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Fernando Torres: Working Under Mourinho Would Be a Big Motivation at Chelsea

Garry Hayes — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:39:05 -0400

Chelsea and Manchester City come face-to-face in St Louis and New York City this week in two friendlies as part of their end-of-season tour of America.

Ahead of their clash, Bleacher Report spoke with Blues striker Fernando Torres about the past season and his aspirations for the 2013-14 campaign.

Fernando, welcome back to the United States. How does it feel to be here with Chelsea again, facing your Premier League foe Manchester City?

It’s a real pleasure to come here. It’s always the same when we come here and the reception is warm. There are many Latinos here who do not get to see us play very often, so you can see the passion they have. Football is such a big thing here and we’re surprised to see so many fans wearing the Chelsea shirt.

We’re looking forward to the game and it’s been nice to have a couple of days off, walking around the city and meeting the people. We really appreciate the welcome we have had.

Looking at the club going forward, there is a lot of speculation about who the next manager will be at Chelsea and Jose Mourinho appears a strong contender to return. How would it be for you to play under him?

Well, the season is not finished yet so it’s important we show respect for Rafa [Benitez] as he is our manager right now. We know he is going to leave, but we have to wait until the club announces the new manager.

As you say, everybody is talking about Mourinho and he is obviously one of the top managers in the world. Chelsea is looking for a new manager and Jose Mourinho is free, so everybody is going to link him with the club because of his past and what he has said in the last few months.

We have players here who enjoyed working with him and have great memories of his time at Chelsea, so we’ll see what happens. Working under a manager like him is a big motivation for any player. But we must show respect for Rafa in his last week.

On a personal level, this has been your best year at Chelsea, with you breaking the 20-goal mark for the first time at the club. A lot of your goals came in the Europa League, so what was it about that competition that made you come alive?

I scored 23 goals this season, which is closer to the statistic that I should have. I’m thinking that I can still do better in the future, though. I think I scored a lot of goals in the Europa League as I was rested in the league matches. I was the only striker available in the competition, so I played all the games and to score in Europe is always nice—especially when you help the team win trophies.

This season has been a strange one. We started well, were top of the league, but then had a couple of months where we lost too many points and couldn’t reach the top of the table above Manchester United and City.

We were focusing on the Europa League, but in the end it was OK. We know we have to be consistent next time.

You say you want to improve, so what will be different for 2013-14?

Obviously, to score more goals. Always. This season I scored 23 goals and next season I want to score more. The team is going to be better next season, the Premier League is going to be better and so too the Champions League.

I want to improve my goals and especially what I give the team. I can be better next season, I am sure about that.

How important was it to end your Premier League goal drought before the end of the season, which you did against Everton on the last day?

That goal was important as it secured third place for the Champions League, which was our priority. We were really disappointed to drop out of the competition when we did as it’s so important for this club to be in the Champions League. That goal helped us do that.

As you say, that goal secured Champions League football, while you also scored in the Europa League final. How does it make you feel when Chelsea are linked with so many high-profile strikers?

It’s the summer months and all the big clubs are linked with top players. We’ve discussed the rumors with Jose Mourinho and players are no different. Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, strikers—the summer comes and the rumors start. A number of players get linked, but at the end of the day only three or four are signed. But whoever comes to Chelsea is going to be made to feel welcome.

Was the belief in your ability and place in the team ever tested when Demba Ba signed in January and also with those rumors about other strikers?

The rumors aren’t coming from the club. It’s normal, though. When I was at Atletico Madrid I was linked with every team in the world and at Liverpool it was the same. And now at Chelsea it is no different—the rumors never stop. The rumors are one thing and the reality, another.

When Daniel Sturridge left for Liverpool, we needed to sign Demba. It is normal for clubs to have three or four strikers.

Has there been anything that Rafa Benitez did to help you improve this season?

I think Rafa helped the team and not me especially. The games I have played under him are less than the managers before, but I have been doing a lot of hard work to increase my level. Everybody has helped me—Benitez, the fitness coach and my teammates. Benitez has helped the team and all the players improve.

Despite the drama of losing managers in recent seasons, Chelsea have still won major honours, including two European trophies. How do you think the team has managed to do this?

Since I’ve been here, I think it looks a lot worse than it really is. The results are good, as we’ve won the FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League. Hopefully we can build on what we have achieved in the last couple of seasons and next year we have to target more trophies. The Premier League has been difficult to win, but it’s a trophy the fans want and we do, too.

• Fernando Torres was speaking ahead of Chelsea’s match against Manchester City at Yankee Stadium on Saturday May 25. For tickets, visit: www.yankees.com/soccer

• As a mark of respect for those affected by the tornado in Orlando on Tuesday, Chelsea and Manchester City have joined forces to help raise money for the Oklahoma Recovery Fund. One dollar from every ticket sold for the game at Busch Stadium on Thursday will be donated, while both clubs will match the donation. Both teams will also wear commemorative black armbands as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives. Members of the St Louis Fire Department will also be collecting donations at the gates.

NBA Draft Lottery 2013: Teams That Will Suffer from Bad Lottery Luck

Justin Onslow — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:29:20 -0400

The NBA draft lottery never goes quite according to plan. No matter who wins the ping-pong ball sweepstakes, there will always be teams sitting in much worse position than they expected.

In a draft class that clearly lacks a lot of elite talent, several lottery teams could have used some extra ping-pong balls to work with. Teams like the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Piston and Minnesota Timberwolves may miss out on what little top-tier talent this draft class has to offer.

All three franchises are in need of the types of game-changing players that will likely come off the board in the top three selections. While the trio is set to pick in accordance with its pre-lottery odds, sometimes not having good luck is bad enough.

Let’s take a closer look at each team’s draft positioning and break down why each would have benefited from better luck on lottery day.

*Draft order courtesy of Bleacher Report's Twitter account:

5. Phoenix Suns

The difference between the fourth and fifth pick isn’t all that great this year, but as we’ve seen so many times in the past, all it takes is one draft spot to change the future of a franchise.

At No. 5, Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Otto Porter and Anthony Bennett may all be off the board—four players widely regarded as the top-tier prospects in this draft class.

The Suns will still have plenty of options, but it will be a much riskier venture with that group already off the board.

In the NBA, building a winning roster is all about value and potential. Every slot further down the draft board is a lesser opportunity to cash in on both.

With so many holes to fill, Phoenix will undoubtedly find a starter with the fifth selection, but it’s hard to pinpoint who that starter will be—and at what position.

Unlike the Cavs, Phoenix didn’t have much luck at all in the lottery, and the odds of Ryan McDonough finding a true game-changer are now that much slimmer. For the Suns to have a successful draft, they will have to make good use of both the fifth and 30th selections in the first round.

8. Detroit Pistons

Had the Pistons jumped a few spots in the lottery, their job on draft day would be exponentially easier. Detroit isn’t that far away from being a contender in the Eastern Conference, but many of the pieces it so desperately needs will probably already be off the board.

With Brandon Knight, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe already in place, the Pistons will likely be focusing on finding a couple more perimeter scorers to augment an already solid core. Unfortunately in a draft class without a lot of elite frontcourt talent, the first six or seven picks will feature a run on scoring guards and forwards.

Prospects like Porter, Bennett, Trey Burke and C.J. McCollum would be perfect fits in Detroit, but there’s a good chance at least three of them will have already found a home by the eighth pick.

The Pistons may still be able to choose from the likes of Shabazz Muhammad and Michael Carter-Williams, but there’s no denying the talent drop-off beyond the first seven selections.

Like Phoenix, Detroit will be drafting in spot similar to where it was projected (No. 7), but it was an unlucky break to move back a spot. Every draft pick matters, and the Pistons may ultimately lose out on their player as a result.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

Unless Minnesota gets really lucky, the player it desperately needs won’t be on the board at No. 9.

Injuries have hampered the Timberwolves’ rebuilding efforts, but when healthy, they boast one of the most well-rounded squads in the league. Unfortunately, they’re still missing a shooter who can take advantage of Ricky Rubio’s tremendous passing and ball-handling skills, and the Timberwolves will struggle to find that player with the ninth pick.

McLemore, Oladipo and McCollum would be excellent options should they be available, but McCollum is the only player of the trio with any chance of still being available beyond the eighth selection.

With the top-tier perimeter scorers already off the board, Minnesota may be relegated to setting for its top-ranked player still available—in this case, likely a power forward or center like Indiana’s Cody Zeller or Maryland’s Alex Len.

No lottery pick will be an especially bad slot to select an impact player, but Minnesota could have been far luckier when the ping-pong balls came out. As it stands, the Timberwolves will likely be left to gamble on a player who won’t fill a glaring positional need.

Why the Washington Redskins Will Finish Dead Last in the NFC East in 2013

Brad Gagnon — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:18:55 -0400

The NFC East is expected to be extremely tight once again this season. Bovada in Las Vegas predicts that all four teams in the division will win between seven and nine games. With that in mind, you can make perfectly reasonable arguments in favor of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins finishing first, or last, in the league's most popular division.

Here are the arguments for why Washington will return to the basement in 2013...

ON THE OTHER HAND: WHY THE REDSKINS WILL WIN THE NFC EAST IN 2013

Those pesky league-imposed cap sanctions

It's a miracle the 'Skins didn't take more hits in the offseason while operating with an $18 million salary cap handcuff, but they managed to survive, even adding some role players on the free-agent market.

But Washington, who was already lacking a first-round pick as a result of the 2012 trade for Robert Griffin III, couldn't retain versatile linebacker and key special-teamer Lorenzo Alexander and wasn't able to do much to improve weak spots at right tackle and safety. Meanwhile, the Eagles made a splash on the open market and in the draft, while the Giants probably fared a little better than the Redskins.

RG3 can't stay healthy

Reports continue to indicate that Griffin is making great progress as he rehabs from early-offseason reconstructive knee surgery, and it's encouraging that he's already moving around and throwing passes, but the defending Offensive Rookie of the Year still has a long way to go. And even if he does return in time for the Redskins' Sept. 9 opener, there's no telling how long it'll take for him to be himself. Without the RG3 we all know and love, the 'Skins won't stand a chance.

