Bleacher Report - Front Page

Why WWE Needs to End Ryback's Main Event Push Immediately

Bryan Haas — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:43:17 -0400

Months ago, WWE superstar Ryback could often be heard screaming “Feed Me More.” In recent weeks however, it seems as if his speeches now include things more along the lines of “Why Me?” or “I got cheated.”

Yes, the superstar from Sin City has had a string of bad luck when it comes to his WWE championship matches. Several times he has been thwarted in his attempts by the upstart group The Shield, and at the recent Extreme Rules pay-per-view, the match was declared a no-contest after brutal injuries were suffered by both Ryback and his opponent, John Cena.

That result has led the increasingly unpopular behemoth to demand an ambulance match with Cena at the upcoming Payback event on June 16th.

Setting aside Ryback for the moment, let’s analyze the match itself. One competitor must place his opponent into an ambulance and the vehicle must actually leave the arena in order for someone to be declared the winner.

In the past, the company has had two ambulance matches. Kane defeated Shane McMahon in 2003 in the first such contest. And Cena himself defeated Kane in the same type of contest at Elimination Chamber in 2012. A win in that type of affair should automatically favor Cena right?

Well, no.

Ryback himself now has a decent amount of experience with emergency vehicles. In November after a win over Brad Maddox, he placed the young competitor inside an ambulance. And on this week's Raw, he did the same to Zack Ryder after Ryder had already competed in, and lost, a match against Cody Rhodes.

But setting aside the match type, hasn’t Ryback gotten enough opportunities at the WWE title?

Beginning with his first opportunity for the title at Hell in a Cell in October, Ryback will now be getting his fourth title opportunity at the upcoming Payback, more than any other superstar in that time period.

And why? The man is big and strong, and has great intensity.

But so does a charging bull, and frankly, the prospect of that animal running at you is much more intriguing than Ryback getting another WWE title shot.

And despite the attempts of WWE to ram Ryback down our throats, his character has never caught on the way that it was meant to.

Initial reactions to him were decent, as he was a great face that the fans were meant to get solidly behind. But many quickly soured on him, and his once booming reactions died down to tepid reactions after only a few short months.

Even now, as he abruptly interrupts matches, or arrives in an emergency vehicle, Ryback receives little to no reaction.

And while a negative reaction, littered with boos and jeers is not exactly a favorable one, at least it is something. Ryback barely gets that at this point.

And love him or hate him, Cena at least always gets some type of reaction, whether it be good or bad. And the crowd being split in terms of a reaction to Cena should translate to the crowd being split over whether or not to root for his opponent.

But Ryback often gets no reaction, positive or negative when doing anything. Sure, he’s a powerhouse, and a human wrecking ball at times. But if the WWE Universe does not feel strongly about a superstar either way, how long can that superstar hope to keep up the charade?

We have seen many competitors lose their pushes even after getting huge reactions, Ryder being the prime example. We have also seen others lose their momentum due to lack of interest from fans, Sin Cara’s push being a good example of this.

But when a superstar that is supposed to be a top contender for your highest accolade is getting no reaction whatsoever, how long can WWE continue to let this go on?

There is a difference between being stubborn and being foolish. And right now, the company is walking a fine line between the two by continuing to make Ryback its top heel.

How Mark Stoops and Kentucky Are Already Making an Impact in Recruiting

Barrett Sallee — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:43:00 -0400

Don't look now, but first-year Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops is turning some heads.

After 50,831 fans packed Commonwealth Stadium in April to take in the spring game, the Wildcats find themselves in the top 25 of the current ESPN.com class of 2014 recruiting rankings. That's a good place to be, but it's still the ninth-best class in the SEC.

Still, for a program that's coming off of a 3-9 campaign, a winless SEC season and is largely overlooked in the landscape of the SEC, it's certainly something for Stoops and the rest of Big Blue Nation to hang its hat on.

The centerpiece of Kentucky's 2013 class is 4-star quarterback and ESPN 150 member Drew Barker. The 6'4", 205-pound pro-style prospect chose the Wildcats over SEC East foes South Carolina and Tennessee.

Anytime Kentucky can beat out two traditional SEC powerhouses for a big-time player, it's huge. It was also testament to Stoops' ability to make an impression. According to Cincinnati.com, Barker received 115 letters in one day.

Cheesy? Sure. But that tactic is becoming commonplace these days, and it's only cheesy if it doesn't work.

Another key piece of Kentucky's 2013 recruiting class is 4-star wide receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass, a 6'0, 180-pounder from Springfield, Ohio who chose the Wildcats over West Virginia, South Carolina and Louisville, according to the Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal.

While securing the commitment of another 4-star commitment is news in and of itself, it's the state Snodgrass hails from that's the important issue here.

Ohio.

Five of Kentucky's seven commitments in Stoops' class of 2013 hail from the Buckeye State, which is not an accident.

In Stoops' introductory press conference in Lexington, he made it a point to specify that Ohio was one of his primary recruiting focuses.

"Kentucky, obviously we're going to recruit Kentucky hard and take care of our home," he said. "We're going to recruit Ohio very hard. I have strong ties in Ohio. There's very good football players in Ohio. We'll work through the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia a little bit."

The early success in the 2014 recruiting class comes on the heels of a solid close by Stoops and Co. as the new staff was getting settled in their new gigs.

Junior college defensive end Za'Darius Smith signed Kentucky in the class of 2013 after developing a relationship with Stoops while Stoops was at Florida State, while Stoops also was instrumental in the signing of defensive end Jason Hatcher and safety Marcus McWilson.

Is Kentucky going to contend for the SEC East title in 2013? No. That's way too premature. But Stoops quickly turned momentum around in Lexington. No longer is Kentucky just a basketball school. There's hope for football, and if this recruiting momentum keeps up, hope will turn into success on the gridiron sooner rather than later.

Follow @BarrettSallee

5 Takeaways from the Green Bay Packer OTAs

Bob Fox — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:35:45 -0400

The Green Bay Packers had their first set of organized team activities from May 20 through May 22.

The Packers will have two more of their OTAs and one more minicamp before the players will report to training camp on July 25.

But based on what occurred earlier this week at the OTAs, I came away with some observations.

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How Far Can the St. Louis Cardinals Depth Carry Them?

Corey Noles — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:30:28 -0400

For the last two years, we’ve heard repeatedly about the ridiculous depth of the St. Louis Cardinals.

There’s been a long line of serious talent working its way through the farm system for the last few years just waiting for holes to open up that would give them an opportunity.

All they want is an opportunity.

Well, in 2013 they’re getting that opportunity.

While depth is a great asset, there’s no doubt the Cardinals would prefer to not be digging quite so deep into it just yet. Some eight weeks into the season and the Cardinals have already promoted six pitchers (if you include Shelby Miller and Trevor Rosenthal.)

So far, the youth has put on quite the show in St. Louis with pitchers Shelby Miller, Trevor Rosenthal, Carlos Martinez, John Gast, Tyler Lyons and Seth Maness combining for an 11-3 record.

That group of six has pitched a total of 19 innings—75.1 as starters and 38.2 from the bullpen.

They’ve helped the Cardinals weather various catastrophes this season, including two starting pitcher injuries and a bullpen meltdown that would have been a nightmare without bringing these guys us.

They continue to steady the rocking boat.

Of course, it’s important to keep things in perspective. While it’s been a little rocky on occasion, the Cardinals still have 30 wins with about one-third of May still to go.

It’s funny to see how shaken up people have gotten despite the fact that for quite some time the Cardinals had the best record in baseball. Keep perspective.

There is an interesting question to investigate regarding the Cardinals pitching depth, however.

Do the Cardinals have enough left in the minor leagues to continue to carry them or are they rapidly expending their stockpile of fresh talent?

Let’s take a look at what they have left on the cusp of the major leagues.

Michael Wacha

We’re starting with the obvious. Wacha was arguably one of the hidden gems in the 2012 MLB Draft. Wacha is mature beyond his years with a fastball that has been major-league ready since, well, before he was drafted. While he’s made some adjustments and has been refining his off-speed deliveries in Memphis, he is capable of contributing at the major league level right now. Regardless, they’re trying not to rush him because most everyone believes he has top-of-the-rotation talent.

Tyrell Jenkins

Jenkins, 20, is in his fourth season in the Cardinals farm system. That is not a misprint. He’s still pretty raw, but has a gorgeous, fluid-type motion that powers a nasty fastball. He’s still garnering control and had a setback in 2012 when an August shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

He’s pitching in Single-A Peoria to start the season and is 3-2 with a 4.33 ERA over 35 IP through his first seven starts. He’s not ready, but he’s still just a young pup. He seems healthier and still has some developing to do. I wouldn’t expect to see him before 2015, at which time he will be in his sixth minor league season at age 22. Wow.

