Who's calling shots for Saints?

Sean Payton wasn't ready to make any sort of announcement Thursday. Payton said it's still too early in the week to reveal whether or not he will resume his play-calling duties Sunday against the St. Louis Rams or let offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael take the reins again, like he did last week against Indianapolis. "Sunday noon," Payton said of when he'll let the secret out. Most likely, Payton will be back in his usual role. He said the fact that he's upstairs in the coaching booth is not a problem. Many NFL play-callers choose to be in the booth. The reason Carmichael took over last week was because Payton missed Monday and Tuesday's game-planning sessions while recovering from leg surgery in the hospital. (The Times-Picayune) Comment

In fairness, he does, in part, share a name with His Airness. On the bio section of his Twitter account, @jcraw55, Jordan Crawford mentions a very audacious ambition: "On A Mission to become the GREATEST!!!!!! WHY NOT?" ... When asked to elaborate on that statement last month at the Impact Basketball Competitive Training Series in Las Vegas, Crawford explained how he believes Jordan will go down as the greatest to play the game -- just not the Jordan you would expect. "I don't tell nobody, but I feel like I can be better than Michael Jordan," Crawford said, without the slightest hint of sarcasm. "When I'm done playing, I don't want people to say, Michael Jordan is the best player. I want that to be me." (The Washington Post) Comment

Viewed from a distance, extending Grady Sizemore may not make much sense in Cleveland. There are reports that San Francisco may have an interest in Sizemore if the Indians decline his $9 million option, paying him $500,000 and allowing him to be a free agent. Other major-market teams may view Sizemore as a good gamble, because they have money with which to gamble. That's not the Tribe. If the Indians put $9 million next to Sizemore's name, that probably ends their serious off-season shopping. ... Pick up the option or let him go seems to be the stance of his agent. If that's the case, it is indeed time for the Indians to let Sizemore go. (The Plain Dealer) Comment

Chinese player Ding Ning competes in her first match of the Volkswagen 2011 Women's World Cup held in Singapore's Toa Payoh Sports Hall. (Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ZUMAPRESS.com)

David Freese's walk-off solo home run kept the Cardinals' World Series hopes alive, giving them a victory Thursday night and pushing the series to Game 7.

Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals , 8:05 p.m. ET, FOX

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