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Chelsea Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Tim Daniels — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:01:06 -0400

Chelsea are coming off a frustrating campaign.

Despite stretches where the Blues played like Premier League contenders, they finished in third place, well off Manchester United's title pace. They also failed to make another Champions League run.

Although Chelsea did salvage the season by winning the Europa League, bigger things are expected moving forward.

Looking ahead, the EPL released the schedule (via the club's official site) for the 2013-14 campaign, giving the players and fans their first glimpse at the journey every club faces in the coming months.

Let's take a look at the fixtures for Chelsea.

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Aug. 17	Hull City	Home
Aug. 24	Manchester United	Road
Aug. 31	Aston Villa	Home
Sept. 14	Everton	Road
Sept. 21	Fulham	Home
Sept. 28	Tottenham	Road
Oct. 5	Norwich City	Road
Oct. 19	Cardiff City	Home
Oct. 26	Manchester City	Home
Nov. 2	Newcastle	Road
Nov. 9	West Bromwich Albion	Home
Nov. 23	West Ham United	Road
Nov. 30	Southampton	Home
Dec. 3	Sunderland	Road
Dec. 7	Stoke City	Road
Dec. 14	Crystal Palace	Home
Dec. 21	Arsenal	Road
Dec. 26	Swansea City	Home
Dec. 28	Liverpool	Home
Jan. 1	Southampton	Road
Jan. 11	Hull City	Road
Jan. 18	Manchester United	Home
Jan. 29	West Ham United	Home
Feb. 1	Manchester City	Road
Feb. 8	Newcastle	Home
Feb. 11	West Bromwich Albion	Road
Feb. 22	Everton	Home
March 1	Fulham	Road
March 8	Tottenham	Home
March 15	Aston Villa	Road
March 22	Arsenal	Home
March 29	Crystal Palace	Road
April 5	Stoke City	Home
April 12	Swansea City	Road
April 19	Sunderland	Home
April 26	Liverpool	Road
May 3	Norwich City	Home
May 11	Cardiff City	Road

The most important matches are obviously those against Manchester United and Manchester City, the two clubs standing between Chelsea and a return to the top of the Premier League. How they fare in those four fixtures will have a major impact.

United pose the biggest threat, of course. The defending champions are led by goal-scoring machine Robin van Persie, who gives the club a massive advantage, and an extremely deep roster. But the managerial switch from Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes could open the door for the Blues.

Then there are the matches against the next set of clubs––Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool––which are tricky. Chelsea must take care of business against those clubs at Stamford Bridge to give themselves a chance.

Jose Mourinho returns to the club after stops with Inter Milan and Real Madrid. The 50-year-old manager won two Premier League championships during his first stint with the Blues and is hoping to get Chelsea back on that level.

The roster certainly doesn't lack the necessary talent. When comparing the squad to those of the Manchester rivals and the league's other top clubs, there's no reason to believe Mourinho can't get the club into contention.

As was the case heading into last season, the biggest question mark is at striker. Fernando Torres continues to be wildly inconsistent and Demba Ba failed to maintain top form after a quick start with the club. Chelsea hopes new addition Andre Schurrle can help solve the problem.

Otherwise, the Blues are strong. The midfield is in great hands with the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar, none of whom are older than 25. They should be able to control the pace of most matches simply by working through that trio.

Chelsea also have depth along the back line and one of the league's top goalkeepers in Petr Cech. So if they can find some more consistent scoring up front, the other pieces are in place to make a serious run.

Only a couple months remain before they start navigating the newly-released schedule.

Arsenal Transfers: 10 Confederations Cup Stars Arsene Wenger Should Be Eyeing

Shona Black — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:02 -0400

There is an excitement and intensity surrounding the 2013 Confederations Cup that usually eludes the low-key FIFA tournament, making it a showcase for stars this transfer window.

Traditionally seen as either an inconsequential World Cup dress rehearsal or a boring, gratuitous money-spinner, this year's edition seems both more significant and more engaging.

Perhaps it is because it's the last competitive test for an unconvincing host side who desperately need to prove their credentials ahead of World Cup 2014.

Perhaps it is being taken more seriously as a chance to challenge Spain's dominance—and an arena for Spain to deflect that challenge.

Or perhaps the Confederations Cup's simple, compact format is more appealing than ever to a football audience sated with bloated, ever-expanding tournaments. With only eight teams—the host country, the reigning World Cup champions, and each continental champion (or runner-up, as is the case this year with Italy, in case of overlap)—it's certainly possible.

For whatever reason, the 2013 Confederations Cup feels like a more significant, dynamic sporting event than in past years, and the action on the pitch so far bears that out.

One consequence of teams taking the tournament seriously is that they are generally fielding their first-choice sides. This detracts from the scouting opportunity where clubs look for lesser-known players emerging from the squad.

With that being said, there are still some intriguing scouting opportunities for Arsenal at the Confederations Cup.

Here are 10 players Arsene Wenger should be watching in Brazil.

All transfer values supplied by Transfermarkt.

Begin Slideshow

Tough Start to New Premier League Season for Newcastle United

Dan Sheridan — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:02 -0400

Newcastle United have been handed a daunting start to the new 2013-14 season with a trip to big spenders Manchester City on the opening day.

The match on August 17 will be Manuel Pellegrini’s first competitive game in charge at the Etihad Stadium, as the Magpies begin their season on the road.

The match will see Newcastle start their campaign in Manchester for the second time in three years, following their opener at Old Trafford in 2010.

Incredibly, the clash will be the first time the two clubs have ever met on the first day of a new season.

Alan Pardew’s side suffered a disastrous trip to the blue half of Manchester last time out, going down 4-0 to City in March thanks to strikes from Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Vincent Kompany and an own-goal from James Perch.

And their away record in the Premier League against the Sky Blues makes for uncomfortable reading for Geordie fans, with just one win in 11 and five defeats in a row.

Newcastle’s first home game is on August 24 against Sam Allardyce’s West Ham. However, former Toon striker Andy Carroll could miss the match through injury despite being on the verge of sealing a move to the Hammers after passing a medical yesterday.

Allardyce will find himself in familiar territory having briefly managed the Toon in 2007-08. And he’ll also be hoping for a repeat of last season, where the Londoners snatched a 1-0 victory thanks to another former Magpie, Kevin Nolan.

Meanwhile, the first Tyne-Wear derby of next term will take place on October 26 at the Stadium of Light, where Newcastle will be looking to regain local bragging rights.

Despite finishing above Sunderland in the final Premier League table, defeat to the Black Cats back in April left the club’s supporters in shock, and revenge will be on the menu in a little over four months' time.

The return fixture at St. James’ Park is penciled in for February 1 in a month that also includes a trip to West London to face Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and a clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

A welcome addition to the festive period is the visit of Stoke City on December 26, in a game that sees the Magpies play at home on Boxing Day for only the second time in 12 seasons.

And following another home tie with Arsenal on December 28, Newcastle will see in 2014 with a New Year’s Day journey to the Midlands to face West Bromwich Albion.

Their season ends in the same manner as it begins, with a tough-looking fixture in the North West. Liverpool will provide the opposition on May 11 on Merseyside, with the Toon looking to record only their second Premier League victory at Anfield since the competition began in 1992.

For a full run-down of Newcastle United's league fixtures for the 2013-14 campaign, click here.

WWE Money in the Bank 2013: Who Should Be In Each MITB Ladder Match?

Drake Oz — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:02 -0400

If the WWE follows tradition, this year’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view will feature two matches of the same name—one for a WWE Championship opportunity and the other for a shot at the World Heavyweight title.

It’s a safe bet that we’ll get two of the highly-anticipated MITB matches at the PPV that bears its name. But what’s less certain is how many competitors will be in each match.

Throughout the history of the Money in the Bank match, whether it’s been at WrestleMania or at its own PPV, we’ve seen a wide array of competitors per match. There have been MITB matches with as little as four competitors and as many as 10, but also six, seven or eight participants.

Last year’s Money in the Bank PPV featured one MITB match with eight competitors, many of which had never competed in one before, and one MITB match that exclusively featured former WWE Champions, four of them in total.

The WWE should stay away from a “former champions only” MITB match this year because it takes away from the main purpose of the Money in the Bank match in the first place: Creating new stars.

Even though it remains to be seen what the WWE will do at Money in the Bank this year, it’s imperative that the company ensure that each match packs a certain amount of star power.

So, what should the WWE do with both Money in the Bank matches this year?

Have eight spots in the World Heavyweight title MITB match because that’s a bout that could be used as a stepping stone for an up-and-comer or one final chance at glory for a veteran. Opening up the field should make this match a quality one wrestling-wise, but also one that has the ability to create new stars.

As for the WWE Championship MITB match, that bout should feature six competitors—all big-named guys who we could feasibly see holding the most prestigious title in the company within the year.

But which guys should be in each match? Let’s take a look.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a World Heavyweight Championship Opportunity

Antonio Cesaro

Cesaro is in the process of being repackaged as a client of Zeb Colter and supporter of the United States. That’s essentially the same exact gimmick as Jack Swagger, but hey, that gimmick took Swagger to a WrestleMania World title shot.

By the looks of things, the creative team may be getting behind Cesaro again. Throwing him in the MITB match could be a sign of that, and although he likely wouldn’t win it, he’d surely improve the match’s quality.

Rob Van Dam

RVD is a safe bet to be in one of the MITB matches, but does anyone really see him coming back and gunning for the WWE Championship?

No, what’s more likely is that the WWE throws him in the WHC MITB match for two reasons: (1) He might actually win that one, (2) but even if he doesn’t, the match could ignite his first feud upon his return.

Damien Sandow

Damien Sandow is still losing far too many matches these days, but looking on the bright side of things, he’s been getting a lot more TV time and feuding with a top guy in Sheamus.

Sandow hasn’t had a real shot at attaining singles superstardom yet, but a MITB win (yes, it’s a long shot) could help him get there. At the very least, it could further his feud with “The Celtic Warrior.”

Sheamus

Although Sheamus has accomplished enough in the WWE that he doesn’t need to win the MITB contract, the truth is that he’s a top guy and you never know if the WWE will have him do it anyway.

If Sheamus continues to feud with Sandow, expect these two to be revealed as participants in this match. As mentioned above, it will further their feud, but will also give a top guy (Sheamus) something to do on the PPV.

Christian

While Christian did make a shocking return to the WWE on this week’s Raw, it wasn’t in a major storyline. It was with an easy squash match victory over Wade Barrett.

Apparently, the WWE hasn’t decided exactly what it wants to do with Christian. But as a ladder match stud and a very reliable vet, he’s a logical choice as a MITB match competitor—even if his chances of winning it are next to zero.

Wade Barrett

Barrett just lost the Intercontinental Championship at Payback and then followed that up by jobbing to Christian the next night, but it’s classic WWE booking for a midcarder (no matter how much he loses) to lose a midcard title and then instantly make his way up the card.

Although that certainly may not be the case with Barrett, it appears as if Curtis Axel and The Miz are going to feud over the IC title in the near future. That opens up Barrett for a major opportunity to leave that belt behind (it’s pretty much ruined him) and potentially turn his career around with a MITB win.

Cody Rhodes

The creative team can’t seem to make up its mind with what to do with Rhodes these days, which is a shame because he’s a fantastic talent.

He has absolutely no direction whatsoever right now, and it seems as if he has no real shot at winning Money in the Bank match. But Daniel Bryan and Jack Swagger’s MITB wins came out of nowhere, which should give Rhodes hope.

Perhaps he will be randomly thrown into this match and follow suit by actually winning it.

Big E Langston

Admittedly, Langston as a World title contender already would be a bit of a stretch, but since its become clear that WWE officials are pretty high up on him, perhaps it isn’t that much of a stretch.

With Ziggler in the process of going babyface and potentially winning back the World title, an interesting scenario that could play out is Langston winning the MITB briefcase to challenge his friend (or former friend if they split).

That could be a really entertaining story that solidifies Langston as a top talent and helps the face turn of Ziggler go a little more smoothly.

Money in the Bank Ladder Match for a WWE Championship Opportunity

Dean Ambrose

The Shield has had such a big presence in the WWE’s top storylines—and more specifically, the WWE title picture—recently that it would certainly be logical to give them one slot in the WWE Championship MITB match.

Who’s that spot go to? Ambrose.

Ambrose has clearly been positioned as the group’s biggest star, and even though he’s currently the United States Champion, we’ve already seen someone (The Miz) win the MITB match while holding the US title.

It would make so much sense for The Shield—which has essentially taken over the WWE—to have the power that comes with the MITB briefcase while also holding two other titles.

Daniel Bryan

Many are surprised that Bryan isn’t challenging John Cena for the WWE Championship at this PPV, but just relax—Bryan’s time is coming.

He’s the most over guy in the company right now, and it would be absolutely asinine on the WWE’s part to not put him in the WWE Championship picture sometime soon.

Bryan should be there just because of how popular is, but maybe he’ll have to win his second MITB match to get there instead.

Randy Orton

Orton has had a lot of beef with Bryan as of late, so if the WWE wants to continue with that story, then having one guy screw the other out of the MITB briefcase would be an easy way to make that happen.

Even if the WWE chooses to go a different route, however, it’s time for Orton to make his presence felt in the WWE title scene for the first time in a few years now.

Other than Bryan, Orton is the most over guy in the WWE right now. It would be silly not to capitalize on that.

Kane

We’ve all seen the story between Bryan and Kane play out over the last year-plus, and now, it’s come down to this: As revealed on this week’s Raw, they both want to win the WWE Championship.

In that sense, this story could easily come full circle by having both Kane and Bryan as competitors in the WWE title MITB match—with one ultimately costing the other the match.

