Bleacher Report - Front Page

Andros Townsend Charged with Breaking Betting Rules by FA

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:26:29 -0400

Andros Townsend, who split time between Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur, has been charged by The Football Association with breaking betting rules in matches he participated in.

As a result, Townsend has withdrawn from England's U-21 squad for the upcoming Euro 2013.

TheFA.com reported the news of Townsend alleging breaking Rule E8 (b) in correlation with a number of betting offenses. Per the report, Townsend has until June 3 to respond to the allegations made by English football's governing body.

Owen Gibson of The Garden confirmed via Twitter that Townsend's sanctions are not related to match fixing, rather betting on outcomes of games that he was involved in:

The FA also reported on Twitter that Townsend had withdrawn from upcoming competition after the allegations were made public:

Per Gibson's report with The Guardian, the FA also released a statement that both the FA and Tottenham would afford Townsend full support as the investigation continues and he responds to the charges.

Townsend joined the Spurs academy at the age of nine, and he steadily moved up the ranks with Tottenham over the past few years on loans with other clubs. He made his Premier League debut last September against Reading, but was shipped to QPR in January for the remainder of EPL play.

Starting 12 EPL games for QPR, Townsend registered two goals on 35 shots. In all competition during the 2012-13 season, he tallied three goals and an assist in 14 starts in EPL, FA Cup and Europa League play.

He will be replaced by Birmingham's Nathan Redmond on the England U-21 roster.

Rafael Benitez Will Become New Napoli Coach

Tim Daniels — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:23:46 -0400

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed Rafael Benitez will become the next head coach of the club, according to Football Italia.

The report states Benitez has been the favorite for weeks. While the deal won't be official until the manager finishes his duties with Chelsea, De Laurentiis said he will then sign him to a two-year deal with the Serie A side.

"I've given myself a birthday gift, I've signed Benitez," he told reporters. "I'll make it official in the next few days as Benitez needs to end things with Chelsea.

"He'll have a two-year contract, no longer. We need to get to know each other first, then we'll see."

Benitez took over on an interim basis at Stamford Bridge after the departure of Roberto Di Matteo. He led Chelsea to the Europa League title and a berth in the Champions League, but was not retained on a full-time basis.

Once the deal is finalized, Benitez will take over a club that finished second to Juventus in Serie A. The finish ensured the club will also take part in the Champions League, which should allow the veteran manager to hit the ground running.

His first task will be securing the future of superstar Edinson Cavani. The team's leading goal scorer has been the focus of transfer talks heading into the summer. If Napoli aren't able to keep the striker, Benitez must find a way to replace him.

Aside from that, it's a good fit for both sides. Benitez finds a new club where he can shed the interim tag and start building the squad his way. Napoli gets a coach that's proven he can win and handle the pressure involved with leading a top club.

The competition in Italy is fierce. Benitez will be forced to compete with Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan, his former club which is coming off a down campaign, among others. His two decades as a manager will probably leave him unfazed by the situation, though.

A deal is expected to be announced with the next couple days, according to the report.

French Open 2013 Bracket: Complete Analysis and Review

Lindsay Gibbs — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:17:24 -0400

The French Open singles draws are out and the official countdown has begun!

The big news on the men's side is that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been drawn on the same half, meaning that if the draw goes according to seed, they will face each other in the semifinals.

In the other half, both Roger Federer and David Ferrer have been given a golden opportunity to get to the French Open final without facing either of the top two favorites.

The women's side is equally as imbalanced, with Serena Williams and Sara Errani in one half and Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova left to duke it out in the other half.

You can find the complete women's draw here and the complete men's draw here.

But who are the wild cards to watch? How did the draw gods treat the Americans? What are the best early-round matches? And who is going to win? Click through to find out.

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Rams Super Size Offensive Line with Rookie Lineman Who Weighs over 400 Pounds

Gabe Zaldivar — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:15:37 -0400

The St. Louis Rams just got bigger by about 400 pounds.

For the Win's Simon Samano reports on Terrell Brown, a former Ole Miss lineman who came into camp just a tad bigger than anyone expected.

It all starts with a reporter asking Jeff Fisher: "6'10", 385?" Already we are working with gaudy numbers here. It sounds like former NBA fatty Oliver Miller gained a few pounds and is trying to make an NFL team.

Coach is happy to report that it is far more amazing than all of that (h/t For the Win for transcribing Fisher's statement to the media, via the St. Louis Rams officials website):

Actually, we weighed him in at 403...We had him in for the tryout, and he had some issues that we had to clear up from a physical standpoint. But he got that put behind us. We worked him out on both sides of the ball — defensive line, offensive line — and we felt like his best position would be right tackle. (Rams offensive line coach Paul Boudreau) said he’d love to have him. So far … he got through practice. He’s a defensive lineman that we’ve converted over to offensive lineman.

He also adds, "He might be able to block some kicks." Indeed, Coach, and he will also be able to block punts, passes, cars, trains, the weather and much more.

As if fat jokes weren't already on the tip of your tongue, Brown had the unfortunate claim of once breaking a chair on live television.

For the Win reminds us with the following video that a far more svelte Brown once sat on a chair that just gave up from exhaustion.

The chair never stood a chance.

You can hear the reporter proclaim the defensive tackle was a whopping 377 pounds at the time, so the Rams better reinforce their bench if Brown makes the team. You only need to see him tower over Stedman Bailey in the receiver's Instagram pic to see how mammoth a man he truly is.

The report also notes Brown had some experience on the offensive line, so we imagine he isn't plunging entirely into a new foray on that side of the ball.

Fisher seems pleased with what he has seen so far at practice, which means we may have ourselves a new mountain of a man to watch on Sundays.

At the very least, we have someone who can match Vince Wilfork spoon for spoon. Craft services, you have been warned.

Follow me on Twitter for more sports shenanigans: Follow @gabezal

2013 MLB Draft Prospects: 10 Best Starting Pitchers in the 2013 Draft Class

Adam Wells — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:54:44 -0400

While the overall depth in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft is lacking, the one area of strength is pitching.

In particular, the right-handed pitching in this class appears to be very strong. There are some high-quality southpaws with tremendous upside available, but you will find a ton of righties who go early and often.

Obviously, everything starts with Stanford's Mark Appel and Oklahoma's Jonathan Gray. The former started the year as the consensus top player available in the draft, but Gray has arguably been the most impressive performer from both a statistical and stuff standpoint.

With draft day rapidly approaching, it is time to breakdown the best of the best arms that this class has to offer. Here are the top 10 pitchers available in the 2013 MLB draft.

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Phil Jackson Says He'd Take Bill Russell over Michael Jordan on His Dream Team

Dan Carson — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:54:35 -0400

Phil Jackson has spoken: If he had to draft a basketball dream team, his No. 1 pick would not be Michael Jordan.

So who is Jackson’s choice? What hardwood hero would the Zen Master choose over His Airness to lead his basketball team? Is it LeBron James? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Kobe Bryant?

None of the above, according to Jackson in a recent interview with Time (via ESPN):

In my estimation, the guy that has to be there would be Bill Russell. He has won 11 championships as a player. That’s really the idea of what excellence is, when you win championships.

It’s logic that many will argue, but as another man with 11 NBA Finals rings to his name, Jackson’s choice is coming from a wealth of experience. After coaching Jordan with the Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, he knows dominance when he sees it.

Looking back at Russell’s resume, it’s impossible to deny the legendary status the former Boston Celtics superstar earned in the league.

Russell was a member of the powerhouse Celtics dynasties of the mid-20th century, winning 11 titles, five MVP awards and 12 All-Star team nods in his 13 years in Boston.

Compare that to Jordan, who played under Jackson in the ‘90s and won six NBA titles, five MVP awards and 12 All-Star nods during his career with the Bulls (we’re going to forget about that whole Washington Wizards thing, at least for the nonce).

In MVP and All-Star recognitions, the two are matched pretty evenly, but as you’ve likely noted, there is a fat difference in the number of NBA titles each earned. Eleven trumps five any day, but it’s also worth mentioning they played in different times, with different teammates.

Jordan was a voracious scorer; Russell was an inhuman shot-blocker. They were very different, except for the fact they commanded the respect and fear of every opponent they faced.

This leaves us with the question: Is the Zen Master drinking too much herbal tea? Or is he dead-on again, as he happened to be so many times while coaching the greatest players in the game?

Vincent Kompany: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Tom Sunderland — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:48:15 -0400

As the man who lifted Manchester City’s first Premier League title, Vincent Kompany will have been as disappointed with any after the club’s trophy-less 2012-13 campaign.

