Bleacher Report - Front Page

Jets' Geno Smith Signs with Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports Agency

Tim Keeney — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:18:23 -0400

New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith has officially signed an agent.

And The Winner Is... Jay-Z's Roc Nation Sports.

The news comes from the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta:

A few weeks after Geno Smith fired his agents, the Jets rookie quarterback announced that he will hire Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports. Smith interviewed a few established agents before making the announcement on Wednesday after practice.

Smith becomes the fourth athlete to sign with Jay-Z's new management group, following in the footsteps of New York Yankees superstar Robinson Cano, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz and Tulsa Shock rookie Skylar Diggins.

Cano left super agent Scott Boras to become Roc Nation Sports' first client, and the group has been making headlines ever since:

Just earlier this week, Jay-Z bought Diggins a new Mercedes-Benz for her graduation:

Yet it doesn't appear Smith made this decision simply for a car. Or to say he's teamed up with a major rap mogul. Or for the attention.

He did it because he was comfortable with the agency and believed it was the best fit.

From Mehta:

“I think it’s just his agency,” Smith said on Wednesday. “When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have, I think it’s a good move. My mother and my family were comfortable with it. I’m comfortable with it.”

Smith originally signed with Select Sports, but quickly dropped them after being upset with his free fall to the second round of the NFL draft:

How about this: Geno Smith thought he would be & should be the No. 1 overall pick, I'm told. That's why he fired his agents. #nyj
— Manish Mehta(@MMehtaNYDN) April 30, 2013

This new partnership makes more sense.

Jay-Z's group is focused on signing high-profile New York athletes, and the burgeoning rookie quarterback already qualifies as such.

Roc Nation Sports is starting to become a force in the sports world. Not only has it signed some big-time clients in the matter of a month, but as an iconic entrepreneur, Jay-Z also represents an allure for young athletes that other agencies simply can't boast.

Now that he has secured one of the most tantalizing rookies in the NFL in Smith, it's "on to the next one" for the fast-rising Roc Nation Sports and Jay-Z.

Follow @t_keen

Where Do the 49ers Stand After Michael Crabtree's Achilles Injury?

Tyson Langland — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:10:06 -0400

After three sub-par seasons in San Francisco to start his career, the light bulb finally went off for wide receiver Michael Crabtree in 2012. He led the 49ers in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns by securing 85 passes for 1,105 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

Moreover, he turned in two 100-yard receiving games over the course of three playoff games.

Even though the 49ers didn’t win the Super Bowl in 2012, Crabtree appeared to be on his way to superstardom. Not to mention the fact he was also finally starting to live up to his lofty draft status (former 10th-overall pick in 2009).

However, life rarely follows suit, especially in the NFL. Mike Garafolo of the USA Today tweeted out a short time ago that Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles yesterday during San Francisco’s organized team activities.

Obviously, the best-case scenario would be a partial tear that doesn’t require surgery. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Christ Mortensen of ESPN.com has already tweeted out the fact that Crabtree underwent surgery on his torn Achilles.

For those of you who don’t remember, Terrell Suggs partially tore his Achilles last May. He rehabbed the injury on his own and returned five months later to help the Baltimore Ravens win the Super Bowl.

Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas of the Denver Broncos suffered the same type of injury back in 2011. Thomas didn’t recover as quickly as Suggs did, but he did return to action seven months later, as good as new. His seven-month timetable fell right in between the suggested six-to-eight-month recovery timetable.

So there is hope that Crabtree could indeed return in time for a playoff run in 2013. But before we look too far ahead, it’s important to analyze the impact his injury has on the 49ers’ offense, roster and championship aspirations.

The immediate question stemming from Crabtree’s injury is: Who will step in and replace the former first-round pick? The most obvious answer is newly acquired wideout Anquan Boldin, but the most logical answer is 2012 redshirt rookie A.J. Jenkins.

Jenkins had a hard time finding the field last season. He even went as far as saying it was a humbling experience, according to Eric Branch of sfgate.com. Humbling is right, when one considers the lack of playing time he received in 2012.

He logged 37 offensive snaps during the regular season and 10 offensive snaps in postseason play. Only wide receiver Chad Hall played fewer snaps last year. Jenkins’ low snap total was attributed to the talent in front of him and his inability to learn the offensive playbook in a timely manner.

A full season of watching and waiting should allow the second-year wide receiver to step in and contribute right away. Additionally, the 49ers drafted Louisiana Tech wideout Quinton Patton and Rice tight end Vance McDonald.

Both players may see more playing time than originally expected because of Crabtree’s injury. Yet head coach Jim Harbaugh rarely puts a lot of stock in first-year players. This, in turn, could open the door for a street free-agent signing.

The biggest name out there who makes the most sense is former New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd is familiar with the Bay Area, and in his one game against the 49ers last season; he torched San Francisco to the tune of 190 yards receiving on 10 catches.

The only knock on Lloyd is his "unique personality." Sure, his age is working against him as well, but that doesn’t mean he is done physically. If one were to include the playoffs, he posted over a 1,000 yards receiving last year.

With roster implications being the most immediate concern, the second-most talked-about aspect of the injury is what it means for the 49ers' playoff hopes. Honestly, the injury is a big blow to San Francisco’s passing game, but it shouldn’t have much of an affect on playoff implications.

The Niners are one of the deepest teams in the NFL on both sides of the ball. They are also one of the few teams in the NFL who can draft based on the need for depth alone. Moreover, let’s not forget the fact that San Francisco still has Colin Kaepernick, Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James, Vernon Davis and Mario Manningham.

By no means are they suddenly starved for offensive talent. Outside of the quarterback position, one player rarely changes the entire landscape of a season for an organization. Football is the ultimate team sport, so Harbaugh will approach the situation with the "next man up" mentality.

Aside from a wealth of talent on the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers will look to pick up where they left off on the defensive side of the ball as well. Statistically, San Francisco fielded the third-best defense in the NFL last year.

Without question, the injury was unfortunate, but injuries are a part of the game. There is a reason why teams draft and sign quality backups during the offseason. 49er fans shouldn’t fret, as the Niners will still be in Super Bowl contention as long as general manager Trent Baalke is calling the shots.

Miami Heat Star Dwyane Wade's NBA Fashion Decisions Are Shockingly Premeditated

Gabe Zaldivar — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:04:50 -0400

Dwyane Wade only looks like he threw on whatever was in his closet.

Business Insider brings us the latest news on the peculiar fashion choices Wade brings to the NBA playoff podium.

It seems the wardrobe he dons every night has been picked out long beforehand, making these something of a premeditated fashion crime. Someone alert the proper sartorial authorities.

The Miami Heat star has a fashion consultant, because no self-respecting NBA player would be without one. Calyann Barnett, the fashion-forward person behind Wade's more audacious clothes, was on with ESPN's "Mike & Mike."

There she divulged that the recent polarizing capris worn by the guard were picked out well before the game, and also notes Wade's NBA Finals gear is already chosen as well.

Before the playoffs even started we went through all of his looks, straight through the finals. And every look is set already...and I already know what he will wear for the next game and the Finals.

Business Insider does a great job of reminding us of Wade's most recent wardrobe decisions, which have been a hit with some and a disaster to many.

The one that really got people talking was this stylish suit that had the unfortunate fate of being paired with capri pants.

My thoughts:

Then there was this black and blue camo jacket, one that I think actually worked rather well. It was sleek and still unique enough to get fans talking.

Essentially:

Of course, the gutsiest move by Wade this postseason has to be grandma's wallpaper worn as a jacket.

I think we can all agree the Versace jacket was just a bit too much on the eyes.

Many will make a great deal of how Wade, who is nursing a nagging knee injury to play in Game 1 against the Pacers on Wednesday night, has his finals gear all laid out and ready for a championship run.

Don't read too much into it, because as ESPN noted, Wade is not one to take anything for granted. Having his clothes all lined up and ready to go just means one less thing to worry about.

Still, it's astonishing to think these clothes take that much thought and consideration. I hate to think of the man hours that go into dressing Russell Westbrook.

