Bleacher Report - Front Page

Predicting San Francisco 49ers' Wide Receiver Depth Chart After Crabtree Injury

Dan Tylicki — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:41:04 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers are quite happy that they acquired Anquan Boldin from the Baltimore Ravens, which gave them a great one-two punch with their starting receivers. Unfortunately, they are now back to where they were before.

The 49ers got a target as quickly as they lost one, as Michael Crabtree went down with a torn Achilles tendon in OTAs. It's possible he will be back late in the season, but that still means that the 49ers have to decide on a completely new receiving depth chart for most of the year.

Anquan Boldin was a 1,000-yard receiver last year for the Ravens if you include the postseason, and he is by far the most experienced player on the roster. He was a no-brainer as the second option, but does that make him the No. 1 target by default?

In short, yes. No one else on the current 49ers roster had even 500 receiving yards last season. Colin Kaepernick needs a reliable target, and receivers do not get much more reliable than Boldin.

In fact, with Crabtree out and Boldin as the only target that Kaepernick knows he can go to in a tight spot, I see a bit of a revival for Boldin this year, notching around 1,000 yards in the regular season.

The question becomes who takes over as the second receiver.

The primary candidates for that job are Mario Manningham, Quinton Patton, Kyle Williams and A.J. Jenkins. The 49ers have a slew of others on the depth chart as well, such as Marlon Moore, but these players will likely not be a factor.

Manningham and Williams put up better numbers with Alex Smith at quarterback than with Kaepernick, and Patton and Jenkins don't yet have NFL experience.

It's very easy to dismiss A.J. Jenkins on the surface, after spending most of last season inactive despite having been a first-round selection. Of the four wideouts above, however, Jenkins is the one that has chemistry with Kaepernick.

More to the point, Jenkins has bulked up in the offseason, and with Crabtree's injury, he will have the inside track on the second starting job. The question is whether or not he can produce.

A 500-yard performance is reasonable to expect out of him, especially since he has the downfield speed to be a threat—at least that's what was seen while he was scouted for the draft. Anything less or losing the starting job will put him on the fast track to being a draft bust.

As for Patton, I love the guy personally, and still think he was a steal for the 49ers. He will be expected to be a major role player and may compete with Jenkins for the starting job. He's already shown the will to play in the NFL, so we just have to see it on the field.

I see Patton hitting around the 400- to 450-yard mark, keeping in line with Jenkins throughout the year. In short, that's a battle that I don't see being entirely resolved until the end of training camp, and maybe not even then.

While Jenkins and Patton should be okay under Kaepernick's leadership, Williams and Manningham are more concerning, as both are coming off ACL injuries.

Williams should be back by the time the season begins, but he's never been a frequently-targeted passer. He's someone who could be thrown to in a tight spot, though, and 200 yards is reasonable if 20 receptions or so is presumed.

Manningham is the more concerning one. He won't be ready until later on in the season, and his production dropped when the quarterbacks were switched. In his last three starts with Kaepernick, he had one reception.

He may have more name recognition than the others thanks to his experience with New York Giants, but I see him putting up far fewer yards than expected. He had 449 receiving yards last year as a starter, and this year he may only end up with 200.

In short, the 49ers will have Boldin and Jenkins as their starters, with Patton and Williams as the primary backups. Manningham and others will contribute occasionally, but they will be deep on the chart.

The total number may not seem like a lot, but Vernon Davis should bounce back and have a better year on the receiving end, so in reality, the 49ers will still have solid receiving numbers.

After Crabtree last year, no one besides Davis had 500 receiving yards, and even he just barely passed that. They can still get close to 3,500 receiving yards without him if Boldin is as good as he should be this year.

Of course, even if their numbers are somewhat comparable on paper, the fact is that Crabtree and Kaepernick worked perfectly together, and that is something that the quarterback will either have to find with another receiver fast or find another way to win in 2013.

If Jenkins, Patton and the others do fail to step up, then there's always the loaded running back group with Frank Gore and company, featuring Kaepernick himself. Nothing wrong with running the ball more while Crabtree is out.

Best Moments from Damian Lillard's Rookie of the Year Season

Morgan Chalfant — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:36:55 -0400

Having averaged 19.0 points, 6.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game for the 2012-13 season, it's no surprise that 22-year-old point guard Damian Lillard was named Rookie of the Year for the season.

Yes, he had countless solid games. Yes, he proved himself worthy of a starting position on the Portland Trail Blazers squad. Let's take a look at five of Lillard's top moments in his debut season.

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Vitor Belfort Could Fight for Title Next but TRT Use Won't Determine Location

Damon Martin — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:36:02 -0400

Vitor Belfort is stuck in the crosshairs of controversy surrounding his use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), but it doesn't mean he won't get the next shot at the UFC middleweight title.

Last weekend, Belfort knocked out former Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold with a spectacular spinning heel kick, which marked his second head kick finish in a row. The previous knockout was over top-five middleweight Michael Bisping, and it put Belfort back at the top of the division where he remains undefeated at 185 pounds outside of a lone loss to champion Anderson Silva.

The discussion surrounding Belfort's next fight hasn't started yet, but UFC President Dana White didn't rule out the possibility of a title shot against the winner of Silva and current top contender Chris Weidman at UFC 162.

"There's no plans right now with Vitor. He just fought so we'll see what happens. It would make sense for those two (Silva and Weidman) to fight and that's not far away, and then those two fight or Vitor could fight again," White said when speaking to the media on Thursday. "He could fight either one of those guys."

The biggest question that continues to swirl around Belfort's involvement in a potential title fight is his continued use of TRT. While the treatment is not illegal by any means, Belfort's 2006 suspension after testing positive for steroids still haunts the middleweight contender.

For Belfort to continue on his TRT treatments he must receive a therapeutic use exemption from whatever state commission his fight is taking place in, and because of his past steroid trouble it could cause an issue.

"Vitor doesn't want this, he's aggravated and pissed off about this stuff. He doesn't want his name to be smeared," White said about Belfort's TRT usage. "I don't like TRT, I'm not a fan of it, I don't like it at all. I said a while ago these guys are going to be tested and Vitor was tested. Vitor followed the rules and did what he was supposed to do."

As far as a location for the fight, White doesn't see Belfort having any trouble receiving his fight license, but a use exemption for TRT is another story all together. White leaves that up to the commissions, but promises that the UFC isn't putting Belfort in places like Brazil where he is allowed to use TRT just so he can continue to fight while using the treatment.

"That's up to them. They'll have to do a hearing or however they want to do it," White said about Belfort being approved by another commission. "We're not keeping Vitor out of fighting from anywhere. We had Vitor fight in Brazil because Vitor sells out in Brazil. It's all a bunch of conspiracy, f—king crock of s—t."

Whether or not Belfort sits out to face the winner of Silva vs. Weidman remains to be seen. Depending on who wins that fight and what kind of time off they will require after the early-July title bout could determine Belfort's next course of action.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.

Biggest Questions and Answers for the Miami Heat This Offseason

Sam Richmond — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:33:53 -0400

There won't be a lot of money thrown around this offseason for the Miami Heat. With three superstars on the roster, Miami has almost no financial flexibility.

But there are still plenty of decisions that Miami will have to make this summer that will affect next year's team.

Change could happen: There are team options, player options, unrestricted free agents and a potential amnesty clause.

So, let's look at how the Heat should handle these possible changes.

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Texas Football: How the Longhorns Are Leaning on Their 2011 Recruiting Class

Jonathan Woo — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:30:25 -0400

When you fall off your horse—the saying goes—you are supposed to get back on. That is exactly what the Texas Longhorns have done over the course of the past two seasons.

When the Longhorns dropped five of their last six contests to finish 2010 with a 5-7 record, it marked a historic stumble for a program that had made its second national championship appearance in five seasons.

Mack Brown was adamant about restoring what was once an elite program, and the results are beginning to show themselves after two years of marginal improvement—although the 2013 season figures to be the payout campaign filled with high expectations and media attention.

But behind all of that hype and rhetoric is the foundation of a team that arguably is ready for a special year.

The 2011 recruiting class—a group that includes quarterback David Ash and running backs Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron—has had a number of players emerge to become a core, and it just might have enough working pieces to make something happen.

The ‘Horns locked up 22 commitments in their 2011 haul, and 14 of them figure to contribute in some fashion this season. If Texas is able to bring home some hardware this season, these juniors and redshirt sophomores will have huge roles in doing so.

Offensively, the 2011 class has fingerprints all over.

David Ash is going into his junior season with a wealth of experience. His physical abilities have helped him tremendously in the past, and now he will have to conquer the mental tasks of running an up-tempo offense.

Running backs Brown and Bergeron are both three-year contributors like Ash and are two-thirds of a trio of backs that can challenge any backfield in the country from a talent standpoint. Is this the year that the production catches up with the talent?

Jaxon Shipley is a fixture at wide receiver, one of two reliable options (Mike Davis). Shipley saw his numbers increase in virtually every category from his freshman to his sophomore season, and similar improvements will be the standard for the junior receiver.

The Longhorns have not had success at tight end, but M.J. McFarland definitely gives them a reason to be hopeful. After redshirting his freshman year in 2011, McFarland caught eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in 12 games in 2012. Blessed with great athleticism, McFarland could flourish in a spread offense.

Josh Cochran has made the most noise up front, having seen significant time at left and right tackle since arriving as a freshman. Two years later, Cochran has become a reliable contributor outside, and his efforts cannot be understated during a 2011 season that really called for help on the offensive line.

