Sports Quote of the Day:
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal." ~ Vince Lombardi, Legendary NFL Football Coach
Bear Down Chicago Bears!! Schedule 'timing' adds urgency to Bears’ Game 3.
By John Mullin
The looming problem is that with a schedule starting off with playoff teams Cincinnati and Minnesota, the Bears could actually play respectably and be 0-2. For that matter, they draw struggling Pittsburgh and Detroit next but both on the road, get the reinvigorated, re-Sean Payton'd New Orleans Saints at home, and then have the Giants (9-7), Redskins (10-6) and Packers (11-5) to finish out the first half.
The NFL doesn’t allow for grace periods. The Bears need to have a fully functioning offense by opening day or risk being in a deep hole long before they get the non-2012-playoff Rams, Cowboys, Browns and Eagles later in the season.
The Bears opened last season with playoff teams Indianapolis and Green Bay, losing to the Packers and getting the Colts in Andrew Luck’s first game. They finished a game out of the playoffs.
Looking at the state of the Bears mid-preseason:
Defense first
The greening of rookie middle linebacker Jonathan Bostic is enormously significant still, but Bostic right now isn’t in on nickel situations so he isn’t directly involved in stopping third-down conversions.
James Anderson’s play at SLB has been a little under the radar but Anderson has quietly been a solid positive for an already good defense. If Bostic doesn’t hold onto the No. 1 job, it’ll be because D.J. Williams is back sufficiently from his calf injury and is simply better than Bostic; no negatives here.
The defense is running the same scheme with largely the same cast and the No. 1 unit shut out San Diego and its only TD allowed at Carolina was after a turnover gave the Panthers the ball in the red zone. And this has been without the Pro Bowl half of its line in Henry Melton (concussion) and Julius Peppers (resting a hamstring).
Offense audit
The offense in fact may be effectively ahead of where it was a year ago, based on simple results.
The Bears No. 1’s in Game 3 last preseason had seven possessions vs. the New York Giants. They scored on two: a touchdown and a field goal.
(In a foreshadowing perhaps, Brandon Marshall was targeted on 10 of Jay Cutler’s 21 passes. The Bears went on to open the year 7-1 with the help of six touchdowns from the defense/special teams.)
Against Carolina, the No. 1 offense sans Marshall and Earl Bennett failed to score on its three possessions and sustained no drive longer than 32 yards.
But against San Diego, the unit scored touchdowns on two of four possessions and likely makes points on a third of the four but for an interception that squandered a takeaway at the Chargers 34. Best guess is that a throw just like that is unlikely to happen again; that’s why Marc Trestman and Matt Cavanaugh were hired.
And Cutler is clearly more comfortable already with Jermon Bushrod having his back, literally, instead of J’Marcus Webb and even with rookies Kyle Long and Jordan Mills keeping people with ill intent out of his face.
“I’m sure there are corrections to be made,” Cutler said post-San Diego, “but I was at ease having them in, which is nice.”
NFL-National Football League roundup.
Reuters; By Simon Evans
Miami Dolphins tight end Dustin Keller will miss the 2013 season with a right knee injury suffered against the Houston Texans on Saturday night, according to multiple reports.
Keller grabbed his right knee after a tackle by D.J. Swearinger on an incomplete pass. He suffered a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and dislocated the kneecap. FoxSports.com reported that the injury could be career-threatening.
Swearinger, a Texans rookie safety, contends that the tackle in the lower-body region was at least partly attributable to the league's rules that penalize hits to the head area.
"I was making a hit playing football," Swearinger said, according to the Palm Beach Post. "In this league, you've got to go low or you get a fine."
Keller was signed as a free agent over the offseason after five seasons with the New York Jets.
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New York Jets outside linebacker Quinton Coples is expected to miss the first two games of the regular season with a hairline fracture in his right ankle suffered Saturday night.
The injury will not require surgery and Coples is expected to miss a total of 3-4 weeks, according to ESPNNewYork.com.
Coples has been making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, and Antwan Barnes is expected to fill the roles until Coples returns.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel underwent a procedure on his left knee, but head coach Doug Marrone is still hoping to have the rookie back in time for the regular season.
Marrone said Manuel is expected to be "day to day" following the preseason.
Kevin Kolb will start the Bills' next preseason game against the host Washington Redskins on Aug. 24.
The Bills also announced they have released defensive backs Don Unamba and Mark LeGree, offensive tackle Tony Hills and wide receiver Terrell Sinkfield.
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The Chicago Bears signed quarterback Trent Edwards to a contract a day after adding quarterback Jordan Palmer to the roster, the team announced.
The journeyman Edwards has played in 38 career games and started 33 in six NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.
- - - -
The San Francisco 49ers ruled out any chance that Mario Manningham would be ready for the start of the regular season after placing the injured wide receiver on the physically unable to perform/reserve list, coach Jim Harbaugh announced.
Manningham suffered a torn ACL and PCL in his knee during a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in December. Manningham is ineligible to return until the 49ers' seventh game of the season.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Toews: PEDs could be in NHL.
By The Sports Xchange
Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews told Toronto radio station Sportsnet 590 The Fan this week that it is 'naive' in thinking that performance-enhancing drugs are not being used by NHL players.
"I think it would be naive to say that there's no one in the NHL that is trying to get the edge in that fashion," he said. "But at the end of the day, whether you get caught now or not, down the road at some point those sort of things come out as we've seen in Major League Baseball and cycling.
"Eventually ... someone is going to save their own butt and throw you under the bus. And that's your legacy. That's what people remember: that you're a cheater and you took performance-enhancing drugs.
"I think guys that apologize and plead that they didn't know what they were doing, I think they know exactly what they're doing. So the more tests the better. It protects the guys that are being fair and are putting good things into their body. So I have no problem with (more testing)."
The league expanded its random drug testing program by including random tests throughout the year in its new collective bargaining agreement. Up to 60 players can be tested during the offseason.
The NHL has only had one positive PED test in seven years.
"I think it would be naive to say that there's no one in the NHL that is trying to get the edge in that fashion," he said. "But at the end of the day, whether you get caught now or not, down the road at some point those sort of things come out as we've seen in Major League Baseball and cycling.