Hit me up on Twitter for more fashion duds: Follow @gabezal

Debating What the Michael Crabtree Injury Means for the 49ers' Super Bowl Hopes

Matt Miller — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:36 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl hopes took a major hit when star wide receiver Michael Crabtree went down with a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities. Did the team's Super Bowl hopes go down with Crabtree?

Aaron Nagler and I debate just how big this injury is for the NFC favorites. Will the injury to Colin Kaepernick's favorite target end the 49ers' two-year run of dominance?

Who will step up to replace Crabtree, and can Jim Harbaugh and Co. coach this team through his recovery time?

Is Fandango the Next Big Thing in WWE?

Justin LaBar — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:58:07 -0400

2013 has been interesting so far for the Superstar known as Fan-Dan-Go.

There seemed to be no light at the end of the promo tunnel, as constant videos hyped this new character with no target debut date.

Then, Fandango refused to wrestle matches when people couldn't pronounce his name right. After that, he was booked to face Chris Jericho at WrestleMania, where the character made his in-ring debut.

The match went off as well as it could have. The next night, the New Jersey crowd made Fandango the most popular guy of the week, humming and dancing to his song.

Add all of this up and it brings up the question—is Fandango the next big thing in WWE?

I give you the answer in the video above.

Follow @JustinLaBar

Pacers vs Heat Game 1: Live Score, Highlights and Analysis

Ken Dorset — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:56:15 -0400

Although the first round of verbal sparring has already taken place, the Eastern Conference Finals officially get started with tonight's Game 1.

For the second consecutive season, the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers are meeting in the postseason. Only this time a trip to the NBA Finals is at stake. Last year, the Heat won the conference semifinal series in six games.

The tremendous weight of this series packed on some additional pounds thanks to the lengthy layoff for both teams. The Heat have had nearly a week of rest since eliminating the Chicago Bulls on May 15, while the Pacers have been idle since eliminating the New York Knicks on Saturday.

This series already offered tremendous potential before the unintentional war of words took place between Indiana coach Frank Vogel and Miami's LeBron James. Now, it's finally time for the game to play out on the court.

Game 1 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

The 10 Smartest Franchises in the NFL

Chris Stephens — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:47:14 -0400

The New York Jets currently have four quarterbacks competing for the starting job in one of the many acts in the New York circus.

While the Jets and other teams have multiple issues they're dealing with, there are many NFL franchises that have it together.

They draft well, are good with the salary cap, make good free-agency signings and deal with holdouts in a good way.

For many, it all starts with the owner.

Here's a look at the 10 smartest franchises in the NFL.

Begin Slideshow

Gonzalo Higuain Would Be a Savvy Addition to Arsenal

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:46:15 -0400

Arsenal's spectacular close to the Premier League campaign netted the club a Champions League qualifying spot next season, but the Gunners need to add some significant talent to build on the finish.

Landing Real Madrid striker, Gonzalo Higuain, would be a good start.

Arsenal is reportedly considering a £19 million bid for the 25-year-old Argentinian, according to the Telegraph. It would be a club record transfer fee if it went through.

Arsene Wenger hasn't been one to shelve out cash during his tenure at Arsenal. He's a firm believer of improving from the ground up and stressing a team-first approach.

That worked or didn't work this season, depending on your expectations.

Arsenal finished third in the Premier League last season with Robin van Persie aboard. The fact that the club was still able to qualify for the Champions League without him, one season later no less, is an accomplishment in itself.

Also, the way Arsenal finished must have made Wenger very happy. Aaron Ramsey, for example, was criticized for not being creative enough on the attacking end, but he exemplified the determination and dedication Wenger expects out of his team down the stretch. He was a big part of the run that included eight victories in Arsenal's last 10 EPL games.

But if Arsenal really wants to return to the good old days, the club has to add more talent. Finishing fourth in the Premier League shouldn't be enough.

That's where Higuain comes in.

There is no doubt that Higuain is one of the top centre forwards in world football today. He scored 14 goals and registered five assists in 29 La Liga games last season with Madrid, and that doesn't begin to illustrate his impact on the pitch.

Notching seven goals and one assist in nine World Cup-qualifying starts gives one a better indication of his value. Higuain is a strong, speedy, intelligent player who has developed a knack for stepping up when it matters most.

We've seen this before with Arsenal. The club appears on the verge of a monumental campaign in the near future, but ultimately fails to capture the EPL title (or the Champions League trophy, for that matter).

Higuain would be worth the extra money spent. The Gunners need to pull the trigger.

20 'Come at Me Bro' Moments in Sports

Dan Carson — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:44:43 -0400

Look at me, bro. Look me in the eyes.

I am so serious right now, I want you to look me in the eyes and come at me. I'm standing right here, I just clowned you in front of everyone. Now what are you going to do?

We've all seen athletes get into tussles and arguments on the playing field, but not all of them involve the intense amount of bro-manship and taunting that you'll see in the following slides. Sports figures of all stripes get into the mix, from coaches, players and down the line to fans.

They just dissed you, and now they want a piece of you—but it's up to you to make the first move. Bro.

Begin Slideshow

"Let Me Get This Straight" About Victor Cruz's 1-Year Tender Offer

Josh Zerkle — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:38:35 -0400

Has there been a better wide receiver in the NFC East over the last two years than Victor Cruz?

The UMass product burst onto the scene in the middle of the 2011 season, and I doubt that anyone has matched his production over the last 24 games. Sounds like a guy you'd want to lock down long-term, right?

Not if you're the New York Giants.

Cruz finished 2012 with 86 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns...only to be thanked with a shoddy one-year, $2.8 million tender offer from his team.

While negotiations have continued since that original tender, the Giants still seem reluctant to pay Cruz, whose restricted free-agency window closed in April, at market value.

Let's examine some of the other wide receiver signings from this past offseason:

Wes Welker: Signed a two-year, $12 million contract, all guaranteed, plus a $4 million signing bonus. Welker led the league in 2012 with 15 drops, and he's 32 years old.

Dwayne Bowe: Signed a five-year, $56 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed, plus a $15 million signing bonus. Bowe caught 3 touchdowns last season while his team went 2-14. He has one 80-catch season to his credit since 2008.

Mike Wallace: Signed a five-year, $60 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, plus an $11 million signing bonus. Wallace had a down 2012 in terms of production, but should bring a new look to a Dolphins offense that desperately needs one.

Cruz's contract ambitions were probably hampered by his transparent desire to stay in the New York market, but there's no reason the Giants can't get one of their best players a deserving long-term deal.

That's what today's video is about, and I hope you enjoy it. Leave your own thoughts on Cruz or any of the other wide receivers we just mentioned in the comments below. As always, thanks for watching.

It Could Take Some Time for Lane Johnson to Excel in Philadelphia

Brad Gagnon — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:31:00 -0400

The Philadelphia Eagles invested their highest draft pick of this century in Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, so I have little doubt that the Eagles will get him into the starting lineup this season—regardless of how much the somewhat raw rookie struggles.

It's not particularly concerning that 2012 fifth-round pick Dennis Kelly has been taking first-team reps ahead of Johnson early on in organized team activities, but it is a small sign that Johnson isn't quite ready yet.

That might change between now and Philadelphia's Monday Night Football opener in Washington on September 9, but it's another indication that he could experience more growing pains than expected.

Ben Muth from Football Outsiders provided a rather discouraging assessment of Johnson's pass-blocking skills in an analysis published last week:

Johnson is a pretty horrific fundamental pass blocker who probably wouldn't have gone in the top five in any other draft. Well, maybe the 2000 NBA Draft. Nothing he does can't be fixed, but if you're taking someone that early, you would probably like a few less loose nails.

It's important to remember that, only two years ago, Johnson was a tight end and defensive end. And only four years ago, he was a quarterback.

He became a third-team All-American at tackle and has quality experience on both the left and right side in the highly competitive Big 12, but now he's going to have to face Brian Orakpo, Tamba Hali, Von Miller and Jason Pierre-Paul in the first five weeks of his third season at the position.

