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Buying Insurance and Defining the Importance of a Backup QB in the NFL

BJ Kissel — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:04:06 -0400

A lot of people wouldn't say the backup quarterback position is one of the five or six most important positions on a football field, that is, until you're having to play your backup quarterback. Then it becomes really important.

There's no denying that your starting quarterback is the most important position on your team, but how much focus you put on that backup spot could go a long way in determining how competitive you are if you're unfortunate enough to lose your starter.

There's a couple of different ways you can approach the backup quarterback position.

A lot depends on how old your starter is and what the situation is with your No. 1 guy. But to put it simply, you can bring in a veteran journeyman who you know has experience and you can feel comfortable about what you're going to get from him, or you can have a young, developing player ready to step in and get his opportunity.

Within the last couple of years, we've seen these two different philosophies used.

The first was when the Washington Redskins made the bold move two years ago to trade up and secure former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick in the draft. But what was even more surprising was when they took former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins in the fourth round of that same draft.

It was seen as the ultimate insurance against Griffin either not working out like they had hoped or protection against an injury. It was also a pretty good indication from the coaching staff that they're confident in their abilities to develop quarterbacks, and Cousins specifically, because he'd have to be ready to play day one should anything happen to Griffin.

The Redskins released veteran quarterback John Beck right after they drafted Cousins.

Cousins seemed to have the right attitude about the situation in his comments to the Washington Post right after the draft.

Coach Shanahan’s words to me were that he couldn’t pass me up, and he was excited to have me. . . . Certainly, with Robert Griffin, there’s a lot of hope in him in being part of their future. But I’m excited to be a part of their organization and help that team win football games.

It's a good thing that Cousins had the right attitude because, once Griffin went down last season with a knee injury, Cousins was ready to step right in and play. He took advantage of the one start he made against the Cleveland Browns, finishing the game having completed over 70 percent of his passes for more than 300 yards and two touchdowns.

The Redskins trusted their abilities to develop a young quarterback and felt they had one who could, even as a mid-round pick, step right in and play at a high level if it was needed.

On the flip side of this scenario is what the Kansas City Chiefs did this past offseason. The Chiefs had Brady Quinn and Matt Cassel as their two starting quarterbacks in 2012. These two players combined to throw just eight touchdowns and 20 interceptions last season. It was obviously a dire situation in Kansas City with no real prospect on their roster as a potential quarterback of the future.

Former fifth-round pick out of Iowa Ricky Stanzi is on the Chiefs roster, but he couldn't sniff the field while Quinn and Cassel were playing at an embarrassingly low level. That doesn't bode well for Stanzi's future in Kansas City, even with a new regime as new general manager John Dorsey, and Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid, decided how to approach the quarterback position.

The Chiefs held the No. 1 pick in the draft and decided to use their second-round pick to acquire their starting quarterback and trade for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

While this move frustrated a good number of Chiefs fans who wanted to see the organization finally invest a first-round pick in a quarterback for the first time since 1983, as the draft played out, it looks to have been the right decision.

These quarterbacks didn't fall because of some new CBA wrinkle or that the value isn't there for whatever reason, it was just a down year for quarterbacks. EJ Manuel, being the only quarterback selected in the first round, was No. 16 overall, going to the Buffalo Bills.

The most interesting thing was the Chiefs reached an agreement with former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel before the draft. Daniel signed a three-year, $10 million deal with the Chiefs that included $4.8 million guaranteed.

You don't give a player $4.8 million guaranteed and then draft another quarterback high in the draft to compete with him for the No. 2 quarterback position. Once you gave him that money, you knew he was your backup quarterback.

It was just another form of insurance, just like Cousins was insurance against a Griffin injury for the Redskins. Daniel was insurance against a weak quarterback class and the Chiefs not having to force the pick, especially if the Chiefs didn't truly believe in any of the quarterbacks available.

This idea is using veteran players to fill these roles and maybe it's less about overall philosophy and more about the specific players who were available. If the Chiefs looked at this draft and didn't believe there's a quarterback worthy of being the No. 2 guy right away, it'd make sense to give Daniel a whole lot of money.

Only time will tell if one of these mid-round quarterbacks turns out to be pretty good. Whether it's Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson or Ryan Nassib, the Chiefs had their shot at each of these guys and felt more comfortable going with the combination of Smith and Daniel over any combination the draft and free agency could come up with regarding players.

Some other examples around the league right now are the Oakland Raiders doing what the Chiefs decided not to do, giving Wilson a chance to win the backup job as a rookie, maybe even the starting job over Matt Flynn.

The New England Patriots have spent the last three years developing Ryan Mallet to either be ready if Tom Brady should go down with an injury or be traded off and bring them back draft picks.

This thought process has allowed teams to sell off their developed assets, in this case being young, unproven quarterbacks who have looked good in limited capacity. We've seen it recently with Cassel and Kevin Kolb.

The Green Bay Packers are rolling the dice by going with 2012 seventh-round pick B.J. Coleman and former Texas Tech slinger and undrafted free agent in 2009 Graham Harrell as the two quarterbacks behind Aaron Rodgers right now. The Packers are pretty much assuming their season is toast if Rodgers goes down, so they'll just have to worry about that situation at that time—should it present itself.

There's no right or wrong way to handle the backup position because it's worked both ways and not worked both ways as well.

It depends on the coaching staff's ability to develop younger players, the specific players who are actually available, and then obviously, the fit for your specific offensive scheme. These are the most important determining factors in whether or not a player is going to be successful on a particular team.

There are a few teams out there that are potential playoff teams that are gambling at the backup quarterback position right now. It's just like regular insurance; it's something that you must get in advance of there being a problem, because like most issues dealing with insurance, it's too late if you're waiting until after the fact.

Asmir Begovic: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Peter Brownell — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:00:01 -0400

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is among many players being tipped with a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Bosnia-Herzegovina international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 25

Contract Situation: Begovic joined Stoke City in 2010 and is under contract until 2016.

Career Stops: Portsmouth (2005-2010), La Louviere (loan, 2005), Macclesfield Town (loan, 2006), Bournemouth (loan, 2007), Yeovile Town (loan, 2008), Ipswich Town (2009), Stoke City (2010-).

Current Campaign: English Premier League—38 games, 45 goals conceded; World Cup Qualifiers—five games, three goals conceded.

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide:

Begovic is a goalkeeper for the English Premier League side Stoke City and for the Bosnia-Herzegovina national team.

The 25-year-old perfectly combines a big body with quick reactions to make scoring on him very difficult. He commands his box and can pick off crosses and set pieces with ease. He is also a fine shot-stopper, reaching difficult attempts with dives and leaps that other goalkeepers would not be able to get to.

Begovic has the total package of goalkeeping skills.

Where Next?

A few of the top English clubs are pursuing the services of the highly regarded Begovic.

First up is Chelsea and Arsenal, who the Mirror reports are battling to nab Begovic as their netminder in their respective upcoming Champions League and Premier League campaigns.

The aforementioned piece in the Mirror indicates that Chelsea may well be the front-runners between the two clubs.

Then there are the Premier League Champions, Manchester United, pursuing Begovic (per the Guardian). However, as the Guardian indicates, it might well be Fulham who sweeps on through and earns his signature.

All the interest, of course, speaks to how bright this goalkeeper's future is. He should continue to snuff out goals for years to come.

4 Biggest Takeaways from the NFL Spring League Meeting

Dan Hope — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:55:22 -0400

The NFL is a progressive and forward-thinking league, so changes are expected to occur and news is expected to break at the NFL Spring League Meeting, which began Monday in Boston.

No definitive news has come out of the league meeting yet, which continues Tuesday and Wednesday. That said, reporters covering the league meetings have come away with some interesting takeaways that are expected to play out over the next two days or in upcoming weeks.

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Why Hero Ball Doesn't Cut It in NBA Playoffs

Adam Fromal — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:54:29 -0400

In the NBA playoffs, winning is the only thing that matters, which makes the prominence of Hero Ball a head-scratching reality. Just because a mentality is firmly entrenched in our collective consciousness doesn't mean that it's the proper method of approaching a situation.

During the regular season, this strategy can occasionally work. But during the postseason, when defenses are ramped up more than a few notches and everything slows down, Hero Ball is a terrific recipe for an early exit.

