Bleacher Report - Opinion

Cincinnati Bearcats Baseball Brings Photobombing to Hilariously Masterful Level

Gabe Zaldivar — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:03:10 -0400

The Cincinnati Bearcats are brilliant artists who paint each postgame interview with the captivating and alluring masterstroke of photobomb genius.

USA Today's For the Win spotted some of the best photobomb antics in sports history, and the same college baseball team provides them all.

Per the report, the Bearcats went a middling 24-32 (6-18 Big East) for the season, but records and standings are for lesser men to worry about.

Here is a sprinkling of magic originally spotted over at Imgur.

The Michael Phelps

For the Win refers to this as the "Backstroke," but we think this level of videobombing really deserves a moniker in keeping with the most prolific Olympic swimmer. By the way, Olympic-record nerds can go ahead and call this the Matt Grevers if you like.

Freestyle

At this rate, the Bearcats could have their own rousing game of Marco Polo taking place right behind the interviews.

Medieval Times

Everyone loves going to Medieval Times. You get to eat with your hands, call people wenches and jousting competitions unfold right before your very eyes. Well, the same thing seems to happen at Cincy games, minus the wenches.

Royal Entrance

Really, the only way to travel.

Curious Cats

This particular GIF got me thinking: Next season the boys need to get one huge trench coat with two or three players on each other's shoulders. Take this guff to the next logical Scooby-Doo level.

Prop Comics

These kids are resourceful if nothing else.

I have to admit that Bearcats baseball was hardly on my radar this season, but that will be a different story come next year.

These boys are easily my favorite squad. If anyone has video or more information, we would love to see some links in the section below.

In a rare turn, the actual baseball games were just unnecessary theatrics that got in the way of the main event, because these young men have the photobomb game on lock down.

Hit me up on Twitter for more of that funny feeling: Follow @gabezal

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Complete Scouting Report for Texas A&M Target 5-Star DE Myles Garrett

Andrew Kulha — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:50:05 -0400

Myles Garrett, 5-star defensive end from Arlington, Texas, projects to be a great defensive end at the college level.

He's the No. 2 weak-side defensive end in the 2014 class, and the No. 5 player from the talent-laden state of Texas, both according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

As it stands, Garrett seems to be a Texas A&M lean, but Oklahoma and TCU are also on his interest list (247Sports). Wherever he does end up though, Garrett has star potential.

Name: Myles Garrett

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

School: James Martin High School

Position: WDE

Height: 6'4" (247Sports)

Weight: 240 lbs (247Sports)

40 time: 4.70

Rankings: 5-star (247Sports Composite), 4-star (Rivals), 4-star (Scout.com), 5-star (ESPN Recruiting Nation)

Video

Positives

Garrett is athletic and he possesses good quickness. He doesn't have game-changing speed, but his 4.70 40 combined with his natural athleticism make him very effective on the edges and in open space.

He's length will cause blockers and quarterbacks some issues, and he's agile enough to drop back into coverage and get in between throwing lanes. Garrett will be able to run into the flats and make a play in the open field, but he can also drop into the hook-curl zones and not be a liability.

As a pass-rusher, Garrett has quick feet, and he also has enough speed to be able to rush the outside, dip his shoulder and turn the corner. He separates himself with his inside move though. Most defensive ends at the college level struggle with getting B-gap leverage, but Garret has a good set of moves that help him get inside the tackle for a quicker shot to the quarterback or runner.

In the play below, Garrett starts off as a 5-technique at defensive end:

At the snap, he sets up his outside rush, but in the next frame you can see how he's actually planning to plant his outside foot and shoot the inside gap. In essence, he used the outside rush to set up his inside move:

He uses a swim move with his right arm to get over the blocker's shoulder and into the B-gap. The swim move is effective because it creates less surface space for the blocker to use and eventually exposes Garrett's back—which could set up a clipping call for the tackle if the blocker were to push Garrett:

Finally, Garrett accelerates and hits the quarterback, forcing a bad throw:

The small fundamental movements and intricacies of Garrett's game really set him apart. He should be a great pass-rusher at the college level.

Negatives

Garrett needs to work on using his hands more, especially out of his stance. Too often, even in his highlights, he would rush a blocker using the strength of his upper body, without punching into the blockers chest plate, extending, locking and driving. Essentially, he needs to work on his "bull rush."

His swim move is notable, but he'll need to work on causing more "explosion" with his punch at the line of scrimmage in order to be a complete player.

Projection/Prediction

Texas A&M appears to be the leader for Garrett's commitment right now, and all 11 experts in the 247Sports Crystal Ball predict that he will end up in College Station.

The Aggies are one of the hottest programs in the country and they've surpassed Texas as "the team" in the state. Garrett would fit right in as a weak-side defensive end.

For now, this appears to be an easy call.

Prediction: Texas A&M

Note: All scouting and analysis of Garrett done via tape study of film provided on his 247Sports profile page. Picture breakdown courtesy of his hudl film, also provided on his 247Sports profile.

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Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Red Devils Should Sell Wayne Rooney to PSG

Timothy Rapp — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:47:27 -0400

Is it time for Manchester United to move on from Wayne Rooney?

You'll get varied answers on that, but you may be hard-pressed to find anyone—including the most hardcore Rooney fans—that would turn down the rumored transfer package that Paris Saint-Germain might be putting together to lure Rooney away from Old Trafford.

From John Cross of the Mirror:

Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to put together a staggering £100 million deal to land Wayne Rooney.

Manchester United striker Rooney has emerged as the French side's No. 1 target this summer, and their mega-rich Middle Eastern owners are prepared to pay him a staggering £15 million-a-year—after tax.

That would put the England star, 27, on the same wages as PSG's current star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is being tipped for a move back to Italy this summer just one season after moving from AC Milan.

The new Ligue 1 champions would be willing to go to £40 million as a transfer fee, and hand Rooney a four-year contract to try to lure him away from the Old Trafford giants.

I highly doubt Manchester United would ever get £40 million for Rooney again on the transfer market, especially if he sticks around and replicates his performance from this season.

It's obvious he never took to a deeper-lying role with Robin van Persie manning the striker role, and with Shinji Kagawa waiting in the wings and capable of playing as an attacking midfielder behind RVP, Rooney is more expendable than he's been in years.

To be fair, we don't know how new manager David Moyes will employ all of his new toys. Maybe he'll move Rooney further up the pitch and pair him with RVP in a two-striker set. Perhaps Rooney simply needs another season to adjust to a deeper-lying role.

At his best, Rooney is both a scorer and a facilitator, and he has always liked to drop deeper into the play. If he can adjust to RVP being the focal point of the attack, perhaps a role as an attacking midfielder would be a natural evolution.

Then again, perhaps Rooney won't want to play under Moyes again as he did in his Everton days, or perhaps Moyes would be fine with moving Rooney. After all, with that sort of cash, he may be able to secure the signatures of two of his ex-players at Everton, left-back Leighton Baines and midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who would be perfect additions for United.

Plus, whether Rooney did in fact hand in a transfer request or the Red Devils are trying to push him out, this is now the second time in three years United has had Rooney drama. Last time, he ended up signing a new contract.

This time, the Rooney era could come to an end. And with £40 million potentially lining the pockets of the Red Devils if it does, the Rooney era should come to an end.

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Trina Graves Brings Diverse Athletic Background to Canadian National Team

Mark Staffieri — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:41:54 -0400

An All-Star in the Maritime Women’s Football League, Trina Graves is preparing for her second stint with the Canadian National Team. Graves is hoping for a gold medal finish at the 2013 edition of the Women’s Tackle Football Championships.

At the inaugural 2010 Women’s Worlds, Graves was part of the silver medal squad, as she was a part of Canada’s offensive line. For 2013, she is showing versatility by shifting to defense. In competing at the defensive end position, she will be joined by the likes of Jamie Lammerding, Alexa Matwyczuk, Julie Perreault and Becky Wallis.

“It is a bit surreal still from time to time, but it means that dreams are not just dreams if you not only set your goals high but you continue to fight for them. I tried out for defense on the 2010 National Team, having dropped 20 pounds for tryouts. I ended up traveling with the team as an offensive tackle (a new and incredible experience none the less), but I knew I wanted to be able to play defense at the world level.”

As 2013 marks her sixth full season with the MWFL, Graves brings a remarkable athletic background. Like many women in the MWFL and the Western Women’s Canadian Football League, her first exposure to football came through rugby. She participated at the high school level in the 1990’s and played one year at the provincial level in New Brunswick.

“For this round, being another 45 pounds lighter, (I am) faster, and much more skilled thanks to my home team coaches and heightened focus, I will be traveling with Team Canada as a defensive end.”

“There is an incredible amount of talent on this team, as there was in 2010, and so much talent still on the individual teams across Canada that is not on the roster but gave it all at tryouts. It's an honor to be named to Team Canada for the second time with the bar having been raised so much over the last three years, and I cannot wait to meet the rest of my teammates.”

In 2001, Graves participated in football for the first time. She would also participate in a touch football league based out of Saint John, New Brunswick. Still a competitor in the league, it keeps Graves’ skills sharp, while she excels at the Quarterback position, respectively.

“Having previously been involved in league sports such as rugby and touch football, it gives you a sense of what to expect when joining any new team. I feel this is why it is beneficial for young women to experience team sports from even elementary ages and up, no matter the sport they're interested in.”

Her career would evolve to the next level when she joined the MWFL in 2007. As a member of the Saint John Storm, Graves is a two-time All-Star nod on defense (2009, 2011). Her first All-Star selection on offense in 2012 is testament to her talent. Perhaps, even greater was the three league championships that she would savor.

“Three of the full five seasons that I have played for the SJ Storm, we have taken the MWFL Championship. Each one of those three was as sweet as the others.”

“Whether you are trailing for a moment or leading the entire game, seeing the girls rally each other when the tanks are near empty, encouraging every hit to be as big as the last and motivating each other through errors is an incredible experience. Seeing all your hard work and dedication come to fruition as ANY win, whether regular season or playoffs, is the ultimate high.”

In addition, Graves would also serve the MWFL in an administrative capacity. She would have involvement with the MWFL Committee as Treasurer, giving her a different perspective on the game.

