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Celtics bully Magic into corner in East finals

2010-05-19T03:02:00.000-07:00

They’re laughing at the Orlando Magic now, taunting them on the way out of Amway Arena and onto the NBA Finals. Between the end of Game 2 and the joyous bus ride to the Boston Celtics’ charter flight, it appeared that Paul Pierce(notes) gleefully punched four acidic words into his Twitter account: “Anybody got a broom?”

Somehow, this declaration found its way onto Pierce’s page. The keepers of his website insisted later this was the work of a hacker, but, nevertheless, those words were waiting for Dwight Howard(notes) on Tuesday night. It’s Pierce’s page, his responsibility. The brave public face of a privately shattered franchise, Howard plopped down on an interview podium and had Pierce’s alleged parting shot read back to him.

Rays vs. Yankees

2010-05-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

There's little doubt that the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have established themselves as the top teams in the AL East, the division New York reclaimed last year after the Rays won it in 2008.

They also may be the two best clubs in baseball.

Tampa Bay can bolster its early lead on the Yankees and extend its latest winning streak to five on Wednesday night, but to do so the Rays will need to end a string of six straight losses in the Bronx.

New York (25-14) has begun defense of its World Series title in strong fashion only to be overshadowed by the Rays, who are the only team in the majors with a better record.

Tampa Bay (28-11) dropped two of three to the Yankees at home from April 9-11, but manager Joe Maddon's team - already with a three-game lead - has a chance to make a statement in New York before beginning interleague play.

"It's going to be fun going up there, as it should be," said Maddon, whose team has gone 15-4 on the road in 2010 but was outscored 31-12 while losing its last six in the Bronx last season.

"You want to be on the top. You want to play the best teams. You want to play in the best division. I think it's great," Maddon added. "Our guys will be ready for it. Our game's a pretty good game right now. We haven't hit to our potential yet, but we've been doing everything else."

Longoria Delivers for Rays

2010-05-19T02:58:00.000-07:00

Evan Longoria drove in three runs and David Price pitched six strong innings to become the AL’s first six-game winner as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Indians, 6-2, yesterday in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The AL East leaders improved baseball’s top record to 28-11 heading into a two-game series at Yankee Stadium. New York has the second-best mark in the majors.

“It’s going to be fun going up there, as it should be,’’ Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “You want to be on the top. You want to play the best teams. You want to play in the best division. I think it’s great. Our guys will be ready for it. Our game’s a pretty good game right now. We haven’t hit to our potential yet, but we’ve been doing everything else.’’

Longoria, who has 21 RBIs in his past 19 games, had a run-scoring double off David Huff (1-6) in the third and a two-run triple off Hector Ambriz that was the biggest blow in a four-run sixth.

Price (6-1) won his fourth straight decision. The 24-year-old lefthander held the Indians to an unearned run and four hits before turning over a 5-1 lead to the bullpen.

Flyers rout Habs in opener

2010-05-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

The Flyers turned the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals into a laugher early with a 6-0 rout of the Montreal Canadiens.

The Flyers led 3-0 after the first period, and 4-0 early in the second when Montreal yanked goalie Jaroslav Halak. Six players scored for the Flyers...Braydon Coburn, James van Riemsdyk, Danny Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux.

Michael Leighton stopped all 28 shots that came at him. The Flyers will host game two onTuesday night.

TORONTO NATIONALS LOSE TO CHICAGO IN SEASON OPENER

2010-05-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Toronto's John Grant Jr. scored a hat trick but the defending Major League Lacrosse champion Nationals opened the season on a sour note Sunday, losing 16-9 to the Chicago Machine.

Terry Kimener led Chicago with three goals, one of which counted for two, while Matt Striebel, Kevin Leveille, Brett Garber, Bill McGlone and Mike Leveille each scored two apiece.

Chazz Woodson and Greg Bice added singles for the Machine (1-0).

Josh Sims scored twice, including a two-point goal, for Toronto (0-1), while Jordan Hall also added two and Brodie Merrill scored a single.

Machine goaltender Mike Gabel made six saves for the win, while at the other end Doc Schneider stopped 14 shots.

Howard frustrated by Celtics in Game 1 loss

2010-05-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

Dwight Howard knew what the Boston Celtics had planned. Whenever he got the ball in the post, someone was going to hit him, bump him, push him, do whatever it took to keep him from getting into rhythm.

It wasn't a new approach.

The Celtics simply do it better than just about everyone else.

Howard made only 3 of his 10 shots from the floor Sunday, continuing what's been a yearlong offensive struggle against the Celtics, and his Orlando Magic lost Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to Boston 92-88.

"I played like a robot," Howard said.

He doesn't have long for reprogramming. Game 2 is Tuesday night.

Rays rally, again beat Mariners' Lee

2010-05-17T02:51:00.000-07:00

Sean Rodriguez delivered a seventh-inning double and Gabe Kapler an eighth-inning sacrifice fly as host Tampa Bay overcame a frustrating afternoon against Cliff Lee to rally past Seattle, 2-1, Sunday.

Lee (1-2) took a 1-0 lead into the seventh, but the Rays (an MLB-best 26-11) rallied to beat him for the second time in 11 days. He allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings.

Advice to LeBron: Leave

2010-05-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Cleveland Cavaliers are an ongoing illusion. We'll soon learn if LeBron James is willing to step back from his creation, leave his beloved home town and try to craft something real.

At a crucial moment of Thursday night's Game 6 of the Cavaliers-Celtics series, the illusion came alarmingly to life. It was late in the third quarter, the game was slipping away from the Cavs, and the Boston crowd was in an uproar. Delonte West was at the free-throw line. The two men stationed near the basket were Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

How monumentally depressing. It could have been two playoff seasons ago - or in the case of the two big men, 2005. The same tired acts trying to measure up to LeBron's greatness. The truth about the Cavaliers - and James had better realize this right now - is that they've never had a clear idea how to build a championship team. They add players, constantly, but not the correct ones.

It's such a fine, captivating illusion. Everyone gets sucked into the maelstrom at some point, believing LeBron actually might win an NBA championship all by himself. That was the Dead Wrong in Public stance here Sunday, when I had the series ending "quickly" after James' stunningly victorious performance in Game 3.

Like so many others, I forgot.

I forgot about Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace, Larry Hughes, Joe Smith, Drew Gooden, and now the vacant Antawn Jamison, the irrelevant Jamario Moon and the aging Shaquille O'Neal. And, of course, Varejao and Ilgauskas, both of whom will be playing for the Cavs 28 years from now.

If James took a good look at the Celtics, the reality couldn't have been more clear. Championship teams have at least two really influential players; no exceptions. Beyond the outright superstars, there's always a James Worthy, Joe Dumars, Mo Cheeks, Kevin McHale, Scottie Pippen or Tony Parker. (The 1975 Warriors didn't strictly follow this pattern, but in rookies Phil Smith and Keith Wilkes, they had two stars of the future alongside the great Rick Barry.)

Thursday night's game was over at the halfway mark of the fourth quarter, when Rasheed Wallace hit a three-point shot from the left corner (for an 86-74 lead), because that meant the Celtics had five time-tested men on the floor, all of whom could send you reeling into summer: Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics had such a firm grasp on the proceedings, they had to be stifling laughter. The Cavs, trapped between identities (slow-it-down with Shaq or up-tempo with the younger guys), were so brutally outclassed by game's end, they simply quit - a point sternly made by ESPN's Mark Jackson.

James, a gracious loser this time, had ripped off his Cleveland jersey before he got to the hallway. Take a good look into Garnett's eyes, LeBron, and never pick it up again.

Tradition counts

New football coach Brian Kelly is just a voice in the wilderness when it comes to Notre Dame politics, but he's right: The glory of the Irish is in their independence. Forget the Big Ten. Don't be part of that expansion nonsense. ... The voters confirmed Brian Cushing's award for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, even after learning he'd been suspended for the use of performance-enhancing drugs, and it's hardly a surprise. It's a given that NFL players get juiced out of their minds, in a number of ways, to stay competitive in that arena. The vast majority of writers, fans and executives don't care. ... No surprise that manager Joe Torre is backing off all talks about a contract extension with the Dodgers. He has about had it with the McCourts' preposterous divorce case (and the ensuing effect on team finances), and their trial is scheduled to begin in late August - just in time to torment the stretch drive. Hollywood at its worst. ... I guess Dallas Braden's perfect game falls into a pattern - the Mark Buerhle-Kenny Rogers-Tom Browning types who finesse their way through - but that's not how I remember it. I witnessed Sandy Koufax's perfecto against the Cubs in 1965. He struck out the last six guys (14 overall). Nobody had a prayer against him. ... What people are discovering about Braden: For all the talk about his street-tough upbringing in Stockton, lending the impression he's some kind of rube, he's one of the brightest, most quick-witted guys in sports. This will serve him well through the tough times (inevitable, once you come down from perfection). He handled his David Letterman spot with a comedian's fine touch, with my personal highlight: "Even I haven't heard of me."

Mariners homer 3 times in win over Rays

2010-05-15T06:20:00.000-07:00

Franklin Gutierrez, Adam Moore and Mike Sweeney homered, helping the light-hitting Seattle Mariners beat the baseball-best Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Friday night.

Right-hander Doug Fister (3-1) allowed one run and four hits in five innings as the last-place Mariners won for just the third time in 13 games.

Reliever Shawn Kelley gave up a two-run homer to Evan Longoria, enabling the Rays to pull within 4-3 in the eighth. David Aardsma got the final three outs for his ninth save in 11 opportunities.

Tampa Bay is off to the best start in the majors at 24-11. The Rays have one of the best home records over the past three seasons, yet surprisingly are 9-7 at Tropicana Field, compared to 15-4 on the road.

Gutierrez, returning to the lineup after missing two games because of upper back stiffness, hit a two-run homer off Wade Davis (3-3) in the first inning. Adam Moore led off the fifth against the Rays starter with his first homer for a 3-1 lead.

Sweeney homered for the second straight day, hitting a solo shot off Dan Wheeler in the eighth to make it 4-1.