So far, the extracurricular affairs of the 2013 season have seen Mark Jackson call on Jarrett Jack to run isolation plays for the Golden State Warriors. Kevin Durant took over down the stretch for the Oklahoma City Thunder—and during the rest of the game, for that matter—once Russell Westbrook was hurt. Carmelo Anthony seemed to do nothing but play Hero Ball.

What do all three of those players have in common?

They're all sitting at home and watching the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs continue to duke it out for a shot at holding up the coveted Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Coincidence? I think not.

The very notion of playing Hero Ball is one that's rooted in failure. You might think of the concept as giving the best player on the team a shot to win. The ball is in his hands, after all.

However, think about the opportunity cost of the play. By committing to one player, and only one player, the team is forgoing any semblance of team play. It's essentially admitting that it has no confidence in its ability to generate a quality look by running a set, instead settling for what's likely to be an extremely difficult shot.

ESPN's Henry Abbott has a brilliant idea:

Abbott's argument is simple, but it's rather profound. Sometimes the best ideas are the one's rooted in simplicity. Occam wouldn't have been able to shave if that weren't true.

Teams need to stop insisting that difficult shots by the best players are the route du jour and instead focus on getting the easiest look. That's the principle that the San Antonio Spurs have built their offense around for years.

Using backdoor cuts, tons of ball movement and plenty of unselfishness, Gregg Popovich has installed a system that ensures a team passes up a good look for a great one.

Why isn't that the case in crunch time for all teams? Why can't they pass up a bad look for a better one?

And make no mistake about it, a difficult shot taken by a terrific scorer can still be a bad look. Even Durant, 'Melo and Stephen Curry can hoist up unfavorable attempts in late-game situations.

Instead, teams should be attacking the rim and devising plays that free up open looks, not heavily contested one-on-four situations for their best players to navigate. According to Shane Battier, defenses are actually softer during these crucial situations, possibly because the thought of fouling makes them nauseous.

Are they soft against one player trying to take on an entire team by himself? Not so much.

You can see Battier's full thoughts on Hero Ball in the embedded video.

During that same video, ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz brings up the interesting point that coaches might be conditioned to give the ball to the superstars in late-game situations because they're loss averse. No one can blame them if their superstar fails, but a blown play at the end could look quite bad in the headlines the next day.

Loss aversion is everywhere in sports. It's why football teams don't go for it more on fourth downs, even though it's mathematically beneficial to do so. It's why baseball teams with new managers are more likely to get rid of incumbent players who are slumping. They can't afford to wait it out and hope for a return to prominence.

And yes, it's part of the reason that Hero Ball has become so omnipresent in the 2013 playoff landscape.

But trust me, you don't want to get me started on loss aversion in sports or else you'll be reading a 50,000-word tome. So let's move on.

If you're looking for evidence that Hero Ball isn't working during the postseason, you're in luck, because there's plenty out there.

Let's roll back the clocks and look at the New York Knicks' overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the first-round series. The game is tied at 84 with the clock ticking down in the final quarter, and Anthony has just clanged a three-point attempt off the back of the iron. Tyson Chandler tips the ball out and the play resets.

Above you can see 'Melo establishing position on the elbow with 15 seconds left on the shot clock.

Take a good look at where Jason Kidd, Iman Shumpert and Chandler are positioned.

The ball is thrown in to Anthony with nine seconds left on the shot clock and 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Again, look at Kidd, Shumpert and Chandler.

See any differences yet?

Mike Woodson is making absolutely no effort to run any sort of play, instead resigning himself to the fact that Anthony needs to create his own shot when the defense on him is at its tightest.

Jeff Green bats the ball away from 'Melo, which puts him in an even worse position. Now instead of having an established spot on the elbow, he's well behind the three-point arc with only six seconds to get off a shot.

Meanwhile, Raymond Felton backs off, and here's the crucial part: Jason Terry is well aware of what's going to happen. You can see him motioning to Avery Bradley that he should be ready to pick up Felton if necessary.

Terry is now prepared to give Green a little bit of help in ensuring that the team in green doesn't lose on this shot.

Boom. Terry makes his move and doubles Anthony.

You know, because the situation wasn't tough enough for the league's leading scorer already.

Notice anything else? Not a single teammate has moved. Even as the situation spirals downward, there's no attempt to abandon Hero Ball.

Anthony pulls up, and the ensuing jumper ricochets off the back of the iron. Just like his last attempt did.

Surely this wasn't the best look that the Knicks could find. There had to be better options than 'Melo jacking up a deep two-pointer as he faded away and drifted to the side in an attempt to avoid the double-team.

But...Hero Ball!

Let's not just pick on Anthony and the Knicks, though.

If you go back and watch any of the Thunder losses to the Grizzlies, you'll see Durant trying to take over too much in late-game situations. It seemed like he took every single shot down the stretch until a game was out of hand.

During the 2012 playoffs, Abbott—yep, him again—conducted an interesting study on Hero Ball. He looked at 15 star players (Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gay, Manu Ginobili, Danny Granger, LeBron James, Joe Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Russell Westbrook) and compared their performances during the last five minutes of games in which the teams were separated by less than five points to the shooting of the non-stars.

The stars shot 71.8 percent from the field and 25.6 percent when they were behind the arc. Meanwhile, the non-stars posted respective percentages of 54.2 and 36.

You tell me which you'd rather have.

Although I don't have numbers for this postseason readily available, your eyes should be telling you that a similar story is unfolding.

This isn't a new problem. It's one that's been around for quite some time, meaning that even the legendary Phil Jackson ran into trouble with Hero Ball when he and assistant coach Doug Collins had Michael Jordan under their metaphorical wings. The following is a passage from Sacred Hoops, Jackson's book that should be considered a must-read for any hardcore basketball fan:

The problem was that Jordan's teammates were often just as enchanted as the fans. Collins devised dozens of plays to get the rest of the team involved in the action; in fact he had so many he was given the name Play-a-Day Collins. That helped, but when push came to shove, the other players usually faded into the background and waited for Michael to perform another miracle. Unfortunately, this mode of attack, which assistant coach Johnny Back dubbed "the archangel offense" was so one-dimensional the better defensive teams had little difficultly shutting it down.

"The archangel offense" is quite similar to Hero Ball, even if it didn't necessarily take place late in the game. And if Michael Jordan couldn't get it to work, who exactly can?

There are plenty of reasons for a coach to just hand the ball to his superstar in a crucial situation and hope for the best as the other players get out of the way. The problem is, there are more reasons for him to do anything else.

Winning is one of those reasons that falls into the latter camp. In the playoffs, that should be enough to sway even the coaches most hell-bent on going to war with Hero Ball as the only weapon in their arsenal.

Comparing Mock Drafts for Chicago Bulls from Around the Web

Ernest Shepard — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:31:30 -0400

It is time to take a look into the future of the Chicago Bulls after their second-round playoff loss to the Miami Heat. The Bulls have avoided the NBA draft lottery for five consecutive seasons.

The last time they were part of the lottery was 2008; they landed the No. 1 pick in the draft. With that pick, the Bulls chose former Simeon High School and Memphis star Derrick Rose.

Selecting Rose was not a slam dunk. Can’t-miss prospect Michael Beasley from Kansas State impressed the scouts with the ability to score from inside and the perimeter.

In 2008, the choice for the Bulls was easy. They only had to decide between two players.

As the Rose vs. Beasley debate raged on, fans in Chicago clamored for the hometown prospect. At times, someone outside of Chicago held different sentiments.

Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com wrote an article about why he would have chosen Beasley over Rose at that time.

In the end, the Bulls made the right pick by getting Rose, while Beasley has yet to find a team where he can be a long-term fixture.

Where do the Bulls stand in 2013?

The NBA draft combine came and went with a few players improving their draft stocks. The Bulls will be looking for a player whom they hope can crack the rotation next season with the No. 20 pick.

What Are the Bulls’ Needs?

If you ask Bulls fans, they will quickly tell you that they need for Derrick Rose to come back healthy. His return to the team would arguably be the biggest addition that any NBA team will have during the offseason. As great as Rose can be, he cannot fill all of the Bulls’ needs.