“Being the first year that I have participated in meetings and conference calls, I was not sure what to expect. Yet, having now seen the workings behind the scenes and the time and dedication that is put into this league with no monetary reward really shows the dedication that the coaches, players and team supporters have for the MWFL. Along with the desire they have to see it grow and succeed.”

Graves has also given back to the game by serving in a coaching capacity. From 2010 to 2011, Garves was an assistant coach in the Fundy Minor Girls Football Association.

“From on the field, in regards to skill, knowledge and physical fitness, to off the field, when interacting with teammates and communication, great coaching builds great individuals. These are the ladies who are going to be the foundation of the MWFL, as we senior players move on.”

“Being able to nurture and guide them, as well as to now play on the same team as some of the ladies who are where they are because of you, is a reward that's second to none. There is no better way to grow the sport you love than to be an ambassador to women who will succeed you.”

Heading into the 2013 Women’s Worlds, Graves is looking to bring back a gold medal. After the experience of competing against the United States in the gold medal game of 2010, Graves is able to reflect on that experience and absorb the lessons learned.

“The second half of our game against the USA in 2010 was completely different from the first half because of adjustments. We need to be firing on all cylinders and in overdrive from the first snap of every game, control the ball and make them play OUR game.”

“It is not the other team getting in your head you have to worry about; it is getting in your own head that creates the downward spiral. The Worlds are top notch, hard hitting and mentally draining football with little to no recovery time between games. The team that can stand and fight together, physically and mentally, will win together, and that's exactly what Team Canada intends to do.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

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Wayne Rooney Best Suited to Leave Manchester United and Start Fresh This Summer

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:38:20 -0400

After requesting a move from Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney's run with English powerhouse Manchester United seems all but over.

Following nine seasons as a Red Devil, Rooney has finally reached a point where he is better off starting fresh with a new club this summer, regardless of whether it's a Premier League squad or French Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old striker was forced to play second fiddle to Robin van Persie for the Premier League champions last season, and he was even left out of the starting lineup for a critical UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.

While Sir Alex Ferguson's departure certainly changes things, it does little to change the fact that Rooney has been displaced in United's lineup.

Van Persie, who scored a Premier League-leading 26 goals last season, has become the alpha dog at the top of United's squad. Meanwhile, Rooney, who netted 12 goals and recorded 10 assists in league play last season, was forced to play in midfield at times in order for both stars to coexist in the same starting XI.

The Daily Mail's John Drayton thoroughly explains Rooney's current situation at Old Trafford:

With two years left on his contract, United are under pressure to tie Rooney to a new deal this summer or sell him.

However, the feeling is that the newly-crowned Premier League champions will find it difficult to keep the striker after he asked to leave the club for the second time.

It is possible that Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will offer Rooney an escape route in the Premier League. Otherwise, the options could be limited to France.

After watching last season pan out and given Rooney's multiple transfer requests, you can't help but feel that his time with United is set to come to a close.

His role with the club has diminished significantly as of late, and as he heads into the prime of his career, he's in need of a change in scenery—one where he'll be called on match in and match out as the go-to goalscorer.

Plus, with Rooney and wife Coleen recently welcoming their second child into the world, a transfer would allow the star forward to begin a new chapter on and off the pitch:

Rooney can't afford to stick around and risk another wasted season in terms of maximizing on his full potential as a player. A fresh start in a new kit would present the Liverpool native with an opportunity to begin a brand new relationship with different management in another world-class organization, and it would also allow him the chance to build upon his legacy in a new city.

There's no going back now for Wayne Rooney. He's repeatedly asked for a change of scenery, and there doesn't seem to be enough room for him to shine alongside van Persie in the United lineup. Until he moves on to a new club or signs an extension with United, the drama surrounding him and his future will only continue to distract Rooney from his offseason preparations.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

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Seattle Mariners: Is 2013 Season Already in Jeopardy?

Todd Pheifer — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:32:51 -0400

Six games ago, the Seattle Mariners were in good shape. The team was 20-21 and had just won two series in a row against the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees.

Six games ago, the Mariners were a team on the rise, and fans were starting to hope that this team could put it all together. Safeco Field was actually providing some amount of home-field advantage, even if the fans were not coming through the turnstiles.

Six games later...well, if you have been following the team you know what happened.

Loss. Loss. Loss. Loss. Loss. Loss. Count ‘em, six.

Now, a six-game losing streak is not the end of the world. We are still in May. The Mariners have talent, some degree of youthful energy and a nice mix of veterans. There is hope.

Still, the M’s are now 10 games out of first place. The Texas Rangers are playing good ball. The scrappy Oakland A’s are going to hang around all year. Even the disappointing Los Angeles Angels could eventually turn it around.

Translation? A team like Seattle cannot afford to suffer through six-game losing streaks. There is little room for error.

Truthfully, the Mariners lost some heartbreakers over the losing streak. The entire series against the Cleveland Indians seemed like one lost opportunity after another. The M's battled, but they lost one game in the bottom of the ninth and two games in extra innings.

These guys could not catch a break.

Do you make a move? Thomas Holmes of Bleacher Report wrote a great article on rumors and potential moves that the Mariners could make. Unfortunately, each of these represent the types of moves the Mariners seem to have been making for years.

The team gets behind partway through the season. The team trades their only tradeable commodities. The team hopes the youngsters that they get in return will eventually pan out.

Rinse. Repeat.

Obviously there are no quick fixes. Seattle could promote Nick Franklin and Jeremy Bonderman. They could trade away one of their veterans. Will that turn things around? One move was made already, which was to send Jesus Montero down to Triple-A (via The News Tribune).

Do the fans just need to take a deep breath, be patient and repeat the old sports cliche about taking one game at a time? If you think about it, the Mariners could have taken three of four from Cleveland. They obviously didn’t, but the opportunity was certainly there. If they win that series, does that provide positive momentum and a better outcome against the Angels?

Perhaps.

Sometimes (most of the time) it is tough to be a Mariners fan. The team starts to look good, and then they drop six straight. Seattle now gets to go home, but Texas will be waiting for them.

Maybe this is just a speed bump. Maybe the team meeting will help:

Or, maybe this is the first big drop on the way to another disappointing season. The weekend series against Texas may be a key tipping point in 2013.

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Roy Hibbert Should've Been on the Floor to Stop LeBron James' Game-Winner

Dan Favale — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:25:44 -0400

Roy Hibbert knows where Frank Vogel went wrong against the Miami Heat, just like the rest of us.

The 7'2" shot-blocking connoisseur was sitting on the bench when LeBron James made an easy layup at the buzzer to give the Heat a 103-102 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals.

With 2.2 seconds remaining, Paul George overplayed LeBron's strong side on the inbounds, which allowed him to go left and navigate an alarmingly unimpeded path to the basket.

Where was Hibbert? On the bench. The same Hibbert who is averaging 2.5 blocks per game during the playoffs and already had two blocks on the night watched helplessly from the sidelines, as LeBron won the game with an uncontested flick of his wrist.

Vogel's decision to bench Hibbert—and on the previous possession when LeBron gave the Heat a 101-99 lead—has been questioned to no end. And rightfully so.

Miami's floor spacing offense complicates Indiana's defensive sets, but did he forget what Hibbert was able to do to Carmelo Anthony in Game 6 against the New York Knicks in the second round? If he did, his memory failed him twice. After LeBron's first layup, there never should have been a second.

Hibbert should have been on the floor during these final sequences, especially the last one—something he is fully aware of.

Following LeBron's heroics and Indiana's monumental letdown, Hibbert lamented Vogel's decision to take him out of the game, admitting he should have protested.

"I've grown as a player, this is my fifth year, and maybe I need to start talking up more," Hibbert told Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. "They pay me [max-contract money] for a reason."

Indeed they do. They pay him to block shots and to protect the rim. From now on, he'll make sure they'll also pay him to speak up, as well.

"I didn't say anything, and I wish I did," he said. "From now on, I need to speak up."

It's just one loss, but in the playoffs, that's all it takes to shift the momentum of an entire series, especially against the Heat. Sometimes one shot is all you get. The Pacers have to hope they're the exception.

"I'm 100 percent sure [Hibbert] would've been there," George said of what would have been if Hibbert was in the game.

Next time (if there is a next time), he will be. Hibbert himself will make sure of it.

Follow @danfavale

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Neymar Would Form Perfect Combination with Lionel Messi for Barcelona

Mike Chiari — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:13:27 -0400

Star Brazilian striker Neymar is among the most exciting players in the world, and with a potential transfer in his future he has made plenty of headlines. One possible destination is Barcelona, which would allow Neymar to form one of the most dynamic duos in soccer with Lionel Messi.

According to Andres Garavaglia of Sky Sports, the Santos forward prefers Barca over all other options and hopes to end up playing at Camp Nou.

Neymar has told us he wants to sign for Barcelona, (Santos vice president Odilio Rodrigues) told Ser Esports.

There are other proposals but he has preferences for Barca. There is no official Madrid proposal for Neymar but we know that this offer will come.

While Barca is trying to make something happen, it has been unsuccessful thus far. According to Goal.com, Barcelona's second transfer offer for Neymar was rejected by Santos.

Barcelona reportedly offered Santos $20 million in exchange for Neymar, per Goal.com, but the South American club is looking for an even larger figure. With Real Madrid hoping to land Neymar as well, Barca has seemingly become more active in its pursuit of the 21-year-old phenom.

With that said, there is no question that Messi is still the face of Barcelona. He netted an incredible 46 goals in 32 league matches this season, and Barcelona's offense will run through him as long as he continues to play at this level. There is no such thing as having too many good players, though.

Messi realizes that he will be "the guy" regardless, so it should come as no surprise that he supports the possible acquisition of Neymar, according to Live Football.

In a recent interview with Qatar Alkass, Messi had nothing but good things to say about Neymar, according to FootballTips.com.

"I do not know if he will end up at the club or not. However, it is true that he is a player who would bring a very different dimension to the team."

Adding that dimension to what Messi already offers is a tantalizing thought for Blaugrana supporters everywhere. Neymar had 43 goals in 47 total appearances in 2012 and has tallied 13 markers in 20 matches this year, so there is no doubt that he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.

Messi is arguably the best player in the world today, but he can't do it all by himself. Neymar would take a lot of pressure off of him as opposing defenders would have to split their focus. They would no longer be able to key exclusively on Messi because Neymar could very easily burn them.