Defensively, the 2011 class delivered, although there is still much to expect from the group.

Desmond Jackson has become a solid fixture in the defensive tackle rotation—with 25 games under his belt—and is one candidate for a huge 2013 season.

Cedric Reed is the favorite to come out of summer with the starting defensive end spot opposite Jackson Jeffcoat. Reed’s development has been a steady climb, but after a standout sophomore season, Reed is firmly in the spotlight on the defensive line.

Linebackers Steve Edmond and Kendall Thompson saw big minutes last season, and their inexperience got the better of them more often than not. Nevertheless, the two of them are significant pieces to the puzzle on defense.

Quandre Diggs is the obvious name drop, and his production speaks volumes over the course of his two seasons. Entering his junior season, Diggs is expected to slide into the nickelback position, taking over where Kenny Vaccaro left off.

The last three all play in the secondary as up-and-comers who flashed some brilliance last season and are expected to serve big roles in the defensive backfield.

Sheroid Evans has emerged as a legitimate option at cornerback, allowing Diggs’ move to the nickel and some safety. Mykkele Thompson and Josh Turner have come along nicely as well and have made enough plays in the past to warrant a place in the rotation. While players like Adrian Phillips and Carrington Byndom have the seniority, Thompson and Turner have not been without their standout plays.

Ultimately, Texas’ 2011 recruiting class has produced solid pieces at virtually every position. The Longhorns were one of the youngest teams a season ago, but with all of these third-year players gaining valuable experience early on, the foundation is a huge reason why they are one of the favorites to win the Big 12.

New York vs. Boston: Survival Mode Is Business as Usual for 2013 Rangers

Steve Silverman — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:19:17 -0400

The New York Rangers must like living on the edge.

Outplayed badly through the first eight minutes of the second period, the Rangers were trailing the Boston Bruins 2-0 and their season was in the countdown mode.

Then Bruins goalie stumbled at the same time Carl Hagelin tossed an easy shot at him. The puck took a slow, meandering journey and ended up in the net. It was an ugly, tortured goal, but it gave the Rangers life.

Instead of skating in mud the rest of the way, the Rangers did nothing but fight, and they came away with a 4-3 overtime victory in the fourth game of the conference semifinals.

The Rangers have been teetering on the brink of failure through much of the season. It seems to bring out the best in them

During the regular season, a playoff spot seemed to be slipping away from them, but trade deadline deals that brought them Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore from Columbus along with Ryane Clowe from San Jose allowed them to rally and earn the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In the first round of the playoffs, Rangers were trailing the Washington Capitals 3-2 and appeared to be ready to say goodbye to the season. But Henrik Lundqvist responded with back-to-back shutouts as the Rangers survived and advanced.

It's too early to say the Rangers will do the same thing to the Boston Bruins after Brian Boyle scored the tying goal on a power play in the third period and Chris Kreider deflected home the winner on a sensational pass from Rick Nash, but they have taken the first step toward a remarkable comeback.

Perhaps the Rangers have the right opponent for building a remarkable turnaround. The Boston Bruins led the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 before the Bruins let them tie the first-round series and send it to a seventh game. The Bruins were on their way toward losing that until they made a miracle comeback of their own in the seventh game.

However, the Bruins have blown bigger leads than that. They endured one of the worst nightmares in hockey history in 2010 when they lost a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers by losing four straight.

The Flyers became the third team in NHL history to overcome an 0-3 deficit. The others were the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders.

Veteran hockey writer and Hall of Famer Stan Fischler believes that the Rangers have the Bruins on the run.

What did I tell you -- a fourth-liner did the trick. #Rangers have #Bruins where they want them -- in Panics-vlle. #Rask won't be the same.
— Stan Fischler (@StanFischler) May 24, 2013

When the Flyers made their comeback against the Bruins, their first victory came in overtime at home, just the way the Rangers did Thursday night.

The Rangers certainly hope the Bruins cooperate and give them Games 5 and 6, but the Bruins have proven quite a bit since then. In addition to stopping the Maple Leafs in their tracks in the first round, the Bruins bounced back from their 2010 disaster by winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Rask knew that his fall allowed the Rangers to score the first goal. It happened when the edge of his skate got stuck in the ice.

Tuukka said he took step to the side & felt like his skate dug into a skate mark or something.."then lost my balance and rest is history"^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) May 24, 2013

The Bruins still held a 2-1 edge going into the third, but a giveaway by Zdeno Chara allowed Derick Stepan to score the tying goal early in the third period.

The Bruins responded and took a 3-2 lead when Tyler Seguin scored at the 8:06 mark of the third period just as a Boston power play ended.

However, when the Bruins were called for too many men on the ice—the franchise's signature nightmare penalty call—Boyle was able to score the tying goal.

If you think a power-play goal is unusual for Boyle, you're right. It was his first goal with a man advantage since 2011.

On the surface, the Rangers still have much work to do. They are down 3-1 with the fifth game in Boston on Saturday.

But they have life and at least a little bit of momentum.

They appear to only know how to do things the hard way, and a victory in the conference semifinal round would come in the hardest way possible.

Dana White Blasts 'Moron' John Cholish, Cholish Offers Response

Trent Reinsmith — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:17:05 -0400

John Cholish walked away from the UFC after a second-round submission loss to Gleison Tibau at UFC on FX 8. The loss was the second defeat in a row for Cholish, who retired from the sport with a professional record of 8-3 and a UFC record of 1-2.

After his retirement, Cholish, a graduate of Cornell University who holds a job as a commodities trader on Wall Street, spoke to Bleacher Report’s Damon Martin about one of the reasons he walked away from the sport, low fighter pay:

Zuffa is a private company so they don't have to disclose a lot of their information, and again this is my personal opinion, I'm not saying it's for anyone else but I've spoken to a vast array of fighters from top level guys to mid-tier guys to lower level guys and I feel at least the guys I've spoken with kind of have that same feeling of maybe they're not being fully compensated the way that they should be. But guys are scared.

During his conversation with Martin, Cholish broke down all the costs associated with his recent fight in Brazil. In the end, Martin estimated that Cholish returned home from Brazil losing a significant amount of money for his troubles.

UFC president Dana White was asked about the statement Cholish made to Martin.

"What’s scary is this guy wasn’t good enough to be in the UFC," White said. "I wonder if he’s good enough to be on Wall Street. I mean, this guy has to be the biggest moron I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s talking about taxes? Yes, Wall Street guy you have to pay taxes, so do I. When we go down to Brazil and do a fight I pay taxes in Brazil too, and Sweden, and in all these other countries and states. Every state that we go to takes taxes."

White continued, "He signed a contract. He got the same opportunity that Georges St-Pierre, that Anderson Silva, that Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez and the list goes on and on. The unfortunate part of this business is some of you are good enough to be here and some of you are not. That’s life, Cholish.

"Unfortunately my friend, you weren’t good enough to be here. Hopefully you’re good enough to stick around on Wall Street, because if you don’t know what taxes are, I’ve got a feeling you’re not."

According to the UFC president, "Fighter pay has been beaten to death. If you don’t want to be here, don’t sign a contract with us. I can tell you this, John Cholish was paid discretionary bonuses even when he lost. What do you want me to tell you? The guy is delusional, not too bright and what do you want me to say to that?"

Word of White’s comments did get back to Cholish, and he made it clear that he was more than willing to discuss the topic with White in person:

White has not responded to Cholish at this time.

**all quotes obtained firsthand by BR MMA unless noted.

Nets Reportedly Denied Permission to Speak to Doc Rivers About Head Coaching Job

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:15:05 -0400

The future of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce with the Boston Celtics might be up in the air, but the team has reportedly made it clear in no uncertain terms that head coach Doc Rivers will return for the 2013-14 season.

According to ESPN's Jackie MacMullan, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied the Brooklyn Nets permission to speak with Rivers about their open coaching position.

Ainge refused to comment on the report when contacted, but did tell MacMullan he fully expects Rivers on the Boston bench next season.

"Doc has told me he's coming back," Ainge said. "I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward."

With Garnett undecided on retirement and Pierce reportedly preparing to be traded by the team this summer, many wondered whether Rivers was on his way out as well.

Ainge said last week when asked about the possibility of Rivers stepping down that he expected the 51-year-old coach to return for a 10th season.

Rivers won his 400th game with the Celtics last season and is the third-winningest coach in franchise history behind Red Auerbach and Tommy Heinsohn. Boston went 41-40 during the regular season before being eliminated from the playoffs by the New York Knicks in Round 1.

From the moment the Celtics’ season ended, Rivers’ name became a hot commodity for teams looking to make the next step.

Count the Nets among those curious about the championship-winning coach. Brooklyn chose not to retain interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo after the team lost in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, leaving one of the more interesting jobs in the NBA up for grabs.

The Nets have two franchise-level players in Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, as well as veteran presences like Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace. With an ownership group unafraid to spend exorbitant sums on talent—Brooklyn had the second-highest payroll in the NBA this season—Nets brass thought they could convince Rivers to jump ship.

Ainge put the kibosh on that conversation before it could begin.

If reports are to be believed, Brooklyn has made it no secret that it's looking for a high-profile coach to fill the vacancy left by Carlesimo. The Nets reportedly contacted Phil Jackson earlier this month and gauged his interest in returning to the bench, but the 11-time champion declined to be interviewed.

In an interview with the Dan Patrick Show earlier this week, Jackson called Brooklyn a "good situation" but said he rebuffed the Nets' interest. Jackson has maintained he has no interest in being an NBA head coach again.