The point is that Johnson might not immediately help the Eagles in the same way other top-five picks have been able to in years past. This was a weak draft class and—as Muth points out—Johnson likely wouldn't have been such a high pick in previous years. His circumstances have put added pressure on him.

The third tackle didn't go off the board last year until Mitchell Schwartz was taken in Round 2, 33 spots later than Johnson went in 2013.

In 2010, Anthony Davis was the third tackle taken and he went relatively high as well in the No. 11 spot. He surrendered 11 sacks and took 11 penalties as the fifth-worst offensive tackle in the league that year, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

One year prior, Eugene Monroe was the most recent third tackle to be taken inside the top 10 when he was drafted eighth overall by Jacksonville. That year, PFF rated his pass-blocking 66th among 77 qualifying offensive tackles.

It didn't happen overnight for either of those guys, so don't expect things to click immediately for Johnson, either.

Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury Still Remains in Their Future Plans

Pete Dymeck — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:27:43 -0400

Much has been ballyhooed over Jacoby Ellsbury's slow start to 2013. Hitting just .242, the centerfielder is playing himself right into the situation the Boston Red Sox want him in.

Ellsbury doesn't turn 30 until September. Until then, he will have to prove his value is not rapidly declining. To do so, he will have to show a large uptick in production while maintaining a status on the Red Sox that is more positive than detrimental. If he doesn't, any hope of securing a long-term, super-sized contract worth tens of millions is out of the question.

Since his major league debut in 2007, Ellsbury has reached 600 at-bat's in a single season just three times. Injuries have been extremely costly. At the same time, they have not limited his upside.

In 2010, Ellsbury suffered a rib injury that would severely limit his time off the disabled list. After various DL stints and rehab assignments, Ellsbury would only appear in the majors for 18 games that season.

Finally healthy in 2011, Ellsbury was the runner-up in American League MVP voting. He slugged 32 home runs and 112 RBI to coincide with his .321 AVG. In addition, the phenomenal outfielder stole 39 bases.

Last season, the Red Sox outfielder suffered a shoulder injury early on. He eventually returned for the Sox in what turned out to be a lost season, appearing in 74 games.

Since 2010, Ellsbury has played in an average of 83 games per season. When coalesced with his plate struggles in 2013, Boston can utilize his extensive injury history as a bargaining chip in order to get a more club-friendly deal with Ellsbury.

He has only finished with a Wins-Above-Replacement (WAR) of 4.0 or greater just twice in his career. Additionally, he has only hit for double-digit HR's once. While the upside remains, it is beginning to dwindle.

Ellsbury's 2011 season may have been an aberration.

The power he displayed that season was clearly abnormal compared with his production in other seasons. Even if one prorate's Ellsbury's injury-shortened seasons, the Red Sox centerfielder doesn't come close to what he was in 2011.

While Ellsbury is currently tied for the AL lead in stolen bases, his other traits are not impressive enough to characterize him as one who deserves a Powerball contract.

Instead, one could argue that Ellsbury isn't deserving of a contract similar to what Cody Ross received from the Arizona Diamondbacks. While Ross is three years older than Ellsbury, his career numbers trump those of Ellsbury's by a wide margin.

Just think, Ross's salary is $5 million this season. It will jump to $8.5 million for each of the next two seasons with a $9.5 million club option for 2016.

In the meantime, the current one-year extension worth $9 million that Ellsbury signed prior to the 2013 season isn't suggestive of what Ellsbury may earn once he hits free agency.

As Rob Bradford notes, Boston has yet to talk a contract extension with their centerfielder.

Why?

Because Ellsbury is playing right into the hands of the club's demands. The slugger is devaluing himself with decreased potential while showing signs of wear after a couple major injuries staggered his career.

Prospective outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is another reason why Ellsbury is not posturing himself well enough to extract more financially.

While Bradley Jr. struggled in his debut with the Red Sox, he has since found his groove in Triple-A. Since his demotion, the 23 year old is hitting .315 with an OPS of .885. While Bradley doesn't offer much power, his potential is similar to what Ellsbury has shown us outside his 2011 surge.

If Ellsbury continues to struggle, it will be more efficient for the Red Sox to move on.

At this point, Boston can't dangle Ellsbury as trade bait due to his extremely low value. Meanwhile, they would be foolish to offer him any long-term deal with an annual salary similar to what he is earning now.

At this rate, Ellsbury might not hold enough equity to reel in an offer worth $9 million or more per annum.

San Francisco 49ers: Michael Crabtree's Injury's Impact on the 49ers' Receivers

Peter Panacy — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:18:18 -0400

It is a bad day for the San Francisco 49ers.

Only hours removed from the news that standout wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during last Tuesday's organized team activities, the 49ers learned that Crabtree could miss the entire 2013 season.

According to the same source, the extent of Crabtree's injury is not yet known and it remains to be seen how the injury and subsequent surgery and recovery will thwart his return to San Francisco's starting roster. What is known however is that Crabtree's injury has a significant impact on the 49ers' offense and begs plenty of questions surrounding their receiving corps.

There is no doubt that Crabtree would have started 2013 as the number one wide receiver on the blossoming San Francisco offense. One season removed from his 2012 campaign that saw 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns, Crabtree was poised for another great year hopefully complemented by a deeper group of receivers.

Now, Crabtree's injury forces the 49ers' hand and shall require the team to take an even tougher look at their wide receivers.

San Francisco learned last season what a depleted receiving corps could do to its chances. When fellow receivers Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams were lost to ACL injuries for the latter portion of the 2012 season, the 49ers became thin at the position. San Francisco's 2012 first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins failed to have an impact during the season and veteran Randy Moss looked nothing like the vaunted receiver he used to be earlier in his career.

San Francisco fans would have to look no further than the 49ers' last offensive drive during Super Bowl XLVII to see just how reliant the offense had become upon Crabtree.

Fortunately, the 49ers made some attempts during the offseason to correct the situation. They traded a sixth-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for veteran wideout Anquan Boldin. San Francisco then drafted former Louisiana Tech wide receiver Quinton Patton in the fourth round of the draft. In addition, the 49ers know that both Manningham and Williams are hoping to return from their respective injuries suffered last year.

Despite the apparent positives, Crabtree's injury concerns and their effects remain legitimate.

In all likelihood, Boldin should emerge as the top receiver for quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers offense. Why would he be anything else? There is, of course, his age. At 32 years old, will he be able to perform at the same level like he did in 2012 with Baltimore? He did haul in 65 receptions for 921 yards and four touchdowns last year. San Francisco will hope that he can at least repeat or even exceed those numbers in 2013.

There are also the pending returns of both Manningham and Williams. Manningham, who developed chemistry with former 49er quarterback Alex Smith at the beginning of last season, is still questionable on his return for training camp. The same goes for Williams, although he recently ran again and the knee "felt great." This is potentially good news for San Francisco and hopefully indicates that both receivers should be able to step up in Crabtree's absence.

Yet there remains the questions surrounding Jenkins. Jenkins, who failed to record a single catch in 2012, has made significant efforts to have a better impact in 2013. One of those efforts included adding muscle to his frame and spending more time training for the regular season. If he impresses enough during preseason, it is not too far from possible that he could start alongside Boldin in the 49ers' offense. Provided that happens, Jenkins would look more like what San Francisco was hoping for when they used their first-round pick in the 2012 draft opposed to the potential "bust" moniker that he was headed towards.

Crabtree's injury may also put a lot of pressure on San Francisco's 2013 fourth-round draft pick Quinton Patton as well. The former Louisiana Tech wide-out was drafted to give the 49ers added depth at the position and potentially provide long-term solutions for San Francisco. Before Crabtree was injured, Patton may have remained a work-in-progress. Now, the 49ers may be putting more pressure on him to adapt to the NFL this season and contribute right away.

Patton totaled 183 receptions for 2,594 yards and 24 touchdowns at Louisiana Tech. Initially ranked by CBS Sports to go in the second round during the draft, San Francisco was able to sit on him and pick him up with a fourth-round pick instead. The 49ers hope Patton will play more like a second-round prospect this year.