Michael Blazek

Blazek has been in the minors for quite some time but is having an impressive season at Double-A Springfield so far. The RH reliever has a 0.92 ERA over 17 games (19.2 IP) and has surrendered only two earned runs, no home runs and two walks. His 7 saves tie him for the team lead. He won’t likely be a long-term call-up, but if someone from the bullpen goes down, he could be a stop-gap candidate.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that if the Cardinals found themselves in need of another starter, Martinez, Rosenthal and Kelly (even though he hasn’t looked good so far) are all candidates.

They wouldn’t have to promote anyone because two of the best arms are right there hanging out in the bullpen.

Then there’s the elephant in the room...

Chris Carpenter

Carpenter is positioning himself for yet another storybook return to the mound. As we’ve learned the past three seasons, Carpenter likes to make an entrance.

If he came back last year, there’s no reason to expect any less from him in 2013.

There are still others within the system who could play fill-in roles, but there’s no one I would recommend over a healthy Carpenter today.

With the 2013 draft just around the corner, the Cardinals will once again be looking for that diamond in the rough—that late-round pick capable of replenishing the stockpile.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak and owner Bill Dewitt are transforming the way the modern team approaches roster development.

This is the kind of thing they’ll make a movie about in another 20 years if things continue to work for them. So just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Stats obtained from MLB.com and MILB.com on May 24, 2013.

Follow @CoreyNoles

5 Undrafted Free Agents Who Can Make the Chicago Bears Roster

Matt Eurich — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:24:52 -0400

Each and every year, hundreds of college players look forward to hearing their names called during the NFL draft. While some ultimately hear their names get called, many sit through the three-day ordeal without getting a phone call.

While it may seem like the end of the road, many of those players get the opportunity to choose where they would like to sign as an undrafted free agent.

Most undrafted players fail to make it on an NFL roster, but some have had great success in the NFL such as Arian Foster, Wes Welker, James Harrison and Kurt Warner.

Along with their six draft picks, the Chicago Bears brought in a bevy of undrafted free agents who hope to make their mark with the coaching staff and make the roster for the 2013 season.

Here are five undrafted free agents who can make the Bears roster.

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Terry Francona's Return to Fenway Park Triumphant in More Ways Than One

Joe Giglio — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:23:15 -0400

On Thursday night in Boston, the intrigue of a matchup between two of the five highest scoring offenses in baseball took a backseat to the main narrative entering the weekend: Terry Francona's return to Fenway Park as an opposing manager.

Sure, Tito had stepped foot in Fenway since his departure at the culmination of the 2011 season, but it would have been hard to imagine a better re-emergence as an acting manager than Tito experienced on Thursday night.

Not only did the Red Sox salute his historic Boston tenure with a video tribute for all of Fenway Park to commence in, but Tito's current team, the first-place Cleveland Indians, bruised and battered Red Sox pitching all night, riding a relentless offensive attack to a 12-3 victory.

While the tribute was fitting, it would have been only a small consolation prize if the Indians had gone down in the game on the field. At this point, two years since the public and embarrassing falling out between Francona, team and ownership, the hatchet seems to have been buried in Boston.

Despite the critical stance toward Red Sox ownership taken by Franconca in his recently released book, the differences between Francona in the media and Franconca on the bench are stark. Now that he's back between the white lines, it was the proper time to honor him for his World Series titles, playoff appearances and for representing the Red Sox better than any manager in their history.

Yet, as satisfying as that must have been for Francona, the 16 hits banged out by his lineup looked even sweeter.

Make no mistake: Cleveland's offense isn't a fluke.

Led by a group of patient, powerful hitters up and down the lineup, the Indians enter the weekend first in MLB in OPS, second in runs, first in slugging, first in home runs, fifth in doubles and first in extra-base hits.

Led by the switch-hitting duo of Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana, the raw power of Mark Reynolds and the speed and athleticism of Michael Bourn and Michael Brantley, Francona is overseeing an offensive attack that hearkens back to his early days in Boston.

The names may not invoke reaction like "Manny" or "Papi" did in 2003, but the production speaks for itself.

If Cleveland can receive average to above-average starting pitching behind Justin Masterson, they'll remain in the AL Central race with Detroit all summer long.

While the team was expected to be much improved from the 68-94 mess of 2012, few saw their additions—despite Francona's arrival—as more than a jump from bad to average. If it all broke right, a slightly above .500 finish seemed reasonable for the 2013 Indians.

By punishing Ryan Dempster and the Boston bullpen, Francona's new team sent a message: As Memorial Day approaches, the Indians are to be taken seriously in the AL hierarchy.

After last night's victory, coupled with New York's idle evening, Cleveland now boasts the third-best run differential in the American League, trailing only Detroit and Texas.

Considering that their minus-178 differential in 2012 was easily the worst in the American League, trailing only the dreadful Houston Astros in all of baseball, the early-season returns become even more eye-opening.

This weekend isn't just about Francona's return and ovation at Fenway. It's about his new team putting themselves on the map as a legitimate contender, along with the Boston Red Sox.

Chants of "Tito! Tito! Tito!" could be heard throughout Fenway Park last evening. As the years go on, Cleveland fans may one day have the chance to shout the same.

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

UFC 160 Fight Card: Complete List of Matchups and Predictions

Donald Wood — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:15:01 -0400

UFC 160 will be live Saturday night, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and with such a wonderful venue for the show, the card had to be just as amazing.

With Cain Velasquez fighting Antonio Silva for the UFC Heavyweight Championship and two possible No. 1 contender’s fights, Dana White and the company’s officials have done an amazing job building a card worthy of the venue.

Now let’s hope fight night goes off without a hitch.

Facebook Preliminaries

Starts at 6:35 p.m ET

Matchups	Weight (lbs)	My Pick
Jeremy Stephens vs. Estevan Payan	155	Stephens via Sub.
Brian Bowles vs. George Roop	135	Bowles via TKO.
Stephen Thompson vs. Nah-Shon Burrell	170	Thompson via Dec.

FX Preliminaries

Starts at 8 p.m. ET

Matchups	Weight (lbs)	My Pick
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Abel Trujillo	155	Trujillo via Dec.
Colton Smith vs. Robert Whittaker	170	Whittaker via Dec
Dennis Bermudez vs. Max Holloway	145	Bermudez via TKO.
Mike Pyle vs. Rick Story	170	Pyle via KO

Main Card

Only on PPV, starts at 10 p.m. ET

Matchups	Weight (lbs)	My Pick
Donald Cerrone vs. KJ Noons	155	Cerrone via KO*
T.J. Grant vs. Gray Maynard	155	Maynard via Dec.***
Glover Teixeira vs. James Te Huna	205	Teixeira via Dec.
Mark Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos	265	Dos Santos via Sub.**
UFC Heavyweight Title Cain Velasquez (c) vs. Antonio Silva	265	Velasquez via TKO

* Knockout of the Night

** Submission of the Night

*** Fight of the Night

Fights You Can’t Miss

PPV Main Card: T.J. Grant vs. Gray Maynard

While the two heavyweight main events will steal all the hype on the PPV card, the best fight of the night will be the war between T.J. Grant and Gray Maynard.

Both men love to exchange heavy shots in the middle of the ring and abuse their opponents, but it will be the stellar wrestling of Maynard that makes the difference in this even matchup.

As arguably the most decorated wrestler in the division, look for Maynard to shoot early and often, and if he gets Grant to the ground, expect plenty of elbows and ground strikes.

Grant has the power and the speed to knock Maynard out—something Frankie Edgar proved was possible at UFC 136—and will be looking to stop the wrestling onslaught coming his way Saturday night.

This is a top Fight of the Night candidate and can’t be missed.

Predicted Winner: Gray Maynard

FX Prelims: Mike Pyle vs. Rick Story

If you are looking for the best fight on the FX Prelims, look no further than the all-out war between veterans Mike Pyle and Rick Story.

While Story hasn’t been fighting as well as he should—lost three of his last five fights—he will be facing off with the 37-year-old Pyle who is coming off three straight TKO or KO victories.

As much as Pyle’s age looks like a disadvantage, the in-ring smarts of the older fighter allows him to conserve energy and not waste any of his motions. As talented as Story is inside the Octagon, Pyle will win this fight in convincing fashion.

Predicted Winner: Mike Pyle

Facebook Prelims: Brian Bowles vs. George Roop

While this bout has been relegated to the Facebook Prelims, there is no doubt that this is a marquee fight that will undoubtedly steal the show on the social media platform.