The Mariners entered the night with a major league-low 16 homers, but have now hit six in their past two games. They had one multi-homer game in their first 33 of the season.

Tampa Bay trimmed Seattle's early lead to 2-1 in the third. Reid Brignac doubled, continued to third on a throwing error by left fielder Michael Saunders, then scored when Fister balked. But the Rays wasted several opportunities, most notably in the fifth, when they loaded the bases with two outs and failed to score.

Fister, who walked three and struck out two, escaped the jam when Ben Zobrist flied to right on the first pitch. Mariners reliever Kanekoa Texeira worked two scoreless innings before Kelley came on and yielded Longoria's ninth homer of the season.

Davis allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. The Rays starter walked three and struck out two.

NOTES: Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki had three hits for his sixth consecutive multi-hit games, one off his career-high. ... Tampa Bay LHP J.P. Howell (strained left shoulder) threw 25 pitches in a batting practice session. He is set to pitch in a simulated game Tuesday. ... Seattle INF Jack Wilson (strained right hamstring) is scheduled to start a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A West Tennessee on Saturday. He could rejoin the Mariners in a week. ... Rays OF Matt Joyce (right elbow strain) has resumed baseball drills and could DH in a minor league game early next week. ... Rays 3B coach Tom Foley was away from the team Friday to attend to a family matter. He was replaced by bullpen coach Bobby Ramos. ... Sweeney stole third base in the first inning, the designated hitter's first steal since August 2006.

Cadillac Williams signs tender with Buccaneers

2010-05-13T02:40:00.000-07:00

Restricted free agent running back Cadillac Williams has signed his one-year tender to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs also announced Wednesday that guard Michael Shumard(notes) has been claimed off waivers from the Denver Broncos. Offensive tackle Robert Okeafor was released.

Williams was the fifth overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft and was the league’s offensive rookie of the year that season. He has rushed for 3,240 yards and 18 touchdowns in five years, despite missing most of two seasons with career-threatening knee injuries.

After being sidelined for most of 2007 and 2008, Williams played all 16 games and led the Bucs with 823 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season.

It's way too early to write off LeBron

2010-05-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

The exact moment this national obsession with Cleveland-Boston Game 5 reached a Kardashian level of discussion-to-relevance occurred at 11:23 Wednesday morning, when I received a text message that read "What's ur opinion on lebron?"

The text came from someone who almost never talks to me about sports, save for the occasional inquiry about how to get tickets. It just showed that everyone wanted to know what everyone else thought about LeBron James' passive performance Tuesday night, that suddenly this moment mattered more than oil spills or Supreme Court nominees. Everyone had to know if this was or was not the worst thing ever, if this was going to redefine the way we think of LeBron.

Except, how can it define a career if we don't even know that it has dictated the outcome of the series?

Unless I missed the memo that Game 6 was canceled, there's still at least 48 minutes of basketball to go. Unless I'm misreading the box score, LeBron did have 38 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists the last time the Cavaliers went to Boston coming off a home loss. That was last Friday. That was before people had written off LeBron as a failure who can't win the big games.

This Game 5 didn't undo Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals, when LeBron put together one of the greatest performances in NBA history by scoring 29 of Cleveland's final 30 points to knock off the Detroit Pistons in overtime.

You can say LeBron didn't come through this time. You can't say he never comes through.

In capitalism the definitive word is always spoken by the marketplace, and LeBron's value hasn't diminished one bit. You don't believe the Cavaliers will still offer him the maximum they're allowed to? Do you think there's a single general manager who would cite Tuesday's Game 5 as a reason not to return Danny Ferry's call if the Cavs wanted to set up a sign-and-trade?

We've become trapped in the gulf between those who write checks and those who write columns. You'd have thought LeBron had broken into the Basketball Hall of Fame and defaced the plaques of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson the way he's been shredded on the Internet following his 15-point, 3-for-14 shooting night in a 32-point loss to the Celtics.

Just keep in mind how quickly opinions change this time of year. That's what happens when you can send comments to Twitter or Daily Dime Live just as soon as a shot is missed. We make things definitive when they're actually still formative.

About three weeks ago, Kobe Bryant was sitting on the Ford Center scorer's table on an off day in Oklahoma City, fielding questions about whether he still had it. He was coming off a 10-for-29 shooting night in the Lakers' first playoff loss, and he'd made more than 40 percent of his shots only once in his previous seven games. Today he's preparing for the Western Conference finals, having scored at least 30 points in each of his past five games while shooting 51 percent, and the only thing that appears finished is the notion that he's finished.

One of the things I've always loved about the NBA playoffs is they afford an opportunity for redemption. If it doesn't happen in the next shot, there's the next game. Or the next series. Or even the next season. This isn't the Olympics with a mandatory four-year wait to make amends.

Superstars can have off games. The two finalists will play some 20-25 games each, providing plenty of time for a clunker or two somewhere along the way. The sign of a legitimate superstar is what happens after the off nights. How does he respond after the praise has turned to criticism, when the belief has turned to doubt?

Through the first three games of the 1993 Eastern Conference finals Michael Jordan was shooting 32 percent. He was coming off 3-for-18 shooting in Game 3, which the Bulls somehow managed to win anyway. But they still trailed 2-1 in the series. In Game 4, despite John Starks playing some of the best defense I've ever seen against him, Jordan went for 54 points, hitting 18 of 30 shots (including 6 of 9 3-pointers).

With LeBron it wasn't just the shooting percentage that got people ready to toss him off Mount Olympus. It was his passive play, his refusal to attack the basket or post up or do anything other than shoot the occasional, wildly erratic jump shot.

That still wasn't as bad as Kobe's shutdown in the second half of a Game 7 in Phoenix three years ago, when he went into sleep mode like an unattended computer and took only three shots. And LeBron's never gone three years without winning a playoff series, as Kobe did from 2005 through 2007.

Those are now viewed as minor deviations on the upward arc of Bryant's career. Since then (or should we say, since the arrival of Pau Gasol), he has won a championship, an MVP award and is four victories away from making his third consecutive trip to the Finals. As much outcry as it caused at the time, the Game 7 in Phoenix will not dominate the career wrap-up, if it even appears at all.

Magic choked at the ends of Games 2, 4 and 7 in the 1984 Finals, yet the balance of his career is so weighted by winning that it's his auto-tuned voice you hear throughout the latest NBA commercial. When it looked as though he wouldn't be able to recover from that 1984 meltdown he came back to win three of the next four championships.

We always think of time as the enemy of athletes, trapping them in a limited window of productivity that doesn't exist in almost any other workplace. We believe the calendar is working against them to drain a bit of their talent every day. Yet sometimes time can be an ally.

LeBron James is only 25 years old. He could be just one-third of the way through his career. Marvin Gaye made 10 albums before he recorded his masterpiece, "What's Going On."

With James it's not just about what he'll do, it's where he'll do it. The thought that Game 5 was his final hometown performance seems odorous, but again we should look to the past. Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando on the tail of a sweep, the third time he'd been broomed out of the playoffs in as many forays into the postseason.

Because James' story is taking place in Cleveland there is added melodrama. Only Cleveland has its own set of letdowns that are so notable they get single-word names. I find it funny that if you search for "The Catch" on Wikipedia looking for Dwight Clark's era-altering touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys, you'll find a multitude of choices for plays bearing the same name. But if you search for "The Shot" or "The Drive" or "The Fumble" you'll go straight to three moments that staggered Cleveland.

Yet James' personal history isn't as tortured. At every stage so far he has surpassed our expectations, starting with the most hyped debut in league history. When we wondered how he would top his 2009 MVP season of 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists, he averaged more than a point and more than an assist better this season, and made more than half of his shots for the first time in his career.

The aftermath of Game 5 has been about "How could he be so bad?" It's the wrong question. With LeBron, it's always about "What will he do next?"

Here's what's happening around baseball

2010-05-13T02:24:00.000-07:00

• Remember when Hank Blalock was a ballyhooed prospect? It's been a while, but the ex-Ranger is still only 29 and has been tearing it up for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate (.375, 23 RBI, .987 OPS) this season. Blalock agreed to a minor league deal with Tampa Bay during spring training when he couldn't find work elsewhere, and now that we're into the second week of May, it seems the charms of minor league life are wearing thin.

Blalock's agent, Scott Boras, hinted Tuesday that the player might activate the out clause in his contract next week if he isn't called up. That presents a quandary for the Rays. They could try to trade him, but their leverage might be hurt by the fact that Blalock could be there for the taking on the open market if he opts out. Or they could finally give up on the Pat Burrell fiasco (.229 average, .679 OPS), swallowing what remains of the disappointing DH's $9 million salary this year and kicking him to the curb to make room for Blalock.

• Apparently because Jose Valverde toiled in anonymity in Houston before heading to Detroit and playing a nationally televised game against the Yankees on Monday, no one had previously noticed that he gets a bit animated between pitches. Thankfully, the employers and teammates of Joba Chamberlain mostly took the high road when asked about Valverde's histrionics, sticking to not-quite-rips like Mark Teixeira's: "That's not the way I choose to play, but I didn't write any rules, I'm not going to enforce any rules and I'm not going to be the one to start complaining about it."

• Angels lefty Scott Kazmir had a lengthy closed-door session with manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Mike Butcher on Wednesday but will remain in the team's rotation. Kazmir's ERA actually came down to 6.82 in his loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night, but obviously problems remain. The brain trust assigned Kazmir some new drills they hope will get him on track and he'll take the ball again Monday in Texas.

• After a crowd of just over 12,000 witnessed Dallas Braden's perfect game in person, the A's are doing all they can to try and use the perfecto to boost attendance on their next homestand. Series against the Mariners and Giants from May 17-23 will feature a bevy of giveaways and promotions related to Braden's gem, from tickets priced at $2.09 (a nod to Braden's hometown area code in nearby Stockton) to a commemorative poster giveaway to a pregame ceremony that will feature Braden's fiery grandmother throwing out the first pitch.