Here’s a profile of the Citizens’ superstar, including a scouting report and a rundown of just where Kompany could be moving in the coming months.

Age: 27

Contract Situation: Kompany signed a six-year extension in 2012, the longest contract in Manchester City history, which will run out in 2018.

Career Stops: Anderlecht (2000-06), Hamburg (2006-08), Manchester City (2008-present).

Current Campaign: Premier League—26 appearances, one goal, 11 clean sheets; Champions League—six appearances, no goals, no clean sheets; FA Cup—four appearances, no goals, two clean sheets.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

One of the standout candidates in Manchester City’s rise to English acclaim, club captain Kompany has been one of the more consistent features at the Etihad Stadium in recent seasons.

Having been selected as the 2011-12 Premier League Player of the Year, it was the Belgian centre-back that led City to their maiden Premier League crown, but a dip in form has gone hand in hand with the club’s decline this time around.

Arguably his side’s most influential figure, it’s no surprise that a series of small injuries to Kompany has seen City’s defence drop its standards in the current campaign.

One of the strongest tacklers in the league, one of Kompany’s weaker points lies in aerial combat, with Squawka.com statistics claiming that the defender won just over 65 percent of all headed battles this season.

What’s Next?

For months, it’s been reported that Barcelona may look to capitalise upon Manchester City’s gloom by making a move for their star defender and adding some much-needed strength to their own back line in the process.

The Mirror recently reported that Kompany would be Barcelona’s “No.1 target this summer” and would be expected to cost them around £20 million.

However, one particular spanner in the works could be French club Monaco, who the Daily Mail say would be willing to part with an increased £26 million offer.

4 Biggest Takeaways from This Week's MLB Action

Joe Giglio — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:45:00 -0400

Another week in MLB action has baseball fans closer to the annual Memorial Day tradition of staring up at the standings, projecting forward and making proclamations for the summer.

Of course, as always when it comes to assessing the baseball campaign, there's a ton of season left.

This week did offer particular insights about a certain Angels star, trust in young players, surprises when they fail and the hottest of hot seats in Los Angeles.

Without further ado, the four biggest takeaways from this week's MLB action.

1. Trout isn't done chasing Miguel Cabrera for the AL MVP crown.

Miguel Cabrera's three-homer game on Sunday Night Baseball opened up discussion this week about his place among the greatest hitters of all time, a chase for a second consecutive Triple Crown and what a run at a .400 batting average would mean for his legacy.

Not to be outdone, Angels outfielder Mike Trout, the runner-up in the 2012 AL MVP race, became the youngest player in AL history to hit for the cycle on Tuesday night against Seattle and followed that up with a home run in another victory on Thursday.

Led by Trout, Los Angeles has climbed into third place in the AL West, potentially saving their season.

Despite Cabrera's ridiculous numbers (.391/.467/.701), the debate could rage on again all summer if Trout's May pace (.359/.440/.795) is duplicated throughout the season.

2. In times of trouble, turn to the kids.

Years ago, contending teams with major holes on their roster would look to acquire a proven veteran to fill a need and lift the franchise to greater heights.

Due to a combination of player development improvements, the value of cost-controllable assets and PED's leaving the game on a year-by-year basis, young is the way to go for contending teams in 2013.

No team has shown us that more than the Baltimore Orioles.

While it's easy to say that the Dan Duquette-Buck Showalter led rebuilding project in Charm City is still in its early stages, there is a burning desire to compete in the tough AL East while developing a long-term plan for sustained success and trips to October.

Last summer, when Baltimore rode an improbable run differential and lights-out bullpen into contention, a problem emerged at third base. Simply put, the combination of Wilson Betemit and Mark Reynolds was costing Baltimore games.

In lieu of acquiring a veteran to fill the spot, Baltimore shifted prized shortstop prospect Manny Machado to third base. The kid thrived, helping to solidify the defense and setting the stage for his 2013 All-Star campaign.

This week, Baltimore took the philosophy a step further, promoting their 2012 first-round pick, Kevin Gausman, to step into their beleaguered rotation.

The fact that Gausman brings with him less than 65 innings of professional experience is irrelevant in today's game.

If you can help, you arrive, regardless of age.

3. Young players don't progress in a straight line.

In New York, the immense struggles of the Mets have been overshadowed by the season-long slump endured by first baseman Ike Davis. In a way, he's become a scapegoat for a franchise on the path to a fifth consecutive losing season.

In Seattle, Jesus Montero was optioned to Triple-A, just over a year from his arrival as the savior to the Mariners' problems behind the plate and at the dish.

While Ike blasted 32 home runs in 2012 and Montero looked great in a 2011 cameo with the Yankees, the rise and fall of young, talented players shouldn't come as a surprise.

Only a handful of prospects like Bryce Harper can arrive at the big leagues, produce at an elite level from the jump and not fall into the abyss of struggles and doubt.

Most young players withstand the ebbs and flows of a career, failing to make adjustments and succumbing to major slumps and drop in production.

4. Don Mattingly's days are numbered in Los Angeles.

From votes of confidence to voicing frustrations through the media, baseball fans are now waiting to see when, not if, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will be shown the door in Los Angeles.

While his team, 19-26, last in the NL West, has clearly underperformed, the season is still young. If not for injuries to major rotation pieces and Hanley Ramirez, the 2013 Dodgers might be closer to .500, only a few games back in the division and surrounded by far less drama.

Instead, unrealistic expectations have created a culture that isn't tailored to winning at a high level.

Considering the top-heavy nature of the roster, injuries sustained and Matt Kemp's very slow start to the season, allowing Mattingly the full season to show what he can do with a team like this is the fair thing to do.

If the losses keep piling up this weekend and in early June, fair won't matter.

Donnie Baseball will be on the way out of his first career managerial gig.

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

Christopher Samba: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Tom Sunderland — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:44:51 -0400

Having switched back to the Premier League after a fairly short stint with Anzhi Makhachkala, doubt hangs over Christopher Samba’s QPR future and whether or not the defender will be around for the club’s upcoming Championship season.

Read on to find all the centre-back’s scouting information, as well as some indication as to just where Samba may end up in the summer transfer window.

Age: 29

Contract Situation: Signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road in January 2013, set to expire in June 2017.

Career Stops: Sedan (2002-04), Hertha Berlin (2004-07), Blackburn Rovers (2007-12), Anzhi Makhachkala (2012-13), Queens Park Rangers (2013-present).

Current Campaign: Russian Premier League (Anzhi)—17 appearances, two goals, five clean sheets; Europa League (Anzhi)—eight appearances, one goal, five clean sheets; Premier League (QPR)—10 appearances, no goals, one clean sheet.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

Although his talents weren’t enough to provide QPR with the means for Premier League survival, Christopher Samba is undoubtedly a tough defender who’s familiar with the Premier League’s requirements.

Speaking to Sky Sports earlier this month, the Congolese international admitted that a move back to England’s top flight may have been premature for him due to a lack of fitness, meaning that more good could come from the defender if a Premier League side were to offer him another chance.

That said, Squawka.com statistics say the centre-back was successful in only five of his 11 tackle attempts with QPR this season, committing almost one foul per game.

What’s Next?

The Daily Mail recently reported QPR owner Tony Fernandes as saying that it would be his preference to “build a side around” Christopher Samba in preparation for their Championship voyage.

The Malaysian businessman also claims that notions of Samba’s alleged £100,000-a-week salary are false and that nobody at the club is earning more than £65,000 per week.

While that might boost their reputation in terms of splurging, such wages are still far above the Championship standard and could mean an exit for Samba this summer, regardless.

The Mirror reports that Zenit St. Petersburg, who made an offer for Samba almost instantly after his move to West London, are the only club with known interest in the 29-year-old’s services.

Chris 'Birdman' Anderson's Energy Covering Up Miami Heat's Only Weakness

Jonathan Wasserman — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:44:50 -0400

Whoever's idea it was to sign Chris "Birdman" Anderson deserves a raise.

The Heat went out and bought a Band-Aid that happened to be the exact same shape as the wound. Anderson's strengths have played directly to Miami's weakness.

There was no interior activity from the bigs before the Birdman arrived. Think about the depth they had at the 4 and 5 positions. Joel Anthony was the only big man they had coming off the bench, and with all due respect, I've got a refrigerator in my kitchen that offers more versatility.

But I guess you don't need much of a bench when you have a guy like LeBron James who could play five positions in a half.