Both George Roop and Brian Bowles are MMA veterans, and at over 30 years old each, this could be one of their last chances to make a huge impact on UFC officials and prove they deserve higher billing.

As talented as Roop is—beat Reuben Duran in his last fight at UFC 158—Bowles is a wild striker that can knock out almost any fighter he faces. Bowles hasn’t fought since 2011, but the more talented fighter will begin his ascension back to the top of the division Saturday.

Predicted Winner: Brian Bowles

Follow @Donald_Wood

Ranking the 8 MLB Clubhouses with the Best Chemistry

Benjamin Klein — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:10:36 -0400

Chemistry. Culture. Atmosphere.

No matter which term you prefer, there’s something to be said about a group of guys that all mesh within the clubhouse.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports wrote in April that while having strong team chemistry is good, he thinks that there’s a stronger correlation between winning and talent rather than winning and good chemistry.

Calcaterra was responding to an article written by Paul White of USA Today about teams that want good chemistry within the clubhouse.

“In an era when advanced metrics ostensibly can determine a player’s exact value, many teams—to the chagrin of statistical analysts—still seek the elusive and nebulous intangibles that go beyond measure on-field contributions,” White wrote.

I have to agree with both journalists here. I don’t think a team that really jells is necessarily going to win the World Series, but I do think that it can help. There are several teams with a tight-knit group in the clubhouse this season and it’s time they get recognized for it.

Here are the top eight clubhouses in Major League Baseball.

*All statistics in this article were obtained via FanGraphs unless otherwise noted. All contract information was obtained via Cot’s Contracts. All injury information was obtained via Baseball Prospectus.

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Royals Fan Rushes Field, Steals Rosin Bag Because He's Quick Like the Bunny

Dan Carson — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:07:11 -0400

Is there a family of “Quicks” on your block? Do you live in Kansas City?

If so, then you might know the fan who ran onto the field during the Royals-Angels game on Thursday night. He was quick as the bunny rabbit, and at least one cop ate dirt as he pulled off the ultimate baseball heist—stealing the rosin bag (via Larry Brown Sports).

It was the bottom of the eighth when the game ratcheted up to Benny Hill chase levels. Angels reliever Michael Kohn was on the mound when the fan hit the field. It was a spectacle only fans in the stadium were able to see in its entirety, but the camera did capture the pivotal moment—the heist.

Sliding into the frame with a cop on his tail, the field-rusher snatched the bag and changed directions like Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez. It was the real-life equivalent of a Star Fox barrel roll, and the pursuing officer missed his mark and ended up sucking dirt as he crashed down onto the bump.

In short, everyone loved it.

If we come back and win this, the rosin bag thief should be the new manager. #Royals
— Fake Rex Hudler (@p90rexHud) May 24, 2013

Sometimes you just need a good run, a rosin bag & a pair of handcuffs. Check, check, check. And to think people left the @royals game early.
— Jake's Journal (@JakesJournal) May 24, 2013

Never go for the rosin bag...#KC #Royals #Baseball twitter.com/JasonGrill/sta…
— Jason Grill (@JasonGrill) May 24, 2013

Welp, a fan decided to run from right field to the mound, steal the rosin bag, then get arrested. Can that convert to a #Royals run?
— Megan Armstrong (@meganKarmstrong) May 24, 2013

Unfortunately, all good myths must come to an end, and security caught the man shortly thereafter when he slipped on the field. That was where Ocean's Fourteen ended, falling short due to mechanical difficulties. The perfect crime was was cut short due to the fact he wore his PF Flyers (the original Crazyquick).

Also, something to note: Cameras didn’t show a lick of this guy’s run until he hit the mound, leaving us to deduce they’re doing everything in their power to discourage people from running onto the field. It’s interesting to see baseball taking the stance that some people have on reporting sensational acts of violence—don’t show it and it won’t happen anymore.

Either way, this is one Royals fan whose quick feet managed to pull off a one-of-a-kind stunt. I hope that officer’s ankles are OK, because they look like they took a hard breaking.

Always do a barrel roll.

Follow @Dr__Carson

How the New York Giants Can Re-Gain Championship Form in 2013

Benjamin J. Block — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:06:54 -0400

In his 2010 acceptance speech into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Emmitt Smith said, "It's only a dream until you write it down, and then it becomes a goal."

In that case, the New York Giants better sharpen their No. 2 pencil and write down how they intend to get to Super Bowl XLVIII.

There's plenty of optimism radiating from OTAs right now, but everybody outside the Giants organization is waiting for them to slip up.

The added weight of knowing that the upcoming Super Bowl will be played in MetLife stadium just reinforces how precise the G-Men must be in their effort to re-gain their championship form from 2011.

Not to downplay planning and executing, but buying in and playing for one another will be paramount.

An early example of this was on display at OTAs when Big Blue unveiled their new defensive tackle rotation.

Linval Joseph talked to Giants.com about what new DTs Cullen Jenkins and Johnathan Hankins need to do in order to gel.

You have new faces all over the whole team, Joseph said. You just bring them in, treat them as family, and try to get as much accomplished as you can.

You just [tell them] to come in, get in your book, learn, do what everybody tells you to do and try to make plays. Just try to better the team.

Tom Coughlin also faces one of his more challenging seasons since he's been with the G-Men.

If the Giants want to sniff the Superbowl, they can start by ending Victor Cruz's contract dispute and getting Hakeem Nicks into OTAs.

Quickly nursing fullback Henry Hynoski back to health after he went down Wednesday with a chip fracture in his left leg would be helpful too.

Linebackers Aaron Curry and Dan Conner must pick up the new playbook, because defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is potentially counting heavily on one or both of them.

Terrell Thomas is taking things slow in OTAs, which is good, but his role in the secondary will be pivotal to their success.

Clearly Coughlin and his staff have a long road ahead in order to field a team that has a championship pedigree, and when he was asked about the time frame of this occurring, he said what you expected to hear.

Via Giants.com:

Get better; improve; improvement. There is always improvement. Yeah, there are young guys that have to come along, but there are veteran players that there may be one aspect of their game that needs to be improved upon. And we need to get better as a team. We need to get focused again as a team. We have had an awful lot of time away from each other. Now we have a chance to be together again and to get our thinking exactly the same and be on the same page. That is what this is all about is get yourself ready so that coaches can work with the players; get a feel for that. The personnel people can evaluate and see where there may be a need to help a certain area here or there. And allow that the individuals involved in the timing aspect of the game can work together.

If the Giants were a puzzle right now, I'd say that the border is in place and now they have to figure out how to fit the rest of the pieces that will make up the big picture.

Chicago Cubs 2013 Mock Draft: Projecting Their Top 5 1st-Round Targets

Jared Dwyer — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:06:22 -0400

Last November I posted a slideshow with a self-explanatory title, “Cubs’ Top 5 Draft Targets in the 2013 MLB Draft.” All five draft targets were collegiate starting pitchers.

Not much has changed since then regarding what position the Cubs need to target with their first-round selection, No. 2 overall. However, while the forthcoming updated list is still compiled entirely of pitchers, the players they should consider have somewhat changed.

Still included in the list are Mark Appel (the projected No. 1 overall pick), Ryne Stanek and Sean Manaea. New to the list are Jonathan Gray and Marco Gonzales.

Legitimately, the Cubs should only consider Mark Appel or Jonathan Gray with their first-round pick. But with the wheelin’ and dealin’ front office the Cubs have, anything's possible.

Coming up, Jonathan Gray and Marco Gonzales will be presented with an in depth scouting report; but in the cases of Appel, Stanek and Manaea, there will be links to my original scouting reports from last November along with applicable updates.

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Jose Mourinho and the 5 Greatest Real Madrid Managers

Samuel Marsden — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:06:11 -0400

It is not unfair to say there were no shock waves felt when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez announced on Monday that the club and Jose Mourinho had agreed to part ways by mutual consent.

The Portuguese coach leaves Los Blancos having won La Liga once, the Copa del Rey once and the Supercopa—you guessed it—once.

Debates were prevalent long before Perez did the honor of telling us what we'd known anyway, about how much of a success Mourinho could be considered at the Bernabeu.

A glimpse into Real Madrid's history reveals he's far from their biggest managerial flop, but it also reveals he's far from their greatest coach, too.

Here are five managers whose time was much more successful that the 50-year-old's.