The Injury Ward

• Carlos Ruiz had to leave the Phillies' doubleheader opener against the Rockies in the fourth inning with a right knee injury. He appeared to injure himself while running the bases.

• Jason Marquis wasn't very effective in a rehab start Tuesday night, and things got worse Wednesday morning. The pitcher's elbow "locked up" and he likely will need surgery to remove bone chips -- a procedure that could cost him another eight to 10 weeks.

• The news never seems to get better for Brad Lidge these days. The Phillies' erstwhile closer left the team and headed back to Philadelphia for further examination as he continued to feel stiffness in his surgically repaired elbow.

• Seattle put shortstop Jack Wilson on the disabled list, retroactive to May 6, with a right hamstring strain and recalled Matt Tuiasosopo from Triple-A.

• Andruw Jones was a late scratch from the White Sox lineup Wednesday due to a stiff neck.

• The Blue Jays scratched Aaron Hill with a tight right hamstring, giving John McDonald the start in Boston.

• Pittsburgh's Ronny Cedeno suffered a bruise but no fracture in his right wrist after being hit by a Johnny Cueto pitch Tuesday night. He's day-to-day.

• Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar is slated for one rehab game Friday in Triple-A before returning to active duty Saturday.

• Veteran reliever Juan Cruz, a free agent after being cut by the Royals earlier this year, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery Wednesday.

Transaction Wire

• Updating a previous item, the Orioles purchased the contract of veteran outfielder Corey Patterson and promptly penciled him in atop their lineup Wednesday. Nolan Reimold was sent back to Triple-A to clear a spot for Patterson on the active roster and Brian Roberts was shifted to the 60-day disabled list to open a 40-man spot.

• Desperately in need of bullpen depth, the Tigers called up Alfredo Figaro from Triple-A before Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees. Adding Figaro and sending outfielder Ryan Raburn back to Toledo as the corresponding move gives Detroit 13 pitchers and 12 position players on its roster.

• Colorado reinstated Carlos Gonzalez from the bereavement list in time for Wednesday's doubleheader, putting Franklin Morales on the disabled list to clear a roster spot.

• Outfielder Greg Golson got the call to join the Yankees on Wednesday, not Juan Miranda as reported Tuesday. Golson takes the roster spot of Alfredo Aceves, who went on the DL with back problems.

• Arizona recalled right-hander Carlos Rosa from Triple-A and optioned Daniel Stange back to Reno.

• The Twins reinstated lefty reliever Jose Mijares from the disabled list, where he had resided since April 17 with an elbow strain. Catcher Wilson Ramos was optioned to Triple-A to clear a spot.

• The Royals called up right-hander Blake Wood from Triple-A Omaha, with Josh Rupe the odd man out.

• The Rockies released Tim Redding from their Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs. UPDATE: That was quick; the Denver Post reports Redding has agreed to a minor league deal with the Yankees.

Angels, in a weak spot, lose to Tampa Bay, 7-2

2010-05-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Rays expose just about every weakness the Angels have, as they struggle offensively and starter Scott Kazmir gives up three runs and seven hits.

The rotation isn't nearly as good as they thought it would be, the bullpen has only two relievers they can rely on, and there are gaping holes in a lineup Mike Scioscia thought would be among the strongest and deepest he's had in his 11 years as manager.

The Angels have won five of the last six American League West titles, but they do not look like contenders so far this season.

The Tampa Bay Rays exposed just about every weakness the Angels have in a 7-2 victory in Angel Stadium on Tuesday night, dropping the Angels to 15-20.

Scott Kazmir threw 108 pitches in five innings — the norm for the inefficient Angels left-hander this season — giving up three runs, seven hits and walking three, and Evan Longoria greeted reliever Scot Shields with a game-breaking three-run homer in the seventh.

The Angels had two runs and six hits in 71/3 innings off Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann (3-0), and their eighth-inning rally fizzled when Rays reliever Grant Balfour struck out Howie Kendrick and got Michael Ryan to ground out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

"All the cylinders aren't clicking right now," center fielder Torii Hunter said. "When we hit, the pitching is not right, and when the pitching is right, we don't hit. Everything is not coming together like we want it to, but the season is not over."

This lineup was supposed to feature good speed at the top and power throughout, but the Angels rank 11th in the league with a .312 on-base percentage, ninth with a .389 slugging percentage, and they're hitting .250 (70 for 280) with runners in scoring position.

No. 9 hitter Brandon Wood has appeared overmatched, with 31 strikeouts and two walks in 101 at-bats, and his current three-for-30 slump dropped his average from .197 on May 1 to .168.

But the soft spots aren't only at the bottom of the order. No. 5 hitter Hideki Matsui and No. 6 hitter Juan Rivera have put a drag on the offense, and No. 2 hitter Bobby Abreu has not provided his usual production.

Matsui was batting .310 with four homers, six doubles and 11 runs batted in on April 24. Since then, he is six for 52 with no extra-base hits and four RBIs in 15 games, his average falling to .228, which raises the question:

Is the 35-year-old Japanese slugger in a prolonged slump or has age and a pair of arthritic knees finally caught up to him?

Rivera, who did not play Tuesday night, hit .287 with 25 homers and 88 RBIs last season but is batting .236 with four homers — one in his last 20 games — and 15 RBIs.

The 36-year-old Abreu was so good last season — he hit .293 with a .390 on-base percentage, 15 homers, 103 RBIs and 96 runs — the Angels gave him with a two-year, $19-million contract extension.

But Abreu's numbers are way down across the board — the right fielder is batting .257 with a .331 on-base percentage, four homers and 13 RBIs, and he is seven for 42 with no RBIs in his last 11 games.

About the only Angels who are having decent offensive seasons are Kendry Morales, Hunter and Kendrick.

"You're never going to have nine guys on board at the same time," Scioscia said. "The offense isn't flowing right now, and we're going to need that to put some pressure on clubs. It took a while to get to this spot; it's going to take a while to get out."

The same could be said for Kazmir, who remains a work in progress. Kazmir (2-3). He was able to bring his long-lost slider into the game more often and effectively Tuesday, but his fastball command was still off.

"We're still trying to unlock Kaz and get him to be the pitcher we know he can be," Scioscia said. "It was very frustrating tonight. He threw far too many pitches for five innings.

"If he wants to get back to where he was a couple of years ago, he's absolutely going to need that pitch. But it's more than just the slider. He's not getting the fastball in good zones and bringing the changeup into play like he can."

Who Is The Most Skilled NBA Player? Hint: It's Not Kobe Or LeBron.

2010-05-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

Steve Nash is the most skilled basketball player to ever put on an NBA uniform. And it's not even close.

Watching the Suns close out the San Antonio Spurs last night, I could not help but marvel at how Steve Nash controls every aspect of the offensive end of the court for Phoenix. Even when Amare Stoudemire scores on isolation plays, Nash directs the other three guys to make sure Stoudemire has the room he needs to operate or one of the shooters gets a wide-open look. I have never seen anyone like him. As hard as it is to make the case that a two-time MVP is underappreciated, Nash is incredibly under-rated.

Plenty of people have (sometimes begrudgingly) come to the realization that the diminutive point guard is the greatest shooter of all-time. Professor John Hollinger of ESPN has used his own Combined Shooting Rating to establish the distance between Nash and the second best shooters in NBA history while the fact that Nash has finished seasons with a 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point percentage and 90% from the free throw line five times has convinced most other basketball fans. But this doesn’t even begin to tell the story.

“Nash has also led… the three greatest offenses since the NBA began tracking turnovers.” Just looking at this year’s Phoenix Suns roster and their stats will show you how his play-making abilities raise the level of play by every other person on the court. Jason Richardson, a career 43.3% field goal shooter before Nash, is shooting 48.1% since joining the Suns. Jared Dudley was shooting a Chris-Dudley-esque 29.8% from the three-point line in other cities but has scorched opponents at 42.6% with the Suns. Channing Frye looked to be on his way out of the NBA in his last two years in Portland but he risen from the ashes since arriving in Phoenix (pun intended) by elevating his three-point shooting from 28.3% to 43.9%. And the old man, Grant Hill, hit 43.8% from deep this season which was 9.1% higher than his previous career high. If you need any more evidence, simply follow the career (and waistline) of Quentin Richardson. But even that doesn’t completely encompass the breadth of what Nash does on the court.

He is also, arguably, the best player in the league at using his off-hand around the rim and in the lane. The thing he can do with his off-hand, most NBA players can’t do with their dominant hand. The only other guy in the league that can even approach Nash’s ambidexterity is Kobe Bryant but he has the advantage of being able to jump over defenders and choose the angles he wants to use for his release, Nash has to take whatever angles are left by the shot blockers and work around them.

I’m not going to bore you by spending any more time reviewing Nash’s qualities because that has been done elsewhere by several more talented and much more resourceful writers. So back to the point I am making, Steve Nash is the most skilled basketball player to ever lace them up.

Now before you spit your energy drink all over the computer screen, hear me out. When I say “most skilled,” I do mean that he is the most effective, valuable or dominating player ever; I simply mean that his skill set is better than anyone else’s. For example, I would make the case that Bill Russell was the most valuable center in NBA history but Hakeem Olajuwon was, undoubtedly, the most skilled center anyone has ever seen.

In that same vein, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are almost unanimously considered to be the two best players in the world right now but that argument is misleading. While best may be an accurate description by the Merriam-Webster definition, the connotation of the word “best” implies that you are measuring skill when that is not actually the case. You are, rather, measuring results so the question of which player has the most skill goes unanswered.

Neither of them is anywhere near Nash as far as shooting ability and, while LeBron is a phenomenal passer, Kobe has not passed yet in his career so there is no way for us to know if he can pass as well as Nash. Imagine what the little Canadian could do if he had LeBron’s body for a day. And, conversely, how many of those patented fade-aways would Kobe Bryant make if he was 6’3”?

