Demi Lovato's 'Unbroken

There are two ways for pop stars to make a Survivor Album: either power-sing through your problems like Christina Aguilera, or make like Rihanna and dance till you forget what you're supposed to be getting over.
On her first release since checking out of rehab, Demi Lovato wants to have it both ways. She's front-loaded "Unbroken" with leave-no-synth-effect-behind R&B (''You're My Only Shorty,'' featuring Iyaz), shy love-in-this-club tracks (''Who's That Boy''), and Timbaland bangers (''All Night Long,'' with Missy Elliott). So it's a little unnerving when she gets to the album's second half -- the part where, as she told Ryan Seacrest, ''I'm singing about some issues that I've never even spoken about before.''
Having struggled with cutting since she was a preteen, Lovato admits, ''I ended up with wounds to bind ... and I just ran out of Band-Aids'' on the hugely affecting ballad ''Fix a Heart.''
Demi Lovato covers Lil Wayne's 'How to Love' in NYC: Watch it here
The piano confessional ''For the Love of a Daughter'' finds her picturing herself at age 4, begging her dad to ''put the bottle down'' and keep his ''selfish hands'' to himself. And then there's ''Skyscraper,'' an anthem so honest you can hear her voice breaking.
Taylor Swift teams with Hayley Williams in Nashville for 'That's What You Get'
Clearly it's been a tough year for Lovato. But as Rihanna could tell her, sometimes bad years make great songs.

NFL eyes start of HGH testing

The NFL is expected to have HGH testing within five to 10 days on a marginal level, according to sources from both the league and its players union, though there has been no agreement reached yet between the two sides.

The NFL and NFLPA have received pressure from politicians, the latest being Sen. John McCain, who has joined those urging the league and union to commence testing.
The union has balked at an aggressive program that would include game-day testing because it claims that agencies such as the World Anti-Doping Agency have not provided ample information to specific questions the NFLPA has on the scientific evidence it wants before moving forward with a full testing program.

Among the requests that have not been satisfied, according to union sources, is population studies that provide data on the normal ranges of human growth hormone naturally produced by the body.

The NFL has maintained that scientists believe the testing procedures are reliable. If there is HGH testing agreed upon during the next 10 days, the union wants it done on a marginal level, sources said. But NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league did not know what "marginal testing" means.

Former NBA player jailed in Georgia, faces murder charges

Former NBA guard Javaris Crittenton waived his first appearance before a judge Friday as he faces murder charges in the death of an Atlanta mother.
He had arrived in Atlanta the previous night, extradited from California, where he was arrested. Only his attorney appeared before Magistrate Judge Maureen Malone on Friday.
The 23-year-old former basketball player's next court date is September 30, Fulton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said. He will remain in Fulton County Jail in the meantime.
Crittenton is charged with homicide murder, felony murder and intent to commit aggravated murder, Flanagan said.
He was arrested in late August at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, on a fugitive warrant.
Atlanta investigators say Julian Jones, 22, was killed in a drive-by shooting August 19.
The mother of four may not have been the target of the shooting, Atlanta police told CNN affiliate WSB. Police believe Crittenton may have been targeting a man who stole jewelry from him.
Jones was walking with two men when she was shot, the affiliate reported. Police believe one of the men with her was the target, the affiliate reported.
Crittenton, who played for Georgia Tech before going professional, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2007 and then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
He was picked up by the Washington Wizards in December 2008, but he was suspended and later released by the NBA in 2010 after a gun-related incident involving teammate Gilbert Arenas.

Gridiron Gab NFL Week One Preview – Atlanta at Chicago

Two teams with playoff aspirations clash at Soldier Field in Week one, as the Falcons travel to Chicago to meet the Bears.  Both clubs won their division last season, and look to answer critics who question their legitimacy in 2011.  A must-see game that will feature two of the league’s most guttiest quarterbacks and a quartet of electrifying wide receivers.

1. Julio Jones factor – Roddy White will be shadowed by Charles Tillman, a physical corner who has a tendency to be more concerned with stripping the football rather than making the sure tackle.  That matchup is in the favor of the Falcons, considering Roddy is an elite receiver.  So, how about rookie wideout Julio Jones against Tim Jennings, or whoever Chicago throws at him?  The Alabama product, who the Dirty Birds mortgaged their future to move up to the sixth pick to acquire, could be the “X-factor” in determining the outcome of this battle in the Windy City.  Julio’s ability to pick up yards after the catch is something to keep an eye on in this affair.  He could have the attention of the Bears safeties, which would open up the middle for Matt Ryan to target his tight end Tony Gonzalez.