"Eventually ... someone is going to save their own butt and throw you under the bus. And that's your legacy. That's what people remember: that you're a cheater and you took performance-enhancing drugs.
"I think guys that apologize and plead that they didn't know what they were doing, I think they know exactly what they're doing. So the more tests the better. It protects the guys that are being fair and are putting good things into their body. So I have no problem with (more testing)."
The league expanded its random drug testing program by including random tests throughout the year in its new collective bargaining agreement. Up to 60 players can be tested during the offseason.
The NHL has only had one positive PED test in seven years.
Just another Chicago Bulls Session... Now a starter, Butler’s approach remains the same.
By Adam Fluck
By Adam Fluck
Third-year guard/forward Jimmy Butler talks about entering the season as the starting shooting guard, what he takes away from last year, and getting the chance to play alongside Derrick Rose.
When the Bulls open the 2013-14 NBA season in just a couple months, the backcourt will have a far different look than last year when Kirk Hinrich and Richard Hamilton got the nod on Opening Night.
First, there will be the long awaited and much anticipated return of Derrick Rose, giving Chicago an immeasurable boost and allowing Hinrich to lead the second unit. While there was never a doubt Rose would reclaim the job at point guard, there was a little more uncertainty about who would take over at shooting guard under a scenario in which Hamilton and Marco Belinelli were no longer with the team.
There is no question about it today, though, as Jimmy Butler embraced a greater role last year and this offseason, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has said on more than one occasion that he will begin the 2013-14 season as the starter alongside Rose.
But Butler’s approach hasn’t changed a bit. He is determined to attack his offseason workouts with the same intensity he did a year ago, when he put on an impressive display at NBA Summer League. Always confident he could contribute, Butler’s role increased throughout the regular season and when injuries led to his first start as a pro on Jan. 19, he made the most of that opportunity and hasn’t looked back. Still, he’s practically in denial about being among the starting five.
“I feel like I’m not a starter yet,” said Butler following a workout at the Berto Center last week. “The season isn’t here yet and I still need to work my tail off for the rest of the offseason, go into training camp, play hard and do what I’m supposed to do.
Coach Thibs and the management will do whatever they think it takes to help us win. Whether that means me as a starter or coming off the bench, whatever it may be, I’m comfortable with it. I just want to win games.”
"With everybody back, if we can stay healthy, the Bulls are going to go for a run," said Butler. "Our guys are always working. I like our chances."
Along with his play down the stretch and in the postseason, it is that kind of mentality that has made Butler a fan favorite. It has also allowed him some new opportunities within the game.
In July, he went on an NBA trip to China where he made appearances in Beijing and Shanghai with Yao Ming among others. Aside from trips to Canada to face the Raptors, it was Butler’s first time out of the country.
“Obviously it was really, really different, but fun,” said Butler. “I got to see firsthand that no matter the culture of the people, their race or color, whether they are tall or short, they all have love for the round ball. People over there all know the NBA’s players from the starters to the sixth man. It is pretty remarkable to have fans like that all over the world.”
“It shows you that it is a privilege to have the job that we have,” added Butler. “But since I do have it, I want to give back and show that I’m more than just a basketball player.”
Not long after his return to the United States, Butler was in Los Angeles to attend the ESPYs, where he enjoyed being among so many athletes and celebrities whom he admires and respects. What he didn’t expect is to be recognized by so many as one of their own, moments like when Hollywood A-lister Jamie Foxx casually walked up for a quick conversation: “What’s up, Jimmy?”
“I was like, wow, Jamie Foxx knows my name,” said Butler. “It was pretty shocking for someone who I know from TV and movies to come up and call me by my name. That was an incredible feeling because whether it was him or someone else, it means they respect me for what I do. They know me even though I’m a small town kid from Tomball [Texas]. That’s pretty cool.”
It was also another sign that Butler’s efforts are paying off. Aside from China and quick trips here and there, Butler has spent most of the summer in Chicago or home with his family in Tomball. He has a passion for music, attending a variety of concerts ranging from Lollapalooza this past weekend to Pitchfork Music Festival just a couple blocks from the United Center, Jason Aldean at Wrigley Field, and the B96 Summer Bash where he got a chance to meet Miley Cyrus.
At the end of the day, though, he can sum up his offseason in two words: basketball and family. And on this particular day at the Berto Center, he was able to combine the two, working out with his brother and a cousin.
While he’s focusing on his mid-range game, perimeter shooting and, of course, his defense, Butler emphatically states he is trying to improve in all areas.
“I’m working on everything,” said Butler. “My game’s not perfect in any area, so why stop working on one over another? I’m definitely spending time on my three-point shot, because with Derrick back, teams are going to double team him. So we’ve got to be able to open the floor for him. I’m working on some mid-post work, for when I’m going up against a smaller two guard or small forward. You’ve got to be able to score from every point on the floor. And a lot of ball handing, so I can be the secondary ball handler. That’s also important.”
Butler’s typical day when he is in Chicago begins well before he arrives at the Berto Center. He runs first thing in the morning, but is considering getting into biking because it is easier on his knees and legs.
"I want to be that guy, a key piece, because we’re going to be a special team this year," said Butler.
Following breakfast, he heads to the Berto Center to work out on the court, usually with an assistant coach and in the weight room. Occasionally at night he’ll watch film in an ongoing effort to learn the game and correct mistakes. It is not one particular game or series that he watches, rather a variety of footage provided by Daisuke Yoshimoto, the team’s video coordinator, who Butler has called as late as 11 p.m. for assistance.
Butler’s work ethic is typical of this Bulls team. It is a group that never quits, as it has proved time and time again.
Butler is quick to answer when asked what he took away from last season, one in which the Bulls played into the second round of the postseason without Rose and while dealing with injuries to key players.
“That we’re an extremely tough team,” said Butler. “You can’t sleep on anybody in this league, even if their star player or a few star players are down. Everyone is a pro and everyone is here for a reason. You’ve got to bring it each and every night—regular season, playoffs, whatever it may be. You try to win as many games as possible. Last season definitely showed that the Chicago Bulls are one tough, hard fighting team.”