The Bulls were undermanned against the Heat during the best-of-seven series. There was an apparent lack of frontcourt depth. As a result, center Joakim Noah averaged 38.4 minutes versus the Heat.

Losing Omer Asik to the Houston Rockets left the Bulls with a hole in the center position. It is a hole that must be filled.

Scoring is another need for the Bulls. If the Bulls can find a center or a power forward who can score while coming off the bench, it will solve two problems at once. If such a frontcourt player is unavailable in the draft, then the team has to consider the best scorer who is on the draft board.

Who Are the Websites Suggesting the Bulls Draft?

Looking at five mock drafts, each observer has the Bulls selecting a different player.

Here is who they choose:

ESPN Chad Ford’s Mock Draft 2.0: Mason Plumlee, Power Forward, Duke
NBADraft.net: Giannis Adetokunbo, Small Forward/Power Forward, Greece
DraftExpress.com: Tony Mitchell, Power Forward, North Texas
Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld.com: Jeff Withey, Center, Kansas
CBSSports.com: Allen Crabbe, Shooting Guard, California

Each player brings a different skill set to a team that can use plenty of help. Plumlee is an athletic forward who can run the floor and finish strong in the painted area. Adetokunbo is a good scorer, and so is Crabbe. Mitchell and Withey are rugged post defenders who can play either at power forward or center for the Bulls.

Do Any of Them Fit What the Bulls Need?

Yes!

Each player would fill a need. The Bulls have to become more athletic in the frontcourt.

Drafting Plumlee would allow the Bulls to have a solid player who can run the floor and finish in the post. If there is a knock on Plumlee, it is the fact that he is not known as a scorer. He comes from a great basketball program in Duke, and by entering the draft as a senior, he is a seasoned college player.

Jeff Withey is also a senior and comes with a strong pedigree as a contributor to the Kansas basketball program for four seasons. He is a strong defender in the post who could bring the missing piece of toughness to the Bulls.

Mitchell is an excellent shot-blocker. The Bulls could use some help in this area. The Heat were able to attack the paint anytime they wanted to. Having Mitchell in the paint could change that.

Crabbe is a versatile scorer who has incredible range and is a great rebounder at his position. Drafting him would be a good insurance plan if the Bulls lose Marco Belinelli and/or Nate Robinson to free agency. But can he defend well enough to fit into Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau’s system?

The wild card is Adetokunbo.

He can score, but what else can he do?

The Nigerian has intriguing size (he is listed at 6’9”) and athleticism. His ball-handling and ability to finish at the rim are something that the Bulls do not have on their current roster aside from Rose. The final question is, can he adapt to playing against NBA competition?

Given the strengths of each player, if I had a say, the mystery behind Adetokunbo is worthy of the No. 20 pick of the upcoming draft.

While the Bulls need backups at the center and shooting guard position, the need for a player with a huge upside helps them in the interim as well as in the future.

Drafting Adetokunbo would be a move with the future in mind.

Michael Kickham Should Replace Ryan Vogelsong for the San Francisco Giants

Mark Reynolds — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:23:36 -0400

Ryan Vogelsong looked as though he had finally figured things out on Monday night for the San Francisco Giants. After a brutal start to the season, Vogelsong cruised through five scoreless innings against the Washington Nationals to lower his ERA from 8.06 to 7.19.

Vogelsong's dreams of a recovery from his brutal beginning to the season were then shattered along with his right hand. Vogelsong was struck with the ball while taking a swing during his at-bat in the bottom of the fifth inning.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Vogelsong will likely be out for four to eight weeks with a fractured right hand. Vogelsong's wife, Nicole, confirmed via Twitter that he will undergo surgery Tuesday and be out for six weeks.

The Giants entered the season without a viable Plan B in the event of an injury to a starting pitcher. The Giants received 160 starts from the starting five last year, but that injury luck ran out on Monday night.

The Giants don't have an effective, experienced starter whom they can turn to in the minor leagues.

Long reliever Chad Gaudin could be an option to replace Vogelsong given his experience as a starter. However, removing him from the bullpen would weaken that unit without definitely upgrading the rotation. Gaudin has a 4.72 career ERA in 409.2 innings as a starter.

The Giants could seek an alternative outside of the organization. However, with more than two months until the trading deadline, a robust market for starting pitching probably doesn't exist yet. It's unclear if any alternative on the current trade market would be an upgrade over Gaudin or someone already in the system.

Instead of looking to Gaudin or the trade market, the Giants should turn to Michael Kickham to replace Vogelsong in the rotation. What Kickham lacks in experience, he makes up for with his excellent stuff.

Kickham entered the season as the organization's sixth-best prospect, according to Marc Hulet of FanGraphs. Hulet wrote of Kickham:

Kickham doesn’t have quite the same fastball velocity that fellow southpaw Josh Osich has but it still touches 94 mph and he has a chance to stick in the starting rotation. He also has better secondary stuff: a plus slider, average curveball and developing changeup. Kickham has a strong pitcher’s frame and pitched 150 innings in 2012. ...The lefty spent all of 2012 in double-A when he produced very impressive numbers, including a strikeout rate of 8.18 K/9 and an above-average ground-ball rate. ... He has the ceiling of a No. 4 starter.

Jason Parks, a prospect expert for Baseball Prospectus, wrote of Kickham (via Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated):

The 24-year-old has good stuff from the left-side—including a plus fastball—with feel and utility for a deep secondary arsenal. Some scouts think Kickham would be a better fit in the bullpen, where his velocity could play up and his command issues could play down, but he has the body and the arsenal to develop into a back of the rotation workhorse. Either way, Kickham is a major-league arm and should see action in 2013.

Kickham is currently second in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League with 50 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. He's also been pitching extremely well of late after a rough start to the season. Over his last four starts, he's put up a 1.80 ERA while striking out 25 against just six walks over 25 innings of work.

Kickham had an outstanding year at Double-A Richmond last year. He put up a 3.05 ERA while striking out 137 hitters in 150.2 innings of work.

His control was his biggest weakness entering this season. He's cut his walk rate from 4.5 walks per nine innings pitched (W/9) last season down to 3.6 W/9 so far this year. That's still too high of a walk rate, but it shows that Kickham is trending in the right direction with his control.

Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area wrote Sunday that Gaudin would be the first option if the Giants needed to give a starter a break. However, given the length of time Vogelsong will be out, the Giants should leave Gaudin in the pen and turn to Kickham.

Kickham might not be quite as ready for the big leagues as the Giants would want in an ideal world. Alas, Vogelsong's fractured right hand shattered any notion of an ideal world on Monday night.

The Giants' lack of a viable sixth starter has put them in a bind. The best solution to ride the Vogelsong injury out is to give the ball to the organization's best arm in the upper minors in Kickham.

Kickham will have his struggles if he's called upon by the Giants, just as he did to open the season for Fresno. However, his low-90s fastball and assortment of off-speed stuff have helped him miss bats throughout his minor league career. If the Giants give Kickham the opportunity to settle in at the big league level, he can give them more upside than Gaudin because of his swing-and-miss stuff.

The Giants don't need the eventual replacement to match the 3.05 ERA that Vogelsong gave them over the past two seasons or the 1.09 ERA he put up over four postseason starts last year. They just need someone to keep them afloat and provide some stability for the next six weeks.

Leaving Gaudin in the bullpen and turning to Kickham is the best among the few options on the table right now for the Giants.

All statistics and standings in this article are courtesy of ESPN, MiLB .com and Baseball-Reference.com.

Biggest Personnel Losses Suffered by Alabama Football and Who Will Replace Them

Charlie Potter — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:14:07 -0400

The University of Alabama has been a factory for producing NFL talent since head coach Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, and after the Crimson Tide won their 15th national title in January, that tradition continued in the 2013 NFL draft.

Nine Alabama players were selected in the draft, with several other players either agreeing to free-agent contracts or finding jobs that match their newly acquired degrees. Their absences will be felt in the locker room and on the field next season for Alabama, but the Crimson Tide must rebuild and reload like they have in the past.

Several positions are up for grabs with the departures of the former starters, and it will be up to the remaining and incoming players to fill them. However, Saban and Co. recruited well and have more-than-capable veterans on the 2013-14 roster.