With Rivers and Jackson out of the equation, it's unclear where the Nets will go next. Gery Woefel of the Journal Times reported that Brooklyn has interest in Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, whose contract expires after this season. But with Memphis making the Western Conference Finals and Hollins saying he expects to return, the Nets might have to go even further down their list.

NBA Hall of Famer Larry Brown and current Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw are both considered candidates for the position.

Rivers has made no statement on his level of interest—or lack thereof—in the Brooklyn vacancy.

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Memorial Cup 2013: London vs. Saskatoon Recap, Updated Bracket and More

Maxwell Ogden — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:14:44 -0400

In the tiebreaker game of the 2013 Memorial Cup, the London Knights defeated the Saskatoon Blades by a score of 6-1 to advance to the semifinals round.

Six different players scored for London, as they attacked Saskatoon's weak defense at virtual will. Paired with a masterful performance by goaltender Jake Patterson, London was simply too much for Saskatoon to handle.

Patterson stopped 32 of the 33 shots he faced.

Amongst the notable goal scorers were London's Seth Griffin and Nikita Zakarov, who have combined for five total goals at the Memorial Cup. Highly-touted center Max Domi picked up an assist, while Bo Horvat and Chris Tierney each tallied a goal and an assist.

Nathan Burns scored the lone goal for Saskatoon.

As a result of their victory, the Knights will move on to the semifinals and play the Portland Winterhawks. Portland won the first meeting by a score of 6-3, which London will likely push out of their memories as they compete for the Memorial Cup crown.

It all started tonight, and how much more impressive could they have been?

Round-Robin Standings

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	PTS
Halifax Mooseheads	3	2	1	0	4
Portland Winterhawks	3	2	1	0	4
London Knights	3	1	2	0	2
Saskatoon Blades	3	1	2	0	2

Full Memorial Cup Schedule

Round Robin

Date	Away		Home
May 17	London	3	Saskatoon	2
May 18	Portland	4	Halifax	7
May 19	Saskatoon	5	Halifax	2
May 20	Portland	6	London	3
May 21	Halifax	9	London	2
May 22	Saskatoon	2	Portland	4

Playoff Bracket

Round	Away	Home	Date	Time
Tiebreaker:	Saskatoon Blades (1)	London Knights (6)	Thursday, May 23	8 p.m. ET
Semifinals:	London Knights	Portland Winterhawks	Friday, May 24	8 p.m. ET
Finals	TBD	Halifax Mooseheads	Sunday, May 26	7 p.m. ET

Game Recap

Team	1	2	3	Total
Saskatoon Blades	0	0	1	1
London Knights	1	2	3	6

With the opportunity to make their way into the semifinals of the 2013 Memorial Cup, one might expect a highly competitive game. While the effort may have been present, there was hardly any moment beyond the first period that placed the outcome in doubt.

It was all about offensive firepower.

During the first period, Bo Horvat capitalized on an early penalty shot to find the back of the net and put London up 1-0 just 3:05 in. Andrey Makarov settled down for the rest of the period, but Jake Patterson just wasn't going to allow an equalizer.

After one period of play, London was in control.

Saksatoon played horrendous defense during the second period, allowing 21 shots on goal. Makarov did all he could to protect the net, but Seth Griffin capitalized on the offensive onslaught by scoring his third goal of the Memorial Cup off of assists from Alex Broadhurst and Olli Maatta.

Less than one minute later, Chris Tienery scored off of assists from Max Domi and Broadhurst to give London a 3-0 lead—you can't blame a goaltender who faces 21 shots in one period for that.

Ryan Rupert wasted no time in piling on the goals, finding the back of the net off assists from Tierney and Matt Rupert. Thirty-seven seconds later, Kyle Platzer netted one off feeds from Josh Anderson and Brett Welychka.

We aren't making this up—29 seconds later, Nikita Zadorov scored another goal for London off assists from Brett Welychka and Bo Horvat.

For those who weren't counting, that's three goals in the span of one minute and six seconds. That also put London up 6-0 and thus led to Makarov being pulled from net.

It was a strong effort by Makarov, but after a grueling second period, there just wasn't anything left in the tank.

Nathan Burns scored his first goal of the Memorial Cup with an assist from Lukas Sutter, but it just wasn't enough for Saskatoon. They trailed 6-1 and could not overcome London's furious offense and the holes in their own defense.

The Knights now move on to the semifinals, where they'll play Seth Jones and the Portland Winterhawks.

WWE News: New NXT Champion Crowned Spoiler

Colin I. McAndrew — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:09:23 -0400

It's disclosure time again: If you are not a fan of spoilers, there is no need to read any further.

Especially if you are looking forward to all that WWE has in store for NXT.

Well, it appears Big E Langston is now a full-fledged main roster WWE superstar. According to TWNPnews.com, Langston dropped the title to Bo Dallas during Thursday night’s NXT TV taping.

This is great news for both stars, as this will give Langston a chance to shine on the main roster and give Dallas the push he sorely needs to be taken seriously by fans. Don't get me wrong, Dallas is a very talented star and has a promising future ahead of him.

However, he really is missing that "it factor," and maybe this title run will give him the confidence to raise the bar. Keep in mind, the last two people to hold this title were called up within months of wining it and have landed themselves in some high-profile storylines.

If history repeats itself, there is a good chance that Dallas could be moved up to the main roster on a more permanent basis.

As far as Langston goes, there is no doubt that he is being primed to be a top heel for WWE. Let's just hope that they don't rush him into a main-event spot that he is not ready for. Overall, we will have to wait and see what's in store for both stars.

Hopefully, their personas will be strong enough to push them to the next level and keep the NXT title tradition alive.

Dispelling the Biggest Myths Surrounding LA Lakers 2013 Offseason

J.M. Poulard — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:08:13 -0400

The 2013 offseason will be an incredibly important one for the Los Angeles Lakers’ short and long-term ambitions. However, multiple myths pertaining to their prospective moves have arisen recently and must be dispelled.

For instance, salary cap guru Larry Coon wrote a terrific piece outlining the complications involved with re-signing Dwight Howard and landing Chris Paul as a free agent.

In short, it requires a multitude of roster moves to obtain the necessary cap space—then both players must accept a pay cut. The other possibility involves one of them getting a max contract while the other takes a substantial decrease in salary.

These scenarios aren’t impossible, but rather unlikely.

There are more stories floating out there involving the Purple and Gold’s next set of options at their disposal. Some of them have merit, whereas a handful of them are simply myths that must be debunked.

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Three Players the Edmonton Oilers Should Consider Trading For This Offseason

Adam Bowen — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:08:00 -0400

The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in yet another period of transition as new General Manager Craig MacTavish looks to take the club from rebuilding to respectability.

The Oilers are loaded with top-end talent with the likes of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov leading the way offensively.

The secondary scoring in Edmonton, as well as the role players have been missing during this transitional period and MacTavish will need to bring in players who can contribute and also help change the culture of the team going forward.

Here is a look at the three players the Edmonton Oilers should trade for this offseason.

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Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: Game 2 Preview, Schedule and Predictions

Zach Buckley — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:02:23 -0400

The Indiana Pacers know what they gave away on Tuesday night.

Whether the true cause of their crushing 103-102 overtime defeat was Frank Vogel's coaching blunder (more on that later), Paul George's overcommitment or just another dazzling performance by one of the greatest to ever pick up a basketball is moot.

What matters is that the Pacers came within 2.2 seconds of stealing a win on the Miami Heat's home floor, swiping home-court advantage and taking an early series lead in the process, but ultimately couldn't seal the deal (or the paint, rather).

Any fears of those emotional effects carrying over into Game 2, though, can be thrown out the window. Indiana proved to itself (again) that it has the talent to play with the defending champs and knows that its disastrous defensive breakdown on the final possession was far from its only wasted opportunity.

But don't overlook the importance of Miami's wake-up call.

The Heat did not put their best foot forward in Game 1 and still found a way to eke out a crucial victory (via ESPN Stats & Info):

Erik Spoelstra's perimeter shooters went missing in action; his starting center managed just two rebounds in 36 minutes, and his team was often reckless with the basketball. Of course, Miami had a similarly sluggish start after another long layoff in their second-round series with the Chicago Bulls, then silenced the panic alarms with four straight wins to close out the series.

Will Indiana's confidence prove merited when these two teams return to action, or will Miami clean up its execution and take another step up its 16-game title defense ladder?

Time: Friday, May 24, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami

Series: Heat lead 1-0

TV: TNT

Game 2 Key Storyline: Bright Lights, Big City

Neither team found much rhythm in Game 1, and the magnitude of the moment combined with an overzealous officiating crew may have been the cause of that.

The contest was incredibly disjointed. There were a total of 58 personal fouls handed out, as players and observers had a hard time deciphering just how much contact the refs would allow.

Dwyane Wade left the game after picking up his sixth foul for brushing the arm of Paul George on his attempted go-ahead three-point shot with 2.2 seconds left in the extra session. All five Pacers starters racked up at least four fouls a piece, while Norris Cole and Ray Allen collected a total of nine off the bench. Even MVP LeBron James, who embarked on a 254-minute foul-free streak in the regular season, was whistled for five infractions.

But the offensive execution on both ends of the floor was just as inconsistent.

It isn't easy to keep composure when a trip to the NBA Finals is at stake, but the sloppy play in Game 1 bordered on being inexcusable. The teams committed a total of 41 turnovers, and far too many of them were self-inflicted wounds.