They might not have shored up the secondary

Key defensive backs Madieu Williams and Cedric Griffin are gone, and while neither played well enough last year to be missed greatly, the 'Skins weren't able to replace Williams on the open market and don't know what they have in rookies Phillip Thomas and Bacarri Rambo at safety.

With Brandon Meriweather and Tanard Jackson both question marks, that's trouble. At corner, Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall are coming off bad years (although Hall redeemed himself late), and free-agent acquisition E.J. Biggers might not be enough to fix a pass D that ranked 30th in football last season. They survived with a bad secondary in 2012, but they might not be so lucky in 2013.

NBA Playoffs: What We've Learned from Game 1 of Indiana Pacers-Miami Heat Series

Andy Hu — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:56:38 -0400

The Miami Heat held on to win an exciting Game 1 in the Eastern Conference Finals on a buzzer-beating layup by LeBron James.

This was after Paul George was fouled on a three-point attempt by Dwyane Wade and then connected on all three free-throw attempts to put Indiana up by one with 2.2 second left on the clock.

We knew that this series would be a rough affair, and the game came down to the final possession. After getting bounced by the Heat in the conference semifinals last year, the Pacers look hungrier than ever to knock off the defending champions.

At the conclusion of Game 1, this series is every bit as exciting as expected.

David West Continues His Dominance Against the Heat

The Heat's weakness in the interior and James guarding Lance Stephenson on the perimeter allowed David West to continue his individual dominance against a weak frontcourt.

During the regular season, West averaged 22.7 point per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 3.0 assists per game and 9.5 free-throw attempts in three contests against the Heat (per Basketball Reference). In Game 1 of the playoffs, his regular-season play carried over, and he put up 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field.

However, his efforts were all for naught. He missed a step-back jumper with about a minute left in overtime that could have given the Pacers the lead.

Nevertheless, West must maintain his production on offense if the Pacers want to have a chance of defeating the Heat in a seven-game series—especially if Roy Hibbert isn't playing well.

Paul George vs. LeBron James Matchup Will Be Intense

James recorded a triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 1, while Paul George countered with 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

It's not the stat line that made this matchup so enticing.

Towards the end of the game, it was basically George and James going head to head, making clutch play after clutch play until James made the game-winning layup.

George's deep three-pointer tied the game with 0.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter and promptly sent the game into overtime. Then, with 2.2 seconds left in the game, George drew the sixth foul on Dwyane Wade while attempting a three-pointer and hit all three of his free throws. Clutch.

Unfortunately, James was one step ahead of George—literally. He made two layups within the final minute of overtime, the second of which was the game winner with George defending him.

This series so far has been everything we expected and even more. George was phenomenal and he's growing up right before our eyes.

The Pacers' Interior Defense is Exposed Without Hibbert

Standing at 7'2", Hibbert has molded himself into one of the best defensive centers in the league.

In the last twelve seconds of the game, James got to the basket and hit two rather uncontested layups. In both scenarios, Hibbert was sitting on the bench, watching the plays develop.

Although Coach Vogel tried to explain his decision (via NBC Sports) to keep Hibbert on the bench, there is no justification for a mistake like that.

You never trade a wide open layup from the best player in the game for a 15-foot jumper from Chris Bosh—even if he's been hitting them consistently.

If Hibbert was in the game, James would have to take a contested layup or pull up for a jumper after catching the ball. Two seconds is not enough time to drive to the rim and pass the ball to a teammate if Hibbert is there to contest the layup attempt. James would've been forced to take a much more difficult shot.

Additionally, George extremely overplayed James in the last possession, allowing him an easy drive to the rim.

Going forward, the Pacers cannot make any more mistakes like this down the stretch, especially on the defensive end of the court where they've been consistent throughout the season.

Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers

The Pacers averaged the third-most turnovers per game during the regular season (per Team Rankings). However, they were able to get away with a lot of the turnovers because they shot the ball well and created effective scoring opportunities during the possessions where they didn't turn the ball over.

This won't be the case as the series progresses.

The Pacers cannot commit 20 turnovers again and still expect to stay in the game. They were ranked 19th in the league in offensive efficiency during the regular season (per Hollinger's Team Stats), so points will not come easy for them against a good defensive team like the Heat.

Yes, the Heat turned the ball over just as much, but their top-ranked offensive efficiency covers up for a lot of mistakes. They can score the ball at will and still win a game on the offensive end of the floor by being efficient on the rest of their possessions.

This series will be a possession-by-possession game, as evidenced by Game 1. The Pacers will not last long if they continue to be careless with the basketball against a great team like the Heat.

Georgia Football: Board Approves $1.25 Million for Sanford Stadium Improvements

Randy Chambers — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:47:04 -0400

The Georgia football program turned a profit last year, which means renovations will be taking place. With the cash flow that just came in, Sanford Stadium will see an upgrade for the first time since 2004.

According to Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia's athletic revenue increased a cool $3.6 million from last year. The majority of that comes from football tickets sold, as the $21.2 million made last year was much greater than the $19.5 million made in 2012. Contributions also increased from $22.5 million to $23.3 million.

See what happens when you put a quality product on the field?

Out of the money earned, $1.25 million will be used to improve Sanford Stadium. Some of these upgrades will include modernized premium seating areas, adding a closed caption display board for the hearing impaired and ticket-scanning capabilities.

It gets even better, as the $1.25 million is only part of the $2.18 million that has been approved to use for renovation projects.

According to the report, $330,000 will be used to expand the Stegeman Coliseum athletic training room. Another $300,000 will be used to study designs to upgrade turf fields and to replace the block wall between the Woodruff practice fields and Smith Street. There will also be $300,000 in improvements to the equestrian facility.

Of the rest, $80,000 will go to resurface the tennis courts and $90,000 to fix the electrical issues at the soccer and softball complex.

The Jason Aldean Concert at Sanford Stadium also brought in an $200,000 for the athletic department, which will now be used to install a new irrigation system for the field.

All Georgia sees are dollar signs.

With the help of $8 million in 2004, Sanford Stadium was able to add a second upper deck on the north side and 27 new north-side SkySuites, making the venue the fifth largest on-campus stadium in the country at a little more than 92,000 seats.

These improvements are a byproduct of the football team, which won 12 games last year for the first time since 2002.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

With Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis Out, Who Makes Up New Era of NFL MLBs?

Zach Kruse — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:42:58 -0400

The retirements of Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis—two of the iconic defensive players of the last 15 years—has opened the door for the next era of dominant middle linebackers to get their due.

The shadows of Urlacher and Lewis now lifted, Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers should now lead the NFL into its next generation at the position.

Lewis, a 17-year veteran, leaves the game with arguably the most complete resume of any linebacker in NFL history. Urlacher spent 13 years building a Hall of Fame career as the cornerstone of the Chicago Bears defense. He announced his retirement Wednesday.

The two middle linebackers combined to earn 21 Pro Bowl and 15 All-Pro nominations, plus three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Lewis won two Super Bowls, while Urlacher lost his only attempt at a championship ring.

He doesn't yet have a comparable running mate, but it's abundantly clear Willis will lead the post-Lewis and Urlacher era.

A first-round pick of the 49ers in 2007, Willis has already developed into the game's premier inside linebacker. Even with Urlacher and Lewis around the last handful of seasons, Willis has been the most dominant defender at the position.

Since 2007, Willis has an NFL-high 812 combined and 612 solo tackles. He also has 17.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and 49 passes defensed. But his worth extends much further than just surface stats.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Willis has graded out as the first- or second-best inside linebacker in every season since 2008, the first year PFF began grading NFL players. No other player, including Urlacher and Lewis, has graded out in the top two more than than once since '08.

The NFL awards have also reflected Willis' dominance at the position.

Since entering the NFL, Willis has been named to six-straight Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams. No other linebacker can match either mark, including Urlacher and Lewis.

In fact, the two veterans only have seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro nominations combined during Willis' brief career.

Now, Willis can unquestionably assume his rightful spot as the game's most recognizable inside linebacker. He's more than earned the right to take the torch from the likes of Urlacher and Lewis.

More than likely, however, Willis will eventually have to share that spotlight.

Several young and comparable linebackers are capable of becoming the Brian Urlacher to Willis' Ray Lewis.

Here are the most likely candidates:

Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh Steelers

Despite helping anchor good defenses in Pittsburgh, few inside linebackers are as underrated as Timmons.

In just his last three seasons, Timmons has averaged over 100 tackles while also adding 11 sacks, six interceptions, four forced fumbles and 19 passes defensed. Few are more complete in terms of stopping the run, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage.

Maybe now that Lewis is out of the AFC North, Timmons will start to get the recognition he deserves.

Sean Lee, Dallas Cowboys

It seems only injury can keep Lee from ascending near or to the peak of NFL inside linebackers.

In fact, over the six games before he was lost for the season in 2012, Lee posted the sixth-best grade (subscription required) among inside linebackers at PFF. Averaged out over a full season, Lee would have finished as the highest graded player at his position, even above Willis.

Lee could be even better if healthy in 2013, as the Cowboys are shifting from the 3-4 to a 4-3 defensive front. The fourth-year linebacker could really take off next season, as both a tackling machine and effective coverage man.

Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers

Kuechly took home Defensive Rookie of the Year honors last season after tallying an NFL-high 164 tackles. He added a sack, two interceptions and eight passes defensed in an impressive opening act.

Now, Kuechly has to add to his resume by improving in other areas outside tackling, such as pass coverage and rushing the passer.

Once Kuechly becomes more of a complete package, he'll have a chance to contend for a spot along Willis as the game's best inside linebacker. For now, he's in the second tier. His ceiling is high.

NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers

Surprisingly enough, Willis' own teammate in San Francisco likely has the best chance of becoming the next great inside linebacker.

Bowman, a third-round pick out of Penn State in 2010, has quickly blossomed into one of the very best while playing alongside Willis. In fact, over the last two seasons, it would be difficult to separate the contributions made by Bowman to those provided by Willis.

Bowman graded out as the best inside linebacker at PFF in 2011 (subscription required), and then finished seventh last season.