Still, take a look at this box score from Miami's second unit, when the team scored 77 points against Indiana earlier in this season.

Bench	Minutes	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Points
Shane Battier, SF	17	1	0	0	0
Joel Anthony, C	12	1	0	3	0
Norris Cole, PG	15	3	0	0	5
Ray Allen, SG	16	1	1	2	0
Mike Miller, SF	14	2	1	0	3

It's not even about the numbers. It's about the energy, activity and flexibility of the members on that bench. Not to mention the fact there's only one center and no power forwards waiting to check in.

In Game 1 of this year's Eastern Conference Finals, Anderson went for 16 points on a perfect seven-of-seven shooting, along with five boards and three blocks in only 18 minutes.

He produced a shot chart that should be hung and framed in the central wing of the Museum of Modern Art. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, "The Birdman":

I know, it's breathtaking.

As a 6'10'' athletic big man, Anderson gives Miami an extra target for easy buckets they wouldn't have without him.

Anderson provides a service that the other Miami bigs can't: playing on the move. None of his points or blocks come off two feet. He scores off cuts, tip-ins and alley-oops while swatting balls as a roaming interior defender.

Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem certainly don't score on the move. Even Chris Bosh gets the majority of his baskets in a set position.

Anderson's ability to make things happen without having his number called is exactly what Miami's frontcourt depth was incapable of. I like to call it off-ball playmaking—being able to contribute without using a dribble.

Anderson knows how to read plays and put himself in scoring position. And given his athleticism and efficiency as a finisher, his finishing range is deep. He's capable of converting at awkward angles or turning those angles into easier opportunities.

With the dexterity to finish around defenders or over them, Anderson doesn't have to rely on lower-percentage touch shots. Birdman scores on the way down instead of on the way up.

And with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade so good at breaking down the defense, the opportunities will be there for Anderson as long as he remains active.

The high-flying energy that Anderson has brought to the table has helped cover up Miami's only weakness. He brought a new dimension to Miami's frontcourt, and it's been just what the doctor ordered.

Shaq and Kenny Smith dig the Birdman so much they created a theme song in honor of Miami's colorful new hero:

Toronto Maple Leafs' 5 Most Impressive Players During 2013 Playoffs

Jon Reid — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:43:47 -0400

It was a heartbreaking end to the 2013 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I don't think I've ever been around a group of more heartbroken fans in my life.

Yet the mere fact that the Leafs were able to mount a comeback from three games to one down and build a three-goal lead through 50 minutes of play leaves something for Leafs fans to celebrate this offseason.

There were certainly some players who stood out in the seven-game series for the Buds as well.

From young guns proving they can play well at the NHL level to stars snapping a nasty streak, Toronto fans saw some impressive performances from their favorite players.

Here are the team's best performers for the Toronto Maple Leafs this postseason.

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Florida Football: Giving Loucheiz Purifoy Too Many Snaps at WR Would Be a Gamble

Barrett Sallee — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:39:39 -0400

Desperation is a stinky cologne, but it's one that Florida head coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Brent Pease were forced to wear this spring.

With five healthy scholarship wide receivers (including all-everything player Trey Burton) available this spring, none of whom are established downfield threats, the Gator coaching staff moved starting cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy to the offensive side of the ball in an attempt to kick start the stagnant Gator passing attack.

That passing attack finished bottom in the SEC last season, averaging just 146.3 yards per game.

While quarterback Jeff Driskel takes the majority of the heat for Florida's passing woes, the inability of players like Andre Debose and Quinton Dunbar to stretch the field is a big reason why Florida was one-dimensional out of necessity last season.

Giving Purifoy significant snaps as a wide receiver would only be a band-aid.

The 6'0", 190-pound junior—who had 51 tackles and five pass breakups a year ago—is slated to start opposite Marcus Roberson in Florida's secondary, according to Florida's summer depth chart. While Muschamp maintains that the depth chart is worth the paper (or, in this case, the piece of Internet real estate) it's printed on, it does speak to how valuable Purifoy is to the Florida defense.

Add incoming freshman Vernon Hargreaves III to the mix, and Florida's cornerbacks could be the most talented corps in the SEC. Purifoy and Roberson have both been generating plenty of draft buzz this spring, with Purifoy being listed by ESPN's Todd McShay as a potential first-round pick in next year's draft (subscription required).

Hargreaves may be great, but he's still a freshman and will make freshman mistakes.

If you're Florida, don't marginally improve a weakness at the expense of your unquestioned strength.

Muschamp said during the SEC coaches' spring teleconference that Purifoy will get another look at wide receiver when the Gators kick off fall camp later this summer.

The way I've got it planned right now, the first 12 days he is strictly on defense. I want to see number one, how these wideouts continue to develop through the summer and where they are. Through those first 12 practices, you're not going to find that out if you play him on offense. After that, we'll make a decision on how much.

In other words, somebody better step up at wide receiver, otherwise Purifoy will be getting significant reps on offense.

This isn't new. Florida's biggest SEC rival was dealt virtually the exact opposite situation last offseason.

With depth and suspensions wreaking havoc on its secondary, Georgia was forced to move wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell—a 2011 SEC All-Freshman selection—to cornerback for the first four games of the 2012 season.

It didn't cost Georgia, but could have had Mitchell stayed on defense throughout the season after wide receivers Michael Bennett and Marlon Brown were lost for the season due to torn ACLs.

Florida has games at Miami and versus Tennessee before the end of September. Not exactly tough opponents, but certainly tricky games—especially if an answer doesn't present itself in the passing game during fall camp.

Gator fans better hope that Purifoy doesn't play a lot of offense in 2013. If he does, that means lingering questions from last year's squad remain unanswered and the staff would be gambling with its secondary.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Nebraska Football: Why Summer Is Most Dangerous Season to Be a Husker

Andrew Steier — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:33:59 -0400

The Nebraska Cornhuskers will not begin fall practice for weeks. They will not play a game for months. And the time until a respectable opponent (no offense to Wyoming and Southern Miss, who combined for four wins in 2012) comes to Lincoln is even longer.

And now that bowl season, recruiting season and spring season have all wrapped up, there is nowhere to look but forward to the 2013 season. Just like last year and the year before that, this is a dangerous proposition.

Consider 2011.

Nebraska was preparing for its Big Ten debut. Coming off two consecutive trips to the Big 12 Championship Game, expectations could not have been higher for the Big Red.

Taylor Martinez and the rest of the offense were maturing. The defense was returning loads of star power with Jared Crick, Lavonte David and Alfonzo Dennard. And Nebraska’s early-season matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers was billed as a sure preview of the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis.

Well, that it did not quite pan out. Nebraska sputtered through their non-conference schedule and suffered embarrassing losses at Wisconsin and Michigan.

And then there was 2012.

The Husker team, particularly on defense, looked completely different, but the summer optimism was just the same. Graduating the big three of Crick, David and Dennard, the preseason hype took on a whole new tone.

Defense by committee was the rallying cry. The same voices that called for Nebraska’s dominance in 2011 thanks to a few superstars were now the ones claiming the defense would excel in 2012 because opponents would not be able to key on certain playmakers.

Despite the completely different outlook, Nebraska received similar production. Consistently sufficient defense brought success for most of the season, but a few complete breakdowns in the biggest games overshadowed everything else.

For the second straight year, the Huskers were burned by preseason expectations. But do not think that will deter the same optimism from blossoming this summer.

This year’s theme will not be the overwhelming star power or the lack thereof of the last two seasons. It will be the story of young players thrown straight into the fire. Although this seems like a simple observation, after a few months devoid of Husker news and full of 2013 anticipation, the youth of the defense will become the focal point of optimism and lofty expectations heading into 2013.

Even if you are not yet ready to declare some of Nebraska’s untested defenders the cornerstones of the team, be weary of the next couple months. It is the football-less days of summer waiting for August 31st to come that grow expectations to a fever pitch and place unwarranted expectations on unproven defenses.

French Open 2013 Draw: Stars with Toughest Roads to Title

Mike Hoag — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:32:18 -0400

The 2013 French Open draw is live and there are several intriguing storylines set to take place as the yearly event kicks off.

Will Serena Williams continue her terror on women’s tennis? Can Rafael Nadal win his eighth French Open title in nine appearances?

All of the stars of both the men’s and women’s will be on hand in Roland Garros to answer those questions and more over the next two weeks.