Kane may not actually win the briefcase, but story-wise, it more than makes sense for him to be in this match along with Bryan and even Orton.

Ryback

Ryback’s lost so many major matches that it’s almost silly to think that he deserves yet another shot at winning the WWE Championship.

But the WWE doesn’t always follow logic, and being that Ryback has spent the last eight or nine months chasing the WWE title, it’s safe to assume that he still wants to win it.

Although Ryback’s days as a legitimate title contender are over (did they ever really start?), the WWE probably doesn’t think that.

Chris Jericho

After what transpired at Payback and on Raw, it’s apparent that Chris Jericho doesn’t have much of a direction right now.

Yet, he’s credited as the inventor of the Money in the Bank match, but he’s yet to win one. Maybe that changes this year.

Y2J really needs something to do, and a MITB victory could take him there while a MITB loss could ignite his next feud. Either way, he’s going to instantly improve the quality of this match because he’s one of the best ladder match competitors in history.

Final Thoughts

There’s no real way to guess what the WWE will do with either Money in the Bank match this year, but ultimately, the goal of both bouts should be three-fold.

One, the WWE should want to create new stars. Two, the WWE should pick the match’s competitors based on what it wants to do with future storylines. Three, the company should ensure that most of the bout’s competitors have a legitimate shot at winning it.

That way, both matches will seem important while also avoiding feeling predictable.

We want to see great wrestling at Money in the Bank, but we also want the match to make sense and benefit the WWE in both the short and long-terms.

Drake Oz is a WWE Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter!

Ryback's Potential Future as a Midcard WWE Superstar

Drake Oz — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:00:02 -0400

Ryback lost yet another major match at WWE Payback, and now it’s official: He’s done as a main event Superstar.

That is, of course, if he ever really was one.

The WWE tried like hell to establish Ryback as a top babyface, having him maul his way through half the roster initially after his debut before moving him into the WWE Championship scene last October.

Ryback was given chance after chance to solidify himself as a long-term main eventer, but in part because of his average skills and in part because of the creative team’s screw-ups, he was never able to do so as a face. As a heel, the results have been the same.

As everyone knows, he lost big match after big match after big match, and at WWE Payback on Sunday, he lost again in what has to be his last shot at ever becoming a true main eventer.

Ryback is no longer a world title contender or a “top guy.” Whether or not the WWE actually makes him one, he is now a midcarder.

Quite simply, it’s just too late for him to ever be considered as anything more than a guy who fights in the middle of the card.

Want to know why Sheamus is clearly a top guy now? Because the creative team pushed him by having him win more than any guy on the roster.

That never happened for Ryback.

Want to know why Daniel Bryan is the most over guy in the WWE right now and consistently one of its most entertaining performers? Because he has the promo skills and the in-ring skills to thrive at the top.

The same can’t be said about Ryback.

Want to know why Alberto Del Rio, despite his limitations, continues to get pushed at the top of the card? Because, as a Hispanic Superstar, he appeals to a demographic the WWE is trying to appeal to.

That doesn’t apply to Ryback.

The bottom line is that no matter how badly the WWE wanted Ryback to become a bona fide star in this business, the company has screwed that up so royally that—barring a minor miracle—it’s never going to happen.

For all intents and purposes, Ryback is a midcard Superstar now because the creative team inadvertently made him one and also because he hasn’t shown that he has what it takes to be a top guy.

Sheamus is now a top guy because he worked his tail off to improve and get over as one. Bryan is emerging as a top star because he has all the tools to be one. Del Rio is a top name because he appeals to the Hispanic audience and because he has the in-ring skills and the charisma to be one.

That’s why those three guys are main eventers. That’s also why Ryback isn’t one.

Ryback hasn’t won enough to build up his credibility as a major Superstar, à la Sheamus. He hasn’t shown enough skills in the ring or on the mic to emerge as a top guy, à la Bryan. He doesn’t appeal to a certain audience or constantly deliver in the ring, à la Del Rio.

Combine those three facts with what has been abysmal booking by the creative team, and you get a recipe for disaster that has turned Ryback from someone who was right on the cusp of superstardom to someone who’s now just another guy.

Countless losses in major matches have done Ryback absolutely no favors, just like he’s done himself no favors with what have been subpar performances throughout most of his career.

A guy can only get by on his look and his catchphrase for so long, and Ryback is really learning that the hard way.

Once you get past his unbelievable physique, you see Ryback for what he truly is: a midcard Superstar both now and—if the WWE is smart—for the rest of his career.

Drake Oz is a WWE Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter!

Manchester City Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:43:05 -0400

A season after winning the Premier League title, Manchester City were largely disappointing in 2012-13. They finished 11 points behind Manchester United and won just one piece of silverware—the season-opening FA Community Shield against Chelsea.

But with a new manager and plenty of new faces on the squad, expectations will be high this season, and a much larger trophy haul will be expected.

So, what does Manchester City's schedule look like? When will the big boys of the league come calling, including United, Arsenal and Chelsea?

Let's take a look at this season's schedule for the Citizens.

Fixtures

Date	Time (ET)	Home	Away	Competition
July 27	TBA	Manchester City	TBA (N)	Barclays Asia Trophy
Aug 1	TBA	Manchester City	TBA (N)	Audi Cup
Aug 10	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Arsenal (N)	Friendly
Aug 17	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Newcastle United	Premier League
Aug 24	10 a.m.	Cardiff City	Manchester City	Premier League
Aug 31	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Hull City	Premier League
Sep 14	10 a.m.	Stoke City	Manchester City	Premier League
Sep 21	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Manchester United	Premier League
Sep 28	10 a.m.	Aston Villa	Manchester City	Premier League
Oct 5	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Everton	Premier League
Oct 19	10 a.m.	West Ham United	Manchester City	Premier League
Oct 26	10 a.m.	Chelsea	Manchester City	Premier League
Nov 2	11 a.m.	Manchester City	Norwich City	Premier League
Nov 9	10 am.	Sunderland	Manchester City	Premier League
Nov 23	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Tottenham Hotspur	Premier League
Nov 30	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Swansea City	Premier League
Dec 3	3 p.m.	West Bromwich Albion	Manchester City	Premier League
Dec 7	10 a.m.	Southampton	Manchester City	Premier League
Dec 14	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Arsenal	Premier League
Dec 21	10 a.m.	Fulham	Manchester City	Premier League
Dec 26	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Liverpool	Premier League
Dec 28	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Crystal Palace	Premier League
Jan 1	10 a.m.	Swansea City	Manchester City	Premier League
Jan 11	10 a.m.	Newcastle United	Manchester City	Premier League
Jan 18	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Cardiff City	Premier League
Jan 29	2:45 p.m.	Tottenham Hotspur	Manchester City	Premier League
Feb 1	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Chelsea	Premier League
Feb 8	10 a.m.	Norwich City	Manchester City	Premier League
Feb 12	2:45 p.m.	Manchester City	Sunderland	Premier League
Feb 22	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Stoke City	Premier League
Mar 1	10 a.m.	Manchester United	Manchester City	Premier League
Mar 8	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Aston Villa	Premier League
Mar 15	11 a.m.	Hull City	Manchester City	Premier League
Mar 22	11 a.m.	Manchester City	Fulham	Premier League
Mar 29	11 a.m.	Arsenal	Manchester City	Premier League
Apr 5	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Southampton	Premier League
Apr 12	10 a.m.	Liverpool	Manchester City	Premier League
Apr 19	10 a.m.	Manchester City	West Bromwich Albion	Premier League
Apr 26	10 a.m.	Crystal Palace	Manchester City	Premier League
May 3	10 a.m.	Everton	Manchester City	Premier League
May 11	10 a.m.	Manchester City	West Ham United	Premier League

*N signals neutral site. Schedule information courtesy of the official club website.

Analysis

Without question, the 2012-13 season was a major disappointment for Manchester City, a side rife with talent but lacking continuity. The Citizens ended up an unacceptable 11 points behind league-winning side and rivals Manchester United.

Seeing how much money has been spent on the club over the years, that result—along with being eliminated from the Champions League in the knockout phase and falling to relegated Wigan in the FA Cup title game—was simply not to be tolerated.

Enter Manuel Pellegrini to replace Roberto Mancini as manager. And enter two more expensive but talented players, midfielder Fernandinho for £30 million and crafty winger Jesus Navas for £14.9 million.

While the Citizens are sure to have a high-profile departure or two as well—and will likely add a few more players on the market—at present this is a team that has the talent to win the league.

Manchester United will likely be their top competition again this season, even with new manager David Moyes stepping in for the retired Sir Alex Ferguson. With Robin van Persie leading the line and a major signing sure to shake up the ranks, the Red Devils will once again be a force to be reckoned with.

Ditto for Chelsea, which brought back "The Special One," Jose Mourinho, for his second stint at Stamford Bridge. The Blues are sure to splash some major cash this summer in the hopes of earning a title and have an exciting young core highlighted by Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the smaller, more technical Chelsea from last year will fit Mourinho's desired style of play. As usual, things should be very interesting at Stamford Bridge.

Over at Arsenal, the Gunners managed a top-four finish despite having one of their weakest sides in recent memory. The scrappy side was led by one of the best signings of the summer in Santi Cazorla and emerging superstar Theo Walcott.

With the club promising its supporters that plenty of money will be spent this summer in the pursuit of a title, the Gunners could finally end their trophy drought this season.

Finally, Tottenham should stick around the title conversation. Well, if they can hold on to Gareth Bale, that is. Spurs have a talented side and could be a real title threat if Bale sticks around and the team can add a lethal striker.

Beyond that, matches against Liverpool and Everton will be serious tests, but the Citizens will be expected to beat every other team they face on the table.

Anything less than a Premier League title this season will be considered a failure (barring a Champions League conquest, that is). Let the Pellegrini era begin.

Liverpool Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Tim Daniels — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:30:41 -0400

Liverpool finished a distant seventh in Brendan Rodgers' first season leading the storied Premier League club. The failure to qualify for any European competitions means there will be increased importance on EPL play for the Reds next season.

The league released the schedule (via ESPN) for the campaign, giving Liverpool and their supporters an early look at the 38-match road they will travel starting in August.

The squad probably can't wait for the chance to put last season in the rear-view mirror, so let's take a look at the challenges they'll face as they strive to improve in 2013-14.

Date	Time	Home	Away	Venue
Aug 17	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Stoke City	Anfield
Aug 24	10:00 ET	Aston Villa	Liverpool	Villa Park
Aug 31	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Manchester United	Anfield
Sep 14	10:00 ET	Swansea City	Liverpool	Liberty Stadium
Sep 21	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Southampton	Anfield
Sep 28	10:00 ET	Sunderland	Liverpool	Stadium of Light
Oct 19	10:00 ET	Newcastle United	Liverpool	St James' Park
Oct 26	10:00 ET	Liverpool	West BromwichAlbion	Anfield
Nov 2	11:00 ET	Arsenal	Liverpool	Emirates Stadium
Nov 9	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Fulham	Anfield
Nov 23	10:00 ET	Everton	Liverpool	Goodison Park
Nov 30	10:00 ET	Hull City	Liverpool	The Kingston Communications Stadium
Dec 3	3:00 ET	Liverpool	Norwich City	Anfield
Dec 7	10:00 ET	Liverpool	West Ham United	Anfield
Dec 14	10:00 ET	Tottenham Hotspur	Liverpool	White Hart Lane
Dec 21	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Cardiff City	Anfield
Dec 26	10:00 ET	Manchester City	Liverpool	Etihad Stadium
Dec 28	10:00 ET	Chelsea	Liverpool	Stamford Bridge
Jan 1	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Hull City	Anfield
Jan 11	10:00 ET	Stoke City	Liverpool	Britannia Stadium
Jan 18	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Aston Villa	Anfield
Jan 28	3:00 ET	Liverpool	Everton	Anfield
Feb 1	10:00 ET	West BromwichAlbion	Liverpool	The Hawthorns
Feb 8	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Arsenal	Anfield
Feb 12	3:00 ET	Fulham	Liverpool	Craven Cottage
Feb 22	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Swansea City	Anfield
Mar 1	10:00 ET	Southampton	Liverpool	The Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium
Mar 8	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Sunderland	Anfield
Mar 15	11:00 ET	Manchester United	Liverpool	Old Trafford
Mar 22	11:00 ET	Cardiff City	Liverpool	Cardiff City Stadium
Mar 29	11:00 ET	Liverpool	Tottenham Hotspur	Anfield
Apr 5	10:00 ET	West Ham United	Liverpool	Upton Park
Apr 12	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Manchester City	Anfield
Apr 19	10:00 ET	Norwich City	Liverpool	Carrow Road
Apr 26	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Chelsea	Anfield
May 11	10:00 ET	Liverpool	Newcastle United	Anfield

Although it's perfectly fine to dream about a miracle run to the title, Liverpool's main goal heading into the campaign should be getting back to Europe. A berth in the Champions League has a significant trickle-down effect on things like the transfer window.

The Europa League isn't on the same level, but it still helps. Playing only in domestic competitions is a setback for the club. Finding a way to ensure it doesn't become a worrisome trend in the next few years is the key for the Reds.

When Rodgers arrived, it was known there would be a transition period as the former Swansea City manager built the Liverpool roster to fit his preferred playing style. That process continues this summer, but patience will soon start to fade at Anfield.

The buzzword throughout next season will likely be progress. Liverpool did show some signs of life in the second half of the campaign, and they must build off that heading into next fall and beyond in order to contend for Europe.

Of course, a lot will depend on the ongoing drama involving Luis Suarez. The striker's future remains unsettled after another season that was marked by terrific form, which saw him finish second in league goals, but also controversy.

