I actually enjoyed Sally Field and her arc in season 7. I don't think Abby's brother was necessary in season 9. I love Abby but we get it at this point. I think after Maura and Sally's Emmy noms, they thought they could catch lightening in a bottle twice.
And yes that was Morris Chestnut(Jing Mei's baby daddy). Nice that you pointed out that actress that played his mother in Boyz N The Hood was in season 1 (Tyra Ferrell)