The 49ers were also able to recently sign Patton, preventing any possibility of the rookie sitting out any portion of his first NFL season. At least that is good news moving forward and Patton should be able to openly compete with Jenkins on San Francisco's depth chart which should hopefully benefit both receivers in the long run.

There are also some tangible "wild cards" that the 49ers will have to consider. Chief among them is Ricardo Lockette. Lockette played his rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks but only made it on the field for two games and then found his way onto San Francisco's practice squad last year.

Lockette is raw and undeveloped, but he does have speed which is an element that may assist the slower Boldin on offense. In addition, Lockette spent much of the offseason working out with Kaepernick and there is hope that the two will build more chemistry on the field.

Other possible candidates to help fill Crabtree's void may be Marlon Moore and Chad Hall.

Of course the 49ers may be interested in making deals outside of their own camp if deemed necessary. Would they consider bringing back Randy Moss? Probably not, but stranger things have happened. Terrell Owens is out there somewhere, but that possibility deserves more laughs than anything else at this point. Brandon Lloyd is available as well, but could he replicate the season he had last year catching passes from Tom Brady?

San Francisco may also be potentially forced to trade one of their 2014 draft picks to acquire a wide receiver at any point between now and the regular season trading deadline.

While any of these scenarios remain to be determined, what is known is that the 49ers' receiving corps has been shaken up by the news of Crabtree's possible season-ending injury. Certain players will be required to step up and fill the void and there is the likelihood that the situation will warrant some added competition in the months and weeks before the regular season begins. Healthy competition is good right?

The 49ers would positively agree with that statement, but if asked, the team would certainly say they wished Crabtree was back.

Follow @PeterMcShots on Twitter.

Breaking Down 247Sports' Initial Recruiting Rankings for Class of 2015

Andrew Kulha — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:13:25 -0400

247Sports' No. 1 recruit for the class of 2015 attends the same high school President Barack Obama graduated from.

There are three quarterbacks who received 5-star rankings, and all three are pro-style quarterbacks from the state of California. One of those quarterbacks, Josh Rosen, runs a 4.55-second 40-yard dash (247Sports) and already has offers from Michigan, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, among others.

This is a quick snapshot of what we can look forward to from this 2015 class, and thanks to the newly released Top247 for 2015, we can start breaking it down.

Over the next months and years there will be much discussion and analysis of these 247 recruits. Offers will be made, momentum will be gained and lost. Commitments and decommitments are givens, and before all is said and done, we'll definitely see a few surprises.

Overall, though, the world of college football recruiting is all about the future, and this class projects to be exceptionally bright.

Here's a look at the new Top247 and the major talking points you want to know about:

No. 1 Recruit: Canton Kaumatule

Kaumatule of Honolulu, Hawaii (Panahou School) is a strong-side defensive end recruit who's already 6'6.5'', 275 pounds. He has the size and length of a dominant end recruit already, and he could end up getting bigger. He's still just a sophomore in high school, but his savvy will continue to build.

He already has a good combination of strength, speed and technique, but all three of those attributes will improve during his junior and senior years of high school. If he keeps hitting the weight room and working on his fundamentals, Kaumatule could be a truly elite recruit.

As of right now, he only has offers from Hawaii, UCLA and Utah, but that will change fast.

Note: Check out our preliminary analysis and thoughts on the No. 1 recruit. All scouting done via tape study of film provided on his 247Sports profile page.

16 initial 5-star recruits

Not surprisingly, the power group in the early goings of this class is the defensive line. Out of the 16 5-star recruits, eight of them are defensive linemen. There are four offensive linemen and three quarterbacks.

The quarterbacks are Ricky Town, the aforementioned Rosen and Kevin Dillman.

George Campbell is the lone wideout who received a 5-star rating, and he checks in at 6'3'', 184 pounds.

Commitments

Bleacher Report's assistant college football editor, Eric Bowman, took the time to tally the amount of commitments in the initial top247. He posted his findings on Twitter:

Those commitments are:

Shameik Blackshear, 5-star WDE, committed to South Carolina

Mekhi Brown, 5-star SDE, committed to Alabama

Kevin Toliver II, 4-star CB, committed to LSU

Derwin James, 4-star S, committed to Florida State

Desherrius Flowers, 4-star RB, committed to Alabama

Deionte Thompson, 4-star S, committed to Alabama

Chad President, 4-star WR, committed to Baylor

Donovan Sheffield, 4-star CB, committed to Vanderbilt

Jordan Davis, 4-star TE, committed to Florida State

Christian Owens, 4-star WR, committed to Georgia

Avery Anderson, 4-star ATH, committed to Arizona State

(Note: Avery Anderson has since been left off the list.)

Of course, Alabama is leading the way so far, and overall, the SEC has a dominant head start on the class of 2015.

Initial Thoughts

It's nice to see three quarterbacks receiving early 5-stars, especially with the lack of star power at the position in the current 2014 class. There will be a lot of hype surrounding the three quarterback recruits, and their commitments will eventually be big news.

There is a very notable lack of defensive backs at the top of the class. In fact, the first true defensive back to appear in the rankings, 4-star safety Kerryon Johnson, doesn't appear until No. 31 overall.

Finally, the defensive line group looks stellar as well, and Kaumatule, in particular, has superstar potential once he gains more experience—in the weight room, film room and on the field.

Neymar's Game Must Evolve If He Makes Jump to European Football

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:58:41 -0400

Neymar this, Neymar that. He should go, he should stay. He'll be a great fit here, no, he'll be a better fit there. Is he ready for European football? Of course he's ready for European football!

Everywhere you turn these days, it seems the conversation turns to Neymar and, more importantly, the Brazilian starlet's next move.

It seems logical that the 21-year-old would make the jump to European football this summer, but it also seems prudent to point out that his game will need to evolve if he is to survive overseas.

But before we get to that, is it even likely that Neymar will leave Santos this summer?

According to the Associated Press (via Sports Illustrated), it's very likely:

Three teams are reportedly pushing to sign the nifty striker when the transfer window reopens—Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Santos last week reportedly rejected a €20 million ($26 million) offer from Barcelona officials who were in Brazil.

Santos is trying to sell Neymar as quickly as possible because in six months the player will be allowed to sign a pre-contract with any other club, and the Brazilian team will not get anything in return. Some say that has made the player's value drop compared to previous years because clubs know that Santos risks receiving nothing.

"When I extended my contract everybody praised me for sticking to my word and not leaving the country,'' Neymar said Monday. "Now people are saying that I'm a bad character because I'm staying. There is nothing finalized yet. We'll try to do this in a way that is good for everybody.''

Yeah, he's leaving this summer. Take it to the bank.

But he's going to have to make some adjustments when he lands across the pond. For one, no matter which league he chooses, the European game is far more physical than he's used to in Brazil. That is going to be a major adjustment, especially for a player fond of flopping and feigning injury.

If he tries to flop every time a defender puts a body on him, he'll draw a lot of yellow cards in a short period of time.

The level of competition will be much higher than he faced in Brazil as well. I actually don't think this is as big a deal as other people—he's a Brazilian international, so he's already faced top competition in his career—but he's going to find his margin of error drastically diminished.

Certain aspects of his game will need to be tweaked. If he thinks he'll be able to dance on the ball or face defenders one-on-one whenever he chooses, he has another thing coming. That's fine against the inferior competition of the Brasileirao, but it won't fly in La Liga or the Bundesliga.

Depending on where he lands, he may also need to face being the team's second option in the attack or even spending time on the bench. At Barcelona, he would have a place on the left wing, but the attack will always flow through Messi first, meaning Neymar wouldn't be able to drift centrally at will.

Plus, the Catalans like to play a methodical—some would argue, plodding—style of football that is based on maintaining possession through precise and clever passing. It could be argued Neymar is much more dangerous as a weapon on the counter-attack, streaming down the wings and beating defenders with his impeccable dribbling skills before positioning himself to score.

Would he grow impatient with Barcelona's style of play?

At Real Madrid, he could find himself playing a new role if Cristiano Ronaldo remains this summer. Ronaldo could play as a center forward or on the right side—Neymar could fulfill both of those roles as well—but it would be interesting to see how two players who like to be the forefront of their team's attack would coexist.