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4 Players Who Could Be Leaving Chelsea in Summer 2013

Rowanne Westhenry — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

When a club is owned by an obscenely wealthy oligarch, the majority of the transfer speculation naturally surrounds the splashing of some serious cash. However, with Financial Fair Play coming into force, Chelsea and the other super-rich clubs in Europe will need to adjust their wage bill in order to comply.

The depth of the squad was a key factor in Chelsea's exhausting 2012-13 season, but with players reaching the end of their contracts—and, in some cases, careers—there will be some changes at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Here are the top four players who could be heading for the exit this summer.

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Tracking the Development of Italy's Top Youth Prospects

Sam Lopresti — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Italy has a full slate of international competition ahead of its national teams this summer, and its youth level is no exception.

While the senior team plays two friendlies, five World Cup qualifiers, and travels to Brazil to compete in the Confederations Cup, the U-21 team will have the equally important task of competing in the biennial UEFA U-21 European Championships in Israel.

These Azzurrini feature an abundance of players with a real chance to make it big on the international level and propel Italy into a golden era for the next decade or so. Some have already begun making their mark for the senior squad, others aren't in the regular mix but shouldn't be ignored.

Here is a look at five major prospects who aspire to wear the Savoy blue on the senior level on a full-time basis. All five are on the provisional roster for the U-21 Euros. All have been capped at the senior level at least once—but no more than three times. All played top-tier soccer this past season, either in Italy or abroad. And, hopefully, all will be looking to make their marks with the senior team by the time the 2018 World Cup comes around.

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2013 NBA Mock Draft: What GMs Will Do with Every First Round Pick

Richard Langford — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

The lottery played out in such a fashion that it made mocking the draft much easier. Teams are now slotted to get good value at positions of need.

Of course, this probably means no team will make the obvious selection, and mock drafts will be even more inaccurate than ever. However, it is easy to make a case for the draft playing out a certain way, and I have done that below.

I'll pay special attention to a few of the more interesting picks and mark them in italics.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Nerlens Noel's upside is through the roof. He will be good on defense from Day 1, and he has the ability to be the league's most dominant defensive player.

He needs serious work on his offensive game, but he has all the tools to be an excellent scoring option down low.

This is why the Cavs will overlook the fact that he is raw, too light and a big man with with knee problems.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

The Orlando Magic were sitting in prime position as the favorite to win the draft lottery. When this was the case, it seemed like the Magic would either take Noel, and hope for their next great center, or trade down.

The reason this team would have traded down is because they are in pretty good shape with youthful talent for the front line with Nikola Vucevic and Andrew Nicholson.

Kansas' Ben McLemore makes much more sense, and that is evident in this tweet by Fox Sports' Sam Amico:

The Magic need a dynamic player for the backcourt. Someone who can space the floor with their shooting and take it to the rack when the defense is tight.

So, this leaves the Magic likely to be deciding between McLemore and Michigan point guard Trey Burke, which is what ProBasketballDraft believes to be the case:

Whether this is legit information or not, it is sound logic.

However, I see the ultimate answer being McLemore. He has a higher ceiling, and he will instantly be a nice fit in Orlando.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

This pick makes a ton of sense. The Wizards have a need at the position, and Porter is clearly the cream of the small forward crop, as Shabazz Muhammad and Victor Oladipo are better suited to be a shooting guard in the NBA.

However, Porter may not make it this far. Michael Lee, who covers the Wizards for the Washington Post, hits us with this:

As you can see above, I don't see the Magic passing on Noel. It is just too hard to pass on a big man.

So, that will leave Porter around for the Wizards, and they will gladly take him. Porter is NBA ready and he will fill up a stat sheet with his all-around skill set and lockdown defense.

Porter will never be an elite scorer, but with John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt, he doesn't need to be. Porter also won't stop the ball on offense. He will get his points in the flow of the offense.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

Just thinking of Victor Oladipo and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist playing alongside each other should be enough to throw perimeter offenses off their game. This will be an athletic and exciting duo for the Bobcats.

While it will lack a bit of shooting, point guard Kemba Walker can help ease those concerns.

5. Phoenix Suns: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

The Suns need offense. This team is hurting for playmakers, and there is no doubt that Shabazz Muhammad is one.

He needs to improve his overall game, but he knows how to score in a variety of ways.

6. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV

The Kings frontcourt can get frightening in a hurry with this selection. Anthony Bennett is in the midst of rehabbing a shoulder injury, but he should have a full recovery. So there is little risk there.

He is an athletic prospect with the diversity in his game to play alongside DeMarcus Cousins.

7. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

Point guard is not the biggest need for the Pelicans, but it's not like they should be content with Greivis Vasquez for the long term either.

Burke is too talented to last past No. 7, and he will form a nice young tandem with Anthony Davis.

8. Detroit Pistons: C.J. McCollum, PG, Lehigh

This is a sound pick for the Pistons. C.J. McCollum will add some needed perimeter shooting.

He has the skills to be a true point guard, but even if he doesn't develop into that, he will be a dynamic scoring option to bring off the bench.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

Nikola Pekovic has emerged as a solid starting center. He is a restricted free agent, but whether he comes back or not, this is a nice pickup.

Cody Zeller's athleticism will be a nice compliment to the bruising style of Pekovic.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Alex Len is a legitimate seven-footer who needs to develop but has already shown the foundation for a nice low-post offensive game, and he is a solid presence around the rim on defense.

That is exactly what the Blazers need.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

So, the Andrew Bynum experiment didn't exactly work out last season, and no matter what happens with the free-agent big man this offseason, it would be wise for the 76ers to add depth to the frontcourt.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Toronto Raptors): Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

I'm torn here between Michael Carter-Williams and Kelly Olynyk. In the end, I think the Olynyk's jump shot and size will present offensive versatility to the Thunder that they won't pass on.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

If Michael Carter-Williams can develop into a consistent jump-shooter, he will be the steal of this draft. His size and athleticism are already intriguing, and he is a nice value at No. 14 here for Dallas.

14. Utah Jazz: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Dennis Schroeder caught scouts' attention at the Nike Hoop Summit (in the above video). He went for 18 points and six assists in a win over Team U.S.A.

Schroeder has all the tools a team looks for in a point guard. He has good size, handles, quickness, passing and an outside shot. He does, however, face a giant curve transitioning to the NBA, which always adds an element of risk that will keep a player's stock down.

It doesn't sound like this is scaring off teams too badly. NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper has more:

Due to his quickness, long arms and big hands, Schroeder has drawn his fare share of comparisons to Rajon Rondo. However, Schroeder appears to be a better shooter.

Schroeder needs to add strength and maturity, but he is just 19 and these things should come with time.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia

Dario Saric is shrouded in mystery, and he doesn't have any tape against elite players to help scouts solve the riddle.

He has amazing handles and passing skill for his size, but it remains to be seen if he can handle the physicality of the NBA.

16. Boston Celtics: Giannis Antetokoumpo, SF, Greece

Giannis Antetokoumpo is the classic European pick. He has great height at 6'9", but at 215 pounds, he has to add strength.

He is a skilled player, and has nice passing ability. He has a nice shot, but is inconsistent. He also has been playing against weak competition, which explains why the Celtics have put in so much time scouting this talented youngster.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Rudy Gobert, PF, France

The Hawks face a lot of question marks heading into next season, and they have back-to-back picks here. I see them mixing a project pick with someone who is a little more NBA ready.

Rudy Gobert would be the project part of that scenario. While he is raw, this seven-footer is natural shot-blocker, and could contribute some defensive minutes off the bench as a rookie.

18. Atlanta Hawks (from Houston Rockets): Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State

Jamaal Franklin will be able to contribute right away. He is an athletic spark plug. He can play tight, man defense and will be deadly in transition.

He badly needs to improve his jumper to be a starter in the NBA, but will be a nice role player regardless.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (from Los Angeles Lakers): Allen Crabbe, SG, California

Allen Crabbe doesn't have the quickness to be an elite scorer or defender in the NBA, but he can shoot.

He will be a nice bench piece for the young Cavs.

20. Chicago Bulls: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

Gorgui Dieng can run and play defense. Coach Tom Thibodeau will have a hard time passing on that.

Dieng is one of the older players in this class at 23, but the Bulls are in win-now mode anyway, and Dieng will be able to contribute right away.

21. Utah Jazz (from Golden State Warriors): Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The Jazz have to focus on upgrading their backcourt. With an improved ability to space the floor and penetrate into the lane, this can be a dangerous offense.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a bit of a risk, but he has a high ceiling.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

The Nets must add depth and toughness in the frontcourt. Jeff Withey is a perfect fit at No. 22.

Withey doesn't have the quickness or shooting to be an NBA starter, but he does have good size, and he can block shots.