Should he exit Anfield, there would be a massive attacking void to fill for Liverpool. It would damage their chances of getting back into a European spot this season, unless Rodgers were able to work some transfer magic to replace him.

Otherwise, Liverpool have a roster capable of challenging the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton if they play the way they did for stretches late in the campaign.

Arsenal and Tottenham are the biggest hurdles in terms of getting back to the Champions League. The Gunners continue to thrive by doing more with less, thanks to the rise of Theo Walcott and additions like Santi Cazorla. Spurs' outlook is heavily dependent on he future of Gareth Bale.

But the first task is getting past rival Everton.

The Toffees are undergoing a change at manager as Roberto Martinez replaces David Moyes, who left for Manchester United. That puts a lot of pressure on the veteran core, led by Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka, to avoid a setback. It also gives Liverpool a chance to move ahead of them.

All told, now that the schedule is out, the anticipation for next season will only continue to build.

Manchester United Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Tim Daniels — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:29:39 -0400

If Manchester United are going to defend their Premier League title it will come under the guidance of David Moyes, who replaced legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Now, the club also knows the schedule it will need to navigate.

The Red Devils' complete fixture list for the 2013-14 season has been released, as seen here on the club's official site.

Let's take a glance at the 38-match road United will have to travel, followed by a breakdown of the biggest challenges the club will face.

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Aug. 17	Swansea City	Road
Aug. 24	Chelsea	Home
Aug. 31	Liverpool	Road
Sept. 14	Crystal Palace	Home
Sept. 21	Manchester City	Road
Sept. 28	West Bromwich Albion	Home
Oct. 5	Sunderland	Road
Oct. 19	Southampton	Home
Oct. 26	Stoke City	Home
Nov. 2	Fulham	Road
Nov. 9	Arsenal	Home
Nov. 23	Cardiff City	Road
Nov. 30	Tottenham Hotspur	Road
Dec. 3	Everton	Home
Dec. 7	Newcastle United	Home
Dec. 14	Aston Villa	Road
Dec. 21	West Ham United	Home
Dec. 26	Hull City	Road
Dec. 28	Norwich City	Road
Jan. 1	Tottenham Hotspur	Home
Jan. 11	Swansea City	Home
Jan. 18	Chelsea	Road
Jan. 28	Cardiff City	Home
Feb. 1	Stoke City	Road
Feb. 8	Fulham	Home
Feb. 11	Arsenal	Road
Feb. 22	Crystal Palace	Road
Mar. 1	Manchester City	Home
Mar. 8	West Bromwich Albion	Road
Mar. 15	Liverpool	Home
Mar. 22	West Ham United	Road
Mar. 29	Aston Villa	Home
Apr. 5	Newcastle United	Road
Apr. 12	Hull City	Home
Apr. 19	Everton	Road
Apr. 26	Norwich City	Home
May 3	Sunderland	Home
May 11	Southampton	Road

As always, the first thing United supporters look for when the fixtures are released are the matchups with Manchester City—for good reason, of course. Not only are they big local rivalry games, but they are key in the title chase, as well.

City pose the biggest challenge after winning the title two seasons ago. They already have an elite squad and will likely bolster it with some summer recruits to join the likes of Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and David Silva, who seek a return to the top.

Along with City, the biggest matches on the schedule are those against the clubs perennially battling for Champions League spots. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham were the only other sides to finish with more than 70 points last season.

The goal for Robin van Persie and Co. in those eight turning-point fixtures is winning at home and drawing on the road. It's certainly a daunting task, but pulling it off would put United on a clear path to yet another championship.

A lot will depend on how Moyes handles the squad. Ferguson gained the respect of players during his nearly three decades with the club. That process is just getting started for the former Everton boss, who faces the toughest task of his managerial career.

Striking the right balance between what players became accustomed to under Ferguson and making changes to fit his personal preferences—in terms of building a squad and in-match tactics—is what Moyes must do on the fly during his first campaign.

The smoother the transition, the better United's hopes of repeating as Premier League champs. The talent is there. From Van Persie leading the attack to David de Gea protecting the goal and everybody in between, the Red Devils are ready for another successful season.

How they perform in the 38 matches listed above will determine exactly how successful that is.

Arsenal Schedule 2013-14: List of Fixtures and Early Analysis

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:29:10 -0400

It may seem like the Premier League season just ended, but we're now just two months away from it kicking off once again.

With the team's league fixtures being released, we can now take an early look at how Arsenal's schedule shapes up for next season.

When will the champions, Manchester United, be coming to town? When will the Gunners be facing rival Spurs? When is the other major London Derby with Chelsea scheduled?

Let's find out.

Fixtures

Date	Time (ET)	Home	Away	Competition
July 14	9:30 a.m.	Indonesia Dream Team	Arsenal	Friendly
July 17	8 a.m.	Vietnam	Arsenal	Friendly
July 22	6:30 a.m.	Nagoya Grampus	Arsenal	Friendly
July 26	2:30 p.m.	Urawa Red Diamonds	Arsenal	Friendly
Aug 3	11:20 a.m.	Arsenal	Napoli	Emirates Cup
Aug 4	11:20 a.m.	Arsenal	Galatasaray	Emirates Cup
Aug 10	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Manchester City (N)	Friendly
Aug 17	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Aston Villa	Premier League
Aug 24	10 a.m.	Fulham	Arsenal	Premier League
Aug 31	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Tottenham Hotspur	Premier League
Sep 14	10 a.m.	Sunderland	Arsenal	Premier League
Sep 21	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Stoke City	Premier League
Sep 28	10 a.m.	Swansea City	Arsenal	Premier League
Oct 5	10 a.m.	West Bromwich Albion	Arsenal	Premier League
Oct 19	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Norwich City	Premier League
Nov 2	11 a.m.	Arsenal	Liverpool	Premier League
Nov 9	10 a.m.	Manchester United	Arsenal	Premier League
Nov 23	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Southampton	Premier League
Nov 30	10 a.m.	Cardiff City	Arsenal	Premier League
Dec 3	2:45 p.m.	Arsenal	Hull City	Premier League
Dec 7	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Everton	Premier League
Dec 14	10 a.m.	Manchester City	Arsenal	Premier League
Dec 21	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Chelsea	Premier League
Dec 26	10 a.m.	West Ham United	Arsenal	Premier League
Dec 28	10 a.m.	Newcastle United	Arsenal	Premier League
Jan 1	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Cardiff City	Premier League
Jan 11	10 a.m.	Aston Villa	Arsenal	Premier League
Jan 18	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Fulham	Premier League
Jan 28	2:45 p.m.	Southampton	Arsenal	Premier League
Feb 8	10 a.m.	Liverpool	Arsenal	Premier League
Feb 11	2:45 p.m.	Arsenal	Manchester United	Premier League
Feb 22	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Sunderland	Premier League
March 1	10 a.m.	Stoke City	Arsenal	Premier League
March 8	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Swansea City	Premier League
March 15	11 a.m.	Tottenham Hotspur	Arsenal	Premier League
March 22	11 a.m.	Chelsea	Arsenal	Premier League
March 29	11 a.m.	Arsenal	Manchester City	Premier League
April 5	10 a.m.	Everton	Arsenal	Premier League
April 12	10 a.m.	Arsenal	West Ham United	Premier League
April 19	10 a.m.	Hull City	Arsenal	Premier League
April 26	10 a.m.	Arsenal	Newcastle United	Premier League
May 3	10 a.m.	Arsenal	West Bromwich Albion	Premier League
May 11	10 a.m.	Norwich City	Arsenal	Premier League

*N signals neutral site. Schedule information courtesy of Arsenal.com.

Analysis

As always, Arsenal's toughest fixtures will be against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham.

The Red Devils haven't made any major signings yet this summer and are in a period of transition, as Sir Alex Ferguson retired and former Everton manager David Moyes was added. Nani is likely on the way out according to the Telegraph, while Wayne Rooney has been rumored to be on the outs as well, including this report also from the Telegraph.

Still, the Red Devils are always an elite side and that shouldn't change this season.

The Citizens have been busy already this summer—shocking, I know—signing midfielder Fernandinho for £30 million and crafty winger Jesus Navas for £14.9 million. Plus, they've been heavily linked to rising star and Malaga midfielder Isco, as reported by the Sun, which could signal a real shift to a more technical style for the club next season.

Oh, and they may yet land Edinson Cavani, too. City will be dangerous next year.

Chelsea will also be dangerous. The team has already signed Andre Schurrle in an £18 million deal, and new manager Jose Mourinho promises to give this side a new look over the summer.

For Tottenham, everything hinges on the team's ability to hold off half of Europe's top clubs and retain Gareth Bale this summer. If he goes, it will be a long season for Spurs next year.

Liverpool and Everton promise to once again be dangerous sides, even if the latter loses top players Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini this summer.

Beyond that, the Gunners should handle their business. This is a talented and—as they proved at the end of last season—scrappy squad that should have some big signings coming in over the summer.

Even with the Premier League's elite improving, there is no reason the Gunners shouldn't challenge for a title next season.

EPL Schedule 2013-14: Official List of Fixtures for New Premier League Season

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:28:22 -0400

It's finally here, folks—the 2013-14 Premier League schedule has been released.

Sure, with the transfer window still in effect, it's hard to know what each team will actually look like when they play each fixture. But you can bet that calendars everywhere are marking down the dates of some of the league's biggest rivalries, such as Liverpool versus Everton or Arsenal against Tottenham.

Without further ado, let's take a look at this year's list of fixtures.

Fixtures

*Fixtures courtesy of the official Premier League website

Preview

If you have ever wondered what goes into the complex task of putting together the Premier League schedule—and yes, it is very complex—be sure to check out James Riach's article for The Guardian on that very topic.

It's fascinating stuff.

The first dates on the schedule worth circling are the Manchester derbies between City and United on Sept. 21, 2013 and March 1, 2014. The two teams have won the last three Premier League titles, with United besting City on the table this past season by 11 points after the key addition of striker Robin van Persie.

But City are sure to have a new look next season. Manuel Pellegrini replaces Roberto Mancini as manager, and Jesus Navas and Fernandinho join the Citizens in transfers totaling £45 million. Surely, City aren't done on the transfer front.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils will have a new manager for the first time in 27 years after the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. Former Everton man David Moyes will now take over the side and look to replicate the success of a legend, as Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles.

In addition, any contest including the top London sides—Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham—is worth a view. The Blues will be hoping Jose Mourinho's second tenure at Stamford Bridge will lead to more titles, while Arsenal fans are surely crossing their fingers the team actually breaks the bank this summer, as the Gunners have threatened to do.

And Tottenham will be a dangerous side once more. Well, assuming Gareth Bale sticks around, that is.

Of course, the fans and players of Cardiff City, Hull City and Crystal Palace will all be especially excited to see how the schedule shakes out this season, as the three clubs were all promoted this year.

You can bet plenty of folks in southern Wales will be circling the games between Cardiff City and Swansea City on Nov. 2, 2013 and Feb. 8, 2014.

With another heavy dose of quality fixtures on the schedule, the upcoming Premier League season should prove to be an exciting one in 2013-14.

Italy vs. Japan: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Joseph Zucker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Italy will be able to secure their place in the knockout stage of the Confederations Cup with a win over Japan on Wednesday.

So far, the tournament has been very good, even arguably better than the 2012 Euro or 2010 World Cup. You don't have the event watered down by a bunch of average teams overmatched by the elite.

Group A looks to be the better of the two, and you'll be seeing why on Wednesday. The first match featuring Brazil and Mexico will likely overshadow Italy vs. Japan. That doesn't mean it won't be a cracking match between two talented sides.

Here is a quick preview for this Group A fixture.

When: Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m.

Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

What's at Stake

This is a massive game for both sides. Neither team's fate is complete by this point, so each can change things in a major way with a win or a loss.

Italy looked very good at times against Mexico, but there were definite holes in the Azzurri's game. They did well to maintain possession; however, on more than one occasion, they let an attack go to waste because of poor finishing.

Cesare Prandelli will definitely want to see a better performance against Japan. Plus, a win means that Italy is making it to the next round. The only thing in doubt will be if they qualify as first or second in the group.

The other Italian on the touchline, Alberto Zaccheroni, is under slightly more pressure. His squad was thoroughly outclassed by Brazil in its first match. There are a lot of things he'll need to fix against Italy.

This match is pretty much do or die for Japan. With a loss, they won't be eliminated completely, but they'll need Mexico to lose to Brazil and then have Brazil lose to Italy. That's a lot of stuff that would have to go right.

Italy Player to Watch: Mario Balotelli

It was mostly good Mario who showed up against Mexico. Balotelli was strong enough in the attack and did very well to bully his way through for his goal.

There were a few moments where it looked like Balotelli might come unhinged. He managed to keep it together for the duration of the match, though. Following the goal, he did pick up a yellow card for taking off his shirt. That was a bit of an issue, if only a slight one.

Prandelli seems to have found a way to handle Balotelli. The player who suited up for Inter Milan and Manchester City generally wasn't the one who suited up for Italy.

If Balotelli is on his game, Japan will have their hands full trying to rein him in. If the player is struggling, then his teammates will have to make sure that he doesn't completely lose it mentally.

Japan Player to Watch: Keisuke Honda

Keisuke Honda has been one of the more overlooked midfielders in the world over the past couple of seasons. He did well at VVV-Venlo, but moving to CSKA Moscow meant that he would be entering the footballing periphery as few fans watch the Russian league every week.

This is a great opportunity to see the talent Honda possesses. Over the last three seasons in the Russian Premier League, he's recorded 19 goals and 17 assists.

The Confederations Cup is also a great opportunity for Honda to put his talents on display before a potential move away from CSKA.

A dynamic playmaker, Honda will be able to thread his teammates through on goal or go after it himself on the attack.