It is an identity that isn’t likely to change any time soon, as the Bulls’ new additions seem to fall right in line with the culture created in Chicago. Throughout the summer, Butler has been in the gym on numerous occasions with the team’s rookies, Tony Snell and Erik Murphy, and he likes what he has seen out of them thus far.
“They’ve been in non-stop and that’s huge,” said Butler of Snell and Murphy. “From Day 1 you start out letting Thibs and the management know that you want to be here and do whatever it takes to help this team win. It begins right when they call your name [on draft night] and once you’re here for summer league, you start working your tail off. I like those guys though, they’re young and humble. They’re coming from winning programs, but they know they have to start all over at this level.”A player who is well beyond that point is Rose. Though this will be Butler’s third season as a teammate of the former NBA MVP’s, he played sparingly his rookie year, thus his minutes on the floor with Rose were limited.
“This is more or less my first year to be able to play with him, so I’m very excited about that,” said Butler. “But I don’t think our mentality as a team changes at all. It will be even fiercer, if anything. Derrick is back and he’ll be himself, a guy that wants to win. He’s a winner and that’s what he’s known for doing. It’s huge to have him back and I think we’re going to do something special.”
“Everyone in this league is playing for one goal and that’s to win a championship,” added Butler. “I really think we can do it. The pieces we have, the guys that we have and the fact we’re close knitted, plus the new additions, we know we’re going to compete and fight in practice. We’ll be ready come game time and I like our chances. We want it. We want another one of those banners with all of our names on it.”
Europe finally wins the Solheim Cup in America.
By
Even with six rookies on her team, captain Liselotte Neumann told the Europeans this was their time to make history in the Solheim Cup.
All she wanted was for them to prove they could win in America. They gave her so much more.
All she wanted was for them to prove they could win in America. They gave her so much more.
Caroline Hedwall became the first player in Solheim Cup history to win five matches, and the final point was for more than the 24-year-old Swede. She stuck her approach on the 435-yard 18th hole into 4 feet for a birdie that gave her a 1-up win over Michelle Wie and assured Europe of keeping the cup.
''I'm still shaking,'' Hedwall said. ''It's just amazing.''
Moments later, Catriona Matthew holed a 5-foot par putt to halve her match and give Europe the outright win on the seventh try in America.
And it only got better.
Even as the celebration played out across Colorado Golf Club, tears rushing over the European stickers on their cheeks, Neumann's crew kept battling for half-points until the very end. The Solheim Cup ended when Cristie Kerr and Karine Icher reached the 18th green - the scene of this great outdoor party - and conceding each other birdies to get on with the celebration.
That final half-point put Europe in the record books again - 18-10, the biggest blowout since this competition began in 1990.
''It was really fun to see Caroline get her fifth point this week, making some history on the team,'' Neumann said. ''Winning here for the first time, making more history. ... I'm sure we'll go have a drink or two and do some dancing and singing tonight.''
The Americans have an 8-5 lead in the series, though this is the first time they have lost back-to-back in the Solheim Cup. The Americans are without the Solheim Cup, the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup and the Curtis Cup, the four biggest team events between both sides of the Atlantic.
U.S. captain Meg Mallon, gracious to the end, could only point to a poor performances on the slick greens - and her team's inability to close. Over the final three-hole stretch, Europe had a 17-10 advantage in holes won.
''The way we played 16, 17 and 18 I think is what really made the difference,'' Mallon said. ''It wasn't for lack of preparation because we played this golf course quite a bit. So it wasn't like a surprise for us. It was just a matter of who dropped the putts on those holes. And unfortunately, it was the Europeans.''
And she didn't get much help from her best players.
Stacy Lewis, the highest-ranked American coming off a Women's British Open title at St. Andrews, went 1-2-1 for the week. Paula Creamer was 1-3 and was blown out by a 17-year-old Charley Hull in Sunday singles. Angela Stanford was the other player without a point this week, going 0-4. Cristie Kerr, the most experienced American on the team, went 1-2-1.
Europe's rookies were 12-5-2, with Hull stealing the show. The English teenager showed no fear, at one point asking Neumann, ''When am I supposed to be nervous?''
''I didn't really feel that nervous, to be honest,'' Hull said. ''Because this is how I always look at golf - I'm not going to die if I miss it. Just hit it, and find it, and hit it again.''
''I didn't really feel that nervous, to be honest,'' Hull said. ''Because this is how I always look at golf - I'm not going to die if I miss it. Just hit it, and find it, and hit it again.''
It really was that simple.
''It's a fantastic feeling right now,'' Neumann said. ''I'm so proud of them. They played such good golf this week. They just played tremendous golf.''
Hull, the youngest player in Solheim Cup history, capped off her amazing week by demolishing Creamer in a match that set the tone for Europe. Another rookie, Carlota Ciganda, handed Morgan Pressel her first lost in singles in four appearances to go 3-0 for the week.
Not even a one-hour delay due to lightning in the area could damper this European celebration. Suzann Pettersen was lining up her putt on the 16th hole when she heard the cheers from the 18th, got the news that Hedwall won her match and began pumping her fist.
Matthew holed the winning the putt, but the Europeans really won Saturday afternoon when they swept the fourballs matches to build a 10 1/2-5 1/2 lead, matching the largest margin going into Sunday.
Raucous cheering on the first tee raised American hopes of the greatest comeback in Solheim Cup history.
Once they got on the golf course, it was a hopeless cause.
Mallon stacked some of her best players at the top of the lineup with hopes of filling the leaderboard with red scores and building momentum. Europe was ahead early four of the opening five matches.
Brittany Lang delivered a point, though she had a tussle with Azahara Munoz until winning on the 17th.
Lewis, in the opening match, didn't take her first lead against Anna Nordqvist until driving the green on the par-4 14th for a birdie. But the closing stretch belonged to Europe, as it had all week. Lewis missed an 8-foot birdie on the 16th for a chance to go 2 up, and the Swede found more magic on the 17th. One day after her hole-in-one, she holed a 20-foot birdie putt to square the match, and Lewis had to make a 7-foot par to get a half-point.
Ciganda, the Spanish rookie who couldn't break 80 in her opening fourballs match, finished with five straight birdies to pull away from Pressel.
Europe's biggest boost came from its youngest star.