Just 24 years old, Bowman has nearly 300 combined tackles over the last two seasons. He's on the path to super stardom.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks

First-year returns on Wagner were very encouraging for the Seahawks in 2012.

PFF graded the second-round pick as their second-best inside linebacker (subscription needed) last season, topped only by Willis. His advanced stats were even better, as Wagner led his position in run stop percentage and finished in the top 10 of pass-rushing productivity and tackling efficiency.

One year won't make Wagner into the next Brian Urlacher, but he does appear to be talented enough to challenge for a spot alongside Willis. Like Kuechly, Wagner needs to build on his rookie season with a strong sophomore campaign.

Kicks of the Best Dunkers in the NBA

Lance Fresh — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:42:33 -0400

Players are always competing with each other to bring out the most sought-after pairs of kicks. Every game we're presented with something new and fresh, yet the only way to really staple a shoe is by coming out with a special performance in them.

The most popular kicks belong to the best dunkers in the game. After all, Jordan's logo isn't one of him pulling back for a jumper.

I went over to House of Hoops to break down the kicks of the best dunkers in the league.

Which is your favorite pair? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Follow Lance Fresh

Dante Booker to Ohio State: Buckeyes Land 4-Star LB Prospect

Justin Onslow — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:39:41 -0400

Dante Booker, the talented Akron, Ohio, native and 4-star linebacker recruit, kept his college football options close to home, settling on Ohio State to continue his playing career in 2014.

247Sports' Steve Wiltfong passes along this statement from Booker: "Officially committed to THE Ohio State University."

The St. Vincent-St. Mary standout received interest from several programs including Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Notre Dame. Oklahoma and Nebraska also made an offer to the linebacker, who ranks No. 6 in the nation at the outside linebacker position, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

At 6’4” and 210 pounds, Booker has the tall, slender frame to match his exceptional athleticism and play-making ability. He isn’t among the biggest or fastest linebackers in this recruiting class (4.72 40-yard dash), but he has the potential to be a tremendous football player at the next level.

Given his play-recognition skills and ability to fill downhill in defending the run, Booker will find a good fit at either inside or outside linebacker with the Buckeyes. He still needs to add some bulk and work on disengaging from blockers, but he has a very high ceiling at the college level.

The linebacker comes from a family of athletes. His father played both college (Auburn) and professional football (in the CFL and AFL) and his mother played college basketball at Ellet High School in Akron (per Michael Beaven of the Akron Beacon Journal).

Booker saw action on St. Vincent-St. Mary’s varsity squad as a freshman and shined as both a tight end and linebacker during his sophomore campaign. As St. Vincent-St. Mary head coach Dan Boarman explained to Beaven, Booker doesn’t look for extra attention or the fanfare typically afforded to elite high school prospects, even as one of the best players in Ohio:

It is hard getting a whole lot out of him because he is quiet. He is not a kid that is obnoxious. He is not one of those kids that will come up and say, ‘Make sure my picture is in the paper.’ He is just a humble and nice gentleman.

Talent and a good attitude are the makings of a tremendous football player, and that’s exactly what Ohio State is getting in Booker. He may need some time to develop at the next level, but there’s no question he’ll be a quality playmaker and key defensive component in his formative years with the Buckeyes.

Ray Lewis to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro for Charity

Mike Chiari — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:36:06 -0400

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis must have an itch for being on top of the world.

He undoubtedly felt that way when he retired after winning Super Bowl XLVII in February, but the future Hall of Famer will now literally attempt to reach one of the highest points on Earth when he climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro for charity.

According to RayLewis.LockerDome.com, Lewis will climb the Tanzanian mountain in June as he attempts to raise money for clean water projects in East Africa.

Lewis tweeted about the endeavor and urged fans to get the word out and retweet his message. Anyone who helps will be entered into a contest to win a Ravens helmet autographed by the NFL legend.

According to UltimateKilimanjaro.com, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. It is an incredible 19,340 feet high, and over 35,000 people attempt to climb it every year. The site also reports that fewer than half of those who attempt to climb the mountain succeed in making it to the top.

While the statistics may not be in Lewis' favor, he is an elite athlete who was a huge part of the Ravens' Super Bowl victory this year. He has made a career out of defying the odds and going above and beyond everyone else, so it's hard to imagine Lewis failing to conquer Kilimanjaro.

The 2012-13 NFL playoffs are a perfect example of Lewis' toughness and determination. Lewis missed 10 regular-season games with a torn triceps, but he returned for the postseason and led the Ravens on a shocking run to the second Lombardi Trophy in team history.

If Lewis' playoff showing is any indication of how he'll fare on Mt. Kilimanjaro, the mountain likely doesn't stand a chance.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Why the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda Trade Is Still Years from Having a Winner

Joe Giglio — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:53 -0400

The January 2012 trade that sent Jesus Montero to the Seattle in exchange for Micheal Pineda wasn't just looked at as a win-win for the New York Yankees and Mariners, but rather a perfect exchange of elite prospects for positional needs within each organization, respectively.

Seattle, stocked with young pitchers coming through the system to buoy Felix Hernandez atop the rotation, badly needed offensive punch in their lineup, most notably at the catching position.

New York, under the mandate to get under the $189 million tax threshold by 2014, needed cost-effective starting pitching. Plus, despite watching Montero hit the ball hard in a September 2011 call-up, they were stocked with their own catching depth behind him and a lineup full of veteran, everyday offensive performers.

Winners and losers are often declared the minute a trade commences. With this example, there wasn't supposed to be one.

Seventeen months later, upon the news, via The News Tribune, of Jesus Montero's dismissal to Triple-A Tacoma, neither of the centerpieces of the deal are in the major leagues.

Amazingly, a year after shoulder surgery that cost him the entire 2012 season, it's Pineda that looks closer to making an impact in the show. His rehab has progressed to the point where a return from the DL could be just weeks away.

On the other hand, Montero continues to regress as a hitter while showing no ability to be a catcher on the big league level.

Offense from the catcher position is a luxury, but few teams will accept poor offense and defense from that position. If Montero were hitting closer to league average or had an on-base percentage at least in the .300s, it's likely that Seattle would have lived through his progression and allowed him to be their full-time designated hitter.

Instead, his .590 OPS was too unbearable to watch anymore for a team deficient at the plate.

While it's now easy to call this swap a lose-lose for both sides, that's as far from the truth as the win-win proclamations were upon the announcement in 2012.

Baseball fans want instant gratification, but young players are, much much more likely to go through the ebb and flow of progression, regression and ascension along the path of a major league career than they are to become the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. In other words, most good young players don't enjoy smooth rides to stardom.

In the case of Pineda, he looked like Matt Harvey before Matt Harvey. A few months later, he was overweight, overthrowing and headed to the operating table.

Montero showed rare opposite-field power for a right-handed hitter, slugging .590 in a brief 2011 cameo with New York. He was so good and polished that Yankee fans penciled him in as the next great catcher in a lineage that has included names like Berra, Munson and Posada.

At the age of 23 and 24, respectively, Montero and Pineda are now damaged goods, busts and fodder for fans who hate the mere idea of prospects.

Those narratives may be true, but they're also young players with considerable upside, years from their athletic prime and will likely be back and contributing before too long.

Assessing the winner of a trade like this was silly from day one. Montero's demotion to Triple-A doesn't make a breakdown any easier, though.

In reality, the true win-win or lose-lose won't be determined for years. For fans of the Mariners and Yankees, you can still win the trade.

Of course, it's going to take some patience first.

Comment below, follow me on Twitter or "like" my Facebook page to talk all things baseball!

ACC Baseball Tournament 2013 Scores: Day 2 Results, Recap and Analysis

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:32:36 -0400

Day 2 at the 2013 ACC Baseball Tournament kicked off in Durham on Thursday morning with the third-seeded Virginia Cavaliers taking on the seventh-seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Cavaliers, fresh off a blowout loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday, turned things completely around in the day's first matchup, beating the defending champions to pick up their first win in Pool B.

The day is scheduled to conclude with a pair of intriguing matchups. The first will pit the Miami Hurricanes up against the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the afternoon slot while the second clash will feature Florida State and Virginia Tech going head to head.

Let's take a look at how Day 2 has unfolded thus far.

Virginia defeats Georgia Tech, 8-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Virginia	0	0	2	2	0	3	1	0	0	8	9	0
Georgia Tech	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	10	2

Virginia dominated Georgia Tech on Thursday in Durham behind a superb pitching performance from senior Scott Silverstein, who struck out six and allowed just two earned runs in nearly nine innings of play.

Georgia Tech took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Kyle Wren tripled to right center field, as noted by Georgia Tech Baseball on Twitter:

Senior Brandon Thomas would then single down the infield line to bring home Wren.

Following a scoreless second inning, a fielding error by Georgia Tech in the third inning opened the door for Virginia, as Nate Irving scored from third to tie the game at one run apiece. After a Reed Gragnani double to right field pushed Mike Papi to third base, freshman Joe McCarthy flied out deep to center field, bringing home Papi to give the Cavaliers a lead they would never surrender.

Virginia went yard twice in the fourth inning as sophomores Nick Howard and Kenny Towns homered to center and left field respectively. As Virginia Baseball on Twitter pointed out, it was the first time the team had hit back-to-back homers this season:

Zane Evans would single and go on to score a run for Georgia Tech in the bottom of the fourth to narrow the gap, but it would prove meaningless after Virginia poured in three more runs in the top of the sixth inning to increase its lead to five.

The Cavs began the sixth inning with a bang, as Brandon Downes homered to left-center field to fire up Virginia's offense. Soon after Downes' monster shot, freshman pitcher Joe Wiseman was called on to replace Dusty Isaacs on the mound for the Yellow Jackets.

Before Georgia Tech ended the inning, Cole Pitts would replace Wiseman and Virginia would build a 7-2 lead.

Downes would add another run to the scoreboard for Virginia in the seventh inning after a throwing error by the Yellow Jackets allowed him to reach third base after stealing second.

Silverstein proved too good to beat over the final three innings. Freshman Josh Sborz would ultimately replace him on the mound for Virginia's final out but there's no mistaking who was the most valuable player for the Cavaliers on Thursday.