The starting and stopping by way of the zebras didn't help matters, but players from both teams were guilty of trying to do to much. Paul George threw a pass to no one in a two-point game with 20 seconds left in regulation. Or George's errant inbounds pass in the closing seconds of overtime that was grabbed by Norris Cole, whose decision to attempt to advance the ball rather than call for a timeout set up Wade's fateful foul on George.

Neither team minds rolling up their sleeves and getting dirty on the defensive end, but clearer heads must prevail on the offensive side to secure a victory on Friday night.

Series Star So Far: LeBron James

The greatest of all-time debates still feel dramatically premature for LeBron James (see: one championship), but there's no arguing about which player is the new standard-setter in the NBA.

Fresh off his fourth MVP award in five years, the King's excellence has been on brilliant display in navigating the Heat to a pair of series wins. But even he had to marvel at his own performance in Game 1, an effort that looked equally dominant on video and in print.

Despite the five fouls, James played a team-high 47 of the game's 53 minutes. And he absolutely made the most of his time on the floor, pouring in 30 points (on 12-of-24 shooting from the field) to go along with his 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks.

His game-winning lefty layup was more than just the icing on the cake; it was his latest entry into the history books (via ESPN Stats & Info):

Projected Starting Lineups

Indiana: George Hill, PG; Lance Stephenson, SG; Paul George, SF; David West, PF; Roy Hibbert, C

Miami: Mario Chalmers*, PG, Dwyane Wade, SG; LeBron James, SF; Udonis Haslem, PF; Chris Bosh, C

Pacers Injury Report (via CBSSports.com)

Danny Granger (knee), out

Heat Injury Report

Mario Chalmers (shoulder), questionable

Pacers Will Win If...

...They stop thinking and start acting.

This isn't solely a dig on Vogel, although his decision to bench Roy Hibbert on the game's final possession is part of the problem. There was a logical strategy behind the move; he wanted a smaller, switching lineup to match up with Miami's quick, versatile lineup.

But once the game plan shifts from keeping one of the league's most intimidating rim protectors to challenge the best slasher in the business in order to contest a potential perimeter jumper—clearly there's been some costly overthinking committed.

The Pacers lost their identity at times in Game 1, forgot what it was that had brought them this far. Indiana can't match Miami's talent man-for-man, so paying attention to the little things becomes a key component of a Pacers' win in this series.

They knew where to attack the Heat offensively. They force-fed the ball to their post players, and Hibbert and David West responded with a combined 45 points on 35 field-goal attempts.

But for a team that prides itself on the defensive end, there were far too many mistakes there. Miami's pick-and-rolls yielded a number of clean drives to the basket. Hibbert did a good job of clogging the middle and stopping some penetration, but his teammates were late to help on his man.

The result was this defensive powerhouse, this team with a commanding size advantage ceding 60 points in the paint and 29 made field goals in the restricted area.

Sharpen the defensive rotations, take care of the basketball and let the system do its job.

Heat Will Win If...

...James keeps his energy level at his highest and his teammates are there when he needs them.

He has the talent to impact the outcome like he did in Game 1 on a nightly basis, but he took his talents to South Beach because of the players that were going to surround him.

He got solid contributions from the other two-thirds of Miami's vaunted Big Three (Dwyane Wade had 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting; Chris Bosh dropped 17 on a 6-of-11 performance). Chris Andersen was nothing short of spectacular (16 points, 7-of-7 from the field, five boards and three blocks in 18 minutes). Mario Chalmers was on his way to a solid night (10 points, 4-of-7) before a bruised shoulder sent him to the sideline after 21 minutes.

But this was far from Miami's best effort.

Norris Cole, whose postseason play had Heat fans clamoring for more minutes in the first two rounds, looked clearly out of his comfort zone (two points, 1-of-4, team-high five turnovers). Shane Battier and Ray Allen continued to struggle with their shots, going a combined 1-of-12 from the field.

Miami struggled to slow Indiana's interior scoring, 48 points, despite Pacers' shooters doing nothing to hold them on the perimeter (Indiana shot 4-of-14 from three). The Heat allowed 17 offensive rebounds, and their 21 turnovers gave the Pacers 18 points.

Despite the league-best 66 regular-season wins or its incredible 27-game winning streak, Miami has struggled with consistently producing 48 minutes of efficient basketball.

A greater sense of urgency without trying to do too much would help the Heat hold serve on their home floor.

Prediction

The Pacers present a number of problems for the Heat, and those become exaggerated when Miami falls into its frustrating lulls.

But Indiana may have just lost its best chance at stealing home-court advantage with its crunch-time collapse.

The Heat's shooters will awaken sooner than later, and when that happens the Pacers' size advantage is mitigated by Spoelstra's perimeter-oriented, positionless approach. And Spoelstra doesn't even have to wait that long to help turn the tide in the post, as Andersen's clearly deserving of more playing time and could see a minutes boost in Game 2.

Indiana's a team on the rise and has one of the most exciting young players in the league in George.

But Miami's already the cream of the crop and wants nothing more than to add another title to its growing resume.

Heat 104, Pacers 95

Has Justin Tuck Finally Solved His Motivation Issues?

Tamer Chamma — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:59:28 -0400

Unlike 2011, this time Justin Tuck is trying to solve his motivation issues before the season starts. The New York Giants defensive captain famously turned his season around two years ago after a heart-to-heart chat with Tom Coughlin prior to the team’s Christmas Eve game against their stadium roommates, the New York Jets.

Tuck had struggled through the first 14 games of 2011 due to obstacles that consumed him both on and off the field.

Nagging injuries to his neck, ankle and toe, among other areas of his body, wore on him physically (these injuries actually caused him to miss four October games) and even more so mentally, as he had to deal with playing in pain. He was also grieving due to the loss of his grandfather in August and uncle in September.

The emotional and physical pain of 2011 actually had him contemplating retirement, at only 28 years old, midway through the season.

That all changed after his talk with Coughlin. Tuck came away from the meeting rejuvenated, and it showed in his play. After tallying only three sacks through his first 10 games, he managed to rack up 5.5 quarterback takedowns through Big Blue’s final two regular-season matchups and four playoff games.

Tuck’s late-season renaissance seemed to set the stage for a big 2012 campaign. Instead, Tuck struggled again, even without the off-the-field issues or debilitating injuries (he only missed one game last season).

He actually performed worse than the year before, registering only four sacks, one pass defensed and no stuffs in 15 games. In 2011, he had five sacks, three pass defenses and one stuff in 12 games.

In order to break out of this funk, Tuck didn’t consult his head coach again, but instead motivational speaker Tony Robbins. After four days and a whopping 50 hours with Robbins in March, including a barefooted walk across hot coals, Tuck believes he is rejuvenated, as you can see in the below excerpt from an article by ESPN.com’s Ohm Youngmisuk:

I feel like if I can get my mind to a point where I'm saying I am not afraid of these hot coals and I am going to own this moment, then you can get your mind to own anything. You might have a phobia of snakes, that is all mental.

The thing that I got from it the most was a renewed confidence in self.

So is the eight-year veteran finally motivated? Is he ready to regain the top-notch form he displayed from 2007 through 2010?

The answer is an ambiguous maybe. Tuck’s motivation issues weren’t solved the first time, so there is no reason to believe that a few days with Tony Robbins is going to suddenly eliminate the problem.

Tuck had a right to struggle with his motivation in 2011. Dealing with multiple injuries simultaneously cannot be easy in such a physically demanding sport. When you compound this with the grief that comes while mourning the loss of two family members at the same time, it is easy to see why he became distracted and disheartened.

The fact that he seemed to deal with the same mental issues last season is downright puzzling.

Tuck used his talk with Coughlin to finish 2011 on a very strong note. His late-season play was a big reason why the Giants won their second Super Bowl in four years.

That Tuck was able to overcome the obstacles he faced in time to help his team win a championship should have provided him with a renewed sense of fire and confidence. Yet, his play somehow managed to decline off a bad year even though he was relatively healthy and grief-free.

Motivation appears to be the only thing stopping Tuck from once again becoming an impact defensive end.

Age certainly shouldn’t be a concern, as he just turned 30 in March. Top defensive ends have shown an ability to be very productive well into their 30s. For example, Michael Strahan had a ridiculous 79.5 sacks after his 30th birthday, while Reggie White tallied six seasons of double-digit sacks in his fourth decade of life.

Tuck isn’t the same caliber of player as Strahan and White but, in his prime, he was only a notch below.

Also, injury history is only a slight worry as a reason for a premature decline in play. Despite his health issues in 2011, Tuck has only missed five games since the start of the 2007 season. Prior to 2007, he dealt with a knee injury in college that affected his draft value and a foot injury that required season-ending surgery in November 2006.

This is a relatively clean health history for a defensive lineman entering his ninth season in the NFL.

If the Tony Robbins getaway did the trick, then Tuck should have a strong 2013 season. He is still capable of recording eight to 10 sacks and impact plays as a run defender.

It is certainly not a guarantee, though, that Tuck will come out hungry and motivated after two seasons of mostly lackluster play. Anything is possible, however, from the man that cured Shallow Hal.

If you want more, follow Tamer's tweets at Follow @TamerC_BR

Blackhawks vs. Red Wings Game 4: Score, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Tim Keeney — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:56:59 -0400

Needing a win to put immense pressure on the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks, the Detroit Red Wings put forth a stymieing performance on Thursday night to earn a crucial 2-0 victory.