There is no guarantee that Messi and Neymar will have great synergy, but they are both exciting and creative players who have a knack for finding the scoring areas. Messi is an amazing goalscorer, but he is a precision passer as well, so Neymar would absolutely benefit from playing alongside him.

While there is obviously a lot that needs to be done before Barcelona lands Neymar, a potential pairing of Neymar and Messi is exciting for any soccer fan. Putting them together would be great for the sport and it would ultimately be a fantastic move on Barca's part.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

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Should Kobe Bryant Serve as a Lakers Assistant Coach While He's Out?

NBA365 Productions — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:11:05 -0400

Kobe Bryant's torn Achilles is one of the harder injuries to recover from in sports. Many are saying his NBA days are behind him, while others think he can make his return late next season.

We all know Kobe's drive and determination will eventually bring him back on the court, but how long will it be before we actually get to see Black Mamba do his thing again?

Our very own Lance Fresh joins us to tell you what the three possible scenarios are for Kobe next year.

Will he wind up coaching? Will he sit out?

Watch now to see what Lance thinks about Kobe's return next year and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Follow Lance Fresh

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2013 MLB Draft Prospects: 5 Best Catchers in the 2013 Draft Class

Adam Wells — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Ask anyone what the most difficult position to draft in baseball is, and some might throw out pitching and shortstops. However, from the standpoint of being able to draft, develop and get a player to live up to their full potential, it has to be catcher.

A big reason it is so difficult to find catching is because the position is more physically and mentally demanding than any other spot on the field. These players have to know everything about their pitchers and how to call games, take a beating from foul balls and wild pitches, understand the strengths and weaknesses of opposing hitters and still make time to develop their hitting.

Since the offensive bar for catching is so low, and the value of an excellent defensive catcher is incredibly high, we seem to expect less production from the position.

Looking at the crop of catchers in this year's class, it is not a star-studded group, but there are a few names at the top of the heap who have the potential to be, at worst, solid regulars behind the plate. There is a huge drop after the top three, who all project to be first-round picks.

Here is a look at the top five catching prospects in the upcoming 2013 Major League Baseball Draft.

No. 1: Reese McGuire, Kentwood HS (Kent, WA)

Strengths: Best defensive catcher in the draft. He is a tremendous athlete behind the plate with great agility and already shows the ability to block breaking balls in the dirt.

Receiving skills are solid already. He also boasts the best pop times (usually in the 1.8-1.9 second range) and strongest throwing arm among all catchers in this class.

Weaknesses: Still very raw offensively. McGuire does boast above-average raw power but struggles to have it show up in games.

Swing gets long thanks to a bat wrap and high leg kick that throws off his timing, especially against better velocity. Despite good receiving skills, still shows a tendency to stab at the ball with the glove.

Overall Future Potential: McGuire has the most raw potential of any catcher in this class. His defensive skills alone could make him a starter for a long time, but he will have to prove that his offense will be good enough to play every day. Being able to get the bat through the zone quicker and improving his pitch recognition will determine if he is a star or just another catcher.

No. 2: Jon Denney, Yukon HS (Yukon, OK)

Strengths: Solid offensive skill set with bat speed and raw power. He has a very quiet approach at the plate with no wasted movement, and bat control allows him to barrel the ball on a consistent basis.

Solid-average throwing arm behind the plate. Not the most accurate thrower in the world, but will make enough plays to stay as a catcher. He could move off the position to get his bat moving quicker, though that would significantly lower his value.

Weaknesses: Overall defensive skills leave something to be desired. Very raw as a receiver and still struggles to move behind the plate. Balls in the dirt are going to give him problems. Denney will have problems adjusting to off-speed stuff and can get a little too reliant on his bat speed instead of playing the ball.

Overall Future Potential: Denney has the most offensive upside among catchers in this draft class. He also projects to be an above-average overall hitter, so if he is even fringe-average defensively, he could be a star. Due to questions about his glove, there is a chance he could be relegated to first base or DH.

No. 3: Nick Ciuffo, Lexington HS (Charleston, SC)

Strengths: Like Denney, Ciuffo has a very good swing from the left side of the plate and projects to have above-average power. He also shows a strong ability to make contact, which gives him a good chance to be an average hitter.

Above-average arm strength from behind the plate. Receiving skills are very strong, among the best in the class. Good, strong catcher frame at 6'1", 200 pounds.

Weaknesses: Shows inconsistent pop times from behind the plate, ranging anywhere from 1.85-2.0. Also struggles to make the throw down to second base. Denney will pull off the ball too often, leading to strikeouts and more soft contact than you would like.

Overall Future Potential: Good raw tools behind the plate. Arm strength and receiving skills will play right away, but he does have to show more consistency with his throwing motion. Even with some struggles offensively, Denney has enough power and bat speed to eventually become an average hitter. He has the ceiling of an All Star, though he could carve out a nice career as a solid regular if the glove and hit tools don't progress as expected.

No. 4: Chris Okey, Eustis HS (Mt. Dora, FL)

Strengths: Okey has an average defensive profile, with some arm strength and decent receiving skills. He is never going to be considered elite behind the plate, but should be adequate thanks to a good frame and projectable skills. He has some ability to hit for average thanks to bat speed.

Weaknesses: Overall defensive skill set leaves something to the desired. Okey also has a limited offensive profile because his swing is not going to produce a lot of power. He takes very little stride in his load and uses more of his upper body to drive the ball. He will have gap power, but home run pop will likely be fringy.

Overall Future Potential: Okey's best bet to get to the big leagues is as a defensive-oriented catcher with arm strength, ability to block balls and some athleticism. His bat is not going to be special due to lack of power projection, but his bat speed could help him become a .260-.270 hitter.

No. 5: Andrew Knapp, California

Strengths: Knapp offers the kind of floor that the first four catchers on the list don't. He is still raw as a hitter, but he knows how to catch good velocity and breaking stuff having played in the Pac-12 for the last three years.

Weaknesses: He doesn't offer much offensive upside, as his bat speed is just adequate and power is fringy. He has shown improvement as a hitter, increasing his average from .265 last season to .350 this year. Knapp does struggle receiving the ball, which is a red flag for a college catcher, and his arm strength is average.

Overall Future Potential: Knapp is the kind of catcher who could end up being in the big leagues for 10 years as a backup thanks to his athleticism and some tools with the bat. He will have to show vast improvement in his receiving and throwing skills, as well as the ability to make contact, in order to be a starter.

If you want to talk about draft prospects, or anything baseball related, feel free to hit me up on Twitter.

Follow @adamwells1985

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Thursday Mailbag: Who My No. 1 Team for This Season Is (and More)

Lisa Horne — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:57:19 -0400

It is Thursday, and that means it is time to open the mailbag.

With under 100 days left until college football kicks off on August 29, the fever is starting to infect fans. We're more than halfway to the finish line. It is time to take your team sweatshirt out of the mothballs and start dusting off your pom poms.

Frederick Gibson asks the first question.

For clarity, I asked Frederick if "next season" refers to this fall. He replied that it did so that clears that up. Now to answer the question.

I am a defense-oriented broad. I believe great defense wins championships—are you sensing where I will be going here?—and so do great coaches. It is important to have talent on a team, but the head coach predicates how well that talent develops.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is the best football coach in the country. He develops talent better than most, although Boise State's Chris Petersen is high on my list.

If you give Saban 30 days to draw up a game plan to beat another team, he is almost unbeatable. And that is about how much time he will have between winning the SEC Championship and playing for the BCS Championship.

I'm picking Alabama to beat Ohio State in the BCS Championship. I like Buckeye head coach Urban Meyer, and I believe his team will go 13-0 in the Big Ten. But the Buckeye's defense needs to improve.

Maybe Ohio State's defense will light it up this year. At this point in the year it's all a guessing game. Except for Alabama's defense. It will be asphyxiating.

SoCal Mestizo asked me this.

No, he has not. Which means I can still see his updates. I can still see his requests for his twitter followers to provide him links to his own articles. I am living the dream.

Lori asked a question about UCLA.

The quarterback situation at UCLA is locked and loaded. For the first time in years, there is no question who will start at quarterback. Brett Hundley will be the Bruins' field general.

As far as his back up, that still remains a question mark. T.J. Millweard is probably the No. 2 guy, but incoming freshman Asiantii Woulard deserves a hard look. He's very athletic but lacks experience at quarterback.

If Hundley gets hurt, UCLA will be in trouble. There is plenty of depth in the position. Mike Fafaul, Devin Fuller and Jerry Neuheisel are listed as reserves but they have yet to attempt a collegiate pass.

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Latest Buzz on Nerlens Noel's Chances to Land with Cleveland Cavaliers

Alex Kay — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:48:20 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers were fortunate enough to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft in Tuesday night’s lottery. Now they have the first shot at selecting Nerlens Noel, the highly-rated prospect out of Kentucky.

Noel is the closest thing to a consensus top pick this relatively weak class has to offer, but there are some concerns about the big man’s health and ability to excel at the next level.

More specifically, the Wildcats star is still in the midst of recovering from a debilitating ACL injury suffered in mid-February and—by his own calculations—won’t be available until Christmas time.

There’s also the worrisome weigh-in at the scouting combine in Chicago last week, as Noel tipped the scales at a gaunt 206 pounds (ESPN Insider protected). While some of this skinniness can be attributed to his injury, it’s hard to picture the wiry prospect bulking up to more than 215 pounds in his rookie season.

However, despite those two red flags, Noel is a perfect pivot for the modern NBA. He’s not going to blow anyone away with his height at 6’11”, but that’s a more than acceptable length—especially when you factor in his otherworldly leaping ability.

Noel utilizes that athleticism to his advantage on both ends of the floor, springing up off the floor to snag rebounds, finish alley-oops and block anything put up in his vicinity.

His coach, John Calipari, believes that the Cavaliers would be foolish to pass on his former player next month.

According to Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, coach Cal had this to say about the potential pairing:

My hope is they take Nerlens because they do their research and say, 'We need that shot blocker behind what we have....We know he's going to gain 40 pounds. We know the trajectory.' They know where he was at the beginning of the year and they know how much he improved because they were here. They saw it. I don't have to explain anything to Chris [Grant, Cavaliers general manager].

ESPN’s Andy Katz caught up with Noel after the lottery and found that the big man is excited about the potential to play alongside superstar point guard Kyrie Irving and the rest of the emerging Cleveland roster.