Here's a look at Silverstein, Nick Howard and coach Brian O'Conner meeting with the media after the win (via Virginia Baseball):

Next up, Georgia Tech will play Virginia Tech on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

Virginia will have Friday off before taking on Florida State at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday morning.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Giro d'Italia 2013 Standings: Stage 18 Results, Leaderboard and Highlights

Brian Mazique — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:29:00 -0400

Italy's Vincenzo Nibali won Stage 18 of the 2013 Giro d'Italia on Thursday and extended his overall lead. In a stage filled with mountainous terrain, Nibali blew away the competition, finishing in 44 minutes, 29 seconds.

BBC Sports tweets Nibali's triumph:

The win never seemed to be in doubt for Nibali. The next closest competitor, Sammy Sanchez of Spain, was 58 seconds behind. Nibali's biggest current threat in the overall standings, Cadel Evans of Australia, was 25th on Thursday.

The huge gap between Nibali and Evans gave the Italian a four-minute lead.

Giro d'Italia's official Twitter account captures Thursday's victor on the podium:

Here is a look at a few highlights from Stage 18.

Here is a look at the top 10 performers from Stage 18.

Finish	Cyclist	Country	Time
1	Vincenzo Nibali	Italy	44:29
2	Samuel Sanchez	Spain	+0:58
3	Damian Caruso	Italy	+1:20
4	Michele Scarponi	Italy	+1:21
5	Rafal Majka	Poland	+1:25
6	Rigoberto Uran	Colombia	+1:26
7	Carlos Betancur	Colombia	+1:32
8	Stef Clement	Netherlands	+1:36
9	Dario Cataldo	Italy	+1:41
10	Danilo Di Luca	Italy	+1:52

Finally, these are the top 10 riders in the overall standings.

Place	Cyclist	Team	Country	Time
1	Vincenzo Nibali	Astana	Italy	73:55:58
2	Cadel Evans	BMC Racing	Australia	+0:04:02
3	Rigoberto Uran Uran	Sky Procycling	Colombia	+0:04:12
4	Michele Scarponi	Lampre-Merida	Italy	+0:05:14
5	Przemyslaw Niemiec	Lampre-Merida	Poland	+0:06:09
6	Rafal Majka	Saxo-Tinkoff	Poland	+0:06:45
7	Carlos Betancur	AG2R	Colombia	+0:06:47
8	Mauro Santambrogio	Vini Fantini-Selle Italia	Italy	+0:07:30
9	Benat Intxausti	Movistar	Spain	+0:08:36
10	Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez	Euskaltel-Euskadi	Spain	+0:09:34

To view the complete Stage 18 and overall results, visit the race's official website

To get an idea of how much of a climb the riders faced on Thursday, take a look at this image from Gazzetta.it:

Even though the terrain for Stage 18 was tough, it may be nothing compared to what riders could face on Friday. Stage 19 is a roller coaster of peaks and valleys as you can see from this diagram, also from Gazzetta.it:

In addition to the up-and-down track, inclement weather could also be a major impediment. Per the BBC:

Friday's mountainous stage is scheduled to take in the Gavia and Stelvio mountain passes but snow is forecast and temperatures atop the mountains have been reported to be -14C.

Race directors are monitoring the weather conditions in the Dolomite mountains and will decide in the morning whether the race has to be re-routed through the valleys.

If the race isn't re-routed, Stage 19 could prove to be the toughest of the event.

Looking Ahead to Final Three Stages

Things are about to become extremely tough on all the riders. The final three stages will separate the pretenders from the contenders.

Mountain stages and cold weather will provide opportunities for determined riders who are trailing the leaders. It could also result in front-runners like Nibali and Evans running away from the pack.

One thing is for sure: No stage win will be easy from this point on.

Follow me for Sports Did You Knows, News and Spirited Opinions

Robert Griffin III's Father Wants Son to Throw More, Run Less

Donald Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:25:21 -0400

After suffering torn ligaments in his knee during the Washington Redskins’ postseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks and undergoing offseason surgery, Robert Griffin III’s father has come out and said his son should be throwing the ball more and running less.

Robert Griffin Jr. told Dave Sheinin of The Washington Post that he believes his son should be able to utilize his receivers more and have his rushing attempts limited this year:

I just know that based on what I know Robert can do, he doesn't have to be a runner as much as I saw last year. To me, you're paying these [receivers] a lot of money to catch the football. I'm his dad—I want him throwing that football, a lot. A lot.

I think for [Griffin III], he likes some of the things that they do. And he feels any area where he had a concern, he addressed it. And I think [the Shanahans] have concerns, too. We want to have a united community. That first year everybody was just, "Wow." And now we have to look at sustainment. It can't be a "Wow" again.

This is a situation that has two points of view that are equally correct.

As a father, the elder Griffin has every right to look out for the safety of his son—the more RGIII runs, the more likely another serious knee injury could occur.

Griffin ran the ball 120 times for 815 yards last season, but with a powerful running back like Alfred Morris, RGIII’s father is right to question why there were so many rushes with the quarterback. Cut those attempts in half, and the team still has an effective weapon with a better chance of staying healthy for 16 games and beyond.

The Redskins have their own point of view and the ultimate call in which plays are drawn up, and they know the team is much better with RGIII on the field. The team also knows just how dynamic having a mobile quarterback can be for an offense.

After watching the rookie throw for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions, Washington knows what RGIII's arm is capable of accomplishing.

Not only does Griffin’s ability to run the ball open up holes for the other running backs and create play-action opportunities, but the threat of the quarterback taking off also keeps defensive backs honest and opens up passing space.

While there is no questioning that RGIII is a great running quarterback, there is also no questioning just how much damage he sustains running the ball and how that can affect his long-term status with the franchise.

The good news for everyone involved is that Griffin is already on the field for the Redskins doing some throwing drills, just two steps away from a full recovery, according to NFL Network’s Albert Breer:

There is no doubt that RGIII’s ability to carry the rock makes him a very dangerous threat, but for the future of the Redskins organization, running the ball with the quarterback less will decrease the likelihood that he will get severely injured again.

After trading the team’s No. 6 overall pick in 2012, its second-round pick in 2012 and its first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 to acquire the franchise quarterback, keeping him healthy should be a top priority.

Follow @Donald_Wood

NBA Playoffs: The One Thing Going into Game 3, Spurs vs. Grizzlies

Behind The Mic — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:25:03 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs did exactly what they were supposed to do: win both of their home games. Behind solid performances from point guard Tony Parker, the Spurs look to build on their performances at home.

Memphis trailed in its previous two series, so while it may appear like the Grizzlies have their backs against the wall, they are very much capable of changing the dynamic of the Western Conference Finals.

The NBA on TNT guys broke down The One Thing you should be looking out for in Game 3 of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies series.

Do you agree? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Derek Jeter Walks into Starbucks as Star Yankee, Comes out as Anonymous "Philip"

Gabe Zaldivar — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:18:18 -0400

Derek Jeter is officially some kind of superhero, living his nights as a star shortstop for the New York Yankees and playing the part of mild-mannered "Phillip" by day.

Gothamist spotted the 38-year-old shortstop coming out of a local Starbucks with a coffee in hand. I know, nothing out of the ordinary here.

Take just a closer look and you will see the man who is still nursing an ankle injury is sporting a cup of Joe with the moniker "Philip" emblazoned over the side.

Gothamist has some theories that all seem plausible. The most likely is Jeter went in and decided to give an alias so he wouldn't be bombarded with the usual pomp that greets a man of his fame.

Of course, that means Jeter is the worst master of disguise since Dana Carvey's 2002 flop, because he does little to cover up the fact he is very much not Philip.

The other working theory is Jeter just jacked Phil's skinny vanilla latte and is in the middle of pulling off what might have been the perfect crime.

Somewhere there is a very dejected Phil trying to explain to incredulous New Yorkers that Jeter just stole his coffee.

Last on Gothamist's list of explanations is one I really feel is the best: Baristas are not exactly the best at grasping a name given to them and then placing that same thing on the cup.

I know from personal experience that I rarely get the proper, "Gabe." More often I am given "Gave," "Abe" and the spectacular "Grabe."

I could just imagine Jeter standing right next to the barista as they shouted, "Philip...Philip...Philip...we have a chai tea latte for Philip..."

Either way, Yankees fans can now have fun cheering Philip whenever he is ready to return to the lineup.

I will now expect Jeter's next excursion to the ubiquitous coffee shop to feature a hat, glasses and fake mustache.

Well, at least the cup didn't say, "Sherick Shmeter."

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports updates of extreme import: Follow @gabezal

Terry Francona Deserves Rousing Standing Ovation in Return to Fenway Park

Joel Reuter — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:09:27 -0400

Forget for a second the disastrous collapse down the stretch in 2011. Forget the lost clubhouse where pitchers spent more time drinking beer and eating fried chicken than they did cheering on their team. Even forget the tell-all book he wrote last year, blasting the front office, among other things.

Terry Francona returns to Fenway Park tonight as the skipper of the surging Cleveland Indians, and he deserves nothing short of a standing ovation from Red Sox Nation on Thursday night for everything he brought to the team during his eight seasons at the helm.

His time in Boston ended on a sour note, but he deserves to be remembered as the manager who brought an end to the Curse of the Bambino in 2004 and then brought the city another title in 2007.

Fans were all too quick to say good riddance to Francona after watching the Red Sox go 7-20 to close out the 2011 season, losing to the Baltimore on the final day of the season to be eliminated from the playoff picture.

However, fast-forward a year and Francona suddenly didn't look so bad, as the Red Sox plummeted to the basement of the AL East with an over-his-head Bobby Valentine leading the team to a 69-93 record, their worst since 1965.

After spending a year in the broadcast booth, the Indians convinced Francona to return to the dugout and pilot what was a franchise without a direction. The team now stands as one of the biggest surprises of 2013, carrying a 26-19 record, good for first place in the AL Central entering play tonight.

A former first-round pick in the 1980 draft, Francona made his big league debut the following season and went on to play 10 seasons in the majors.