And at Bayern Munich, Neymar could find himself in a logjam for playing time. Franck Ribery, Thomas Mueller, Mario Goetze, Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos and Xherdan Shaqiri would all be available to play attacking midfielder roles, as well as having Mario Gomez, Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro available at forward.

It's possible that Neymar will descend upon Europe and instantly dominate, but it seems fair to assume there will be an adjustment period. How he handles that period—will he admit he needs to evolve, or will he become petulant and rely on old tricks that no longer work?—could very well define his career.

SEC Baseball Tournament 2013: Top Players to Watch for Remainder of Event

Rob Goldberg — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:56:39 -0400

The SEC tournament is already underway, but there is plenty of time remaining to catch some of the best college baseball players in the country.

With a number of teams expected to contend for an NCAA title this year, it is hard to argue against the SEC being the best conference in the country. This is due to great play all season by some extremely talented players.

For those looking to see the biggest stars in the game, check out these players.

Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas

College pitchers usually are able to get by on using one or two good pitches. Ryne Stanek is better than most due to his ability to mix up his pitches and keep batters off-balance.

The Arkansas pitcher sets things up with a good fastball, but he also has a slider and a curve that is better than many major leaguers'. If he can develop a changeup as well, he will be playing at the sport's highest level before too long.

However, his offerings are more than enough to dominate the tough conference. He finished second in the league with an ERA of 1.54 and had an impressive 72 strikeouts.

If the Razorbacks hope to advance deep into the postseason, they will need a few more big performances from the righty.

Tony Kemp, OF, Vanderbilt

There might not be a better top-of-the-order hitter in the nation than Tony Kemp. He led the SEC with a batting average of .408 and got on base almost half the time with an OBP of .490.

However, he rarely stopped at first base. He had an SEC-leading 27 stolen bases and scored 58 runs.

His ability to get himself into scoring position and come home easily has helped Vanderbilt become one of the top scoring teams in the nation. The Commodores are now favorites to win not only the SEC tournament but also the NCAA tournament.

As long as Kemp continues his strong play, there are not too many teams that can beat Vanderbilt.

Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State

If you could pick one player in the nation to be on your team, it would not take long for Hunter Renfroe's name to come up.

The junior has spent time in his career at outfield, catcher and even pitcher, and he has excelled at all of them. This season, he showed his five-tool ability as a hitter, in the field and on the basepaths.

Renfroe led the league with 15 home runs and also added nine stolen bases in 12 attempts. He batted an impressive .362 during the season and was usually the person to come through with a big hit for Mississippi State.

While the Rebels had an up-and-down year, the squad is certainly capable of surprising people in the postseason.

Follow @TheRobGoldberg

Adam Choice Commits to Clemson: Tigers Land Stud 4-Star RB

Randy Chambers — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:53:34 -0400

Clemson continues its impressive start to the 2014 recruiting class. Running back Adam Choice is the latest to give the Tigers his verbal commitment.

Kipp Adams and William Wilkerson of ESPN reported the news (paid link).

"I committed to Clemson," Choice said. "I felt like I felt when I went up there. Like I belonged."

Choice also had offers from Tennessee, Texas and Georgia, among others, but many believed it was going to come down to Auburn and Clemson. It looks like the Clemson Tigers got the big end of the stick on this one.

A 4-star prospect according to 247Sports, Choice will fit right in Chad Morris' system. He is a big back at 5'9", 210 pounds and can be difficult to wrap up.

Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports describes him perfectly:

Choice will play running back once he arrives on campus, but he spent a lot of time in high school running the wildcat as a quarterback. He broke tackles with ease, handed out stiff-arms like they were free lunches and had no problem finding the end zone. According to the report, Choice rushed for 1,600 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore.

He was a productive baseball player in high school as well. It looks like Clemson has hit another home run.

Clemson now has seven early commitments for the 2014 class, including five 4-star players. Out of the seven players, six of them play offense, which is bad news for the rest of the ACC. The Clemson coaching staff has been putting in work lately, as this is the third commitment this month along with cornerback C.J. Fuller and tight end Milan Richard.

'Bitter' Jacob Volkmann Threatens to Expose UFC's 'Horrible' Benefits and Wages

Jordy McElroy — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:47:13 -0400

It has been over three months since Jacob Volkmann was released from his UFC contract, and he isn't going down without a fight.

During an interview with Above and Beyond MMA, he blasted his former employer for insufficient fighter pay and "horrible" health-care benefits.

While he is admittedly bitter at his untimely release, Volkmann's plan is to expose the façade he believes the UFC puts up for its fans. The life of a UFC fighter is often considered luxurious and pampered like any other professional athlete.

According to Volkmann, this persistent insinuation is only true when pertaining to the biggest names in the UFC:

"[I'm] very bitter. [The UFC] always claim that they treat the fighters so well. Yeah, they treat the top five percent of the fighters well—the ones that are on the main card all the time. They don't treat the rest of them very well. The health-care plan is horrible, with a $1,500 deductible per injury—the catastrophic-injury insurance is not even really good insurance.

There's no retirement fund, there's no signing bonus. You start off at six-and-six, you're really not making too much money because you're self-employed, so you're paying the self-employment tax and you're paying the regular tax and income tax. So you're paying twice as much in tax. They claim they're treating the fighters well, but they're not, realistically."

Similar to the release of former welterweight contender Jon Fitch, there was a lot of confusion pertaining to the UFC's decision to cut Volkmann.

He was coming off a loss to Bobby Green at UFC 156, but a wider look at his body of work didn't show a fighter in danger of losing his job. As a UFC fighter, Volkmann boasted a 6-2 record with significant wins over Danny Castillo, Efrain Escudero and Shane Roller.

Despite his success on the big stage, fans never really warmed up to Volkmann's personality or fighting style. In nearly four years competing under the UFC banner, the most memorable moment of his career was calling out President Barack Obama.

Regardless, the life of a professional fighter isn't easy. There is a lot of work and money that goes into preparing to compete against the best in the world. It is a fighter's right to a fair compensation, and Volkmann feels he never received that from the UFC:

"Of course ... People always tell me, "You're rich—you're on TV!" Are you kidding me? I made $54,000 two years ago, paid $9,000 in taxes, so that leaves me with $45,000. This last year, I made $50,000 and paid $8,000 in taxes. That leaves me with $42,000 —that's barely above poverty. I have three kids and a wife I'm supporting.

...I'm trying to make the fans realize what the UFC is really like—I'm going to expose them as much as I can."

Volkmann recently signed with World Series of Fighting, and he will be making his debut on June 14 against Lyle Beerbohm.

If things go according to plan, Volkmann hopes to continue his fighting career and become the first-ever WSOF lightweight champion. If not, he plans on resuming his career as a chiropractor. A political run in the 2016 Presidential election isn't out of the question, either.

Can you imagine?

Volkmann gets released by the UFC, becomes the first WSOF lightweight champ and wins the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Talk about sticking it to the man.

UFC 160 Video Preview: Breaking Down Velasquez vs. Silva 2 and Other Fights

Jeremy Botter — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:45:16 -0400

With UFC 160 just a few days away, it's time for me to step back into the video studio and give you my preview for some of the big main-card fights.

In my latest video for Bleacher Report, I break down the main event between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva. Does Silva have a shot in his second crack at Velasquez? Are we in for another world-class beating like the one Velasquez handed out in the first meeting between the two last May?

And what about the co-main event between former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and Mark Hunt? Does Hunt have a real chance of winning and completing the one of the greatest career turnarounds in mixed martial arts history?

I take a look at all of this and more. Watch the video, agree or disagree and let me know what you think in the comments below.

Crowne Plaza Invitational 2013: Hottest, Coldest Golfers Heading into Tournament

Richard Langford — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:43:00 -0400

Sang-Moon Bae turned a solid second year on the PGA Tour into a win last week at the Byron Nelson Championship, and he will be back in action this week at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. He will do so as one of the tour's hottest golfers.

This tournament will feature a deep field, but it is not packed with stars. The full field is available here.