Men's Seeds

Seed	Player	Nationality
1	Novak Djokovic	SRB
2	Roger Federer	SUI
3	Rafael Nadal	ESP
4	David Ferrer	ESP
5	Tomas Berdych	CZE
6	Jo-Wilfried Tsonga	FRA
7	Richard Gasquet	FRA
8	Janko Tipsarevic	SRB
9	Stanislas Wawrinka	SUI
10	Marin Cilic	CRO
11	Nicolas Almagro	ESP
12	Tommy Haas	GER
13	Kei Nishikori	JPN
14	Milos Raonic	CAN
15	Gilles Simon	FRA
16	Philipp Kohlschreiber	GER
17	Juan Monaco	ARG
18	Sam Querrey	USA
19	John Isner	USA
20	Andreas Seppi	ITA
21	Jerzy Janowicz	POL
22	Alexandr Dolgopolov	UKR
23	Kevin Anderson	RSA
24	Benoit Pare	FRA
25	Jeremy Chardy	FRA
26	Grigor Dimitrov	BUL
27	Fabio Fognini	ITA
28	Florian Mayer	GER
29	Mikhail Youzhny	RUS
30	Julien Benneteau	FRA
31	Marcel Granollers	ESP
32	Tommy Robredo	ESP

*Men's seeds courtesy of RolandGarros.com

Women's Seeds

Seed	Player	Nationality
1	Serena Williams	USA
2	Maria Sharapova	RUS
3	Victoria Azarenka	BLR
4	Agnieszka Radwanska	POL
5	Sara Errani	ITA
6	Li Na	CHN
7	Petra Kvitova	CZE
8	Angelique Kerber	GER
9	Samantha Stosur	AUS
10	Caroline Wozniacki	DEN
11	Nadia Petrova	RUS
12	Maria Kirilenko	RUS
13	Marion Bartoli	FRA
14	Ana Ivanovic	SRB
15	Roberta Vinci	ITA
16	Dominika Cibulkova	SLV
17	Sloane Stephens	USA
18	Jelena Jankovic	SRB
19	Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova	RUS
20	Carla Suarez Navarro	ESP
21	Kirsten Flipkens	BEL
22	Ekaterina Makarova	RUS
23	Klara Zakopalova	CZE
24	Julia Goerges	GER
25	Lucie Safarova	CZE
26	Sorana Cirstea	ROU
27	Yaroslava Shvedova	KAZ
28	Tamira Paszek	AUT
29	Varvara Lepchenko	USA
30	Venus Williams	USA
31	Alize Cornet	FRA
32	Sabine Lisicki	GER

*Women's seeds courtesy of RolandGarros.com

For full men's and women's brackets, please visit RolandGarros.com.

Despite there being clear-cut favorites, a competition of this magnitude is sure to have its surprises. Everyone will have to run the gauntlet in order to win the crown of this year’s second Grand Slam tournament.

Here are a couple of big-name stars that will have to rise to top form in order to avoid disappointment after seeing this year’s draw.

Maria Sharapova

Last year Maria Sharapova captured the French Open crown after Serena Williams was shockingly beat by Virginie Razzano in the opening round. Since then Williams is 67-3, according to AP reporting (via USA Today), and has captured Wimbledon, U.S. Open and London Olympics titles.

Recently, Williams knocked off Sharapova, WTA’s second-ranked women’s player behind her, on clay in Madrid.

Sharapova doesn’t have an easy path to a finals date with Williams either. In order to even reach that potential blockbuster matchup, she will have to work her way through a tough draw, including a quarter that features Samantha Stosur and Sloane Stephens.

If she makes it to the semifinals, she might encounter the tough competition from her half: Victoria Azarenka, Maria Kirilenko or Na Li.

Sharapova was knocked out of the 2011 French Open by Li, her only clay-court loss to her in four attempts. She also has had mixed results against Azarenka (5-7) but has won both of their previous meetings on clay.

Novak Djokovic

No. 1 seed or not, it’s hard to imagine ATP’s top-ranked men’s player Novak Djokovic running the table and then defeating Rafael Nadal in the tournament semifinals. As Sky Sports notes (via Twitter), the two giants are on a collision course to meet in Roland Garros.

If he manages to ouster the Spanish French Open master he’ll potentially have to subsequently hold off Roger Federer, who could await him in the finals.

It isn’t an impossible task for Djoker, but it is a daunting one nonetheless.

Last year, Nadal captured the clay-court crown by handily dispatching him in the final in four sets (6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5). There never was much doubt despite a third-set rally by Djokovic.

USA’s John Isner (19) and fellow countryman Janko Tipsarevic will provide the biggest challenge to Djokovic as he prepares for his likely duel with Nadal.

He could also find himself in a rematch against Grigor Dimitrov, also in his half, who shocked him in Madrid earlier in May. The road to his first French Open title will certainly be arduous.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer is well rested, but questions have to be asked as to whether or not he is capable of running the table and then knocking off premier players like Nadal and Djokovic—especially on clay.

His Achilles' heel has always been slick clay courts and, rest or not, we could very well witness the aging superstar’s weakness get the best of him in Roland Garros.

Nadal's recent dominance over Federer on clay at the 2013 Italian Open really exemplifies the disparity between the two right now, especially on clay.

Despite the odds being stacked against the one-time French Open winner, Federer has drawn a favorable bracket. If he can build momentum and command his serve, he could find himself in the finals. Both Nadal and Djokovic were drawn into an opposite bracket, but that doesn’t mean it will be an easy ride for FedEx.

He was recently upset on the clay courts of the Madrid Open by 14th seed Kei Nishikori in May. In addition, he hasn’t won a title thus far in 2013.

Federer can be the most dominant in the world at times, and has a favorable draw to help him in France. It’s hard to label his draw too favorable, though, because he simply isn’t playing great tennis and struggles on clay.

We might see a late-season Federer resurgence but it won’t likely be in Roland Garros.

10 Fighters with the Best Takedown Defense in MMA

Dustin Filloy — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:27:43 -0400

Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell unveiled the blueprint for stuffing takedowns and dictating the pace of fights against upper-echelon wrestlers years ago in the UFC.

Superior technique and a vicious and well-timed sprawl helped "The Iceman" stymie the takedown attempts of several gifted grapplers, forcing the bulk of his foes to stand up and exchange with him.

Liddell's three-year reign over the UFC's light heavyweight division ended in 2007, leaving the door open for several fighters with similar skill sets to emerge and take his place.

Here are the 10 fighters with the best takedown defense in MMA.

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Dean Ambrose: 3 Realistic Challengers for the United States Championship

Seth M. Guttenplan — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:23:44 -0400

Dean Ambrose defeated transitional champion Kofi Kingston at Extreme Rules for the United States title leaving WWE fans with one question.

Who’s next?

Ambrose has the total package of wrestling and microphone skills that he is likely to have a lengthy reign as the United States champion. He has the opportunity to bring prestige to the midcard title that hasn’t been seen in years. In order for that to happen, Ambrose’s challengers have to be at a higher level as well.

We aren’t talking Santino Marella, Zack Ryder or former champion Kofi Kingston here.

We are talking serious contenders.

Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan recently lost the tag team titles at Extreme Rules and seems to be headed toward singles competition once again. Although Team Hell No has not broken up officially yet, it seems to be only a matter of time. When that does happen, a feud with Ambrose would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Ambrose and Bryan are two independent wrestling darlings who have been squaring off a lot recently. Bryan is a former world champion who would help bring relevancy back to the United States title. When you have a future world champion against a former one, the midcard title will become that much more important.

Kane

Perhaps before Ambrose feuds with Bryan, he will first be challenged by the four-time world champion in WWE, Kane. Bryan’s partner has helped put over young stars in the past whether as a partner or opponent. Ambrose has a recent past with Kane as The Shield and Team Hell No have been at odds with each other since December. Ambrose also faced Kane not long ago as the Big Red Machine sought revenge for The Shield’s attack on his brother The Undertaker.

Kane is unlikely to ever defeat Ambrose for the U.S. title since he is more toward the end of his career. However, the midcard title is one of the only championships in WWE Kane has never claimed. Perhaps when Ambrose is going to be moved to the main event scene, WWE could be kind to Kane and give him the title.

Big E Langston

A feud between Ambrose and Big E Langston would prove to be a showcase of two Superstars who could feud with one another over a world title someday.

Like The Shield, Langston was promoted from NXT to the main roster and immediately pushed into a main storyline. Langston was another Superstar who could have defeated Kingston for the United States title. In fact, there were reports that WWE considered putting a title on Langston to give gold to all members of Team Ziggler.