The prospect believes that his shot-blocking and rim-protection skills would synergize with the existing lineup, while he also projects to provide another option for Irving to feed down low or finish at the rim on the break.

So why wouldn’t the Cavs draft a player that can accomplish all of these things; especially with a roster devoid of that type of talent in the frontcourt?

For starters, there have been some rumblings that the organization is exploring a possible trade.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that Cleveland GM Chris Grant outright confirmed that he will be fielding offers: "You want to look at all your options and make the best decision for your team," Grant said. "This is a valuable asset that we can add to the group, whether it's in trade or keep it and add a player."

Grantland’s Zach Lowe—who spoke with numerous members of the Cleveland posse on lottery night—believes the team has “almost literally too many draft picks,” as it possesses the No. 1, 19, 31 and 32 selections in this year’s event, and will be fielding offers for all of them.

There’s also the possibility that the Cavaliers simply decide to go in a different direction, as Noel isn’t completely head-and-shoulders above the rest of the projected lottery in terms of talent or upside.

Grant revealed to Windhorst that his club doesn’t have its heart set on anyone, as anything could happen between now and June 27—the night of the NBA draft: "For us, it's wide open. A number of these guys are injured, so there's still an enormous amount of due diligence that's got to be done."

Should the Cavs stay put and not use the pick on Noel, they will likely be looking at either Ben McLemore out of Kansas or Georgetown’s Otto Porter.

The Jayhawks sniper may not be the most ideal fit with the current roster, but he’s arguably the best perimeter player in this class and could develop into an elite scorer.

Porter doesn’t grade out as highly and certainly isn’t a franchise-worthy point producer, but—on paper—meshes perfectly with the makeup of this team.

Without a surefire home run No. 1 selection in this class, Grant wouldn’t be raked over the coals too badly for his decision to pass over Noel—but it could come back to haunt him.

Unless Cleveland receives a “Godfather” offer from a competitor looking to move up to the head of the 2013 draft—and that seems unlikely given the flawed prospects at the top of most big boards—you can expect the franchise to stand pat and tab Noel.

He may not be the lottery prize that Kyrie Irving was two years ago, but the Kentucky center will eventually develop into an instrumental piece of the puzzle for this rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers organization.

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NHL Playoffs 2013: NY Rangers on the Rocks with No Margin for Error Down 3-0

Roman Uschak — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:39:19 -0400

The New York Rangers likely won’t be coming back from this one.

Oh sure, they could conceivably win on Thursday night to force a Game 5 in Boston this weekend, and possibly win that one as well, thereby cutting their deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals to one game.

Odds are, though, they won't—and ultimately, they also won't win their first Stanley Cup since 1994.

Their come-from-ahead 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, in which they surrendered a pair of third-period goals after nursing a one-goal lead, has left them in an 0-3 hole to a team that won the Stanley Cup just two years ago.

More importantly, it’s left them in a hole against a team that will not conceivably fold like the Washington Capitals did in the first round. The Caps had 2-0 and 3-2 series leads over the Rangers in the conference quarterfinals and then failed to score a goal in the final two games.

The Bruins are bigger, meaner and stronger than the Caps and have found ways to win in two of the three games this series, either or both of which the Rangers could have won.

Torey Krug tied it and Brad Marchand won it in overtime of Game 1 in Boston last Thursday. The Bruins then pasted the Rangers, 5-2, on Sunday, getting goals from five different skaters and 35 saves from Tuukka Rask in breaking a 1-1 second-period tie to take a 2-0 series lead.

Tuesday night, the Bruins trailed by a goal going into the final period before getting goals from Johnny Boychuk on a wrist shot from the right point and Daniel Paille off a weird bouncing rebound in front, the latter with just 3:31 remaining in regulation. Tough guy Shawn Thornton assisted on both scores and Rask made 24 saves to negate the 32 stops made by his counterpart Henrik Lundqvist, who still sports a .935 save percentage so far in these playoffs in stopping 340 of 362 total shots.

“You have to work hard to get the bounces,” said Lundqvist to NBC Sports Network after Game 3.

"He was outstanding. He was outstanding," said Rangers coach John Tortorella (via NHL.com) of Lundqvist.

The Ranger’s No. 30 can’t score goals, though—and half the time, neither can his teammates. Barring the five-goal burst in the Game 7 clincher against Washington, New York has scored one goal or less in half of its 10 playoff outings to date and is just 1-4 in those games. They have just five goals so far in this series.

The New York power play again failed to ignite in limited action in Game 3, going 0-for-2. New York is now 0-for-10 in the series when playing a man up and just 2-for-38 overall in the postseason.

“This is one of the worst power plays I’ve ever seen,” said former NHL player and current NBC Sports Network commentator Jeremy Roenick following Game 3.

Roenick pointed out how the Rangers don’t set up properly on the power play, make poor passes or only send in one man on the forecheck. He also suggested that a series loss, highlighted by such a miserable man advantage, might ultimately cost Tortorella his job.

Taylor Pyatt scored the Rangers’ only goal Tuesday, his first of these playoffs, which now ties him with multi-millionaires Rick Nash and Brad Richards on the team scoring scroll after 10 games.

Clubs have come back from the brink of elimination in the Stanley Cup playoffs before; the Philadelphia Flyers turned that trick just three seasons ago in the second round en route to a Stanley Cup Final appearance. That series, though, was against these same Bruins, who you can bet aren’t eager to repeat that performance—especially after nearly squandering a 3-1 series lead in Round 1 this year against Toronto, a series Boston ultimately salvaged with a miraculous Game 7 comeback.

A Rangers team that some picked to win the Stanley Cup in this lockout-shortened season is now just one loss away from going home for the summer.

Coming back from three games down isn’t physically impossible. Psychologically, though, it’s pretty much insurmountable.

“As a group now, we have to leave everything out there Thursday,” said Lundqvist.

That still might not be enough.

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Detroit Tigers: Cabrera's All-Time Greatness Should Not Be Ignored

Josh Berenter — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:31:33 -0400

Miguel Cabrera is putting together one of the all-time greatest performances in the history of MLB.

But for as amazing of a player as Cabrera is, his greatness has been somewhat shoved under the rug in the city of Detroit and around baseball.

Whether it’s his comical DUI arrest in 2011, or his lack of English-speaking skills, for some reason or another, Cabrera’s fame isn’t on the level of LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Sidney Crosby or Tom Brady, who are arguably the most famous individual figures in their respective crafts.

But Cabrera’s numbers should speak for themselves.

Last season, the 30-year-old won the Triple Crown (the most recent player to do so since 1967) with a .330 average, 30 44 home runs and 139 RBI’s.

Cabrera won his first career MVP Award and led the Tigers to their second World Series appearance since 2006.

You would think that accomplishing one of baseball’s holy grails would allow Cabrera to be a runaway favorite for MVP, but he just barely edged out the sabermetric arguments of Los Angeles Angels rookie Mike Trout.

Cabrera wasn't bothered by the doubters who thought he didn’t deserve to be MVP, and has gone out this season and proved exactly why he did deserve the award a year ago.

So far in 2013, Cabrera is averaging .387 with a .459 on-base percentage, 13 home runs and 52 RBI’s in 44 games.

Cabrera, who’s vying to become the first two-time Triple Crown winner in history, leads the American League in average by 35 points, in RBI’s by nine and is second in home runs, trailing Baltimore’s Chris Davis by one.

He’s a seven-time All-Star during his 10-year career, and he’s on pace to finish 2013 with 47 home runs and 191 RBI’s.

The Venezuelan slugger continues to confuse opposing pitchers and amaze adoring fans on a nightly basis, and is on the verge of doing things that no has ever accomplished, but somehow he remains somewhat anonymous in the grand scheme of things.

Cabrera, who’s finished in the top five of the MVP vote in each of the last four seasons, doesn’t mind shying away from the spotlight, but for as good as he is, the spotlight should be shining brightest on him.

Opposing pitchers know what he’s capable of and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Cabrera is in the prime of his trailblazing career, and when he’s ready to hang ‘em up, we will all look back and put him on the pedestal among the best players ever.

Maybe even the best of all-time.

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French Open 2013: Highlighting Top Performers in Qualifying Draw Thus Far

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:31:30 -0400

Before Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams get their chance to shine in the main draw at the 2013 French Open in Roland Garros this summer, the qualifiers will have their moment in the sun.

As second-round qualifying action comes to a close, a handful of underdogs are just one win away from joining tennis' top stars in next week's main draw.

Here we'll highlight some of the top performers in Paris heading into the third round of the qualifying draw.

James Duckworth

Aussie James Duckworth, 21, has played solid clay-court tennis this week in Paris, beating countryman Alex Bolt in the opening round of the qualifying draw and then overcoming Argentine Diego Sebastian Schwartzman in Round 2.

In his three-set win over Schwartzman, Duckworth was sensational. He recorded 12 aces and committed just two unforced errors, according to IBM SlamTracker.

The emerging Australian will take on Serbian Dusan Lajovic in the third round for a spot in the main draw next week. With a win, Duckworth can launch his racquet in celebration rather than disgust.

Duckworth has played in the Australian Open twice, reaching the second round in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013. He has never played in the main draw at any other Slam event.

Stephanie Vogt

Stephanie Vogt, a 23-year-old native of Liechtenstein, currently ranks outside the WTA Top 200. However, that hasn't stopped her from winning matches in the early goings of the French Open.

Vogt defeated Italy's Maria Elena Camerin in her opening match, winning seven of nine break points to take the match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Vogt was even better in her second-round win, knocking off Romania's Andreea Mitu, 6-2, 6-2 after converting on five of six break-point chances.

Vogt is looking to earn her first-ever berth in a Grand Slam tournament. She was knocked out in the qualifying draw at the 2012 U.S. Open and a few months ago at the 2013 Australian Open.

What's more, Vogt can make history for her country in the third round in Paris (via The Guardian's Alex Macpherson):

Rhyne Williams

Despite ranking outside the ATP Top 100, 22-year-old Rhyne Williams is playing brilliant tennis in Roland Garros this May.

In his first-round qualifying match against Boy Westerhof, Williams recorded eight aces and scored four quick break points before his opponent was forced to retire while trailing a set and a game.

