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Key Adjustments Indiana Pacers Must Make to Win Eastern Conference Finals

Poch de la Rosa — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:44:57 -0400

The Miami Heat currently lead the Indiana Pacers 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Game 1 was a nip-and-tuck affair that could easily have gone Indiana's way.

As is the nature of a seven-game playoff series, adjustments have to be made. This rings especially true for the Pacers, who are in dire need of a Game 2 win to steal the Heat's home-court advantage.

The urgency for a win cannot be emphasized enough because Indiana has won only two series in NBA franchise history after dropping a Game 1, as per ESPN.

Play Roy Hibbert in the Endgame

Indiana coach Frank Vogel repeatedly referred to Roy Hibbert as the best rim protector in the game.

So where was the best rim protector when the Pacers needed him the most?

Brian Windhorst of ESPN explains why Hibbert was on the bench when LeBron James made his buzzer-beating layup.

The reason Hibbert was on the bench, giving a glassy-eyed stare, was Vogel was worried about Chris Bosh. With the Heat playing small with Bosh acting as center and Shane Battier acting as power forward, Vogel was worried about Bosh getting open for a jumper with the slower Hibbert on him.

While Vogel has a point, the Heat, knowing Hibbert wasn't there to patrol the lane, naturally went to the league's MVP and he promptly took advantage. James making an uncontested lay-up at the buzzer beats you 10 times out of 10.

On the other hand, Chris Bosh taking a jumper has a 50 percent chance of dropping (as per his .519 shooting average in the postseason). Take a chance and go with Bosh trying to beat you with a jump shot.

Put your best rim protector in the endgame.

Neutralize the Birdman

Chris Andersen was the X-factor for the Miami Heat in Game 1.

The Birdman dropped 16 points on the Pacers on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting from the floor, coupled with five rebounds and three blocks. He doubled his postseason scoring average, and that's one of the factors that went against the Pacers' favor.

This also shows Indiana underestimated Andersen's ability as a spark plug in the Miami offense. We all know he can give teams fits defensively, but the Heat playing him as an option on offense should no longer be taken lightly.

Looking at the video below, Norris Cole beats George Hill off the dribble and is met by Ian Mahinmi as soon as he gets in the paint. Mahinmi commits to Cole, who drops it off to Andersen at the last second for an easy dunk.

Credit must also be given to Shane Battier for drawing David West away from the shaded area in case West decided to help out on defense. Miami also did an excellent job of spacing the floor in this instance. Had Cole decided to kick the ball out to Ray Allen, it would have been an open look for a three-pointer because Lance Stephenson sagged off on Allen.

The key really is to not allow any of the Heat guards to get that first step to begin with. Andersen thrives on getting involved in the offense from dump downs from drives based on his exceptional ability to move without the ball.

Keep David West Away from Foul Trouble

David West practically carried the load for Indiana in the first half of Game 1 with 18 points.

And then he got in foul trouble, picking up his fourth with 10:18 remaining in the third quarter on a moving screen he set on the Heat's Mario Chalmers. Three of West's four fouls were offensive fouls, with the last one being more of a mental lapse than anything else.

With West saddled with four personal fouls too early, he wasn't really the same offensively in the second half, scoring just eight points. The Pacers really need him to produce on both ends of the floor, and that possibility will drastically be minimized if he is in foul trouble.

As a parting shot, the adjustments the Indiana Pacers have to make include making Roy Hibbert establish his presence as a rim protector in the endgame, neutralizing Chris Andersen and keeping David West away from foul trouble.

If the Pacers manage to cover all of these bases, they should once again give the defending champion Heat a run for their money in Game 2 and perhaps earn a legitimate shot at winning the series.

Tactical Twins: Bayern's Javi Martinez and Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin

Sam Tighe — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:42:55 -0400

Next up in our series of tactical twins is an analytic glance at two of the finest holding midfielders in world football right now.

Javi Martinez moved from Athletic Bilbao to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2012, costing the German champions a princely €40 million. It was a club-record fee, and the Spaniard's slow start had the Bayern faithful a little worried during the early stages, but he's now blossomed into a world-class asset.

Morgan Schneiderlin took a more modest route: A £1 million deal in 2007 took him to then-Championship side Southampton, and he's been down to League One before experiencing the English Premier League.

So why are these players, sourced in extremely different manners, tactical twins?

Positional Statistics

First and foremost, they play the same position.

Javi Martinez and Morgan Schneiderlin have mastered the holding midfield role, ensuring their respective sides always have a safety blanket in place going forward.

Schneiderlin, a prolific tackler and interceptor, led the Premier League with 139 interceptions, as a comparatively weaker Saints side came under a lot of pressure throughout the season.

He also averaged 4.1 successful tackles per game, ruling the centre of midfield.

Die Bayern danced their way to the title this season and often dominated games, so Martinez's stats are considerably less impressive. Don't let that fool you, though, as he totalled eight tackles and five interceptions across 180 minutes when Bayern faced Barcelona in the Champions League.

Approach

Both excel in either a double-pivot or as a sole anchor, but that's just their position on paper.

Martinez's experiences as a centre-back at Athletic Bilbao have actually unlocked the inner demon, allowing him to realise he is a superb reader of the game.

He stepped out of Marcelo Bielsa's defensive line at Bilbao in an aggressive manner to intercept passes, and he's used that training to transform his midfield play.

Schneiderlin has always been aggressive but holds his line of engagement particularly well alongside Jack Cork in midfield.

Essentially, they both represent ball-hounds: Stepping out at a careful, considered time to hunt down the opposition and create turnovers, they are used as primary weapons to initiate counterattacks by their respective managers.

Tactical Systems

Schneiderlin has played the large majority of the season in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Under Nigel Adkins he was more reserved as Southampton tended to soak up pressure in the early stages of games, while under Mauricio Pochettino he's been released to create chaos.

At just 24 years of age, Martinez is easily one of the most (tactically) cultured players in today's game. He's proved able in a 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2.

Jupp Heynckes' rigid defensive lines suit him down to the ground, and having the elite presence of Bastian Schweinsteiger at his side helps too.

Physically, mentally and tactically they are very similar players.

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How Manti Te'o Can Avoid Being the Next Tim Tebow

Christopher Hansen — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:35:42 -0400

Like it or not, the media spectacle of Manti Te’o is reminiscent of the one that continues to haunt Tim Tebow. The media has an insatiable appetite for more Manti, just like they did for Tebow until he faded into irrelevancy last season.

Some players crumble under a media microscope and never reach their potential—Ryan Leaf is one example. Tebow dealt with the being under the microscope extremely well, but couldn’t live up to the hype that followed. Now Tebow is not worth the hassle for NFL teams.

Te’o can avoid becoming the next Tebow by following this step-by-step guide. It’s really not going to be as hard for Te’o as it was for Tebow, but he has to avoid doing certain things that make matters worse.

The media is something that can be controlled to some extent, but you have to know what to do and when to do it. Right now, Te’o is getting some bad advice that is actually making things worse.

Step 1: Don’t Be a Baby

So what if Te’o made a fool of himself in front of the entire country by getting catfished? Te’o can’t change the past; all he can do is focus on the future. The only things to do are put on big boy pants and answer all the silly questions that come his way.

So far, Te’o has answered all the questions as gracefully as he can, and the entire ordeal was pretty much behind him. That was until the Chargers decided to treat him with kid gloves and hide him from the media until minicamp.

The only question that was left to ask Te’o was how he was being received in the locker room, which is an easy enough question to answer. The stock answer would have even been fine. If Te’o was really over it, he might even be able to laugh about the whole situation with his teammates and the media.

I think I speak for America when I say that we appreciate authenticity and someone who can laugh at themselves a little bit. What would be so wrong if Te’o admitted that teammates have given him grief, but that he’s been able to laugh right along with them?

Instead, the Chargers are treating Te’o differently from all the other rookies. Hiding Te’o from the media only creates more of a spectacle when he finally does talk. Te’o becomes the story now instead of the conversation shifting to football and the team.

The questions will turn to why he thinks he needs to be treated differently, as if there is any reason to do so at this point. Why don’t they want Te’o to talk? Is Te’o still sensitive about the subject? Those are fair questions now.

In this case, the best thing the Chargers can do is give the media too much Te'o. People are going to get tired of him if there is nothing new or noteworthy about what Te'o is saying. After just a few days, the questions are going to shift almost entirely to football equations and typical rookie stuff.

Step 2: Get Boring

The last thing Te’o needs is more attention. Te’o should not be making news for anything other than his performances in uniform. Attending the Maxim 100 party in Los Angeles was probably not a smart move considering they listed his fake girlfriend on the list of the world’s hottest women.

Te’o needs to learn to love home. No night clubs, no parties, no billboards and no Raiders hats is a good policy for Te’o. At least initially, Te’o is going to have to be a really boring person.

Boring people don’t remain media spectacles. Interesting people, comments and situations make news. Being boring and always being at home or team headquarters will also endear Te’o to the fans.

Like it or not, fans don’t want the players to have lives. The expectation is that NFL players should be working every waking hour of every day. It’s unrealistic and totally crazy, but fans want to see that kind of dedication.

The only reason the media should want to talk to Te’o is because he made a play or didn’t make a play during a practice. Te’o should even avoid wearing interesting clothing.

You know what never gets media coverage? NFL players supporting charities. Te’o can quite easily spend his free time helping others, which means he can be doing a lot of good for humanity while he waits for the media attention to subside.

Step 3: Become a Good Player

Great players can say pretty much whatever they want without reprisal. That’s not to say it’s necessarily good to have a player that attracts attention, but it’s tolerated a lot more when the player performs. It’s not an issue in the locker room if the best player on the team is a spectacle of sorts.

Te’o doesn’t seem like the type of guy that craves attention, but he clearly embellished the story about his dead girlfriend for maximum media impact. If Te’o wants attention, he simply needs to become a good player.

Good players attract the right type of attention. The media wants to talk to the players that made an impact on the game. If Te’o becomes a great player, people will basically forget about his off-the-field incident just like they did Ray Lewis’ off-the-field incident.

There is no better way to become the anti-Tebow than to become a great player. Tebow never developed into a good passer, making him basically a media creation. Tebow never moved from spectacle to good NFL player that would have justified all the media coverage.

If Te’o doesn’t become a good player, getting catfished becomes a career-defining situation. If Te’o becomes a good player, getting catfished is a funny footnote on his football career. Te'o gets to decide which that will be.

Manchester United Transfer Rumors: United Shouldn't Move for Thiago Alcantara

Dan Talintyre — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

With transfer rumors aplenty for Manchester United at the moment, it seems absolutely anyone could end up at Old Trafford next season.

That is, if you believe the rumor mill, and the slew of players that it's already linked with a move to the Premier League champions in 2013.

The latest name thought to be on United's radar is Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, with Goal.com reporting a possible move is imminent from United.

Which, if true, is a move they must not make this summer transfer window.

Here's the original report from Paul Clennam at Goal.com:

Manchester United's new manager David Moyes has identified Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara as a key transfer target this summer.

The former Everton boss, who arrived at Carrington on Monday to meet with club staff after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, is set to maintain United's long-standing interest in the 22-year-old. Sir Alex made informal enquiries regarding the youngster's availability two years ago but was rebuffed by Barcelona, who rewarded Thiago with a four-year contract in 2011.

Thiago has been deployed as both a creative and deep–lying pivot midfielder at Camp Nou since making his debut in 2009, but has seen his first-team opportunities restricted following the arrivals of Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song from Arsenal.

In his 27 appearances for Barcelona this season, Thiago picked up two goals and five assists, and won a man-of-the-match award against Zaragoza too.

He was a very capable and effective passer in Barcelona's system (completing at over 90 percent) and showed that he can have a great future in midfield at Camp Nou—be that in the immediate future with Xavi and Andres Iniesta or over a longer period of time.

Thiago is a very talented midfielder and has a bright future ahead of him at only 22 years of age. He wants to play first-team football so that he can make Spain's 2014 World Cup team—something that he isn't going to get at Barcelona—and is therefore potentially open to a move this summer.

However, despite all of that, it's the wrong move for United to make.