The one obstacle in the way of a Langston and Ambrose feud is that both are heels right now. However, at the same time, WWE seems to be hinting at a future babyface turn for the former NXT champion. Ziggler has been seen treating Langston poorly at times, but with the World Heavyweight champion out due to a concussion, things are on hold.

Who do you think should challenge Dean Ambrose for the United States title? Does anyone stand a chance? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Continue the conversation by following me on Twitter (@sethgutt), and check out my site guttwrenchpowerblog.com.

Like GuTTWrenchPowerBlog on Facebook here.

Chicago Blackhawks: What Bold Moves Are Ahead This Summer?

Andy Campbell — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:17:58 -0400

Suppose we are folding the tent right now. Suppose the season is officially over and a 3-1 deficit is too much for the Chicago Blackhawks to overcome. It may very well be.

Sure, we may be entertained, the 'Hawks could rally and force a Game 6 at the Joe and people can believe again. Back to reality for a second. With the way the Detroit Red Wings' Jimmy Howard is playing, the way Henrik Zetterberg is clamping down on Jonathan Toews and the lack of production the Hawks have had up front, it seems like things are coming to an end on the 2012-13 season.

So what now?

If I was to bet, I would put money on the same Stan Bowman speech we have heard over the last three seasons. Terms like "We like our group" or references to prospects in the system have become the norm. Yes, that and some very inactive summers. So don't be shocked 'Hawks fans if not a whole lot happens.

If I were to be so daring, though, there are a few major things that the 'Hawks brass should seriously consider.

Moving Dave Bolland

We loved him in 2010 and in the 2011 playoffs, he was the reason the 'Hawks got back into the series against the Vancouver Canucks. But now that's yesterday's news, and there are some serious red flags with his play.

For starters, Bolland is made of glass and you never know when he'll be able to play. Secondly, for a second- or third-line center, it's becoming clear that he is insufficient in the faceoff dot. Thirdly, that offensive punch that he was once able to add has gone astray.

With his contract coming up for renewal in June of 2014 and Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad coming up the season after, expect Bolland to be shopped. This move above the others may be more likely.

Coach Q to Exit Stage Left

When you don't do what your fanbase expects you to do, someone has to take the fall. That someone will be Joel Quenneville. It's becoming more and more apparent in this series that Coach Q is being badly out-coached by Mike Babcock, and he has no answers.

Oh yeah, and that power play is horrendous.

Should Q take the fall on his own? Maybe not, but you already saw one coach (Alain Vigneault) get bounced in Vancouver after Canucks general manager Mike Gillis failed to put a more controlled product on the ice. As much as Stan Bowman should be the one under fire, he probably won't be since the 'Hawks' upper management clearly wants a GM it can pull strings on.

With that in mind, this may be it for Q.

Would the Hawks Dare Consider Buyouts of "Core" Players

Bold indeed, but change has to come, and that should mean parting ways with a popular player or two.

The two that come to mind are Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. Great players, and Chicago has loved them, but they are aging and their skill set for the current Chicago club is becoming more relevant for the regular season only.

Sharp has a contract that is now looking to be a bit of an albatross moving forward. He was injured this season, was great against a poor Minnesota Wild team but has been invisible against the Wings. Sharp is now 31 years old and is owed $5.9 million through 2016-17. One could guess that as early as next season, the Hawks are not going to be fond of that contract.

With a shrinking salary cap, losing Sharp's salary by trade or buyout could go a long way for the 'Hawks to add some much-needed muscle in their lineup.

Insert Hossa's name next. He's masterful, maybe one of the best skill players in the NHL, and it pains me to write it, but his contract is going to handcuff him. His postseason has been solid other than the last three games, hence why this is even a topic.

Let's face facts. When you need to change, it has to be drastic, and this would be it. Nobody is going to touch Hossa in a trade with his $5.275 million cap hit through 2019-20. That's right—that's seven more years. A buyout for the 34-year-old is the only play here. Can you replace Hossa's skill level? No, you can't, but you can use that money toward gritty players and add them to a hockey team that's already overflowing with skilled players.

It's possible, yet unlikely, that we will see the 'Hawks rectify their situation and take the Wings to seven games. If not, Stan Bowman can attempt again to convince fans the team is OK, citing the streak, Presidents' Trophy and a string of misfortune.

But anyone that follows this club closely knows that something needs to be done. They still have talent and some key players to make future Cup runs, but continuing to put faith in those that were a part of the 2010 Cup team, just because they were there, has got to end. Hopefully you'll see the significant changes the team needs to make.

All for now. Thanks for reading.

Why Oregon'S De'Anthony Thomas Is Best RB Threat to Win 2013 Heisman Trophy

Ian Berg — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:16:21 -0400

The race for the Heisman Trophy is in full swing with athletic departments preparing campaigns for their potential stars and Vegas setting odds for the game's most illustrious award.

De’Anthony Thomas is the highest running back on the Heisman list from Bovada, and it’s tough to argue against his placement. Thomas is poised for a huge year and is the biggest threat for the Heisman at running back.

He is a unique talent for Oregon. There have been a lot of quality running backs that have passed through Eugene in the past few years, but Thomas is set to become the best to date.

One separator for Thomas is his all-purpose ability. He is a utility back that fills a number of roles for the offense. He lines up in the slot, runs downhill from the backfield and returns punts and kicks on special teams.

His impact is felt in every aspect of the Ducks program, making him the most important player to this team for 2013.

Marcus Mariota will be good, but Thomas is his safety valve.

Last fall, he rushed 92 times for 701 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also added 45 receptions, 445 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns to his stat line.

As a returner, he returned 13 punts and 16 kickoffs, totaling 611 return yards and two touchdowns. His returns averaged 17 yards on punts and 24.3 yards on kickoffs.

The stats tell the story. He is the cornerstone of the offense and as a rising junior will be one of the most experienced players on offense.

With Kenjon Barner gone, Thomas will become the primary back. Barner put up 1,767 rushing yards last fall and rushed for 21 touchdowns.

He didn’t show the receiving ability of Thomas, and he lacked the return numbers.

With the all-purpose threat that Thomas brings as a returner, receiver and rusher, it’s easy to see why he is one of the favorites for the Heisman.

With a new coach driving the program, there will be a national spotlight focused on Eugene.

Can Mark Helfrich continue the success that Chip Kelly saw? Will the offense be the same?

If Thomas can step in and carry the offense as expected, the Heisman campaign will come naturally. The country will already be watching Oregon closely, and when Thomas shreds defenses in the process, voters will take notice.

Oregon has never produced a Heisman winner, but that has a real chance of changing this fall.

The program has seen a number of players get close, but none have brought the complete package approach that comes with Thomas.

It all starts on August 31 when Nicholls State comes to Eugene, but the next two weeks will be what determines his chance in the race. If big games come against Virginia and Tennessee, Thomas should start making plans for New York this December.

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy

4 Reasons Junior Dos Santos Needs a Win over Mark Hunt

Nathan McCarter — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:15:01 -0400

Junior dos Santos is set for the co-main event at UFC 160 this Saturday. He will take on feared striker Mark Hunt with a potential title shot hanging in the balance.

The former UFC heavyweight champion will try to come back from the loss that cost him the crown. UFC 155 saw Cain Velasquez dominate JDS with a complete performance. The champion was battered, bruised and beaten down.

Hunt has had a career resurgence, and he hopes to keep the knockouts coming against JDS on Saturday. The highly anticipated battle between strikers is one of the key selling points to the PPV.

Here are four reasons JDS really needs to take it to Hunt and get his hand raised at UFC 160.

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NBA Free Agents 2013: Non-Stars Who Will Have Major Impact on Market

Maxwell Ogden — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:00:03 -0400

The 2013 NBA period of free agency is shaping up to be one of the more memorable times in recent memory. It may not be 2010, but there are superstars and All-Stars all on the market and in the midst of their respective primes.

The question is: Which non-stars will help shape the market?

Dwight Howard and Chris Paul will be the players who everyone watches for, while Andre Iguodala, Josh Smith, Andrew Bynum and the rest of stars help create contenders. Beyond them, however, is a sense of uncertainty.

That uncertainty actually appears to be something—an under-appreciation for just how deep this class of free agents truly is.

From grizzled veterans to players with years of postseason experience, there's no shortage of quality players. With a mixture of young, upside-ridden talent, the class of 2013 appears to be one that significantly alter the face of the NBA.

So who should you be watching for to help do just that?