Williams was phenomenal again in the second round, defeating Frenchman Mathias Bourgue in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Williams recorded seven aces and 43 winners in the victory.

The Knoxville, Tennessee native is looking to earn his first-ever berth in the French Open after bowing out in the first round of the 2013 Australian Open four months ago. Williams, seeded 15th in the men's qualifying draw, will take on 22nd-seeded Pole Michal Przysiezny in Round 3.

The winner will advance to play against the big boys in the main draw.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

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Vendor at Astros Game Fired After Bringing Snow Cones into Bathroom Stall

Dan Carson — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:24:11 -0400

Who doesn’t like a good snow cone? They’re cool, refreshing and thought to be generally excrement-free, but even that now lies in question.

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, a vendor at a Houston Astros game was fired after bringing a tray of these icy treats into the bathroom while using the amenities.

A fan in attendance at Minute Maid Park in Houston Monday night noticed something peculiar when he went to use the bathroom—a tray of rainbow-colored snow cones sitting on the ground behind an occupied stall door.

The man immediately began filming the incident with his phone, capturing footage of an individual’s pants around his ankles, using the bathroom next to the open cups of ice.

Click here for video of the incident.

The man filming the video becomes increasingly disgusted by the situation, and he eventually confronts someone who appears to be an employee at the stadium. To put it nicely, the man lays out the situation in plain terms to the stadium employee.

“Excuse me, you work here? You know you got a (bleeper) over here, taking a (bleep) with a snow-cone tray right in the (bleeping) bathroom?”

He’s got it right here on tape, he says. The employee walks to investigate the situation, and the video ends with the angry fan—the Captain Planet of food sanitation—saying how vile he finds it all.

The video was shared by the fan with a local NBC news station, and the employee responsible has been fired. Astros president Reid Ryan gave a statement in response to the incident.

The Astros were notified immediately by our partner ARAMARK of the incident involving a vendor on Monday night. We commend the swift reaction displayed by ARAMARK of terminating the employee immediately.

ARAMARK—Minute Maid Stadium’s exclusive concessionaire service—said this was an isolated event and a clear violation of standards.

I just hope those cones were thrown out and the tray was buried deep, deep under the stadium. Think of the children.

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Michigan Football: 10 Most Memorable Plays in Wolverines History

Zach Dirlam — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:24:00 -0400

The Michigan football program has been around since 1879, which means plenty of memorable plays have taken place over the past 134 years. Out of all them, though, there are 10 that stand out from the rest.

Game-winning plays are more difficult to forget than many of the highlight reel catches and runs. Unexpected special teams touchdowns have often led to a Wolverine locking up the Heisman Trophy. The end of one of the most unlikely of upsets will not soon be forgotten either. Doing all of this against a rival makes it all the more memorable.

Not surprisingly, the Big House has played host to several of the most memorable plays over the years, as making memories for 100,000-plus fans is just what Michigan standouts have done for decades.

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New York Yankees: In Praise of Brian Cashman's Genius

Chris Landers — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:23:20 -0400

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would seem to be the Rodney Dangerfield of Major League Baseball, despite all of the wins and all of the rings he's achieved in over a decade with the team. Anybody can win with that payroll, right?

Missing the playoffs even once should be a fireable offense when you can simply buy your way to a winning team.

Yes, New York can spend its way through a lot of its issues, even in a season where they were resolved to cut back. But Cashman has been dealt far worse hands than people realize, and he's managed to create contenders out of a scrap heap multiple times.

The Alex Rodriguez contract will hang over this franchise like an albatross for the next few years, hamstringing their ability to get younger and get better. That was never Cashman's fault, really—that was a George Steinbrenner move, through and through, and that's what people seem to forget about the Yankees GM.

The Yankees have financial clout but rarely financial flexibility. Steinbrenner demanded A-rod, then he demanded changes after New York missed the playoffs in 2008. So much of what Cashman has done has been dictated to him, and for all of the missteps, he still manages to craft a contender.

The guy is a master of the margins, scraping the bottom of the barrel to patch together wins no matter what.

Every franchise deals with injuries—sure—but not like this. The 2013 Yankees have been absolutely annihilated by various ailments to just about everyone, and through it all, they somehow find themselves locked in another AL East race.

For the second consecutive year, Cashman's bargain basement signings have come through—Eric Chavez and Raul Ibanez last year, Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner and Lyle Overbay this year. Even Nick Swisher, who morphed into a legitimate force in the middle of the Yankees lineup, was a low-profile acquisition.

The Yankees may have had luck on their side for the first couple months of the season—their run differential and win-loss record in close games suggests so—but their GM still deserves a whole bunch of credit. For all of their free-agent splashes, New York has never been a particularly top-heavy team, and that's a testament to Cashman's work.

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Dwight Howard Must Spurn Dallas Mavericks Despite Rumored Interest

Donald Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:17:27 -0400

Impending free agent Dwight Howard has been torn between returning to the Los Angeles Lakers or signing with the Houston Rockets, as reported by Sam Amick of USA Today. However, the Dallas Mavericks franchise reportedly is positioning itself for a big push to sign the center this offseason, according to Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Despite the Mavs' reported interest, Howard should not consider a move to Dallas.

After the nightmare that was the 2012-13 season with the aging Lakers, Howard must see the collective age of the Mavericks roster—six players over 30 last year—and spurn the team for the more appealing options on the table.

Price’s report claims that Dallas’ offseason free-agent hunt will now be focused on Howard instead of Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul:

I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers. The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard…They’re trying to go after [Howard] pretty hard. They think they’ve got as good enough of a chance as anybody, but I think Houston is a better fit for him.

For the Mavericks, seeing the writing on the wall about Paul staying in Los Angeles shows the savvy of the franchise, and pursuing the talented center instead is the smart backup plan.

While it’s the right move for the franchise, it’s not the right fit for the player.

Dallas would offer Howard a chance to be the featured star of the team, with current No. 1 player Dirk Nowitzki aging and heading toward the final stage of his career. The same can be said about the Lakers with Kobe Bryant, but Howard is great right now and should be the star of a team immediately.

In Houston, Howard wouldn’t play second fiddle to James Harden.

Howard made it clear during his time with the Orlando Magic that he wanted to play for a major-market team, but the way his season in a city like Los Angeles went, there should be no questioning that signing in a place with less pressure may be appealing once again.

Dallas may not be a prototypical basketball town, but with an owner as outspoken as Mark Cuban has been during his time in the NBA, an old roster and the expectations coming from the franchise’s 2011 championship, the spotlight would burn bright on Howard.

After watching how the center handled the pressure of impending free agency and the transition to the Lakers, a move to a smaller market with less pressure like Houston is Howard’s best option on paper.

Let’s hope this doesn’t become another Dwightmare.

Follow @Donald_Wood

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Liverpool Transfer News: Andy Carroll Should Accept Permanent Move to West Ham

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:10:47 -0400

Andy Carroll must focus on restoring his status as a talented young striker with upside. It's a reputation that faded during his brief Liverpool stint, so although West Ham United might not be his first-choice club, it's the best place for him right now.

West Ham agreed with Liverpool on a £15 million deal that would make Carroll's loan at Upton Park become permanent, and now the Reds are hoping for a quick answer from the striker, according to Andy Hunter of The Guardian.

The report states Carroll remains unsure about committing to a full-time stay with the Irons. He still prefers making a return impact with Liverpool or going back to where he initially skyrocketed to prominence, Newcastle United, but those options are fading.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said he already talked with Carroll about the situation and will continue to do so moving forward until a resolution is found:

It's a difficult one. I spoke to him and we had a good chat. The boy is a talent. It's just something we need to assess between now and the end of window. In terms of the money, that's something out of my control. But he's a talent so we will assess the whole situation. The objective at the beginning of the season was for him to go out and play. He's gone away to think of what we spoke about and we will talk again through the weeks.

Even though Carroll might want to mull his options before accepting the move, the England international needs to understand he's not in a position of great power right now. The fact Liverpool is so willing to sell him illustrates that.

His stock has fallen considerably since he netted 30 goals over his final season and a half with Newcastle. He parlayed that into a marquee move to Anfield. He's struggled to match the hype and expectations ever since.

With the Reds and Irons both trying to plan their summer transfer approaches, he will probably feel the pressure from both sides to decide his future sooner rather than later.

That's why his best option is accepting the permanent switch to West Ham. He can then focus completely on returning to full strength after a heel injury and then hope to reestablish himself as a coveted Premier League striker next season.

While Carroll might be thinking about the short-term concerns of staying at Upton Park, he should be thinking about his long-term future. If he can revitalize his career during a longer stay with West Ham, it will open up more opportunities moving forward.

There were signs of progress near the end of the campaign. He netted four goals over his last eight appearances, frequently flashing the form that helped him become a valuable asset. He needs more of that in order to restore his prior status.

West Ham, where he should receive consistent playing time while staying in the Premier League, is the safest bet. It's the best chance for him to show the Liverpool struggles were only a minor setback.

Liverpool and West Ham eagerly await his decision.

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Arsenal Transfers: Gunners Need to Sign the Right Player to Boost Attack

Mikhail Turner — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:10:11 -0400

All the talk concerning Arsenal's possible transfer signings for the attacking third have centered mainly on Stevan Jovetic and, more recently, Gonzalo Higuain.

Given Arsenal fans' preference for a big name signing, as well as their obvious quality, these two players make sense.

The Gunners need a forward who will score goals consistently, and while some fans have their doubts about Jovetic's ability in that respect, Higuain is proven in that area.

Still, enough has been said about the duo in relation to Arsenal in recent times.

There are other names that have cropped up as potential additions, or replacements, for the Gunners, and each option has to be weighed.

Christian Benteke, Loic Remy, and Wilfried Bony are the players in question.

Like Jovetic and Higauin, plenty has been said about Benteke and fans have seen him in Premier League play throughout the season.

Of all these options, he's the only one who can fully pass that "Premier League-proven" test.

Loic Remy's half-season with Queens Park Rangers showed he may be able to produce in England. The French international would bring title-winning experience, versatility and his best years to the London side.

Bleacher Report's own Karl Matchett broke down the tactical pros and cons of signing the former Marseille forward.

Remy has never been a prolific scorer, though, and his similarities to Theo Walcott make it difficult to see that he would improve Arsenal that much more.