With Japan likely looking to break on the counter, having a player like Honda is a necessity.

Prediction

Italy will control the match from start to finish. It's just a matter of limiting the defensive mistakes and making the most of the chances in the attack.

Japan have a good number of attackers. If the Azzurri make the same kind of errors on defense, the likes of Honda and Shinji Kagawa will make them count.

Regardless, there's too much talent in this Italian squad to see them losing to Japan. Prandelli really has them firing on all cylinders. Italy have looked poor in some friendlies, but when it comes to the important matches, they turn it on.

They'll struggle to find the back of the net early on. As the match goes on, it will be the Azzurri on the ascendancy more and more. They'll get the critical goal and then the floodgates will open.

Italy 3, Japan 1

Brazil vs. Mexico: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Joseph Zucker — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Mexico and Brazil meet on Wednesday for their second matches of the 2013 Confederations Cup. It should be an interesting match for two sides who could decide their fate in the tournament.

The second matches of most group stages are the most entertaining because they're the most important. Nobody has secured a bid to the next round, so everybody is looking to pick up three points. The first-match jitters are also out of the way.

All in all, this could be a very entertaining game should both teams deliver.

Here's a quick preview for this Confederations Cup match.

When: Wednesday, June 19, at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

What's at Stake

This is a pivotal match for both sides.

Brazil can qualify for the knockout stage with a win. They've already picked up three points, so another three would ensure that Brazil will finish at least second in Group A. The Selecao looked great against Japan, and Luiz Felipe Scolari will want to continue that run against Mexico.

This is the best Brazil has looked under Scolari, and this tournament could go a long way to getting the team ready for the 2014 World Cup.

Mexico just needs to win, period. They've won only once in six World Cup qualifying matches. El Tri looked very pedestrian in their 2-1 loss to Italy in their first match of the tournament.

A loss wouldn't condemn Mexico to elimination, but they would need a lot of things to go right in order to make it to the knockout stage.

Mexico have enough talent to have success at the World Cup. Right now, though, their players look unsure of themselves and disorganized on the pitch.

Brazil Player to Watch: Neymar

Neymar came into this tournament with massive expectations, and so far, he's delivered. His goal against Japan was a beautiful volley.

The 21-year-old striker has a lot to prove as he moves to Barcelona. He's got plenty of critics who think he's nothing more than a flashy Brazilian who will struggle to cope with more physically demanding European leagues.

Only time will tell if Neymar can fulfill his massive potential. For the time being, he looks pretty good. Few could have been disappointed with his performance against Japan.

Brazil don't have a world-class striker. Fred is good, but he's not a top-level forward. With Neymar's talent, he needs to be the engine for the attack.

Mexico Player to Watch: Jose de Jesus Corona

Javier Hernandez is the star for El Tri, but it's been Jose de Jesus Corona who's been the most consistent player.

On one hand, it's always good when you can count on your goalkeeper. On the other, it's never a good sign when your goalkeeper is consistently having the best performances on the team. It means you're having defensive breakdowns, an underwhelming attack or a combination of the two.

Unfortunately for Mexico, it's the third option.

Were it not for Corona's timely saves, El Tri probably would have conceded four or five goals against Italy. He kept Mexico in the game, and he'll likely have to do the same against Brazil.

Given El Tri's recent troubles, it's unlikely they'll score more than a goal. They'll need to keep the score low and hope to counter Brazil. If Corona continues his great run of form, Mexico have a chance.

Prediction

Brazil will be the aggressors. They controlled the match against Japan, and they'll do the same against Mexico.

There's a chance that Mexico could wake up from whatever slumber they're in. They've got more than enough talent to win this match, it's a matter of actually playing up to their potential. El Tri haven't done anything recently to make you think they can get three points, though.

Neymar and Hulk up top will be more than enough to see off Mexico with a goal or two early.

The biggest thing will be finishing. Brazil will probably have ample opportunity to get on the board. Italy had a lot of blown chances and nearly only walked away with a point despite dominating the match.

The longer Brazil go without scoring, the more confident Mexico will become, and a confident Mexico is a dangerous thing for the Selecao.

Expect a match similar to El Tri's first against Italy. Brazil will be on the front foot for the majority but never pull away

Brazil 2, Mexico 0

10 Early Winners and Losers of the Indianapolis Colts Offseason

Tyler Brooke — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

The Indianapolis Colts have one of the busiest offseasons in the NFL. With a new offensive coordinator, a solid group of rookies and more than a few new faces via free agency, this team has been very busy the past few months.

Even after a 11-5 season, it was pretty clear that the Colts' front office wasn't satisfied with being just a playoff team. They've been aggressive throughout the entire offseason, trying to fix as many holes in the roster as possible.

With so much changing in so short of a time, there have definitely been some winners and losers. These are determined by whether they have proved themselves, how they now fit with this new group of players and if someone has come in at their position to potentially take their spot.

With that being said, here are the 10 total biggest winners and losers up to this point in the offseason.

Begin Slideshow

College World Series 2013: Pitchers Who Have Completely Disappointed

Maxwell Ogden — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

The 2013 College World Series has presented numerous players with the opportunity of a lifetime to shine and create their legacy. Unfortunately, not all players are stepping up in the face of adversity and playing at the level expected of them.

Some pitchers have disappointed during the 2013 College World Series.

Certain players entered the event with the hype of being one of the top pitchers in all of college baseball. Others came into this event with lesser expectations, but still failed to produce at the level expected of them.

One way or another, these pitchers have disappointed in a major way.

Blake McFadden, Kansas State Wildcats

Freshman pitcher Blake McFadden started 13 games, going 6-3 and helping the Wildcats win the 2013 Big 12 title. During the College World Series, however, McFadden had a collapse that we hope translates into motivation.

It certainly won't offer up reason for encouragement.

With the opportunity to help his team advance, McFadden recorded just two outs before being pulled from the game. In that time, he allowed four hits and faced six batters, which tells you that he had trouble.

Four runs of trouble.

The Wildcats went on to lose that game by a count of 12-4, ending what was easily McFadden's worst career start. Unfortunately, Kansas State also lost the next game and was thus eliminated from the College World Series.

McFadden has a bright future, but this was not his brightest day.

North Carolina Tar Heels

We could single out one pitcher, but that truly wouldn't be fair at this point. Not only has virtually the entire North Carolina Tar Heels pitching staff been unlike themselves, but they've failed to show up in numerous games.

For evidence, note that over the past five games, the Tar Heels are allowing an average of 7.2 runs per contest.

Their hitters may have struggled in their losses, but that doesn't excuse the pitching staff from failing to show up. In fact, if there's one area that North Carolina can look to when it comes to their lack of success, it would be their pitching staff.

To call that a stunning turn of events would be a drastic understatement.

UNC was the No. 1 team in the nation, and a primary reason for their success was their ability to out-pitch the opposition. They're 18th in team ERA and 26th in fielding percentage, which is a prominent factor in their being the favorites for the World Series crown.

Thus far, they've been worse than a shell of themselves.

Scott Sitz, Florida State Seminoles

Scott Sitz is one of the top pitchers in the nation, and truthfully, the Florida State Seminoles wouldn't have made it as far as they did without him. He finished the year at 10-2 in 16 appearances with an ERA of 2.09.

Unfortunately, Sitz was at his worst when the Seminoles needed him to dominate.

Facing elimination, Sitz took the mound against a powerful Indiana Hoosiers team. While many expected Indiana to break through offensively, no one expected them to dominate one of the best pitchers in the country.

They did.

Sitz went 4.1 innings, striking out five batters and allowing just one walk. Unfortunately, Sitz also allowed six hits, seven runs and six earned runs en route to an 11-6 loss, and thus, Florida State's elimination.

A disappointing ending to an extraordinary individual season.

NBA Draft 2013: Breaking Down Biggest Bust Candidates in This Year's Class

Mike Chiari — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

Every draft inevitably contains some players who simply don't live up to the hype, and the 2013 NBA draft will be no different. Identifying those players certainly isn't easy, though, and that is why NBA talent evaluators make the big bucks.

With that said, there is no question that some prospects are entering the league with more question marks and red flags than others. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are doomed to fail, but they have a lot of seasoning to do before they're ready to contribute at the next level.

Here are three highly-touted prospects likely to be taken early that also carry a huge amount of risk with them.

Alex Len

Despite the fact that he only played two seasons at Maryland with varying degrees of success, center Alex Len has shot up draft boards as of late. He has been viewed as a top-five pick throughout this process, but suddenly there a whispers regarding the Cleveland Cavaliers potentially taking a chance on him with the No. 1 overall selection, according to Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune:

It remains to be seen if the Cavs will actually pull the trigger on that pick, but there is no doubt that Len is now among the perceived elite prospects in this draft. His potential is undeniable, as he is 7'1" and has shown flashes on both ends of the floor. ESPN NBA analyst Jay Williams even believes that he has what it takes to be better than Kentucky center Nerlens Noel in the NBA:

With all of the support that Len has been receiving from guys like Williams in recent weeks, perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise to see him in this position. Len averaged just under 12 points and eight rebounds per game for the Terrapins last season, though, so he has a lot to prove. Len simply doesn't seem like a guy capable of stepping in and dominating from day one, so the Cavs may have a project on their hands. Generally speaking, No. 1 overall picks should be sure things rather than projects.

Ben McLemore

Another prospect who is possibly still in the mix for the No. 1 overall pick is Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore. He has all the tools that scouts look for in an NBA shooting guard and he was a key player for the Jayhawks as a freshman last season. Even so, taking McLemore early in the first round seems like a very risky proposition.

McLemore averaged 16 points and five rebounds per game while shooting close to 50 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three-point land in his only season at Kansas. Once the games got important in the NCAA tournament, however, he came up small. He scored just 13 points total against Western Kentucky and North Carolina before rebounding to some degree against Michigan. Now there are questions about his work ethic as well, according to Chad Ford of ESPN:

His lack of preparation for the draft is hurting him. Multiple sources told me that his workout in Phoenix was not impressive. McLemore, according to sources, wasn't in shape and struggled to keep up in the workout. I heard similar things in Orlando.

Players have bounced back from poor reputations before, but this is the most important time of McLemore's life, so he should be putting forth the best effort possible. McLemore just doesn't seem to rise to the occasion when he needs to, so teams should proceed with caution.

Shabazz Muhammad

Most observers figured that UCLA small forward Shabazz Muhammad would be a top-five selection in this year's draft heading into the 2012-13 season, but he was hit-and-miss throughout the year and his stock has tumbled. Muhammad is still a surefire first-rounder who is unlikely to fall past the middle of the round; however, that is a far cry from what most expected for him.

Muhammad's numbers were solid, as he averaged a shade under 18 points and five rebounds per contest last season, but he struggled with team play throughout the year and he won't have as much success in isolation at the NBA level. Now that international prospect Dario Saric has withdrawn from the draft, though, Ford believes that Muhammad will benefit.

Saric's withdrawal may help Muhammad's bank account, as he could move back up draft boards a bit, but that doesn't make him a better player. Perhaps Muhammad can succeed in the right situation if he is surrounded by veterans who will keep him in check, but he could be poisonous to a young team if he plays a "me first" game. Teams without much of a veteran presence should probably steer clear of Muhammad.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Teams in Need of True Franchise Players

Alex Kay — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

The 2013 NBA draft is just over a week away, but the big boards around the league continue to see consistent change—even at the very top of the class.

With new reports out that the Cleveland Cavaliers are considering Alex Len over Nerlens Noel and with lottery-lock Dario Saric electing to withdraw his name from consideration, this latest look at the first round looks much different than most.

Let’s take a peak at my latest mock with an eye towards teams that are desperate for a star and are willing to roll the dice in order to get one.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Len, C, Maryland

According to a tweet from ESPN's Andy Katz, the Cavs are hosting Len and Noel this weekend , and it seems that their draft decision will come down to this visit.

Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune tweeted that the organization is leaning towards pulling the trigger on Len at No. 1 overall, which would completely shock the world.

GM Chris Grant has a track record of taking players earlier than expected and hitting home runs, as he has with Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson. Len could be yet another one of these hidden gems due to his 7’1” frame and solid scoring touch.

While his ceiling may be lower than Noel’s in terms of shot-blocking and raw athleticism, he may develop into the best low-post scorer in this draft and possibly the entire league in short time.

It’s an interesting and certainly debatable call, but Len may just be a great fit in Cleveland.

2. Orlando Magic: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

The Magic need a point guard, so why not take the best available one in this draft—even if he’s not the best “value” selection at No. 2.

Burke is a gifted player that is not only a great scorer and top-notch facilitator but also a proven winner that carried his young Michigan team to the national title game this year with clutch shots and highlight plays.

He may not have the prototypical height or athleticism that scouts are looking for in a modern point guard, but he could be a floor general for this up-and-coming Orlando unit that just has to replace Jameer Nelson for a new-look starting-five and finally put the Dwight Howard-era in the past.

Don’t be surprised if the Magic end up making this decision on draft day, as the Wolverines star is clearly the player that they are missing.

3. Washington Wizards: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

The Wizards would be the true winners of the draft lottery if they can score Noel here, as they not only moved up five spots from where they were projected but also get someone who was once an almost-consensus top pick.

Otto Porter should also be in consideration here, but it would be downright impossible for this club to pass up on such an intriguing young big man that has arguably the highest upside in this class.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

The Bobcats have needs all over the court, but Oladipo’s work ethic and defensive-mindset should be what separates him from the rest of the pack.

This Hoosiers product has a motor that doesn’t quit ,and he doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He would be the perfect for a team that is in dire need of an attitude adjustment.

