Welcome to Friday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.

FRIDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:
NHL: Panthers at Bruins, 7 p.m. (NESN)
NHL: Flyers at Rangers, 7 p.m. (NHL Network)
College basketball: Western Kentucky at Louisville, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
College basketball: Baylor vs. West Virginia, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

SATURDAY:
NFL: Dolphins at Patriots, 1 p.m. (CBS)
NFL: Eagles at Cowboys, 4:15 p.m. (Fox)

SUNDAY:
NBA: Celtics at Knicks, noon (TNT; WEEI)
NBA: Heat at Mavericks, 2:30 p.m. (ABC)
NBA: Bulls at Lakers, 5:15 p.m. (ABC)
NBA: Magic at Thunder, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
NBA: Clippers at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)
NFL: Bears at Packers, 8 p.m. (CBS; WEEI)

AROUND THE WEB:

Fans' adoration of Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow apparently knows no bounds. (AP)

♦ The latest Tim Tebow controversy centers around a cardboard cutout of the Broncos quarterback that an individual inserted in a nativity scene in a Florida park. A county staffer, responding to a handful of complaints, last week removed the image of the former University of Florida star that had been placed next to the baby Jesus.

However, on Monday Tebow was returned to his spot alongside the Three Wise Men, with Polk County communications director Mianne Nelson saying its presence apparently did not violate county policy.

“There is probably some verbosity with the policy, but in consulting with the ACLU and with their blessing their approval is to leave it there this year,” Nelson said.

The Tebow image was created by the individual who erected the entire nativity display, former Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson.

“Tebow was a missionary and has gone all around the world,” Wilkinson explained. “He’s kind of like a Wise Man to many hanging out there. Today it could be Tebow, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.”

♦ In the lead-up to Saturday’s Jets-Giants game, Giants wide receivers have not been showing Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis much respect. And the Jets made sure Revis knew about it. Fellow defensive back Eric Smith said teammates teased Revis about comments from UMass product Victor Cruz. Smith said Revis just laughed in response.

“We’ll see how well that works out for them,” Smith said Thursday. “There’s been a bunch of guys call Rev out, and it’s not gone well for them so far, and those are big-name established guys.”

Added offensive lineman Matt Slauson: “They can say whatever they want — Revis is hands down the best in the NFL. So, if they feel like getting him all riled up, it’s their funeral.”

♦ With UConn freshman basketball players Andre Drummond revealing earlier this week that he turned down teammate Michael Bradley‘s offer of his scholarship and instead paid his own way, coach Jim Calhoun got testy when Hartford Courant writer Jeff Jacobs asked about the situation following Thursday night’s victory over Fairfield.

“My first responsibility isn’t to tell the press what’s going on,” said Calhoun, who is about to serve a three-game NCAA suspension for recruiting violations by his staff. “Plus, it’s none of your business. It’s a private matter between two young men.”

Explained Drummond: “I wanted to come to UConn and play for coach Calhoun. And if it meant I had to pay to come in then I’d do it. Mike worked hard to get that scholarship. It’s kind of disrespectful to take it from him. I’d never do that. We have a close relationship.”

ON THIS DAY TRIVIA: On Dec. 23, 1986, which Red Sox player whose batting average declined each of his seven seasons in Boston signed as a free agent with the Mariners?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I said if this is going to be the last game, I want to go out with a bang. It was great.” – Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, after catching the game-winning touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining to beat the Texans Thursday night

STAT OF THE DAY: $3.4 million – The luxury tax bill the Red Sox received from Major League Baseball for 2011

‘NET RESULTS: Canucks forward Daniel Sedin heads the puck into the Red Wings zone during Wednesday’s game in Vancouver.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Dave Stapleton

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder turns 47 Friday.

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