Zach Johnson took this event last year, but don't look for Johnson on this list. While he's been a fairly consistent staple of the cold list this year, his last time out he looked much improved with a 19th-place finish at the Players.

Now, we'll see if he can use that momentum at a track he has shown he can dominate to help turn his season around or if he'll just sink back into the abyss.

The following players on this list do not feature games that are in a similar state of limbo. These golfers will be hoping to either keep their hot hand rolling or end a bad slump.

*All stats via PGATour.com.

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Brian Stann Goes off on TRT in Wake of Vitor Belfort's Win over Luke Rockhold

John Heinis — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:32:07 -0400

Count in UFC middleweight/US Marine Corp veteran Brian Stann as one of the fighters who wants to see testosterone replacement therapy banned in MMA.

Shortly after middleweight contender Vitor Belfort easily disposed of former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold with a picture perfect spinning heel kick at UFC on FX 8 Saturday, Stann, via Twitter, spoke at length on the subject of TRT.

First, Stann responded to a tweet on the subject posted by MMA Junkie's Ben Fowlkes:

@benfowlkesmma @mmajunkiesteven I disagree. I have trained with guys pre & post testosterone usage & difference is incredible. Speed & power

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) May 19, 2013

Shortly afterwards, "The All-American" posted on TwitLonger, calling the whole concept of TRT "ridiculous:"

"I am not trying to be a jerk & not jealous of other fighter success, I am secure in who I am. Allowing pro fighters to inject test (sic) is just plain ridiculous."

Before calling it a day, the Greg Jackson's MMA fighter said that, in his opinion, TRT is a threat to fighter safety.

In a day & age where we discover new long term effects of concussions and how horrible they are, I speak out of concern for my peers

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) May 19, 2013

Stann has currently been enjoying his desk job as an MMA analyst for FUEL TV ever since suffering a brutal knockout at the hands of PRIDE legend Wanderlei Silva at UFC on FUEL 8 in March.

The bout marked Stann's second consecutive loss, dropping a unanimous decision to Michael Bisping at UFC 152 in September.

Coincidentally, Stann's on-screen analytical partner Chael Sonnen, another open user of TRT, defeated him with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 136 in October 2011.

Does Stann bring up valid points that have yet to be thoroughly evaluated when talking about TRT usage in the sport of mixed martial arts?

John Heinis is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show.

Wade Barrett: Is a Face Turn Possible and Could Fandango Benefit from It?

Bill Atkinson — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:30:58 -0400

Fandango might have been doing his typical dance turns Monday night, but the biggest turn from that night could wind up belonging to Wade Barrett.

It is a turn that may benefit both Barrett and WWE’s “Dancing Machine.”

Barrett, the reigning Intercontinental Champion, could be the next WWE Superstar to make the move from heel to babyface. And he could have Fandango to thank for it.

Don’t worry. If it happens, Fandango may wind up returning the favor.

In case you missed it Monday night, Barrett and Fandango faced The Miz and Chris Jericho in a tag team match. The pairing was contentious from the beginning, as both men argued with each other prior to the bell, and the contention kept on throughout the match.

It reached a boiling point when Fandango jumped down to ringside and began dancing with his partner, Summer Rae, leaving Barrett alone in the ring against Miz and Jericho. He finally succumbed to Miz’s figure four leglock while Fandango continued to dance the night away.

Miz and Jericho finally chased Fandango away from the ringside, but by that time, Barrett was nowhere to be found.

But that does not mean the story is ended.

As is the custom in professional wrestling, if a heel is wronged by another heel during a match, that usually marks the start of a face run for the “victim.”

In this scenario, while Fandango fiddled, Barrett got burned. And Barrett’s character is one who thrives on revenge.

It’s a logical step in the character development of Wade Barrett. And ultimately for Fandango.

Barrett has held the IC belt three times, yet even as champion, he usually finds himself on the short end in matches against top Superstars. Look how often he has jobbed to Sheamus in recent months with and without the title.

Barrett was on the cusp of a major push in 2012 when he dislocated his elbow in a 10-man Battle Royal match on a Raw SuperShow. The injury sidelined him for many months, and while his return was heralded with video previews and other hoopla, he eventually came back to the same-old, same-old.

Now with the IC belt firmly around his waist and no other face stars stepping up to contend, Barrett really has nothing to keep him on the heel side of the fence. He always was fairly likable in an anti-hero sort of way, so it only would seem right to have him jump that fence and start facing off against the WWE villains.

And that is where Fandango waltzes into the picture.

The former Johnny Curtis debuted amid lots of fanfare and predictions from folks such as Steve Austin and Jim Ross. However, the top championships on the midcard level—the IC and the U.S. Heavyweight Championship—are now held by fellow heels Barrett and Dean Ambrose.

It’s quite unlikely that WWE would send Fandango after anyone in The Shield lest The Shield beat the dance right out of his legs. Turning Barrett face and putting him in a feud with Fandango for the IC belt is the most sensible way to go. Barrett gets that much-needed push, and Fandango gets to make Steve Austin look like Nostradamus.

The “Barrett Barrage” vs. the Ballroom Dancer. Now that could turn into a “Ballroom Blitz.”

Follow Bill Atkinson on Twitter at @BAtkinson1963.

Does Michael Crabtree's Injury Make Seahawks Favorites in Loaded NFC West?

Zach Kruse — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:29:59 -0400

In a divisional race as contested as the NFC West is likely to be in 2013, a significant injury like the one suffered by San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree Tuesday just might tilt the scales in the Seattle Seahawks' direction.

According to Mike Garafolo of USA Today, Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon during Tuesday's organized team activities. The surgery required to fix the injury could ultimately force Crabtree to miss the entire 2013 season.

While Garafolo points out that recent spring-time injuries to the Achilles of both Terrell Suggs and Da'Quan Bowers did not result in missing the ensuing season, Crabtree's injury is a huge blow to a 49ers team that will need all of its weapons to hold off the Seahawks in the NFC West.

A first-round pick of the 49ers in 2009, Crabtree finally broke out in a big way during his fourth NFL season. Over 16 regular-season games, Crabtree caught 85 passes for 1,105 yards and nine scores—each representing new career highs. He followed up his best regular season with 20 catches for 285 yards and three scores during San Francisco's three-game playoff run.

Now the 49ers will have to adjust to life without their best receiver for a majority of next season.

Luckily for San Francisco, the receiver depth chart does offer some potential answers.

Veteran Anquan Boldin was acquired this offseason to help Crabtree as a possession-type No. 2, but he'll now assume the duties of a No. 1 receiver. A.J. Jenkins, last season's first-round pick from Illinois, will be expected to take a big jump, and 2012 fourth-rounder Quinton Patton should see more opportunities.

And once Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams return to 100 percent after ACL injuries, the 49ers should be fine in terms of numbers at the position.

However, losing a dynamic talent like Crabtree—especially after the chemistry developed between him and quarterback Colin Kaepernick last season—has to rank as a huge blow that can't be understated.

From Week 13 on last season (including the postseason), Crabtree was without question Kaepernick's favorite target. Over eight total games, the two hooked up 55 times for 823 yards and seven scores.

Now, Kaepernick will enter his first full season as the starting quarterback without his go-to receiver.

No team should benefit more from the loss than the Seahawks.

A winner of 11 regular-season games and one postseason contest last season, Seattle has positioned itself this offseason to be a top contender in both the division and the conference. Additions such as Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett have provided the Seahawks' with necessary ammunition for what still shapes up to be the best divisional race in the NFL.

The 49ers will now have to face a difficult schedule—especially at the start—without a key playmaker.

San Francisco opens up at home against Green Bay in Week 1 before traveling to Seattle in Week 2. Tricky games with Indianapolis, St. Louis and Houston loom in the next three weeks, which should give the 49ers one of the more challenging early schedules in football.

Even if Crabtree can make a miraculous recovery, he's almost certain to miss the first half or so of next season.

Just a few slip-ups early could be the difference between winning a division title and playing for the wild card behind Seattle.