5. Phoenix Suns: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

McLemore is an absolute steal for the Suns here, as this group needs a dynamic perimeter option that could one day shoulder the scoring load.

There’s plenty of potential within the Jayhawks star, although he has to become more consistent and must stay motivated in order to realize it.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown

The Pelicans are not only getting the swingman they desire here at No. 6, but they are also nabbing him at a bargain price.

Porter could have gone as high as No. 3, but instead, he falls to a team that would love to install him between to Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon at the 3.

7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett, PF/SF, UNLV

Speaking of value, the Kings are getting a tremendous one in Bennett at No. 7.

The versatile forward has the strength and raw power to play in the paint as a 4, and he is also quick and athletic enough to play out on the perimeter as a 3.

Given the sweeping changes to this roster that are expected in the near future, the Rebels product should always find a way to get on the court.

8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse

If Carter-Williams is available here, the Pistons have to consider him. Brandon Knight projects better as an off-guard than a lead ball-handler, which is a big reason why the franchise should make this selection.

MCW may be lacking a jumper, but his facilitating is second-to-none and should have this Motor City offense humming.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia

The T-Wolves biggest need in this draft is at the 2, which is why they would be foolish not to select KCP at No. 9.

In just a few years, the Georgia star could be one of the best players at his position in the league. He’s able to bomb away from beyond the arc, create his own shot anywhere else on the court, defend his position, pass well and much more.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: C.J. McCollum, PG/SG, Lehigh

Damian Lillard has locked up the point guard role in Portland for the foreseeable future, which would make McCollum an interesting selection here at No. 10.

While the Lehigh star may be a bit undersized for the 2, he has infinite range and has had no problem scoring on anyone during his collegiate career. If the Blazers don’t go in this direction, they will likely look to trade this pick and bring in a more established veteran.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller, PF/C, Indiana

The Sixers need to bolster their frontcourt if they are going to get back to the playoffs next season, which is why an NBA-ready talent like Zeller makes the most sense.

He can run the floor and finish at the rim, which should see him logging major minutes right off the bat.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Toronto Raptors): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

The Thunder have the luxury of developing a prospect and being able to take a risk on a high-upside project.

With that in mind, they should give serious consideration to Adams, a gigantic pivot that needs to put in a lot of work on the offensive end but one who has the size and upside to become a starting center in the NBA.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece

The Mavs looked like favorites to nab Saric before he withdrew his name from the draft, so they’ll now go for another foreign prospect that they can stash away overseas.

Antetokounmpo is the international man of mystery in this class, showing incredible promise and having an absurdly high ceiling due to his immense length, huge hands, great vision, decent ball handling and more.

Another reason why the “Greek Freak” makes sense for Dallas is that the franchise is in the hunt for a marquee free agent this summer. Owner Mark Cuban will need all the cap room he can get in order to insure he has the space to dole out a big contract.

If both the Mavs and Antetokounmpo inform the league that he will not be joining the team in 2013-14, his contract will not impact the club’s salary. That allows him to further develop and eventually come over to American soil when he’s ready to become a bona fide star, and it ensures that the Mavs will have a few more bucks to spend this offseason.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami

It’s no secret that the Jazz need a point guard to get their young bigs the ball in scoring position, which is why they’ll take Larkin in this scenario.

He’s an incredible athlete with immense speed and the ability to ignite the break, and he could bring some much-needed excitement to Salt Lake City.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

Olynyk can stretch the defense with his jumper and open things up for the prolific guards in Milwaukee.

He’s not much of an athlete or defender, but his range alone makes him a huge asset for the Bucks.

16. Boston Celtics: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA

Paul Pierce isn’t going to play forever and it seems that a rebuilding phase is set to begin in Boston, opening the door for a young star like Muhammad to come in shoulder the scoring load.

The UCLA product may not have huge upside in other departments, but the lefty can simply put the ball through the bottom of the net and make an impact on the scoreboard.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, PF/C, Duke

Plumlee will provide a blue-collar mentality to a team that is in between rebuilding and contending.

Whichever direction Atlanta ends up going, he will be able to provide his club with rebounding, defense, athleticism and hustle.

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

The Hawks need to land a high-upside prospect that can eventually become a star.

Franklin has all the markings of one, with the notable exception of a jump shot. If he can develop one, he could far exceed expectations for his draft position.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Sergey Karasev, SF, Russia

Karasev is a sniper that can easily make threes and stretch the D.

Don’t be shocked when the Cavs trade out of this selection, as they have far too many young prospects and picks in this draft.

20. Chicago Bulls: Tim Hardaway, Jr., SG, Michigan

With Derrick Rose returning, the Bulls should put a lengthy three-point shooter next to him at the off-guard.

Hardaway, Jr. is NBA-ready with incredible distance on his jumper and a 6’6” frame that he can use to guard the top guards in the league.

21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

Withey will make a good backup big man in the likely event that Al Jefferson and/or Paul Millsap depart in free agency.

While he’s offensively inept, the seven-footer can block shots, protect the rim and defend his position—something that should enable him to earn an easy 15-to-20 minutes per game.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

Dieng would be a solid option behind Brook Lopez, as he can spell the starter while still providing stout interior defense, rebounding and the ability to swat away shots in the paint.

The Cardinals product is an underrated passer as well, which is an asset that could make him quite valuable to a Nets’ second-unit that sometimes struggles to move the ball.

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

Mitchell will bolster the frontcourt in Indy, helping to take some pressure off of Roy Hibbert and David West to play huge minutes in every contest.

He has the athleticism and skill required to guard any 3 or 4 in the league and could eventually develop into a potent offensive weapon due to his high ceiling.

24. New York Knicks: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Now that Jason Kidd is no longer with this club and is instead coaching in Brooklyn, there is a hole on the Knicks roster at the point guard position.

Schroeder isn’t quite the facilitator or leader that J-Kidd was, but he’s much more of an athlete and a better finisher at the rim.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Nate Wolters, PG/SG, South Dakota State

The Clips seem ready to jettison Eric Bledsoe for a veteran piece, opening the door for a new guard to come in and soak up some minutes.

Wolters is a versatile talent that can play both the 1 and 2, although he’s going to be looking to score during every moment he’s on the court.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies): Rudy Gobert, C, France

Gobert presents solid value for the T-Wolves here, who could use him as either injury insurance for Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love, or they could stash him overseas until he’s able to contribute.

Either way, it will be might tough for Flip Saunders to pass on a lottery-worthy project at No. 26.

27. Denver Nuggets: Alex Abrines, SG, Spain

Abrines may end up being one of the better off-guards in this class, as the young Spaniard can shoot the ball extremely well and is quite athletic.

He’s not ready to play in the NBA yet, but in a few years, watch out for him.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Ricky Ledo, SG, Providence

Ledo is blowing teams away with his workouts, even though he never had an opportunity to play collegiate ball.

The shooting guard is an absolute sniper that can create his own shot and more, making him a suitable risk for a veteran squad that will have to replace Manu Ginobili coming off the bench in the near future.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil

The Thunder will take yet another crack at finding a potential replacement for Kendrick Perkins here at No. 29. This time it will be Nogueira, a Brazilian big man.

He’s extremely raw and still doesn’t see the game well, but he could become a superstar if he puts it all together.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League

Rice Jr.’s character issues seem to be in the past, opening the door for him to become the first D-Leaguer picked in the first round of the draft.

He’s a solid shooter, above-average rebounder and decent passer, which should help him get immediate minutes with this downtrodden Phoenix squad.

Why JaMarcus Russell's Comeback Attempt Should Already Be Considered a Success

Andrew Garda — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

Vince Lombardi once said “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

Everyone fails at some point. But the successful people pick themselves back up, dust off and get back to work. It’s not easy, and evidence indicates that if you’re a rich millionaire you could be convinced to just hang out and count your money instead.

JaMarcus Russell is trying to get back up off the ground and give football another shot. The fact that he’s making the effort itself makes this a success in many ways. That he’s had one tryout with the Chicago Bears with a second one potentially on the horizon with the Baltimore Ravens according to ESPN makes it even more so.

Many first-round busts have walked away from football and not looked back. Sometimes the NFL was equally interested in walking away from that player (goodbye, Ryan Leaf), but often the player in question took their enormous paycheck and headed home.

Russell isn’t doing that, or at least he isn’t anymore.

After having some financial issues a couple of years back, Russell has decided to give the NFL another shot if they’ll have him.

Russell has reportedly dropped 50 pounds, weighing in towards the end of May at 265 pounds, down from 315. That’s exactly what he weighed back in 2007 when he was taken first overall by the Oakland Raiders.

His arm strength hasn’t tapered off and he is working very hard, including logging time with former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia.

To the surprise of nobody who watched him in Oakland, Garcia told NFL.com that Russell’s biggest issue was focus.

"Physically, he didn't lose much as to where he was four years ago," said Garcia, the former NFL signal-caller, who added "it was more the mindset" that needed repairing.

"Mentally, was the state where we needed to get him back to thinking football, speaking football, knowing football, being a student of the game. I don't know if that's ever been part of his background, to be a student of the game. That's where he needs to get to. He needs to sleep, eat, drink football. It can't be anything else if he wants this bad enough."

Bleacher Report itself has chronicled some of Russell’s journey and has focused on his efforts to improve some of his mechanics, as well as overcome concerns about his weight and attitude.

The Bears have passed (as of now) on Russell and currently the tryout the 2007 No. 1 overall pick spoke of with the Ravens has not materialized. Of course, we haven’t hit training camp yet and once that happens, it could only take an injury or two before teams come calling in need of someone to back their quarterback up.

Russell’s strong arm and experience is bound to tempt someone to at least see what they can develop with him on the bench. Sure, that experience was a debacle at the time, but even that can be valuable to a team, especially for younger players who can learn how not to handle an NFL career.

Heck, in a league where some NFL teams reportedly offered soccer star David Beckham a tryout according to the Daily Mirror, how can Russell not get some play?

However, even if Russell doesn’t happen to find a new NFL home, this effort itself is a success.

If he ends up without an NFL job, but in shape and with a better mental attitude and work ethic, then it’s a worthwhile and successful venture.

The fact that he has come so far is really a success by itself.

Andrew Garda is the former NFC North lead writer and a current NFL analyst and video personality for Bleacher Report. He is also a member of the fantasy football staff at Footballguys and the NFL writer at CheeseheadTV.com. You can follow him at @andrew_garda on Twitter.

History Indicates the Odds Are Stacked Against New Eagles Coach Chip Kelly

Brad Gagnon — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:03 -0400

In just a few weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles will start their first training camp with their brand-spankin'-new head coach. The excitement level in Philadelphia is extremely high, because things had become stagnant under Andy Reid and Chip Kelly brings a very fresh feel to the City of Brotherly Love.

But is Kelly too fresh? Nobody really knows what to expect from the offensive mastermind from Oregon, mainly because he's never been on an NFL coaching staff before.

It's impossible to predict how things might pan out for any new coach, and that's especially the case with Kelly. He becomes just the ninth NFL head coach in the last 30 years without any experience within the league, joining this list:

We can take the success rate of the coaches above and compare that to coaches with vast and/or limited NFL experience in order to get a better feel for Kelly's chances of making it, at least based on how history has treated coaches in similar situations.

Kelly Is a Rare Bird

Excluding those in interim roles and the seven new coaches hired this offseason, 123 head coaches have been hired for NFL jobs in the last 30 years. We compiled a database with all 123 of them, breaking them down into three categories.

The first category contained the eight inexperienced head coaches listed above, the second contained 22 head coaches who were hired or promoted despite never serving in NFL coordinator roles (the majority were positional coaches), and the third contained the 93 head coaches who were hired with backgrounds as offensive, defensive or special-teams coordinators.

Once we broke down the stats for the coaches in those major categories, we were able to draw some conclusions linking coaching success in this era of NFL football to previous coaching experience at the pro level.

You Might Have to Be Patient

Let's begin simply by looking at first-year success rates in order to determine how difficult it might be for Kelly to turn this franchise around overnight.

Interestingly, the most successful of the coaches from that first category started off the slowest. Johnson was 1-15 with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. Wins were arguably handed to Switzer on a platter in 1994, while the rest of them put up mediocre inaugural seasons.

It's probably not a big surprise that coaches with NFL backgrounds have fared better during that first year transitioning into head-coaching roles. Those coaches posted a .448 winning percentage in year one, while the newbies posted a mark of .414.

That doesn't mean there won't be some improvement after a 4-12 2012 campaign for the Eagles.

The Rams improved from 4-12 to 7-9 in Brooks' first year, the Seahawks went from 6-10 to 8-8 in Erickson's first season, the Chargers were 5-11 before Riley arrived and jumped to 8-8 in his first season, and the Lions increased their win total by three with Rogers on board. Hell, even the 3-13 Oilers improved by a game in their first year under Campbell.

Just don't expect a Super Bowl run right off the bat. Only Switzer made the playoffs and posted a winning record in his first year.

Experienced coaches also fared a lot better in that category:

Mind you, those numbers for coaches with coordinator experience could be gently inflated by what we'll call the "Switzer Effect." Keep in mind that former coordinators Jim Caldwell, Bill Callahan and George Seifert inherited Super Bowl-caliber teams, and all three managed to lead those squads to the championship in year one. Regardless, there's a clear gap.

But Will It Get Easier?

Logically, you'd think it would. But that's not necessarily the case.

When you compare first-year winning percentages to career winning percentages, you get only an eight percent increase for those coaches who entered the league with no pro experience while getting a 13 percent increase for those coaches who entered the league with at least some pro experience.

