since their World Cup Final loss to Japan last year. Soccer and Archery are the only two sports that start before the opening ceremonies on Friday.

USA women will face Columbia next on Saturday.

College football is less than 40 days away. That means it is time for the second year of the JFP College Football Top 25 poll.

So who should be in the first poll of the season? Which teams do you think will make the most noise in the 2012 season?

Tell us which teams you think should be included, do your own top ten or top 25. Comment below and see which teams make the cut when the annual football preview issue comes out.

China (9 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze) started fast but the United States (5 gold, 7 silver, 5 bronze) has finally caught the Chinese in total medals. Both countries have 17 total medals after three days of competition.

China leads every country with the most gold medals with nine. The United States is in second place with five gold medals with North Korea in third with just three gold medals. Four countries have two gold medals.

Italy was in third place in overall medals but has been over taken by Japan (1 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze) who has earned 11 medals. Now the Italians (2 golds, 4 silvers, 2 bronze) are in fourth place with eight overall medals

France (3 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze) is in fifth place with seven medals, followed by South Korea (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) is sixth with six overall medals. Russia (2 gold, 3 bronze) has underwhelmed with just five medals in seventh place.

Two nations are tied with four medals and five nations have three medals.

Host nation Great Britain has only three medals and has yet to win gold on home soil. Overall 37 countries so far have captured a medal in these games.

It has been an up and down games for the United States. The U.S. has been a slight disappointment in swimming and men's gymnastics team blew a fast start to finish out of the medals.

Team America still has plenty of chances to medal in the London Games with track and field starting soon.