Jakub Kindl scored a timely power-play goal in the second period, and Jimmy Howard had a 28-save shutout. Detroit now holds the 3-1 series lead as we head back to Chicago for Game 5.

The action in front of a raucous crowd at Joe Louis Arena was free-flowing and fast-paced from the start. But despite both teams combining for 24 shots in the opening period, no one was able to light up the scoreboard, as Corey Crawford and Howard both made some exceptional saves.

Detroit's 29-year-old goaltender, in particular, was terrific:

Halfway through the second period, Howard was rewarded for his efforts when Kindl gave his team the lead.

Almost two minutes exactly after Jonathan Toews was sent to the penalty box for high-sticking Justin Abdelkader, Kindl blasted a slap shot right past Crawford to make it 1-0:

But it wasn't just the timing and importance that made the defenseman's goal so impressive. It was that he was able to score against Chicago's stingy penalty-kill defense.

It was such a rare occurrence, in fact, that it had happened a whopping zero times this postseason:

The Blackhawks, desperately needing an equalizer, continued to press on. As we headed to the final intermission, the chances at goal were even:

During the break, Yahoo! Sports' Nick Cotsonika came up with a brilliant idea for the Red Wings to hold on to their precious lead in the final 15 minutes:

But Howard didn't need it.

The Blackhawks got several legitimate chances in the final period, including a power play, but Howard continued his brick-wall ways in between the pipes.

Daniel Cleary added an open-net goal in the final minute to seal the victory.

What's Next?

It's desperation time now for the Blackhawks, who were the league's most dominant team during the regular season.

Facing adversity for the first time all year, they will head back to Chicago on Saturday at 8 p.m ET in hopes to extend the series. But if they can't figure out the red-hot Howard, the Red Wings will advance to the conference finals in front of Chicago's fans.

Power Ranking the Best Tailgating Scenes in the SEC

Carl Stine — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:52:18 -0400

The SEC is the best of the best in the college universe, on the field and off.

There is no better conference on the field, as proven by seven consecutive BCS championships.

There is no better conference off the field, as proven by the tremendous tailgating scene, even at SEC cellar-dwellers.

This list runs down every SEC program, ranking each school based on the tailgating experience from worst to first.

Let's just be clear: There is no bad place to tailgate in the SEC. Every school has it's own traditions, and each one offers a unique take on the game-day tailgating experience. Some are just better than others.

Maybe we finally found somewhere Alabama is not ranked number one.

Begin Slideshow

Georgia Football: Why the Bulldogs Have the Best Backfield in the Country

Brian Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:43:29 -0400

Lindy’s Sports is one of the most well known sports magazines in the country because they do an in depth preview of college football, the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and hockey.

The sports magazine, which is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, just recently released its college football preview magazine and one of the features they have is ranking the top units in the country.

For the top backfield, Lindy’s Sports gave that award to the Georgia Bulldogs.

But is it a surprise? It shouldn’t be, because the Bulldogs do have the best backfield in the country and they could potentially also be the best backfield in school history.

As all Bulldog fans know, the backfield consists of quarterback Aaron Murray, running back Keith Marshall and running back Todd Gurley. All three played extremely well last year and all three were a big reason the Bulldogs won the SEC East title.

Murray has a chance to be the most prolific quarterback in SEC history. He is on track to break the record for career pass completions, yards and touchdowns. He is the only quarterback in SEC history to throw for 3,000 yards in his first three seasons and there is no reason he won’t make it four years in a row.

The one thing he is looking to do is lead his team to a conference and national championship. Murray was only five yards away from achieving that goal last season and with him as well as the rest of the players in the backfield and on offensive line, the Bulldogs do have a very good shot of taking that next step.

Marshall was no slouch either when it came to production. The running back from North Carolina rushed for 759 yards and eight touchdowns. Not bad for a player who started only one game.

Marshall is an explosive runner that can score from anywhere on the field. He should only get better this season with a more experienced quarterback and offensive line.

The same thing can be said about Gurley who could very well be the best running back in the SEC. Gurley rushed for 1,385 yards and 17 touchdowns which led all SEC running backs.

Not only did Gurley do his damage against lesser opponents such as Buffalo and Georgia Southern last season, the sophomore running back rushed for 118 yards against Florida and 125 yards against eventual national champions Alabama.

The Bulldogs will have some competition this season when it comes to the best backfield in the county. In fact, there’s a chance the Bulldogs may not have the best backfield in the SEC.

Texas A&M is no slouch because the Aggies feature Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and running backs Ben Malena and Trey Williams.

And we can’t forget about the Crimson Tide, because A.J. McCarron is back under center along with running back T.J. Yeldon and plethora of new running backs that can make an immediate impact.

If anyone wants to make an argument about the Aggies or the Crimson Tide having the best backfield in the country, they will have enough firepower to back it up.

But when it comes to quarterback play as well as running back production, the Bulldogs are on top.

And if Murray, Marshall and Gurley can put up the same numbers in 2013, more awards will be headed their direction in December and January.

Chelsea vs. Manchester City: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:41:14 -0400

In a match that was more of a show for the fans, Manchester City had a great come-from-behind victory over Chelsea by a score of 4-3.

The two English Premier League squads competed at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, home of the Cardinals, as part of a United States tour. They will also compete in New York City later in the week.

While this was just a friendly, there was plenty of excitement from the local fans. Here is a look at the sold-out crowd in attendance at the match (via Joe Cummings of the NSCAA):

According to the Manchester City website, the 46,000 tickets sold out in only 20 minutes. Amazingly, there were even 10,000 people who came out to watch the clubs practice on Tuesday (via Chelsea):

Fortunately, the fans were treated to a great showing in the match by two of the top teams in the entire world.

While City controlled possession for much of the first half, it was Chelsea that was the first to get on the board.

In the 22nd minute, Juan Mata brought the ball up the pitch on a counterattack. He crossed it to the middle, and Demba Ba was able to finish with a header to put his side up 1-0. It appeared Joe Hart had a chance at stopping the attack, but the goalkeeper could not get his hand up in time.

Chelsea was then able to extend the lead just before halftime. Mata was aggressive in the box and he ended up being fouled by Karim Rekik in 45th minute to set up a penalty shot.

César Azpilicueta took the shot and fired it past the keeper on the bottom right part of the net to make the match 2-0.

By the end of the first half, Manchester City had taken 16 shots but were unable to get on the scoreboard and went into intermission trailing by two.

The second half featured a number of sub changes not normally found in a competitive match, but the friendly allowed each manager to get a look at more players. Eventually, it completely turned things around in this one.

Oscar came in for Chelsea and added to the lead off a mistake by the opposing defense. After being one on one with the keeper, he scored to make it 3-0 in favor of the Blues.

This score stood until finally Javi Garcia was able to put one in the back of the net on a deflection from a corner kick to make it 3-1. Of course, this was after Petr Cech had already subbed out of the match.

However, the goal fueled Manchester City and the club was soon able to cut the lead in half with a goal by Edin Dzeko. James Milner made a great pass and Dzeko was able to catch up to it for his side's second score of the match.

Later in the half, Dzeko received a pass from Carlos Tevez hit it toward the net on one touch. It went into the back of the net to give City the equalizing goal in the 85th minute.

The comeback was then completed when Micah Richards scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute. Manchester City took its first lead of the match in dramatic fashion and it won 4-3.

Tom Ackerman of KMOX 1200AM described the scene after the final goal:

While the match means little on paper, it was a great performance from both sides and it gave the fans plenty to cheer for on the day.

These two squads recently completely solid seasons and are looking forward to the summer. Manchester City was unable to defend the league title, but the club did finish in second place behind cross-town rival Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea earned third place in the EPL and won the Europa League title. This was the second consecutive continental title for the club after winning the Champions League last season.

Despite the success, it would not be surprising if both sides made drastic changes during the offseason.

Grades

Juan Mata, Chelsea: A-

While he did not have many touches throughout the match, Mata did what he had been doing all year long for Chelsea. When the squad needs a big play, he was there to make.

The midfielder had the assist on the opening goal and forced the penalty shot for the second. He is always around the action, and he made a positive impact in this one.

Petr Cech, Chelsea: A

For almost two-thirds of the match, Manchester City could not score a goal. This is because Petr Cech was there to make magnificent saves on a number of attacks from the opposing squad.

Chelsea gave up two goals after the keeper came out of the match, but it was clear that Cech was focused in this one.

Edin Dzeko, Manchester City: A+

Although he did not start the match, Edin Dzeko made a huge impact upon coming into the action as a substitute. The forward made aggressive runs and eventually scored two goals to help bring Manchester City a draw.

The squad's leading scorer in the EPL made a big difference in this one and could have done more if he played the entire 90 minutes.

Joe Hart, Manchester City: C

Chelsea did not have many opportunities in the first half, so it makes sense that Joe Hart was not ready to make a play in this friendly. However, the opening goal allowed was unacceptable for a keeper of his ability.

Hart made little effort at the ball, and it made it clear that he did not want to be a part of this match.

Manchester City Grades

Pos.	Player	Grade
G	Joe Hart	C
D	Pablo Zabaleta	B-
D	Vincent Kompany	B
D	Karim Rekik	C+
D	Gaël Clichy	B
M	Javi Garcia	A-
M	Albert Rusnak	B+
M	Yaya Touré	B
F	David Silva	B+
F	Sergio Agüero	B-
F	Carlos Tevez	A-

Chelsea Grades

Pos.	Player	Grade
G	Petr Cech	A
D	Branislav Ivanovic	B
D	Gary Cahill	B
D	Andreas Christensen	B-
D	Ashley Cole	C+
M	Ruben Loftus-Cheek	B
M	Jon Obi Mikel	B-
M	César Azpilicueta	A
M	Juan Mata	A-
M	Yossi Benayoun	B
F	Demba Ba	A-

What's Next?