Further, when you look strictly at playoff success, there's an obvious correlation between coordinator experience and playoff victories. Again, only two of those eight fresh-from-college head coaches have won in the playoffs, while 55 percent of those with NFL coordinator experience have at least one playoff victory. Here's a summary of the average number of playoff wins the coaches have within each category:

Where the newbie coaches do seem to hold their own with the vets is when it comes to Super Bowl success. Thanks to two victories from Johnson and another from Switzer, 25 percent of the eight coaches from that category have made the Super Bowl (and they won all three occasions). That means those coaches won an average of 0.4 Lombardi Trophies each, which is identical to the number of coaches with previous experience (25 percent made the game at least once, with the each winning an average of 0.4 rings).

Of course, that sample size is much larger, and less prone to anomaly. Strangely, the middle group of coaches consisting of those who had served on NFL staffs but never as coordinators has zero Super Bowl victories among a sample of 22.

In other words, in the last 30 years, no coach has ever gone from being strictly an NFL position coach to head coach and won the Lombardi Trophy. Active head coaches who fit that criterion and could buck that trend: Jim Harbaugh (quarterbacks coach in Oakland but never a coordinator); Greg Schiano (secondary coach in Chicago but never a coordinator); and, interestingly, Andy Reid (quarterbacks coach in Green Bay but never a coordinator).

Nope, It's Not Going to Be Easy

It's probably not going to surprise you to learn that, at the end of the day, coaches who haven't jumped straight from college have lasted longer in this league than those who have.

In this comparison, those in the first group have gone on to coach for an average of seven seasons, while those newbies have coached for fewer than five. Here's a breakdown with all three categories (we've removed all active coaches in their first five years from the sample):

Bringing things back to that original chart, history isn't on Kelly's side.Johnson is an outlier among head coaches with no NFL background. What he did with the Cowboys in the early-1990s was amazing, and Switzer's numbers are probably inflated because he took over for Johnson only after Johnson and Jerry Jones butted heads.

Every other coach on that list posted a losing record and failed to make the playoffs. And of the eight coaches listed, only Johnson and Dennis Erickson coached for more than four years.

Considering how poorly the majority of those guys fared and how much similar cases like Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and Nick Saban struggled, you'd have to think that the history-based odds are stacked greatly against Kelly delivering at the NFL level.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Predictions for Epic Brazil vs. Italy Tilt

Steven Cook — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Somehow it feels as if the entire group stage of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is coming down to the moment that Brazil and Italy take the pitch Saturday.

Two of the most successful nations in World Cup history will take center stage, with both squads still looking like sure bets to advance to the semifinals. This might not be the last time they play in this tournament after all.

But in a stacked Group A with Mexico still looming, there's no guarantee of either team advancing and that's what will make this tilt so special. It's not everything, but it matters.

Let's take a look at some predictions for the upcoming affair.

Neymar Will Continue His Early Domination

It took nearly no time for 21-year-old sensation Neymar to make his mark on Brazil's Confederations Cup opener against Japan, as he ripped in a beautiful, 25-foot volley in just the third minute of their 3-0 win.

I don't expect anything different this time around. Sure, the Italians boast a much more talented defense than Japan that will make things tougher for the Brazilians, but Neymar is on a mission to take over the world of international football and doesn't seem able to be stopped at this level.

The 21-year-old who just recently signed for Barcelona, and their huge following is sure to be closely watching his performances in Brazil.

Neymar makes one or two plays in each match that just make your jaw drop, and he's sure to continue that against Italy.

Mario Balotelli Will Score Again

If there's anything we've seen from Mario Balotelli in the last two summers, it's that he turns it on to another level when he suits up for Italy's national team.

He proved that last year in the Euro 2012, when his Italian side advanced all the way to the final, where they were ousted by Spain. Balotelli was the MVP of that squad, scoring goals with reckless abandon and taking over matches in clutch moments.

Once again, Balotelli showed us that he's still capable with a late match-winner over Mexico in the Confederations Cup opener.

Balotelli's strength and size in the box cannot be matched, even by Brazil's skilled defenders. They simply won't be sizable enough to contend with his prowess and he'll make them pay by notching a goal.

Brazil Will Continue Roll With Big Victory

Brazil's recent success goes much, much deeper than Neymar, and that's why they'll be able to get past Italy on Saturday.

It won't be a one-sided affair by any means, and there's no reason to believe that possession will be lopsided in any way. But Italy just didn't show enough offensively against Mexico.

Balotelli's goal was certainly worth admiration, and Andrea Pirlo's free kick was incredible. But when you can't count on other players to make big plays, things get awfully tough when you face a team that offers as much offensively as Brazil.

I still think that Italy will rebound from this loss and make a deep run to perhaps face Brazil again in the championship, but the Brazilians are far too hot right now to be contained. There's no way I can see Italy shutting down Neymar, Hulk and company.

Prediction: Brazil 3, Italy 1

Confederations Cup 2013 Live Stream: Viewing Info for Group A Matchups

Rob Goldberg — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The Confederations Cup continues on Wednesday as the top teams in Group A attempt to separate themselves from the pack.

Each of the eight squads in the tournament has played one match, and half of them have gotten off to strong starts with opening victories.

Brazil and Italy are each tied at three points in Group A, while Spain and Nigeria have taken the lead in Group B. Meanwhile, Mexico, Japan, Uruguay and Tahiti have a lot of ground to make up over the next week.

Two of those clubs will have a chance on Wednesday, as all four Group A teams will be in action. Here is a look at what to expect in the two matches.

Brazil vs. Mexico

Where: Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil

Date: June 19

Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Brazil started quickly in its opening match against Japan. It only took three minutes for Neymar to fire a shot into the back of the net, giving his side a 1-0 lead that the team never gave up.

In the second half, the squad showed off the depth in talent with goals by Paulinho and Jô in the dominant victory.

This depth is something that Mexico will have a hard time matching. Javier Hernandez was able to get on the board in the 2-1 loss to Italy, but the squad has struggled to score at a consistent level in recent matches, including in World Cup qualifying.

If Brazil can defend Hernandez and Giovani Dos Santos, there are few players capable of scoring for El Tri.

Watch for the host squad to hold onto the ball for most of the match, with Neymar, Oscar, Hulk and others controlling the pace of the match. The group will then be able to make runs toward the net, which Mexico simply will not be able to defend.

While Chicharita might get a goal on a counter-attack, it will not be enough to keep this match competitive.

Prediction: Brazil 3, Mexico 1

Italy vs. Japan

Where: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Date: June 19

Time: 6 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Japan played well against Brazil for most of the match but simply could not keep its opponent off the scoreboard for the entire 90 minutes. The defense should have an easier time against the inconsistent offense of Italy.

Of course, this is not to say that the Italians lack talent. Andrea Pirlo is one of the best ever at scoring on free kicks, and Mario Balotelli is always a threat to score. However, the defensive-minded squad could sometimes struggle to break through with goals.

This will give Japan a chance to earn at least a point in the upcoming match. The group is impressive in the air and knows how to score on a cross. If someone like Shinji Kagawa is able to get a cross beyond the reach of the opposing keeper, the rest of the squad can finish with a header.

Overall, Italy has the more talented roster. However, this contest should be competitive throughout, and Japan will be fighting hard to at least get a point from this match.

The teams should get a goal apiece, but little more should be expected out of either side.

Prediction: Italy 1, Japan 1

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest updates in sports.

Is Coby Fleener Poised for a Breakout Year?

Kyle J. Rodriguez — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

One of the biggest storylines as we approach the 2013 season is Coby Fleener's potential.

Drafted in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft, the former Stanford Cardinal came into 2012 with a lot of expectations. Fleener wasn't the most productive tight end in the country during his senior season, but it was impressive nonetheless, finishing fourth among TEs with 667 receiving yards.

When he came to Indianapolis however, Fleener was outperformed by fellow rookie Dwayne Allen, and despite catching 26 passes for 281 yards, would be labeled as a disappointment by most fans. Fleener missed four games due to a shoulder injury, as well as landing on the injury report for an unofficial concussion and ankle injury later in the season.

But even when he was healthy, Fleener looked uncomfortable and lacked fluidity on the field. Allen was the more impressive blocker and receiver via the eye test, and Fleener quickly took a back seat to his fellow rookie.

But heading into the season, Fleener is the one that everyone is talking about, predicting that he'll stick out with a noticeable year just as much as Allen did in 2012.

It's not just media talking. Chuck Pagano is talking about him. Reggie Wayne is talking about him.

The scene is set for Fleener to catch people's eye in 2013. Will he fulfill expectations though, or fall short once again?

What happened in 2012?

To figure out what happened last season, we need to go back to Fleener's senior season at Stanford.

Yes, Fleener gained more than 600 yards in 2011. Even more impressive, however, was the way that Fleener accumulated those yards. Fleener caught just 34 passes in 2011, 18th among tight ends, meaning he averaged an astounding 19.6 yards per catch, the seventh highest average in the country among all players.

Coming into Indianapolis for his rookie year, the assumption was that Fleener would jump right back into a similar role. The Colts would use Fleener down the field and over the middle to stretch the field and he'd use his 4.45 speed to beat linebackers in coverage. It all made too much sense.

But, once Fleener was on the field, things played out differently.

Of his 50 targets in 2012, Fleener was targeted on short passes (less than 10 yards) 30 times, or 60 percent of the time. He finished with a mediocre 10.6 yards per reception, 33rd among 62 qualifying tight ends (subscription required) and a full yard behind Dwayne Allen's 11.6.

The Colts seemed to rarely use Fleener on long routes down the seam, instead running him out to the flat or on shallow crossing routes over the middle. Corralling him to these areas kept him from using his biggest asset: speed and athleticism. Fleener isn't particularly quick, but has great top-end speed, so having him run short routes kept him from getting open against quicker linebackers.

But Fleener's poor season wasn't just the fault of the coaching staff.

Fleener finished the season with a below-average drop rate, according to Pro Football Focus. Fleener's drop rate of 10.34 ranked 22nd among 37 qualifying tight ends, adding to the Colts' poor rate among their receivers.

Fleener isn't a particularly good route runner, his success lies in his ability to beat defenses with his size and straight-line speed. If he's dropping passes when he is open, he becomes a liability rather than an asset.

Of course, we can't talk about the 2012 season without bringing up Fleener's shoulder injury.

Before dislocating his shoulder against Tennessee in Week 8, Fleener was averaging three catches and 32 yards per game. Those numbers extrapolated over a 16-game season would have given him 48 catches and more than 500 yards, which would have been one of the best seasons by a rookie tight end since 2000.

The dramatic drop off after the injury is partially because of Dwayne Allen's emergence, but you have to wonder if the injury bothered Fleener down the stretch.

What to expect in 2013

First and foremost, the offensive coordinator change should help Fleener immensely. Fleener thrived under Pep Hamilton at Stanford in 2011, and Hamilton knows how to use him.

The Colts know that they need to get Fleener into open space more often to fully take advantage of his talents in 2013. Ryan Grigson told media members as much in March, and Dan Pompei of National Football Post says that he's heard similar things from the Colts' organization:

And they also want to use second year tight end Coby Fleener more as a vertical threat down the seam. With his speed and size, Fleener should be able to take advantage of man to man matchups as well as zone coverages.

Getting Fleener into man-to-man matchups with linebackers running down field is the key, as the Colts previewed during their comeback win against Detroit. Coby Fleener gets matched up with linebacker DeAndre Levy, runs a little out-and-up, and gets a step on Levy.

Fleener's speed gets him the step on the defender, leading to the throw by Luck. Even though the throw is slightly under-thrown, Fleener uses his size and leaping ability to rise over the linebacker and get the catch as the safety reaches the scene too late.

It's those kind of matchups that the Colts will look to isolate Fleener in during his sophomore season, and his height and size should be used in the red zone in the upcoming season, giving the Colts a red zone threat they lacked in 2012.

With Pagano confirming that Fleener's role will expand, Fleener should have the breakout season that we all expect. Even if he doesn't have 50 catches, his impact on the game should be far greater.

Fleener won't have the excuse of being misused under Hamilton. He won't have the excuse of learning a new offense, being one of the former Cardinal players to know Hamilton's vocabulary and tendencies extremely well.

If he also doesn't have to deal with injury as he did last season, he should have the breakout season we all expect. If he avoids the drops that he had last season, he could be one of Luck's favorite targets.

No matter what the case, Fleener certainly should have the opportunity to become one of the Colts' premier offensive weapons.

The only question left is: Will he take advantage of it?

Fabio Borini: How Brendan Rodgers Can Get The Best Out of Him Next Season

Mark Jones — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

For once this summer, a Liverpool forward was in the headlines and Reds fans didn’t have to wince when they picked up a newspaper or clicked on a website.

While Luis Suarez’s desire for a move away from Anfield continues to dominate column inches and web pages, Fabio Borini was able to provide a welcome distraction on Saturday evening.

Borini’s goal 11 minutes from the end of his Italy side’s European Under-21 Championships semi-final against the Netherlands was a timely reminder that, whilst Suarez stories may sell, there are still other characters worth mentioning at Liverpool.

The goal itself was a fine example of a striker’s art.

Taking a pass from Lorenzo Insigne, Borini’s excellent first touch took the ball away from defender Mike van der Hoorn yet still kept it expertly under control. He then produced the finish that the touch demanded. Four days later, he struck again in Italy's 4-2 defeat to a rampant Spain in the final.

Whilst delighted for their young forward, Reds fans also viewed the goals with an element of frustration, as it underlined just what they had been missing for the vast majority of their season.

Borini’s first campaign at Anfield may have started with a goal against FC Gomel in the Europa League and ended with a strike in the 6-0 win at Newcastle, but what went on in between those two strikes was the stuff of nightmares.

Three injuries decimated a season in which the likeable Italian was desperate to make an impact.