Hull, playing as if she had been here many times before, dropped in a 45-foot birdie putt on No. 6 to take her first lead, and she demoralized Creamer from there, 5 and 4. Creamer has not made it beyond the 14th hole in singles losses the last two Solheim Cups.
Hull only showed her age at the end. She took a marker from her bag and asked Creamer if she could sign a golf ball for a friend back home.
''He's a big fan, so I thought I might as well get one,'' Hull said.
By the end of the week, the Americans had reasons to ask for the autographs.
A-Rod gets plunked, goes deep in Yanks' win.
By The Sports Xchange
Alex Rodriguez had a dramatic response to being hit by a pitch Sunday night: He homered later in the game, helping the New York Yankees come from behind for a 9-6 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Rodriguez's sixth-inning blast off Ryan Demster, the right-hander whose pitch struck A-Rod in the second inning, sparked a four-run rally that allowed New York to erase a 6-3 deficit.
With a 3-and-0 count to his first batter of the second inning, Dempster threw a fastball that either got away from him or was intended to deliver a message. The pitch hit Rodriguez, prompting the benches and bullpens to empty and plate umpire Brian O'Nora to issue warnings to both teams.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected by O'Nora for arguing the warning.
"Everyone knows that it's intentional, and I don't understand why (Dempster is) left in the game and then to give us a warning?" Girardi said. "That was wrong."
Rodriguez said, "Whether you like me or hate me, that's wrong and that was unprofessional and silly and kind of a silly way to get somebody hurt on your team, as well. ... That play brought us together, and Joe's reaction was amazing. Hopefully we can take this and build some momentum for the rest of the year."
The Red Sox, though, insisted the plunking was not intentional.
"I don't know that he hit him on purpose," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I don't think he did."
"No, I was trying to pitch him inside," Dempster said.
In the sixth inning, Rodriguez led off against Dempster again, but this time the Yankees third baseman homered to center field on a 1-and-0 pitch. It was Rodriguez's second homer in 12 games this season since returning from offseason hip surgery and a quadriceps injury.
Boston held a 6-3 lead entering the sixth inning, but Rodriguez's homer sparked a four-run rally that put New York on top for good.
Dempster exited with the bases loaded and one out, and left-hander Drake Britton gave up a three-run triple to Brett Gardner, the first batter he faced, as the Yankees grabbed a 7-6 lead.
"I put this loss on me," Britton said. "We were ahead until I came in the game. I did the best I could. We've got a big series coming up on the West Coast, and I've just got to focus on that."
The Yankees added single runs in the seventh and ninth innings to pull away.
Dempster (6-9) went 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia (11-10) wasn't sharp, but he lasted long enough to earn the win. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and five walks (one intentional).
Four Yankees relievers blanked the Red Sox over the final 3 2/3 innings, but Mariano Rivera pitching the ninth for his 36th save.
Robinson Cano and Eduardo Nunez each had three hits for the Yankees, and Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki added two hits apiece.
Shane Victorino, David Ortiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Will Middlebrooks all had two hits for Boston.
Rodriguez is playing while appealing a 211-game suspension issued by Major League Baseball, and his attorneys earlier Sunday began the process of filing a grievance that claims A-Rod's medical treatment was mishandled this season and last season.
Asked if Dempster should be suspended for drilling him with a pitch, Rodriguez replied, "I'm the wrong guy to ask about suspensions."
NOTES: New York won two of three in the weekend series. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter took ground balls and batting practice Sunday at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., but he will not be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, when he is eligible. Jeter, out due to a strained right calf, has yet to run the bases or play in a game. He will play in a simulated game Monday ... The Yankees are off Monday. RHP Ivan Nova and RHP Phil Hughes will be the starters in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Toronto, Blue Jays, who will start RHP Esmil Rogers and LHP Mark Buehrle. ... The Red Sox start a string of six interleague games Monday, with three in San Francisco and three in Los Angeles. DH David Ortiz is expected to play two games in San Francisco at first base. ... Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia was back in the starting lineup Sunday night after fouling a ball off his left ankle in Saturday's game and leaving in the ninth inning. ... Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli was not in the lineup for a second straight day as he battles plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He will be re-evaluated Monday.
Joey Logano thrusts himself into Chase contention with win at Michigan.
Rodriguez's sixth-inning blast off Ryan Demster, the right-hander whose pitch struck A-Rod in the second inning, sparked a four-run rally that allowed New York to erase a 6-3 deficit.
With a 3-and-0 count to his first batter of the second inning, Dempster threw a fastball that either got away from him or was intended to deliver a message. The pitch hit Rodriguez, prompting the benches and bullpens to empty and plate umpire Brian O'Nora to issue warnings to both teams.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected by O'Nora for arguing the warning.
"Everyone knows that it's intentional, and I don't understand why (Dempster is) left in the game and then to give us a warning?" Girardi said. "That was wrong."
Rodriguez said, "Whether you like me or hate me, that's wrong and that was unprofessional and silly and kind of a silly way to get somebody hurt on your team, as well. ... That play brought us together, and Joe's reaction was amazing. Hopefully we can take this and build some momentum for the rest of the year."
The Red Sox, though, insisted the plunking was not intentional.
"I don't know that he hit him on purpose," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "I don't think he did."
"No, I was trying to pitch him inside," Dempster said.
In the sixth inning, Rodriguez led off against Dempster again, but this time the Yankees third baseman homered to center field on a 1-and-0 pitch. It was Rodriguez's second homer in 12 games this season since returning from offseason hip surgery and a quadriceps injury.
Boston held a 6-3 lead entering the sixth inning, but Rodriguez's homer sparked a four-run rally that put New York on top for good.
Dempster exited with the bases loaded and one out, and left-hander Drake Britton gave up a three-run triple to Brett Gardner, the first batter he faced, as the Yankees grabbed a 7-6 lead.
"I put this loss on me," Britton said. "We were ahead until I came in the game. I did the best I could. We've got a big series coming up on the West Coast, and I've just got to focus on that."
The Yankees added single runs in the seventh and ninth innings to pull away.
Dempster (6-9) went 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven runs on nine hits.