The biggest point has to be his style. Playing in Barcelona's possession-based system is going to be very different to playing in United's attacking system. That's not to say his skills wouldn't be appreciated, but they would be less effective than they have been in Spain.

Thiago would be forced into hitting more long balls and crosses, which he wasn't that adept at last season. He would also be forced into doing much more work defensively which he's good at in La Liga, but might not necessarily be as effective at in the Premier League's physical style of play.

Standing at just under 5'8" and 156 pounds, Thiago doesn't have the physical size that a central midfielder is going to need to have in the English game.

For who's going to win—him, or Yaya Toure?

The other big question surrounding Thiago is his price.

Goal.com reports that the 22-year-old has a staggering £77 million release clause in his contract, which is very hard to see United paying. However, according to the report, United officials are confident a bid in the £15 million range would be enough to convince Barca to sell. However, it's still a lot of money to pay for a player that doesn't fit their system that well.

If they were going to spend that type of money this summer, Manchester United would be much better off picking up Marouane Fellaini from Everton instead.

As good as Thiago might be, he's just not a good fit in the Red Devils' system, or in the everyday rigors of the Premier League. And until the Spanish international can prove himself somewhere other than Barcelona's tiki-taka system, he's not worth United spending the money on this summer.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre

Juventus Would Be Wise to Keep Arturo Vidal from Joining Real Madrid

Salvatore Landolina — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:11:24 -0400

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal continues to be linked with a big summer exit, but fans of the Serie A champions are unlikely to approve any sale of the 26-year-old Chile ace. Manchester United and Bayern Munich have been reported to hold an interest in the combative midfielder by talkSPORT, but most recently, Spanish paper Marca claims Real Madrid have set their sights on him.

In one word, Vidal has been magnificent since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen two years ago. Coach Antonio Conte changed tactics when the Chilean landed in Turin, switching to a 3-5-2 formation to accommodate Vidal with Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo—a change that has worked.

So, the big question is why would you sell such an influential player as Vidal? The Chile ace has been central in shaping the Juventus dominance we have seen, and he is a key figure in the starting XI.

Vidal scored 10 goals in Juve’s title-winning campaign and added a plethora of assists to his game. He has passed Claudio Marchisio’s nine goals of last term, as well as the legendary Pavel Nedved’s tally of nine during the 2002/2003 season.

Despite being an all-rounder, Vidal is a match-winner; his importance is unquestionable, and he is Juve’s best midfielder simply based on the work he puts in. Perfectly tuned, Vidal creates harmony in the team with his sequential passing, box-to-box runs and possession-winning tackles making for classy play throughout this Bianconeri side.

On one hand, Juve would have plenty to gain from a bank-breaking transfer as Vidal will not be cheap for those keen on signing him, but they will also lose on the field. With him gone, who will pick up the pieces in crucial situations?

Doing away with Vidal would instantly see standards drop in midfield as the club, in all effects, will be selling their most prized asset, and a repeat of the Zinedine Zidane-to-Real Madrid sale of 2001 would be best avoided.

Juventus have the ideal squad right now, they are the best team in Italy and one of the fastest-developing teams in Europe, and Antonio Conte has everyone in their allotted place, playing football with ambition.

Perhaps a top-class forward is needed to complement the powerhouse midfield that is Vidal, Marchisio and Pirlo.

La Gazzetta Dello Sport (via Football Italia) report Juventus have reached a consensus for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. Wisely, they have reportedly struck a deal that would not include Vidal heading the other way.

Breaking Down the Denver Broncos' Cornerback Competition

Jon Heath — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

On Tuesday, B/R's D.J. Siddiqi broke down the Denver Broncos running back situation. Today, we'll look at the cornerback competition.

Going into the training camp, the team is currently carrying eight cornerbacks ranging from 14-year veterans to undrafted rookies. Below, we take a look at those defensive backs.

Locks

Champ Bailey

Bailey was ranked as the 10th-best cornerback by ProFootballFocus.com (subscription required for the link), earning a 12.0 grade from PFF. Bailey earned an 8.7 coverage grade and a 3.7 grade against the run.

Although he has slowed down to some extent, Bailey is the most experienced cornerback on the team's roster. He has lost his title as the most talented cornerback on the roster to the young defender listed below, but he is still the smartest and most important corner in Denver.

Chris Harris Jr.

Harris was ranked fifth overall among cornerbacks by PFF in 2012, earning an 18.4 overall grade. With a 10.5 coverage rating and a 7.7 grade against the run, Harris was by far the best cornerback on Denver's roster last season.

Going forward, Harris figures to see time both across from Bailey and covering the slot in nickel and dime packages.

Close Behind

Omar Bolden

Bolden was ranked 143rd among PFF's 2012 cornerbacks rankings, earning a minus-1.7 overall rating, a minus-0.1 rating against the pass and an unrated grade against the run. Although his numbers are not impressive, PFF had a small sample size to chose from and the Broncos like Bolden's chances of seizing more playing time going into 2013.

When asked in a postseason press conference in January if Bolden has the potential to become a starter, team executive vice president of football operations John Elway told the Denver Post, "You bet. He's a fighter. His comment to me was that he is going to come back for next season and take somebody's job."

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Rodgers-Cromartie was PFF's 98th-ranked cornerback, earning a minus-7.1 overall grade, a 2.9 grade against the pass and a minus-4.6 grade against the run in 2012. DRC is an athletic defensive back who blows coverage nearly as often as he makes big plays.

In DRC, the Broncos have an aggressive cornerback who will record a few interceptions, but may need to tone down his aggressiveness in order to not be beaten repeatedly by pass-heavy offenses. His experience gives him an edge over some of the younger corners on the roster.

Up and Coming

Tony Carter

Carter took advantage of his limited opportunities in 2012 after Tracy Porter missed time due to seizure-like symptoms. A talented rotational rotational defensive back, Carter has a lot of potential but is not ready for starting responsibilities just yet.

Kayvon Webster

Webster was drafted in the third round by the Broncos in April and has been dubbed a "reach" by 99 percent of draftnicks. But the Broncos like his physical play, a skill set that could help him earn playing time in the slot early in his career.

Young and Inexperienced

Aaron Hester and Mario Butler

Hester, a cousin of Devin Hester, signed with the team as an undrafted free agent after the draft, as did Butler. The two youngsters will compete to earn roster spots as special teams players this summer.

Final Projections

In each of the last two seasons, the Broncos have carried five cornerbacks. This year, it will be hard to carry any fewer than six.

The top four cornerbacks listed are all but guaranteed to make the roster and Denver is not parting ways with Webster and do not want to see Carter playing anywhere else. That's already six and the team will surely want to see what Hester and Butler have to offer.

A possible solution is carrying Hester and Butler on the practice squad (but they can be signed to another team's active roster from there). Alternatively, Carter seems to be the odd man out if the team has to cut one of the returning corners.

Expect up to six cornerbacks to make Denver's final 53-roster. Watch for a fierce competition at the position during training camp this summer.

Victor Oladipo Deserves Consideration for No. 2 Pick

Tim Keeney — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Victor Oladipo is a special player not just because of his chiseled NBA body and trampoline-like athleticism, but also his tireless work ethic and charismatic, winning, personable attitude.

Simply put, he is the Renaissance Man of NBA prospects—he has it all, and he does it all.

Currently, the First Team All-American is projected to hear his named called right on the edge of the top five picks in the upcoming draft. Draft Express' Jonathan Givony has him going No. 4, while ESPN's Chad Ford and CBS Sports' Jeff Goodman and Matt Moore put him at No. 5.

But if you couldn't already tell by the two opening gushing lines, I would take him No. 1 and not think twice about it.

Of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who spent a top five pick on fellow shooting guard Dion Waiters last June, seem intent on adding a defensive presence down low in Nerlens Noel. So, for now, we'll concentrate on the second pick.

Most believe that to be Ben McLemore.

Trey Burke would fill a need at point guard for the Orlando Magic, and Otto Porter is an intriguing all-around threat with few weaknesses, but the Kansas shooting guard with a smooth stroke, bouncy athletic ability and drool-worthy offensive potential seems to be the consensus for who Rob Hennigan should select.

I can't deny the allure of McLemore, but I can see more in Oladipo.

Let's begin with the physical attributes.

Oladipo's official measurements from last week's combine put him at 6'4" and 213 pounds. He has a lengthy 6'9" wingspan and 8'4.5" standing reach with an unbelievable vertical of 42 inches.

Just for fun, if you combine his standing reach and vertical, you have a vertical reach of 11'10," which is only eight inches shy of Dwight Howard's NBA record.

And he's a shooting guard.

Oladipo doesn't just have an impressive combination of length and athleticism—he has a combination of length and athleticism that is already at an elite level in the NBA.

Which isn't exactly surprising considering he constantly threw down slams like these:

Heck, he even has quite possibly the greatest missed dunk ever:

But the point here isn't to argue Oladipo's ability to revive the lacking dunk contest. Most importantly, his physique and athleticism point to a seamless transition from college to the Association.

He's strong and physical; he won't get pushed around by NBA guards. He's fast and long; he'll be a nuisance on defense. He's athletic; his perceived inability in the half-court offense will be quelled by his superiority in transition.

All-in-all, Oladipo's physical traits are NBA worthy. You could replace his brain with that of a sheep, and he'd still be able to make an impact at the next level. He's that athletically impressive.

But we've seen it countless times before: a player with raw talent and gaudy physical tools comes pathetically shy of his potential because he lacks the mental fortitude necessary.

With Oladipo, that won't happen. His mentality is even more impressive than his physicality. To get a good idea of the kind of person he is, watch one of his interviews at the combine, courtesy of Jonathan Givony:

The term "gym rat" is a painful cliche that is constantly overused, so we'll avoid using it here. Instead, we'll just say that Oladipo is addicted to the gym.

And we're not just talking regular ol' shootarounds here. Oladipo is a warrior who genuinely wants to work to get better, and as such, his weaknesses are quickly disappearing.

At first, the knock on him was his inability to hit a jump shot. So he addressed that with ferocity:

As a result, his shooting percentage skyrocketed from 47.1 to 59.9, his three-point percentage from 20.8 to 44.1 and his true-shooting percentage from 54.5 to 67.1.

Now, the worry is that he can't create his own offense. But with the tenacious way that he works to improve, it wouldn't be surprising if that weakness was also soon a distant memory:

His work ethic is evident in the strengths of his game, too. He averaged 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks last season, which are solid numbers by themselves.

But the things Oladipo does that don't show up in the box score are what define him as a player: Diving for loose balls, tipping a rebound to an open teammate, never taking a play off, guarding the opposing team's best player, getting his long arms in the passing lanes:

Keep in mind when reading that stat, by the way, that Tom Crean has coached some guy named Dwyane Wade, too.

Oladipo is a special player with a motor, hunger, focus and humility that can't be taught.

McLemore is a special player with a questionable mentality who often disappeared from the limelight at Kansas.

You make the choice.

French Open 2013: Players That Will Exit Early at Roland Garros

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The 2013 French Open won't begin until Sunday, but already there are a handful of notable names on upset alert.

While Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams enter the season's second Grand Slam tournament looking invincible, others like 2010 Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych have looked vulnerable on the red stuff.

Below we'll highlight a trio of players set for early exits in Paris this summer.

Tomas Berdych

Despite recording three consecutive quarterfinal berths at the Australian Open, world No. 6 Tomas Berdych has yet to find consistent success at the French Open.

The 27-year-old Czech star made an impressive run all the way to the semifinals at Roland Garros back in 2010, but has been mediocre on the red clay in Paris ever since, falling in the first round in 2011 and the fourth round a year ago.

Berdych's career record at the French Open is his worst at any major tournament. At 13-9 overall, he's won just 59 percent of his matches at the only clay-court Slam.

While he's been solid at times during this clay-court season, boasting an 8-4 singles record dating back to the start of the Monte Carlo Masters, he's looked incredibly vulnerable in upset losses to Fabio Fognini and Tommy Robredo.

With both Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro out of this year's tournament, the door is open for Berdych to make a deep run. But will he?

Agnieszka Radwanska

Women's world No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska has done little as of late to convince tennis fans that she will be a contender in Paris this summer.