And that size, or lack thereof, for Nash is the reason he is not an effective defender. Notice, I didn’t say that he is “not a good defender,” because he is sound defensively but he is just not gifted enough athletically to keep some of the best athletes on the planet from scoring. When the opponent can just jump over you, it really doesn’t matter how well you play on defense. As a Houston Rockets fan, I would give anything to see Trevor Ariza play defense the way Stave Nash does. Houston may have been the team losing to the Lakers in Round One this season if Ariza had the same fundamentals that Nash possesses.

So, to reiterate, Kobe and LeBron are the most effective, dominating, result-producing, etc. players in the league but they are definitely not the most skilled.

Let’s just hope his skill can overcome the superior athleticism of Kobe and the gigantic Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Tampa Bay Rays rally, then fall to Angels in 11 innings

2010-05-11T03:59:00.000-07:00

Apparently the Rays didn't have a hangover from Sunday's perfect game, as they rapped out 12 hits Monday and rallied late to score four actual runs and force extra innings.

But they still have a headache this morning when it turned out to be for naught as the Angels rallied in the 11th for a 5-4 win.

The game ended, at nearly 2:15 Tampa Bay time, when Juan Rivera's sac fly scored Kendry Morales, who singled off Grant Balfour, went to second on a bunt, and then third on a wild pitch that rookie catcher John Jaso insisted was his fault.

"(Bad) way to finish,'' Balfour said. "That's the way it goes.''

But while the Rays lost a season-high third straight, they at least showed some fight that had been missing.

"It was a tough loss, obviously a tough way to lose,'' Evan Longoria said. "But there were a lot of positives, so hopefully we can take that out of today's game and build on it and turn it around tomorrow.''

Consider how bad it had been. Ben Zobrist's single with two outs in the first ended a stretch of 37 Rays hitters making outs in order. And their run in the eighth snapped a 23-inning scoreless streak that dated to the second inning on Saturday.

So when they rallied again and scored three more in the ninth off Angels closer Brian Fuentes to force extra innings, it was something of a monumental achievement.

"We played our butts off tonight,'' said manager Joe Maddon, who was critical of the energy level on Sunday. "I was real pleased with the effort. Great comeback in the end. We just could not get that extra run in.''

They were four outs from a second consecutive shutout, when they suddenly came to life in the eighth. With something of an excuse-me swing, Longoria snapped an 0-for-13 (and 0-for-his-new-haircut) skid, poking a ball down the rightfield line for a double. "I needed that,'' he said. "Everyone was kind hitting ball right at guys today, so for that to fall gave me a little more confidence at the plate.''

After Carlos Peña — in a miserable 1-for-40 skid that has his average down to .179 — broke Fred McGriff's franchise record with his 306th walk, Jaso followed with a run-scoring single, his third hit of the night. That run kept these supposedly high-powered Rays from the brink of infamy, as the 23 consecutive zeroes were three shy of the franchise record for futility, the 26 scoreless innings by the horrid 2002 squad that lost 106 games, featuring the likes of Brent Abernathy, Jared Sandberg, Steve Cox, Chris Gomez and Aubrey Huff.

From there, the Rays added three in the ninth to tie. Willy Aybar homered off Angels closer Brian Fuentes and, after Jason Bartlett hustled to beat out an infield single and Ben Zobrist drew a two-out walk, Longoria delivered a two-run double.

They could have had more as Peña was hit by a pitch and he and Longoria moved up to second and third, but Jaso lined to second.

They had a decent chance in the 10th when Gabe Kapler singled with one out, but leftfielder Juan Rivera ran down Aybar's drive, and Kapler was caught stealing when Angels manager Mike Scioscia apparently had a good idea of what former protégé Maddon would do and called a pitchout.

The Rays still have the best record in the majors at 22-10, but they don't look anything like the team that was playing the best, not with Peña hitting .179, Bartlett in a 6-for-36 slump, Carl Crawford going 0-for-15 before an eighth-inning single and Longoria 0-for-13 until his.

"We were going so good there for so long it seemed like everything was falling,'' Longoria said. "Now it's one of those times where everything seems to be hit right at people. And balls that were getting to the wall for them are now going out of the park. We just have to find a way to turn it around,''

For a time, they were still winning games because their starting pitching was dominating. Lately, not so much.

Matt Garza didn't pitch poorly on Monday, but he was hurt deeply by the mistakes he did make, specifically hanging sliders that Torii Hunter and Mike Napoli launched for home runs, during his four-run, seven-hit, 117-pitch, 72/3-inning outing.

"I hung a slider to Torii and I know him really well and I know what he does with those,'' Garza said. "As soon as he hit it, I didn't even look. I just said, Can I get another ball? And Napoli, same thing. It's the big leagues. If you make a mistake, you're lucky if come back.''

Garza didn't allow another hit after the second homer, but by then it was too much.

The Rays didn't have much luck either. In the first inning, leadoff man Erick Aybar's slow roller hugged the first-base line and then kicked off the bag enough to freeze Peña and, with Garza failing to cover, turning into an infield single that led to a run.

And in the eighth, Crawford was running on the pitch when Zobrist grounded a ball up the middle, putting Aybar, the Angels shortstop, in perfect position for an easy double play.

But that's typical for the Rays in Anaheim, where the ballpark is beautiful, the weather great, the scenery pleasant and their experience miserable — 1-14 in Maddon's five seasons, 14-41 overall.

There was some good. Crawford made another amazing fly-through-the-air-with-the-greatest of ease catch, racing to his left at full speed and going airborne to rob Hunter of extra bases, though Aybar did tag up.

Jaso had a good game, getting three hits and throwing out attempted base-stealers to end two innings, but he made a rookie mistakes. There was a catcher's interference and a time out request when Garza was already in his windup, and then the wild pitch at a pivotal time, allowing Morales to move from second to third.

"A little unfortunate the guy could go from second to third there,'' Balfour said. "That made it a little tougher,''

Jaso said the wild pitch, on a 1-and-1 slider that skipped under his glove and then through his legs, shouldn't have happened. "The pitcher is supposed to have confidence he can throw that ball in the dirt if he wants to,'' Jaso said. "I definitely felt it was my fault, and I was to blame for that.

"It went under my glove; my glove should have been down and it should have been blocked, and I just didn't do it. It's my fault.''

Balfour said he felt he had to strike out Rivera, and thought his 1-and-2 slider was going to get the job done. "I felt like I had him,'' Balfour said.

The Rays were playing without centerfielder B.J. Upton, who went back to Tampa for the birth of his first child, leaving them with Sean Rodriguez starting in center and Reid Brignac later making his first professional appearance in the outfield.

Tampa Bay Rays starter James Shields upset with subpar performance

2010-05-10T04:07:00.000-07:00

Anything short of perfect, RHP James Shields wasn't going to measure up anyway.

But allowing a season-high 11 hits, and four runs (two earned) over six innings, really made for a bad day, snapping his four-start winning streak and saddling the Rays with back-to-back losses for just the third time this season.

"They didn't really hit the ball hard, but they got the hits they needed to get; they got hits when it counted with runners in scoring position," Shields said. "I didn't pitch well today."

Manager Joe Maddon was less harsh, saying Shields didn't do as bad of a job as the numbers indicated.

"If you retrace the base hits, a lot were ground ball hits that either you're standing there or you're not," he said. "They didn't really drive the ball on him. They had a lot of well-placed hits."

HEADING SOUTH: Maddon coached for the Angels for years and still lives in Southern California, but going to Anaheim hasn't been much fun as the Rays are 1-13 in his tenure.

"I stink there," Maddon said. "I do. I'm horrible. They've beaten us badly there for several years, and I have to get my stuff together."

Maddon joked that maybe his old Angels mates were up to something. "I don't know, they might have some form of covert operation going on, whether it's a sound system or possibly photography or cameras hidden," he said. "We're going to have to sweep the place first. …

"I've been bad there. The team's been great; I've been bad. It's just one of those things, and I have to get better."

But seriously, Maddon said the Angels simply have been the better team: "They've just outplayed us in that ballpark." During the same span, the Rays are 11-7 vs. the Angels at the Trop.

HEADING SOUTH, II: For INF Sean Rodriguez, the trip to Anaheim is a chance to face the team that traded him away, in the August deal for Scott Kazmir.

"It's definitely going to be a little weird," he said.

Rodriguez said the deal has worked out well for him; he's in the big leagues (which may not have happened if he were still with the Angels) and he's on what he considers a better team.

"It's been very beneficial," he said. "The opportunity is obviously better over here."

MINOR MATTERS: Cuban OF/1B Leslie Anderson is set to make his U.S. debut tonight for Class A Charlotte, which opens a four-game series in Lakeland. Anderson, who had a .320 career average over nine seasons in Cuba, could be a September callup for the Rays depending on his progress. … Triple-A Durham RHP Jeremy Hellickson dropped to 5-1, allowing five runs in five-plus innings.

MISCELLANY: RHP Matt Garza rejoined the Rays on Sunday after attending a family function Saturday and will start tonight. … LF Carl Crawford is in an 0-for-12 skid. … 1B Carlos Peña's average is down to .183, and Maddon is considering giving him a day off during the Angels series.

Tampa Bay Rays' bats quieted in rare road loss to Oakland Athletics

2010-05-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Rays had done so well on the road, become so comfortable in their routine — win, play loud music, make plans to go out — that the quiet and hushed tones in their clubhouse after Saturday's 4-2 loss to the A's seemed so stark and unusual.

"In a good way, I guess," Evan Longoria said. "We're not used to losing."

In winning 13 of their first 14 road games, and 22 of 29 overall, the Rays had done a lot of things right. So in a way, they looked at Saturday's game as one of those days when things just didn't work out as well.

"We just couldn't get 'er done today," manager Joe Maddon said. "It's not going to happen every night. I still like the battle, and I like the effort."

The starting pitching that had been so good wasn't, as Wade Davis fought his way through five innings to keep the score close but ended with the loss, the first by a starter in more than two weeks, an amazing stretch going back to April 23. It was the fourth loss (against 18 wins) by a starter all season.

"It's pretty frustrating to get the loss right there," Davis said. "Especially because we've been playing so well. You want to go out there and do as well as you can."