Wilfried Bony is an exciting prospect coming off the back of a season where he scored 35 goals in 29 games for Vitesse Arnhem.

According to ESPN FC, Bony could be available for £10 million this summer, and that's another plus considering his price could be inflated that much higher after this season's exploits.

He is a forward in the poacher category, who has the physical tools to survive in the Premier League, but Olivier Giroud is already at the club, and Higuain would be a better addition on merit.

Every Arsenal fan has their preference and opinion as to who would be the best option for the club moving forward.

Barring a departure by the likes of Lukas Podolski, only one of the top two targets—Jovetic and Higuain—would be a possibility due to their cost.

With Goal.com reporting that Higuain is strongly linked to Juventus, that may leave only the Fiorentina star as an option.

Interestingly enough, it may come down to a "You get one, I get one" situation with Arsenal and Juventus, as ESPN FC reports that the Italian giants may be interested in Jovetic as well.

In any case, Arsenal may only need one of these players given Sky Sport's report of the impending arrival of Yaya Sanogo.

The Auxerre youngster is only a raw prospect at this time, but he would add depth to the Gunners' attacking third, and may progress well under Arsene Wenger's tutelage.

Arsenal could also face the prospect of another extremely frustrating transfer window, with Wenger just as likely to consider none of these options.

According to Talksport, the Gunners have been linked with skillful Montpellier attacking midfielder Remy Cabella. With seven goals and nine assists this season, the Frenchman has shown he can be productive.

Cabella has enough skill and versatility to fit into the Arsenal side, but there are more cons than pros to his signing.

He wouldn't start right away, there are enough players like him in similar positions in the squad and it's unknown if he would survive the Premier League.

We get through all that before even mentioning an Express report of the ridiculous £85 million valuation Montpellier have put on the player.

While Montpellier are unlikely to expect even half that much should any interest become real, it does suggest that they will expect a sizable amount for his services; an amount that could be used sufficiently elsewhere.

So which of these players would be the right one to boost the Arsenal attack?

Is it Jovetic's youth, potential and skills that, if harnessed correctly, could produce on of the biggest signings of the summer?

Is it Higuain's proven goal-scoring record, Benteke and Remy's Premier League experience, or Cabella's skill and versatility?

Wenger changed his policy a bit with the signings of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla last summer, and the results have been mixed.

Cazorla was the best of the three, and the fact that he was the only non-forward may weigh heavily on Wenger's mind.

All these candidates have their pros and cons, and Wenger likely won't win with all the Arsenal fans, whichever option he chooses.

The only thing certain with any of these transfers is that nothing is certain.

Unless otherwise stated, all statistics courtesy of ESPN FC.

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Youth Football Study Sheds Light on Health Issues

Will Carroll — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:10:09 -0400

USA Football and the Datalys Center released preliminary findings from their landmark, two-year study of injuries across youth football. The findings are for the most part extremely positive, but any move by a governing body is seen with suspicious eyes by many, so let's look a bit deeper into these early findings:

Is This a Good Study?

First and foremost, this is a scientifically valid study conducted by a respected firm. The study is not complete, but the importance of its findings and the possible impact led the stakeholders to release some of the preliminary findings.

The study looked at over 1,900 players across several states and youth leagues. While the specifics of the players are hidden by need, it appears to be a broad cross-section. While not random, since the leagues had to agree to participate, there is no apparent selection bias.

The methods and findings of the study all appear valid, though again, these are preliminary. USA Football is in a unique position, as more of an advocacy group than a true governing body. With no authority over football at any level, their strategies have been based on education and marketing.

I should also note that while USA Football and Datalys are located in Indianapolis, I have no connection to them aside from our shared interest in reducing injuries.

What Are the Key Takeaways from This Study?

It's important to note again that these are preliminary results from a two-year study. There are no solid recommendations that will occur until the study is completed.

There are, however, some interesting notes, such as an apparent lower number of injuries than expected. There are also a lower number of concussions than expected as well as an absence of catastrophic injuries, either from head, spine or heat-related cause. This may be due to the relative low incidence of these not being captured within the sample.

The most interesting thing may be that all of the samples were collected from leagues that were not compliant with USA Football's "Heads Up Football" program. That program, which is focused on education of coaches on key points like tackling technique, equipment fitting and heat illness, is designed to reduce the injuries even further.

What this study does not answer is the one so many parents want to know: Is youth football safe?

Is the Fact That More Players Are Injured in Games Than Practice Surprising?

It is not surprising. The key here is remembering that this is youth football, what many call Pop Warner or Little League in some areas. The ages are between 6 and 14 and does not include any high school players.

USA Football has rejected some of the most dangerous football drills, such as the Oklahoma drill or 'Bull In The Ring'. The Oklahoma drill, as seen to the right, is often used at high school and lower levels, but has led to significant injuries and even death.

While contact and collision is part of football, minimizing that contact is smart. The reduction of contact drills in the NFL has led to a reduction in both general injuries and head injuries in specific. While this reduction in contact is not as aggressive as some (including myself) would hope, there has been some movement in this direction.

The Most Common Injuries Are Contusions and Sprains. What Does This Mean?

This makes sense to anyone around football. Watch any youth football game and you'll see why this is the case. Simply put, these are the injuries you usually see when kids tackle and block each other in the course of normal play.

Any tackle, block or collision may result in these, leading to the raw numbers for bruises (contusions.) The same is true for sprains, especially given the amount of simple sprains, like a sprained ankle or sprained finger.

The game, as played, is never going to be perfectly safe and given that, the important thing for these kinds of usually mild injuries is making sure there is proper care. There is an increased call for medical professionals, especially athletic trainers, to be on site for games. Cost and availability is often prohibitive for many leagues however.

Are They Minimizing the Danger of Concussions?

The presentation here is a bit of a question mark. A 4 percent rate is not high or low and passes the "smell test." However, this means that 76 children, none older than age 14, suffered a reportable concussion. Given what we know about concussions, this may be an unacceptable risk for many children and parents. However, the effect of concussions on developing brains is a major unknown in the medical community.

There is some concern about the data. Dustin Fink, an athletic trainer who runs The Concussion Blog, questions why the data is significantly below the levels normally seen. According to the preliminary results, the observed rate is around 4 percent, about half the 8 to 10 percent seen in previous studies of more advanced levels.

"It's a subjective injury we are relying upon the injured to know/understand when they are hurt and then willfully report that," explains Fink. "When reporting symptoms we must be clear with the 'threshold' used to determine if it is a concussion, is it one symptom, two? Is it based on severity, only cognitive test, etc."

While Fink's concerns are valid, the use of on-site athletic trainers to collect data certainly appears to address this concern. There are a number of factors possible as to why the number is low, from random variations to the lower forces in the youth game.

Are They Minimizing the Danger of Heat Illness?

The study showed no incidences of heat-related illness during the first year of the study. I do not believe the study is intentionally minimizing the severity of heat illnesses, nor do I believe that USA Football is not committed to making sure that heat illness is handled properly.

Heat illness is thankfully rare, but deadly. Each summer, we'll hear of deaths of players across the country due to heat illness, usually at the high school level. It can be dangerous for pros, with the death of Korey Stringer a major tipping point for the treatment and perception of the problem.

Youth leagues have more leeway in canceling practices than high schools, which means they likely practice in safer situations. The greater presence and involvement of parents at these levels also reduces the chance of atmospheric conditions leading to heat illness.

"Heat illness is one of three primary player health and safety-related points of emphasis in our coach certification course," said USA Football's Steve Alic. "It's as important to us as tackling technique and proper equipment fitting." The organization's emphasis on heat illness and prevention has been forward thinking, so the fact that none occurred within this study should not be interpreted as minimization.

What Does USA Football Hope to Accomplish With This Study?

USA Football has done an amazing job in growing their Heads Up Football program. From pilot programs last year to being adopted by over 1,500 youth leagues is stunning to many that did not believe that a voluntary program would gain much traction.

The only similar study was one undertaken by Little League Baseball and the American Sports Medicine Institute, which led to new guidelines for pitcher usage. That study has been very influential in terms of changing the rules of the game, though it remains to be seen if it can reduce the number of injuries. It was certainly successful in terms of awareness.

Another key point that came up in my conversation with Alic was that the 10 leagues followed in this study were not Heads Up Football compliant last season. Several of the organizations will be taking part for the '13 season. It will be very interesting to see what changes come as they follow the same organizations through a second season under new health and safety guidelines.

Is Youth Football Safe?

This simple question is one that simply does not have an answer. Parents and administrators are debating this openly, a testament to a major shift in public sentiment over the past three years. While nothing is perfectly safe, the question is whether it can be made relatively safe and if the long-term consequences are worth the risk.

While some will say this is another step towards "bubble wrap kids" and "put skirts on them," as a way of minimizing the risk and machoing up their own viewpoint, the inherent dangers of football are more known now. Twenty years ago, we did not know as much. Twenty years from now, we will know more. Parents and players will have to take the available information and make an informed decision.

This study will increase the available information and help parents make better decisions. One can only hope that all sports will collect and publish the same kind of data. For that, USA Football should be congratulated.

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10 Improvements the Oakland A's Could Make to Bolster Postseason Chances

Nick Houser — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:08:02 -0400

There's just not a more simple way of saying it: if the Oakland A's want to reach the postseason, they're going to have to improve in a few areas.

Unfortunately, a change in one facet won't make the A's playoff contenders. It's not that easy. Instead, several of the 10 areas listed next must be improved upon for a legitimate shot at progressing toward a World Series.

Oakland isn't awful by any means. There's just things the team could do better. Things they must do better.

Should the Athletics correct these aspects of their game, October baseball will be a given.

Statistics courtesy of Baseball-reference.com, MLB.com and ESPN.com.

Begin Slideshow

Ron Darling on the Best Baseball City in the Majors

Behind The Mic — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:06:53 -0400

What's the best baseball town in the majors right now? Ron Darling joins Behind the Mic to king one city that has been dominate the last few years. While the topic can be subjective and upset the other 29 cities out there, Darling breaks it down.

Watch Behind the Mic on Bleacher Report right now and let us know in the comments below where you think the best baseball city is.

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Will Carmelo Anthony Need Shoulder Surgery, and What Would Rehab Be?