Following early-round upsets in Madrid and Rome, the 24-year-old Polish star will head into Roland Garros with almost zero momentum, which is bad news considering she's never been further than the fourth round at the French Open.

Radwanska bowed out in the third round a year ago, falling to 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets.

Plus, since reaching the semifinals at the Miami Masters in March, Radwanska is just 1-2 overall, her only clay-court season win coming against Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round of the Madrid Open. Pironkova is currently ranked outside the WTA Top 50.

Milos Raonic

Canadian Milos Raonic is still developing as a player, but don't expect him to make many strides in Roland Garros this summer.

The 22-year-old Canadian has struggled a bit to this point in the clay-court season. Since reaching the semifinals at the Barcelona Open last month (where he lost in straight sets to Rafael Nadal) Raonic is just 1-2 on clay, losing in the second round at Madrid to Fernando Verdasco and bowing out of the first round in Rome, falling to Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.

It's really no wonder why Raonic has struggled on clay early in his young career, though. The slower-playing surface neutralizes his monster serve and forces him to become a better mover, which is tougher for him at 6'5".

Raonic will make his third career appearance at the French Open in 2013 after reaching the third round last year.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Potential Draft Moves

Tim Keeney — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Technically, the 2013 NBA draft order is official after Tuesday night's lottery.

But it's not really official.

There is still over a month until draft night, and with a class that features zero can't-miss prospects and slightly underwhelming depth throughout, certain teams will find themselves with several options.

Do they fill depth-chart needs by staying where they are in the draft? Do they simply take the best player available, regardless of need? Or do they just trade out of their current spot and limit their participation in the lacking draft?

Just a day after the lottery, it appears the No. 1 pick is already on the block, and as we get closer to June 27, that trend will only heat up.

Let's take a look at teams already shopping draft picks.

Mavericks Clearing Space

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks aren't used to being in the lottery, and they clearly don't like it.

It has been a whopping 13 years since the Mavs had a lottery pick. In 2000, they selected Etan Thomas with the No. 12 overall selection, and he played a staggering zero games for them before being traded a year later.

In fact, ever since the Mavericks landed Jim Jackson, Jamal Mashburn and Jason Kidd with consecutive top-five picks in the mid-90's, the lottery has been quite icky to them.

Therefore, it's not surprising to hear they are trying to move far away from this year's:

It makes sense. Along with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, Dallas is thought to be a top contender for Dwight Howard, the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.

Mark Cuban already has quite a bit of cap space opened up for this summer, and there's talk that Dirk Nowitzki will take a pay cut, but trading the No. 13 pick would let the Mavs avoid the cap hold of around $1.6 million that the picks comes with.

Hawks Moving Up

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly thinking about turning their back-to-back first-round picks into one super pick.

Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio has the news:

The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks are said to be two such teams, with both supposedly exploring the idea of improving their draft position.

The Hawks own back-to-back picks in the first round (Nos. 17 and 18), and may be willing to package them together for the sake of moving up, insiders said.

Larry Drew's squad will undoubtedly be one of the most compelling to watch this summer.

They have an astounding seven role players hitting unrestricted free agency, including Josh Smith, Devin Harris, Zaza Pachulia and Kyle Korver. With a mere $18.5 million on the books for next season, they are going to make a serious push towards Howard and Chris Paul.

Still, while Atlanta could very well end up with a mega team, it could just as easily miss out on the superstar free agents and be left preparing for the future with scraps.

With that in mind, it would probably be in their best interest to keep both first-rounders.

It obviously depends on what kind of interest is out there, but there is very little talent difference between, say, the late lottery and their picks (Nos. 17 and 18). If the Hawks don't think they can lure Howard or Paul (free agency starts four days after the draft), they would be inclined to add as much youth as possible and treat 2013-14 as a rebuilding year.

Blazers Looking for Immediate Help

With Damian Lillard, Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge all locked up for at least two more seasons, the Portland Trail Blazers have a very good starting lineup, 1 through 4.

However, incumbent center J.J. Hickson is set to hit free agency, and the Blazers are saying their goodbyes.

Second-year big man Meyers Leonard will be there to fill his spot, but he is more of an option for the future. If the Blazers want to contend right away—which they should with three legitimate stars—they'll need to upgrade the 5 for now:

Portland's No. 10 pick will garner a lot of suitors. Not only could the Blazers potentially land an immediate starter, but they could use it to free up cap space and go after a big-time free agent.

Belmont Stakes 2013: Oxbow and Orb's Expected Rematch Would Be Compelling

Jesse Reed — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Orb and Oxbow are both tentatively headed to New York for the 2013 Belmont Stakes in June, and a rematch between these two horses would make for an exiting race.

Both trainers—D. Wayne Lukas and Shug McGaughey—are targeting the final leg of the Triple Crown, even though the allure of winning the trio of races is now gone, according to Richard Rosenblatt of the AP (via the Boston Globe):

‘‘You know me,’’ Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said after Oxbow’s 1¾-length victory over Itsmyluckyday, with 3-5 favorite Orb finishing fourth. ‘‘I like to rack them up in the big events. So, I’ll probably go.’’

"The Belmont Stakes is on our radar screen,’’ McGaughey said Sunday after arriving back at Belmont Park... "We just all came to the conclusion that we should just watch Orb and see. I think everything is in good shape. We’d like to run."

If both horses do run, their presence in the field at Belmont would make an already unpredictable race all the more compelling.

Orb's fourth-place finish at the Preakness was only the first time he had lost since his first few Maiden Special Weight attempts. Up until that race, Orb had won five races in a row—including the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (Grade 1) and the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Joel Rosario is still the hottest jockey in North America right now, and nobody will be counting him out atop Orb, should they race together at Belmont.

Interestingly enough, Oxbow had failed to finish in the money in the Arkansas Derby (Grade 1) and Kentucky Derby before shocking the field and winning in wire-to-wire fashion at the Preakness.

But with Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens managing this horse and legendary trainer Lukas guiding the ship, so to speak, Oxbow was raring to go and proved more than capable of hanging with the best horses in the world.

These two horses are far from the only ones capable of winning the Belmont Stakes, however. Revolutionary, Golden Soul, Mylute, Itsmyluckyday and a host of others may be in the running.

The mile-and-a-half track at Belmont will be a tremendous test for every horse competing in this loaded field. Having both winners of the first two legs of the Triple Crown participating in the race will only add to the flavor and set up a race to remember.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Why Gunners Need Backup Plan for Target Stevan Jovetic

Timothy Rapp — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Stevan Jovetic may be Arsenal's top target this summer (if you believe the rumors), but the Gunners will need to have a backup plan in place if Fiorentina's purported—and massive—asking price for their star forward is true.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

Arsene Wenger has been quoted a staggering £30 million for No.1 striker target Stevan Jovetic.

Arsenal boss Wenger, who is set for a big summer of spending, is understood to have held talks with the Montenegro striker's Italian club Fiorentina, while agents have also been trying to broker a deal for the 23-year-old.

But the Florence-based side are determined to hold out for a huge price for Jovetic, as they know their Serie A rivals Juventus are also keen on him.

In that article, Cross also mentions Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (realistic) and Napoli's Edinson Cavani (not a chance in Hades) as potential targets at forward.

Other targets that have been floated in the past include Queens Park Rangers' Loic Remy and Aston Villa's Christian Benteke.

I think Jovetic is the ideal addition, but at a £30 million price tag, I'm willing to change my tune. I love that he is both a goalscorer and creator, capable of playing as a central forward, dropping back as a second striker or attacking midfielder or even playing out wide if necessary.

With strong dribbling skills and the ability to beat defenders one-on-one, he would fit Wenger's system well.

But Higuain is intriguing. He is older than Jovetic, yes, but he is also the more proven and clinical finisher, with 17 goals in just 28 starts (46 total appearances) this season for Real Madrid. In total, he scored 20 or more goals for Real Madrid in three of the past five seasons.

Higuain is a true poacher, a reason I've heard a lot of folks desire Arsenal to land him along with Jovetic. That seems unrealistic, but one or the other would certainly be nice.

Though Benteke has been very impressive this year, he's a similar player to Giroud (solid in the air, good at holding up play, fairly athletic for his size) and wouldn't give Wenger much versatility at forward. Remy certainly would, however, with the sort of pace and dribbling prowess to also play wide on the wings.

Still, if given the option of Jovetic or Remy, I'll take Jovetic any day of the week. Well, if the price is right, that is.

And it may not be.

Wenger supposedly will be flush with cash this summer, but the team also seems interested in upgrading at keeper, will probably need to replace Bacary Sagna at right-back and needs to add a holding midfielder as well.

In other words, £30 million for Jovetic may handcuff the team's other plans. One thing is for certain—this summer is going to be very intriguing for the Gunners as the team looks to end its trophy drought. If the money truly will be flowing in North London, a whole lot of Gooners will be very happy come August.

Belmont Stakes 2013: Oxbow, Orb and Top Contenders in Final Triple Crown Race

Donald Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The 2013 Belmont Stakes (Saturday, June 8) has far less on the line this time around than many had hoped—the legendary third leg of the Triple Crown doesn't mean as much when two different horses win at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes—but this still will be a great race.

With serious contenders like Derby winner Orb and Preakness champion Oxbow decorating an already impressive field, the excitement surrounding the Belmont Stakes is still very high despite no possibility of a Triple Crown winner.

Maybe next year.

All horses probable or possible via Horse Racing Nation.

Oxbow

After a huge win at the Preakness Stakes, Oxbow has the momentum coming into Belmont Park to steal the show and two-thirds of the Triple Crown.

Not only did Oxbow win last weekend—his first win since January—the sixth-place finish in the Derby despite the sloppy conditions proves he is one of the elite horses of 2013.

If the course at Churchill Downs wasn’t so bad, maybe Oxbow would be running for his third Triple Crown win instead of his second.

With legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas in his corner and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens on his back, Oxbow has the pedigree, talent and support system to steal the Belmont victory.

Orb

The 2013 Kentucky Derby winner struggled out of the gate at the Preakness Stakes, but despite the lost time, Orb was still able to finish a very admirable fourth overall. That kind of strength shows why this horse won the Derby.

Now Orb must focus on getting out of the gates clean and using his elite stamina to keep him running fast on the longer Belmont Park track. At 1.5 miles, the Belmont is the longest of the three Triple Crown legs.

The field will likely be larger this time than at the Preakness, but with Orb’s ability to maneuver through traffic, the bigger group of horses actually may be an advantage.

If the weather cooperates for the Belmont, Orb is a serious contender to run away with it.

Palace Malice

After taking a commanding early lead in the 2013 Kentucky Derby, Palace Malice ended up finishing a dreadful 12th overall. Now the horse will look for his redemption at the longer Belmont Stakes.

Led by elite trainer Todd A. Pletcher, Palace Malice will attempt to quiet the talk that he wears out over the course of the races longer than a mile by running a smarter line at Belmont Park and not building such a big lead so early.

Instead of using all of his stamina building a lead, this horse has to save it for a last-second push.

This horse had five different jockeys over his last five races, and with such a bad finish at the Derby, whether Mike Smith is back in the saddle for the Belmont is a storyline horse-racing fans must pay attention to going forward.

Follow @Donald_Wood

Indy 500 2013: Ranking Top Contenders in Biggest Race of IndyCar Season

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 is IndyCar's moment in the spotlight. It's the one race of the year that attracts both diehard racing fans and casual viewers, who are tuning in not only to see who wins the prestigious race, but also to witness the entire spectacle.

For the drivers, the race represents a chance to set the tone for the rest of the season. It marks the fifth event on the schedule, so those off to a good start will want to build off it and those who are struggling can use it as a confidence and momentum builder.

More importantly, a victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ensures the driver will go down in history alongside giants of the sport like A.J. Foyt and Al Unser. Let's examine the drivers (full starting grid) with the best chance of kissing the bricks.

1. Marco Andretti

Andretti has never finished better than seventh in the IndyCar standings. He's off to a promising start in 2013, though. He ranks second in points, behind Takuma Sato, and has a pair of third-place finishes through four races.