2. Bears defensive line – You can’t allow Julius Peppers to go one-on-one with Sam Baker; the former Tar Heel standout will have his way.  With that said, things could be clear for Henry Melton and Israel Idonije to go solo if the Falcons wisely decide to double-team Julius.  Both Henry and Israel are guys defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder knows by first name.  Although not recognized by the casual fan, the tandem of Melton and Idonije could wreak havoc on “Matty Ice.”  Expect the Bears d-line to impose its will on the very ordinary Falcons o-line; which is better suited opening holes for Michael Turner than protecting Matt Ryan in the pocket.  Keep in mind: Jay Cutler is more experienced under pressure, throwing on the run than Ryan is.

3. Windy City Flyer – With the new kickoff rules, Devin Hester will likely return less kicks this season.  What does that indicate?  More energy and fervor to take punts back for six.  So what do the Falcons do?  Kick away, and you get burned in the field position department.  Take a chance by letting him field a punt, and there’s an opportunity Hester takes it the full distance.  Either way, #23 is a game-changer that could make the difference in this NFC showdown.  It’s going to be a close contest, so special teams could decide the outcome on Sunday.

Prediction - My winner is the team with more to prove, and the “chip on the shoulder” will certainly show on the field.  I feel the Bears defense will make the necessary adjustments to limit the yards of White and Jones after the catch, thus, making the Falcons work for their points.  In the end, Chicago’s improved offensive line will ultimately wear down the undersized Atlanta’s defensive line with a new power rushing attack led by Matt Forte.

NBA talks resume on Wednesday

NBA players and owners will resume talks on Wednesday, two people with knowledge of the plans said Tuesday. This comes a week after the sides vowed to meet more frequently in hopes of reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

The session will be just the third between top negotiators since the lockout started July 1. But with the opening of training camps less than a month away, both sides said they recognized the urgency to pick up the pace.

The meeting — expected to be a small group — will be in New York. The site hasn't been disclosed.

No new proposals were exchanged last week during a meeting that lasted about six hours. Neither side shared many details, saying they preferred to keep the nature of the talks private.

Commissioner David Stern said afterward there was still "clearly enough time" to make a deal that would allow the regular season to open as scheduled on Nov. 1. However, a gap remains between the financial changes owners are seeking and what players have been willing to accept.

"I could see it going either way," Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns told the Canadian Press on Tuesday. "It looks like right now we probably won't start on time.

Before last week, the only other meeting between top officials was on Aug. 1, after which Stern criticized the players for an unwillingness to compromise. The league filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board and a lawsuit against the players the next day, adding to the complaint the union had already filed with the NLRB.

But both sides have stressed that a deal can only be reached at the bargaining table, not the court system.

Pau Gasol faces Dirk Nowitzki again, this time in their national team colors at the start of the second round of the European Championship at Vilnius, Lithuania.

The second round opens in the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday with the matchup of NBA stars when Germany plays Spain. Turkey then takes on France and Lithuania goes against Serbia.

Nowitzki's Dallas Mavericks swept Gasol's Lakers in the NBA's Western Conference semifinals. This time, Gasol is favored to come out ahead.

The draw was unkind to some of the favored teams at the European Championship, with all of them in the same pool as they try to advance.

Gasol's defending champion Spain, silver medalist Serbia, world championship runner-up Turkey, host Lithuania and Germany with Nowitzki and France with Tony Parker are all in the same second-stage group. Four teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

The other group has Macedonia and Russia, which have already won two matches apiece against their group rivals, Georgia, Greece, Finland and Slovenia.

The Detroit Pistons picked Dennis Mannion as their new president of business operations. Joe Dumars will remain the president of basketball operations.

Mannion was fired as president of Los Angeles Dodgers by team owner Frank McCourt nearly a year ago. He replaces Alan Ostfield, who was fired in June by the Pistons' new owner, Tom Gores.

Fan killed at Wembley in Euro qualifying match

Spain and Italy sealed their places at Euro 2012 with two qualifying games to spare on Tuesday while England moved closer to next year's finals after beating Wales in a game at Wembley overshadowed by the death of a Wales fan.

David Villa and Alvaro Negredo scored twice as defending champion Spain thrashed Liechtenstein 6-0 to secure top spot in Group I, and substitute Giampaolo Pazzini's 85th-minute strike earned the Italians a narrow win in Florence that clinched them first place in Group C.

Who Isn't Ready for Some Football?

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a pass against Kansas City in a preseason game on Sept. 1.

To understand the comical mind lock football has upon this country, look no further than the brief freakout that occurred when President Obama rescheduled his critical jobs speech to Congress for Thursday—the same night as the NFL season opener. Sure, the American economy is dragging; unemployment hovers at 9.1%; consumer confidence is crumpled. But whoa, whoa, whoa —don't get in the way of the Packers, Mr. President!

Calm down, the White House assured, the president will finish his address in time for a frazzled nation to watch Green Bay host the New Orleans Saints upon lush, unfrozen Lambeau tundra. Perhaps Obama will be generous enough to break down the Saints pass defense as well. Better still: a referee should run down the aisle, blow a whistle, and give a two minute warning, whereupon the President will fix a sober gaze at the camera and say, "Are you ready for some…"

Football feels unstoppable. A four-month-plus work stoppage, an embarrassing Mad Max preseason fiasco in San Francisco with two shootings in the parking lot —nothing can derail commissioner Roger Goodell's ratings-hogging crazy train. If anything, the lockout layoff appears to have goosed the mania, with football fans carbo-binging on the sport like failed Atkins dieters.