He finished his career with a .274/.300/.351 line and 474 hits, as he fell well short of expectations and saw his pro career end at the age of 30 in 1990.

It didn't take him long to get into the managing game, as he took the reins of the White Sox Rookie League team the following season. He worked his way up the ranks in the White Sox minor league organization and wound up being the man who managed Michael Jordan during his time on the baseball field.

His first big league coaching job was as third base coach for the Detroit Tigers in 1996, and the following season he was hired as manager by the Philadelphia Phillies. He lasted just four seasons, going a combined 285-363, and was fired at the end of the 2000 season.

After serving as assistant to the GM for the Indians in 2001 and bench coach for the Texas Rangers and Oakland A's the following two seasons, respectively, Francona was hired to manage the Red Sox in 2004.

The previous season, manager Grady Little had led the team to a 95-67 record and a berth in the ALCS. His decision to leave Pedro Martinez in the Game 7 with a 5-2 lead and a high pitch count in the bottom of the eighth will forever be questioned. The Yankees wound up tying it in the eighth and winning it in the the 11th when Aaron Boone hit a walk-off home run against Tim Wakefield.

Aside from the additions of Curt Schilling, Keith Foulke and Mark Bellhorn, the Red Sox were essentially the same team in 2004, and Francona brought them back to the ALCS to again face the Yankees.

The 2004 team was different, though, as it came back from losing the first three games of the series to eliminate the Yankees. The squad seemed like a team of destiny, and there was Francona at the head of it all.

After waiting 86 years to finally win a title, Francona then brought another one to the city just three years later, when the Red Sox swept the Rockies.

Suddenly, expectations in Boston had changed, and simply reaching the postseason was no longer enough. The team won 95 games in 2008 and 2009 but was eliminated in the ALCS by the Rays in '08 and then swept in the first round by the Angels the following season.

The next two seasons the Red Sox finished third in the AL East and missed the playoffs, and the team's late-season collapse in 2011 was the last straw for Francona.

Immediately following his firing, a number of rumors surrounded Francona and the team. I wrote a piece back in October of that year highlighting some of them, as there was talk that Francona was hooked on painkillers and distracted by his divorce—that he had lost the dugout completely and that too many players were playing for themselves.

Then, last January, he released his tell-all book Francona: The Red Sox Years, and I wrote a piece taking a look at some of the more wild excerpts from it. Francona questioned the owners' passion for the game and if they were making personnel decisions for the right reasons.

Then, last April, Francona rejected an invitation to come to the 100th anniversary celebration of Fenway Park, showing that things were still far from resolved between him and the team.

Francona was on top of the world in 2004 and a hero for leading the Red Sox to a World Series. He was still that same hero when he led the team to another one in 2007.

With the Red Sox enjoying success under a new manager, it's only right that all the negatives be put aside and Francona be remembered as the hero he was with a standing ovation in his return to Fenway Park.

SEC Baseball Tournament 2013 Scores: Day 3 Results, Highlights and Analysis

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:02:34 -0400

Day 3 of the 2013 SEC Baseball Tournament marked the continuation of double-elimination play. Four teams entered the day facing the possibility of being knocked out of the event, including Vanderbilt—the No. 1 seed and the nation's top-ranked team.

The Commodores are set to face South Carolina. The other matchups feature Ole Miss and Alabama in an elimination game, Arkansas against LSU and Texas A&M taking on Mississippi State. For a complete look at the updated bracket, visit the conference's official site.

Here's a recap of the Day 3 action, which will be updated with highlights and more throughout the day as the crucial events of SEC play roll on.

No. 7 Alabama Defeats No. 6 Ole Miss, 7-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	R	H	E
Alabama	0	0	0	2	1	2	0	0	0	2	7	8	1
Ole Miss	0	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	5	7	1

Alabama kept its SEC championship hopes alive with a 7-5 victory in a see-saw battle with Ole Miss that went 10 innings. The Rebels' second straight loss eliminated them from the tournament.

An early start (9:30 a.m. local time) can be tough to handle. Not only is there a lack of crowd support to provide the normal college baseball atmosphere, as illustrated in a picture from Jay Reeves of the Associated Press, but it can also cause some sluggish play:

That certainly seemed like the case for Alabama in the second inning. After a pair of doubles by Andrew Mistone and Preston Overbey gave the Rebels a 1-0 lead, the Crimson Tide gifted them two more runs.

With two on, Will Jamison singled to center. A good throw home from Georgie Salem would have resulted in a close play at the plate, but it was off the mark and Overbey scored. The Tide couldn't corral the wild throw quickly enough, allowing Christian Helsel to score as well.

To their credit, they didn't let the sloppy play derail the game completely. The Tide scored two runs in the fourth courtesy of a Ben Moore sacrifice fly and an RBI single from Mikey White. Kyle Overstreet tied it by driving in Chance Vincent in the fifth.

Then it was Ole Miss' turn to make a key defensive mistake. A throwing error by Austin Anderson allowed White to reach second. Austen Smith followed with his first triple of the season to give Alabama the lead. He later came home on a Brett Booth groundout.

Down by two heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Rebels mounted a rally. Stuart Turner stepped up with the bases loaded and two outs. He delivered, driving home two runs to tie the game at five. Ole Miss couldn't grab the lead, though.

It wasn't until extra innings that one of the teams broke through again, and it was Alabama.

After Tanner Bailey got the first out of the 10th, he walked Overstreet and allowed a double to Ben Moore. Fellow reliever Brett Huber couldn't bail him out as White delivered a two-RBI single to put the Tide up 7-5.

Ole Miss couldn't mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, ending its tournament. Tucker Hawley closed it out for Alabama.

Upcoming Day 3 Games

No. 1 Vanderbilt vs. No. 4 South Carolina

No. 2 LSU vs. No. 3 Arkansas

No. 5 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 Texas A&M

Updates on the Sacramento Kings' New Downtown Arena

Sim Risso — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:58:58 -0400

When the NBA chose to keep the Kings in Sacramento, its decision came down to whether or not the city had done everything asked of it to keep the team. Sacramento not only came forward with a strong ownership group, but also a viable arena plan. In the days since the league's verdict has been finalized, even more work has been done to secure the arena.

The proposed site for the arena is the Downtown Plaza. The site is currently owned by JMA Ventures, but the Ranadive group, who recently bought the Kings, is closing in on purchasing it, according to The Sacramento Bee.

Local developer Mark Friedman, a member of the group buying the Kings, said the consortium headed by Silicon Valley tech executive Vivek Ranadive is now under contract to buy the mall site from JMA Ventures.

Friedman declined to disclose the purchase price.

The sale involves much of the land between Fourth, Seventh, J and L streets. It doesn't include the independently owned Macy's store at the west end of the plaza, or a few other adjacent buildings that are not part of the arena project site, such as the Marshall Hotel at Seventh and L streets.

In an emailed statement Tuesday, JMA Ventures President Todd Chapman confirmed the pending sale to Ranadive. He also declined to reveal the price.

JMA Ventures, who purchased the Downtown Plaza last fall for $21.7 million, is expected to continue managing the site and also to "be master developer for the broader, non-arena development on the six-block site, and will have an ownership stake in that development."

Having the site in possession of the team's owners is expected to hasten the development of the arena. Already, environmental reviews are being conducted.

The complex, which is slated to be finished in time for the start of the 2016 season, is expected to revitalize downtown Sacramento. It's an expectation that is being supported by the University of the Pacific's business forecaster Jeff Michael.

Michael wrote, according to The Sacramento Bee, that the placement of the arena should be more helpful than of the other recently proposed sites.

"The project has the potential to accomplish broader city goals and help other city assets like the Convention Center in a way that other proposed locations such as the railyards or Cal Expo would not," Michael wrote.

He expects the arena to have an effect on Sacramento's unemployment rate, currently at 9 percent, as soon as the scope of the project becomes clearer.

These are all positive developments for the Kings. The team's current arena, Sleep Train Arena, is extremely antiquated. Upgrading to a new building has been a goal for years, but nothing ever came of it.

With the Ranadive group aggressively moving forward on the project, it looks like it will come to fruition this time, giving the team the new arena it needs and boosting a stagnate economy in California's capital.

Follow me on Twitter: @SimRisso

Read here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/23/5443065/new-kings-arena-construction-will.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/21/5437872/prospective-kings-owners-are-buying.html#storylink=cpyHaving the property in the possession of the team's owners should hasten the development of the arena.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/05/21/5437872/prospective-kings-owners-are-buying.html#storylink=cpy

LSU Offers Scholarship to Snoop Lion's Son, 2015 WR Cordell Broadus

Andrew Kulha — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:57:16 -0400

Cordell Broadus, 2015 4-star wide receiver, has picked up an offer from LSU, according to Lyons Yellin of The Times-Picayune. Outside of USC, this is easily Broadus' biggest offer to date.

Broadus is only a rising junior, and he's already received an offer from one of the most dominant programs in college football. LSU is a powerhouse, both in the SEC and nationally.

He's 6'2", 180 pounds, and he runs a 4.50 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports. The 247Sports composite ranks him as the No. 7 wideout in the 2015 class, so he has plenty of potential.

Recruiting fans have all they need to know right there, but here's a fun fact for those of you that may not be as plugged in to the world of college football recruiting: Broadus is the son of legendary rapper Snoop Lion, formerly known as Snoop Dogg.

The cool thing to recognize about this story is that Broadus is not receiving "celebrity offers" that would just serve as PR boosts or gimmicks. He's a legitimate talent and an intriguing college football recruit.

He wouldn't be such a highly ranked receiver if that weren't the case.

He's a big receiver with good length and athleticism. He gets separation because of his quick footwork and route-running ability. Broadus has the speed to break a defender's cushion on vertical routes, but he'll also be a threat to pick up yards after the catch on shorter routes. He's shifty for a wide receiver, and he displays good vision and strength as a runner.

He also has good hands and should be a major impact player in the red zone, whether because of his ability to run after the catch or go up and get the ball over smaller defenders.

Along with USC and LSU, Broadus has offers (via 247Sports) from Arizona State, California, Duke, Oregon State, Tennessee, UCLA and Washington.