He finished second in his debut Indianapolis 500, which came in 2006, but has never been able to match it. That said, after a strong qualifying run that saw him earn a spot on the front row, he finally looks prepared to break through on the big stage.

It also helps, at least in hindsight, that he started near the front (fourth) last year and didn't contend. It's those type of learning experiences that are helping him grow into a better driver. He will illustrate that on Sunday.

2. Helio Castroneves

Castroneves gets another chance to join the four-win club. Right now, only Rick Mears along with the aforementioned duo of Foyt and Unser have captured the Indy 500 checkered flag four times. The Brazilian star has a good chance to become No. 4.

He'll start eighth. Even though that's not the ideal situation, two of his qualifying laps were right in line with the front row drivers. So he should have the necessary speed to compete, it just comes down to avoiding any early wrecks as everybody jockeys for position.

Having gone through the race 12 times, he should have a good handle on when to make his move. Given the fact he's had a couple lackluster results after a good start to the season, he should have no shortage of motivation heading into big race.

3. Ed Carpenter

The only reason Carpenter, who won the pole with an average speed of nearly 229 mph, isn't higher on the list is his lack of success so far this season. His best finish in the first four races is 14th. Winning the Indianapolis 500 would be a major jump.

That said, it's impossible to ignore his terrific qualifying speeds. When a car is running that well, even an average driver is capable of getting into contention late in the race. It gives the 32-year-old American a chance to score the biggest win of his career.

The biggest key for Carpenter is overcoming adversity. He's not going to hold the lead for all 200 laps. So when he does fade into the pack for awhile, he must show patience and work his way back through the field. If he does that, the sport's biggest race will be within reach.

NBA Playoffs 2013: Updated Predictions for Western Conference Finals

Alex Kay — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs have a commanding 2-0 lead on the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals, but don’t write off the Griz before they make what could be a valiant last stand at home.

With four days of rest between Tuesday’s Game 2 overtime loss and the tip for Game 3, there’s plenty of time for Memphis to recharge its batteries and prepare to tie the series up.

However, coach Gregg Popovich is going to have his Spurs mentally prepared to make this road trip, as Tim Duncan and the rest of the key players will try to push back into the Finals for the first time since winning it all back in 2007.

Anything is currently in play, but we’re here to try and sort through the clutter and make some sensible predictions for how the rest of the series will play out. Let’s take a look at what to expect over the remainder of this thrilling series.

Griz Make Things Interesting at FedExForum

After narrowly losing Game 1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the conference semis, Memphis surged back and found a rhythm to win four straight games.

They could use the same recipe to succeed in this series, although you have to throw Game 1’s result—a 105-83 San Antonio victory that looks like an absolute anomaly—out the window.

Game 2 of the WCF saw the Spurs edge the Griz in overtime, although it truly could have went either way. Memphis mounted a late run and had a chance to win it on multiple occasions, but couldn’t get the shots to drop.

The players full well know that and will use it as motivation to come out and play hard in front of the hometown fans. This team is undefeated in Tennessee throughout the postseason, going 5-0 in that span.

That should be up to 7-0 shortly, as the Griz will pull it together and win back-to-back contests to even it up.

One Controversial Call Swings a Game

This nearly happened on Tuesday night, as Tony Allen perfectly played the part of a man on the receiving end of a flagrant foul after getting shoved by Manu Ginobili.

He might get nominated for an Oscar due to this performance, as replays clearly showed the swingman didn’t land on his head and Ginobili simply yanked him to stop an easy layup—a basic playoff foul.

Regardless, the refs gave Allen two shots at the line and the Griz retained the ball after he sunk them. Mike Conley wound up scoring immediately after and the game went to overtime.

Had Memphis managed to pull off the victory, it would have been a much bigger deal and one of the more debatable calls of this postseason. The refs were fortunate to avoid that situation, but may not be so lucky in the future.

If they weren’t able to see Allen’s clear flop—especially with the pro-Spurs crowd attempting to influence the decision towards that—there could very well be a nightmare scenario looming.

Both sides play hard defense and aren’t afraid to knock someone around, so don’t be surprised when a rough foul gets turned into a flagrant and ends up being the difference on the scoreboard.

Spurs Ultimately Prevail in Six

Despite the Grizzlies' incredible efforts this spring, they will fall just short in this series.

The team just doesn’t have the same veteran leadership, three-point shooting ability or go-to stars that the Spurs have come to rely on during their playoff runs over the past decade or so.

This inexperience will be invaluable for Memphis, but the squad is still one superstar away from actually contending for the West title.

Whether it can acquire this piece via draft, trade or free agency remains to be seen, but it will become apparent the No. 1 priority for the Grizzlies in the offseason.

Expect a knockdown, drag-out affair over these next four showdowns, but the Spurs will get the last word when they take care of business at home in Game 5 and finally vanquish Memphis on the road in Game 6.

10 Struggling MMA Fighters That Will Bounce Back

Dan Hiergesell — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Rebounding from a heartbreaking defeat is one of the most crucial and more intricate responsibilities of being a mixed martial artist.

It often separates the phonies from the guys who spend their entire careers atop the divisional ladder.

But in today's MMA, one that's becoming a game of youth, veterans are continuously encountering an uphill battle when trying to fix their struggles. So when it really comes down to it, there's no pattern or predetermined road to travel. It all depends on the fighter and their capability of correcting their mistakes.

Do they possess the discipline, focus, short-term memory and overall skill set to adapt to a loss and overcome? Or do they start to sink in the always-unforgiving pool of defeat?

Here are 10 high-profile fighters who have what it take to regroup, retool their games and reshape their futures.

Begin Slideshow

NBA Free Agents 2013: Underrated Targets That Will Make a Huge Impact

Alex Kay — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The 2013 NBA playoffs may be ongoing, but it certainly isn’t too early to start exploring some of the possible offseason moves that will shake the league to its core.

With just four teams left to contend for the NBA Finals, fans of the other 26 franchises around the league are hoping that their organization can make some big changes.

Some of these adjustments will involve free agency, as there are players available whose signing may even be the difference between their team bowing out early from the postseason or hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy next June.

Let’s take a look at some of the more under-the-radar free agents that will not get a lot of attention this offseason, but will definitely have a positive impact on the club that they ink a deal with.

Tony Allen, SG, Memphis Grizzlies

Defense wins championships, which is why Tony Allen may be one of the most coveted free agents on the open market this summer.

The perimeter-stopper was acknowledged for his efforts on that end of the floor this year, earning a significant amount of votes for the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Award (which teammate Marc Gasol won) and being named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team.

He’s been doing this all at an absolute bargain price, too, as he's only on Memphis’ books for $3.3 million in 2012-13, the last year of his contract.

Allen may not be much of an offensive presence, but he’s reliable enough that Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has been able to leave him on the floor during crunch time. He averaged a respectable 8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists this season, but Allen’s opponents’ stats stand out most when evaluating the swingman.

He was one of the anchors on a club that allowed just 97.4 points per 100 possessions in the regular season, the second-best rate in the league.

Memphis relies on Allen to consistently hound the opposition’s top perimeter option on a nightly basis, which is something he embraces and excels at.

With superstars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and more to get through on the way to the finals, any team hoping to have a shot at winning will want to bring Allen aboard.

David West, PF, Indiana Pacers

West is currently aiding the Pacers in their attempt to oust the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Whether its his toughness in the low-post, deadly accurate jumper from mid-range or veteran presence in the locker room, the 32-year-old always finds a way to make a positive impact.

This is only his second season with the Pacers, but he’s already become an indispensable part of the rotation. With 2012-13 regular season averages of 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks, it’s clear that the 10-year veteran still has plenty left in the tank.

Some organizations have already made their desire to land West in free agency apparent. According to ESPN's March Stein, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly wishing to reunite the big man with point guard Chris Paul, as both were former teammates during their time in New Orleans.

It would be downright foolish for the Pacers to let West walk away, but the former Xavier product will likely field some big offers and gain some leverage in the offseason.

Paul Millsap, PF, Utah Jazz

Millsap has seven productive seasons under his belt since being selected in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft. He’s proven, time and time again, that he’s one of the league’s best rebounders, and he uses his strength as an advantage with aggressive play.

While he only stands at 6’8”—which is quite small for a power forward in the modern NBA—the former Louisiana Tech star can bang on the boards with the best of them. He uses his girth and 253-pound frame to box out opponents, and he uses his 7’1” wingspan to reach out and snag jump balls out of the air.

Millsap’s numbers took a dip during the 2012-13 campaign, but much of that can be attributed to the organization’s indecisiveness regarding whether or not to trade him away or keep him around for a possible playoff run.

The Jazz wound up holding on to the 28-year-old, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they let him go this summer in order to allow the young bigs on the roster to develop.

Expect a number of astute general managers from the league’s more prestigious teams to float offers to Millsap’s agent, as he’s the kind of big that will have a huge impact coming off the bench for a championship contender.

Carl Landry, another undersized PF, made a major difference for the Golden State Warriors this year, and Millsap should be able to have that kind of impact for his next squad.

Jets Fans Should Not Rush to Judge GM John Idzik Based on Garrard & Goodson

Andrew Garda — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The Jets are done.

Fold up the tents kids. Destroy Florham Park. Burn the training facility to the ground and sow the seeds so nothing will ever be grown again.

At least, that's how it sounds if you listen to the media and a segment of "running off the cliff" Jets fans. Newly minted GM John Idzik is a failure or at least having a terrible offseason.

To which I say, nonsense.

Sure, anonymous scouts will tell ESPN the Jets failed to do their due diligence on Mike Goodson, but what were the Jets supposed to find?

Nothing, because until he was arrested this May there was nothing to find.

Goodson hasn't been in trouble off the field in any notable way since entering the league in 2009.

So according to this anonymous source Idzik was supposed to do what? Hop in his DeLorean and travel Back to the Future? Fire up his TARDIS and see what the future holds?

We can say the Jets overpaid for a decent but unproven running back and it's not untrue. A three-year, $6.9 million contract is a bit hefty for Goodson, even if only $1.925 is guaranteed (numbers via Spotrac.com).

But there is no way Idzik was going to know anything about the coming arrest.

Some people have pointed to red flags Goodson had pre-draft about not being able to coexist with his coaches at Texas A&M, but I have a few issues with that.

First, how does that translate to an arrest for weapons possession and drug/alcohol issues?

Second, at what point does a minor red flag from a 2009 scouting profile stop being relevant to a guy? I mean, we're four years later without an incident. If you have to reach back that far for an issue, then you're working too hard.

It's not just the issue with Goodson either. Idzik has taken some hits because David Garrard retired due to continuing issues with his knee.

Now in some respects I don't disagree with the criticism. We all knew Garrard had issues and I've said more than once that betting on a guy two years removed from his last football game is dicey.

That said, how the heck can you lose signing a guy for one year at $1.1 million? You know what the hit was when Garrard retired, according to Spotrac? $100,000 in dead cap.

What the heck was Idzik thinking, right?

Darrelle Revis is costing the Jets more in dead cap.

So what really happened was the Jets gave a reasonable contract with very low risk to a guy who was cleared by the team doctors as ready to go.

Yeah, that's the other thing. Idzik was apparently supposed to know the knee wasn't going to last through workouts, forget a game.

Now, I didn't have a ton of faith in Garrard long term, but as far as anyone knew while his knee wasn't awesome, it was good enough to go.

Is Idzik supposed to tell his team doctors "Yeah I know you're our guys and professional and all, but I think we need another opinion" and send Garrard off to some other facility?

No, he's not. He gets paid to make personnel decisions and the doctors get paid to give medical evaluations. Maybe they biffed it badly, or maybe Garrard has the mental fortitude of a Twinkie.

Reports say he struggled with longer passes and driving the ball, so he might have decided he couldn't compete with Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez. Maybe it was just too hard after all the time off.

But you can't fault Idzik for rolling the dice on a guy for very little money, who cleared medical checks and said he could do the job.

Keep in mind, the Jets cap situation was not great when free agency began. Idzik and the team didn't exactly have the room to chase a better option.

Both the Goodson and the Garrard moves didn't pan out well, sure.

However, what about the moves that have looked good so far?