Davis wasn't horrible, he just wasn't as sharp as he had been. He allowed two runs in the first, another in the second, six hits and two walks overall while pitching himself out of the game after five by throwing 99 pitches.

"He never really got into any kind of groove," Maddon said. "Nothing really wanted to seem to work for him."

"I just wasn't getting those quick outs," Davis said. "And it cost me a lot of pitches."

And the hitting that had been so timely so often failed them, most obviously in the seventh. Down 3-2, the Rays had a prime opportunity with runners on second and third with one out and two of the AL's top-six hitters with runners in scoring position coming up, and they still couldn't get anything out of it. Or the ball even out of the infield.

"We just couldn't get that clutch hit today," Jason Bartlett said.

Bartlett, who was sixth with a .440 average, had the first shot but grounded to third. John Jaso, breaking on contact, was caught in a rundown and tagged out.

Then Carl Crawford, who'd ranked fourth at .450, went down swinging against lefty reliever Jerry Blevins. Crawford also flied out with two on to kill a second-inning rally after the Rays had tied the score at 2.

"Just one of them days," Crawford said.

The loss put at least a temporary hold on the research quantifying the Rays' record start and, with the Yankees doing nearly as well, put them in jeopardy of falling out of first place, their AL East lead down to a half game.

Only twice have the Rays lost two in a row — and no more than two — so the focus shifted quickly to how they will respond, with unbeaten opening day starter James Shields on the mound in today's matinee series finale.

"The good thing is everyone understands we're going to lose, we can't win every game, but (today) is the real test," Longoria said. "See where we're at resolve-wise."

The Real Beasts of the East are the Tampa Bay Rays

2010-05-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's way too early for scoreboard watching - and yet the age-old Yankee-Red Sox hostilities at Fenway this weekend have become tempered by the Tampa Bay Rays' scary surge out of the AL East gate.

As one veteran American League exec told me in the spring: "The Rays have so much talent, all those high-ceiling, high-draft choice guys. If they ever all put it together at the same time, they could be awesome. The problem is that almost never happens and then they
start breaking it up - which is what will likely happen with the Rays. The clock is ticking for them."

Apparently, the Rays are hearing it. In getting off to a best-in-baseball 22-7 start, their pitchers were leading the American League in ERA and shutouts along with the fewest walks, while their hitters were leading the league in scoring. All five of their 20-something starters had ERAs under 3.00 and eight of their regulars had double-figure RBI totals.

Their 13-1 road record matched the second-best road start of the expansion era (1961), second only to the 1984 Tigers, who got off to a 17-0 start away from home. The Rays also led the majors in both runs scored (164) and the AL fewest runs allowed (86) for a differential of 77, the best by an AL team after 28 games since the 2003 Yankees.

"We feel like we're playing our game and winning the way we want to win," Carl Crawford told the St. Petersburg Times "I know it looks like we're off to a fast start, but we honestly feel like we can continue to do this because this is just the way we play."

Ominous words for the Yankees and Red Sox.

Because Crawford and Carlos Pena are pending free agents, Maddon knows his team needs to stay in the race. All spring, speculation persisted that the Rays would seek to trade one or both of them at the trading deadline if it looked like another season of the Yankees and Red Sox having a hammer lock on the division. A bad start, Maddon said, would only increase the Crawford-Pena distraction.

Crawford in particular is off to a career season, hitting .327 with a .392 OBP, as he is poised to cash in.

The Rays are taking a different approach at the plate this year under new hitting coach Derek Shelton, and led the majors in batting with runners in scoring position (82-for-254, .323).

Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon wants Carlos Peña not to worry about batting average

2010-05-08T06:59:00.000-07:00

Manager Joe Maddon is into all kinds of numbers. But he had a talk with 1B Carlos Peña and told him to ignore the big one that gets flashed on the scoreboard each time he steps to the plate: his batting average.

Maddon's premise is that Peña would have a higher average than his .196 (after an 0-for-4 Friday) if he weren't constantly facing a strong defensive shift that stymies him when he pulls balls to right.

"Against a normal defense, he's probably hitting pretty decently right now," Maddon said. "Against the abnormal defense, he hits into a lot of outs that normally would have been hits. I don't want him to evaluate himself by his batting average; I'd prefer he deal more with an evaluation of the at-bats, the hard contact, those kind of issues.

"If he just looks at his batting average, he's never going to be satisfied and he's going to think he's doing less than he actually is."

Peña said the best he could do is try, and he makes an effort to look at his overall contributions each day.

"In general I can," he said, "but there's no doubt about it, I don't want my batting average there."

As much as he has tried to make adjustments to "beat" the shift by not "rolling over" and pulling ground balls, Peña admits there are days when it beats him.

"There's days when things aren't feeling so right and you have some bad swings and you hit a ball poorly, but because you have a little hole there and it goes through and you're like, 'Yea, I just got a hit,' " Peña said. "I don't have that luxury."

DIFFERENT APPROACH: RHP Wade Davis felt like he was pitching from behind the whole time in his April 27 start against the A's, and a video review confirmed it as he threw a first-pitch strike only seven times over five innings.

So when he faces them again today, he plans to be more aggressive from the start. "I think if I can get them on their heels a little bit and get them going, it will be a little different," Davis said.

NO MINOR MATTER: Class A Bowling Green RHP Shane Dyer realized there really wasn't anything else he could do.

He'd thrown seven innings of no-hit ball against Fort Wayne on Thursday night, but he'd also thrown 96 pitches. And with the Rays maintaining a strict organization pitch limit at that level, he knew he wasn't going to get to throw any more.

So it wasn't a surprise when he was taken out, and he sat on the bench and watched as reliever Kirby Yates kept the no-hitter going until there were two outs in the ninth and, after not getting a call on a 1-and-2 pitch that the Hot Rods felt he should have, gave up a single before completing the 1-0 win.

Dyer, 22, a sixth-round pick in 2008, said he'd thought often about how he'd handle that type of situation.

"I always pondered what I'd say or what I'd do, but I took the high road," Dyer said Friday by phone. "It's organization policy, and I'm not one to challenge that. It was bittersweet, but in the end we got the W, and that's what ultimately mattered."

Rays farm director Mitch Lukevics, who happened to be at the game, said the minor-league coaches can use "reasonable discretion" on exceeding a pitch count, but "our staff will always err on the side of caution, and our long-term goal is always more important than our short-term goals."

Dyer said he threw three no-hitters in high school, though each in seven-inning games. "It's a good standard," he said.

MISCELLANY: Peña remains tied with Fred McGriff for the franchise walk record of 305. … 3B Evan Longoria's 12-game hitting streak ended Friday. He went 0-for-1 with three walks. … Peña will likely get a day off during the Anaheim series, Maddon said.

How to choose a Logo Designer

2010-05-08T06:22:00.000-07:00

Make sure that you are provided several ideas an not pushed into what the designer wants

How to choose a Logo Designer. Know what to expect from your designer and what should be incorporated into your logo design.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A keen eye and common sense is all you need.

Step 1

Search the web - there are way too many design companies online for you not to find a good one. I will usually type in my keywords into a google search and then open the top 10 to 20 links. First thing I look for... a good looking website. I want to know that these guys have it together. Not some fly by night, rinky dink company that slapped something together for the sake of making a buck. Once you find a company or two, research that company and see their claim to fame.
Step 2

Check out their work - Many logo design companies have their portfolios online. You need to really research. Do they just say they are great designers and have a sloppy portfolio? Do they have just a couple of logos? Ask to see more in relation to your business. If they are seasoned designers, they will have a plethora of logos that they can show you. Compare their work with the works of others. Go with your taste in logos. If you like what you see in their portfolio, there is a good chance that they can provide what you need.
Step 3

Know what you are getting - Make sure that it is clear as to the number of initial concepts you are getting as well as the number of revisions allowed for the price that you are paying. You want at least two concepts to choose from that you can tweak. Don't let them push something on you that you are not happy with. Also ask about the final delivery of the logo. What formats will you get the final logo? Make sure that they provide it to you in several print and web applicable formats like JPEG, TIFF, EPS and PDF. And make sure that you get it in high resolution as well as web ready. You also want to ask about the release of the rights of the logo once complete. Most importantly, make sure that you can get a hold of the company and speak to a human. Check that they have several ways to be contacted. There are many companies that go the extra mile to get you what you want so check for any guarantees of any sort. Most of the time you will find that they take pride in their work and want to make sure that the symbol that represents your company also ultimately represents them.

Tips & Warnings

Check out the company
Make sure the proof is in the pudding - LOOK at their work
Know what you are getting for the price that you are paying
Make sure that the company has several ways to be contacted. Not just an 800 number. Those numbers could be directed anywhere in the world. Check for an email and a phone number with an actual area code, not just an 800 number.

Lebron massacres Boston

2010-05-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

Danny Ainge needed to throw in the towel this time.

After three days rest to heal his banged-up elbow, LeBron James appeared every bit a man among boys Friday night in a Game 3 rout over Boston.

Actually, he made the Celtics look like what they are quickly becoming: old men.

King James, after appearing mortal in the first two games of the series, reverted back to himself in a pivotal road game in which Cleveland took a 2-1 lead heading into Sunday afternoon's Game 4.

Tampa Bay Rays 8 to 1 to Win 2010 World Series

2010-05-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

The Rays have the best winning percentage in baseball so far this season.

The New York Yankees have played outstanding baseball so far this post-season as they have a .704 winning percentage through 27 games. However despite all of their success, they are not even the leaders of their division as the Tampa Bay Rays are 21-7 on the year so far.

One thing that is very head turning with Tampa Bay is that they are 12-1 on the road so far this year. Most teams play worse on the road when compared to their home record, but the Rays have been dominant so far although one seriously has to question if they can keep that kind of road winning percentage up for much longer.

So far the best offensive player for Tampa Bay has been third basemen Evan Langoria whose OPS is 1.050. Langoria has an impressive 7 home runs on the year and his batting average at this point is .356.

On the mound 26 year old Matt Garza has been the Ray best pitcher.