23. Indiana Pacers: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas

It's hard to know what to make of Tony Mitchell. He is an insanely gifted athlete, but he played at a smaller school, and his points per game actually dropped 1.7 points to 13 this past season.

However, he certainly fits the Pacers mold, and he has a high ceiling.

24. New York Knicks: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

The Knicks need depth along the frontcourt, and with the run on centers earlier, they will be hard pressed to find any help here that is NBA ready.

Steven Adams could develop into a very good player, but his offensive game is terrible. He is a good rebounder and big body, and should find a role as a rookie.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia

Sergey Karasev is a marksman. He might not be much else than that, but the Clippers could use some shooting to help space the floor.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (from Memphis Grizzlies): Glen Rice Jr., SF, Rio Grande Valley

Glen Rice Jr. has had an interesting path to the draft. He was kicked off Georgia Tech and then went to the NBA D-League where he had a nice run.

He is a risky pick and streaky shooter, but he's shown potential.

27. Denver Nuggets: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan

The blast from the past continues with this pick. Tim Hardaway Jr. doesn't have his dad's killer crossover, but he can shoot.

Denver has a deep and athletic team, but one thing they lack is ample shooting to spread the floor.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky

Archie Goodwin is a great athlete and he has nice size at 6'5". He needs development, and he's an erratic shooter, but the Spurs have plenty of shooting.

Goodwin will add versatility to the Spurs' depth.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami

Shane Larkin is a smooth point guard, and the Thunder obviously need point guard depth. This team just wasn't close to the same when Westbrook went down with injury.

It's not like Larkin could fill Westbrook's shoes, but he will be able to guide the Thunder's offense.

30. Phoenix Suns (from Miami Heat): Deshaun Thomas, SF, Ohio State

The Suns must continue to look for offensive potential, and Deshaun Thomas has that.

There is a lot to dislike about his inconsistency, but there's no doubting he can score when he's on.

Velasquez vs. Silva 2: Breaking Down UFC 160's Heavyweight Championship Bout

Donald Wood — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

In what should be the most brutal fight of the night, UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will defend his title against Antonio Silva in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC 160 pay-per-view.

This is a rematch from UFC 146 that featured Velasquez brutalizing Silva from the start of the fight and bloodying the giant fighter. It ended just 3:36 into the first round when the referee had no other choice but to stop the assault.

Silva will be looking for redemption after being utterly embarrassed in the duo’s last meeting.

With Velasquez not wanting to lose his title again and Silva determined to redeem himself, this battle will be much better than fans are expecting. This won’t be a repeat of the fight we saw before; it will be much more interesting this time.

This battle could be just as bloody, though.

Cain Velasquez’s Keys to Victory

Velasquez avenged his only career loss in his previous fight against Junior Dos Santos, winning back the title the Brazilian fighter stole from him.

Now Velasquez is determined to keep the championship.

There has never been a question about Velasquez’s power and wrestling ability—one of the best strikers in the heavyweight division and arguably the best wrestler—but it was the stamina and conditioning he showed during his previous five-round decision victory over Dos Santos that proved just how well rounded the champion has become.

Silva has only faced a decision three times in his 22 fights, with the last coming in 2010. He only went past the first round seven times and has never gone five rounds in any fight.

Championship bouts are five rounds.

The heavy-handed Brazilian has a tendency of getting worn out over the course of longer fights—despite using his conditioning to beat Alistair Overeem—so if Velasquez cannot finish him early, expect the champion to drag this fight out using his wrestling to wear Silva down.

Once Silva is tired, the ground-and-pound prowess of Velasquez could turn this into a blood bath like the last time these two men met.

Antonio Silva’s Keys to Victory

Silva is a smart fighter with a great team, but he must understand the advantages Velasquez has and do his best to avoid mixing it up on the ground with the champion.

As the No. 1 contender learned in his last meeting with Velasquez, he’s too dangerous on the mat.

Since the Brazilian star took the defeat against the current champion at UFC 146, Silva has been on an absolute tear in the company. Not only did he dominate Travis Browne via first-round TKO, his upset KO win over Overeem earned him this chance to fight Velasquez Saturday.

Silva knows where his strengths are—his ability to strike and use his heavy hands in combinations to knock out his opponents early—and will come out at UFC 160 swinging for the fences.

There is no questioning that Velasquez has the better stamina, but if Silva attacks early and at a furious rate, the hope is that this fight won’t last long enough for conditioning to play a role in the outcome.

Silva knows that he is the underdog, and learning from the last fight against Velasquez, the challenger understands that his only real chance of beating the champion will be via knockout early in the fight.

If this becomes a wrestling match, it will get ugly for Silva.

Prediction: Cain Velasquez via Second-Round TKO

Follow @Donald_Wood

Mikkel Kessler vs. Carl Froch: Cobra's Trash Talk Won't Pass in Sensitive Times

Brian Mazique — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Even boxers have to watch what they say about upcoming opponents these days. IBF super middleweight champion Carl Froch found that out firsthand on Wednesday.

While speaking to reporters about Saturday's rematch with Mikkel Kessler, Froch may have gotten a little carried away. Per Boxing Scene and The Daily Star's Kevin Francis, Froch said:

On Saturday night, if I have to, I will kill this f***. Sorry about the language, but I will kill him.

It sounds brutal, it sounds horrible, but this is what it means to me. I'm going to leave it in the ring. And when I'm smashing his face in, I am going to go for the kill. I am going to go for the finish.

For years it always seemed boxers could do and say things that athletes in other sports couldn't, especially in the name of pre-fight hype. British Boxing Control reminded Froch that times have changed.

What started with charming rhymes from Muhammad Ali like "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" and "Moore [Archie] in four" has escalated to the consumption of human children, racial slurs and threats of in-ring murder.

No one should take these types of comments seriously. Everyone should know to file such barbs in the harmless negativity folder in their brains.

However, there are always a handful of people in the world whose filters are broken. Because of those people, we must all watch what we say—even fighters.

Froch has apologized for his comments, but he can't take them back. Should he even be asked to?

If by some unfortunate happenstance, Froch was to stop Kessler and seriously hurt him beyond a normal boxing injury, some genius might say, "He said he was going to kill him, looks like he almost did."

While that would be preposterous, it would make Froch's statement even more regrettable and embarrassing.

This is one of the more harmless forms of technically inappropriate pre-fight trash talk. Were Froch's comments a little over the top? Sure, but this isn't exactly figure skating.

In almost every way, boxing is violent. A major aspect of the sport is to hurt the opponent. This is part of the reason why fans love it.

Apologizing for violent trash talk in boxing is like Red Lobster apologizing for serving seafood. To quote Russell Crowe from Gladiator: "Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?"

Overreacting to violent comments from violent athletes within the context of the sport is a little weird.

However, I do understand the sensitivity behind racial comments. Obviously, the motive behind trash talk is to get under an opponent's skin. One quick way to do that is by attacking someone's heritage or ethnicity.

Call me old-fashioned, but this is never OK.

Why?

Because some things transcend the context in which they're said. When Danny Garcia's father, Angel Garcia made racially insensitive remarks about Amir Khan, it became hard to distinguish whether or not these are Garcia's true feelings about people of Pakistani heritage.

Caution: Both videos contain potentially offensive language.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. made equally inappropriate comments about Manny Pacquiao's heritage, it made him look like a racist. This isn't the WWE; a boxer can't claim to be in character like Jack Swagger.

Are Mayweather and Garcia guilty of this trait?

We can't say for certain, but it sure sounds like it after you hear or read those comments. That is especially the case if the reader or viewer belongs to one of the targeted ethnic groups.

While I take issue to these racial comments, someone may take equal issue with Froch's "killer" comments. Perhaps what he said hits close to home with some.

Because you never know someone's situation, background or sensitivity, athletes can't throw caution to the wind. We don't belong to a society where disregarding the feelings of others is encouraged.

That's true, even to a fault sometimes.

For a long time, boxing and boxers operated by different rules. But that time is over.

Follow me, because I love boxing and you do too

10 Greatest MLB Catches While Diving into the Crowd Since 2000

Rick Weiner — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:56:43 -0400

If you've ever sat in field-level seats, you've seen the signs and heard the warnings to stay vigilant, that foul balls and broken bats could potentially come your way.

Thanks to the actions of the players on this list, those warnings need to be expanded to include flying major leaguers.

For these players threw caution to the wind and, with no regard for their own well-being (or that of the unsuspecting fans in attendance), threw themselves into the stands either to make a catch or as the result of their momentum after chasing down a fly ball.