Moving Darrelle Revis was painful for fans, but we've now gone through him clamoring for a new contract quite a few times. While maybe the Jets could have rolled with Revis another year as he came off his ACL injury, the fact was that short of a season where he completely collapsed, Revis was going to ask for a new contract.

The Jets chose to move on and in the process got a first-round pick, which turned into Sheldon Richardson—one of the top defensive lineman in the draft.

Mark my words, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got a very good deal on their end, and signed Revis to a cap-friendly contract, if he has a great season in 2013, you will see him start asking for more money.

Revis is perhaps the best cover corner to come along for a long time—arguably ever. You don't just replace a guy like that.

But the Jets are rebuilding and couldn't afford to pay as much as Revis has and will want for a cornerback.

I mentioned Sheldon Richardson a moment ago, so let's talk about how Idzik did in the NFL draft.

Richardson was a surprising pick at the time considering how deep the defensive line is, but I was told by one source that Richardson not only shined on tape but in interviews as well.

Reportedly, the team was very interesting in Geno Smith, even at No. 13. However, they would have preferred to sit him if possible (this was before the Garrard retirement of course) and didn't feel they wanted to draft a quarterback that high and then sit on him.

Meanwhile, Richardson had walked into interviews with the staff, wowed them at the chalk board, showed great energy and personality and made Rex Ryan (as well as the other coaches) fall in love.

My source said, that with Richardson sitting there, they ultimately couldn't pass up on him.

Richardson is the type of player teams love right now: Versatile, quick, strong and with a high-motor. He's already stood out in practice, which—while given it's spring is to be taken with a grain of salt—is good.

Fellow rookie Dee Milliner isn't Darrelle Revis, but he is very, very good and an excellent tackler. He could have gone anywhere in the top ten and he was a good value at No. 9.

Ditto Geno Smith. The Jets gambled their guy would be there in the second and he was. Smith was my favorite quarterback in what was a shaky class this year. Getting him in the second round is perfect value for him and if he fails, you can cut a second-round quarterback with minimal drama and financial issues.

The rest of the draft was solid, though unspectacular at first glance: A trio of offensive lineman to provide at least depth and a very good fullback in the seventh.

Perhaps the best move the Jets made during the draft could be acquiring Chris Ivory for a fourth-round pick.

As with Garrard, there is a certain amount of injury risk here—Ivory has never been healthy for a complete NFL season. The upside is pretty large though and like Garrard, the contract he has is pretty reasonable. The total contract is only three years for $6 million, with just $2.5 guaranteed (numbers via Spotrac.com).

Ivory only costs the club $1.5 million this season and $1.75 for 2014 (unless he hits his rushing yards escalator). If he is healthy and playing well, his $2.75 in 2015 is easily digestible and even if he's not, won't remotely break the club.

John Idzik walked into an almost impossible situation. He took a job nobody seemed to want, with a roster full of issues and a potentially lame duck coach—or at the very least a coach he didn't choose.

So far, he has made some very good moves and the ones he "missed" on are not nearly as disastrous as they are made out to be by the often tightly wound fan base and local media.

He's just getting started and once you take a hard look, you'll see that so far he's doing pretty great and has made sure the franchise is protected from missteps and mistakes.

Andrew Garda is the former NFC North Lead Writer and a current NFL analyst and video personality for Bleacher Report. He is also a member of the fantasy football staff at Footballguys and the NFL writer at CheeseheadTV.com. You can follow him at @andrew_garda on Twitter.

Champions League: David Meets Goliath in Bundesliga's 50th Anniversary Party

Clark Whitney — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The Champions League final is just two days away, and the footballing world is preparing for a spectacle on and off the pitch. This year's final is a historic match that for the first time sees two German teams compete for the title of Europe's strongest club team. And coming on the 50th anniversary year of the Bundesliga's creation in 1963, it could not have been better timed.

It's been 12 years since Bayern last hoisted the Champions League trophy, and having lost the 2010 and 2012 finals, they are desperate to finally cross the finish line in Europe's most prestigious tournament.

Dortmund have waited 16 years since their first and only finals appearance, which they won in 1997. Then-underdogs against the Juventus of Zidane and Deschamps, BVB's improbable victory will be their inspiration heading into Saturday's match against Germany's traditional powers.

Even weeks before kickoff, Saturday's final made headlines around Europe. Earlier in May, 500,000 Dortmund fans applied for just 24,000 tickets allocated to BVB supporters. Half those requests were within the first 24 hours of their being made available.

London is preparing for a massive influx of Germans, with some 150,000 expected to visit the city for the final. Local authorities have launched a huge security operation, cooperating with Wembley staff, UEFA and the two German clubs.

In Munich, Bayern have arranged for a free public viewing of the final at the Allianz Arena; all 45,000 tickets were sold within six hours. And in Dortmund, there will be three areas for public viewing. Even the city of Berlin has reopened the fan zones it used for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

With all four English clubs having been eliminated from the Champions League by mid-March, many fans in the final's host nation have turned to German teams to support in the latter stages of the tournament.

Jurgen Klopp has become somewhat of a cult hero in England, while Dortmund have become the newest craze among East London hipsters. Others feel a gratitude to Bayern for being the reason they no longer hear Barcelona referred to as the "greatest club in the world."

Looking ahead to the final itself, the match is very much a David vs. Goliath situation. Bayern hammered Spanish champions Barcelona and Serie A winners Juventus by a combined 11-0 margin en route to the final. Concurrently, they won all but one of their Bundesliga fixtures this spring, shattering a slew of records in the process. Bayern's revenue is almost double that of their opponents, their experience and power is unparalleled in the Bundesliga.

By contrast, BVB are an up-and-coming team competing in the Champions League for just the second time since 2003-04. They've defied the odds in reaching the final despite a very modest wage structure and posting net sales in the transfer market since 2009. They've had some close calls with elimination but have absolutely earned their spot in the final. And they will most certainly aim to capture the spirit of 1997 as they prepare for Saturday.

Finals of course are played not only on the pitch in the last game, but in the weeks prior. The impending transfer of Mario Gotze to Bayern, with Robert Lewandowski also a possible departure, has left them with a "now or never" situation in their pursuit of a second Champions League title. That Gotze will miss the final is a savage and cruel blow that BVB certainly did not deserve.

For Bayern, it seems that the third time will be the charm. After failing at the final hurdle twice in three years, they've had indisputably the best season of any team in Europe. The club's management has done well to keep a consistent team, and the players are finally primed for glory on the greatest stage.

There are still 90 minutes to be played, though, and as the great German coach Sepp Herberger once famously said, "People go to the stadium because they don't know how the game will end." On Saturday, more viewers worldwide will watch a German match than ever before. Regardless of the final result, fans can all hope for a match that captures all the passion, intensity and unique flavor of the Bundesliga.

Follow Clark Whitney on Twitter

NBA Playoffs 2013: Previews and Predictions for Upcoming Conference Finals Games

Justin Onslow — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Despite the Indiana Pacers’ best efforts, LeBron James and the Miami Heat pulled off a miraculous last-second victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With a heartbreaking loss to fall behind early in the series, the Pacers will have a long way to go to take Game 2 in AmericanAirlines Arena and pick up momentum for their return trip.

The Memphis Grizzlies are facing a similar situation, though they already dug a 2-0, out from which it will be nearly impossible to climb. The San Antonio Spurs locked up both home games to start the Western Conference Finals, and Memphis now has to secure two home victories to feel confident in its ability to overtake the West’s No. 1 seed for a spot in the NBA Finals.

But if the 2013 playoffs have taught us anything, it’s this: both series are far from over.

Indiana and Memphis both play tremendous defensive basketball—the type of basketball that has the potential to neutralize any offense in the league. Miami and San Antonio are terrific squads, but neither is immune to its counterpart's stifling defense.

Let’s take a look at the next game in each matchup and offer a preview for each matchup, complete with viewing information and predictions for the weekend’s NBA action.

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena; Miami, Florida

When: Friday, May 24, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Television: TNT

Series: Heat lead 1-0

It had to be LeBron James.

As well as Indiana played in the first game of the series Wednesday night, the league’s preeminent superstar closed the door on an Indiana upset bid with a late-second layup in overtime to give the Heat a 1-0 series advantage.

James scored 30 points and added 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the contest. If Indiana hopes to upend the Heat in Game 2, it will have to find a way to shut down James. The Pacers played him tough throughout the regular season, and they’ll have to duplicate that defensive tenacity at AmericanAirlines Arena Friday night.

It wasn’t all bad for the Pacers Wednesday night, though.

Froward Paul George proved he can’t be taken lightly in this series, first with a 32-footer to send Game 1 into overtime and again with three clutch free throws to nearly seal the deal for his team with almost no time remaining in the overtime period.

George did allow James to blow past him on the game’s final play, but that defensive letdown shouldn’t negate what he did at the other end of the floor. If George can duplicate his Game 1 performance Friday evening, the Pacers will find themselves once again in a down-to-the-wire playoff affair.

Nothing about Indiana’s play suggests it can’t pull off an upset in Game 2. In fact, nearly finishing off the Heat on their home floor in Game 1 was a warning shot across Miami’s bow. The Pacers aren’t going to let this series slip away in short order.

Look for Indiana to put on a similar performance Friday night and edge out Miami to even the series at 1-1 in an extremely close contest.

Game 2 Prediction: Indiana 93, Miami 91

Series Prediction: Miami in seven

San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Where: AT&T Center; San Antonio, Texas

When: Saturday, May 25, at 9 p.m. ET

Television: ESPN

Series: Spurs lead 2-0

As poorly as Memphis played in its 105-83 Game 1 loss to the Spurs, Tuesday’s overtime defeat had to be extremely deflating for the Grizzlies.

Despite outscoring the West’s No. 1 seed 21-9 in the fourth quarter of Game 2, the Grizzlies let the victory slip away in an overtime period that saw them score just four points.

As has been the case throughout the playoffs, Tony Parker was magnificent in both conference finals contests. He tallied 20 points and nine assists in San Antonio’s Game 1 blowout win, and followed that with a tremendous 15-point, 18-assist effort on Tuesday night. Memphis fielded the league’s No. 2 defense in the regular season, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the Spurs if Parker continues playing at that level.

But things are likely to change when the action returns to Memphis this weekend. The Grizzlies posted a 32-9 home record in the regular season and haven’t dropped a home contest in the playoffs to this point. While the Spurs have played well on the road in the playoffs (4-1), it’s hard to imagine Memphis dropping two must-win games on its home turf.

Expect the Grizzlies to rebound with a decisive victory in Game 3 to cut the series lead to 2-1.

Game 3 Prediction: Memphis 92, San Antonio 85

Series Prediction: San Antonio in six

SEC Baseball Tournament 2013 Schedule: Predicting Thursday's Showdowns

Ryan Rudnansky — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

We've only seen two days of baseball at the 2013 SEC tournament so far and there have already been some nail-biters, as well as dominant performances.

Whether you are rooting for defending champion Mississippi State, or No. 1 seed Vanderbilt, or some of the underdogs, there is something for everyone this year.

Here are my predictions for Thursday's matchups in Hoover, Ala.

*All stats via NCAA.com

Alabama (7) vs. Ole Miss (6)

When: 10:30 a.m. ET

Watch: SportSouth (SPSO)

Live Stream: ESPN3

Both of these teams are comparable on the offensive side of the ball. Ole Miss averaged 5.39 runs per game during the regular season. Alabama averaged 5.3 runs per game during the regular season.

To me, this game comes down to pitching.

In that department, Ole Miss has a distinct advantage. The Rebels posted a 3.15 ERA during the regular season (33rd in the nation). Alabama registered a 3.69 ERA (73rd).

On top of that, Ole Miss has given up just three runs in two games during the tournament. Alabama has allowed nine runs.

Ole Miss advances to the third round in Hoover.

South Carolina (4) vs. Vanderbilt (1)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Watch: SportSouth (SPSO)

Live Stream: ESPN3

On paper, Vanderbilt has better pitching and hitting than South Carolina.

Vanderbilt ranked 11th and 12th in runs and ERA respectively during the regular season. South Carolina ranked 62nd and 25th respectively.