Yankees starter CC Sabathia (11-10) wasn't sharp, but he lasted long enough to earn the win. He pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and five walks (one intentional).
Four Yankees relievers blanked the Red Sox over the final 3 2/3 innings, but Mariano Rivera pitching the ninth for his 36th save.
Robinson Cano and Eduardo Nunez each had three hits for the Yankees, and Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki added two hits apiece.
Shane Victorino, David Ortiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Will Middlebrooks all had two hits for Boston.
Rodriguez is playing while appealing a 211-game suspension issued by Major League Baseball, and his attorneys earlier Sunday began the process of filing a grievance that claims A-Rod's medical treatment was mishandled this season and last season.
Asked if Dempster should be suspended for drilling him with a pitch, Rodriguez replied, "I'm the wrong guy to ask about suspensions."
NOTES: New York won two of three in the weekend series. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter took ground balls and batting practice Sunday at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., but he will not be activated from the disabled list Tuesday, when he is eligible. Jeter, out due to a strained right calf, has yet to run the bases or play in a game. He will play in a simulated game Monday ... The Yankees are off Monday. RHP Ivan Nova and RHP Phil Hughes will be the starters in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Toronto, Blue Jays, who will start RHP Esmil Rogers and LHP Mark Buehrle. ... The Red Sox start a string of six interleague games Monday, with three in San Francisco and three in Los Angeles. DH David Ortiz is expected to play two games in San Francisco at first base. ... Boston 2B Dustin Pedroia was back in the starting lineup Sunday night after fouling a ball off his left ankle in Saturday's game and leaving in the ninth inning. ... Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli was not in the lineup for a second straight day as he battles plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He will be re-evaluated Monday.
Joey Logano thrusts himself into Chase contention with win at Michigan.
By Nick Bromberg
Joey Logano celebrates at Michigan. (Getty)
With three races left before the Chase for the Sprint Cup, you can add another driver to the list of those with championship hopes that are more than a dream.
Joey Logano started first at Michigan on Sunday, and while he ventured from that spot for the majority of the race, he was back in it at the end and got his first Cup Series win of the season.
"I knew he was two laps short, but I really wanted to get by him in case they were fooling with me," Logano said. "They were getting great mileage and I knew (Kevin Harvick) behind me, he was about the same speed as me. Just getting that clean air would have been so much."
Martin had to hit the pit lane with three laps to go. Logano was then in the lead, and Harvick was never able to get close enough to challenge for the win.
FIFA arrives amid doubts about Brazil's readiness.
Monday's visit also comes just days after the government said it is concerned with price hikes of hotels listed on FIFA's website, something that could prompt an investigation into the FIFA-appointed agency in charge of accommodations.
There are also doubts about whether the upgrades needed at the country's airports will be ready in time for the event that kicks off in less than 10 months.
Valcke is making his first visit to Brazil since the end of the Confederations Cup, the tournament that serves as a warm-up to the World Cup. He will check preparations in three of the 12 host cities - Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Manaus. The cities are among the six that must finish their stadiums by the December deadline established by FIFA. The other six venues were completed, despite many delays, just in time for the Confederations Cup.
FIFA has already made it clear that it won't tolerate the same problems faced during the Confederations Cup. Only four stadiums were completed by the original deadline.
Valcke's first stop is in Sao Paulo, host of the World Cup's opening match June 12. There had been concerns about whether the stadium was going to be ready by December, but the construction picked up the pace in recent months, and the Brazilian government said it's not worried anymore.
That is not the case for the other five venues, and the delays prompted Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo to say last week that the host cities were ''facing a tight deadline'' and that there was a need ''to improve the pace in most of the stadiums'' to make sure they can be completed this year.
Four of the stadiums were less than 80 percent completed, including in Curitiba and Manaus, the other two cities visited by Valcke this week. The secretary general's trip will end after he attends a board meeting of the local World Cup organizing committee Thursday in Rio de Janeiro.
FIFA and the government want to get the stadiums ready this year so local organizers can host the necessary test events before the World Cup begins. FIFA usually wants at least three test events at each venue, but that wasn't possible in most of the Confederations Cup stadiums because of construction delays.
NBC Premier League Debut a Very Successful One.
By Zac Wassink
By Pat Forde
5. Louis Nix III, Notre Dame NT. Big man (357 pounds) with a big personality (@1irishchocolate is a quality Twitter follow) is a big reason why Manti Te'o got free run to make so many tackles – because Nix was occupying so many blockers up front. Bypassed the NFL draft in part as a gift to his mom, but it's also a huge gift to Brian Kelly and all Fighting Irish fans. Notre Dame defense should be tremendous again this year.
6. Shayne Skov, Stanford LB. Emotional power source for a Cardinal defense that has been outstanding the past three seasons, and may be even better this time around. Skov is part eye black, part Mohawk and all intensity, and now he's back for a fifth year and hoping his surgically repaired knee is closer to 100 percent than what he played on last year. Even then, he recorded a team-high 81 tackles.
11. Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida CB/WR/KR. He's the leading returning tackler from the Gators' excellent 2012 defense, but playing cornerback is only the start of Purifoy's potential responsibilities this fall. After getting reps at receiver at the end of last season, Purifoy is being test-driven as one answer to Florida's questions at that position this fall. He also figures to return more kicks, after averaging 24 yards per kickoff return in spot duty last year. Florida coaches say Purifoy can handle 100 snaps per game if need be.
17. Venric Mark, Northwestern RB/KR. If you like undersized (5-foot-8), under-recruited (none of the big-time programs in his home state of Texas offered a scholarship) guys with over-the-top versatility, you have to love Mark. He ran for 1,366 yards last year, caught 20 passes, returned two punts for touchdowns and was a dangerous kickoff returner as well. The Wildcats are sneaky contenders in the Big Ten this year largely because of everything Mark can do for them.
21. Seantrel Henderson, Miami OT. Remember him? He was the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2010 and ticketed for USC. When probation blew up the Trojans, Henderson called an audible and enrolled at Miami instead. The on-field play hasn't lived up to the pre-college hype, which is why Henderson is back for a senior year most never expected to see. But at 6-foot-8 and 336 pounds, the size and athletic talent is there, and if the mind is willing, he may have the kind of dominant season long expected of him.