Here we break down the biggest personnel losses that Alabama suffered this offseason and which players will step in to fill those voids.

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Analyzing the Chicago Bulls' 2013 NBA Draft Needs

Zach Buckley — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:05:25 -0400

The Chicago Bulls are either an ideal landing spot for 2013 NBA draft prospects or a nightmarish destination to begin one's pro career.

On the one hand, joining Chicago means becoming a part of one of the league's most proud franchises and a club that's still just scratching the surface of its potential. The Bulls just won 45 regular-season games without Derrick Rose and should be clawing their way back to the league's elite ranks.

On the other hand, a playoff-proven rotation isn't always the easiest to crack for a rookie. And Tom Thibodeau's rotation runs thinner than most, as Chicago reserves logged the third-fewest minutes in the league this season (14.4 via HoopsStats.com).

System and opportunity are two of the most oft-cited factors in determining a rookie's effective transition to the realm of the professional sports world. So before any potential pick can take an optimistic or pessimistic view of Chicago as a future surrounding, the onus is on the Bulls' brass to identify draft targets who fit Thibodeau's system and will have the opportunity to maximize their potential.

But before even identifying any potential draft targets, the Bulls must first target areas of need on their current roster.

Chicago is clearly lacking in two areas as currently constructed: low-post scoring and perimeter shooting.

The Bulls averaged 36.7 points in the paint this season (19th in the league) and converted just 46.8 percent of their chances there (24th, via HoopsStats.com).

The return of slasher extraordinaire Rose would figure to bolster these numbers, but perhaps not as much as one would think.

Nate Robinson, who saw the lion's share of Rose's minutes this season but could become a free-agent casualty this summer, had more than one-third of his made field goals coming from within the paint. Backcourt mate Jimmy Butler found more than 60 percent of his field goals there (via NBA.com/stats).

Chicago's lack of interior scoring is the root of this problem.

Veteran Carlos Boozer prefers to do most of his damage from midrange; more than half of his field-goal attempts came at least eight feet from the basket. Joakim Noah does more of his damage near the basket, but his scoring (11.9 points per game) often takes a backseat to his defense (11.1 boards, 2.1 blocks) and shot creation (4.0 assists).

On the perimeter, the Bulls were more selective in their chances, and for good reason.

At 35.3 percent, Chicago tied the Portland Trail Blazers for the 20th-best three-point success rate in the league (via ESPN.com). Never a team to defeat itself, the Bulls attempted the second-fewest long-range shots in the NBA, 15.4 per game.

Whatever sharpshooting threat the Bulls enjoyed this season, it could be growing even less intimidating in 2013-14. Of the six Chicago marksmen to shoot above 30 percent from deep this year, half are now free agents (Robinson, Marco Belinelli and Richard Hamilton, via HoopsWorld.com).

Hamilton's departure has seemed a formality since the veteran had all but disappeared from Thibodeau's rotation. Comcast SportsNet's Aggrey Sam says it's unlikely that Robinson will return to a crowded Chicago backcourt.

Of course, that's the easy part of the tasks that lie ahead for GM Gar Forman. Now it's his job to find players meeting the athletic profile to fill one of those needs.

It won't be easy. Forman's draft arsenal runs two picks deep, the 20th pick of the first round and the 19th selection of the second (49th overall). And multiple analysts rate this draft class as being historically weak.

But that isn't to say that Forman is completely without options.

Using DraftExpress.com's mock draft board to whittle down the field takes potential interior additions Steven Adams (Pittsburgh) and Gorgui Dieng out of the running.

If Forman's willing to wait for his return (as he was when he traded up to land stretch forward Nikola Mirotic in 2011), he may be tempted to grab Brazilian big man Lucas Nogueira, a raw 20-year-old prospect packed with potential for the right, patient franchise. Mouhammadou Jaiteh, a 6'11" 18-year-old, offers similar promise but is likely a few more years away from contributing.

For a more instant return, Forman might consider Kansas center Jeff Withey or Bucknell's big man Mike Muscala. Withey fits the defensive profile to see the floor under Thibodeau (3.9 blocks per game as a senior, via StatSheet.com), but often finds his offense either off timely feeds or cleaning the glass. Muscala has both solid footwork and a soft shooting touch in his offensive arsenal, but could stand to add bulk to his 6'11", 230-pound frame.

If Forman's not convinced the low-post prospects are worth the investment, he has a few perimeter targets to mull over.

San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin may be Thibodeau's pick, thanks to his versatile skill set and nonstop motor. But just a 27.2 percent three-point shooter as a junior, he doesn't project to strengthen Chicago's perimeter attack. Michigan's Tim Hardaway, Jr. could be their three-point threat (34.2 percent for his Wolverines' career), but appeared to give inconsistent efforts defensively.

Allen Crabbe of California is another strong shooter, but needs work in developing his handles and could stand to add strength. South Dakota State's Nate Wolters is a prolific scorer (22.6 points per game) and shooter (38.0 three-point percentage, via DraftExpress.com), but scouts have serious concern with his level of competition and athleticism.

Providence freshman Ricky Ledo is an intriguing talent, but a prototypical boom-or-bust candidate. A top-20 recruit, academic issues kept Ledo from ever suiting up for the Friars, and scouts have reportedly questioned his ability to be a good teammate (via Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com).

Weak drafts, not surprisingly, typically fall short in the stardom department but sometimes bode well for teams operating out of later draft slots.

The Bulls aren't in need of a superstar to push them over the top, but do need to find something of value with that first-round selection.

Forman has some options, but he'll need to do his homework to identify talent among a crop of players rife with potential and question marks.

Follow @Hoops_Guru

The 6 Best and Worst Moves of the New England Patriots' 2013 Offseason

Nick Lantz — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:00:37 -0400

The New England Patriots had quite a busy offseason between free agency and the 2013 NFL draft. Some fan favorites were let go, a few veteran leaders were brought in and somehow, the Pats ended up with seven draft picks.

After a disappointing 28-13 loss to the Ravens in the AFC Championship, so many questions were stuck unanswered in the minds of Patriots fans worldwide. Two very important players, Wes Welker and Aqib Talib, were free agents, and the secondary was something that clearly needed to be addressed (though it's really has been an issue for several years).

The Patriots have made some very difficult decisions this offseason to get to where they are now. It's time to take a look at the Pats' best and worst offseason moves.

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Ashley Williams: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Peter Brownell — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:00:00 -0400

Swansea City centre-back Ashley Williams is among many players being tipped with a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Wales international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 28

Contract Situation: Williams started with Swansea City in 2008 and is under contract until the end of June 2015.

Career Stops: Hednesford Town (2001-2003), Stockport County (2003-2008), Swansea City (2008 loan), Swansea City (2008-Present).

Current Campaign: English Premier League—37 games; League Cup—4 games, World Cup Qualifiers—6 games.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Williams plays as a left-sided centre-back for English Premier League side Swansea City and the Welsh international team.

He is a very capable passer with both feet and can acutely navigate his team out of trouble from the deepest part of the pitch. Williams has a keen sense of timing, particularly when looking to cut out passes with both his head and feet.

The Welshman is a solid aerial defender and is known for strong leadership skills as he wears the armband for both club and country.

Where Next?

If reports are true, two English Premier League clubs appear the most interested in obtaining the signature of Ashley Williams.

First up are Arsenal, according to The Guardian, where all indications are that Arsene Wenger has lost confidence in his current defense and believes Williams to be a nice fit as he attempts to shore up his back line. Williams' ability to lead would be key for the Gunners.

Then, according to the Express, there are Liverpool, another Premier League club transitioning defensively. They too could benefit from the strong attitude, character and skills Williams brings to a club.

With Arsenal securing a spot in next season's Champions League, it might be the more ambitious move for Williams to consider London for his next footballing home. Regardless, the interest of such famous and storied clubs must instill confidence in the talented centre-back.

NBA Stars Offer Condolences to Oklahoma City Tornado Victims on Twitter

Jesse Dorsey — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:55:54 -0400

A tornado that ripped through Oklahoma City Monday afternoon has the sports world—and the NBA especially—offering condolences and soliciting help in any way possible.