Garza appears to be on track for a career year as he is already 5-1 with a WHIP of only 1.070. His best season so far was in 2008, when the Rays made the World Series, when he went 11-9 during the regular season.

Should Garza keep his ERA anywhere near 2.09 and stay healthy for the 2010 season, he can expected to threaten for 20 wins on the campaign.

The Rays are unlikely to hold off the Yankees in the American League East in the long term. Winning over 90% of your road games in Major League Baseball is next to impossible to keep up for the entire season and it's just a matter of time before that winning percentage on the road calms down. Tampa Bay have started out on a hot streak and will come back to the pack in a little while the Yankees are what they are.

However Tampa Bay may win the American League wild card this year and it doesn't appear to be a bad time for their backers to get a bet in on them at +800 (8/1) with Players Only.

Here are the updated odds for the top 8 favorites to win the 2010 World Series:

New York Yankees +225
Philadelphia Phillies +700
St Louis Cardinals +700
Minnesota Twins +800

Tampa Bay Rays +800
Boston Red Sox +1200
San Francisco Giants +1800
Colorado Rockies +2000

LeBron, Howard unanimous All-NBA picks

2010-05-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

LeBron James and Dwight Howard were unanimous choices for the All-NBA Team, while Kobe Bryant received 119 of 122 votes from writers and broadcasters.

James was a unanimous pick for the second straight season and made his fourth all-NBA Team. The Cleveland star won the MVP award for the second year in a row.

Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade completed the first team Thursday. Durant led the NBA in scoring for Oklahoma City with a 30.1 average, and James was second at 29.7. Howard led the league in rebounding with a 13.2 average and also averaged 18.3 points.

Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Deron Williams were selected to the second team. Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bogut, Joe Johnson and Brandon Roy were third-team picks.

Clemson's Taylor signs contract with Tampa Bay

2010-05-06T04:04:00.000-07:00

Clemson's Rendrick Taylor signed an NFL free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he was invited to a tryout camp last weekend. He will report back to Tampa for a minicamp May 17. He will work as a fullback and tight end. The former Marlboro County High star played in 38 games over the last five years, 10 as a starter, seeing time at fullback, wide receiver and tight end.

Tampa Bay Rays break it open late to beat Mariners for second straight night

2010-05-06T04:03:00.001-07:00

SEATTLE — The Rays had a pretty good idea it would take a lot to beat Cliff Lee on Wednesday.

And they got it, the 8-3 win extending their best-in-baseball record to 20-7.

They needed a strong start from Matt Garza, and he outpitched the acclaimed ace, allowing only five hits over eight innings to earn his AL-leading fifth win.

They needed some clutch hits, and Evan Longoria delivered a huge one (after a key Ben Zobrist bunt), a one-out RBI single in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie.

And they needed a few breaks, and there was a big one later in the eighth when the woeful Mariners botched what could have been a double play and instead turned it into two more Tampa Bay runs.

"We played a good game overall,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It had to be a great pitching performance by Garza, and it was. And then we had to take advantage of moments and situations.''

With the win, the Rays improved their stunning road record to 11-1, best of any team since the 2003 Yankees. Since the 1969 launch of divisional play, only one team started better on the road, the 1984 Tigers, 12-0 on their way to an overall 35-5 mark. Five other teams were also 11-1: the 1976 Phillies, 1977 Dodgers, 1981 A's, 1994 Braves and 2003 Yankees.

"Definitely a quality win for us,'' Zobrist said.

It was something of a cold and lonely night at Safeco Field, with a first-pitch temperature of 51 (though with a mid-game feels-like of 42) and a "crowd" of just 14,627, second smallest in its 10-plus season history.

Garza is as much of a big-game pitcher as anyone on the Rays staff — though he said he has no intention of taking James Shields' nickname of Big Game — and he rose to the occasion of the marquee-level matchup with Lee.

"With him, I've faced (Roy) Halladay, I've faced (CC) Sabathia, you know when those guys take the mound it could be a long night or it could be a really short one,'' Garza said. "I just had to make my pitches, make 'em, and just go toe-to-toe and last as long as he did, and I did that.''

Garza walked one, struck out five and had only one rough stretch, allowing a two-run fourth-inning homer to Franklin Gutierrez, the first round-tripper by a Mariner in 10 days and 76 innings, and then a double before regaining command and allowing only one more hit. Lee went eight innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits.

"We knew he would have to match the other guy, and he did," Maddon said.

Plus, Garza had help. His pre-game routine typically includes a meal of Popeye's fried chicken, which can be a challenge on the road. But Garza googled and found one 11 miles away in Renton, Wash., and one of the visiting clubhouse staffers made the trip out and back Wednesday afternoon, delivering 48 pieces and a round of side dishes. "However he got it, he got it,'' Garza said. "It was outstanding.''

The Rays evened the score in their fifth, on RBI hits by Gabe Kapler and Jason Bartlett, and it remained 2-2 until the eighth, when they were good and lucky.

The good part: After a one-out single by Carl Crawford and Zobrist's bunt, Longoria singled hard to left, extending his hitting streak to 11 games, one shy of his career high, and Crawford scored the go-ahead run, and the Rays added two more.

Zobrist bunted on his own, and Maddon praised both the idea and the execution, saying, "It created the momentum for that inning."

Zobrist has been struggling a bit at the plate, and said he started thinking about the bunt as soon as Crawford got on. "I just thought it was the right time in the game, with C.C. being on first base and Longo hitting behind me,'' Zobrist said. "I wanted to get C.C. to second, and sneaking a peek down at third, I thought I had a good chance (for it to be a hit). It was a good spot. And it was probably one of my best bunts ever.''

The lucky part: Carlos Peña's hard liner was right at Josh Wilson, but the substitute shortstop's throw to first, which might have doubled off Longoria, sailed into the Mariners dugout. That allowed Zobrist to score and Longoria to move to third, and he scored on B.J. Upton's single.

The Rays came into the game knowing there was little margin for error against Lee, but Garza, after retiring the first seven and allowing only a bunt single through the first three innings, made a couple in the fourth.

The one-out double by Casey Kotchman wasn't that bad, but the 3-and-1 pitch that Gutierrez hit over the rightfield wall for a two-run home run was.

The Rays came right back to tie it in the fifth. And the rally started at the bottom of their order. No. 8 hitter Dioner Navarro doubled with one out, Kapler scored him with a single to right then leadoff man Bartlett doubled into the leftfield corner, Kapler scoring on a bit of a bold decision by third-base coach Tom Foley.

The Mariners had a chance to go ahead in the seventh when Ryan Langerhans — playing in place of Milton Bradley, who asked for time to deal with personal problems — walked and moved to second on a wild pitch that caromed off Navarro's chest protector. But Zobrist went far to his left to grab Josh Wilson's grounder, and Carlos Peña did an even better job scooping the throw.

"We're just playing,'' Garza said. "We're just going out every night and playing hard and that's all we can ask. Right now we're in a groove and we're just running with it. We're not looking back.''

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Bucs KR Clifton Smith signs 1-year tender

2010-05-05T03:35:00.000-07:00

TAMPA, Fla. (AP)—Kick returner and reserve running back Clifton Smith has signed a one-year tender to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Smith entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He made the Pro Bowl as a rookie after becoming the first player in club history to return a kickoff and punt for touchdowns in the same season.

He finished last season on injured reserve after being sidelined by a concussion, but was still one of three players to rank in the top 11 in kickoff and punt return average. He became an exclusive-rights free agent after the season.

Magic Rout Hawks 114-71 in First Game of NBA Playoff Series

2010-05-05T01:48:00.000-07:00

May 4 (Bloomberg) -- Dwight Howard had 21 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Orlando Magic to a 114-71 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the first game of their National Basketball Association Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Vince Carter added 20 points for the Magic, who have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Josh Smith scored 14 points for the Hawks, who were held to 35 percent shooting, at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida.

In a Western Conference semifinal game, the host Los Angeles Lakers were trying to extend their series lead to 2-0 against the Utah Jazz.

By Nancy Kercheval

To contact the reporter on this story: Nancy Kercheval in Washington at nkercheval@bloomberg.net

Best starting rotation in baseball? Look no further than Tampa

2010-05-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, so maybe folks in Florida still aren't paying attention to the Tampa Bay Rays, but the rest of the baseball world sure is these days.

The Rays, 18-7, are off to the best start since the New York Yankees in 2003.

And guess what?

They're not going away.

"You hear people talk about that team,'' Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona says, "but no one ever talks about that pitching. That staff is good. Real good. Real, real good.''

Just how good?

"They have the best starting rotation in baseball,'' says Jim Fregosi, special assistant to Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren, who just saw the Rays over the weekend. "You talk about [Matt] Garza, he's got as good of stuff as anybody in baseball. [James] Shields and [David] Price and [Wade] Davis are just coming into their own. And [Jeff] Niemann had the best year of anybody on that staff.

"Yeah, they're pretty good.''

The Rays have the stats to prove it, too. The starting rotation is 14-3 with a 2.64 ERA, averaging nearly 6 2/3 innings a start. The next-lowest ERA in the league belongs to Seattle with a 3.23 ERA, but they have produced just six victories.

Oh yeah, and they're young too, with an average age of just 26.19 -- second-lowest in the major leagues behind Detroit.

Now, if the Rays can just get folks to watch them. They are averaging 23,065 fans a game -- ninth-lowest in baseball.

"I'd like to see that we're getting to the point where they don't come to see the opposition,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon says. "They come out to see us.

"That's the part I think is missing. You always talk about who we're playing, and we get a good crowd for Boston, we get a good crowd for New York, whatever, that's wonderful.

"But at some point, come see the Rays."

Celtics utilize big advantage - They hold on to lead and tie series

2010-05-04T02:00:00.000-07:00

CLEVELAND — No lead is safe. Chewing up and spitting out Boston’s leads in the regular season and in the first game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Cavaliers had made that clear.

The Celtics needed to prove to themselves and the Cavs that some leads were indeed insurmountable. So, they piled it as high as they could. Ray Allen fired arrows at the rim. The Celtics suffocated the Cavs for 45 minutes, and the whistles that had gone Cleveland’s way early started to blow in favor of the Celtics.