These two squads will play each other again on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. After that, many of the players will join their respective national teams for more World Cup qualifying matches.

For the rest of the rosters, some time off is a great thing.

Follow @TheRobGoldberg

Notre Dame Football Recruiting: What Attracts Top Prospects to the Irish?

Connor Killoren — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:33 -0400

With offers on the table from schools nationwide, what makes the University of Notre Dame an attractive option to the heralded football prospects who have earned "elite" status from the many recruiting services?

After all, Notre Dame is simply, well, different from the majority of institutions of higher learning in the United States.

Some schools may offer an easy academic path, while others may offer such amenities as secluded, athlete-only living accommodations. Regardless of what tempting rewards a prospect may be offered to choose a particular school, there is a unique amalgam of reasons why a prospect may be inclined to choose Notre Dame.

History and Tradition of the Program

Concisely, Notre Dame is synonymous with success.

The Irish rank fourth all-time on the NCAA's list for number of victories, with 865, behind only Texas, Yale and Michigan; they're tied with Ohio State for the most Heisman Trophy winners with seven; and they're tied for second in claimed national championships with 11.

The numbers speak for themselves. There's no debate there.

Head coach Brian Kelly has the luxury of taking prospects past the trophy cases in the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, where the Irish's Heisman Trophies and national championship trophies are stored.

Once their eyes have been set upon the gleaming display, the image becomes everlasting.

There's more than just that display, though.

Taking a stroll around Notre Dame Stadium, prospects will take in statues of Knute Rockne, Edward "Moose" Krause, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz, each of whom guided the Irish to national championships during their tenures.

Those iconic figures are a direct testament to the gleaming and proud history of college football's most renowned program.

Facilities

In the arms race of constructing state-of-the-art facilities, Notre Dame is on the cutting edge.

University administration began groundbreaking of the aforementioned Guglielmino Athletics Complex—commonly referred to as "The Gug"—on March 5, 2004.

The facility houses team meeting rooms, coaches' offices, a team lounge, a computer lab, locker rooms and an enormous weight room, among a vast array of amenities. The Gug is a central location for players, as it is located across the street from the Cartier practice fields and Notre Dame Stadium.

The Gug also offers training tables—often a controversial topic at Notre Dame—to players on a daily basis.

Essentially, the facility is a haven for the Irish, as it offers them a place to train, eat, relax and study. What more could a prospect ask for?

The Power of a Notre Dame Degree

Unlike many of college football's premier programs, Notre Dame also offers one of the world's most well-respected undergraduate degrees.

Student-athletes—including football players—are treated no differently academically than the rest of the student body. There are no special athlete-only classes, and the freshmen players are lumped into the first year of studies program with their peers.

While taking on such a rigorous course load is a tall task, the reward of a Notre Dame degree is a gift that keeps on giving.

According to Businessweek, the 30-year net return for Notre Dame graduates is $1,442,000.

While the aspiration of many young men playing football at Notre Dame is to continue their careers in the NFL, the thought of life after football with a degree from such a prestigious institution can't be overlooked.

Current State of the Program

Following former head coach Lou Holtz's departure in 1996, the Irish entered a prolonged period of mediocrity.

Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis guided the program to a combined record of 91-67 from 1997 to 2009. Questions began to arise about the perceived "relevancy" of the program, and whether it would ever return to its once-dominant ways.

Enter current head coach Brian Kelly, and those worries seem like a thing of the distant past.

Kelly, entering his fourth season on the job, has guided the Irish to a record of 28-11 during his tenure, including the school's first national championship appearance in 24 years last season. Kelly's ability to return Notre Dame to the status of a bona fide top-10 team has also spurred recruiting, which may lead to sustained success.

While the Irish are unlikely to be a national championship contender on an annual basis, Kelly will have them in the BCS—soon to be College Football Playoff—conversation year in and year out.

Why Carl Froch Is the Hottest Property in the Super Middleweight Division

Lyle Fitzsimmons — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:10 -0400

Close your eyes and it’s impossible to miss the contrast.

When one of the world’s two best 168-pound fighters steps into the ring, the assembled crowd applauds politely as a gesture to his accomplishments—then settles in for 12 rounds of intermittent violence amid a majority of minutes more reminiscent of a bookish professor instructing a novice student.

Meanwhile, when the other top-shelfer arrives at his four-cornered office, he’s buoyed by the full-throated cheers of partisan hometown supporters—whose din only gains intensity as their man’s hell-bent-for-leather style generates the action-packed bursts that have yielded 22 KOs in 30 wins.

Given consensus acclaim as the best pro super middleweight in the business and his pedigree as a former Olympic gold medalist (Athens, 2004), it’d stand to sight-unseen reason that Andre Ward would be the guy whose gloved-hand acumen would arouse such a visceral in-person response.

But the eye-opening fact is that Englishman Carl Froch, especially when performing for a rabid band of supporters in Nottingham, is the one who inspires by far the most passion in the weight class.

And that reality is why the three-time divisional belt-holder—even at age 35, and in spite of a decisive scorecard loss to Ward when they met at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall only 17 months ago—has got far more upside momentum than is these days possessed by his most recent conqueror.

Andre’s the champ.

But, for the short term at least, Carl is the king.

Provided he emerges victorious from a Saturday rematch with Mikkel Kessler—a result deemed likely by a cross-section of online betting establishments—Froch will keep the IBF title belt he won last year and capture the dubious WBA bauble Kessler holds in spite of Ward’s more legit “super champion” status.

Most importantly, though, a win will keep him relevant in pursuit of the most lucrative bout available to any 168-pounder: a match with calendar-defying Philadelphia wizard Bernard Hopkins.

Logic, of course, would dictate that a fight with Hopkins—who skipped over 168 pounds while pursuing titles at middleweight and light heavyweight—would be a prize more wholly deserved by the eminently likable Ward, who’s beaten Kessler, Froch and three other ex-champs in his last six outings since 2009.

In any other sport, after all, such linear progress is rewarded with the largest prize.

But in boxing, where winning with flair is nearly always more vital than simply winning, Ward’s payback has been limited to critical cognoscenti acclaim—while the other fighters to whom he’s proven superior go on to land the coveted blockbuster bonanzas.

In this case that’s bound to be Froch, who punches harder, bleeds more and is far more likely to create a fight of the year candidate inside the ring, not to mention a memorable media tour as a prelude.

He flexed those verbal muscles to reporters in a Wednesday media session, promising to go to any extremes necessary to topple Kessler—the only other man who’s beaten him in a 32-fight pro career that’s now spanned more than 11 full years.

“On Saturday night, if I have to, I will kill (him). It sounds brutal, it sounds horrible, but this is what it means to me,” Froch said to BBC Sport. “I'm going to leave it in the ring. And when I'm smashing his face in, I am going to go for the kill. I am going to go for the finish.”

The words drew the politically correct ire of the British Boxing Board of Control, which promised an investigation, but they’re precisely the kind of material that’ll play well for cable giant HBO—which will handle the U.S. broadcast of the bout from London’s O2 Arena.

Ward’s a nice guy and has the makings of a great analyst.

But guys like Froch move the fan needle.

And against Hopkins, perhaps the dullest big-time fighter of the generation, that’s what matters.

While no one has called for a Ward-Bernard match with any traceable volume, Hopkins himself has mentioned Carl by name, said he’d travel to Europe to secure the fight and added further fuel by claiming the two would join together for an entertaining show.

“Froch is top of my wish list,” he said to boxingnews24.com. “I have great respect for him as a fighter. He is very exciting and our styles would make for a great fight. I will happily go over to the U.K. to make it happen, but, of course, Carl will have to beat Kessler first.”

As for Ward, his desires were equally pointed, if not quite as complimentary.

“Andre Ward is a protégé of myself,” he said. “I would never fight Andre Ward.”

He may be old, but it’s good to know Hopkins hasn’t lost his sense.

And when it comes to dollars, he knows Carl Froch is the ticket to ride.

Top 5 "What Ifs" from Southampton's Premier League Return

Mike Miller — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:36:53 -0400

With the Premier League season now complete, everyone will take the opportunity to review the past season and wonder what could have gone better or worse with their favorite team.

For Southampton, the primary goal was accomplished this season. The Saints retained their spot in the Premier League next season, and even did it with a match to spare.

There are a few questions to ponder, that if things have gone differently, maybe Southampton could have broken into the top half of the table this season. When only five points separated ninth place to 16th place, any little break could mean a couple places in the final standings.

Here are five "what ifs" that could have changed the complexion of Southampton's season.

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20 Athletes Who We Just Can't Stand Anymore

Amber Lee — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:34:09 -0400

Some athletes are well liked heroes, while others are more adept at playing the villain. Though, when it comes to how we feel about professional athletes, things can actually get pretty complicated.

There's a difference between loving or hating an athlete and the complete inability to tolerate his existence. The former of which tends to be a permanent state of being, while the latter tends to be more fluid.

Someone we can't stand right now could very well have been someone we loved just a few months ago. And someone we may very well love again in a few months.

It could be someone we hated casually, but suddenly upped the ante to become completely intolerable. Or it could be someone we hardly knew that managed to earn 'can't stand for life' status with a single incident.