22. Dri Archer, Kent State RB/KR. Little guy at a little school who was the biggest of big-play threats in 2012. Listed at 5-8 (doubtful), Archer averaged a ridiculous 8.99 yards per carry, easily the best in the nation, and scored 16 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes, four for touchdowns. He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. And he threw a touchdown pass. See how he does against the big-boy defenses of LSU and Penn State Sept. 21 and 28.
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Joey Logano started first at Michigan on Sunday, and while he ventured from that spot for the majority of the race, he was back in it at the end and got his first Cup Series win of the season.
Over the races final laps, Logano stalked leader Mark Martin, but was never able to get to Martin's bumper. However, that ended up a non-issue. Martin was attempting to stretch his fuel and was between two and three laps short of making it to the end of the race. He needed a caution flag that never flew.
"I knew he was two laps short, but I really wanted to get by him in case they were fooling with me," Logano said. "They were getting great mileage and I knew (Kevin Harvick) behind me, he was about the same speed as me. Just getting that clean air would have been so much."
Martin had to hit the pit lane with three laps to go. Logano was then in the lead, and Harvick was never able to get close enough to challenge for the win.
Logano got in that position by making a three-wide move on Harvick for second place on the race's final restart with 23 laps to go. Once he got the position on Harvick, he worked his way around Kurt Busch and kept Martin within his sights before Martin was forced to pit.
"I just mistimed that last restart there," Harvick said. "I was rolling pretty good on (Martin), and going to beat him to the start/finish line and I had to check up and that allowed the 22 to kind of make it three-wide and get under me and we had to fight back from there."
After back-to-back 40th place finishes at Daytona and New Hampshire, Logano tumbled from 10th to 18th in the standings and was 36 points outside of the top 10.
"I just mistimed that last restart there," Harvick said. "I was rolling pretty good on (Martin), and going to beat him to the start/finish line and I had to check up and that allowed the 22 to kind of make it three-wide and get under me and we had to fight back from there."
After back-to-back 40th place finishes at Daytona and New Hampshire, Logano tumbled from 10th to 18th in the standings and was 36 points outside of the top 10.
That 18th position was one spot below where he was at the same time in 2012, when he was with Joe Gibbs Racing. After Matt Kenseth's arrival to take the reins of the No. 20 car that Logano was driving last season, Logano signed with Penske Racing to team with Brad Keselowski.
In the run-up to last year's Chase, Logano stagnated and was 18th and without a sniff of the Wild Card come Richmond. This year at Penske, the stagnation has turned into spring water. In the races since that rough two weeks, he has finishes of eighth, seventh and seventh. And, of course, Sunday's win.
That means he's now back to 13th in the standings, 17 points out of the top 10 and seven points behind Martin Truex Jr. for the final Wild Card spot. What looked to be an afterthought a month ago is now a legitimate possibility.
"We bet on Joey when we hired him and he's certainly been showing the speed and the skill and today, winning at our home track for Ford and the Shell-Pennzoil car, it's an outstanding weekend for Penske Racing," car owner Roger Penske said.That means he's now back to 13th in the standings, 17 points out of the top 10 and seven points behind Martin Truex Jr. for the final Wild Card spot. What looked to be an afterthought a month ago is now a legitimate possibility.
FIFA arrives amid doubts about Brazil's readiness.
By
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke will begin an inspection visit to Brazil on Monday amid a series of concerns about the country's readiness for the 2014 World Cup.
Valcke will visit three host cities less than a week after Brazil's sports minister said the country needs to speed up the pace of construction on five of the six stadiums that must be completed by December.
Monday's visit also comes just days after the government said it is concerned with price hikes of hotels listed on FIFA's website, something that could prompt an investigation into the FIFA-appointed agency in charge of accommodations.
There are also doubts about whether the upgrades needed at the country's airports will be ready in time for the event that kicks off in less than 10 months.
Valcke is making his first visit to Brazil since the end of the Confederations Cup, the tournament that serves as a warm-up to the World Cup. He will check preparations in three of the 12 host cities - Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Manaus. The cities are among the six that must finish their stadiums by the December deadline established by FIFA. The other six venues were completed, despite many delays, just in time for the Confederations Cup.
Valcke's first stop is in Sao Paulo, host of the World Cup's opening match June 12. There had been concerns about whether the stadium was going to be ready by December, but the construction picked up the pace in recent months, and the Brazilian government said it's not worried anymore.
NBC Premier League Debut a Very Successful One.
By Zac Wassink
COMMENTARY | And just like that, as if the station had been covering the Premier League in the United States all along, NBC Sports swooped in and made history.
It was made clear after NBC acquired the US TV rights for the EPL in the fall of 2012 that the company would be going "all in" on its Premier League coverage. That NBC did, providing millions of Americans with the opportunity to watch every game live and do so without making them pay extra for channels or leave them searching for Internet streams that may or may not come with undesired attached computer files. I can't think of a single noteworthy complaint immediately after the conclusion of Saturday's EPL action, and it's for that reason that I give NBC's coverage two thumbs up for day one of this new journey.
College football's 25 most intriguing non-quarterbacks for the 2013 season.
On the same morning when FOX Soccer Channel showed replays of "Being: Liverpool" and two new FOX Sports stations arrived on the scene, the first Premier League programming of the 2013-14 season aired on NBC Sports. Coverage began at 7:00 a.m. ET with a pregame show that went until Liverpool vs. Stoke City kicked off. Right from the very start, diehard fans and casual viewers were presented with a top-class broadcast, one that did justice to the world's most-watched league.
The in-studio trio of Rebecca Lowe, Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle had the chemistry that you would expect to see from a crew that had been working together for years. To be honest, there is little specific that I remember from any of their segments. That's exactly how it should be. Pregame, postgame and halftime shows are similar to refs in that if you're not talking about them after the fact, it means that a good job was done.
Matches that aired on NBC Sports, NBC, the Premier League Extra Time overflow television stations and the NBC Live Extra streaming service were not without their flaws. Audio for games seemed to be about a half-second ahead of the video feeds, something Champions League and Europa League viewers in the US deal with on a yearly basis.