The Celtics’ lead ballooned to 25 points with 9:07 left after Kevin Garnett put back his own miss. The margin seemed too big and time seemed too slim.

The witnesses that showered LeBron James with cheers as he accepted the MVP award before tipoff last night headed for home. They missed the Cavs deconstruct the Celtics’ lead in minutes, going on a 15-0 run with James and J.J. Hickson leading the charge.

“We were stuck on 91 points for an hour it felt like,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “I just kept telling our guys ‘the clock is still moving.’ We need one bucket. We just need somebody to make one shot.’ ’’

Paul Pierce got a finger roll to go with 3:28 left and by the time Garnett drained a 19-footer with 1:14 remaining the Celtics could let down their guard. They had finally built a lead the Cavs couldn’t recover from. At that point, the remaining fans began to clear out, refusing to watch the Celtics finish off a 104-86 Game 2 victory.

After letting a winnable series opener slip away, the Celtics left Cleveland with a split with three days to rest before the series resumes Friday.

“We knew what happened last time when we let up,’’ said Kendrick Perkins. “Doc said we’ve got to keep taking punches. When they throw punches we’ve got to take them and keep coming.’’

Allen’s 22 points had taken the air out of the Q Arena. He took just two shots in the fourth quarter of the Game 1 loss, and Rivers stressed the importance of getting Allen open.

He weaved around the court for 39 minutes. Cleveland tried to chase him with as many bodies as possible — James, Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Delonte West — but they couldn’t stop him from drilling 8 of 15 shots and nailing 3 of 7 3-pointers.

In his ongoing quest to erase Bob Cousy from the Celtics’ record book, Rajon Rondo set the franchise’s postseason record for assists in a game with 19, tying the 19 he put up in triple overtime against Chicago in the first round last season.

The Celtics shot 51.3 from the floor and held the Cavs to 40 percent. They kept James boxed in most of the night, allowing him just five first-half shots and holding him to a modest 24 points.

Rasheed Wallace, who Rivers said “has to be better,’’ responded with his biggest game of the postseason. He had a team-high 13 points at the break and was a perfect 5 for 5 from the floor (and 3 for 3 on 3-pointers) with two rebounds.

The Celtics piled up a lead despite turnovers and the officials early on.

The Cavs shot just 42.1 percent in the first half, but the Celtics kept finding ways to put the ball back in Cleveland’s hands.

The Celtics turned it over 19 times for 23 points. The Celtics were whistled for 16 fouls in the first half compared with Cleveland’s four. The Cavs went the entire second quarter without a foul, and from West’s foul late in the first quarter to James’s foul in the third, the Cavs went 19 minutes 26 seconds without having a whistle blown against them.

That the Cavs would make a run was a given. How the Celtics would respond was the challenge.

“We knew they were going to make a run because they’re at home and they’re a good team,’’ said Garnett. “But I thought we withstood that and made a run of our own and shut the game down after that.’’

When the focus withered and the Celtics looked as if they’d give back a lead they spent three quarters building, a light bulb went on.

“When we went up, we kind of relaxed like we were surprised that we were up,’’ said Glen Davis, who scored 6 points in 13 minutes. “We’ve got to know that we’re a great team. We’ve got to know that we’re a team that can play with this team, the Cavaliers. We can’t give them any hope. We can’t give them any sunlight. We’ve got to let them know we’re going to beat them.’’

Starting rotation may make Tampa Bay Rays virtually slump-proof

2010-05-03T03:21:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG — In case you had not noticed, Rays hitters have cooled off.

Carlos Peña is hitless in his past 12 at-bats with seven strikeouts. B.J. Upton is 0-for-13 with four strikeouts. Tampa Bay has scored seven runs in its past 31 innings, which sounds even worse when you know the Rays scored 42 in the previous 31.

So it's entirely reasonable to wonder if a tremendous start is about to go splat. To worry if the law of baseball averages, or maybe the curse of Vinny Castilla, is finally catching up to Tampa Bay.

Except for this:

The Rays squeezed out a 1-0 win against Kansas City on Sunday and in the previous two games had the potential winning run at the plate in the final inning. And what, you may ask, does this prove?

That the way this starting rotation is pitching, the Rays are pretty slump-resistant.

This doesn't mean Tampa Bay is infallible. It doesn't mean there won't be rough stretches ahead. In fact, this upcoming nine-game, West Coast trip looks particularly heinous.

But as long as this rotation continues to perform up to expectations, the Rays should be immune from the kind of 2-8 cold spells that can be disastrous in the American League East.

"On a nightly basis, our position players, our team, the manager, the coaches believe, when they look out on the mound, that we have a really good chance of winning," manager Joe Maddon said. "That is a great feeling.

"Our starting pitchers give us a good feeling every night."

At this point, a better feeling than any other rotation in the AL. Tampa Bay starters have a better record (14-3) and a lower ERA (2.64) and have averaged more innings (61/3 per start) than any group in the league.

Is there anything a manager wants more out of life?

"Nothing," Maddon said. "Nothing.

"Honestly, the game could have been called pitching. Easily. It could have been called pitching as opposed to baseball, and they would have been absolutely correct."

Good starting pitching forgives all manner of sins. You have a bullpen that is missing one of its top relievers? It doesn't hurt nearly as much when your starters are consistently pitching into the seventh inning. You have an offense that struggles against left-handers? It isn't quite so worrisome when you're capable of winning 3-2 or 2-1 games.

The truth is, the Rays rarely lose as long as they get the bare minimum out of the offense. Since the beginning of last season, Tampa Bay is 89-20 (.817) when scoring four runs or more. That's the best winning percentage in the majors in those types of games.

"Really good starting pitching gives you a chance to win every single ball game. There's no secret to that," Peña said. "It just gives you a little bit of breathing room.

"We get to the ballpark every day knowing if we execute a play here or there, or get a big hit here or there, we've got ourselves a shot at winning the ball game."

This is the way the franchise was constructed, and it's pretty much the easiest way a low-revenue team can be a legitimate contender.

It costs too much money to build a lineup as potent as the Yankees, but the Rays can develop enough young pitchers to make it work.

The average age of Tampa Bay's five starters is 26. The average salary is $1.65 million.

Or, another way to look at it:

The Rays' rotation is making $8.28 million this season. The Yankees' rotation is making $63.19 million.

"It's an extremely talented group. Between the combination of age and talent, I don't think there's anybody that can match them," pitching coach Jim Hickey said. "There may be a more talented rotation, there may be better top-end type of pitchers, but for the most part, those are the Halladays and the Sabathias who are 31 or 32 years old. It's hard to find our entire package."

The key is that no one appears to be pitching above his head. If anything, most of these guys have not reached their peak.

Matt Garza should be better than he was in 2009. David Price will certainly be better than he was as a rookie. Wade Davis, who threw seven shutout innings against the Royals on Sunday, is improving from start to start.

In between starts, Hickey and Davis worked to remove some of the mechanical flaws from the right-hander's delivery and get him moving forward and backward instead of side to side. Davis said he could feel the difference Sunday, and when he started to get out of synch and walked David DeJesus to put two men on in the fifth, Hickey came to the mound to remind him of that.

One pitch later, Davis was out of the inning.

"We've got five skillful guys," Maddon said. "Five very skillful starters.

"I don't see anybody as exceeding expectations right now."

by John Romano, St. Pete Times Columnist

No More "What If" Time for the Tampa Bay Rays

2010-05-01T02:46:00.001-07:00

by Adam Markowitz

I know that it's only April, but shouldn't we take a second to step back and realize just how good the Tampa Bay Rays have been this season? After all, they're an MLB best 17-5 overall, easily the best road team in the game at 9-1, have a +69 run differential, which is almost double the differential of any other team in the bigs, they're #1 in offense at 6.45 runs per game, #5 in team ERA at 3.18, and for my money, they just happen to be the most exciting, young team to watch in arguably any sport in this country.

Let's remember that two years ago, Tampa Bay took the "Devil" out of its name and suddenly became a legitimate contender, winning 97 games, the AL East title, and the American League pennant before getting dumped in the World Series by the Philadelphia Phillies.

To win 84 games in 2009 and finish third in the AL East standings behind the almighty Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees was nothing to be ashamed of for the new sweethearts of baseball. However, let's look at where we were at this time last year, shall we?

At April 30th, 2009, Tampa Bay was 9-14, 5.5 games behind the Sox for the top spot in the division and 3.5 games in the rear view mirror of the Yankees. If you fast forward to the end of June, the Rays were then 44-35, an improvement of 14 games in relation to where they were at two months prior to it, and they were right there, just four games back of Boston and 1.5 of New York. On August 9th, Tampa Bay was 61-50, and though New York had already gone on its insane run to put the division championship out of reach, the boys from Beantown were only 1.5 games in the distance.

That's when it all broke loose for Tampa Bay. The Rays lost three straight games to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, then traded LHP Scott Kazmir, and ultimately ended up going on an 11 game tailspin that wrecked the remainder of their season.

Now, let's start to talk about the significance of April once again. The Rays jumped out to the division lead and never looked back in 2008. In 2009, had they gotten off to the 17-5 start that they have now as opposed to the 9-14 they were at this time last year, they would've been in front of Boston that entire time, probably never would've lost confidence and gone on that ridiculous 11 game losing streak, Kazmir would still be in Tampa Bay, Wade Davis might've been traded for San Diego Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez, the Rays would've probably won the AL Wild Card, taken out the Angels, and had an epic seven game clash with the Yankees for the right to play the Phillies once again in the World Series.

Ok, so maybe I'm being a little overdramatic here. But still, most of the "baseball people" out there realize that the Rays were the best 84 team that they ever saw in 2009. Some of it was scheduling... after all, who the hell wants to play New York and Boston for a combined 38 of your 162 games? Some of it was the fact that the team probably wasn't as strong in '08 as they played.