See? Complicated. Not to mention subjective.

That being said, here are 20 athletes who we just can't stand anymore.

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New York Rangers' Season Kept Alive in Overtime Thanks to Chris Kreider Goal

Roman Uschak — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:33:48 -0400

This Chris Kreider kid isn't so bad.

The former Boston College forward saved the New York Rangers' season tonight at Madison Square Garden when he redirected home Rick Nash's cross-ice feed just over seven minutes into overtime to give the Rangers a 4-3 win over the visiting Boston Bruins, who still lead this Eastern Conference Semifinals, three games to one.

Game 5 will be Saturday at TD Garden in Boston.

"What a talented player," said Kreider to Brian Engblom of NBC Sports Network afterwards of Nash. "He put it right on my tape."

Nathan Horton and Torey Krug staked the Bruins to a 2-0 lead in the second stanza, before the Rangers tied it on goals by Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan.

After Tyler Seguin put the Bruins back up, 3-2, on a power-play tally early in the third, Brian Boyle tied it for the Rangers with exactly 10 minutes remaining in regulation—on a power play, no less, the first successful one for the Rangers since Game 4 of their opening-round series against Washington.

Kreider, who exploded upon the Stanley Cup playoffs scene with five goals last spring after winning his second of two NCAA titles with BC, suffered a sophomore slump his first full freshman campaign as a professional. Slowed by a bone chip in his ankle, he played most of the year at Hartford (AHL), and scored just two goals in 23 games with the Rangers in the abbreviated NHL regular season.

His head coach, John Tortorella, also hasn't exactly been his biggest fan in recent months.

Kreider had spent much of these playoffs to date on the third or fourth line, but moved up tonight after Brad Richards (one goal in 10 games) was a healthy scratch for New York.

That sure turned out to be fortuitous.

Kreider's first playoff goal of the year, and sixth of his short NHL career, coming on his third shot of the night, turned out to be the game-winner, as he and Nash played give-and-go after the Rangers won a face-off in their own end. Kreider headed into the zone with speed, as Nash pulled up on the right wing boards in front of Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara, and waited.

Nash's cross-zone pass got past Bruins rookie blueliner Dougie Hamilton, who was a step behind Kreider on the left side, and the Boxboro, Mass. native merely ticked it with his blade to send the puck high past Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (28 saves)—and send the Rangers to Beantown for at least one more contest.

Another 37 saves from Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers' net didn't hurt their cause, either.

Turns out it was a good night overall for former BC players, at least those wearing blue. Boyle (BC 2007) tied the game in the third period, before former Eagle winger Kreider struck in sudden death to extend the Rangers' season for at least another outing.

Now we'll see what happens when the boys from BC go home again on Saturday. Thanks to Kreider, at least they'll have that chance.

Penn State Football: How Bill O'Brien Has Saved Football in Happy Valley

Barry Leonard — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:33:01 -0400

The Penn State Nittany Lions began last season under a cloud of controversy that had some, like Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, calling for the entire program to be shut down. Despite the negativity, the Nittany Lions persevered and found success under new head coach Bill O'Brien.

An 0-2 start had some questioning if Penn State would even win a game last year. Not only did O'Brien's squad win a game, they won a total of eight, surpassing expectations and creating a positive culture while dealing with difficult circumstances.

O'Brien came to Penn State facing a situation unlike that of any other college football coach.

After the Sandusky scandal became public news, things spiraled for the Nittany Lions. Legendary head coach Joe Paterno was forced out and then passed away less than two months later.

The naming of O'Brien as Paterno's successor was a move that was very unpopular among some famous alumni, including linebacker LaVar Arrington. Some felt that he was the wrong man to take over since he had no prior connection to the university.

With a divide over the new coach and the once-proud school mired in turmoil, things were already off to a difficult start in 2012.

Then, it got even worse in July when the NCAA handed down sanctions that prohibited Penn State from competing in a bowl game for four years. The school also faced scholarship restrictions.

On top of everything, players were allowed to transfer before the start of the season. Key starters such as running back Silas Redd and wide receiver Justin Brown decided to bolt for new schools.

Just as the Penn State program seemed destined for failure last year, O'Brien and his team had other plans. A new commitment to honor and a will to succeed resulted in a magical 8-4 2012 season.

Even more important is the fact that the sanctions have not kept top recruits away from the Nittany Lions.

O'Brien proved in 2013 that he's a masterful recruiter, bringing in a solid crop of freshmen who don't mind the fact that a bowl game won't be in the cards for the next three years.

Quarterback Christian Hackenberg is the star of the class, and has the potential to set Penn State up for success for years to come.

247sports.com ranked the Nittany Lions 30th in 2013 recruiting and currently has them ranked 13th for 2014.

Even after a successful first year, both on and off the field, O'Brien hasn't won everyone over. David Jones of Pennlive.com recently wrote about those who are still against O'Brien's hiring because of their admiration for Paterno.

Despite all of the challenges, O'Brien has done a wonderful job and has Penn State steered in the right direction going forward.

While it could have been easy for the program to collapse in the face of adversity, that didn't happen. The Nittany Lions are led by a leader who's proven he's the right man to rebuild the image, pride and prestige of Penn State Football.

Stock Watch for the Top Free-Agents-to-Be in the 2013 NHL Playoffs

Al Daniel — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:28:48 -0400

Several participants in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are playing for a byproduct of team success. Those who will be restricted or unrestricted free agents come July are continuing with the most critical point of their audition for an appreciable new contract.

For burgeoning stars at the dusk of their first-ever pro contract, this is one of their last opportunities to set a tone for their careers. For those who came to their current team at the past trading deadline, there is inevitable pressure that comes with what is essentially the sole purpose of their acquisition.

The following is an assessment of select pending free agents involved in the NHL’s conference semifinals, what they have done so far in the 2013 playoffs and how it might affect their next contract. (Assuming all of them opt to return to the NHL for the 2013-14 season.)

The 15 featured players are chosen based on a combination of current salary/cap hit, playoff ice time and playoff performance. In addition, for the sake of balance, there is a limit of two players per team.

Unless otherwise indicated, all statistics for this report were found via nhl.com and are through games of Wednesday, May 22. All salary information was found via capgeek.com

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Dana White: UFC Champ Jon Jones Could Be Out Six Weeks, Could Be Out Six Months

Trent Reinsmith — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:27:44 -0400

The last time we saw UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones inside the Octagon, he made quick work of Chael Sonnen, earning a first-round TKO victory at UFC 159. Through the course of the four-and-a-half-minute bout, Sonnen landed a mere six significant strikes, seemingly setting Jones up for a quick turnaround.

The MMA gods, being a vindictive bunch, had other plans for the light heavyweight kingpin.

When the celebrating champion took a brief glance down to the mat, he saw something no one should ever have to see. The bone of Jones’ left big toe was jutting through the skin, and his toe was bent at an unnatural angle.

When the damage was assessed, it was not as severe as it first appeared. For starters, the toe was not broken, just badly dislocated.

Jones has been on the mend, but little has been discussed about when he will be back in the Octagon.

UFC president Dana White talked about the promotion’s hobbled champion on Thursday, telling the media, “We talked yesterday. He’s feeling great, his toe is healing good, but the problem is the ligament. That ligament popped and anywhere you tear a ligament blood flow helps the thing heal and you don’t get a lot of blood flow in the toe.”

As for when Jones will be back in the cage, White was unsure: “The thing could be six weeks, it could be six months. It’s a pain in the ass.”

More info will be known early next week on Jones. The champion is currently in Russia, but when he returns, which White said would be on Monday, he will get another MRI on the toe.

Once the results of that MRI are known, speculation will begin as to who Jones will face in his next title defense along with when and where that fight will take place.

**all quotes obtained first-hand by BR MMA.

Bold Predictions for Golden State Warriors During 2013-14 Season

Jimmy Spencer — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:24:35 -0400

This is no longer the Golden State Warriors you grew up with.

Times have changed, finally, for a franchise that for so long has drowned in mediocrity.

The Warriors aren’t decorated with championships. The team’s retired jerseys belong to the distant past, mostly from an era of the 60s and 70s that precedes the current Golden State fan’s memory.

As far as recent history goes, Hall of Famer Chris Mullin’s jersey hangs from his time in the '80s and '90s though even his playoff games capped at 33 through just five short postseason appearances with the Warriors.

But, suddenly, the franchise has turned quicker than a Stephen Curry ankle.

Golden State drove further into the postseason this year than they have since 1977, ultimately falling to the San Antonio Spurs in six games of the Western Conference semifinals.

The Warriors need to continue with what worked this past season.

With a young nucleus led by Curry, the NBA’s early-round playoff darling, the Warriors are settling into a 2013-14 season that could take an even longer step forward for this once-lost franchise.

Especially if these bold—but all plausible—predictions come true.

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Notre Dame Football: The Future of the Shamrock Series

Matt Smith — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:21:03 -0400

It has been primarily known for uniforms that have left traditionalists scratching your heads, and the games haven't been very competitive, but Notre Dame's Shamrock Series, which launched in 2009, has been a major success for the university.

The Shamrock Series has provided Notre Dame a means to showcase its program in various major cities around the country where it would not normally play. The Irish have played in San Antonio, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Chicago over the past four seasons, winning each contest. They'll meet Arizona State in Dallas this fall and Syracuse in 2014 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The formula of six home games, five away games and one off-site home game has been in place since 2011, as athletic director Jack Swarbrick, hired in 2008, chose to move away from the 7-4-1 model which his predecessor, Kevin White, implemented for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The 2015 schedule currently has the Irish slated for six home games (Boston College, Georgia Tech, Massachusetts, Navy, Texas, USC) and five away games (Clemson, Purdue, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Virginia). The one remaining game would presumably be targeted for the Shamrock Series.