Tony Allen, UFA

It's criminal to even suggest that the Memphis Grizzlies will be hesitant to re-sign shooting guard Tony Allen. Not only have general managers voted Allen as the best perimeter defender in the NBA in 2011 and 2012, but he's just as important to Memphis' top-ranked defense as Marc Gasol.

With that being said, who in their right mind would be on the fence about re-signing head coach Lionel Hollins? According to the Associated Press, the Grizzlies, that's who.

So don't think for a second that Allen is safe.

If the Grizzlies do let Allen walk, the entire NBA will likely champ at the bit to get him under contract. Not only is Allen the league's premier on-ball defender, but he's a former NBA champion.

How much better of a free agent could you possibly be looking for?

Allen is 31, but he's displaying no signs of slowing down defensively, and any contender would be foolish to pass over him. In a class where the shooting guard position is as weak as ever, the interest will likely be at a high.

With few, if any, max-contract off guards, Allen could be viewed as the cream of the crop in 2013—and rightfully so.

Brandon Jennings, RFA

Arguably the most prized possession during the upcoming period of free agency will be point guard Chris Paul. Beyond CP3, however, the position is led by young players with ability worth marveling at but with upside untapped.

Brandon Jennings is at the heart of those players.

Jennings will become a restricted free agent, which gives the Milwaukee Bucks the right to match any offer he receives. With that being said, Jennings is, arguably, the point guard with the most upside behind Paul and will thus be in line for a max contract.

It may not be something he's earned just yet, but consider the reason for this odd truth to be two words—Eric Gordon.

In 2012, Gordon was a beneficiary of the fact that there just weren't any franchise shooting guards on the market. In turn, he went from being an above-average shooting guard with star potential to a player being paid like an All-Star.

Expect the same thing to happen with Jennings.

Jennings is on the border of stardom and possesses every tool necessary to be an All-Star in his prime. With that being said, the 23-year-old point guard has not yet made that leap, posting flashy numbers but struggling to discover consistency.

With a point guard market rather bare on stars after Paul, however, Jennings will set the standard for what other young floor generals receive.

Al Jefferson, UFA

In terms of what he puts on the floor, Al Jefferson is one of the better big men in the NBA. Unfortunately, spending his career with small-market teams has prevented Jefferson from becoming the All-Star he deserves to be.

This offseason, he'll be paid in a manner that makes up for that disrespect.

The Utah Jazz may let Jefferson walk, as they have both Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter in their frontcourt. Should that be the case, there's a strong probability that Jefferson becomes the most valued center after Dwight Howard.

Andrew Bynum's extensive history of injury certainly doesn't hurt Jefferson's cause.

In terms of raw ability, you could make the case that Jefferson is a top-10 player at his position. In terms of production, your argument becomes even easier to make.

He may not be the biggest name, but everyone will know his name this summer.

Jefferson will be one of the key dominoes to fall, regardless of what position he plays. After D-12, Jefferson's potential contract will help determine the market value of other players that fall into the second tier of players.

More importantly for Jefferson, it will grant him the opportunity to put his All-Star-caliber abilities on full display.

AS Monaco Agrees to Deal for Porto Stars Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez

Tim Daniels — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:57:14 -0400

AS Monaco announced an agreement with Porto to acquire midfielder Joao Moutinho along with forward James Rodriguez, reports ESPN.

Acquiring the two stars represents a major coup for Monaco as the club prepares for a move back to Ligue 1 after winning the Ligue 2 title. It makes an immediate statement that they are willing to spend big to complete, similar to what Paris Saint-Germain have done.

Andy Scott of AFP reports the duo was valued at a combined €70 million by Porto.

The large transfer fee illustrates the significance of the agreement for Monaco, which didn't waste any time preparing for their return to the top level of French football.

Moutinho, a 26-year-old central midfielder, showcased terrific form during Porto's run to the Champions League Round of 16. He accounted for two goals and two assists in eight matches, playing a vital role to jump-star the attack in each.

He's a well-rounded player with an ability to play any role in the midfield. He's at his best in a prototypical central role, however, which allows him to roam from box to box. And, the best news of all for Monaco, is that he should just be entering his prime.

The Rodriguez acquisition is one more based on potential. At 21, the Colombian has flashed near limitless upside over the past two seasons with the Portistas. Monaco hope he can improve his consistency and become somebody who can lead the attack for many years to come.

Spending such a large amount on two players right away is obviously a risk for Monaco. But the club clearly has its focus set on competing in Ligue 1 right away and didn't want to miss out on the chance to add two key pieces.

Moutinho and Rodriguez should both play pivotal roles next season, so it won't take long to find out whether they were worth the major investment.

Ranking the 7 Most Exciting WWE Cruiserweight Champions in Company History

Ryan Dilbert — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:54:53 -0400

The WWE Cruiserweight Championship's brief history featured acrobats, high-flyers and several memorable and impressive stars.

For six years, WWE's quickest, most agile and most thrilling undersized wrestlers competed for the title. The WCW cruiserweight belt officially became a WWE title in late 2001 until it was disbanded in 2007. The title did eventually deteriorate into a joke of a championship, but during its peak, it was a launching pad for men like Jamie Noble and Gregory Helms.

WWE's most popular underdog tops the list and is followed by other stars who made us forget their size and focus on their skills instead.

Ranked here based on who had the best matches, most interesting stories and breathtaking offense during their title reigns, here are the most exciting cruiserweight champions in WWE history.

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Stage 19 of Giro D'Italia Cancelled Due to Heavy Snow

Mike Chiari — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:52:19 -0400

Stage 19 of the famed Giro D'Italia was slated to be one of the most exciting routes of the entire race, but cycling fans unfortunately won't have a chance to witness it.

According to BBC Sport, the stage has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions including heavy snow.

The stage was scheduled to take place in Italy's Dolomite Mountains as it would have taken riders from Ponte di Legno to a Val Martello ski resort, according to BBC Sport. The poor weather will also force officials to make some changes to the 20th stage on Saturday as three climbs through the Dolomites will be omitted.

In addition to the snow, BBC Sport is reporting that the windchill was expected to dip to temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. In an effort to ensure a safe environment for the cyclists and those who work the event, it was in the officials' best interest to cancel the stage.

Race director Michele Acquarone told BBC Sport: It was a tough decision on a big stage on a great finish in a great Giro. It was very hard to say no. But at 09:30 we contacted every mountain pass on the stage and they said 'no, it can't be done for the safety of the riders and the hundreds of workers'. It was better to say no.

While the cancellation of the 19th stage takes something away from the race, it likely won't affect the ultimate result. Italy's Vincenzo Nibali holds a lead of four minutes and two seconds over Cadel Evans, so something disastrous would have to happen in order for him to relinquish the lead.

According to BBC Sport, this is the first Giro D'Italia stage to be cancelled on account of poor weather since way back in 1989. Stage 18 was cancelled in 2001, but that stemmed from a cyclist protest as their hotels were raided as officials searched for drugs.

The final two stages are scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday, although it remains to be seen what decisions will be made if conditions ultimately worsen.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Steve Nash's Ex-Wife: Banned from LA so He Can Avoid Paying Child Support?

Dan Carson — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:52:02 -0400

Nothing sends a warm tingle down the back of the spine like a finger-pointing legal battle between wealthy divorcees now, does it?

If for some reason you felt like your life was lacking the icy tang of baby-mama drama this week, relief is on its way. Steve Nash has found himself locked in a legal battle with his ex-wife, Alejandra Amarilla, who claims the Lakers guard is trying to block her from moving to Los Angeles to avoid paying child support.

According to TMZ, Amarilla has filed court documents alleging that Nash is trying to block her from relocating her and their children from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California.

Allegedly, Nash has asked her not to make the move because he believes he might be traded from the Lakers or have to retire from the game. Amarilla says this isn’t the case, and that the ballplayer is trying to avoid paying out for the huge child support settlement that could be imposed on him under California state law.

Nash’s ex-wife alleges that, under their current arrangement, Arizona state law doesn’t require him to pay a dime—something which Nash has taken advantage of, Amarilla says.

It’s a strange situation, considering Nash cited his need to be near his kids as his biggest factor for joining the Lakers in the first place. He made that plain and clear, stating they were the “No. 1 reason” he chose to move to Los Angeles instead of joining the Knicks in 2012.

A judge has issued a restraining order on Amarilla, which disallows her from moving west until they've been to trial.

We’ll see how this plays out. Surely it will end in a big group hug and a trip to the Cheesecake Factory? Supervised by legal counsel, of course.