Some individuals I follow on Twitter complained about the clarity of the in-game video streams, but I'm inclined to believe that their problems had more to do with their particular Internet service providers than with NBC considering that I streamed three matches at the same time without experiencing any significant errors.
There was also this blunder.Some individuals I follow on Twitter complained about the clarity of the in-game video streams, but I'm inclined to believe that their problems had more to do with their particular Internet service providers than with NBC considering that I streamed three matches at the same time without experiencing any significant errors.
All in all, NBC gave football supporters who live in the United States all that we ask for from our domestic broadcasts. Nothing was dumbed-down or overly explained. Ms. Lowe was, as everybody with knowledge of her background expected, a well-spoken and intelligent football presenter and not just a piece of eye candy who is learning about the EPL on the job. Outside of saying "here at Old Trafford" when speaking about Manchester United boss David Moyes (United were away to Swansea City), Arlo White proved to be the perfect replacement for ESPN's Ian Darke. White, the former NBC Sports voice of Major League Soccer in the US, will become this country's preferred football play-by-play man sooner than later.
Some fans took to social networking websites such as Twitter to remark how NBC's Premier League coverage topped anything that had ever been delivered by the on-death-row FOX Soccer. I see no reason to go there. Sure, some things about the way FOX presented the game bothered me, but that company, when in possession of the Premier League US TV rights, gave me more live football than I'd ever before seen on TV. Instead of looking back at what was, I'm excited for what NBC will roll out in the following weeks and months. By Pat Forde
1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina DE. Unless something goes terribly awry, he will be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft. But can he win a Heisman Trophy and lift the Gamecocks to an SEC title along the way? Popular mythology says a defensive player has no chance to win the Heisman, but one has finished in the top five of the voting three of the last four years (Manti Te'o last year, Tyrann Mathieu in 2011, Ndomakung Suh in '09). And none of them started the season with the hype Clowney has.
2. T.J. Yeldon, Alabama RB. The Crimson Tide is loaded at wide receiver and has a three-year starter at quarterback, but Yeldon figures to be the centerpiece of the offense. He got 15 or more carries in a game only four times last year – and went over 100 yards every time. Feed him 20-25 touches per game this season, and watch the guy who is a little like a young Adrian Peterson produce a Heisman finalist-type season, following in the footsteps of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson.
3. Marqise Lee, USC WR/KR. The most gifted and pro-ready receiver in America has caught 191 passes and scored 31 touchdowns in two seasons as a collegian. His big-play ability makes finding the right quarterback a matter of highest urgency for the Trojans, who don't want to leave their Lamborghini wideout in the parking lot all fall. Lane Kiffin's employment status could depend on it.
4. De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon RB/WR/KR. At a place where speed is the coin of the realm, he's the rarest and most valuable coin. The ultimate Oregon weapon scored touchdowns last year running (11 of them), receiving (five), on a punt return (one) and a kickoff return (one). He's averaging 8.8 yards per carry in his college career, which is just silly. And more carries should be coming his way this year with Kenjon Barner gone to the NFL.
5. Louis Nix III, Notre Dame NT. Big man (357 pounds) with a big personality (@1irishchocolate is a quality Twitter follow) is a big reason why Manti Te'o got free run to make so many tackles – because Nix was occupying so many blockers up front. Bypassed the NFL draft in part as a gift to his mom, but it's also a huge gift to Brian Kelly and all Fighting Irish fans. Notre Dame defense should be tremendous again this year.
6. Shayne Skov, Stanford LB. Emotional power source for a Cardinal defense that has been outstanding the past three seasons, and may be even better this time around. Skov is part eye black, part Mohawk and all intensity, and now he's back for a fifth year and hoping his surgically repaired knee is closer to 100 percent than what he played on last year. Even then, he recorded a team-high 81 tackles.
7. Todd Gurley, Georgia RB. It took the Bulldogs three games last year to fully implement the true freshman into the offense. But after splitting carries with two other backs, Gurley took over and quickly established himself as one of the best runners in the nation. And the bigger the game, the better he ran, hitting Florida for 118 yards, Alabama for 122 and Nebraska for 125. At 232 pounds, he can run through tackles, but also has the burst to record four runs last year of 44 yards or longer.
8. Michael Dyer, Louisville RB. Last time anyone paid close attention to him on the football field, he was winning MVP honors in the BCS championship game as an Auburn Tiger. It's been a humbling fall from grace since, being dismissed from two schools after gun and drug charges. Louisville stepped in this summer to offer Dyer a third chance, and he's eligible right away in a backfield where playing time is available. If he screws up, he will take a piece of Charlie Strong's reputation with him to the scrap heap. If he flies right and regains old form, the Cardinals have an even stronger chance at 12-0.
9. Sammy Watkins, Clemson WR/KR. He was a revelation as a freshman and regressed as a sophomore. A suspension cost him two games, an illness cost him two more, and suddenly Watkins had slipped well down the list of Clemson playmakers. Watkins reportedly has learned from all the mishaps of 2012 and is ready to return to 2011 form, and then some. If so, he will be one of the most exciting players in the country.
10. Taylor Lewan, Michigan OT. Arguably the most surprising college returnee from the potential draft class of 2013, the 6-foot-8, 315-pound Lewan came back to school to refashion his body. Lewan changed his diet and diversified his work in the weight room to reportedly shed five percent of his body fat. If he stays healthy, either Lewan or Jake Matthews of Texas A&M figures to be the first offensive lineman called in the '14 draft.
11. Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida CB/WR/KR. He's the leading returning tackler from the Gators' excellent 2012 defense, but playing cornerback is only the start of Purifoy's potential responsibilities this fall. After getting reps at receiver at the end of last season, Purifoy is being test-driven as one answer to Florida's questions at that position this fall. He also figures to return more kicks, after averaging 24 yards per kickoff return in spot duty last year. Florida coaches say Purifoy can handle 100 snaps per game if need be.
12. Lache Seastrunk, Baylor RB. Was a 1,000-yard rusher last year without having a single 20-carry game. In fact, he had only 29 carries in the first seven games before finally getting the ball and showing why Oregon was willing to pay Will Lyles all that money for his "scouting service." Seastrunk says he is the fastest back in the country, and might also be the most confident. He has predicted he'll win the Heisman this year.