First came an ankle problem picked up against Manchester United last September, then, with that not fully healed, he broke a bone in his foot on Italian under-21 duty a month later, before returning only to dislocate his shoulder in a 5-0 win over his former club, Swansea City, in February.

His reaction to that most recent blow was to enjoy the comfort of some fast food on teammate Lucas Leiva’s advice, but he made a fast re-entry into the team in late April, when he climbed off the bench to score―and no doubt let out a few personal demons―in the hammering of Newcastle at St James’s Park.

That was the first match that the Reds played without Suarez following his ban for the Branislav Ivanovic biting incident, and with the club facing the prospect of playing all of their matches without the Uruguayan from now on should he leave, Borini will be eyeing a chance to stake his claim for a first-team berth.

He needs to stay fit for that to happen, of course, but when he is fit where does Brendan Rodgers play him?

The potential arrivals of the likes of Iago Aspas and Henrikh Mkhitaryan―not to mention the additions of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho in January―are sure to alter the way Liverpool attack next season, but it will also mean that there will be plenty of players who need covering.

At this stage of his Liverpool career, that is really all that the 22-year-old Borini can hope to be. Cover.

Capable of playing all across the front three positions, Borini can provide valuable cover in those areas whilst also offering more of a goal threat than the players seen in those positions in the season just gone―namely the likes of Stewart Downing, Raheem Sterling and Suso.

A season staying away from the treatment table and acting as a valuable squad member for the Reds should surely be welcomed by the Italian, who still feels like something of a new signing given his lack of playing time at the club so far.

He can change all that next season, though, and become a player who Rodgers and the Reds can rely upon to step in for others when needed throughout the campaign.

That is what he can offer, and after the season he’s just had, that is what he’d surely welcome.

Lakers' Rumors: Pros and Cons of L.A. Targeting Monta Ellis

Steven Cook — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The NBA free agency period got quite a bit more interesting with the development that Monta Ellis will opt out of his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks and test the market.

This latest news comes from Chris Broussard of ESPN The Magazine, who acknowledged the Los Angeles Lakers' interest in the 27-year-old shooting guard.

The eight-year NBA veteran is averaging 19.4 points for his career and led the Bucks with 19.2 points per contest in 2012-13. He also dished out six assists per game last season while playing alongside Brandon Jennings.

A potential move to L.A. for Ellis begs many storylines as well as positives and negatives that would be brought to the forefront. Here's a look at the biggest pros and cons in an Ellis-to-the-Lakers move.

Pro: Dwight Howard Would Love It

In Broussard's report, he was quick to note after stating the Lakers' interest that Dwight Howard has a close friendship with Ellis and would look kindly on his return to the West Coast.

Here's what Broussard's report says about the two:

Ellis, who originally signed a six-year, $66 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, is close with Lakers free agent Dwight Howard. The two have long desired to play together.

If Howard cannot achieve his top goal of playing with Chris Paul, teaming up with Ellis may become an option he would strongly consider.

There you have it. The Lakers have reasons No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 why they should start courting Ellis.

NBA free agency cycles have been fueled by star players' desires to unite and form a super-alliance, so it's no surprise that these types of storylines are again dominating the league.

Howard has every right to be worried about his long-term success with the Lakers, as Kobe Bryant enters the twilight of his career and no other true game-changer is on the roster. A move for a player of Ellis' ability might be just enough to convince Howard to stay.

Con: Low Efficiency Poses Major Concerns

There's no doubting the fact that Ellis is one of the most trigger-happy guards in the league, and that can come back to bite you just as much as it can reap success.

In 2012-13, it hurt him more than anything. Despite leading his team in points, Ellis' .416 field goal average was poor, to say the least.

He has shown a great knack for distributing the ball as a shooting guard, and won't hog the ball by any means. But he'll take his fair share of looks, with not many of them high-percentage shots.

Lakers' fans have enjoyed more than a decade of Bryant taking over games with his shooting ability, and they'll unnecessarily compare Ellis to him when he's throwing up 20 shots per night.

Ellis brings many positive attributes to the table, but his shooting efficiency is not one of them.

Pro: Immediate Boost to Help Offset Kobe's Absence

As Bryant moves further and further along in his rehabilitation process for a torn Achilles, the reality sinks in more that L.A. will be starved for production at the guard position until his return.

While the Lakers remain confident that Kobe will be able to return to the floor for the 2013-14 season opener (per USA Today), that notion is incredibly difficult to entertain as that would only given Bryant about six months to recover.

Whether Bryant is able to return to the floor or not, he won't be able to match the same type of production early on that his team relied on heavily just to get to the playoffs last season. The Lakers will need someone other than Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks to look to.

That's where Ellis comes in. His potential arrival in L.A. would take mounds of pressure off of Bryant, allowing him more time and opportunities to recover from a serious injury.

There's nobody in the world who would think that Ellis could replace Bryant, but it would help to offset the issue at the very least.

Con: Would Prevent Ability to Sign Another Max Player

The Lakers don't have much financial flexibility in this free agency period if Howard decides to re-sign with L.A. The signing of Ellis would likely be the end of their big moves this summer.

Los Angeles hasn't been linked to names such as Chris Paul as yet, but ESPN the Magazine's Broussard noted that there have been talks about Howard and CP3 communicating about uniting on the same team. Though, it's unclear how receptive the Lakers would be to giving up their superstar player to the in-town rival.

Paul has been courted by the Lakers before successfully, but the NBA stepped in and nixed the deal. So there's no reason other than his love for the Clippers that Paul wouldn't at least entertain the notion this summer.

Of course, it's unclear if the Lakers would be able to navigate such a move financially without amnestying Bryant. If that's even a consideration, then bringing in Ellis would undoubtedly shut down any possibility of L.A. grabbing Paul or any other elite player.

NBA Finals 2013: Complete Preview for Game 7

Steven Cook — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

A thrilling Game 6 victory in the 2013 NBA Finals by the Miami Heat over the San Antonio Spurs not only guaranteed one final game for the basketball season, but it also ensured that Game 7 has some real living up to do.

If it weren't for a Ray Allen three-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in regulation, we wouldn't even be talking about this and would instead be fielding talk about the completion of the final chapter of the Spurs' dynasty and LeBron James' inability to take over games. But here we are, with both of those storylines and more waiting in the balance.

History is sure to be made in Thursday's Game 7, which will shape the legacy of some of the greatest to ever play the game.

Let's break down everything you need to know about the winner-take-all finale.

When: Thursday, June 20, at 9 p.m. ET

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Fla.

Watch: ABC

Key Player to Watch: LeBron James

Who else?

A massive portion of LeBron James' legacy was on the line in Game 6, and at many times, it looked as if the four-time MVP would once again come up short on the NBA Finals stage that has been cruel to him before.

But when the headband came off, so did the prohibitive lid that was LeBron's struggles. He willed his team back from a 10-point deficit to start the fourth quarter, and, led by his all-around attacking display with a little help from the Heat's clutch shooters, he got the Heat to an overtime period that they would use to seal up Game 6.

He wasn't perfect in crunch time, but there's no doubting that he took over and made it his moment, as Gregg Doyel of CBS Sports points out:

James was all over the place offensively and defensively down the stretch for Miami, and that's what will be needed in Game 7 if he wants to avoid coming up short once again and move one step closer to winning not six, not seven.

Biggest Storyline: Can Spurs Ride off into the Sunset?

Gregg Popovich's San Antonio Spurs had the appropriate storybook ending planned out for what has been the NBA's most dominant dynasty since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. Who knows, maybe they still do.

But with resilient Heat victory after resilient Heat victory coupled with a hard-earned Game 5 win for the Spurs, there's no doubt that Pop's crew may be feeling that fate isn't on their side.

The fifth championship was set in stone with 28 seconds left in Game 6, as Manu Ginobili walked toward the charity stripe with the chance to put the Spurs up six. He made one of two, and two clutch treys by James and Ray Allen erased those hopes before they could sink in.

It's hard to expect this Spurs team to come out with anything other than their best early on in Game 7, though. That's especially true with such high stakes.

The Spurs have thrown everything at LeBron and the Heat, but the Heat have found a way to spoil the Spurs' moment yet again. If they can do so one last time, it'll tarnish the Spurs' legacy.

Prediction

The Heat have been going "win, loss, win, loss" ever since starting the Eastern Conference Finals series against Indiana, and it would be foolish to assume any different against a team like the Spurs.

But Thursday's game carries the merit that none of those other games did. Thursday is Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and the Heat have LeBron James.

James may not make an iconic buzzer-beater or put up 40 points, but his presence in the game will far outweigh what the Spurs can do. It'll take four or five of San Antonio's key players playing at their best to keep the Heat from running away with this, and I just don't think they have the legs for that.

There's no doubting the Spurs' heart, and Duncan's aggression on the block is sure to continue. But to go against the team with the best player in a Game 7 is just foolish.

Heat 99, Spurs 96: Miami wins the 2013 NBA Finals

Denver Broncos: Wes Welker a Piece of the Puzzle, Not the Key to Success

Jon Heath — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

When free-agent slot receiver Wes Welker signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Denver Broncos in March, there was much buzz about the receiver pairing up with quarterback Peyton Manning.

Welker is getting the chance to do something few have done, playing with both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning before hanging up his cleats. But while he will be a valued addition to Denver's offense, he is not the key to get them over the top, he is merely another piece of the puzzle.

As NFL.com has noted, Welker averaged 112 catches per season during his six years with the New England Patriots. But now in Denver, even Welker knows that is an unrealistic number to aim for in 2013.

"If I have to catch 112 balls, that probably means we're in trouble," Welker recently told the Denver Post's Mike Klis.

Welker made such a statement because he knows he will be joining Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in Denver, the two players who have already established themselves as Manning's top targets.

Welker will be added to the mix, make no mistake, and he will likely fulfill his role to perfection, but some seem to have a misconception of what Welker's role is.

The Broncos used three-receiver sets on 64 percent of their snaps in 2012 (expect that number to increase this fall), continuing a trend that Manning set during his time with the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout his career, Manning has featured an X and Z receiver (think Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne) and one slot man (Brandon Stokley).

That will likely continue to be the case in 2013, with Thomas taking the place of Harrison, Decker the place of Wayne and Welker the place of Stokley. If that does end up being the case, Welker can expect to see his numbers drop this season.

Last season, Manning targeted Thomas 141 times, Decker 123 times and Stokley 58 times. The results were 94 catches for Thomas, 85 catches for Decker and 45 catches for Stokley.

Stokley ended the season with 544 yards and five touchdowns and while he had half the catches of Thomas and Decker, he was arguably more productive when given opportunities, catching over 77 percent of his targets (compared to Thomas' 66 percent and Decker's 69 percent).

What these target-to-catch ratios show is (a) Stokley was reliable and clutch and (b) he was not targeted often, but when he was, they were often high completion throws. Eight times out of 10 a slot receiver—at least a reliable one—will catch a slant route on 3rd-and-short. However, the percentage of a fade route being completed to deep threats (like Thomas) is lower, simply because it is a harder pass to complete.

So with Stokley being targeted the least of Denver’s top three receivers, it made sense for him to have the lowest catch count among them, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t being productive. Stokley was doing his job—perhaps better than any other receiver on the team, earning the best target-to-catch ratio.

In 2013, the story will likely be the same for Welker.

He may not have 100 catches (in fact, I’ll put money on it that he won’t), but as Manning’s slot receiver, he won’t have to. Welker is simply a younger (by four years) version of Stokley.

Welker was brought in to replace Stokley and to fill his role going forward, not to be Manning’s top receiver in 2013. The Broncos do not need Welker—they had the No. 5 passing offense in the NFL last season—he is simply an upgrade to the slot position.

The sooner fans figure that out, the better. Otherwise, some may be confused why Welker doesn’t emerge as the team’s top receiver in 2013.

If Welker doesn't lead the team in receptions in 2013, does that mean his signing was a bad move by Denver? No, it probably means Welker is doing his job, just like Stokley did.

Brazil vs. Mexico: Each Team's Blueprint to Achieve Victory

Tim Keeney — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Brazil and Mexico are entering Wednesday's key Confederations Cup meeting with complete opposite momentum.

In the first match of the tournament, the hosts completely dominated Japan, controlling 63 percent of the possession on their way to an enthralling 3-0 victory.

El Tri, meanwhile, came away from their opener with Italy with zero points. The squads were equal in goals for most of the match, but the Italians, who outclassed Mexico for much of the battle, got a deserved winner from Mario Balotelli in the 78th minute to make it 2-1.

With zero draws so far and just three matches for each squad in the group, the implications for Wednesday's match are already massive.

A win for Brazil, and it's through to the semis. A loss for Mexico, and it is all but eliminated.

Let's take a look at what each team must do to obtain the much-needed victory.

Mexico: Attack, Attack, Attack

El Tri need to take it to Brazil.

They tried to play the cautious, defend-and-counterattack approach against Italy but ended up controlling just 41 percent of the possession and failing to create enough opportunities in their own half.

With a strikeforce that features as much talent as Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos, you can't afford to lay back and wait for something happen. You have to take it to the opponent.

Moreover, Mexico needs to display some grit and toughness moving forward.

Dos Santos' performance against Italy was a prime example of how that can be beneficial. He constantly fought for the ball, and it eventually led to Mexico's only goal, which came from the penalty spot:

If Mexico sits back, Brazil has the talent to capitalize. But if El Tri push forward, press the issue and attack the ball, they can force Brazil—a less-disciplined team compared to Italy—into some costly mistakes.

Urgency will be the key.

Brazil: Feed Neymar

There's little question that Neymar will be the most talented player on the pitch on Wednesday.