Both teams were upset on Wednesday. Vanderbilt was shut out by Texas A&M, but I don't expect that to happen against South Carolina.

Both squads have gotten off to rocky starts, but I'm ultimately going to go with who I feel is the better team on offense and defense...and that's Vanderbilt.

The Commodores advance to the third round.

Arkansas (3) vs. LSU (2)

When: 5:30 p.m ET

Watch: SportSouth (SPSO)

Live Stream: ESPN3

This should be a great matchup in the third round between two top teams in the conference.

The Tigers not only ranked 20th in runs during the regular season, they also ranked sixth in ERA. LSU blanked Alabama in the second round of the tournament, 3-0.

Of course, Arkansas held the top ERA in the nation (1.93) during the regular season and defeated Ole Miss in the second round, 2-1.

But the difference for me is LSU's offense. The Tigers ranked 20th in runs scored during the regular season. The Razorbacks, on the other hand, ranked 159th in runs.

Arkansas has the pitching to make things interesting on Thursday, but I ultimately think LSU will do just enough on offense to squeak by the Razorbacks.

On top of that, LSU has a history of success in the SEC tournament. The Tigers won the showcase three straight years from 2008 to 2010.

LSU advances to the semifinals.

Texas A&M (9) vs. Mississippi State (5)

When: 9 p.m. ET

Watch: SportSouth (SPSO)

Live Stream: ESPN3

I can't wait to watch this third-round matchup.

Despite being the No. 9 seed, Texas A&M has already defeated 2011 champion Florida and No. 1 seed Vanderbilt. And, despite ranking 210th in the nation in runs scored during the regular season, the Aggies have posted a combined 11 runs in those victories.

Mississippi State, the defending champion, isn't going to go down without a fight. After a 2-1 victory over Missouri in the first round, the Bulldogs beat No. 4 seed South Carolina on Wednesday, 5-3.

Mississippi State not only ranked 15th in ERA during the regular season, it also ranked 44th in runs scored.

Ultimately, based on the law of averages, I have to give this game to the Bulldogs, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Texas A&M pulled off another shocker. The Aggies are in the zone right now.

SEC Baseball Tournament 2013: Teams Impressing Early in Alabama

Ryan Rudnansky — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Through the first two days of the 2013 SEC baseball tournament some top seeds have shown up to play, while others have not.

One low seed in particular—Texas A&M—is turning the tournament on its head with two impressive victories already headed into Thursday's action. Who would have thought that the Aggies—ranked 210th in the nation in runs going into the tournament—would put up such a fight?

Here's a look at the most impressive teams in the tournament so far with their seedings in parentheses.

Texas A&M (9)

Despite going into the SEC tournament as the ninth seed, Texas A&M has taken the tournament by storm, defeating 2011 champion Florida and No. 1 seed Vanderbilt in its first two games.

In the first round, Texas A&M defeated Florida, 6-3. After falling behind, 2-0, the Aggies stormed back to score three runs in the fourth inning. Florida tied it in the fifth, but the Aggies won the game down the stretch, scoring three more runs and holding the Gators scoreless in the last four innings.

Third baseman Henry Melton went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI and one run for Texas A&M while Daniel Mengden pitched all nine innings, allowing just one earned run and notching 11 strikeouts.

In the second round, Texas A&M shut out Vanderbilt, 5-0. Parker Ray pitched eight innings of three-hit ball while relievers A.J. Minter and Jason Jester combined to hold the Commodores without a hit in the final frame.

Cole Lankford, Mikey Reynolds, Troy Stein and Melton each picked up an RBI in the victory.

The Aggies had not scored much this season headed into the tournament, but they've posted 11 runs in two games in Hoover, Ala.

The pitching isn't much of a surprise, though. Texas A&M had posted a 3.57 ERA coming into the tournament.

Mississippi State (5)

Mississippi State may be the No. 5 seed this year, but it is also the defending SEC tournament champion.

The Bulldogs showed in the first round why they are a feared team, riding their pitching to a 2-1 victory over Missouri in 17 innings. Six Bulldogs' pitchers combined to allow just one run as Missouri was held scoreless after the third inning.

Mississippi State showed that it doesn't just have pitching. In the Bulldogs' 5-3 victory over South Carolina in the second round, right fielder Demarcus Henderson and first baseman Wes Rea combined to go 5-for-8 with five RBI. Shortstop Adam Frazier and second baseman Brett Pirtle were a combined 4-for-9 with four runs scored.

The defending champions ranked 15th in ERA during the regular season, according to NCAA.com.

LSU (2)

LSU has only played one game so far in the tournament, but the Tigers' 3-0 victory over Alabama on Wednesday was an example of the pitching they boast.

LSU ranked sixth in the nation in ERA at 2.53 going into the tournament and starting pitcher Cody Glenn held the Crimson Tide to five hits over seven scoreless innings on Wednesday.

While Alabama wasn't a particularly high-scoring team before the tournament, make no mistake about it, LSU's pitching is for real. It's part of the reason the Tigers are seeded second.

Belmont Stakes 2013: Horses That Will Push Orb and Oxbow in Triple Crown Race

Mike Chiari — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

No horses have been officially entered into the Belmont Stakes on June 8 yet, but all signs point to it being a stacked field featuring horses from both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes as well as some horses that didn't run in either Triple Crown race.

Provided Kentucky Derby winner Orb and Preakness winner Oxbow run in the Belmont as expected, all eyes are likely to be on them. In fact, Sportsbook has installed them as early co-favorites with +300 odds. There are several other potential contenders in the mix who can spoil both of their efforts to secure a second leg of the Triple Crown.

Here are three horses that will challenge Orb and Oxbow and have a fighting chance to win the Belmont Stakes.

Itsmyluckyday

One of a handful of horses that competed in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness was Itsmyluckyday. After a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Derby, hopes were much higher for him in the Preakness. He delivered as a jockey change to John Velazquez helped him finish second behind Oxbow. With two big races now underneath him, Itsmyluckyday is a definite threat to win the Belmont if he runs.

There is no concrete information regarding plans for Itsmyluckyday to compete in the Belmont Stakes, but trainer Eddie Plesa admitted that he is under consideration, according to David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

While Plesa was obviously noncommittal, it wouldn't make much sense to hold Itsmyluckyday out of the Belmont after such a strong Preakness run. He proved that he can outrun Orb and it isn't as if Oxbow blew him away either, so he clearly has enough talent to win. The post draw and the trip he ultimately gets in the race will be factors, but he is definitely a horse worth watching.

Revolutionary

Many were surprised by the fact that Revolutionary didn't run in the Preakness, as he finished a strong third in the Kentucky Derby despite starting near the rail. Revolutionary also boasted three consecutive victories prior to the Kentucky Derby and has never finished worse than third in a race. With all of that in mind, Revolutionary would almost certainly be among the top Belmont contenders.

While Orb and Oxbow are co-favorites currently at +300, Revolutionary is next in line with a few others at +800, according to Sportsbook. Revolutionary was saddled by jockey Calvin Borel in the Kentucky Derby, and while it remains to be seen who would guide him in the Belmont, Borel would be a great choice. According to David Grening of Daily Racing Form, Revolutionary is one of many horses trainer Todd Pletcher is considering entering into the Belmont.

Revolutionary would have been among the betting favorites had he been entered in the Preakness and he will hold that distinction once again if he runs in the Belmont Stakes. He has proved capable of running and finishing near the front in every race he has been in, so there is nothing to suggest that things would be different in the Belmont.

Mylute

Very quietly, Mylute has been one of the best horses throughout the Triple Crown season as he finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby and followed that up with a respectable third-place finish in the Preakness. Mylute was ridden by jockey Rosie Napravnik in both races and they definitely seem to have a great synergy together. Because of that, trainer Tom Amoss might as well take another crack at a Triple Crown race and give the pairing a chance to win the Belmont.

Mylute only has two wins in 11 races, so the argument can be made that he doesn't have the late kick necessary to finish races off, but he is constantly in the mix. Amoss has been mum about whether or not Mylute will run in the Belmont other than saying that he will wait to make a decision, according to Jay Privman of Daily Racing Form.

Mylute has flown under the radar over the past several weeks and should continue to do so because of Orb and Oxbow. Most of the press that Mylute has gotten has to do with Napravnik, but he has a chance to go down in history if he wins the Belmont. Provided he runs another consistent race, he will definitely be in the running.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Why Liverpool Should Fight to Keep Goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Mark Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Plenty of people have a comfortable pair of slippers―something that they know will always be there no matter how tough the day and how difficult the situation.

These slippers make you feel completely at home whatever the setting and almost never let you down.

Until the weekend, Liverpool’s comfortable pair of slippers was surely Jamie Carragher.

The long-serving defender was turned to whenever his club needed him, such as this January when manager Brendan Rodgers bemoaned the lack of characters in his team and brought the club’s vice-captain back for a home fixture against Norwich City. The Reds beat the Canaries 5-0, and Carragher was only on a losing Premier League side on one occasion for the rest of the season.

Rodgers knew that Carragher wouldn’t let him down, but now he’s retired the Reds boss will need to rely on someone else.

The logical choice would surely be the next longest-serving player after Carragher, Steven Gerrard, but there is nothing about the skipper that can be described as "comfortable." He’ll continue to buzz around the pitch and not let anybody down because that’s simply what he does best. He can’t be described as an old pair of slippers.

But then who can?

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina may have had his moments where he has looked far from comfortable over the past couple of seasons, but he can still be relied upon to be a crucial part of Liverpool’s plans as and when he’s needed.

There might still be swirling transfer rumours that centre on the Spanish international’s future at the club he’s called his home for the past eight years―with the most recent of those rumours linking Reina with a return to his former club Barcelona, as reported by the Daily Mirror―but Liverpool really should be doing all they can to keep hold of a player who has served them with such distinction throughout his career in England.

That career began in 2005, when Rafael Benitez plucked Reina from Villarreal and brought him to the then-European champions.

He’s deserved to win far more than just an FA Cup and a League Cup between then and now, but for years Reina was a solid, dependable last line of defence who seemed almost superhuman at times. He played in every single one of Liverpool’s Premier League games in 2007/08 and 2010/11.

Just recently, though, that superhuman stance has softened somewhat with niggling injuries and losses of form blighting his performances and ensuring that the campaign just gone saw him play the least amount of matches he’s ever managed for the Reds in a season: 39 in all competitions.

You can read into that what you want, but Reina is still an important part of Liverpool’s present and future. He doesn’t turn 31 until the opening weeks of next season, whilst he still has three years remaining on the extremely long-term contract he signed with the Reds in 2008.

He’s still one of the best goalkeepers in the business too, and after demonstrating an upturn in form in the closing months of the 2012/13 season, the Reds would surely be foolish to get rid of a player who seems at home bringing his young family up on Merseyside.

As with all foreign players it is highly likely that he’ll return to his homeland one day, but with goalkeepers able to go on playing for many years, Liverpool and Rodgers should be determined to keep him around for at least the foreseeable future.

After becoming as trusted and comfortable as an old pair of slippers Reina surely isn’t in the mood to be replaced, and Liverpool shouldn’t be looking to replace him either.

There’s life in the old favourite yet, and next season he can prove that.

Closer Look at Michael Crabtree's Achilles Tendon Injury and Surgery

Dave Siebert — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:55:20 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers offense took a huge hit on Tuesday when wide receiver Michael Crabtree went down with a torn Achilles tendon first revealed by Mike Garafolo of USA Today.

According to Ian Rapoport, coach Jim Harbaugh described the injury as a complete tear—one that requires surgical repair almost without exception. Crabtree underwent that surgery on Wednesday according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, with Adam Schefter reporting doctors project a six-month recovery time.

While six months of rehab may seem extensive, it pales in comparison to what an Achilles rupture used to mean for an athlete. As Bleacher Report's Will Carroll writes, such an injury used to end seasons—and even careers. An examination of the underlying anatomy makes it clear why that is.

Also known as the calcaneal tendon, the Achilles tendon connects two large, bulky calf muscles—the gastrocnemius and soleus—to the calcaneus, or heel bone.