At least 51 people, including seven children at an elementary school, were killed in the tornado, while countless others were injured, houses were destroyed and thousands are without power as the cleanup efforts begin.

The National Weather Service warned that the tornado was so large that there was a possibility that it couldn't even be classified as a twister.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the only professional sport in the city, but athletes everywhere, along with countless NBA players, showed support for the people in Oklahoma City.

An official release from the NBA was posted earlier today, offering condolences and asking people to help support the areas impacted:

The NBA Family's thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families following the massive destruction of the tornadoes that swept through the Midwest.
Please join us in support of the American Red Cross to help provide much needed aid and supplies to areas hardest hit.

Donations can be made at www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999.

Kevin Durant tweeted for the first time since the beginning of the month in order to send a message to the people in Oklahoma City.

Praying for the victims of the Tornadoes in OKC these last few days..Everybody stay safe!
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 20, 2013

And like countless others, he tweeted out the information that really matters; how you can donate money.

Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 for $10 donation to help tornado victims in #OKC #okwx

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 21, 2013

A ton of the other Thunder players sent out similar messages as well.

🙏 Thoughts and Prayers to all affected by the tornado today.
— Thabo Sefolosha (@ThaboSefolosha) May 20, 2013

Again, pray for OKC... Everybody stay safe!
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka9) May 20, 2013

THANKS FOR CHECKIN ON ME ERRBODY.. I/THE FAM SAFE FROM THE SEVERE WEATHER & TORNADOES THAT STRUCK OKC.. PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFFECTED.
— Hasheem Thabeet (@HasheemTheDream) May 21, 2013

Please pray for the people in OKC. A lot of families lives changed from the tornados aftermath. 🙏☝
— Ronnie Brewer (@RonnieBrewerJr) May 20, 2013

Perhaps coolest of all, Kendrick Perkins announced that he and his wife would be delivering supplies and taking donations all day Tuesday.

@kendrickperkins Team Perkins will be there with a truck load of supplies! So thankful to have you & @vanityhearts5 here in OK!!

— Ms. Wellington OKC (@MsWellingtonOKC) May 21, 2013

Players all over the league echoed the sentiment that rang through the ranks of the Oklahoma City squad.

Just heard about news in okc, praying for the best for all those there...
— Andre Iguodala (@andre) May 21, 2013

I hate to hear what happen in OKC.... Wishing the best for you.... I'm pretty sure big homie @kdtrey5 is taking care of y'all
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) May 21, 2013

Praying for everyone in Oklahoma City. This is crazy!
— James Harden (@JHarden13) May 20, 2013

Pray for OKC this is a tragedy instagram.com/p/ZjDLXQojql/
— Deron Williams (@DeronWilliams) May 20, 2013

Kobe Bryant reiterated what seems most important at this point. Text the Red Cross in order to make donations to support the victims.

Thoughts and prayers Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 for $10 donation to help tornado victims in #OKC #okwx
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 21, 2013

Actions speak louder than words.

3 Questions We Have About Glover Teixeira Ahead of UFC 160

Joe Chacon — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:53:44 -0400

UFC 160 is now just a few days away and features plenty of exciting fights (on paper). In addition to Cain Velasquez versus Antonio Silva and Junior Dos Santos taking on Mark Hunt, we will be treated to a potential brawl between Glover Teixeira and James Te Huna.

Teixeira is in the midst of an 18-fight winning streak and is 3-0 within the UFC. Yet, with 22 professional fights on his record, there are still plenty of questions we have about him.

As Teixeira continues his climb the ladder toward a title shot, let's take a look at the three most pressing questions we have as he heads into his fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

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Ranking the 10 Best Starting Lineups in College Basketball History

Doug Brodess — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:38:20 -0400

As you look throughout the history of college basketball, there are dozens and dozens of great teams that have made their mark on the sport.

But, even among the great teams, there are a select few that stand apart from the rest.

Here are the 10 best starting lineups of all time.

This list is not solely based upon numbers of NBA draft picks or a variety of rewards and recognitions. This list looks at team accomplishments instead of potential or talent.

Some teams had the horses but didn't ultimately finish the race. They are not included.

These teams played well and won lots of games...and championships!

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NFL Depth Chart Predictions: 10 Starters Who Will Be Squeezed out of Lineups

BJ Kissel — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:24:07 -0400

Now that we're past the draft and most high-priority free agents have found new places to play next season, let's take a look at which NFL players could be in danger of losing their starting spots from last season.

With some positions, like wide receiver and cornerback, it's hard to differentiate starters from non-starters because it depends on the personnel package used at the time. One can look at a traditional depth chart, but that doesn't always tell the whole story. So on a few of these positions, I'm just going to talk about their roles diminishing.

I'm going to look at 10 players in the NFL that could fit into this category. Obviously it's early and rookies haven't proven anything yet, but let me know in the comments what you think about these guys and any other players out there who should be looking over their shoulder.

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Oregon Track and Field: How About a Women's Triple Crown...and a Title Sweep?

Red Shannon — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:22:44 -0400

You can see it in their eyes and hear it in their words.

It's the same focused gaze I saw in Ashton Eaton's eyes at last summer's Olympic Trials when he defied the elements to break the decathlon world record.

The University of Oregon women's track team exudes an attitude of purpose and determination I haven't often seen—at any level of sport.

Four straight runner-up finishes at the outdoor national championships will tend to do that.

The collective frustration of coming so close and the resulting resolve to finally break through is exemplified by this tweet from junior 800-meter specialist Laura Roesler:

Once I'm on a path towards something I REALLY want, no one or nothing can stand in my way or distract me. I got a one-track frame of mind
— Laura Roesler (@lroesler5) May 19, 2013

The concept of "team" has never been more pronounced. Roesler's sentiments run through the entire women's squad as if an outdoor championship were definitely possible—even probable.

But because everyone on the team understands the enormity of the task and the quality of the competition, they cannot yet utter the words I know they are thinking: outdoor champions.

Which leads one to ask—considering the previous four years of not quite grasping the ultimate prize—"what makes this year any different?"

The extra impetus of having a shot at an unprecedented triple crown is the short answer. In the current academic year, the Ducks women have already captured national Division 1 titles in cross country and indoor track.

The long answer includes factors like home-field advantage (the NCAA championships will be held at Oregon's Hayward Field June 5-8), a particularly deep and versatile team this year and a bit of an underdog role with the likes of Kansas and Texas A&M dominating the polls throughout the season.

On the road to the championships, the whittling-down process begins this week (May 23-25) at the West Preliminaries in Austin, Texas, and the East Preliminaries in Greensboro, North Carolina.

There, the top 12 finishers in each event will advance to the championships in Eugene. The controversial qualifying format has detractors arguing that the trip to the preliminary sites is an unnecessary and risky requirement for college's top stars, who sometimes intentionally perform just well enough to advance.

But it does provide an arena where the so-called bubble athlete can step up and earn an unexpected spot on the championship team.

Given Oregon's strong team dynamic and laser-like focus, the unsavory prospect of becoming a spectator and not a competitor on Hayward's home soil should push many of the second-tier Lady Ducks to personal bests in Austin.

This leads me to predict Oregon will bring a surprisingly strong team—in terms of quantity and quality—to the championships.

And don't forget that most of Oregon's specialists have multiple-use capability. Expect coach Robert Johnson to devise a plan in Austin that will maximize Oregon's scoring potential in Eugene.

For example, the Ducks' defending 100-meter champion, English Gardner, could be asked (she'll probably beg) to step into the blocks of the 200—in addition to duty on the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays. Gardner, whose self-proclaimed baby is the 100, turned a blistering 22.62 seconds at the recent Pac-12 Track & Field Championships—a time which could easily score points in the 200 championship finals.

I noticed on the entry list that Johnson does have Gardner penciled into a 200 slot.

In fact, peering over the lists, there are several X-factors who could translate into surprise points for Oregon. Here a few random examples:

Sophomore Lauren Crockett in the high jump
Freshman Jenna Prandini, a sure points-getter in the sprints or relay, could score in the long jump as well
Sophomore Jillian Weir in the hammer
Freshman virtuoso Liz Brenner in the javelin

A triple crown for the women of Oregon would certainly be another high-water mark in a community already known as Track Town, USA. But there exists another plot twist that would surely rattle the old timbers of Hayward—a sweep of both the women's and men's titles.