After Thursday's premiere, the NFL won't rest until Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 in Indianapolis, which hopefully will be balmier than last winter's seating-optional Ice Derby in Dallas. But at the moment, there's a sunny, optimistic glow—every franchise is 0-0, except for the Washington Redskins, who are contractually obligated to begin 2-4 and infuriate D.C.

Surely you have questions, fellow hopeless football addicts.

Can the Packers repeat?

Um, maybe? How's that for can't miss analysis? Green Bay had a bumpy 2010 regular season, but buzzsawed through the playoffs, stopped Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl, and looked like it wanted to play in the parking lot through May. The Packers prevailed despite a flood of injuries and not playing a single postseason game at home. They were quiet in the offseason, but return key players lost to injuries last season (like tight end Jermichael Finley) to supplement XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers. Last year the Packers were the momentum team that clicked at right moment. But defending champs don't sneak up on anyone.

Aren't the Eagles supposed to win the Super Bowl, Best Picture, the National Book Award and a Nobel Prize?

Still light-headed on the vapors of Michael Vick's electric 2010 comeback, and emboldened by the off-season signings of stars like cornerback Nmandi Asomugha, the Iggles have been portrayed as destiny's darling. The groan-provoking term "Dream Team" was uttered a few weeks ago, but quickly snuffed out—nobody in Philly wants a Miami Heat scent on a franchise that has yet to win a Super Bowl. The Eagles may not be title ready—they were dismissed by the Packers in the postseason last year —but the dynamic Vick makes them the NFL's must-see carnival.

How annoying are the Patriots going to be?

At times it does seem like august New England was put on this earth to irk everyone who isn't from New England. The Patriots are driven and gifted, and have good teeth. In the offseason, they added complicated veterans—aggrieved defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth; attention-craving receiver Chad Ochocinco; versatile actor Steve Buscemi. New England did go 14-2 last season, but got slapped by the Jets in the playoffs, and a preseason smackdown by Detroit unnerved the loyalists. These Pats remain pretty, but the league isn't as besotted.

Detroit is a playoff team. Wait, what?

Let's admit that most humans only watch the Lions play once a year—on Thanksgiving, under a tryptophan spell, so desperate to avoid speaking to in-lawns they don't mind three hours of disoriented football from MIchigan. But the Lions has been incrementally improving, and have a double-digit sack machine in Ndamukong Suh. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy, and Detroit—which finished with a four-game winning streak in 2010—has designs on its first postseason since 1999. Lions football without scary cranberry jelly from a can? Delicious.

What's up with the kickoff thing?

When they result in long touchdown sprints, kickoffs are gushed over as "the most exciting play in football," but they're also high-speed collision fests that result in a disproportionate number of injuries. The league is sensitive to that, and so will now start kickoffs from the 35, reducing returns and increasing touchbacks (But kickoffs started at the 40 until 1973, and at the 35 until 1994, so don't complain the NFL has suddenly gone soft, Captain Smashmouth).

Give me a rookie to watch.

Let's be obvious and say Atlanta's Julio Jones, the sixth-pick wide receiver from Alabama who astonished scouts at the NFL combine by "jumping out of the gym," a phrase that middle aged guys in suits like to say to sound hip on TV. Jones gives Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan a dynamic new option, and let's not forget Atlanta was 13-3 a season ago before flunking the playoffs.

Who should I pick up for my fantasy team?

Novak Djokovic, the guy looks ridiculous right now.

What's your Super Bowl pick?

Let's go full milquetoast and say Patriots over Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship, then a little less milquetoast in the NFC with Green Bay stopping back-from-the-crypt Dallas—Yes! Jerry Jones scripts a Texas-sized comeback saga!—with the Pack foiling Belichick to win their second consecutive Super Bowl indoors in a climate-controlled garage.

Former NFL star Selmon in critical condition

Lee Roy Selmon, here at Tampa Bay training camp in 2008, is fighting for his life in a local hospital, officials say. He went to six straight Pro Bowls. (Brian Casella/St. Petersburg Times/Associated Press)
Officials say former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Lee Roy Selmon has been hospitalized and remains in "extremely critical condition."

University of South Florida spokesman Michael Hoad also told the St. Petersburg Times on Friday that the 56-year-old Hall of Famer is being treated at St. Joseph's Hospital after suffering a stroke at his home.

Selmon, who once served as athletic director at the University of South Florida, was drafted by the Buccaneers in 1976. He went to six straight Pro Bowls and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1979. He left the team after the 1984 season because of a back injury.

Selmon played college ball at Oklahoma, winning the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy in 1975.