Got prenup?

Follow @Dr__Carson

Donald Cerrone Needs to Make a Statement Against KJ Noons at UFC 160

Hunter Homistek — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:51:08 -0400

Donald Cerrone needs to crush KJ Noons at UFC 160 if he wishes to stay relevant in the ever-deepening lightweight division.

For "Cowboy," this matchup is potentially disastrous—Noons is a sensational striker with relatively little fan following outside hardcore MMA circles—and a loss would completely eliminate him from the upper echelon of the 155-pound ranks.

Previously a premier fighter in one of the promotion's most stacked divisions, Cerrone's momentum is at an all-time low. After some serious tough talk before his bout with Anthony Pettis at UFC on Fox 6, Cerrone collapsed in a heap of liver-kick-induced paralysis after just two-and-a-half minutes of action.

Such is the story of Donald Cerrone.

Every time he puts himself in a position to fight for the title, to seize his loftiest ambitions, he falters...badly.

Before Pettis, there was a horrendous, lopsided unanimous-decision loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 141 in a bout to determine the next lightweight title challenger. Even earlier, Cerrone suffered a trio of losses inside the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) cage—two to current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and one to Jamie Varner.

Three title bouts, three losses.

Now, Cerrone's UFC 160 matchup against Noons is not a title fight (and not even a title eliminator), but it is every bit as important as a championship bout to him at this point in his career.

"Cowboy" needs to rehab his image; he needs to recapture his former glory as one of the division's most fearsome strikers.

Pettis and Diaz each marred this reputation, and Noons is exactly the stylistic matchup that could completely detach Cerrone from the "excellent kickboxer" descriptor he so proudly carries.

On the flip side, a dominant win against Noons would re-establish Cerrone as the terrifying striker of old.

Commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg will undoubtedly heap praise upon Noons' striking expertise, and rightly so. For his faults as a mixed martial artist, Noons packs serious power and technique in his punches and kicks, and if Cerrone can best his foe on the feet, he will make a serious statement that he is back, and he is every bit as scary as previously thought.

Should he fail to deliver on the big stage again, however, Cerrone will tumble to the bottom of a loaded division—a division which may no longer provide a job for a "Cowboy."

For fans of MMA, heavy metal or general absurdity, Follow @HunterAHomistek

Dallas Mavericks Have Reportedly Given Up on Chris Paul to Pursue Dwight Howard

Matt Fitzgerald — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:42:30 -0400

The Dallas Mavericks figure to have a lot of roster turnover with several impending free agent departures, but that also gives them flexibility on the open market.

In their efforts to land a marquee star this offseason, the Mavs have reportedly shied away from pursuing Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul in favor of Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard.

Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram broke the news on Friday. What led to this development was the notion that Paul had a hand in the Clippers not offering head coach Vinny Del Negro a new contract. Dallas felt its chances of landing Howard were better in that context, per Price's source:

I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers. The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard.

Stellar point guards are somewhat hard to come by, and it's a position with incredible star power and depth around the league. However, the Mavericks are intent on pursuing a player such as sixth men Jarrett Jack of the Golden State Warriors or Jerryd Bayless of the Memphis Grizzlies to fill that need, according to the report.

With regard to Howard, it makes a lot of sense for Dallas to covet him. Rick Carlisle's squad finished 27th in the league in yielding 101.7 points per contest and lacked a strong interior defender.

In the two campaigns since winning the NBA Finals, the franchise was swept in the opening round as a No. 7 seed and failed to make the playoffs in 2012-13. A lot of that has had to do with the inability to stop opponents in the deep Western Conference.

Establishing a more defensive identity is key for the Mavs, and Howard is the prototypical centerpiece to build around in that regard. Chris Kaman, Brandan Wright and Bernard James comprise all the centers Dallas has, and all are due to be free agents, per spotrac.com.

Price also reports that the Mavs are openly shopping their No. 13 overall pick in the NBA draft in an effort to open up more room and enhance their pitch for Howard.

That seems like a necessary action to take, considering USA Today's Sam Amick reported earlier in the week that Howard is torn between returning to the City of Angels and going to another Texas squad—the Rockets—to play with superstar SG James Harden.

The Lakers have leverage in that they can sign Howard to a maximum of five years and $118 million. Since Dallas is a new prospective suitor, it can only extend a four-year, $87 million offer.

Howard had a turbulent year as a Laker and battled through injuries throughout, but still notched 17.1 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Should he play for the Mavs, whose frontcourt is thin at the moment, those numbers should only go up—especially since the 27-year-old will be healthier.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/05/22/4877736/mavericks-are-preparing-hot-pursuit.html#storylink=cpy

FYI WIRZ: IndyCar's Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear Talk Fast Minds

Dwight Drum — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:41:27 -0400

It’s an observation in the National Football League among players and especially Pro Bowlers that a fast brain develops a fast body.

In motorsports, it may take more than a fast brain and body. It takes a fast car, fast engine and fast parts as well.

But a fast brain and a superior mind, one that can quickly process the world—whether it’s on a football field or a racetrack—is essential to football and motorsports success.

ESPN and ABC IZOD IndyCar analysts Eddie Cheever and Scott Goodyear shared their thoughts on speedy brains when posed with a teleconference question.

Could you explain for a fan what hand-eye coordination and reaction time it takes for an open-wheel driver to race an IndyCar and especially to run an IndyCar at Indianapolis?

“I think the first thing when you're racing at IndyCar at those high speeds is you have to absorb and process a lot of information quickly, and you have to do it almost automatically,” Cheever said.

Both Cheever and Goodyear were accomplished open-wheel drivers. Their comments are enhanced by considerable experience.

“I hate to say it's as simple as this, but I found it automatic, almost easy to a point," Goodyear said. "When you are in the zone, I'm sure other players and other sports find this and other athletes I've talked to in other sports say this, the world is going by slow.”

Goodyear explained more about the feel of racing at Indianapolis.

“When you're running at Indy and you are in your prime of your career and the car is good and you are in the zone, you almost feel like you could step out of the car and run beside it," Goodyear said.

Cheever defined the urgency and reaction ability a driver needs to race in the Indianapolis 500.

“When you're the middle of the field and starting the race and turning into turn one and you're now 230 miles an hour, and the car isn't doing what it should be doing. Not only do you have to go through the process of keeping your car on the track and not spinning, you're also looking at 250, 300 yards ahead of yourself because you're going to be there shortly."

“And if something is wrong, you have to anticipate where you should place your car as all of this happens in front of you.”

Cheever summed up his analysis with his take on mental ability.

“So I don't really know if you can measure the physical attributes that are required, but I would say that eyesight is very good, very important. I would say that processing information that can be measured is very important. But above all, what I think you have to have is the mental endurance to keep putting up with abuse which will be thrown at you in the three-and-a-half hours that it takes to run the race."

“To do that and still be aware and angry and hungry and aggressive on those last 20 laps is not easy. It takes a lot of training.”

Goodyear expanded his thoughts about a helpful mental zone:

“As a race car driver when you're competing the rest of the world doesn't exist. You got up every day and all you thought of was your race car, and talking to your engineer and there wasn't a to-do list."

“When you get a little older, and there is a to-do list, and you put motor racing second, third, or fourth on your to-do list and you're going to take care of family issues, business issues or travel or something like that."

“That is when you need to not be driving a race car the length of a football field in less than a second.”

It seems that racing speed requires many facets of speed, human and mechanical.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, information and all quotes were obtained from personal interviews or official release materials provided by sanction and team representatives.

Why Tottenham Should Keep Going After Leandro Damiao

Mikhail Turner — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:31:03 -0400

Tottenham faced another disappointing season in 2012/13 but are again looking to strengthen this summer.

One of the top needs for the club is a forward, and Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao has been earmarked as a top target.

Here's Bleacher Report's own Nick Ackerman with a profile and scouting report on the Brazilian international.

The Internacional striker has been linked to the London side as far back as 2011, with the Daily Mail reporting on Spurs' interest then.

More recently, Dominic Fifield of the Guardian claims both Damiao and Valencia striker Roberto Soldado are the forward targets for Tottenham this summer.

While the added interest in one of Spain's top forwards is a significant sign of ambition, Tottenham must persist with trying to sign the 23-year-old Damiao.

His long-term future, skills and ambition are just a few reasons why Damiao would be a wonderful signing.

One positive in this saga is the recent revelations by ESPN FC and Sky Sports that some sort of contact has been made between Tottenham and Damiao's camp.