And that is not outside the realm of possibility. The men, like the women, are currently ranked No. 3 in most polls and have been gaining momentum.

But that's another story for another day. Let's see how things shake out in Austin.

Follow @rojosports

2013 Denver Broncos Minicamp: Skill Positions Report

Cecil Lammey — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:21:59 -0400

The Denver Broncos kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) Monday at Dove Valley. Rookie minicamp wrapped up a little over a week ago, and now the whole team was out at practice. This is the first time we've seen the Broncos all together on the practice field since the playoffs last year.

The team is built to make another postseason run, and many consider the Broncos favorites to win the Super Bowl this year. They've got a different look at some positions this year, and we'll have to see how these pieces perform in 2013.

Some of those pieces are on the offensive side of the ball and the skill positions were my focus Monday as we in the media had access for the entire day of practice. During each practice I will tweet out some of my observations.

Here's my full report of what I saw from the Broncos' skill position players on Monday.

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NHL Playoffs 2013: The Most Important Matchup in Each 2nd-Round Series

Mark Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:12:50 -0400

The most prominent series in the NHL playoffs are often decided by the most subliminal of factors.

On the colossal stage of the conference semifinals, eight teams are currently battling it out for just four spots in the next round.

The handful of squads that get there will likely do so by the smallest of margins—one timely penalty kill, one spectacular save or one strategic line change that, in the end, made the biggest of differences.

As each Stanley Cup quarterfinals series reaches the stretch run, one crucial unit vs. unit or player vs. player matchup is beginning to emerge as a deciding factor. For some, a special teams advantage is paving the way to a string of victories; for others, one singular star—outperforming his counterpart on the opposing end—is leading the rest of his team onward.

An examination of each series' most important matchup falls on the coming slides.

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Breaking Down Texas Rangers' Best Options for Jurickson Profar

Zachary Krueger — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:11:21 -0400

The Rangers may find themselves in a tough place once infielder Jurickson Profar finally solidifies himself with the major league club. The top prospect of the 2013 season is listed as a shortstop, but with the talented Elvis Andrus already holding down that position for the Rangers, Profar finds himself in a crowded place.

Here are some ideas Texas could consider for Profar's future with the team.

Move Kinsler to First Base

It's not uncommon to see a major league team ask one of its stars to change positions to make room for another upcoming player. You might recall Michael Young's time with the Rangers, where he played every position in the infield aside from catcher.

Texas could ask one of their star players to do the same once again.

Kinsler is one of three players who could be asked to change their positions. Having been a second baseman for his entire career, a move to first would make the most sense. He would still be able to play on the left side of the infield, and at 6'0" could make for a nice target to throw to.

Kinsler has never won a Gold Glove with Texas, so defensively he could be replaced. With the Rangers' history of asking players to change a position, it would not be crazy to think they could ask Kinsler to do so in order to make room for Profar.

Move Andrus or Beltre

Once again, this topic also deals with the position changing of a superstar. We've seen this before where a shortstop or third baseman will switch positions for a player of the same position. Most notably, the Orioles had prospect Manny Machado play third base despite his experience as a shortstop, a move that has worked out well for Baltimore.

There is no chance that Texas would move Beltre to shortstop, meaning that either Andrus or Profar would be taking over third for the Rangers. At 34 years old, Beltre's age could make him expendable, but the fact that he is a three time All-Star and four time Gold Glove winner could make this another tough decision for the Rangers.

Andrus or Profar would be the most likely options to end up at third base should the Rangers decide to switch up the left side of their infield. Being the incumbent, I'd expect Andrus to remain at shortstop while Profar goes to third, and Beltre either finds himself at first base or designated hitter.

Trade Profar or Another Key Player

There is no denying that Texas is stacked offensively and defensively. They boast one of the top hitting corps in the league, and their pitching staff has the ability to shut down any offense in the majors.

Depending on how Texas chooses to address its situation with Profar, it would not be surprising to see them trade one of their top infielders, or Profar, to bring in other needed talent. While they have a deep roster, there are still areas that could be improved on.

The Rangers could use help at catcher, designated hitter or the outfield. Age could come into play for two of Texas' players, as catcher A.J. Pierzynski and designated hitter Lance Berkman are veterans in their mid-to-late 30s. Both players are signed to one-year deals, an indication that neither may be with the team after 2013.

In the outfield, Nelson Cruz is still a great power hitter and won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Lenoys Martin has had a nice year for Texas, hitting .283 on the season with a .333 on-base percentage, but he has only two homers and five RBI through 38 games.

Daniel Murphy has struggled this season in left field, but has been a good player for Texas since 2008. Even still, his numbers could certainly be replaced by a top-tier player.

The problem that Texas has is really a luxury. Any team would love to have too many good players on their roster.

Whatever it is the Rangers choose to do with Profar or other players on their roster, they appear to be in great shape for years to come. They can only improve from the eventual addition of Profar to their everyday roster, or moving him to another team to address a need.

Notre Dame Football: Fighting Irish Offense Will Be Better Than Expected

Ryan Rudnansky — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:11:08 -0400

It's easy to focus on whether Notre Dame's defense will step up this season in the absence of Manti Te'o, Zeke Motta and Kapron Lewis-Moore, but many are ignoring an offense that has the potential to make up the difference.

To say Notre Dame's success won't be heavily predicated on its defense is silly, but there is reason to believe the Fighting Irish could put more points on the board in 2013-14.

First of all, you can't talk about Notre Dame's offense without talking about evolving quarterback Everett Golson. Golson had a breakout year last season, finishing in the top 10 in Notre Dame history in passing yards for a single season (2,405). More importantly, he took care of the ball, tossing 12 touchdowns to six interceptions (we all know what not taking care of the ball looks like in South Bend).

That's not all. Golson also rushed for 298 yards and six touchdowns on the season, displaying his dual-threat ability. Keep in mind, this was in his first year starting.

Then you look at the losses Notre Dame took on offense.

Losing tight end Tyler Eifert and running backs Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood hurts, but, then again, the Fighting Irish have some promising breakout candidates.

There is George Atkinson III, who averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season. Atkinson not only added seven pounds this offseason to deal with a bigger workload, coaches have also been impressed with his ability to catch balls in the slot, per Matt Fortuna of ESPN.com.

You also have top recruits Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston, both top-10 running backs in the 2013 class, according to 247Sports. Bryant—a compact, strong, surprisingly elusive back—could be productive right away for the Fighting Irish.

In the receiving corps, T.J. Jones and DaVaris Daniels have the potential to break out in the absence of Eifert. Jones posted 50 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns last season. Daniels added 31 catches for 490 yards. Both have big-play ability.

It's not out of the question that the Fighting Irish offense surprises in 2013-14. Golson has a season under his belt. With an extra offseason, he should be better. The backfield should be fun to watch. And Jones and Daniels aren't slouches. Coach Brian Kelly said he thought Jones was "an elite player" ready to bust out, via NBCSports.com.

With all the attention placed on Te'o's departure, a promising group of players on the offensive side of the ball is going largely unnoticed.

It's a promising group of players that could boost the Fighting Irish back to a BCS bowl.

Miami Dolphins: The 5 Best and Worst Moves of the 2013 Offseason

Richard Santamaria — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:05:55 -0400

The Miami Dolphins have improved themselves more than any other team since the 2012-13 NFL season came to an end. The Dolphins are clearly the 2013 offseason champions, but can Jeff Ireland's seemingly brilliant work translate into regular-season success?

Miami added Mike Wallace, Brent Grimes, Dustin Keller, Brandon Gibson, Lance Louis, Tyson Clabo, Dannell Ellerbe, Philip Wheeler, Dion Jordan and Jamar Taylor, among others—while retaining Brian Hartline, Randy Starks, Matt Moore, and Chris Clemons.

The subtraction of Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Reggie Bush, Sean Smith, Anthony Fasano and Jake Long almost seems insignificant when compared to the immense combined talent of the aforementioned group.

Which of these roster moves will prove to be the most significant for the Miami Dolphins?

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Key Adjustments Miami Heat Must Make to Win Eastern Conference Finals

Peter Emerick — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:02:57 -0400

The Miami Heat are set to square off against the upset-minded Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, May 22, but they aren't just going to walk in and knock off the Pacers.