Note: All scouting and analysis done via tape study of film provided on Broadus' 247Sports profile page.

Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Gunners Interested in France International Adil Rami

Jason Voss — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:51:35 -0400

Arsene Wenger looks keen on improving Arsenal's defensive contingent heading into the summer transfer window as the Gunners have been linked with Valencia centre-back Adil Rami.

The Frenchman will leave Valencia this summer, according to Football-Espana, with a bid of £8 million thought to be enough to secure his signature.

The 27-year-old joined Valencia from Lille back in 2011 and has emerged as one of the most reliable defenders in La Liga. He's made 74 appearances for Valencia during his tenure at the Estadio Mestalla, including a whopping 53 appearances in all competitions in the 2011-12 campaign.

Injuries plagued him this season, but since winning a first team spot at Lille back in 2008, Rami made at least 33 league appearances in every season since then, up until this season.

Standing at a towering 6'3", Rami excels in the air, using his height and physicality to great effect, winning aerial duels against opposing forwards. He has a deft passing touch for a centre-back, and while he doesn't boast a world-class passing success rate, just 82.5 percent, his penchant for playing long balls is undoubtedly a detriment in that respect.

He doesn't average many tackles at all, just 1.4 per game, yet his two interceptions per game speak to his ability to read the game. When he does decide to tackle, he does it cautiously, not lunging into them like many other players.

He won his first cap back in 2010 and became an integral part of the France set up, winning 25 caps and scoring one goal in his time with Les Bleus. France coach Didier Deschamps named a 23-man squad ahead of two friendly matches against Uruguay and Brazil, and Rami was one of the names, beating out Philippe Mexes, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa,Younes Kaboul and Raphael Varane.

He joins Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny and PSG defender Mamadou Sakho as Deschamps' three centre-back options. Should Deschamps prefer a centre-back pairing of Koscielny and Rami, it would give Gunners fans a preview of what they can expect should Wenger move for Rami.

Arsenal has a crowded defensive corps with a number of talented players, and adding Rami could only further complicate the situation. Captain Thomas Vermaelen did not enjoy his best season this year, yet his past performances have proven that the Belgium international can excel in the Premier League. Vermaelen is versatile enough to be fielded on the left—however, the addition of former Malaga man Nacho Monreal has given Wenger his first choice left-back.

Laurent Koscielny is a resolute defender but he made just 20 starts this season. Per Mertesacker has been the Gunners best option at centre-back this season and has played well enough to earn a starting role for next season and beyond. Adding Rami would be a nightmare for the depth chart, as one of the aforementioned defenders currently at the London club will likely see even less time on the pitch and could experience a fate similar to the one Kolo Toure has undergone at Manchester City.

Having a great defensive corps is of paramount importance for a top flight club, and Arsenal already seem to have one, as the Gunners' defense ranked as the Premier League's second best in terms of goals conceded. Considering Rami could be available for less than £10 million and he's 27, which is widely considered to be the prime of a footballer's career, the buy would not be a bad one, but Arsenal must not overpay for him.

Arsenal only have two options at right-back: an aging Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson, who really is not Arsenal grade. Instead of putting money into the centre-back position, of which they have three viable options in Vermaelen, Koscielny and Mertesacker, not to mention promising youngster Ignasi Miquel, Arsene Wenger should search for Sagna's future replacement.

In truth, centre-back is one of the positions that Arsenal must pay the least attention to, instead focusing on acquiring a new goalkeeper and a defensive midfield hardman. Striker is another position that could use some improvement, as players such as Gonzalo Higuain have been linked to the Emirates Stadium outfit, representing an improvement over Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski.

Rami is a quality player and would give Arsene Wenger a four-man centre-back rotation that would rank amongst the world's best, but the question remains as to whether or not Arsenal really need centre-back help considering how well the defense played last season.

Considering that Wenger will reportedly have £70 million to spend in his transfer kitty, £8 million for Rami wouldn't make a huge dent, and he's certainly worth the money, especially considering that Vermaelen is injury prone.

The Valencia defender must know what he's getting into at Arsenal, as he'll have to contend for his spot week-in and week-out. With the World Cup coming up, Rami will want to hold down a first team spot and prove to Deschamps that he deserves a starting role for France.

As good as Arsenal's defense was last season, Wenger could opt for a partnership of Koscielny and Mertesacker, the centre-back pairing the French tactician preferred for most of the season. This would leave Rami out of the first team and could put his spot in the France national team in jeopardy, as Yanga-Mbiwa, Mexes, Kaboul and Varane will be nipping at his heels.

Adil Rami must decide if he wants to compete for his spot and possibly improve because of the high competition level or join a side where he'll be a guaranteed starter. Should he choose to move to Arsenal, £8 million is a very reasonable price that would leave more than enough money for Wenger to improve actual areas of need.

Robert Griffin III Injury: Updates on Redskins QB's Recovery from Knee Surgery

Matt Fitzgerald — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:50:52 -0400

During Thursday's organized team activities, there were plenty of encouraging signs for Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III as he continues his recovery from offseason knee surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL.

Griffin discussed his status to the media—as he has in previous weeks—but in these situations, actions often speak louder than words.

That's what is creating the most buzz right now, because Griffin was captured by the Redskins' official Twitter page throwing at the pads-free practice. Below, he hits running back Chris Thompson on a short strike over the middle:

Footwork is the foundation by which great quarterbacks are developed. Mental repetitions are valuable to an extent, but nothing beats tangible progress on the practice field. In smoothly getting into his drops as in the video above, it shows that Griffin is indeed making tremendous progress in his rehabilitation.

The well-spoken signal-caller provided plenty of intriguing updates on his health, too. What Griffin shared on Thursday has to have the Redskins faithful extremely optimistic:

Adidas released a bold advertisement months ago with Griffin as the centerpiece, and it implied that he would be ready for Week 1's home clash with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The fact that Griffin is targeting training camp as his return makes his recovery seemingly that much more miraculous. Having said that, Griffin did add a caveat to that ambitious timeline:

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year put to rest any concerns of tension between himself and the coaching staff over the injury that ended his season in the team's NFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, per the Washington Post's Mike Jones:

All seems to be going swimmingly at Redskins OTAs. Griffin's accelerated recovery is reminiscent of Minnesota Vikings superstar running back Adrian Peterson, with whom Griffin consulted about his own road back to the gridiron, along with Redskins backup quarterback Rex Grossman:

Though Kirk Cousins is taking the first-team reps, he wants to see Griffin back to 100 percent as much as anyone:

The success of the pistol formation and read-option concepts deployed by offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in 2012 showcased Griffin's unique athleticism and the surprising potential of fellow rookie Alfred Morris at running back.

That lethal combination allowed Washington to own the league's No. 1 rushing attack. Even in light of Griffin's injury, though, the schematic strategy won't necessarily change, according to head coach Mike Shanahan:

Griffin's father told Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post that he hopes the dynamic offense that his son triggers is more pass-heavy in 2013:

I just know that based on what I know Robert can do, he doesn’t have to be a runner as much as I saw last year. To me, you’re paying these [receivers] a lot of money to catch the football. I’m his dad — I want him throwing that football, a lot. A lot.

The point Shanahan brought up about the read-option giving Griffin more time to survey the defense is strong. Such a play-action fake causes hesitation, more one-on-one matchups and the opportunity for Griffin to utilize his magnificent arm strength to hit big plays down the field.

However, throwing the ball more would at least put Griffin out of harm's way in terms of absorbing hits in the open field. Griffin commented on the perception that he needs to change his perceptibly reckless approach, but put the concerns of the team first in his elaboration on his style:

As the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft, the former Heisman Trophy winner at Baylor didn't disappoint, throwing for 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Griffin also raced for 815 yards and seven more scores on the ground in sparking Washington to a seven-game winning streak to end the regular season, which netted the Redskins an NFC East title.

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Pinson Commitment Proves Roy Hasn't Lost His Touch

Rollin Yeatts — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:50:34 -0400

Following two somewhat disappointing recruiting seasons by North Carolina standards, Roy Williams is back to his dominant ways.

Yesterday, 2014's 13th-ranked recruit (ESPN 60), Theo Pinson, committed to UNC after just about everyone had him slated to land in Bloomington with Tom Crean and the Indiana Hoosiers. Little did we know, the North Carolina native—and self-proclaimed Duke fan—had the Tar Heels on his mind.

And a Carolina blue hat in his bag.

“Me and Roy had a very good relationship, and I feel comfortable with him being my head coach," Pinson told Inside Carolina (subscription required). "I feel like he’s going to put me in the best situations and I still want to play in front of my peers."

With Pinson's verbal commitment, Coach Williams has managed to lock up the No. 12, No. 13 and No. 14 recruits for 2014. Point guard Joel Berry and small forward Justin Jackson were the others to make the early pledge to North Carolina.

Considering only two other players in the top 15 have even committed, it's safe to say Ol' Roy is off to a great start—and could very well end up with the top class when all is said and done.

So what happened the other two years?

My theory on that has been—and still remains—that the concerns over the academic scandal at UNC and Williams' health affected recruiting.

Investigations of the scandal have been ongoing for a couple years now, and were ramped up again last November. That just happened to be during the early signing period for the 2013 recruits Coach Williams was still trying to land.

For the last two years, the News & Observer's timing on its investigative reporting has been impeccable. There is no doubt the timing of these reports has affected his ability to pull in top recruits.

In September of 2012, before the aforementioned report surfaced, Coach Williams was in surgery to remove a tumor on his kidney. That brought immediate speculation on how much longer Roy would be able to coach the Tar Heels—if ever again.

These are the things that will scare recruits away. Nobody wants to commit to a program and a coach they respect and then have him leave before they do. And nobody wants to pay for others' violations by being banned from postseason play.

As it turned out, Carolina's leader was just fine, and continued to coach through the 2012-13 season without a hitch. He was the same spunky Roy we've always known.

Though there are people out there that refuse to drop the scandal, it would appear UNC athletics is clear of any wrongdoing. And Coach Williams no longer has to recruit with a handicap.