The 49ers are still talented enough on both sides of the football to overcame one significant injury, but the Seahawks have to be feeling better about their chances to win the NFC West today than they did yesterday.

Why Eli Manning Could Have to Deal with Even More Pressure in 2013

Brad Gagnon — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:28:19 -0400

Eli Manning has always been remarkably strong in the face of pressure. His top-notch pocket presence has helped him avoid the types of hits that remove quarterbacks from games, which is why the 32-year-old New York Giants quarterback has taken all but 35 snaps in the last three years and hasn't missed a start due to injury in his nine-year career.

But Eli's older brother possesses the same traits when facing pressure and—once upon a time—Peyton Manning also established himself as an ironman who never missed time due to injury.

Until this happened and everything changed for Peyton, who missed the entire 2011 season as a result of neck problems.

The point is that one hit can change everything, and every time a block is missed or a blitzing linebacker or defensive back isn't picked up, the odds increase that the quarterback will be hit.

That's why there's reason to believe Eli Manning will need luck on his side in order to stay on the field week after week and year after year going forward.

Manning was lucky to survive in 2011, when he was the most pressured quarterback in the league, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Last year, he was pressured significantly less often, with his PFF pressure rate dropping by 24 percent.

What changed? For starters, a healthier Ahmad Bradshaw increased his yards-per-carry average from 3.9 to 4.6, keeping defenses honest, and was ranked by PFF as the best blocking halfback in the NFL. He was also a strong blocker in 2011, but his snap count and average increased dramatically last year.

Bradshaw is no longer a Giant.

What else changed? Free-agent acquisition Martellus Bennett, who took over for Jake Ballard at tight end, was deemed by PFF to be the third-best pass-blocking tight end in the NFL last year. In 2011, Ballard was ranked 47th in the same category.

Bennett is no longer a Giant.

Bradshaw's replacement, David Wilson, struggled with blocking assignments as a rookie, which placed him in head coach Tom Coughlin's doghouse for much of the 2012 season. Andre Brown, who is also likely to earn reps out of the New York backfield, posted a decent blocking rating last year but in a limited sample size. Neither blocks like Bradshaw.

Bennett's replacement, Brandon Myers, was rated by PFF last year as the fourth-worst pass-blocker in the league among tight ends who took at least 50 percent of their team's offensive snaps. He was the antithesis of Bennett.

So while it's encouraging that the offensive line excelled in 2012 after allowing more pressure than every other line in football in 2011 and it's nice that said line could actually be a touch better with rookie first-round pick Justin Pugh in 2013, there's still a chance Manning will face a lot of heat this year.

He'll have to continue to be his sneakily evasive self while keeping that four-leaf clover in his back pocket, but that line will have to be even better. Wilson, Brown and Myers will have to improve their blocking too.

Oh, and all involved parties might want to pray that Henry Hynoski's OK. The Star-Ledger's Dave Hutchinson reported that the league's fifth-best blocker at the fullback position left practice with a knee injury on Wednesday.

None of this bodes well for Manning's safety.

Michigan Football: Reasonable Goals for Wolverines' 2013 Season

Randy Chambers — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:37 -0400

Brady Hoke is entering his third season as the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. Fans have witnessed both sides of the fence his first two seasons, as a BCS bowl game was clinched in 2011 and a subpar 8-5 record was reached last season.

What is in store this time?

Michigan does return the fewest starters in the Big Ten with 12, but there are plenty of backups that picked up valuable experience. And while expectations are never low for Wolverines fans, there comes a point during the offseason where everybody has to put together a list of reasonable goals.

The Wolverines have a few.

A More Balanced Offense

Last season, Michigan was a running machine but lacked in the passing game. Michigan struggled at times to move the football and put points on the board, as it finished ranked 41st in rushing yards and 97th in passing yardage.

A lot of this had to do with the quarterback issues of an unhealthy Denard Robinson and throwing Devin Gardner into the lion's den.

You can expect a more balanced unit and an offense that can move the football effectively this season. Gardner is a more complete quarterback than Robinson was, which allows the Wolverines to operate like a balanced offense.

Gardner isn't so quick to run and doesn't give up on throwing the football. He also appears to be a lot more accurate than the former Michigan quarterback. Instead of designing a playbook that leaned more to a quarterback taking off, Gardner will be asked to make the throws and play the role of a traditional quarterback. The new pro-style offense will fit this team nicely.

The running back depth is also looking good with Fitzgerald Toussaint, Justice Hayes, Drake Johnson and Derrick Green.

Questions with the interior of the offensive line remain, but the overall pieces of this offense are solid enough for this unit to take many steps forward.

Another Great Defense

Defense is what Michigan has relied on over the last two seasons and it will look to continue its high level of play under defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. But with the injury to linebacker Jake Ryan and a defensive line that has a hard time generating a pass rush, there are concerns about this unit possibly heading in the wrong direction.

Don't even think about it.

The loss of Ryan will hurt, but a combination of Cameron Gordon and Brennan Beyer should be good enough to get the job done until he returns.

You also have to like the potential up front of Chris Wormley, Matt Godin and freshman Taco Charlton. Those are all athletic and young guys who should add a little spice to the pass rush.

The secondary also looks good on paper with Courtney Avery and Ramon Taylor. Getting Blake Countess back will be absolutely huge as well.

Michigan was tied with Boise State last year for the fifth-best pass defense in the country. Although it may be asking a bit much to repeat that result, throwing on the Wolverines won't be easy.

Michigan should once again have a quality defense which ranks among the best in the Big Ten.

8 Victories

Expectations are obviously higher in Ann Arbor, but remember that we are discussing reasonable goals. Michigan should have no problem winning eight games, but anything beyond that is questionable.

Notre Dame is on the schedule, a trip to Penn State, Nebraska, Ohio State and then a road game in East Lansing. All of these games could result in a loss—the Wolverines weren't given many breaks schedule-wise.

There are also questions surrounding the team that need to be answered before anybody can be comfortable picking a BCS bowl trip.

Will the offensive line hold up replacing three starters? Can Gardner perform at a high level for an entire season? Will Ryan be missed more than we originally thought?

A reasonable goal is the same amount of victories the program finished with last year.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

3 Reasons Cain Velasquez Has His Fight Against Antonio Silva in the Bag

Matt Juul — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:25:46 -0400

It's no secret that heavyweight veteran Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva will be going into his UFC 160 bout against champ Cain Velasquez as the heavy underdog.

While the Brazilian certainly shocked the MMA world with his come from behind, third-round knockout of Alistair Overeem at UFC 156, I just don't see "Pezão" emerging victorious on Saturday night.

Considering Velasquez's more technical skill set–as well as the outcome of their first meeting–I believe that the heavyweight king will keep his crown.

Here are three reasons why Velasquez has this fight in the bag.

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Analyzing How 5-Star QB Max Browne Fits into USC Trojans Offense

Lisa Horne — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:24:10 -0400

What do you do with a true freshman 5-star quarterback who is competing with two more experienced players at his position? Do you start him, redshirt him or lock him in as a reserve?

Those are the options facing USC head coach Lane Kiffin as he spends his summer mulling over which of his three quarterbacks will start this fall.

Is it redshirt sophomore Cody Kessler, who has patiently waited his turn behind Matt Barkley? Is it redshirt sophomore Max Wittek, who was thrust into the starting role against Notre Dame and Georgia Tech after Barkley went down with an injury against UCLA?

Or is it highly coveted 2013 recruit Max Browne, who had a great spring camp?

Kiffin's decision is critical for several reasons. His job security may depend on making the right choice. It's most likely Rose Bowl or bust for Kiffin.

Redshirting Browne could backfire if Kessler or Wittek were to get hurt. Who would be left as the reserve? Starting Browne could cause Wittek and Kessler to take their talents somewhere else after this season. Both would have two years of eligibility to offer an FBS school.

This decision by Kiffin isn't just about who deserves it the most. Politics play into this.

Browne could follow Barkley's footsteps and be the next four-year starter at USC. But Kessler and Wittek likely won't stick around if that were to happen. That's why Browne won't be named the starting quarterback. Maybe they all will.