With the Irish now making regular appearances on the East Coast as a result of their ACC affiliation, what markets are left to tap into?

Although the Irish landed a pair of receivers from Texas in the 2013 class in Torii Hunter Jr. and Corey Robinson, Notre Dame hasn't had much recruiting success in the Lone Star State. It'll play in Dallas this year, but going even farther south could prove beneficial.

Houston offers a great venue in Reliant Stadium and fertile recruiting territory. Playing a Big 12 opponent such as TCU, Baylor or Texas Tech would make for an interesting matchup, or even an AAC team such as Houston or SMU, with whom Notre Dame has a history from past Cotton Bowls.

Notre Dame was once scheduled to play Baylor in New Orleans in 2012, but that game was later cancelled. Breaking into the Deep South has been a challenge for Brian Kelly's staff, and playing in New Orleans, a city with a great football tradition and a strong Catholic heritage, has to be attractive for Swarbrick and the powers that be. Big 12 opponents again make sense here, as do certain SEC schools (Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Missouri) that would also benefit from exposure and a presence in the Crescent City.

Swarbrick has been silent on future venues and opponents for the Shamrock Series, likely due to the maneuvering that must be done in order to fit in five ACC games each season. The games should continue, as both the school and NBC, who gets a rare primetime game, have reaped the benefits from a truly unique endeavor.

Chicago should be kept in the fold (once every five years) in order to take advantage of its close proximity to South Bend and alumni base larger than any other city in the country. Other new markets that should be explored include Cincinnati, Kansas City, Nashville, Phoenix and St. Louis.

Notre Dame would be crazy not to continue the Shamrock Series, as it's an opportunity that no other program in the country is capable of doing over a long period of time. It's a tremendous recruiting tool, as evident by the snazzy uniforms, of which Kelly has all but admitted were designed in order to appeal to both current and future players.

An announcement regarding a 2015 Shamrock Series game likely won't come until dates are finalized for the Irish''s ACC games (only the game at Pittsburgh) currently has a date). A year without an off-site home game is not preferred, but is still a possibility. It now becomes a matter of fitting dates, venues and opponents into the increasingly difficult puzzle that is future scheduling.

To K.O. Tukka: New York Rangers Still Fighting

Chad R. MacDonald — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:19:40 -0400

It was like watching the air go out of a half inflated balloon.

When Boston scored another power play goal in the second period, it was as if they were taunting the hapless Blueshirt PP squad. Tory Krug looked at the bench in triumph. The listless crowd at the Garden got even quieter.

Jeremy Roenick had previously called out the fans at MSG during the first intermission. NBC's commentator said both the fans and the Rangers had given up, saying "Everybody knows this series is over."

And then the big bad Bruins made it 2-0 on Krug's goal. Despair seemed to palpably crush New York. Even with the brilliant goaltending from Lundqvist, things seemed to be over. The B's had been outplaying Ranger skaters easily all night.

So naturally, that's when things got weird.

Carl Hagelin tried to broach the Bruins blue line and ended up wearing the Boston defense like a shirt. Hagelin desperately tried to shovel the puck ahead to the slot. Tukka Rask anticipated the puck and stretched out to corral it.

However, Hagelin hadn't got a lot on his attempt and the puck wandered instead of rocketing as Rask expected. The surprised goalie tried to compensate, slipped up, and could only watch helplessly as the puck trickled into the net.

Madison Square Garden exploded. Fans went nuts. Things got noisy. And the Rangers woke up. For the first time in the series, let alone the game, New York began launching sustained attacks. They cycled the puck. They took shots. They had jump. Instead of Boston pounding on the Rangers, the teams were now trading blows.

We had a game.

In the third period, the Rangers did not wait long to even things up. Derek Stepan stripped an unsuspecting Zdeno Chara behind his own net and transitioned it to a wraparound goal. Tie game at 1:15.

New York followed this up with a penalty a few moments later. Not a good idea, with the Bruins PP rolling as strong as it was. After some absolutely stellar saves by Lundqvist, Tyler Seguin buried Boston's third goal with the extra man at 8:06.

No problem for the Rangers. Brian Boyle followed up with his own power play goal not even two minutes later. New York actually made a power play work. Sightings of pigs with wings were reported in Herald Square directly thereafter. It was not to last. The subsequent Ranger power play came up empty.

The score stayed knotted at three apiece through regulation time. There would be overtime. Good news for Boston. New York was snake bitten in OT and not just in the series but in their entire playoff run.
Lundqvist and Rask set their jaws. Callahan and Jagr began stepping up. Like two weary behemoths, the teams slugged each other. Breath-taking chances and solid saves peppered the extra period.

And then it was over.

Rick Nash fed Chris Kreider in the slot and the kid tipped it past Rask. The Garden went nuts. The balloon re-inflated. The Rangers' season lasts at least one more game.

Can New York come back? Chances are slim. But if they are going to have to do such a thing, Boston appears to be the opponent to do it against. The Philadelphia Flyers overcame the same deficit in 2010. And only the Leafs' epic collapse in Game seven in the first round prevented an almost as epic collapse on the Bruins' part.

Either way, this series has gotten interesting. If the Rangers can keep their power play working they will be hard to kill. Just goes to show you can never count a team out. Ever.

Bruins vs. Rangers Game 4: Score, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Ethan Grant — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:17:31 -0400

The New York Rangers came out with an inspired performance Thursday night, grabbing a 4-3 OT win in Game 4 over the Boston Bruins to extend the series and avoid a sweep at the hands of their longtime rivals.

Chris Krieder's overtime goal off a pass from Rick Nash was the decider. He beat Dougie Hamilton to the net and sent the tap shot over the right shoulder of Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who allowed four goals to his 32 saves in the loss:

Put it on the board: There will be a Game 5 Saturday in Boston.

And if you agree with this ESPN tweet from the middle of the third period, there likely isn't anyone other than Boston fans disagreeing with the notion that Game 5 was necessary after the fast-paced, back-and-forth action between the two clubs:

If you watched the first period and changed the channel due to boredom Thursday night, you probably weren't alone. The Rangers came out sluggish and the Bruins missed several chances to score. The result was a 0-0 game heading into the first intermission.

But as MSG broadcaster Stan Fischler mentions at the bottom of the tweet, it ain't over till it's over:

Boy, was he right.

Boston stormed out of the gate in the second period. The Bruins looked like the more motivated team, and wouldn't you know it...Boston scored on the power play, as Nathan Horton took the rebound on the left back line and five-holed Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist at the 4:39 mark of the second period:

Boston added another just a few minutes later, as defenseman Torey Krug added another goal to take the air out of Madison Square Garden:

With the Bruins up 2-0 in the second, it looked like New York finally was ready to cave and coast these playoffs away. Then, out of nowhere, a Tuukka Rask slip of the skates turned into New York's saving grace in the second period.

As this hockey fan shows you, it was hardly a thing of beauty. Carl Hagelin got his third goal of the postseason on one of the weakest shots of his career, and hockey fans everywhere, including Buffalo Bruins star Steve Ott, were left to wonder what happened:

Rask's fall from grace allowed the MSG crowd to get back into the game and officially woke up the Rangers, who remembered that this is the postseason and that a loss means the end of their season.

Derek Stepan out-hustled Zdeno Chara on a routine puck in the Boston end for the wrap-around goal and the 2-2 equalizer.

CSNNE's Joe Haggerty described the play perfectly:

But the Bruins weren't done yet.

Tyler Seguin added a goal on a beautiful assist from Hamilton and Chara, and the Bruins again looked poised to find a way to close this game out in regulation. It was not to be, however, as New York mounted a late push on the weakest part of its game in this series—the power play.

Boston had too many men on the ice during a line shift just under nine minutes into the period, leading to a power-play chance for the Rangers with the season on the line. Easily the most laughable part of New York's postseason experience this year, center Brian Boyle decided to give the Rangers one final chance to stretch this series to at least five games.

Boyle snuck through the crease and got his third goal of the postseason in the process, knotting the score at 3-3 and giving the Rangers a chance to close the game out in regulation, too. After 10 more minutes of futility, regulation would end in a draw and it would move to overtime to decide a victor.

As the NHL posted on Twitter, this was the kind of game that turns friends into enemies:

Both teams attacked the net with fury in the overtime period. The Bruins and Rangers both had seven shots each in just under eight minutes of ice time. Both goalies sent away great chances through the first few minutes, but it was New York who managed to get a run and beat Rask for the game-winner and the series-extending goal when it was all said and done.

Lundqvist was the hero yet again for New York in these playoffs, finally getting some goal support to back his elite-goalie status. He allowed three goals himself, but finished with 40 saves, 19 of which came after the Bruins already had their first two goals on the board.

The decision to sit Brad Richards also paid off for the Rangers. John Tortorella made him a healthy scratch prior to game time, and after the first win of the series, it would be surprising to see him again in a Ranger uniform in this series.

As the series shifts back to Boston, look for the Bruins to once again try to curb New York's power-play opportunities. The Rangers kept blowing them through the first part of Game 4, but got one that ended up being the difference in a game that could come back to bite the Bruins.

Boston still has a two-up advantage in the series, but the underdog still has nothing left to lose. Game 5 is set for Saturday in Boston.

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