LeBron James and company strolled past the Milwaukee Bucks and they easily handled the Chicago Bulls, but the Pacers are a very different beast.

Not only are they the most physical defensive team the Heat have faced all postseason, they also have defensively sound depth in their frontcourt which is the Heat's Achilles' heel.

Because the Pacers can fill the paint with guys like Roy Hibbert, David West and Tyler Hansbrough, they are able to force the Heat to beat them on the perimeter.

Without interior penetration, the NBA's second-best three-point shooting team, the Heat, won't be able to shoot at the high percentage they normally do—39.6 percent from beyond the arc on the season.

While the Bulls gave up the least points per game, the Pacers play more physical defense in terms of shooting percentage—forcing opponents to shoot just 45.3 percent from the floor during the regular season.

In addition to that defensive pressure, the Pacers were also the best rebounding team during the regular season, averaging 45.9 rebounds (12.9 offensive) per game.

When you mix their interior depth, their defensive pressure and their ability to rebound the ball, you can see how they pose a significant threat to the Heat's championship hopes.

The good news is that the Heat can counter those advantages the Pacers have with two key adjustments, starting with allowing LeBron James to control the ball at the point.

Allow LeBron James to Control the Ball at the Point

LeBron is the Heat's best point man, and it's because of his 6'8'' and 250-pound frame, mixed with his insane ability to control the ball.

When guys like Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade drive against the Pacers, they meet Roy Hibbert and David West's physicality. And while they are able to score at times against the Pacers' dominant duo, their lack of size gives the Pacers an advantage.

That means the Heat's best chances of collapsing the Pacers' defense lie within LeBron's ability to get into the paint.

Collapsing the defense not only opens up the Heat's perimeter offense, it also is a great way to get the Pacers' bigs in foul trouble, which is something the Heat would greatly benefit from in this series.

The Knicks got beat by the Pacers because they couldn't knock down shots from the perimeter, and that's because they had no one to collapse the Pacers' defense.

Luckily the Heat do, and his name is LeBron James. It also just makes sense for the Heat to give the ball more often than not to the best player on the court and in the entire NBA—that's just common sense, right?

The final key adjustment the Heat must make to beat the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals is to get into transition at all costs.

Focus First and Foremost on Transition Offense

There's no doubt that the Heat are the best team in the NBA at dominating games with transition offense. And that's exactly what they need to do to beat Indiana.

The Knicks and Hawks failed to get into transition, which allowed the Pacers to set up their fearsome half-court defense.

The best way to beat the best defense in the NBA is honestly to not allow it to set up, and with LeBron and Wade running in transition, that's exactly what the Heat can do.

Guys like Hibbert and West don't thrive in transition. But the Heat, with frontcourt players like Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen, absolutely do and they need to maximize that advantage.

That's certainly easier said than done, especially with the Heat's rebounding woes, but it's doable because the Heat have the athleticism it takes to control the break.

If the Heat are able to minimize the Pacers' interior defensive pressure and get into transition, they will be able to beat the Pacers in four or five games—that's how good the Heat are.

If they don't focus on those adjustments, it will be a much longer series for Miami, possibly going a full seven games.

The Best Player Remaining at Every Position in 2013 NBA Conference Finals

Jimmy Spencer — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:56:16 -0400

As the field of the 2013 NBA playoffs is once again cut in half, the decision to name the most elite players remaining at each position becomes more contentious.

Through two rounds of play and one month's time, the individual postseason resumes have become more telling.

Because they're still playing into the conference finals, most of these guys have contributed to their team's success—though that's not the universal case.

There's incredible talent leading each spot on the floor, as new names are pushing harder against those been-here-before veterans.

Here's your starting All-Star team from the remaining postseason teams.

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Biggest Key to Heat vs. Pacers Game 1

The One Thing — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:53:29 -0400

The One Thing is a prediction-and-preview show that will tell NBA fans what to pay attention to in every matchup in the playoffs.

The NBA's Glen "Big Baby" Davis is here to break down Game 1, and he picked the one thing that he thinks will have a huge impact on the series.

LeBron James and the Miami Heat face off against the Indiana Pacers in what should be a very physical Eastern Conference Finals.

How do these teams match up? Which players are the keys to success?

Let us know in the comments below!

Ryan Vogelsong Injury: Updates on Giants Pitcher's Hand

Ryan Rudnansky — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:52:24 -0400

Ryan Vogelsong sustained a fractured right hand in Monday night's game against the Washington Nationals. SFGiants.com tweeted:

Vogelsong's wife, Nicole, added an update on the right-hander's status:

Vogelsong injured his hand when swinging at an inside pitch in the fifth inning. The ball ran into his hands as he was turning.

Ironically, it was in the midst of one of Vogelsong's best starts of the season. He had pitched five scoreless innings up until that point.

It's been a nightmare season for the 35-year-old Vogelsong. He entered the game with a 1-4 record and an 8.06 ERA. In his previous start, he gave up three runs in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. His breakout campaign was in 2011, when he boasted a 13-7 record with a 2.71 ERA, and he compiled a 14-9 record with a 3.37 ERA in 2012.

Vogelsong is not the only starter who has struggled for the Giants in 2013. Tim Lincecum has a 4.70 ERA and Matt Cain has a 5.43 ERA. Despite all of this, the defending champions have managed to stay afloat at 24-20 headed into Monday's affair, backed by their offense and a strong bullpen.

It's been a tough start to the season for the veteran Vogelsong, and it just got a whole lot tougher after his Monday freak accident. The Giants hope that he will be able to come roaring back when he returns, like he did in 2011.

The Best and Worst Moves of the Denver Broncos' 2013 Offseason

Travis Wakeman — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:51:45 -0400

After falling short in the 2012 NFL playoffs, the Denver Broncos are piecing together a solid offseason that has put them amongst the elite teams in the league, at least on paper.

Denver has used free agency and the NFL draft to bolster their secondary, which was torched by Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.

They have also added a few valuable players who could be the difference between a divisional round loss and a run to the Super Bowl.

Here, we will take a look at the best decisions the team has made in the offseason along with some that haven't been so good.

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Warning Signs That You've Watched Way Too Much of the 2013 NBA Playoffs

Jesse Dorsey — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:51:06 -0400

We're a month past the start of the NBA playoffs, into the conference finals and raring up for the NBA Finals right around the corner. I think it's safe to say that a lot of us have watched way too much basketball since the playoffs started.

Save a few key days (like Monday, for example), we've had at least one meaningful basketball game every night for a month straight.

It's getting to the point where I'm almost relieved for a night off every once in a while to sit back and stare out the window for a while.

Ah, what am I saying? I could watch basketball every single day of the year and be happy about it.

However, if you're anything like me, or some of the people I've interacted with over the past month, there are some strange thoughts going through your head as of late.

There are a few tried and true signs that there's been a bit too much playoff watching going on in your household. If you're guilty of thinking or doing more than a few of the following—I don't know, go catch an afternoon baseball game or something to calm down.

You're ready to strangle Will.I.Am

ESPN, the NBA and it seems like every single commercial dealing with the playoffs are all using at least a snippet of the spot that Will.I.Am filmed with a handful of basketball players for the playoffs.

It features his song "#thatPower," which is a dumb enough song name on its own. However, once you've heard it for the 375th time, enough is enough.

I've settled on muting my television every single time this commercial pops up, but now my mute button is starting to wear down.

Instead, I just decided to pull up this GIF and watch it while the commercial plays.

You're starting to wonder what LeBron James would look like with Manu Ginobili's bald spot

It's gotten to the point where I've switched back and forth between the pictures of their heads rapidly just to see a bit of an overlap.

They are the two most prominent dudes in the NBA with a little bit of male pattern baldness going on, and sometimes my mind starts to wander late in the second quarter.

If those two end up playing against each other in the finals, then I'm going to be forced to spend a while trying to work this out via Photoshop.

Metta World Peace's Twitter account has you enthralled

Every night that features a basketball game, I've kept an eye on Metta World Peace's Twitter account.

He's taken to live blogging when he's watching the games himself, which can lead to some interesting conversations—that he seemingly has with himself.