Could this be a quarterback-by-committee approach for USC? It's not out of the question. Having all three quarterbacks start during the season would probably squelch any transfers. Most fans don't like the committee approach because it implies that no one separated himself from the others as a leader.

But USC is still under an NCAA-imposed 10-scholarship reduction and in survival mode for one more year. It has to preserve its thin roster. And its future quarterbacks.

Browne is the future. At USC's spring game press conference, Kiffin noted one negative of Browne's performance: "The rookie taking a couple of sacks." More from FOXSports West's Rahshaun Haylock:

Browne completed 7 of 11 passes for 80 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Browne also took a couple of sacks, which Kiffin said was one of the few negatives on the day.

“It’s hard to learn to throw the ball away,” Kiffin said of Browne.

Browne is 6'5", 215 pounds and will have to add bulk to his 18-year-old body this summer. He stands tall in the pocket, has a strong arm and is accurate. He is a traditional dropback passer.

With Browne at QB, USC's offense would look similar to 2002's under then-quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer was not very athletic when flushed out of the pocket. Imagine a scarecrow running for his life with anchors attached to his feet.

Palmer, like Browne, is 6' 5" and had a height advantage that allowed him to see the play develop. He didn't try to scramble under pressure. He threw the ball away. Under Palmer, USC ran a pro-style offense. Run the ball and wait for the passing game to open up.

If Browne is named the starter, expect to see the same. He's not athletic when flushed out—he needs to throw the ball away when the pocket collapses.

Having talented veteran receivers Nelson Agholor, Victor Blackwell and Marqise Lee at his disposal makes the passing game more of a viable option.

Browne could be expected to throw a lot of short passes to build his confidence early in the season. Think West Coast offense. But after two or three games, expect an air show. Browne is a huge downfield threat and Kiffin won't ask him to dink-pass his way down the field.

USC fans want to forget the misery of 2012. The porous defense. The vanilla play-calling. The stuttering offense.

Browne could re-energize the Trojan fans with his arm, or the future of USC football could be relegated to the sidelines with a clipboard in his hands.

We'll find out in 99 days.

Oregon Ducks Received Notice of NCAA Allegations 6 Months Ago

Tim Keeney — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:23:42 -0400

The University of Oregon has known about the NCAA's allegations toward its football program for nearly six months.

The news comes from Rob Moseley of The Register-Guard:

University of Oregon president Michael Gottfredson received a notice of allegations in the Ducks’ ongoing NCAA investigation of its recruiting practices on Dec. 5, 2012.

The document was released to The Register-Guard today by the university in response to a public records request.

In February, news broke that the university "release[d] documents indicating 'failure to monitor' findings proposed" in the ongoing NCAA investigation (h/t Ken Goe, The Oregonian).

Things only continued to get worse for Oregon in April, as it was revealed the university had committed several major recruiting violations. However, a finding of no unethical conduct during that time suggested the Ducks would be able to avoid major sanctions.

However, as Moseley states, this reveals a repeat offense by Oregon:

A letter to Gottfredson detailing the administrative process of the investigation is followed by seven specific allegations of wrong-doing by the Ducks under former head coach Chip Kelly. All of which closely resemble—almost to the word—the allegations listed in Oregon’s failed attempt at a summary disposition resolution as submitted to the NCAA in October of last year.

And that could be a major hitch in this entire process:

According to Moseley, the violations contained in the notice of allegations are major ones, although no possible sanctions are listed in the document.

Still, it states that the university is subject to "penalties under repeat violator rules," which does not suggest good news for the Ducks going forward.

This is an intriguing wrinkle in the story, as it also appears Oregon has been aware of its exact allegations since early December, which is earlier than was originally thought.

At that time, Chip Kelly, of course, was still head coach, and this is only going to further raise questions surrounding his departure for the NFL right around the beginning of the year.

Either way, there are still several developments surely on the way when it comes to this ongoing investigation, which will be an intriguing story to follow until more becomes known.

5 WWE Superstars Who Have Made Great Lives for Themselves in Retirement

Sharon Glencross — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:23:29 -0400

Let's face it: The wrestling business has had more than its fair share of sad stories.

Numerous wrestlers have died young because of drugs and/or alcohol abuse. Many stars, like Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, have been in and out of rehab and even had the occasional trip to jail.

Others, like Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, have found their later years afflicted by personal turmoil and tragedy.

Thankfully, not everyone's story is bleak and depressing. Indeed, the following wrestlers have not only carved out nice lives for themselves in their post-WWE lives, but they've even enhanced their reputations and legacies.

Let's have a look at their stories...

Begin Slideshow

NBA Free Agents 2013: Top Players Most Likely to Re-Sign with Current Teams

Matt Fitzgerald — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:13:55 -0400

The 2013 NBA free-agent class is an exciting one, with several electrifying players set to hit the open market. Several of the biggest names, though, are highly likely not to find a new destination, because sticking with their current teams is their best shot at a championship.

As the postseason continues to wind down, speculation and rumors will continue to emerge. However, there shouldn't be much suspense regarding the following trio of impact players.

Let's take a look at some of the best available unrestricted free agents who will generate significant interest, yet should remain in their current NBA uniforms.

Chris Paul, PG, Los Angeles Clippers

A stunning development occurred this past season—the Clippers established themselves as the best pro basketball team in the City of Angels, bettering the preeminent Lakers.

It didn't translate to playoff success, unfortunately, which led to the team parting ways with head coach Vinny Del Negro. That was in spite of a franchise-record 56 wins during the regular season.

CBS Sports' Ken Berger cited sources that indicated Paul's discontent with Del Negro was a significant factor in the Clippers' brass giving him the pink slip:

Reportedly giving a player that type of organizational pull is a testament to how much the Clippers value Paul. In an effort to keep him, no less than a max contract will be offered to the superstar point guard, and he'll capitalize—and also likely choose his next coach.

Paul is surrounded by marquee talent, and forms a lethal combination with power forward Blake Griffin and a solid rotation with DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler, Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe—though he may leave in free agency.

As long as the Clips supply Paul with a legitimate starting 2-guard, there is no reason that he should flee town.

Kevin Martin, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

After trading away dynamic sixth man James Harden, who became a premier star with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City needed a shot in the arm on offense. Martin provided that off the bench this season, netting 14 points per contest.

With a previous salary of nearly $12.5 million (h/t USA Today), it's improbable that Martin's play will warrant that type of payday on the open market.

Martin is in a wonderful situation as a member of this Thunder squad, with cornerstones Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook still blossoming and realizing their sky-high potentials.

Royce Young of CBS Sports reported what Martin had to say recently about his future:

It appears that Martin's best fit is in OKC, despite the fact that he could start elsewhere given his incredible shooting prowess. Walking away from this situation for more money might produce better career numbers, but no place presents a better opportunity for an NBA title.

Martin has said that chasing money at this point in his career won't be a factor, which only enhances the case that he'll remain with the Thunder.

David West, PF, Indiana Pacers

ESPN's Marc Stein reports "whispers are already swirling" that the Clippers are interested in acquiring West this offseason, which would give their frontcourt a necessary boost.

It makes sense, since the two thrived together as members of the New Orleans Hornets. Especially if Paul can help lure Byron Scott, their former head coach, to Los Angeles, things could become really interesting.

Stein also notes how much West loves his situation in Indiana, too, and how LA would have to offer him a mid-level exception, as opposed to the larger sum the Pacers could muster.

Advancing to the Eastern Conference finals also helps the Pacers' cause in retaining the crafty 32-year-old post player, because it's a sign of tangible improvement.

The Pacers' official Twitter page highlighted a recent comment made by West, which makes it sound as though he definitely wants to stick around the organization:

Head coach Frank Vogel has instilled a defensive identity into his squad, and it's paying significant dividends.

From an offensive standpoint, though, few in the league are more devastating at operating off the pick-and-roll than West. His combination of size and athleticism at the 4 position creates significant matchup problems.

West is the only particularly high-priced free agent that GM Kevin Prtichard has to focus on, and he should reward the All-Star power forward with a lucrative multi-year deal.