While every player who has wound up in the stands in an attempt to make a play is remarkable, not all of these plays are created equal. Some are simply more impressive than others—whether it's the catch itself or the fact that the ball never came out of their glove once the catch was made.

Let's take a look at the best of the bunch since the turn of the century.

Begin Slideshow

French Open 2013 Draw Results: Full List of Seedings and Brackets

Mike Chiari — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:55:10 -0400

With the 2013 French Open set to begin at Roland Garros, the seeds and draws are officially in place. While skill and determination have a lot to do with success at the French Open, an advantageous draw can help in that regard too. Some players were lucky enough to get one, but others weren't so fortunate.

Last year's winner on the men's side was once again Rafael Nadal, while Maria Sharapova took her first career French Open title in the women's draw. They were both present at the draw ceremony, according to Roland Garros' official Twitter account, and they had varying degrees of success.

Things oftentimes look quite simple on paper, but there is a reason why the matches are played. Serena Williams was upset in the first round last year, and it's certainly possible that a top seed in either draw could suffer the same fate this year.

Here is everything you need to know about the men's and women's singles draws at Roland Garros, including the top 32 seeds on each side as well as full brackets.

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

*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

*Courtesy of RolandGarros.com

Men's Bracket

Women's Bracket

Top Seeds to Watch

Rafael Nadal

Nadal is the defending men's champion at Roland Garros and has won the French Open in seven of the past eight years. He is the No. 3 seed this year due to the fact that he missed seven months with a knee injury, but he is in top form as evidenced by his 36-2 record this year with six titles.

Rafa hasn't shown any signs of weakness as of late, so he is an overwhelming favorite to win the French Open yet again. Based on the way the draw is laid out he may have to face Novak Djokovic in the semis and Roger Federer in the final, but it's doubtful that the Spanish star cares.

Serena Williams

The French Open has never been Serena's cup of tea as her only title came in 2002, but she appears to be unstoppable in 2013. Her only two losses have been related to injury, so she is in position to roll through the field if she remains healthy. According to Tennis.com, analyst Cliff Drysdale believes that Williams can only beat herself at this point.

Serena did bow out in the first round at Roland Garros last year as she was shocked by Virginie Razzano. Since then, however, she has won Wimbledon, won two gold medals in the Olympics and won the U.S. Open as well. She is locked in beyond belief and something miraculous will have to happen in order for her to lose.

Novak Djokovic

While Djokovic is the No. 1 player in the world and the No. 1 seed in this tournament, it is no secret that he isn't the dominant player at the French Open. That title belongs to Nadal, and unfortunately for Djokovic, he may have to get through the Spanish star in the semifinals in order to win his first French Open crown, according to Sky Sports Tennis.

Djokovic fell to Nadal in the final last year, but he will almost certainly have to vanquish his rival one round earlier if he wants to make it as far as he did last year. Djokovic has lost to some inferior players in recent tournaments, so it will be interesting to see if he can turn up the intensity in this huge tourney.

Maria Sharapova

Sharapova has never been considered a great clay-court player, but she was able to complete the career Grand Slam last year by winning at Roland Garros. She was definitely aided by an early exit from Serena Williams, but she absolutely earned it and proved that her power game is portable on any surface.

Despite the fact that she is the No. 2 seed this year, Sharapova is in an extremely difficult quarter featuring land mines such as Petra Kvitova and Samantha Stosur. Sharapova is superior to both of them on clay, though, so she should be fine. A Sharapova versus Serena final is definitely possible, and it's what most tennis fans want to see.

Roger Federer

It is no secret that Federer's play has dropped off to some degree over the past couple years, but he has never had much luck at the French Open to begin with. He has managed to win the tournament one time, and that came when Nadal was upset by Robin Soderling. Luckily for Federer, though, the draw fell in his favor, according to Sports Illustrated's Beyond The Baseline.

Since Federer is in the same half of the draw as David Ferrer, he won't have to face Nadal until the final provided both of them make it that far. Federer has slipped up in recent tournaments against opponents that he should beat, but there is no reason why he shouldn't make it to the final at Roland Garros this year.

Victoria Azarenka

As the two-time defending Australian Open champion, it feels like there should be more buzz surrounding Victoria Azarenka. She is the No. 3 seed in the women's draw, but nobody is really talking about her as a threat. That probably has something to do with the fact that she has never advanced past the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.

She has a chance to at least reach the semis this year, but 2011 French Open champion Li Na is in her draw, so it will be a difficult task. Serena and Sharapova have proven that a power game can be successful on clay, but Azarenka has yet to put it all together. Perhaps that will change this time around.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Triple H: Why the COO Must Stay Out of Main Event on TV and PPV

Seth M. Guttenplan — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:54:59 -0400

Triple H is doing such a great job behind the scenes of WWE that he needs to spend less time in the ring. Especially at the conclusion of Monday Night Raw and pay-per-view events.

WWE’s Chief Operating Officer came to prominence during the Attitude Era and is now a 13 time world champion. However, for the last few years Triple H has been focusing more on his backstage role. With this change, there are a number of reasons why the main events of Raw and pay-per-view shows should not include Triple H.

There is much less meaning in the feuds involving Triple H. This is a criticism I have for someone like Brock Lesnar and other part-time wrestlers too. It is difficult to become as interested when you have two part-time wrestlers feuding with one another.

At least in the case of CM Punk and Undertaker, one was always there to discuss the feud. In fact, it was CM Punk who built up his WrestleMania match almost entirely on his own through promos.

Triple H’s feud with Brock Lesnar was the focus at the conclusion of multiple editions of Raw and was the main event of Extreme Rules. The pay-per-view would have ended in more of a cliffhanger and intrigue if the WWE title match was the main event. John Cena versus Ryback was a less predictable match that ended with controversy. That is the best way for a WWE pay-per-view to end.

Although the Shield has stood in the middle of the ring with the tag team titles in hand on Raw prior to the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, the show didn’t end there. The Shield has been pushed to the limits in WWE. Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are all expected to be big parts of the company’s future. Instead, Triple H had to have a confrontation with Brock Lesnar to end the show.

Why couldn’t that confrontation happen earlier in the broadcast?

Triple H’s involvement in main events on Raw and pay-per-views also take away from the younger Superstars. The WWE COO is well-known for burying talent and it can be argued that he did just that recently with Curtis Axel.

On the May 20 edition of Raw, Triple H squared off against the re-debuting of Curtis Axel in a match that was meant to showcase Joe Hennig’s new gimmick. Instead, the conclusion of the match focused on Triple H exclusively. It is understandable that Axel didn’t pin the former WWE and World Heavyweight champion. An alternative situation to have Axel look strong is to have the new Paul Heyman guy give Triple H a beating so that the COO could not continue the match.

Triple H has been making changes to WWE’s developmental territory, NXT, that have improved the product. He is taking a more old school approach to superstars’ delivering promos in that he is trying to eliminate scripts. Triple H should continue to focus on the future of WWE, which has him in an office as opposed to the squared circle.

Do you prefer to see Triple H in or out of the main events of Raw and pay-per-views? 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.

10 Position Players Atlanta Braves Should Target in the 2013 Draft

Gavin Andrews — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:52:49 -0400

The month of June is rapidly approaching and with it the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which is set to take place from June 6-8.

If there is one thing to know about the Atlanta Braves' drafting strategy, it's that the organization is pretty much bereft of offensive talent. Christian Bethancourt and Jose Peraza, widely acknowledged as the top Braves' position playing prospects, are defense-first players.

The Braves also love picking their peaches, so to speak, from their backyard in the Southeast region of the United States. In fact, they have not made a player north of the Mason-Dixon line a first-round selection since 2000, according to ESPN.com.

Atlanta only has two selections in the first 100 picks (at 31 and 65 respectively), so while the names of Austin Meadows, Clint Frazier, Colin Moran, and Hunter Renfroe would be no-brainers should one fall to the Braves, it's doubtful.

Here are 10 position players who Braves general manager Frank Wren should be looking long and hard at in the draft.

ESPN Prospect guru Keith Law's mock draft and top 100 draft prospects greatly aided me in this article.

Begin Slideshow

Chicago Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews Has No Answer for Detroit Red Wings in Game 4

Jon Fromi — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:51:50 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks often take on the demeanor of their captain, Jonathan Toews. Based upon what we saw in Game 4 of Chicago's Western Conference semifinal in Detroit, the Blackhawks are one frustrated and confused team right now.

That's because Toews doesn't seem to have an answer for what the Red Wings are doing to him.

Detroit's 2-0 Game 4 win showcased the disintegration of Toews from stoic captain to big-time whiner as Henrik Zetterberg again put the clamps on him. Three times in the second period, Toews committed infractions that sent him to the box.