When the gastrocnemius and soleus contract, they pull on the Achilles tendon. In turn, the tendon pulls on the back of the heel, resulting in pointing of the toes—a movement known as "plantarflexion."

Plantarflexion is important in just about every practical movement of the lower body—from walking all the way up to sprinting and cutting. During the normal walking and running gaits, while one foot is about halfway through its forward swing, the other foot begins to plantarflex in order to push off the ground. Effective vertical leaps also require strong plantarflexion to propel upward.

Complete Achilles ruptures disconnect the gastrocnemius and soleus from the back of the heel, making plantarflexion nearly impossible. Though other muscles are also involved in plantarflexion, they cannot make up the difference.

Likely owing to its importance in the biomechanics of so many crucial human movements, the Achilles tendon evolved as the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. Unfortunately, that does not mean it is immune to injury.

Muscle and tendon injuries usually occur when an outside force counteracts a contracting muscle. For instance, if a hit forcefully straightens an athlete's biceps while he is flexing it, a biceps tendon tear can result.

According to Janie McCauley of the Associated Press, it appears Crabtree's injury occurred via a similar mechanism.

McCauley also reported the injury involves Crabtree's right leg.

By putting together the information available within the report, one can clearly envision what probably happened.

It appears likely that Crabtree started in motion to his right before the snap. When the play started, he presumptively planted on the toes of his right foot in order to stop his rightward-moving momentum, turn to his left and start upfield.

When he planted his toes, the ground forced his plantarflexed right foot to bend back upward, stretching—and eventually tearing—his contracted Achilles tendon.

Of course, Achilles tendons do not rupture every time an athlete plants his or her foot. It is likely that Achilles tendinitis, offseason deconditioning or some other previous, possibly unknown injury weakened the tendon prior to Crabtree suffering the complete tear.

Regardless of why Crabtree sustained the injury, surgery is necessary for proper repair.

Conceptually, the operation is simple. Though precise details are unavailable to the public, Crabtree's surgeons likely made incisions around the tear, exposed the two torn ends of the tendon, trimmed down damaged tissue and stitched the remaining ends back together. Doctors probably also used relatively thick sutures due to the toughness of the tissue in question.

However, while the procedure is simple, it is not easy. About.com's Dr. Jonathan Cluett writes:

While the concepts of surgery are straightforward, the execution is more complex. Care must be taken to ensure the tendon is repaired with the proper tension -- not too tight or too loose. . .Nerves are located just adjacent to the tendon, and must be protected to prevent nerve injury.

Following surgery, Crabtree will start rehab. Physical therapists will slowly guide him through a progressive sequence of exercises. Each protocol differs, but he will likely begin with simple range of motion and gait exercises, move on to strength training and finish with real-game agility drills.

During therapy, therapists will only advance Crabtree to each next step when he proves his Achilles tendon and calf muscles are up to the task. Doing so prevents overexerting the tendon too soon and before the body cements it into place. It also keeps the strengths of the muscle bodies and muscle tendon in proper balance.

If all goes well, modern-day rehab could very well allow Crabtree to return this season. The ability of therapists to individualize treatment protocols is invaluable and largely responsible for shortened recovery times compared to historical records.

What's more, Crabtree could elect to use platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—one of the many new medical techniques changing the NFL—in an attempt to speed his recovery, though the evidence for its efficacy is controversial.

Dr. Mark Niedfeldt—team physician for MLB's Milwaukee Brewers and associate clinical professor for Family and Community Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin—weighed in on PRP in January.

PRP has been studied in augmentation of ACL grafts, Achilles tendon repairs and rotator cuffs. Results have been mixed. . .A study of PRP augmentation of Achilles repair suggested earlier restoration of function.

Nevertheless, no treatment is as important as time—time the 49ers do not have.

After losing wide receiver Mario Manningham to a serious knee injury last December and tight end Delanie Walker to free agency in March, the 49ers receiving core looks quite different than last year's Super Bowl team.

The Anquan Boldin trade will help stem the tide, but as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller and Aaron Nagler discuss, losing Crabtree—who developed an impressive rapport with quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the last half of the 2012 season—represents a serious blow to the San Francisco offense.

That said, should the 49ers make the playoffs, Crabtree could return late in the season for another Super Bowl run.

Dave Siebert is a medical writer for Bleacher Report who will join the University of Washington as a resident physician in June. Medical information is based on his own knowledge except where otherwise cited, and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow Dave on Twitter for more sports, medicine and sports medicine.

Is 2013 a Make-or-Break Season for Washington Redskins WR Leonard Hankerson?

Aidan Reynolds — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:53:04 -0400

Leonard Hankerson is going to have a breakout year.

That was the assumption when the Washington Redskins began their 2012-13 season, but the wide receiver never appeared to fully recovery from a hip injury and he failed to live up to expectations.

Now entering his third NFL season, this may be Hankerson's last chance to become the player his coaches think he can become.

It seems that two of Washington's starting wide receiver positions are already locked up with Pierre Garcon as the No. 1 and Santana Moss operating from the slot. Realistically, that leaves Hankerson and Josh Morgan fighting for time on the field.

Aldrick Robinson will make some appearances and Dezmon Briscoe could remain on the roster while unknown guys like Lance Lewis could also be a factor. However, Hankerson and Morgan are the ones in line for the No. 2 job.

Neither had a spectacular season in 2012-13, and it’s actually unfair to compare two players who have different styles.

Hankerson is the one you look for to beat his defender on the outside and when taking shots downfield. Morgan is a short-to-intermediate possession receiver who will pick up crucial first downs and make the tough catch. Morgan is also a much better blocker than Hankerson, which is crucial within this Redskins' offense.

That could mean they split playing time according to the game situation, and with Morgan in a contract year, it’s a safe bet that he’ll put himself on the line every play. Even without making any sort of decision regarding “make or break years,” a good showing this season would do wonders for Hankerson.

For the sake of argument, let’s assume Hankerson gets a pass for his rookie year. That goes for last year too, seeing as he was coming off a difficult rehab. While that is all forgivable, there were also worrisome signs during his time on the field that could bleed into his play this season.

Much has been written about Redskins receivers' drops, and Hankerson did drop five passes in 2012-13. Morgan dropped four and is considered the safer option. With 13 more targets than Hankerson, it’s not much of a difference—and neither is really acceptable—but that’s not the main problem with Hankerson’s development.

Since returning from his injury, Hankerson has showed considerable reluctance to go over the middle and catch the difficult ball, particularly when it’s forced into tight windows. He seemed reticent to take hits and too willing to go to the ground. Even on his 2012-13 highlights, there are almost zero yards after the catch. For someone with his size and speed, that’s not good enough.

That is somewhat understandable after three months of rehab and then surgery, but if Hankerson isn’t fully dialed in to the game, he will keep dropping passes. It doesn't take long for the “inconsistent” tag to stick.

Hankerson is 6’2 and 211 pounds, so should be able to tough it out with the corners and come down with the ball. Watching film of his performances last year, there were too many times when he could have made the catch, but short-armed the pass as he anticipated contact.

This was particularly evident in the Redskins' 31-28 loss to the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in Week 2 of last season, which may have been why Robert Griffin III targeted Morgan on crucial third downs later in the season.

That’s not to say that Hankerson had an awful 2012-13, either. Later in the season, there were times when he looked like the player who racked up 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior year at the University of Miami.

In Washington's 38-21 win at Cleveland in Week 15—tellingly with Kirk Cousins at QB—Hankerson looked more comfortable in his routes and in going up for the ball. Coming off a bootleg, Cousins threw into triple coverage and Hankerson made the catch, rolling in for a 54-yard touchdown. Cousins looked for him again in the same game, finding him in the end zone for a 2-yard score.

Hankerson came up with some useful catches against Baltimore too that enabled the Redskins to keep the chains moving in a 31-28 overtime win in Week 14. If he is in space, Griffin will find him easily and pick up first downs. In coverage, Hankerson is a different proposition and it just seems like there are other receivers who Griffin trusts a little bit more.

So does Hankerson have to put up big numbers this year in order to remain on the team?

It’s difficult to answer, but while the third year is often the time that NFL receivers find their stride and start to make some waves, Hankerson has missed significant time with an injury that stalled his progress. A good preseason should see him go into Washington's Week 1 matchup with the Eagles with a lot of confidence.

With that in mind, it’s unfair to state that Hankerson has to succeed this season to stay in Washington. However, if he has another inconsistent year, this is one argument that will have a very different tone next offseason.

For now, Hankerson deserves the chance to succeed. If he can put his injury and contact issues behind him, he’ll be a real playmaker on the team.

USMNT Upcoming Friendlies: What Should US Fans Be Expecting?

John D. Halloran — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:32:48 -0400

Next week, the United States men’s national team takes on both Belgium and Germany in two international friendlies. The games will serve as preparation for the U.S. for their three World Cup qualifiers in early June against Jamaica, Panama and Honduras.

So, what should U.S. fans be expecting to see out of the two friendlies?

Let’s take a look.

The Belgian Squad

Although the U.S. will not have its full squad available for the friendly against Belgium on May 29 due to injuries and late arrivals to camp, the Belgian squad is absolutely stacked.

The Belgian roster is a who’s who of upcoming and current superstars in world football.

In the back, the Belgians boast established defenders Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal), Daniel Van Buyten (Bayern Munich) and Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham).

In the midfield and up top, the Belgians have Moussa Dembele (Tottenham), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa), Kevin De Bruyne (currently on loan at Werder Bremen from Chelsea ) and Romelu Lukaku (currently on loan at West Bromwich Albion from Chelsea).

The U.S. simply cannot match Belgium’s talent or experience—it will take a special effort to stay competitive with a Belgian team ready to make a deep run at the 2014 World Cup.

The German Squad

The German squad, in comparison to the Belgian squad, is considerably less deep. Because of the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, German coach Joachim Loew has not called up many of the team’s usual stars.

The U.S. will, in many ways, be facing a German “C” team that will be highlighted by Rene Adler (Hamburg), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal) and Miroslav Klose (Lazio).

Although it will be disappointing not to get to watch many of the German stars line up against the Stars and Stripes, the U.S. may need an easier game after facing off against the powerful Belgians.

Generating Some Offense

While it is smart of U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to want to test his squad against the best teams in the world, neither of these friendlies will simulate the type of competition the U.S. will face in the World Cup qualifiers following the friendlies.

The U.S. will face stiff tests from Jamaica, Panama and Honduras, but none of them has anywhere near the talent or experience of Belgium or Germany.

With a U.S. team that has generated a grand total of three shots on goal in its first three hexagonal World Cup qualifiers, Klinsmann needs to find a way to generate some offense.

The problem is, against Belgium and Germany, the U.S. is likely to be on its heels for most of the match no matter what players or formation Klinsmann deploys because the U.S. will simply be outmatched.

The one positive that may come out of these matches is that Klinsmann will get another chance to give his defenders a good workout and get Omar Gonzalez, Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron some valuable international experience.

Experimentation

The U.S. will be without Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona, Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams for the friendly against Belgium due to club commitments. The U.S. may also be without Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore depending on how much training they get after arriving to camp late.

Their absences will give Klinsmann an opportunity to get some players, likely Terrence Boyd and Sacha Kljestan a proper run-out with the first team. While both have gotten frequent call-ups under Klinsmann, neither has had the chance to prove themselves in a full game.

These friendlies may also give Klinsmann an opportunity to see how much damage was done to the form of Michael Parkhurst and Brek Shea due to their lack of playing time with their clubs and assess how far along Stuart Holden is in his return from injury.

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The Greatest Obstacles Facing David Moyes as Manchester United Manager

Max Towle — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:24:52 -0400

It is still hard to believe that Sir Alex Ferguson won't be manager of Manchester United next season.

The parade, the speeches, the trophy celebration—it all passed a little too quickly for comfort. A year-long mix of celebration and mourning may have been more apt.

But this is the man he is—like the retiring Paul Scholes, he would rather go quietly into the night than overshadow the club for an extended period.

Sir Alex is Manchester United, Manchester United is Sir Alex—the two are inextricably linked. I, like so many young fans of the Red Devils, have known nothing else in my lifetime.