Now that he has Pinson and Jackson at the small forward spot, you can expect Roy and company to focus heavily on the shooting guards they have offered. That list includes No. 9 Rashad Vaughn, No. 19 Devin Booker and No. 24 D'Angelo Russell—who has been playing alongside Joel Berry in the Nike EYBL.

UNC will lose rising senior Leslie McDonald to graduation, and it is very unlikely P.J. Hairston will stay for his senior season. That leaves no shooting guards on the 2014-15 roster, making the 2-guard a position of priority for the Tar Heels.

But the way things are going for this recruiting class, that may not be a concern for very long. Already having three top-15 recruits and a wide-open spot at the 2 should be quite the lure for the remaining prospects.

It has been a very sticky situation in Chapel Hill for the past few years. But as the clouds of gloom begin to depart, we can clearly see Roy Williams is still the shining light of the program.

His two titles in 10 years wasn't an accident. And it looks like the program is shaping up to make another run.

Never count Roy out until he turns in his whistle for a set of golf clubs.

Follow @TSBRollin

The 5 Biggest College Basketball Rebuilding Projects in 2013-14 Season

C.J. Moore — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:48:17 -0400

Recruiting a large class, getting them time to grow together and then hoping they win big in their senior year is usually a good recipe for success. It's the year after that really tests a coach.

The five teams on this list all made the NCAA tournament in 2013. And out of the 25 starters on these rosters, one starter returns next season.

For three of these teams, the adjustment period could take some time. At the other two, the expectation is to reload and keep winning.

Begin Slideshow

Jets Player Reportedly Claims 80-90 Percent of Team Wants Mark Sanchez Benched

Mike Chiari — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:47:02 -0400

Quarterback Mark Sanchez is obviously on very thin ice with the New York Jets after a disastrous 2012 season. However, if the majority of the Jets roster has its way, he may not have a chance to atone for his failures in 2013.

According to Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com, an anonymous Jets player estimated that between 80 and 90 percent of Jets players believe that it's time to cut bait with Sanchez and go in a different direction.

"Everyone on the team likes Mark personally but there's a general feeling among some of the players that maybe it's time to give someone else a chance," said the unidentified Jets player.

Sanchez has reportedly struggled during OTAs thus far, according to NFL Around The League, and patience appears to be wearing thin. While the Jets waived Tim Tebow, they did bring in some competition to push Sanchez when they drafted West Virginia signal-caller Geno Smith in the second round of this year's draft.

That obviously indicates the Jets aren't particularly keen on Sanchez as the long-term answer at quarterback. While Sanchez was the talk of the town after leading Gang Green to the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010, the past two years have been rough.

Sanchez was especially bad last season, when he completed just over 54 percent of his passes and turned the ball over an unacceptable 26 times. With those turnover issues still present in OTAs, it wouldn't come as a big shock if the Jets were to release him.

However, it's worth noting that a release would result in a heaping sum (over $17 million) of dead money for the franchise, so perhaps they'll simply bench him despite his paycheck.

It remains to be seen if the apparent locker-room distaste with Sanchez will lead to the Jets cutting the former first-round selection, but it's hard to imagine that Sanchez will ever regain the support he once had.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

How Neymar Would Fit in at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid

Callum Fox — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:43:30 -0400

Neymar's future looks certain to be resolved this summer as reports emerge of negotiations between Santos and Barcelona, according to Andres Garavaglia of Sky Sports, while Real Madrid (Daily Mirror) and Bayern Munich (Metro) have been linked to him as well.

At the moment, Neymar looks set to run out in Barcelona colours as Santos continue to negotiate with the La Liga giants, having recently rejected a €20 million bid for the player, according to goal.com.

But the drama looks set to drag on in the coming weeks and months, with Santos eager to get their money's worth on a player that has been with the Peixe since joining as a 11-year-old.

Barcelona's reluctance to raise their bid means that the Brasileirao outfit will be hoping that other clubs will come in with better offers and instigate an auction for the player.

The longer the transfer saga draws out, the more likely another club could trump Barcelona with a higher bid. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are reported to be keeping a close eye on the negotiations.

So with three giants of European football interested in the Brazilian, which club would Neymar be most suited for in terms of playing style and squad competition?

A move to the Catalan capital?

The most likely option for Neymar, as Barcelona are already deep in negotiations to bring the Selecao star to Camp Nou.

The latest reports suggest that Santos and Barcelona officials are haggling over the Brasileirao club's valuation of the player as they only own 55 percent of the player, the other 45 percent owned by third-party interests.

But if a deal were to be struck and Neymar packed his bags to head to La Liga and join Tito Vilanova's side, how would the 21-year-old fit into their plans?

Competing with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Pedro, David Villa, Alexis Sanchez and, of course, Lionel Messi, Neymar will face a tough task claiming a place in the starting line up.

But it's by no means impossible. With David Villa set to leave the club and Alexis Sanchez failing to live up to expectations, there is a gaping, Neymar-sized hole in Barcelona's attack.

Messi is well known for playing the false-nine role in Barcelona's setup but the forwards on either side of the Argentine have been rotated this season with only Pedro a consistent starter.

But with Neymar's penchant for playing on the left side of a three-man attack—as he has done so well for Brazil—he could fit in perfectly without disrupting their shape.

Messi can continue to reprise his usual false-nine role and, with Pedro normally played on the right, Neymar could easily take David Villa's role as the advanced forward on the left side of the attack.

In a league that traditionally favours South American footballers, Neymar would also have an easy transition.

With a South American contingent at Barcelona, Neymar can be made to feel at home alongside Dani Alves, Adriano, Javier Mascherano and, of course, Messi.

A move to Barcelona is the most natural fitting for all parties concerned, and arguably offers the smoothest road to success in Europe for the Brazilian.

Join Pep Guardiola at Bayern?

Alternatively, Neymar could join former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola as he takes charge of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians are creating a star-studded squad in an attempt to dominate in Europe as well as in Germany, and they are well on their way with possible Champions League glory this weekend.

Neymar would certainly be their biggest signing of the summer should Guardiola move for the Brazilian star, with ESPN Brazil suggesting that an offer of €18 million has been lodged—and rejected—by Santos.

Again, the Selecao forward would be joining a sizable Brazilian contingent at Bayern with international teammates Dante, Luiz Gustavo and Rafinha at the club.

However, Neymar would face serious competition for a role in Bayern's lineup, with the likes of Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and the newly-signed Mario Gotze all competing for places.

But with Guardiola's arrival, a shake-up could take place with Robben reported to have been transfer-listed as part of the summer's departures.

And if Guardiola implements his own style of football, complete with Gotze as a false nine, then Neymar would fit in perfectly on the left side of the Bayern attack and would be better suited to the system than any player currently at the club.

Bayern would be a choice out of left-field for the youngster and would be a huge capture for the Bundesliga, a league growing in stature with each passing season.

Will Real swoop?

Bayern aren't the only ones considering a move for Neymar, with Real Madrid reported to have put together a €100 million package to buy 100 percent of the Brazilian's shares.

President Florention Perez is assembling a host of star players at the Santiago Bernabeu once again, hoping to recapture the glories of the Galacticos era that featured the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and Ronaldo.

Neymar would certainly be a huge boost to the Los Blancos' star credentials but, footballing-wise, Real would be the most difficult team to break into for one reason.

And it's a big one.

Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese star currently plays the same role Neymar plays for Santos and Brazil, making marauding runs down the left wing and terrorising full-backs in the process.

As a crowd favourite and one of the two best players in the world, it would be very difficult for Neymar to displace the ex-Manchester United forward.

With Mesut Ozil also a firm favourite in Madrid, Neymar would most likely have to adapt to a role on the right side of the attack where he would have to compete with Argentine winger Angel di Maria.

There is also the issue of Real's manager to be resolved, with Carlo Ancelotti the favourite to take over from Jose Mourinho.

With a change of managers and no guarantee of a starting berth at Madrid, it could be the least tantalising prospect of all three clubs interested in the player.

At this moment in time, Barcelona looks like the most likely destination for the Brazilian, and seems to be the best possible choice, but Pep Guardiola's Bayern could be a dark horse in the race for the Selecao star.

SEC Football Q&A: Is Texas A&M Overhyped Because of Johnny Manziel?

Barrett Sallee — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:43:07 -0400

Every Thursday on The SEC Blog, we will feature questions from the Bleacher Report inbox, Twitter and email at bsallee@bleacherreport.com.

You have SEC questions, and I have SEC answers. Thank you, everybody for your questions this week. If I didn't get to them, they will be saved and used in the future.

And we're off:

@barrettsallee is Texas A&M being over hyped because of Johnny Football?
— Ty Ross(@iamtyty23) May 23, 2013

The perception is out there that Texas A&M is all "sizzle" and no "steak," but I'm firmly in the A&M camp this season.

Do the Aggies deserve to be in the preseason national title discussion? Of course.

Take the Manziel hype out of the equation for a second. He's still an established returning starter at quarterback who will benefit from the return of his favorite receiver Mike Evans, an extremely deep running back corps led by Ben Malena and an All-American protecting his blind side in Jake Matthews.

Whether you think Manziel is "sizzle," "steak" or something in between, that's a recipe for success at virtually every level.

The fortunes of Texas A&M's season rest on the defensive side of the ball, particularly the ability of the front seven to generate pressure on the quarterback, stop the run and force mistakes. That question remains unanswered, and probably rests on the shoulders of defensive end Julien Obioha and linebacker Steven Jenkins—both of whom are returning from injuries.

If they succeed, that will help the already-talented Aggie secondary. That's all that Texas A&M needs to be successful. When you have potent offense, all you have to be on defense is opportunistic.

@barrettsallee which team in the East has the best chance (roster) of beating the West in the SECCG?
— Reggie George (@DizzyDEEzle) May 23, 2013

Georgia was within five yards of doing it last season, and I've been beating the drum for the Bulldogs all offseason.

The Bulldogs didn't play for the crystal football in Miami in January because Alabama's running game and offensive line had its way with the Bulldogs in the second half of the SEC Championship Game. Unfortunately for Georgia, that wasn't the exception to the rule. The Bulldog defense was awful against the run last season, giving up 182.14 yards per game.

While defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is plugging a ton of holes on defense, he's doing so with players who are probably better-suited to fix the problem. Jarvis Jones looked like he was on skates against Alabama, and 6'3", 246-pound rising sophomore Jordan Jenkins looked like a viable replacement in the spring game. He's bigger and plays more downhill, which will benefit the defense.

I like Ramik Wilson at the other outside linebacker spot and Amarlo Herrera evolved into a solid middle linebacker as the season went on last season. The secondary is going to be solid with Damian Swann, Josh Harvey-Clemons and Tray Matthews.

Even if the defense doesn't live up to my expectations, the offense is certainly capable of getting into and winning shootouts. The only hole to fill on the SEC's third-best offense is the one left by wide receiver Tavarres King. But head coach Mark Richt will get a full season from Malcolm Mitchell at wide receiver, Michael Bennett—who is quarterback Aaron Murray's favorite target—back from a torn ACL and junior college transfer Jonathon Rumph to pick up the slack.

@barrettsallee what record are you predicting fot Miss St & Ole Miss in 2013?
— Dawg Smack (@dawgsmack) May 23, 2013

Of course, these record predictions are always subject to change. But right now, I have Mississippi State at 5-7 and Ole Miss at 8-4.

Despite setting school records in passing yards (2,897) and touchdown passes (24) a year ago, I'm not sure what to make of Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell. He padded his stats against a weak schedule early on last season, and sputtered down the stretch tossing nine of his 10 interceptions in the Bulldogs' final six games of the season.

Considering he lost his three favorite receivers, it's fair to be skeptical about which Russell we are going to get in 2013.

With games against Oklahoma State and LSU before mid-October, the schedule isn't back-loaded like it was last season. I see Mississippi State beating Alcorn State, Auburn, Troy, Bowling Green and Kentucky, with that Arkansas game being the one that makes or breaks the Bulldogs' bowl hopes.

Ole Miss gets virtually its entire starting cast back and will benefit from the injection of talent coming this summer with Robert Nkemdiche, Tony Conner, Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and the rest of that stellar class of 2013.

The Rebels aren't going to contend for the division title, but if quarterback Bo Wallace can cut down on his interceptions (17), they will be even more competitive then they were last year. That may be asking a lot after the rising junior missed spring practice recovering from shoulder surgery, but that throwing shoulder bothered him at times last season too.

If the Rebels can get by Vanderbilt on the road on the first Thursday night of the season—and I think they will—it could be the kick start to an impressive season.

Right now, I have Ole Miss losing to Texas, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU. But that Vandy game is critical and the one at the end of the season versus Arkansas could be tricky.

Do you have a question for next week's Q&A? Send it to SEC lead writer Barrett Sallee via the B/R inbox, on Twitter @BarrettSallee or at bsallee@bleacherreport.com.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Update on Plans for Triple H's Angle at the End of Raw

Sharon Glencross — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:40:26 -0400

Just what are the WWE's plans for the current Triple H concussion angle?

As anyone who watched it will know, Monday's Raw ended rather unusually, even by WWE standards.

Triple H seemingly suffered a concussion during his bout with newcomer Curtis Axel, collapsed at ringside and couldn't get back up. He was attended to by medics as the show went off the air.

It's an intriguing angle, and a topical one, especially in light of the extensive research into concussions done by former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski and Sports Legacy Institute in recent years.

Notably, USA Today reported last week that the company had donated $1.2 million to the Sports Legacy Institute to help fund its continued research. Whatever else you think of Vince McMahon, this is a nice classy gesture and shows that the WWE is very conscious of the issue.

But why write such a matter into storylines?

Well, in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports:

Regarding the HHH angle, apparently the working idea is to lead to Stephanie, Vince (and perhaps even the kids) going on television and begging HHH to stop wrestling for fear of the damage it has already caused him. As of right now, one story we were told is that several family members will be on television when it comes time for his return. However, another source said there are several different ideas and nothing is certain on where the angle is going.

This is interesting.

The idea of a broken-down wrestler being pressured by his loved ones to step away from the ring for the sake of his health has been done before. Most notably in TNA in early 2010, when Hulk Hogan's daughter Brooke pleaded with her ailing father not to wrestle again (he didn't listen to her, of course).

It didn't have terribly much success there, but the WWE, a far more competent company, could potentially make it work.

However, one drawback is: Where is this storyline supposed to go? How will it lead to a match?

And, really, do we need to see the McMahon family plastered all over WWE television again?

Fantasy Football: Can Chris Ivory Be a Sleeper Running Back in 2013?

Ryan Lester — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:25:03 -0400

The New York Jets have become a punch line of sorts because of their comedy of errors at quarterback. Their passing attack offers little hope to make an impact for fantasy football owners.

However, they could have a sleeper at running back.

During the 2013 NFL Draft, the Jets acquired Chris Ivory from the New Orleans Saints. He has shown signs in the past, but he never got an opportunity to show what he could do in a lead role. That will likely change in 2013.

According to New York Post reports, Ivory has been impressive during the Jets' OTAs. He has shown some flash to go along with his power. At this point, the starting running back job is his to lose.

Ivory has just 256 career carries. More than half of them came in 2010. While it's a small sample size, he has been effective. Ivory has run for 1,307 yards on 5.1 yards per carry. He has also run for eight touchdowns.

His career numbers are essentially a full-season workload for a feature back in the NFL. His 1,307 yards and eight touchdowns would be numbers that any fantasy football owner would be happy with, particularly when you consider where he'll likely go in fantasy drafts.

There will obviously be a lot of movement between now and fantasy draft time, but he'll likely go in the fourth round or later.

Ivory only has three career receptions, but he has played with Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. While he won't confuse anybody for LaDainian Tomlinson, he should easily be more active in the passing game.

Ivory has the potential to be a solid number two running back, but you're likely to secure him as your third back. There is plenty of upside if Ivory can stay healthy.

Also, check out LestersLegends.com.

NBA Announces All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams

Timothy Rapp — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:21:55 -0400

On Thursday, the NBA announced its selections for the 2012-13 All-NBA teams.

The first team includes LeBron James of the Miami Heat, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

From the NBA's Twitter account:

The second team includes Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Blake Griffin of the Clippers, Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Parker of the Spurs and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder:

Finally, the third team is comprised of David Lee of the Golden State Warriors, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Dwight Howard of the Lakers, Dwyane Wade of the Heat and James Harden of the Houston Rockets:

According to the Lakers' Twitter account, Bryant's 11th selection to the first team ties him with Karl Malone for the most all time:

Bryant was excellent again in 2012-13, averaging 27.3 points while moving into fourth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Via USA Today, James led all players with 119 votes for first-team selection, while Durant was second with 102. James was once again phenomenal this season and was nearly the league's consensus MVP (his fourth time winning the award), leading the Heat in points (26.8), assists (7.3) and rebounds (8.0) per game.

Durant wasn't too shabby himself, averaging 28.1 points per contest.

This was the 10th first-team selection for Duncan, who averaged 17.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks in his 16th NBA season, a pretty remarkable feat. Meanwhile, Paul earned his third first-team selection after averaging 16.9 points, 9.7 assists and 2.4 steals per game.

Assessing Juergen Klopp's Champions League Final Options Without Mario Goetze

Sam Tighe — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:16:05 -0400

Mario Goetze has officially been ruled out of the UEFA Champions League final, meaning Borussia Dortmund will have to take on Bayern Munich without him.

The news has caused plenty of conspiracy theories to emerge, largely due to Goetze's pending transfer to Bayern for €37 million on July 1.

Whatever the cause—be it Bayern's command, Goetze's lack of will or the fact that his hamstring is actually finished for the season (most likely)—Juergen Klopp now has a big dilemma on his hands.

How will BVB organise themselves without Goetze?

The young German has emerged as one of the finest No. 10s in football, and subsequently nailed down his place in the centre of Klopp's 4-2-3-1 formation.

The system isn't built around him, but BVB like to change their skin on a weekly basis and shift the focus of their play. The lack of Goetze doesn't hurt them in the way Lionel Messi's absence hinders Barcelona, but it strikes a line through one of several avenues of attack die Schwarzgelben utilise in game.

On paper, Klopp has three options.

Option 1: Introducing Kevin Grosskreutz

Grosskreutz is a polarising player.

It is undeniable that he was a key player for Klopp when Dortmund were rising to power, but since they've taken their perch at the top he's been frozen out to an extent.

He's made do with cameos and bizarre roles such as playing as a makeshift right-back, as the left-wing spot is now home to the figure of Marco Reus.

Some Dortmund fans have no issue with Grosskretuz coming in on the left and Reus switching inside, but others find this prospect obscene.

Option 2: Nuri Sahin In, Ilkay Gundogan Forward

The other viable option is to keep Marco Reus on the left and push Ilkay Gundogan further forward.

BVB's No. 8 began his career as an attacking midfielder at Nurnberg but was moved into defensive midfield by Klopp. He's become a fantastic No. 6, but has played in his old role against both Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg since Goetze went down.

Moving Gundogan forward leaves a hole at deep-lying playmaker, but Nuri Sahin can easily step in and play. The Turk has endured a poor 18 months at Liverpool and Real Madrid, but he still posseses the talent that saw him grab the headlines two years ago.

Playing Reus centrally is a gamble, and this way the template of the side stays the same.

Option 3: Back to the 4-3-3?

The 4-3-3 remains a viable formation for Dortmund, having used it at random points throughout the last two seasons.

This would likely feature a front three of Reus, Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski, then a midfield three of Sven Bender, Gundogan and Sahin.

While it's strong on paper and the players are used to it, it leaves the Bayern holding midfielders unattended to and free to dictate.

Jose Mourinho failed to nullify for Gundogan in the deep-lying playmaker role and got burned for it—surely Klopp wouldn't make that mistake after watching his side prosper from it?

Conclusion

Which formation and starting XI do you see Borussia Dortmund taking?

Do you like the idea of Grosskreutz starting the final, or would you rather see Gundogan play as a No. 10? Goetze is a big loss but he's not irrecoverable—what would you do to solve the dilemma?

Follow @stighefootball