Will Carroll — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:03:27 -0400

Carmelo Anthony played through the playoffs with an injured left shoulder. The injury was a torn labrum, according the New York Daily News. While Anthony is going to take a month to try to heal without surgery, the questions are: How likely is he to need surgery, and if he does, how long until he is back in action? Let's answer those and a few other key questions.

What exactly is this injury?

A torn labrum is not a common basketball injury, but it is not unheard of either. Lakers center Dwight Howard played through much of the season with a similar injury.

The glenoid labrum is a small ring of cartilage that sits between the upper arm and the cup of the shoulder. It adds stability and some measure of cushioning. It can be frayed, torn or even pulled away from the bone itself.

When did this injury occur?

The Daily News report says Anthony was first hurt on April 14.

During the playoffs, post-injury, Anthony averaged over 40 minutes per game, took 26 shots per game and increased his rebound totals, according to Pro Basketball Reference.

Anthony was seen throughout the playoffs with a sleeve over the left shoulder. At times, it appeared that there was tape or perhaps a light brace under the sleeve, though it is unclear in available photos and video.

I can find no evidence of Anthony wearing this sleeve prior to the suggested mid-April date. Anthony does wear a sleeve on his forearm and elbow, and has done so for some time.

What are the effects?

The major effects of a torn labrum depend on the type of tear. The most likely would be some pain, inflammation and often a "catch" or "click" during movement.

The pain is normally on deceleration, but can also be felt when the arm is pulled forcibly away from the midline of the body. Dwight Howard had issues with this when rebounding and blocking shots, occasionally showing severe pain.

For Anthony, it is the movement that is most worrisome. While the injury was on his non-dominant side, both arms are necessary to the smooth flow of the shot.

If he was having any sort of catch in his motion, it is likely that it would manifest itself in either a slower release, a lower arc or a lower release point. None of those were apparent in the playoff series against the Pacers, though Anthony was often seen grimacing and rubbing the shoulder.

Why are they waiting on surgery?

As with any injury that could lead to surgery, an athlete is best to try and avoid extensive medical work. If Anthony has been playing through this injury for over a month, there has been no attempt to see if rest would help clear it up.

As well, the tear in the labrum may be small or could even be more accurately termed "fraying." If so, the rest could reduce the inflammation and make any pain or effect reduce or even go away entirely. The body does heal itself, and while cartilaginous structures seldom heal completely, they can heal well enough to remain functional and avoid surgery.

The Knicks and Anthony also have to consider timing. The delay is not one that will cost Anthony significant time by trying to avoid surgery, with the upside of having no loss of time possible. It's a gamble almost all teams will take given even a slight chance of success.

What would the surgery be like?

Surgery for a labrum tear is done arthroscopically. The surgeon would enter the joint space, examine the damage and begin to repair it. In all cases, the surgeon would be attempting to do as little as possible, so as not to alter the area's mechanics or create any changes inside the shoulder joint itself.

Ideally, it would be a cleanup, removing any fraying and associated debris. If there is a loose flap, it could shift as the arm moves, creating the pain, inflammation and resistance to movement.

A significant tear to the labrum would require either a repair (suturing) or a full anchoring back into the bone. These would be more involved and would be avoided if at all possible. So far there is no indication that these would be necessary from the available symptoms and function.

What would the rehab be like?

The standard rehab for a labral repair, which could include anchors, takes up to six months. Again, it is not thought that Anthony would need that significant a repair, but the lessons in the rehab protocol are there to be noted.

The focus is on allowing the area to heal, then getting the full unfettered range of motion back. There is a significant focus on strengthening the area, regaining the proprioception and protecting the labrum from further damage by giving it a strong support from other muscles and structural elements.

For Anthony, his keys would of course be getting back to a smooth shooting motion and using his arms defensively. Neither should be a major problem if no anchors are used. While six months of rehab may freak Knicks fans out, thinking Anthony could be out into December, we should note again that this is for the most invasive repair and that a conditioned athlete like Anthony should be well ahead of the schedule.

When would Anthony be ready to play?

In the most likely scenario, where no anchoring into the bone is necessary, the normal return time is about three months. That's if surgery is even necessary in the first place.

This would have Anthony ready at some point prior to the start of the season. On the long end, Anthony could be back as late as Christmas if a more extensive repair is necessary or if the rehab does not get ahead of the standard protocol, as is common for conditioned athletes.

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Radamel Falcao: Analysing His Tactical Contribution and How Best to Exploit Him?

Christopher Atkins — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:01:16 -0400

Barely a day passes at present without Colombia striker Radamel Falcao featuring heavily among the front pages of football media websites the world over. As players go, he is currently one of the hottest properties around.

Indeed, Atletico Madrid have already confirmed that they will allow his exit later this summer.

The Colombian has, in particular, been heavily linked with a move to AS Monaco in recent days, with Porto stars Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez also among those linked with a move to the ambitious principality side.

Should any of the moves be completed, it would be a massive statement of intent. However, just Falcao alone would be enough to send ripples through European football.

Read: 5 Players Who Might join Falcao at Monaco this summer

Since joining Porto from River Plate (ARG) in 2009, the 27-year-old striker has been one of the most prolific strikers in European football, scoring 142 goals in 177 appearances in the intervening time.

It is an outstanding record, and one only made better by the player's consistently devastating performances in the Europa League—a tournament he won twice in consecutive years in 2011 and 2012.

It would appear, then, as if the Colombian has all the tools to be useful in any lineup. He possesses outstanding intelligence of movement, he can finish off both feet, is good in the air and links play well for his midfielders. He is one of the all-around modern strikers that are so prevalent at the current time.

He is, to a great extent, a goal poacher around the penalty area, in the style of the great No. 9s of the past. However, he offers so much more in the ability to both hold the ball up and also play off the shoulder of the last defender.

The key, then, to bringing Falcao into play is to play with both pace and width. Porto, Atletico and, indeed, national side Colombia have all brought the best out of the centre-forward with a focus on fast attacks from wide areas.

It is the speed of transition from defence to attack that determines just how effective Falcao will be.

Get the ball wide while the defensive line is still disorganised and the exemplary movement of the Colombian becomes a major threat. Deliver a good ball into the box and chances are that he will convert.

For Colombia, it is full-backs Pablo Armero and Camilo Zuniga who provide that thrust from the flanks, while at Atlético it has been wingers Arda Turan and Koke who have provided that threat.

Turn the defence and feed balls into the box, and you can virtually guarantee Falcao will be on hand to attempt to convert.

It is little surprise, then, to see the likes of James Rodriguez and Dani Alves linked to the Monaco revolution. (Goal.com)

James has shown himself capable of influencing games from the left, as well as springing quick counter-attacks, while Dani Alves has made a living of doing likewise from a deeper position for Barcelona.

Add in highly-rated Argentine right-winger Lucas Ocampos, 18, who joined Monaco last summer for around €11 million, and it would seem Monaco possess, or are aiming for, the perfect group of players to bring the best out of the Colombian.

The thinking is logical. If they are going to spend a reported €60 million upon making the Colombian the centrepiece of their side, then they should surround him with those who will help him perform to his best.

Falcao is not the type of striker to help out regularly in defence, and while he may drop deep, he is also not going to play a creative role. His task is solely to spearhead an attacking line. Others must provide the innovation, while he will ensure that their effort is largely rewarded.

It is a job that he fulfils with aplomb, especially when those around him are on the same wavelength. In Moutinho and Rodriguez, Porto are targeting two players who he has a history of success alongside.

If Monaco can get the discussed names into the same team and comfortable with their new surroundings, then there is no reason why Falcao should not be a success.

Should he arrive at Monaco and quickly find the scoring form that he has shown over his four years in Europe, then PSG might find themselves nervously peering over their shoulder within the next couple of seasons.

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Is Alabama, Tennessee, Vandy or FSU Best Fit for 4-Star WR Dominique Booth?

Andrew Kulha — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:37:43 -0400

Dominique Booth, 4-star wide receiver from Indianapolis, Ind., has a top four of Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. While all four programs are great options, there's one that would provide him with the best fit: Tennessee.

The Volunteers have been hot on the recruiting trail and Butch Jones has his program set up to finish the 2014 recruiting cycle as one of the better recruiting programs in the nation. His presence alone has drastically changed the perception of Tennessee football.

At the very least, Tennessee's offense projects to be much better, but with the talent he's bringing in right now, a turnaround in Knoxville should be expected—on both sides of the ball.

Booth is the No. 23 wideout in the 2014 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and he's 6'1'', 200 pounds—good size for a wide receiver.

While Alabama's draw is hard to deny, Booth would be looking at a depth chart that has players like 5-star 2013 wideout Robert Foster, Chris Black and Amari Cooper in front of him. In a known power offense, it's not as if Alabama will be spreading the field with five wideouts, so Booth would have less opportunity with the Crimson Tide.

The Seminoles signed three wideouts in 2013, highlighted by 4-star receivers Isaiah Jones and Levonte Whitfield. They also already have the commitments of 2014 4-star receiver Markell Pack, 3-star wideout C.J. Worton and 4-star athlete/wide receiver Jojo Robinson. If everything stays as is, there's not a glaring need for Booth at FSU.

Speaking of lack of need, James Franklin is a great recruiter for Vanderbilt and the school's academic reputation is stellar, but the Commodores signed five wideouts in 2013.

Now, the same could be said for Tennessee, with three 2013 wide receivers signed and one enrolled, but MarqQuez North was the only 4-star receiver of that bunch, according to the 247Sports composite. In regard to the 2014 class, even though the Volunteers have already picked up two wide receivers in 3-stars Lawrence Lee and Kameel Jackson, as it stands, Booth would still be the marquee receiver in the class.

Remember, every rebuild comes with opportunity, and Tennessee would provide Booth with the opportunity to shine alongside a great receiver like North, in a system that will put up yards and points. Jones' Cincinnati squad notched 32.3 points per game in 2012 and totaled 3,104 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air (cfbstats.com).

In established schemes at Alabama, Vandy and Florida State, there may not be a need for coaches to shake things up and give Booth a chance to shine early on. At Tennessee, Jones needs to figure out what he has and he needs to make a splash in the next two seasons. 2013 will be more of a trial year, but 2014 will be an integral season for Jones. Booth could come along in the scheme's second year and be a big playmaker for the Volunteers.