The eventual game-winner was scored by Jakub Kindl with one second left on a Toews high-sticking penalty. The captain's response to the goal was to go out and commit another high-stick and go right back to the box.

Toews told reporters, including ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers, that the trifecta of minors was the result of playing hard. While not directly griping about the officials, he made it clear that he felt the calls were a bit soft:

I'm not going to say anything about the officiating. Obviously, I disagree with the calls, but it's in the heat of the moment. They see what they see. I've got to be careful of my stick. That doesn't help my team, but I still think we played hard through it, found a way to stay in the game, killed off two big penalties.

What the officials saw were three clear infractions. Toews can disagree all he wants. That doesn't mask the fact that he hooked Drew Miller and caught both Justin Abdelkader and Valtteri Filppula with his stick.

Toews yapping at officials and banging his stick on the boards was a definite losing of his cool. You wouldn't consider such behavior as a meltdown for most players. For Tazer, it's another matter.

His team is now down 3-1 in the series. He had as many penalties as he did shots on goal Thursday.

The Blackhawks managed one shot on goal in their three power-play attempts. With the game still in question and with the man advantage, Chicago brought out a power-play potpourri and failed to get off a shot.

Gentlemen, what you feel behind you is a wall. You know, the one you're up against heading back to Chicago.

Toews was at least visible by way of his frustration in Game 4. I'm not sure I heard Marian Hossa's name called during the broadcast Thursday. Chicago's other top players were pretty ordinary as well.

However, this team takes its cues from the captain. Toews hasn't done enough in this series and Game 4 was the low point.

Detroit's third straight victory begs for a response from the Blackhawks. Toews and company need to formulate one before the teams meet in Chicago for Game 5. I'm fairly sure Toews and the 'Hawks didn't have one following Game 4.

5 Questions We Have About Donald Cerrone Ahead of UFC 160

Craig Amos — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:50:21 -0400

Before UFC 160's main event between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva gets underway, the card will play host to 11 additional bouts. Many of Saturday night's lead-ins have the potential to dazzle with exciting, competitive action, but perhaps none so much as the lightweight showdown between bonus-hunter extraordinaire Donald Cerrone and Strikeforce import K.J. Noons.

There are a number of questions surrounding each combatant heading into the fight. For Noons, curiosity is largely fixated on whether or not he'll be able to hold down a job in the UFC. For Cerrone, the questions are a bit more diverse.

Here we will briefly examine five of the questions that surround "Cowboy" as he preps for his big lightweight affair at UFC 160.

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10 Outstanding Individual Seasons in MLB That Nobody Is Noticing

Kerry Miller — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:47:58 -0400

It seems like an oxymoron.

By definition, being outstanding means being prominent and standing out from the crowd. How, then, can an outstanding season go unnoticed?

These 10 guys have pulled it off.

Some of them are being overshadowed by other guys on their own team. Some are being overshadowed by other players in the league at their position. Others are simply suffering the effects of playing for small-market teams.

Whatever the cause of their relative anonymity, these guys have been more valuable than you would infer from their coverage in the national media.

*All statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com and FanGraphs.com and are accurate through the start of play on Friday, May 24.

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3 Questions We Have About Gray Maynard Ahead of UFC 160

Levi Nile — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:47:15 -0400

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Gray Maynard in the cage.

Since his last bout (an uninspiring affair with Clay Guida), Maynard has been on the sidelines, rehabbing a leg injury while watching the rest of the lightweight division go on without him.

Much has changed since Maynard last fought for the mantle of lightweight king, back at UFC 136 in October 2011.

Since that time, he’s seen his conqueror dethroned by Benson Henderson, who has in turn defended his title three times and is but one victory away from becoming the most successful UFC champion the division has ever seen.

Meanwhile, Frankie Edgar has been in high-profile fights ever since, headlining both cards in his battles with Henderson and then again against pound-for-pound notable Jose Aldo.

At UFC 160, Maynard will look to step back into what is now a very crowded room, and waiting to greet him at the door is a very tough and capable fighter in TJ Grant, who looks to make a statement at Maynard’s expense.

This is by no means an easy bout for “The Bully,” at least on paper, but he’s in a division that is perhaps the toughest in the sport and Grant is just one example of this.

There will be no easy touches for him in the foreseeable future, and while he may have aims at knocking Henderson off his perch, he’s got a lot of work to do in order to get within striking distance.

Anytime a fighter suffers a devastating loss, it seems to haunt their steps for quite a while. When you couple that with the frustrating experience of trying to chase Clay Guida down for the better part of 25 minutes, and a lengthy rehab following injury after that, things that once seemed clear suddenly seem cloudy.

Here are the three basic questions we have about Gray Maynard as he returns to action on May 25, 2013.

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Atletico Madrid Transfers: 5 Potential Replacements for Radamel Falcao

Tre' Atkinson — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

Radamel Falcao may not be an Atletico Madrid player for much longer. With Monaco rumored to be spending big on the forward, as well as others, according to the Daily Mail, the Spanish club must prepare for his eventual departure

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone is even preparing for Falcao’s exit according to Goal. But while Falcao may be exiting, someone will surely be taking the vacant spot in Atletico’s squad.

The Madrid-based club is known for shipping out star striker for large sums of money then spending big on a new forward. That will likely happen again this summer, but the question that remains is who will be brought in?

In this article we will take a look at the top five potential replacements for Radamel Falcao and how they would fit in at Atletico Madrid.

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Espanyol vs. Barcelona: Complete La Liga Preview

Samuel Marsden — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

Barcelona head to Cornella-El Prat on Sunday night, the ground that saw their La Liga title confirmed two weekends ago.

City rivals Espanyol's 1-1 draw with Real Madrid ensured La Blaugrana became champions without having to kick a ball against Atletico Madrid the following night.

Neither Barca, as champions, nor Los Pericos, secure in mid-table, have much to play for, but when has that ever mattered in a derby?

Tito Vilanova's side still have an eye on reaching 100 points, while Espanyol, as demonstrated when Madrid came to town, are always motivated when they meet one of the league's big two.

The home side will perform a guard of honor for their visitors, but the Espanyol fans will turn their back on the gesture; a protest against a league which they feel is unfair on 18 of the 20 participants.

Team News

Espanyol will be without Sergio Tejera, the midfielder is banned following a booking in the defeat to Deportivo La Coruna last weekend.

They should be close to full strength other than that though, and Javier Aguirre will likely stick with the similar core which has seen them rise up the table since his appointment.

Tito Vilanova will once again be without the services of Lionel Messi and Carles Puyol.

Puyol isn't far from a comeback, but it doesn't seem likely he'll be risked with the league won, and Messi will probably not play again until next season.

Form

Espanyol are desperately short of form recently, having switched off since securing their survival on the back of a marvelous run; when Aguirre arrived they were rock bottom.

They've lost three of their last four games, the only point they picked up coming at Cornella in a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid.

Barcelona have won three games in a row now in La Liga since the draw against Athletic Bilbao, which was sandwiched between the two losses to Bayern Munich.

Men to Watch

Joan Verdu is central to most of the good that Espanyol produce, and they will be keen to tie him down to a new contract this summer.

Playing as the central part of the triumvirate that supports Sergio Garcia—although he actually plays far deeper than others who play that role—he's industrious, creative and is the link to most attacks.

Without Lionel Messi, Barcelona will have to turn to other players to bring them derby glory this weekend.

Alexis Sanchez, who didn't feature last week against Real Valladolid, could return to the starting line up, and he if does he'll be keen to end the season by proving a point.

Last Time

Espanyol visited Camp Nou on the first Sunday after the winter break and were well beaten on the night.

Four first-half goals killed off any hopes of a two-sided derby as Barcelona continued to gallop away at the top of the table.

Xavi Hernandes, Pedro Rodriguez (2) and Lionel Messi were all scorers on the night.

Predicted Teams:

Espanyol: Kiko Casilla; Javi Lopez, Diego Colotto, Hector Moreno, Joan Capdevilla; Victor Sanchez, Juan Forlin; Christian Stuani, Joan Verdu, Mubarak Wakaso; Sergio Garcia

Barcelona: Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta; Pedro Rodriguez, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez

2013 SEC Baseball Tournament Bracket: Breaking Down Friday's Third-Round Clashes

Ryan Rudnansky — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

The 2013 SEC tournament just keeps getting better and better.

On Thursday, we saw No. 3-seeded Arkansas take down LSU, 4-1. We also saw No. 1-seeded Vanderbilt get back on track with a 4-3 victory over South Carolina in extra innings. After a loss to LSU on Wednesday, Alabama rebounded against Ole Miss with a 7-5 win in extra innings. And defending champion Mississippi State edged Texas A&M, 6-4.