Good game!! #tonyparkersshoes game him extra power!!!!I was suppose to get a pair but whatever. Kobe's will do! nba.com/#$/index.html
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) May 19, 2013

While some of his thoughts do get weird, he really is insightful at times and adds plenty of extra entertainment to games.

Stephen Curry is the best shooter ever and nobody will ever convince you otherwise

This is one of the few over-the-top notions on this list that I've yet to understand.

Curry absolutely lit teams up throughout the playoffs: He made 42 three-pointers in 12 games and nearly shot 40 percent from behind the line.

However, one amazing season and a solid playoffs doesn't suddenly make him the best shooter in the game, nor does it make him and Klay Thompson the best shooting backcourt of all time, Mark Jackson.

They're both really freaking good, but if we could pump the breaks a bit, it would be much appreciated.

You're having nightmares starring Joey Crawford

This one actually happened to me.

After weeks of seeing Joey Crawford and actively complaining about him multiple times, I had a dream with Crawford in it that freaked me out a bit.

Now, Crawford was a bit of a disfigured Freddy Kruger-type character, and he seemed to be following me around, but he never actively did anything threatening.

It was unsettling to say the least. May he never haunt your dreams as he has mine.

You've started to contemplate naming your offspring different variations of your own name

Lance Stephenson has had a pretty solid playoffs so far, including a 25-point, 10-rebound performance in the closeout game against the New York Knicks a few days back.

Watching him go off in Game 6 against the Knicks completely jarred something loose in my mind and made me remember that Lance Stephenson (who is named after his dad) actually has a younger brother who goes by the name Lantz.

It's weird, sure, but how far could this go?

He could have an uncle named Lanse, a cousin named Laynce and two more named Layntze and Laynss.

Maybe he's going to continue the tradition with his own family and have a son named Lants, who would of course have an older brother named Lanz.

You can predict Skip Bayless' inane rants before they happen

Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs in five quick games by the Memphis Grizzlies, and I knew what was coming next.

The next day Skip Bayless was going to go off about how Durant flopped in the clutch and let his team down.

Move on a few days later to when the Knicks get eliminated, and he's going to go through the same dance with J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony.

You know, it can't ever simply be that the other team was better.

Anyway, it's gotten to the point where Skip is going to have to mix things up or people are going to stop watching. Why watch when you already know what's going to happen?

At least three different times you've shouted at Gregg Popovich to put in Tracy McGrady

This has been one of my favorite, yet sad subplots of the entire playoffs. The Spurs have been involved in a few blowouts thus far, which means we get to see some Tracy McGrady!

It's a bit sad to see him relegated to the role of the guy at the end of the bench who comes in to mop up and get sarcastic cheers, but he's in the Western Conference Finals with a team that has a shot at a ring, so I don't feel too bad.

Popovich never fails, though, to wait just a little bit too long to put him in. McGrady always gets in with just a handful of ticks left on the clock, meaning anything he does is purely out of desperation with the shot clock winding down.

Hopefully the Spurs continue to stick around; I'm not ready to let go of 12th-man McGrady just yet.

Seattle Mariners 2013 Mock Draft: Projecting Their Top 5 1st-Round Targets

Todd Pheifer — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:46:50 -0400

The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft will take place (via MLB.com) from June 6-8, 2013, and the Seattle Mariners have the 12th pick in the first round. Seattle has drafted well in the last few years, and the franchise is regarded as having some real talent in the farm system.

A year ago the Mariners selected catch Mike Zunino (pictured), and the organization has high hopes that he will be an impact player in the near future. Will the Mariners find another gem in this draft?

Since the Mariners have the 12th pick, they are arguably looking at guys who are projected behind the top few players on the board. Still, there are times when team needs do not match up with the available prospects, and a better player can slip down a few spots.

For Seattle, the tough part of drafting is deciding on the top priority. Do you draft based on certain positions, or is it wiser to just get the best player available? It seems reasonable to assume that every team has a particular philosophy on talent evaluation.

Unfortunately, some highly-touted players do not pan out. Such is the nature of the business.

Taking into consideration the needs and potential strategy of the Mariners, here are their top five first-round targets.

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Ranking the Biggest Offseason Needs for the Cleveland Cavaliers

Greg Swartz — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:44:31 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers are entering a crucial offseason for their rebuilding plan, one that will hopefully have them fighting for a playoff spot next spring.

Recently, teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors have risen from years of lottery picks to enjoying successful playoff runs, all thanks to outstanding offseason work.

The Cavs could easily be the next young team to follow this path, provided they fix a few glaring needs.

Expect the postseason to be a realistic option for the Cavs next season if they can take care of these four major issues this summer.

4. Veteran Presence

Developing their young talent is obviously a must for the Cavs, but it's important to mix in a few veteran pieces if they truly want to start winning.

Anderson Varejao is a nice start, but no other player on the current roster has yet to see his 30th birthday.

Re-signing point guard Shaun Livingston would be a nice start, as would adding a player like Mike Dunleavy, Nazr Mohammed or even Mo Williams.

None would single-handedly push the Cavs into the playoffs, but all would carry a wealth of knowledge and experience at a reasonable cost.

3. Acquire a Rim Protector

The Cavs were one of only three NBA teams that didn't have a single player average at least one blocked shot per game.

As a result, the defense suffered and opposing players felt like they could attack the rim whenever they wanted.

Basketball coaches at any level will tell you good defense starts from the inside out and that protecting the paint is a must.

The Cavs need that dominating force who can strike some fear into opposing guards looking to attack the basket. Someone like Nerlens Noel and his 4.4 blocked shots per game would certainly help, and there are other centers in the draft who Cleveland could take later to help shore up its inside D.

Anderson Varejao and Tyler Zeller are a fine center combination, but neither will ever be a shot-blocking threat in the NBA.

2. Find an Assistant Coach to Run the Offense

Mike Brown is a defensive mastermind who has had great success running the Cavs' D in the past.

To say that he's offensively challenged, however, would be putting it kindly.

Better known for his scowls and confused looks than his X's and O's, it's best for everyone involved if Brown leaves it to one of his assistants to run the offense.

John Kuester filled this role for the Cavs under Brown from 2007-09, and there have been rumors he could return in a similar role once again, according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio.

Whether it be Kuester or someone else, Brown needs someone to run the money-making side of the ball.

1. Find a Reliable Answer at Small Forward

The 3-spot has been a problem for years now and finally needs to be taken care of.

Alonzo Gee is better coming off the bench and would be doing so for any playoff team.

The most likely scenario of filling this void would be the drafting of Otto Porter of Georgetown, which would be a solid, safe bet.

The Cavs could also get creative, though, and swing a trade for an expendable scorer like Danny Granger from the Indiana Pacers.

Free agency is also an option, as a player like Andre Iguodala and his impressive overall game would fit in well, as would his veteran leadership.

Whichever direction they decide to go, the Cavs just can't begin another season with Gee as a starter and expect to be a serious playoff squad. Cleveland needs to find a quality starting small forward this offseason to completely tie its starting unit together.

Michigan Basketball: Ranking the 5 Most Hyped Recruits in Wolverines History

Zach Dirlam — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:36:07 -0400

Several highly touted prospects have come and gone through the Michigan basketball program. Some have met the high expectations, while others have failed to live up to their billing. The hype surrounding five players in particular has been unparalleled over the past several years.

The Fab Five will certainly have a few recruits on this list given the fact five highly ranked freshmen had not come together in the same class prior to 1991.

Earning McDonald's All-American honors and other prestigious awards will certainly be a determining factor in how high these prospects are ranked as well. How well their respective careers turned out at Michigan will have nothing to do with this list. This is about pre-college hype, after all.

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Biggest Key to Spurs vs. Grizzlies Game 2

The One Thing — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:34:26 -0400

The One Thing is a prediction-and-preview show that will tell NBA fans what to pay attention to in every matchup in the playoffs.

The NBA's Glen "Big Baby" Davis is here to break down Game 2, and he picked the one thing that he thinks will have a huge impact on the series.

Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs look to go up 2-0 in the Western Conference finals against the resilient Memphis Grizzlies.

How do these teams match up? Which players are the keys to success?

Let us know in the comments below!