He once again proved that with this wonder strike against Japan:

Many question his work ethic and point toward his selfishness, but the new Barcelona forward is capable of doing some tantalizing things with the ball at his feet. Simply put, the more touches he gets, the more productive Brazil's attack.

Despite allowing two goals against Italy, Mexico has been strongest at the back recently. It has struggled to find a consistent attack but has still managed to produce draws because Jose de Jesus Corona has been world-class in goal, and the four in front of him have been stout.

If Brazil is going to break down that stingy defense, it will have to feed its best playmaker.

Follow @t_keen

NBA Rumors: Rounding up Hottest Buzz From Around the League

Benjamin Klein — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The NBA rumor mill is swirling fiercely, which is an indication that the offseason is about to get extremely interesting as organizations begin signing and trading some big-name players.

There are several stars on the open market this summer, which should make for an exciting offseason. Some will attempt to team up to create super-franchises, whereas others will look to sign deals where they can be the leader and contribute the most on a nightly basis.

Franchises with limited funds will be seeking out deals with other teams in order to maximize return and put an improved team on the floor in 2013-14 and beyond. There are also teams that will be looking to dump some payroll in order to open up cap space for future years.

Coaches will also be in many of the conversations in the coming months, as several teams are seeking new guys to control the lineups and create plays.

So, what’s the latest buzz from the Association? Here’s a look at what everyone is talking about these days, including coaching changes, trades and free agency.

Doc Out, Frank In?

Over the last few days, the big talk has been about the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers working on a deal that would send Doc Rivers west. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that even though those talks have ended, Rivers still isn’t sure about coming back to Boston next season.

As Wojnarowski writes, Rivers still has three years left on his deal. It’s clear that Rivers has interest in coaching other franchises and if he doesn’t want to coach the Celtics in 2013-14, Boston needs to start figuring out who its next coach is going to be.

A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast SportsNet New England names two candidates who could end up taking Rivers’ position:

While Vinny Del Negro wouldn’t be a bad option, Lawrence Frank is the coach who is more intriguing. Frank spent a season with the Celtics back in 2010-11 as an assistant on Rivers’ coaching staff. He later left to go coach the Pistons, but was fired back in April after going 54-94 in two seasons.

Frank is familiar with the Boston organization and used to be a good coach back in his days with the New Jersey Nets. Frank’s time in Detroit was bound to be a bust. If general manager Danny Ainge is seeking replacements for Rivers, it’s highly suggested he take a deep look at Frank.

Three Teams With Eyes on Ellis

Monta Ellis told the Bucks that he’s going to see what’s out on the market this summer, opting out of the final year of his deal, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN. Ellis scored 19.2 points, grabbed 3.9 rebounds and had 6.0 assists per game this past season, playing in all 82 games.

Broussard also reports that the Hawks, Mavericks and Lakers are all teams that have interest in the point guard. He notes that the only way Los Angeles could land Ellis would be via a sign-and-trade, which seems unlikely.

Atlanta needs to prepare itself for the potential departure of unrestricted free agent Josh Smith. Smith has been one of the team's better players over the years and if he decides to sign elsewhere, that’ll leave around 18 points per game off the board for the Hawks.

The Mavericks probably won’t be looking to spend a lot of money this summer, but could definitely use a star guard. Mike James and O.J. Mayo are both unrestricted free agents and Darren Collison is a restricted free agent. If the Mavs are prepared to spend the money, Dallas would be an attractive landing spot for Ellis.

Getting a player like Ellis isn’t going to be a priority for the Lakers this offseason. Instead, their full focus will be on Dwight Howard and whether he will re-sign with the team. Ellis and Howard could team up if Howard and Chris Paul can’t sign with the same team, according to Broussard.

Indiana Will Likely Keep Granger

As previously mentioned, the Clippers are on the hunt to add some big names this summer. It appears that Los Angeles won’t be getting Rivers—or Kevin Garnett—but they’re still looking into who’s available. Danny Granger is one player who isn’t.

Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN report that the Clippers have engaged in conversations with the Pacers in a deal that would include Eric Bledsoe and Granger. But ESPN’s duo says that Indiana will likely hang on to Granger since it feels he can help take down the Heat next season.

Granger couldn’t help his team defeat Miami this past postseason, as he only played in five games the entire year after undergoing surgery for a knee injury. Over the course of his eight-year career, the forward has averaged 18.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game.

Indiana nearly upended the Eastern Conference champions this season, and having Granger on the floor certainly would’ve aided the Pacers’ Finals hopes. The Pacers have a great nucleus, centered around Granger, Paul George and Roy Hibbert, among others. Keeping Granger seems like a smart move. Next year could be the year for Indiana.

Wimbledon 2013: Long-Shot Candidates Ready To Shock Field

Jesse Reed — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

From the red clay of Roland Garros to the green grass at Wimbledon, the world's best tennis players are preparing for the third Grand Slam event on the calendar in 2013. Play begins on Monday, June 24 and ends on Sunday, July 7 at the All England Club in London.

While the clay in France favored players like David Ferrer and Rafael Nadal, the hard surface at Wimbledon favors players who have huge serves and play with power. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer excel on grass, as do Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

There are some long-shot candidates who are capable of winning at Wimbledon, too. Though not as highly touted as the favorites, these players will give the field a run for its money.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Tsonga appears ready to finally take the next step and win a Grand Slam.

He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon the past two years, and he recently defeated Roger Federer in straight sets at Roland Garros in the quarterfinals.

A big, strong player (6'2" and 200 pounds) with a huge serve and a strong net game to boot, Tsonga has the necessary skills to succeed on the grass surface at Wimbledon.

In a tuneup for the upcoming Grand Slam event, Tsonga made it to the semifinals in London at the Aegon Championships only to lose in three sets to eventual champion Murray.

Still, Tsonga been playing well of late, and if he gets hot at the right time, he's as capable of winning the tournament as any player in the men's draw.

Venus Williams

Though she's not as young or spry as she used to be, it would be foolish to count out this five-time champion.

Williams hasn't been a dominant force on the WTA Tour for a few years. Diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome back in 2011, Williams struggles with fatigue—among other symptoms—and has gone through some rough patches on the court.

Despite her illness, Williams is still a force to be reckoned with on grass. Her attacking style of play is perfectly suited for the fast pace of play, and if her health cooperates, she'll be in contention in the latter rounds.

While her sister will certainly be the heavy favorite to win this tournament, the elder Williams sister could shock the world with some good luck, good health and fine play at Wimbledon this year.

Tomas Berdych

Though Berdych hasn't been playing as well as Tsonga of late, he's no less a threat to shock the field at Wimbledon this year.

Wildly inconsistent and impossible to predict, Berdych can go from brilliant to average in the blink of an eye. He recently lost to Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals of the Aegon Championships while getting ready for Wimbledon.

That said, Berdych is the only man outside the "Big Four" of Nadal, Federer, Murray and Djokovic to reach the men's final at Wimbledon in the last 10 years, as noted by Chris Skelton:

Blessed with a huge frame (6'5" and 200 pounds) that is a detriment to him on clay, Berdych's powerful serves and crushing forehand are perfectly suited to dominating on grass surfaces.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

The Most Memorable Moments of the San Antonio Spurs' 2013 Postseason

Garrett Jochnau — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:56:20 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs' postseason run has been full of excitement, and now, with just one game remaining in the 2013 NBA Finals, more excitement is on the horizon.

Both the Spurs and the Miami Heat have executed beautifully, and their final showdown in Game 7 Thursday night in Miami has the makings to be an instant classic following Miami's scintillating 103-101 overtime win in Game 6 on Tuesday night.

But while the final, upcoming highlight will be the defining moment of San Antonio's season, the Spurs' journey to the championship bout has seen its fair share of excitement, with individual moments that will forever be etched into the minds of Spurs fans and NBA fans alike.

First Round: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

For those who don't remember—and believe me, it's easy to forget—the Spurs' opening playoff series came against the Los Angeles Lakers, though the L.A. squad that took the court hardly resembled the Lakers of the regular season.

Plagued by injury, the shorthanded team from Tinseltown went down without a fight. Their regular-season campaign was sub-par considering all of their preseason hype, though it hardly compared to their utter defeat suffered against San Antonio.

Without Kobe Bryant to orchestrate L.A.'s attack, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan stifled any opportunity for an upset as the Spurs rolled to a sweep.

Considering the overall lack of competition from Los Angeles' part, San Antonio's effort can simply be defined by its victory in Game 3. In their 120-89 beatdown of L.A., the Spurs were able to hand their shorthanded opponents their worst home loss in franchise history.

The entire game can be summarized in one play.

In the opening minutes, a pass from Danny Green, whose rise to fame did not include tremendous distributing abilities, was caught in mid-air by Duncan, who effortlessly redirected it into the basket.

Alley-oops are routine in just about every other basketball city, but catching a glimpse of one in San Antonio is rare. Known as a team predicated on the fundamentals, such displays of athleticism are often substituted for layups.

Not that night.

Though the basket only counted for two points, its rarity made a statement. Even in the most uncommon of circumstances, the Spurs were able to execute, eventually leading to one of the most one-sided series in franchise history.

Second Round: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors

Beating the Golden State Warriors proved to be more difficult than their previous opponent, but San Antonio fared well, nonetheless. Along with the increased level of competition came an increased atmosphere of excitement.

And boy, was it exciting.

The opening game didn't have much promise at first. San Antonio fell behind early at the hands of Stephen Curry and his tremendous shooting ability, but with three minutes to go, the Spurs countered Golden State's attack, gaining momentum and cutting into the deficit one shot at a time. A Green three-point shot capped the near-20 point comeback as San Antonio sent the game into overtime.

However, neither team pulled away in the first overtime or the second.

The third extra period followed a similar beat until the final seconds when a three-pointer from Manu Ginobili sent San Antonio into a frenzy, along with a 1-0 series lead.

The shot itself was remarkable, but even more so was the Spurs' ability to complete a near-impossible comeback. The rest of the series unfolded in a similar fashion, with Golden State seemingly pulling away, only to watch the Spurs steal the final few games from under the Warriors' noses.

It's interesting to ponder what might have been the alternate ending had Ginobili's series-defining three-pointer fallen short in Game 1.

Western Conference Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

In the days leading up to the Western Conference Finals, most around the NBA expected the series to be a close, hard-fought battle between two evenly matched teams.

The Spurs quickly quelled that notion.

San Antonio blew out the Grizzlies in the opening game and never looked back. Though the final few contests weren't decided until the final quarter, the Spurs secured the series sweep, earning them an appearance in the NBA Finals.

As he had done throughout the entire postseason, Tony Parker carried San Antonio to the Game 4 victory that secured the Spurs' fate as the top team in the Western Conference.

To put it simply, the league's best point guard was nothing short of brilliant in the final game against Memphis where he notched 37 points on 15-for-21 shooting in the win as Parker silenced the final slew of critics.

In a performance that will go down as a highlight of his illustrious career, Parker continued to bring success to San Antonio, winning a bid to the Finals as a reward.

NBA Finals: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

Parker's dominance continued in the NBA Finals following a masterful Game 1 performance. He struggled initially and was anything but spectacular up until the final quarter.

There, Parker again proved his status as a top player in the league.

With 10 of his 21 points coming in the final 12 minutes of action, Parker led San Antonio to the Game 1 win. His final dagger, an off-balance, buzzer-beating jump shot under LeBron James, will likely go down as one of the most incredible shots in Finals history.

The win allowed San Antonio to steal home-court advantage from Miami, and although the Spurs' lost the home-court advantage, Parker's fourth-quarter performance allowed the Spurs to take a much-needed lead to start the series.

Perhaps greater than Parker's play, however, has been that of Green.

The former D-League standout shot 5-for-5 from long range in Game 2 and then topped that with a remarkable 27 points in Game 3.

In Game 5, Green connected on his 24th three-pointer of the Finals, moving him past Ray Allen in the NBA record books.

The best, however, is yet to come with Game 7. The Spurs have one last chance for a memorable moment in their 2013 postseason run. Given the excitement leading up to the long-awaited contest, it's safe to say that they won't disappoint.

United face Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool in five opening Premier League Games

Simon Edmonds — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:35:56 -0400

Manchester United have found themselves in a tricky position following the announcement of the Barclays 2013-14 Premier League fixture list, with the Red Devils having to make trips to Anfield and the Etihad, while playing host to Chelsea in the second game of the season.

The champions game against Liverpool comes on the third day of the campaign, with the trip to the blue half of Manchester being United's fifth game.

Things aren't exactly a walk in the park for United on the opening day either, with a very tricky away match at the current Capital One Cup champions, Swansea City, to contend with.

The only saving grace for David Moyes' men in this nightmare opening spree of matches is what should be a relatively straightforward three points at home to newly promoted Crystal Palace on day four.

This news comes as somewhat of a mixed bag for United supporters. While it does make the start to the season incredibly difficult for the team who are looking to win their 14th Premier League crown, it does also mean that some tricky fixtures are gotten out of the way early on.

One would have to assume that with so many challenging games coming at the very beginning of the year, there is going to be a patch later on when United are finding themselves with a string of "easy" games—if you can call any Premier League match easy.

Ideally the Red Devils will be looking to win both games against the "lesser" sides, and take at least four to six points from the other two games.

This would leave them with a respectable 10 to 12 points after five fixtures, ensuring that they would not be out of touch with the rest of the pack.

Looking far ahead to the end of the year, United have been drawn to play away at Southampton on the final day of the campaign.

The Saints were amazing at home last season, and we would have to expect the same again this year.

As such, this is another extremely challenging tie to face on what could be a crucial day of the year.

It's going to be a hellish start for the defending titleholders, but if you want to win the league you have to beat the best teams to do so, and United will have to do that once again to show everyone that they are the elite club in England.

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