On Friday, the Crimson Tide will try to ride their hot streak to avenge their loss to LSU. Texas A&M will take on Vanderbilt.

Here's a look at how I see it going down in the third round on Friday.

*Complete 2013 SEC tournament bracket can be found at SECDigitalNetwork.com

Alabama (7) vs. LSU (2)

When: 4 p.m. ET

Watch: CSS

Live Stream: ESPN3

Alabama wasn't exactly a powerhouse in the regular season, going 14-15 in the SEC.

Before Thursday's 7-5 victory over Ole Miss, the Crimson Tide ranked 71st in the nation in ERA (3.66), and 95th in runs scored (303 in 58 games), via NCAA.com.

But Alabama played a resilient game on Thursday. After Ole Miss took a 3-0 lead in the second inning, Alabama battled back to score a combined five runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

After Ole Miss tied it up in the seventh inning, Alabama broke through in the 10th inning when shortstop Mikey White singled home Ben Moore and Daniel Cucjen.

LSU is coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to Arkansas. While the Razorbacks were expected to give the second-seeded Tigers a battle, it was surprising how LSU finished on Thursday. After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, LSU quietly allowed Arkansas to scored four unanswered runs down the stretch.

Not only did LSU's offense fail it in that game, the bullpen got tagged after starter Aaron Nola left the game after seven innings of one-run ball.

Still, the Tigers shut out Alabama on Wednesday, 3-0, and they are the better overall team. I see LSU bouncing back and advancing to the semifinals for a rematch with Arkansas.

Texas A&M (9) vs. Vanderbilt (1)

When: 7:30 p.m. ET

Watch: CSS

Live Stream: ESPN3

After getting manhandled by Texas A&M on Wednesday, Vanderbilt found itself in a dog fight with South Carolina on Thursday.

The Commodores scored three runs in the second inning, only to watch the Gamecocks whittle away at the lead before tying it up in the seventh inning.

But first baseman Conrad Gregor was ultimately the hero, singling through the right side to score Tony Kemp in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Vanderbilt hasn't looked incredibly impressive in the SEC tournament, but the Commodores went 48-7 during the regular season. That included a conference-record 26 wins in the SEC. They rank 16th in runs and ERA this season, via NCAA.com.

If this team finds its groove, watch out.

Of course, the Commodores have to face Texas A&M again in the third round.

This is a close one to call. Before the tournament, I wouldn't have given the Aggies much of a chance against Vanderbilt, but they had been playing well in the tournament before committing three errors in the 6-4 loss to Mississippi State on Thursday.

That being said, the Aggies didn't play that well against Mississippi State. I think the Commodores will build on their win against South Carolina and send Texas A&M packing.

ACC Baseball Tournament Bracket: Picking Winners for Friday's Action

Jesse Reed — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

With three big games on tap on Friday, the ACC Baseball Tournament bracket is beginning to come into focus. Six games have been played to this point, and there are six more left until the teams are decided for the championship game.

The first contest of the day pits No. 4 seed North Carolina State against No. 8 seed Miami. The Wolfpack devoured the Clemson Tigers 6-3 on Wednesday night, and the Hurricanes got torched 10-0 against North Carolina.

Virginia Tech (No. 6 seed) and Georgia Tech (No. 7 seed) both won their first matchups against higher-seeded teams and will face off against one another in the second game of the day on Friday.

North Carolina is the No. 1 seed, and it had no trouble dispatching No. 8 seed Miami on Thursday with a dominant 10-0 victory. The Tar Heels will take on Clemson in the final game on Friday, and after losing 6-3 to North Carolina State on Wednesday it's a do-or-die matchup for the Tigers.

Now it's time to predict winners for these three contests.

NC State (4) vs. Miami (8)

The Wolfpack won their first contest despite the fact that they only managed six hits. A huge seventh-inning outburst produced four runs—one more than Clemson was able to produce the entire game.

Pitching and game management won the game, and this is a recipe North Carolina State can use to defeat Miami on Friday.

The Hurricanes only managed four hits against red-hot Tar Heels pitcher Kent Emanuel, and unless this team can get hot bats on Friday it'll be an early exit for Miami.

Prediction: NC State will win 5-1.

Virginia Tech (6) vs. Georgia Tech (7)

The Hokies cruised past their inter-state rivals the Mountaineers on Wednesday thanks to an offensive explosion by shortstop Chad Pinder, who blasted two home runs. Virginia Tech ended up winning by the huge margin of 10-1 and received an excellent outing from starting pitcher Joe Mantiply.

Georgia Tech, on the other hand, needed a ninth-inning rally to get past the same Virginia team on Thursday, winning by a score of 4-3. First baseman A.J. Murray and shortstop Mott Hyde hit back-to-back home runs in the ninth inning to steal the victory.

It would be easy to take a look at these two results and give this upcoming game to Virginia Tech, but that's not going to happen. Georgia Tech has some big hitters who have yet to come alive in this tournament.

Prediction: Georgia Tech will win 6-4.

North Carolina (1) vs. Clemson (5)

The Tar Heels feature a dominant offense capable of putting up huge numbers on the scoreboard and a strong pitching staff capable of shutting down opposing offenses on any given day.

Emanuel dominated Miami on Thursday, and it'll be Benton Moss' turn to take the mound against the Tigers on Friday. Moss has only lost one game all year long, and his ability to create frustration with strikeouts will be a big factor in this upcoming contest.

For Clemson, this tournament is a lost cause. It'll take a minor miracle for the Tigers to stay alive against North Carolina on Friday.

Prediction: North Carolina will win 7-1.

Note: All stats obtained via the official ACC website.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

2013 NFL Free Agents: Top Impact Players Still Waiting To Be Signed

Jesse Reed — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Every year, NFL veterans who have a history of producing at a high level find themselves without a job heading into training camp.

The dog days of summer are fast approaching and NFL teams are preparing for another long season in 2013, but there are still some impact players on the market—free agents who have yet to find a home.

These veterans still have a lot left in the tank, and there's no doubt they'll be highly productive players this upcoming season. That said, the market for their services has apparently dried up as teams focus on developing young talent.

Once injuries start piling up during training camp (or before), however, these men will certainly find jobs.

John Abraham, Defensive End

Looking at Abraham's production the past few years, it's hard to fathom the fact that he's still unemployed.

Since a down year in 2009 that saw him tally just 5.5 sacks, all Abraham has done the past three years is rack up 32.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and one interception.

Yes, Abraham is 35-years old, but it's obvious he still has plenty of gas left in his tank.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, playing time and money (really, they go hand in hand) appear to be the two main reasons why Abraham is without a job:

A league source explains that Abraham is hoping to play 60 or more snaps per game, and that most teams with interest see the 35-year-old as a 25-play guy. With reduced playing time comes reduced salary, which explains why he’s had a hard time getting paid the way he’s accustomed.

It seems highly unlikely that Abraham will end up playing "60 or more snaps per game," as Florio reports he desires. That said, there is no doubt the veteran sack specialist will find work before the 2013 NFL season begins.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back

Judging by the seemingly non-existent market for Bradshaw's services right now, you'd think the guy was well into his 30s and had a couple of gimpy knees, to boot.

Bradshaw, who is just 27 years old, has been dealing with a foot issue the past couple of seasons. That said, he's been medically cleared for all football activities for the past month, according to PFT's Florio:

In his six-year career with the New York Giants, Bradshaw emerged as a vocal leader, a productive player who has a nose for the end zone and a fierce competitor. He rushed for 1,015 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and six touchdowns in 12 starts in 2012.

A healthy Bradshaw will be a huge boon for an offense in need of help at the running back position. Furthermore, you can be sure he will play with a huge chip on his shoulder once he finally does land with a team in 2013.

Kerry Rhodes, Safety

How in the world does Rhodes not have a job right now?

All he did last year was rack up 58 solo tackles, one sack, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and 11 defended passes.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranked Rhodes as its No. 4 overall safety in 2012—ahead of guys like Troy Polamalu, Dashon Goldson and Ed Reed.

Bleacher Report lead AFC West blogger Chris Hansen recently made an astute observation about Rhodes' value, to which SI.com's Chris Burke wholeheartedly agreed:

Yet Rhodes remains unsigned while guys like Charles Woodson (No. 37 in PFF's rankings) have found a home.

This won't be a permanent arrangement, however. Rhodes will not only find a home this summer, but he'll end up playing a critical role for the NFL team that finally picks him up.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78