Booth did appear ready to make his decision, but according to a report from Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, that decision will be postponed:

Booth and his family have decided to postpone the announcement.

"We want to be 100% comfortable with his decision and enjoy his summer before making such an important decision," Mark Booth, Dominique's father posted on Twitter.

Tennessee is the top team on Booth's 247Sports interest list, and it's worth noting that all 21 experts that predicted in Booth's 247Sports Crystal Ball believe that he will choose Tennessee.

It makes sense.

He could be a big name for a rebuilding program that desperately needs star power. The offense will put up points, he could play in the SEC and perhaps he'll have a chance to be part of a memorable turnaround.

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Is Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Ward a Possibility or a Pipe Dream?

Alejandro 'A-TRAIN' Burgos — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:35:22 -0400

No matter whom you choose to rank higher—Floyd Mayweather or Andre Ward—the respective champions are without a doubt the two best boxers on the planet at this
moment.

Both fighters are masters of their craft and extremely dominant inside the ring. But that's where the similarities end. Outside the ring, the two men are polar opposites.

Mayweather is brash and outspoken, while Ward is quieter and usually flies under the radar--even though he's undefeated and an Olympic Gold medalist.

Before March of 2013, the only time the two boxers were really mentioned in the same breath was in a pound-for-pound rankings list. That is, until a back-and-forth verbal spat (started by none other than Mayweather in an interview with Ben Thompson of FightHype.com) exploded and a subsequent Ward quote was taken out of context and made into an eye-popping headline (via Examiner.com).

Now boxing fans are clamoring about a fight that originally seemed too far-fetched to ever take place. Is this fight truly a possibility? Or are we getting our hopes up for nothing.

Let's take a look at some important factors.

Although he's fought at the 154 pound limit before, Mayweather is best suited as a welterweight (147 pounds). Ward, on the other hand, is a super middleweight and has never professionally fought outside of 168 pounds (per BoxRec.com).

That means that at their ideal weight, Mayweather and Ward are separated by three weight divisions, or 21 pounds. In boxing terms, that much weight is astronomical. With the weight debate already being seen as an obstacle for a Saul Alvarez versus Mayweather fight, imagine the complications that would arise for a Ward fight.

Ward wasn't challenging Mayweather when he stated (via Twitter, but later removed) that he would move down to 160 pounds to face him, but that announcement is what really got some fight fans excited about the possibility of a Ward-Mayweather clash.

Don’t hold your breath.

Just because Mayweather says he spars with middleweights (as BoxingScene.com
reported that Ward said) it doesn't mean he'll ever want to jump in the ring with the best super middleweight in the world. And rightfully so.

On the flip side, just because Ward says he will come down to middleweight to fight Mayweather doesn’t make it a good idea. Why, you ask?

In essence, a Mayweather versus Ward bout would be pitting a blown up fighter (Mayweather) who has never entered the ring over 151 pounds against a starched one (Ward) who would likely just blow back up on fight night. No matter who has the advantage in that scenario or how good either guy is, nobody really wants to see that type of fight. Fans want to see the best fighters fight the best opposition at the top of their game, not an altered, less effective version.

Some would argue that testing your body’s limits is what competitive sports is all about. While that may be true in some instances, it’s also easy to imagine that there would be a huge asterisk next to the winner’s name and a handful of excuses next to the loser’s. And nobody really wants to hear that. In a sport that makes a living off of controversy, fans want clear and concise winners.

We also must remember that this isn't a 25-year old Pretty Boy Floyd we’re talking about, it’s Money Mayweather. At 36 years old, he can't expect to keep rising in weight with as much success as he did in his younger days. If anything, fighting a guy the size of Alvarez (especially once he gains 20 pounds on fight night) at this point in his career will be difficult enough to handle.

And sorry to all the throwbacks and historians of the world who may say that the old school fighters jumped weight all the time—such as Henry Armstrong—but we are in a different era. There are certainly enough crowd-pleasing and money-making fights for both Ward and Mayweather to consider,
instead of meeting at middleweight.

One of the most telling statements that suggests this fight will never take place are the remarks Ward made after the initial sting of Mayweather's comments to FightNews.com had worn off. When speaking to Ben Thompson of FightNews.com, Ward had this to say:

"I've been in boxing a long time and rule number one is you don't call somebody out that's three weight classes lower than you."

And to add on to that, you don't throw out a weight that you'll “sacrifice” to meet said guy at either. Moving forward, people should focus on the matchups that can be made for both men and let the Ward-Mayweather pipe dream go.

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How Managing Curtis Axel Will Be Paul Heyman's True Test at Getting Someone over

The Doctor Chris Mueller — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:33:25 -0400

Paul Heyman shocked the world on Monday by introducing his newest client, Curtis Axel.

Axel should be familiar to WWE fans as Michael McGillicutty, but his real name is Joe Hennig, and he is the son of the legendary Mr. Perfect.

Curtis Axel is WWE's second attempt to get the third-generation Superstar a spot on the main roster after he was originally a member of the second season of NXT under the McGillicutty name.

There is no doubt that Paul Heyman is one of the greatest heel managers alive today, but just how good will be measured by the success of Curtis Axel.

Axel is a very competent in-ring performer who is more than capable of holding up his end of the bargain when it comes to the wrestling part, but it will be up to Heyman to use his silver tongue to speak for his client.

History as a manager

Paul Heyman cut his teeth as a manager in Florida Championship Wrestling alongside Kevin Sullivan and eventually moving on to Continental Wrestling Association to begin a feud with Jerry Lawler that would carry over to the American Wrestling Association.

When Heyman first began managing wrestlers on national television, it was under the WCW banner as the Paul E. Dangerously character he had developed in FCW.

His group, The Dangerous Alliance, were a major force in WCW throughout 1992. He managed Superstars such as TV Champion Steve Austin, US Champion Rick Rude and Tag Team Champions Larry Zbyszko, Arn Anderson and Bobby Eaton.

This is a very overlooked stable in pro wrestling history. It was full of champions, and each member was an incredible in-ring worker.

When Heyman took control of ECW he became more of an authority figure due to his increased backstage duties and less of a manager, although he did manage Sabu to the ECW World title.

Following the purchase of ECW by Vince McMahon in 2001, Heyman served as a commentator, GM, manager and writer for WWE until 2006.

During that time Heyman managed some of the biggest names in WWE, with arguably his biggest success being the grooming of a young Brock Lesnar from a rookie into the youngest WWE champion of all time.

Heyman also managed the likes of Big Show, RVD, The Dudleys and Kurt Angle, but all those guys had already established themselves as major names before being aided by Heyman during this time.

Heyman's only real attempt at getting a new Superstar over during this time was Heidenreich, and we all remember how that turned out.

For the last year since returning, we have only seen Heyman represent Brock Lesnar and CM Punk, two people whose names are certainly enough to bring in fans on their own.

Curtis Axel

Managing Curtis Axel will be Heyman's first attempt in a long time to get a Superstar over essentially from the ground up.

To many WWE fans, Curtis Axel is someone who is a big question mark at the moment. All they know is that he is the son of Mr. Perfect and he isn't afraid to mix it up with guys like Triple H.

Although it may not be known to many fans, it is actually Axel who has been training with The Rock before his big PPV matches, and he would not have been put in that spot if he didn't have great in-ring skills.

A good manager like Paul Heyman can make a semi-entertaining Superstar into a major player, but it is not always a lock for success,

Vickie Guerrero was someone who WWE thought had enough heat to get over a new name after she parted ways with Edge following their ultra-successful angle as husband and wife.

She was paired with Eric Escobar in the hopes that her ability to attract the loudest boos in the arena would get him over as a heel.

It didn't work at all, and Escobar was soon sent packing. Now, this is not to say that Vickie is anywhere near the level of Paul Heyman, but she works as a good comparison in this situation.

A great manager will not always lead to a Superstar's success, even if that manager is Paul Heyman.

Axel has been toiling away in WWE's developmental system since 2007, so this could be his last chance to really find success in a WWE ring.

While he has a pedigree that will match up with anyone, he is still a wrestler who has to get over on his own merit, and having Paul Heyman as his manager will certainly help things along.

Whether he has any kind of feud with Triple H going forward is yet to be seen, but after what happened on Monday I would not be shocked if we saw The Game vs. Curtis Axel at WWE Payback.

Hopefully for the sake of Curtis Axel, Paul Heyman will be the right guy to lead him to success, because he has the potential to be as good as his Father, possibly better.

What do you think? Is Paul Heyman the right guy to make Curtis Axel into a star, or will he fail to find a place in WWE?

Thanks for reading and follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor

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Rockets GM Daryl Morey Shares Hilarious Draft Interview Stories on Twitter

Dan Favale — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:33:20 -0400

Daryl Morey's NBA draft interview stories are just the best.

The Houston Rockets general manager and analytics guru took to Twitter to share some of his favorite draft interview stories, each and every one being absolutely hysterical.

He jumpstarted the conversation by reminiscing about one prospect who seem perturbed by the thought of being drug tested.

If grabbing the table in fear of a simple drug test isn't a red flag, what is?

One of the cardinal rules of interviewing is always say yes. No matter what they ask, just say yes.

Well, that's not entirely true. You could get yourself in trouble should your potential employer decide to ask: "Do you not want this job?" Saying yes to that would be a career killer.

Let's just go ahead and say that you're never, under any circumstance, supposed to panic at the mention of doping policies then.

While displaying confidence is a must, Morey would also recommend you avoid ignorant pompousness.

He recalled one recruit declaring he was better than every player expected to be drafted ahead of him. That same recruit then immediately conceded to never watching any one of those prospects play.

Bold? Yes. Ridiculous? Also, yes.

But not as ridiculous as Morey's next anecdote, inspired by a player who said he had no agent before admitting he did, in fact, have an agent.

NBA players are notorious for contradicting themselves (see Kobe Bryant on retirement), but this one hadn't even gone pro yet.

Ah, the youth of today. They'll say anything. They'll apparently pawn anything, too.

Morey came into contact with a player who was evidently involved in something illegal. He allegedly had no idea anything was wrong until he arrived at a pawn shop.

From what we can tell, the only thing he was truly guilty of was being incredibly naive or a really, really bad liar.

Allow Morey's tales to be a lesson in what not to say or do during an interview of any kind.

Avoiding any and all pawn shops beforehand would probably be a good idea as well.

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