13. C.J. Mosley, Alabama LB. The Crimson Tide defense was ridiculous last year, and Mosley was its leading tackler by nearly double over runner-up Trey DePriest. He is wherever Nick Saban needs him to be on the field – in the backfield as a blitzer, dropping in coverage, knocking running backs to the ground. But he's also where Saban needs him off the field, taking over a leadership role on a unit with some holes to fill.
14. Anthony Barr, UCLA LB. His 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 2012 are impressive under any circumstance. Add in the fact they came in his first season playing defense in college and they're astounding numbers. Barr was an oversized running back his first two seasons at UCLA until new coach Jim Mora moved him to defense. The result could be a top-five draft pick come April if Barr continues the time-lapse progression he started last year.
15. Mario Edwards, Florida State DE. The nation's No. 1 recruit in the class of 2012 ate his way out of significant playing time as a true freshman, reporting to Tallahassee at nearly 320 pounds. Now weighing in at 279, Edwards appears ready to fulfill his huge potential. The Seminoles need him ready right now, after losing three high-impact defensive ends to the draft last year. If the 'Noles' defense is going to be anywhere near as good as last year's, Edwards will have to make a big impact.
16. Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame DE. Out of all the studs on the Fighting Irish defense last year, none pass the look test like Tuitt. Or maybe used to pass it. The 6-foot-6 Tuitt was a puffy 322 pounds during spring practice after offseason hernia surgery, and is reportedly still working some of the excess weight off during fall camp. Top-10 draft status may be riding on it for a guy armed with remarkable athleticism and explosion for his size – Tuitt returned a fumble 77 yards for a touchdown in the opener last year and had a team-high 12 sacks. If he regains optimum conditioning, he could put another dozen sacks on the board this season as well.
17. Venric Mark, Northwestern RB/KR. If you like undersized (5-foot-8), under-recruited (none of the big-time programs in his home state of Texas offered a scholarship) guys with over-the-top versatility, you have to love Mark. He ran for 1,366 yards last year, caught 20 passes, returned two punts for touchdowns and was a dangerous kickoff returner as well. The Wildcats are sneaky contenders in the Big Ten this year largely because of everything Mark can do for them.
18. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington TE. Tight end is the vogue position in the NFL, and Seferian-Jenkins inherits the role as the top collegian at that spot. An offseason DUI and an August pinkie fracture and surgery don't help his preparation for the season, but he should be full-go by Pac-12 play at the latest. Has 110 catches and 13 touchdowns in his two years at Washington.
19. Anthony Johnson, LSU DT. The Tigers suffered massive defensive losses to the NFL, which means it's time for the No. 2 national recruit in 2011 to fully assert himself. To prepare for that role, Johnson has trimmed down to just less than 300 pounds and started speaking up in the locker room. He had seven tackles for loss and three sacks last year, and could double those numbers this time around if he isn't double-teamed all game, every game.
20. Mike Evans, Texas A&M WR. He's 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, a walking matchup problem – except he's rarely walking, more often jumping over or running past defenders. Evans meshed with fellow redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel and became the Aggies' leading receiver last year with 82 catches for 1,105 yards. He's the key part of a lavishly talented collection of skill players who complement Manziel.
21. Seantrel Henderson, Miami OT. Remember him? He was the No. 1 recruit in the nation in 2010 and ticketed for USC. When probation blew up the Trojans, Henderson called an audible and enrolled at Miami instead. The on-field play hasn't lived up to the pre-college hype, which is why Henderson is back for a senior year most never expected to see. But at 6-foot-8 and 336 pounds, the size and athletic talent is there, and if the mind is willing, he may have the kind of dominant season long expected of him.
22. Dri Archer, Kent State RB/KR. Little guy at a little school who was the biggest of big-play threats in 2012. Listed at 5-8 (doubtful), Archer averaged a ridiculous 8.99 yards per carry, easily the best in the nation, and scored 16 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 39 passes, four for touchdowns. He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. And he threw a touchdown pass. See how he does against the big-boy defenses of LSU and Penn State Sept. 21 and 28.
23. Charles Sims, West Virginia RB. Which player is the biggest instant-impact recruit of 2013? Probably Sims, who transfers in from Houston and has immediate eligibility. He can run (1,672 career yards and 20 touchdowns for the Cougars) and catch (948 yards and seven TDs), which makes him an immediate fit in Dana Holgorsen's spread offense. If he and fellow instant-eligible transfer Clint Trickett both have big seasons, the Mountaineers may be better than most people expect.
24. Ryan Shazier, Ohio State LB. Just four starters return on the Buckeyes' defense, and one of them – star cornerback Bradley Roby – is suspended for the season opener. Which means linebacker Shazier will probably have to be even better than he was last year, when he made a team-high 115 tackles and was second in the Big Ten in tackles per game. Shazier can also cover, breaking up 11 passes and intercepting one. He's just a junior, but expect to see him shaking Roger Goodell's hand next April as a first-round pick.
25. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri WR. The biggest recruit of the Gary Pinkel Era and one of the biggest in school history took a while to get up to SEC speed. Green-Beckham had just seven catches in the first seven games of last season, then finally became a factor down the stretch with 21 catches and four touchdowns in the final five games. If the Tigers are going to be markedly better after their first losing season since 2004, quarterback James Franklin needs to find Green-Beckham with regularity.
Just missed the list: James White, Wisconsin; Will Sutton, Arizona State DT; Max Bullough, Michigan State LB; Amari Cooper, Alabama WR; David Yankey, Stanford OG; Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State CB; Kyle Van Noy, BYU LB; Mike Davis, Texas WR; Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama OT; Aaron Lynch, South Florida DE; DeVante Parker, Louisville WR; Stefon Diggs, Maryland WR/KR; Duke Johnson, Miami RB/KR; Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State DE; Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson K; Cameron Johnston, Ohio State P; Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska RB; Antonio Andrews, Western Kentucky RB; Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona RB.
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Link: http://allsportsamerica.blogspot.com/2013/07/are-you-ready-for-some-football-no.html
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
Remember, (1) Competition breeds excellence, (2) You can't win ($$$) if you aren't in and (3) The odds are better than the Lottery!!!
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