There was Sir Matt Busby, and there is Sir Alex Ferguson. These men were irreplaceable and yet must be replaced. It is the toughest job in the game.

The weight of responsibility that falls on the newly-appointed David Moyes is immense. He will face countless obstacles and challenges in his United career, both immediately and in the long term.

Here is an in-depth look at what those might be.

The Wayne Rooney Situation

It is unfortunate that the first order of business David Moyes has to deal with at Old Trafford is the wantaway intentions of one of the club's stars.

Wayne Rooney hasn't had the best season, but when Sir Alex revealed to Sky Sports "[Rooney has] asked for a transfer. I think he's maybe a bit frustrated at being taken off once or twice in the past few weeks," it was quite a shock.

The English forward demanded to leave United in 2010, citing the club's lack of ambition in the transfer market, but was persuaded to stay.

The Red Devils are champions, have the strongest squad on paper since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney again wants to leave, whether due to a lack of playing time or otherwise.

Another reason which is possibly fueling his desire to leave is his strained relationship with Moyes—his first manager at Everton.

The two were engaged in a bitter legal feud in 2006 when the forward was sued for libel for making defamatory remarks about Moyes in his autobiography, My Story So Far.

Though they have supposedly patched up their differences, there is sure to be some lingering awkwardness or ill feeling.

So how does Moyes deal with this first challenge?

Does he go out of his way to persuade the English forward to stay? Or does he look for the quick sale, ridding the squad of any bad blood?

He wouldn't want his first significant act as manager to be to sell a top player, but this situation was not of his making. All he can do is act in the best interests of the club.

Earning the Respect of the Players

There have been few managers in the game who have as much gravitas as Sir Alex Ferguson.

David Moyes will not be able to walk straight into Old Trafford and assume the respect of the playing staff, he will have to earn it.

So many of United's players have given their all for Sir Alex, asking them to do the same for Moyes immediately is unreasonable.

Moyes must be glad that tears were shed in the dressing room when Sir Alex announced his retirement—he will eventually ask that same loyalty.

He must be a father figure on some occasions, and a disciplinary force on others.

His authority may be tested—it would be impossible to drive all thought of Sir Alex from the team meetings and half-time team-talks.

The good news for the Red Devils is that those who played under Moyes at Everton rarely have a dissatisfied word to say about him.

In an interview with The Sun, former United and Everton player Phil Neville sung the praises of the Scotsman.

"David Moyes is the best candidate, 100 percent. You can put him alongside any coach in the world for that job and he is the best candidate," he said. "He sucks everything out of everyone. That shows you he’s got something."

The Return of Chelsea

Manchester United romped to Premier League glory this term without any real challenger to the throne.

Next season, it would be difficult to envisage the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea dropping so far off the pace.

In the case of the latter, the potential return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge could worry the Red Devils.

Say what you want about the man, he gets results. He has won at least one league trophy at every club he has managed since Porto, including two at Chelsea.

Roman Abramovich, the Blues' owner, is certain to pour a vast amount of money into new signings for the Portuguese boss.

This week, The Mirror reported that Mourinho's transfer wish list includes Radamel Falcao, Hulk, Isco and Marouane Fellaini.

Personally speaking, it seems like Chelsea will pose the biggest threat to United's domestic dominance next term.

With the wealth of talent already in the squad, if a free-scoring goalscorer like Falcao were to arrive, they will be a very hard team to stop.

Moyes hasn't had the best record against top five teams in recent seasons. He will need to devise ways of beating the league's best.

On paper, next season's Premier League seems too close to call. Moyes' primary job will be elevating United above their rivals.

Managing a "Big" Club

Much has been made of David Moyes' nose for a bargain. At Goodison Park he worked with a slim budget, forced to sniff out potential stars from near-obscurity.

Manchester United are a completely different prospect.

As soon as the Red Devils' interest in a potential target becomes known, his price tag inflates. Other clubs also begin sniffing around—such is the high reputation of the United scouts.

There will be some clubs that try to exploit Moyes and United, asking them to pay ridiculous sums of money for transfer targets.

This is an obstacle he must be wary of.

At Manchester United, anything less than first place is seen as disappointing.

At Everton, gaining a European place was the only real goal. It is worth mentioning that he never won a trophy at Goodison Park. He will have to right that wrong as soon as possible at Old Trafford.

There will be bigger egos in the dressing room, bigger contracts, a bigger media spotlight shone on his every move.

In his post-match interview after United's 5-5 draw with West Brom, Sir Alex briefly referred to this aspect of managing Manchester United: "I think the enormity of the club—he will soon realise that anyways. The global brand and number of sponsors we have here, he has to fit into that."

The pressures he will face will be 10 times bigger than anything previously in his career.

Some men would buckle under this burden, Moyes must thrive.

Longevity

In the grand scheme of things, David Moyes' biggest challenge will be trying to replicate the longevity of Sir Alex's Manchester United career.

Part of what made Fergie so special was his ability to adapt to the changing nature of the game—to build and rebuild teams of winners.

He is the best because over 26 years, trophies were never very far from his grip.

No one is asking Moyes to coach the Red Devils for 26 years, perhaps not even 16, but he is no stop-gap solution.

This is why Jose Mourinho was overlooked—the Glazers and Sir Alex wanted stability—a man who wouldn't get a wandering eye or be tempted by other challenges.

In an interview with The Sun, Phil Neville explained how he believes this is why Moyes was hired:

He’s not at United for two or three seasons. If Mourinho came to Man United you’d think, with his track record, that in maybe three seasons he’d be gone.

People talk about Mourinho being the Special One but the gaffer has something special about him in his own way. United are looking at the next 20 years. They’ve just given Moyes a six-year contract, and he’s probably going to be there for the rest of his managerial career. It’s that kind of club.

They invest in a certain kind of manager and that’s why he’s the best man for the job. There’s no one else they could have invested in who would offer the same longevity as the previous manager.

Moyes must win too—and regularly. United officials won't do a Chelsea or Manchester City and fire him after one barren campaign. But expectations at Old Trafford are just as high, if not higher than anywhere else.

Fans will be patient, but not if it seems as if the club is in decline.

That's not to say that improvement is necessary.

Moyes is arriving at a club which has won five of the last seven Premier League trophies—keeping things at status quo would be more than enough.

There's the real challenge.

What will be the greatest obstacles in David Moyes' way at Old Trafford?

Bleacher Report's Premier League coverage has been nominated in the 2012-13 EPLTalk awards. Cast your vote here.

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle

Why the Packers' Offense Should Be Unstoppable in 2013

Matt Stein — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:16:02 -0400

To say the Green Bay Packers have had a good offense for the past few seasons would be quite the understatement. The Packers' offense hasn't just been good, it's been one of the best units in the league.

However, Green Bay has the potential to become unstoppable during the 2013 season. Even with the loss of Greg Jennings, the Packers' offense should be the best it has been in years.

Let's take a look at why this group should be unstoppable in 2013.

A Ground Game

This is the area of Green Bay's offense that has been lacking since Ryan Grant rushed for over 1,200 yards back in 2009. Since that season, the Packers have finished 20th (2012 season), 27th (2011 season) and 24th (2010 season) in total rushing yards in the NFL.

While this isn't a team that is ever going to lead the league in rushing, they do need to be able to take the pressure off Aaron Rodgers at times. That hasn't happened, which has allowed defenses to hone in on slowing down the passing game.

However, the Packers should be much improved on the ground for the 2013 season. Along with DuJuan Harris and Alex Green, Green Bay added two potentially studly running backs in the draft in Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin.

Even if the Packers don't find an every-down back, they still have enough talented to get a tremendous amount of group production. Don't be surprised if this unit becomes one of the more productive units in the league by seasons end.

Evolution of Randall Cobb

The man who is going to be relied upon most in replacing Jennings' production is going to be Cobb. The second-year player finished just shy of 1,000 receiving yards last season with 954 and eight touchdowns.

Cobb certainly isn't as polished of a player as Jennings, but he is was more dynamic and a much better playmaker. He's the type of offensive player who is a threat to score every single time he touches the football.

The scary part about Cobb is that he is only entering his third season, so there is still room for growth. His evolution was a big reason why the Packers felt they could move forward without Jennings and still be successful.

Unfortunately, Packers' legend LeRoy Butler may not feel the same way.

However, Cobb won't only replace Jennings in terms of production, he'll eventually become more productive.

Improved Offensive Line

This might be shocking, but an offense won't be very good if a quarterback is always laying on his back. Rodgers was sacked a ridiculous 51 times last season, the most he's ever been sacked in his career.

Changes and improvements definitely needed to be made. While the Packers didn't make any big splashes via free agency or the NFL draft, they made in-house changes that should bring about positive results.

They're moving right tackle Bryan Bulaga and right guard Josh Sitton over to the left side of the offensive line. Marshall Newhouse, who played left tackle for the past two seasons, graded out as the 54th-best offensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That isn't good, so it was definitely time for a change.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel spoke to head coach Mike McCarthy after the switches were announced, and this is what he had to say concerning his confidence in Bulaga:

"I wouldn't have done it if I didn't have full confidence in Bryan," McCarthy said. "He's been here everyday (in the off-season) and so I've seen him develop physically in all areas of his game. He's a very mature player."

Clearly, McCarthy feels that Bulaga can be that franchise left tackle that Rodgers desperately needs.

With an improved offensive line that will actually give Rodgers time in the pocket, the sky is literally the limit with this offense.

Still Plenty of Weapons

Even if Cobb didn't improve and the running game stayed the same, this is still an offense that has players like Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Jermichael Finley.

It really isn't even fair when you look at all of the weapons that the Packers have on offense. If a defense wants to try to shut down Nelson, Rodgers will simply hone in on Jones or Finley or Cobb.

There isn't a defense out there that has the personnel to slow down all the offensive playmakers that Green Bay can throw in the field at one time. The Packers' weapons are always going to outweigh the defensive playmakers.

With an actual ground game, Randall Cobb taking the next step, an improved offensive line and a handful of weapons, the Packers' offense simply has no other choice but to be unstoppable in 2013.

Neymar: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Tom Sunderland — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:08:00 -0400

One of the hottest properties in world football right now, Neymar’s immediate future and just whether it lies outside of Brazil is a topic to have been discussed ferociously in recent months. Read on for all the Samba starlet’s key scouting information heading into a hectic summer transfer window.

Age: 21

Contract Situation: Currently contracted to Santos until 2014, after the conclusion of the 2014 World Cup in his native Brazil.

Career Stops: Santos (2003-present)

Current Campaign: 2012 Brasileiro Serie A—17 appearances, 14 goals, eight assists; 2012 Copa Libertadores— 12 appearances, eight goals, three assists.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Like many young wunderkinds to come out of Brazil and the rest of South America, Neymar’s greatest talents undoubtedly lie in his trickery and ability to dribble.

That being said, the forward does have a remarkable knack for finishing when in front of goal, proving himself to not just talk the talk but walk the walk amongst the Brazilian elite.

However, doubts rest over Neymar’s physical attributes and just whether his frame would allow him to enjoy similar success in Europe.

Where Next?

Although a number of European outfits have certainly raised interest in the forward, Neymar’s most likely destination, if there is to be one, would appear to be Spain at this point.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been heavily linked with Neymar’s services in the last two years and a titanic battle between the two La Liga giants looks set to ensue.

Joinville goalkeeper, Ivan, is quoted by Goal.com as saying that after a recent match against Santos, Neymar told him he can’t reject a European move any longer as "it’s too complicated.”

This comes just several days after Barcelona were reported to have had a second transfer bid for the young maestro turned down, as Goal.com reports.

Top 5 Veterans We'd Love to See in MLS

Nathan McCarter — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:05:11 -0400

Major League Soccer continues to grow, and with growth comes bigger opportunities for players.

Over the past few years we have seen others come over to the MLS. Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry and, of course, David Beckham are just a few of the outstanding talent that have found resurgences in America's top league.

There are plenty of other athletes we would love to see hit the pitch stateside, but lets not get crazy and throw Lionel Messi in this list. We have to be somewhat realistic in our expectations. The elite of the elite are still going to find their talents at the largest clubs in the best leagues.

Here are five veterans we would love to see venture into the MLS.

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