Both reports also mentioned a claim from Internacional president, Giovanni Luigi, that a deal with Tottenham is likely.

Damiao would make a relatively young and exciting Tottenham side that much more of a threat next season.

His style of play on the pitch and statistics suggest he would be an improvement on both Tottenham's current forwards.

He mixes Emmanuel Adebayor's skill and aerial ability with Jermain Defoe's clinical finishing and has a higher ceiling than both.

His height, decent strength and deceptive pace will also work in favour.

Damiao works hard for his side and can play comfortably in a 4-2-3-1 or in Andre Villas-Boas' preferred 4-3-3 formation.

His overall tally of 23 goals and six assists in 42 games in 2012 isn't breathtaking, but was still quite productive.

What is astounding is his efficiency, as 70 of his total 135 shots during that time were on target.

That means that 52 percent of his shots were on target, something that's been the norm for his career so far.

Neither Adebayor nor Defoe can match that type of efficiency. It may take a little adjustment for him to provide that type of threat in England, but the ability is there.

Top that all of with the high praise he received from Ronaldo during an interview with FIFA.com, and he's a player the London side must get.

One more plus for the situation is that, unlike other big-name targets, Damiao won't scoff at the chance to play in the Europa League.

Roberto Soldado captained his side to the knockout rounds of the Champions League this season and would likely prefer to stay at his club, even though they will also currently be entering Europe's second-tier competition with two league games remaining.

Damiao's ability to adapt quickly will be the only question mark, but if he provides the quality he is capable of he could be the difference between fourth and fifth place next season.

That is certainly one huge reason for Tottenham to ensure that they capture the Brazilian.

WWE Payback: Wade Barrett Should Defend Intercontinental Title in Fatal 4-Way

Seth M. Guttenplan — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:29:20 -0400

At WWE’s June pay-per-view, Payback, Wade Barrett should be in action in a Fatal 4-Way match against The Miz, Chris Jericho and Fandango.

On the May 20 edition of Raw, Barrett and Fandango lost to the team of The Miz and Jericho. However, Fandango was more interested in dancing by the commentator’s table with Summer Rae than helping Barrett in the match. While neither Barrett nor Fandango should be turning face, this storyline could have hinted at this proposed Fatal 4-Way match.

The Miz deserves a rematch since he never received one after losing the title back to Barrett the night after WrestleMania 29 on Raw. He disappeared after that due to outside projects. When he came back, he wrestled Cody Rhodes on the pre-show of Extreme Rules, where Barrett was a commentator. However, it’s unclear why Barrett and The Miz did not face each other at the event. When The Miz was included in the tag team match on Raw, it indicated to WWE fans that his feud with Barrett was not over.

Jericho feuding with Barrett, Miz and Fandango over the Intercontinental title is also very logical. Jericho holds the record for most Intercontinental championship reigns and has a history with all three Superstars. He was Barrett’s pro on the first season of WWE NXT. Plus, Jericho has been great in terms of putting younger talent over. He helped Dolph Ziggler last year and Fandango this year. He could help Barrett once again.

Fandango could be the key to this entire Fatal 4-Way match happening. When the heel dancer started a revolution on Raw the night after WrestleMania, I had a feeling that he could be a midcard champion soon. With Antonio Cesaro losing the United States title to Kofi Kingston, it seemed as though Fandango was going to win it.

However, WWE was wise and had The Shield’s Dean Ambrose win the title. The Shield is arguably made up of the top three heels in the company right now. The Shield had defeated all of the top Superstars, so it made sense to put championships around their waists. With Ambrose as the best talker, WWE was smart to put the singles title on him.

With this Fatal 4-Way match, Fandango has the opportunity to win the title from another heel. It is also an opportunity for WWE to move the midcard title without using a transitional champion like Kofi Kingston. Jericho and Fandango’s feud gets fused with Miz and Barrett’s semi-feud to make one big storyline for the Intercontinental title.

WWE Payback is the only pay-per-view until Money in the Bank, which could be another reason to move the title off of Barrett. He was a favorite to win the briefcase last year until he was injured. If Fandango does not win the title at WWE Payback, it could be a sign that he may win the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Do you think Wade Barrett should defend the Intercontinental title in a Fatal 4-Way match at WWE Payback? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Continue the conversation by following me on Twitter (@sethgutt), and check out my site guttwrenchpowerblog.com.

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TNA: AJ Styles Walks Alone and What That Means for Bully Ray

Shane Combs — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:26:48 -0400

Okay, I admit it: I have often kicked against the idea of AJ Styles being the guy who will dethrone Bully Ray. It's not personal, mind you; it's just that I have been enjoying TNA more than any wrestling promotion in more than a decade and don't want the story told so soon, so easily.

So when my friends, family, readers and anyone who watches TNA began to talk about AJ Styles as the Crow Sting to Bully's Hulk Hogan, I acknowledged the comparisons but threw in some other names.

Matt Morgan, for instance. Long before he stepped up to challenge Sting for the No. 1 contender spot, I thought he could be a dark horse coming out of nowhere to defend general manager Hulk Hogan, who wouldn't give him a shot, against the man whom Hogan handed the opportunity, Bully Ray.

I admitted it was just a possibility, but then again so was AJ Styles.

Of course, I threw in the name of the guy whom I call "The Best in the World," Batman, Bobby Roode. Not only is he my favorite TNA wrestler, but he is the longest-reigning TNA champion. By that regard, he should be called upon at some time to stand up and try to protect what is rightfully his.

I could throw in other names because we are about to embark on what could be the greatest Bound for Glory series in the history of TNA. So many guys could peak at the right time, and almost all of them will have a personal grudge with Bully Ray, should he still be the champ.

But on Thursday night's Impact, we saw the patching in of AJ Styles. And minutes later, AJ Styles tore that patch off.

Here, courtesy of TNAWrestling, is the video of the segment that closed Impact Wrestling.

First, I was impressed by the presence of the president of Aces and Eights, Bully Ray. This alone signified the importance of the event. While it has been Mr. Anderson doing the grunt work to try to recruit AJ Styles, when it came to finishing the job, the big guns came out.

This included Devon holding the rope for AJ Styles and Bully Ray pointing out how significant that was. Finally, somebody treated AJ Styles with the respect he seems to desire.

Bully Ray pointed out that AJ Styles has never had a beer and asked him to have one with him. Surely, if AJ Styles were going to dismiss Aces and Eights, he would do it now.

But AJ Styles had a beer instead.

And step up to take the Aces and Eights cut, AJ Styles did as well. AJ Styles went with it to the point that the fans began to chant, "You sold out."

And when Kurt Angle interfered and Aces and Eights cornered and held the Olympic gold medalist? AJ Styles took the hammer to the knee of Kurt Angle the same way Bully Ray took the hammer to Jeff Hardy.

But then AJ Styles turned the hammer on Aces and Eights and walked out.

Alone.

And from that moment, the story that was AJ Styles as Crow Sting and Bully Ray as Hollywood Hogan took on a life of its own. This story has now added a layer that is most intriguing. With the guts to take out both TNA's Kurt Angle and Aces and Eights, AJ Styles has made himself the anti-Bully Ray.

It is and has been the claim of Aces and Eights that they were mistreated by TNA. Because of this, they formed a club, a brotherhood, a group of men who would ensure that when you ride with the Aces and Eights you never walk alone.

Well, AJ Styles does walk alone.

He is not with team TNA or with Aces and Eights. He is nothing that they are and everything they're not.

And this is how you step out of the crowd. While most people copy the most popular trend (like trying to form Fortune to combat Aces), the man who stands out will do the opposite—he will begin the next trend.

Bully Ray has, in some ways, made the clubhouse cool. He is easily the best heel in professional wrestling right now. He is the only man who can harass Brooke Hogan one week and vow his love to her the next. He is the only man who can thwart Jeff Hardy in his own match. He is the only man who can get the best of both Hulk Hogan and Sting on any given night. And, after doing all this, he surrounds himself at the table with his brothers and some beer.

Yes, Bully Ray can do it all, almost.

But the one thing he can't do is the one thing AJ Styles just mastered: walking alone.

And while there is still a Bound for Glory series and many wonderful future opponents for Bully Ray, AJ Styles just moved leaps and bounds beyond the majority of them.

I've seen the man wrestle—I know he can jump.

But the leap he took on Thursday night in taking no side may be what differentiates him from every other guy in TNA. It may even launch him into the main event at Bound for Glory.