But if you look at the young core of the Rays and what Manager Joe Maddon has put together, this was the year that the team was shooting at. 2010 was designed to be Tampa Bay's year. It was the year before LF Carl Crawford tested the free agent waters, and was before guys like Kazmir, RHP Matt Garza, RHP James Shields, and the sorts started inching closer to their contract years. The time is now for Tampa Bay.

So though it's fun to play the "What If" game with the 2009 Tampa Bay Rays, it'll be a lot more fun for the 2010 edition of the team to not have to ask any such questions.

Feel the heat, my friends. Feel the heat.

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2010-04-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

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Maddon get hoodie from Patriots coach Belichick

2010-04-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Joe Maddon and Bill Belichick are now boys in the hoodie.

Fresh off being told by Major League Baseball that he could keep wearing his favorite jacket, Maddon got a new one Wednesday—the Tampa Bay Rays manager received a personalized Patriots hoodie in the mail from the New England coach.

Belichick usually wears hoodies when he’s on the sideline. The jacket he sent Maddon has “J.M.” on the front.

“Very cool,” Maddon said.

“It’s quite an accomplishment, quite an achievement to get something from a coach who’s won the Super Bowl,” Maddon said.

Don’t look for Maddon to wear the Patriots hoodie during a game. That would certainly lead to a fine from MLB officials, he said with a smile.

Instead, Maddon will display the hoodie in his office. He also plans to send Belichick a Tampa Bay hoodie.

Earlier this month, MLB said Maddon and other managers and coaches could only wear approved jerseys or outerwear. A few days later, baseball reversed the ruling.

Tampa Bay's Navarro disciplined

2010-04-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Dioner Navarro has been suspended for two games and fined an undisclosed amount.

The suspension and fine was the result of his inappropriate conduct, including making contact with umpire Dan Bellino, during the top of the sixth inning of the April 23 game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field, according to a press release.

Navarro is scheduled to serve his suspension during Tampa Bay's games on Tuesday and Wednesday night against the Oakland Athletics at Tropicana Field.

Price is Right for Tampa Bay Rays

2010-04-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

JC De La Torre

Written on April 26, 2010

As the number four starter, young David Price is opening some eyes here in the early going of the 2010 season.

With the most wins in the AL (3), 4th in strike outs (26), and 5th in innings pitched, (28.2) to go along with a solid 2.20 ERA, Price has started to become the dominant pitcher the Rays hoped they were getting when they drafted him first overall in 2007.

In last night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Price was good—scary good. Mowing down 9 Jays while scattering four hits and allowing just a single walk, he gave Toronto no chance to beat Tampa Bay.

That's what you expect out of Roy Halladay, not the number four starter in your line up.

"He probably pitched the best against us [this season]," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston told the Associated Press. "He threw strikes. He kept the guys off balance. He just had good stuff."

Price earned his first career shutout and complete game, while turning in his third quality start in four tries.

His only hiccup was a five inning stint in Chicago where he gave up three runs, six hits, and walked three.

"Now I know what it takes," Price told the Associated Press. "I've been there and I've done that now. I've got that first little taste in my mouth. Now I want more. On this staff, five or six innings isn't enough. We want to go seven, eight or nine, and that's what these guys have been doing all year."

The Rays pitching staff has the best winning percentage in the majors and is tied for the most victories. Their 2.81 ERA is 4th best in the Majors and their 100 strike outs is second in the American League.

Price is tied with Matt Garza for the team lead in victories and leads the team in strikeouts. He only trails Garza in ERA among starting pitchers.

If Price can continue to give Tampa Bay solid performances, the Rays' ownership of the best record in baseball could continue for quite a while.

Bartlett and Zobrist lead Rays past Toronto 9-3

2010-04-24T19:30:00.001-07:00

The Tampa Bay Rays have turned their steady focus into an early lead in the AL East.

Jason Bartlett and Ben Zobrist drove in two runs apiece during a seven-run eighth inning, John Jaso hit his first major league homer and the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-3 on Saturday night.

"We have one gear right now and I love it ... full out," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

B.J. Upton tied it at 3 on an RBI single in the eighth off Scott Downs (0-2). Pinch-hitter Reid Brignac drew a bases-loaded walk from Casey Janssen, who also hit Jaso with a pitch as the Rays took a 5-3 lead. Bartlett and Zobrist added two-run singles to make it 9-3.

"That's going to happen once in a while," Toronto manager Cito Gaston said. "We just have to bounce back (Sunday) and hope that we get into the eighth with a lead again and see what happens."

Tampa Bay (13-5) is off to the best start in franchise history. The Rays, who have a half-game lead over the New York Yankees, have come from behind to win seven times.

Jaso, a late insertion into the lineup, gave the Rays a 2-1 lead in the fifth with a two-run shot against Ricky Romero. He got the start after catcher Dioner Navarro was scratched due to soreness in his lower right leg.

"It was the first one. Hopefully there's some more to follow," Jaso said.

Adam Lind and Lyle Overbay homered for the Blue Jays, who had their six-game road winning streak snapped. Toronto hasn't won seven in a row away from home since August 1996.

Dan Wheeler (1-0) struck out Alex Gonzalez with two on and two outs in the eighth.

The Blue Jays went up 3-2 on Lind's two-run homer in the sixth off Jeff Niemann. Overbay, who entered hitting .127, put Toronto ahead 1-0 in the fifth with his first homer this season.

Niemann gave up three runs, five hits and one walk while striking out eight in 6 2-3 innings. The right-hander retired his first eight batters before Travis Snider reached on an infield single.

Romero went seven innings, allowing two runs and six hits. The left-hander woke up Saturday with a sore throat and felt dizzy at times during the game due to a cold.

"At that point, you just pitch with your heart and leave it all out there," Romero said.

Toronto loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but failed to score when Randy Choate struck out Fred Lewis. Tampa Bay put a runner on third with none out in the seventh, but Romero worked out of the jam.

"Each person has his job, and basically that's mine, to get those tough left-handers out," Choate said. "We have a lot of good hitters. We're pretty hot right now, hitting the ball and scoring runs. If we hold them down long enough, eventually I think we can win most of the games."

Jaso was recalled from Triple-A Durham on April 13 to be the backup catcher when Kelly Shoppach went on the disabled list with a right knee injury.

The announced crowd for the contest, which included a postgame concert by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty, was 23,870.

NOTES: Rays DH Pat Burrell was out of the lineup because of a stiff upper back. Maddon said Burrell should play on Sunday. ... Overbay stole second in the seventh for his 13th career stolen base. He has played in 1,002 major league games. ... Cuban SS prospect Adeiny Hechavarria was hitless in three at-bats as the DH in his first game with Toronto's extended spring training team. The 21-year-old agreed to a $10 million, four-year contract with the Blue Jays this month.

2010 NFL Draft 2nd Round Draft Picks LIST

2010-04-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

2010 NFL Draft 2nd Round Draft Picks LIST. The first round of the NFL draft took Tebow to Denver and left Colt McCoy on the sidelines. Many were wondering if he would get drafted during the second round, but if you flip through the results below you will see that he was left in the dark.

Here are your 2010 NFL 2nd Round Draft Pick Results-

Rams – OT Rodger Saffold

Vikings – DB Chris Cook

Buccaneers – DT Brian Price

Chiefs – RB Dexter McCluster -

Eagles – DB Nate Allen

Browns – S T.J. Ward

(Trade) Buccaneers – WR Arrelious Ben

Dolphins – Koa Misi OLB

Bills – Torell Troup DT

(Trade) Patriots – TE Rob Gronkowski

Ravens – LB Sergio Kindle

Raiders – DT Lamarr Houston

Broncos – OG Zane Beadle

Giants – Linval Joseph DT

(Trade) Cardinals – LB Daryl Washington

Panthers – QB Jimmy Clausen

49ers – S Taylor Mays

Chiefs – DB Javier Arenas

Vikings – RB Toby Gerhart

Steelers - OLB Jason Worilds

Patriots – Jermaine Cunningham-

Bengals – DE Carlos Dunlap

(Trade) Cowboys – ILB Sean Lee

Packers – DT Mike Neal

Ravens – DT Terrence Cody

Texans – RB Ben Tate

(Trade) Browns – RB Montario Hardesty

Seahawks – WR Golden Tate

Jets – OG Vladimir Ducasse

Patriots – LB Brandon Spikes

Colts – LB Pat Angerer

Saints – OT Charles Browns

Now that we know the 64 players that have been drafted this far, we can move on to the next rounds. There’s just one question looming in our minds at the conclusion of the second round…will Colt McCoy get drafted into the NFL?

UPDATE – Colt McCoy was the 85th draft pick heading to the Cleveland Browns during the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. Amazing that such a talented player had to wait until the third round to get snatched up.

NBA Playoffs: Free Saturday Basketball Playoff Pick

2010-04-24T10:08:00.000-07:00

Picks for Saturday’s NBA Playoff Games

Lots of these series are getting very interesting. Charlotte gets their first home game against Orlando, as do the Bucks. Portland and Oklahoma try to even up their respective series after winning one out of the first 3 games.

Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Bobcats (+2) (4-24: 2:00 PM ET – TNT): It almost seems wrong to take the Bobcats, but I’m not letting the first two outcomes sway me. I still think Charlotte matches up fairly well with the Magic, and playing their first ever playoff game at home should get them pumped to play, and maybe start out the game not getting behind big early. That has been the difference, so I’ll take the Bobcats to start better and upset the Magic.

Phoenix Suns (+1.5) @ Portland Trail Blazers (4-24: 4:30 PM ET – TNT): I think Phoenix has the Blazers figured out a bit, and playing away from home isn’t going to hurt them. They won easily two nights ago, and the Blazers aren’t getting Brandon Roy or either of their two centers back anytime soon, so they’ll continue to struggle. If Jason Richardson continues his stellar play, the Suns will win by double digits again. More on NBA playoffs odds for Suns V Trail Blazers.

Atlanta Hawks (+1) @ Milwaukee Bucks (4-24: 7:00 PM ET – ESPN): Playing in Milwaukee doesn’t mean Bogut will heal miraculously – so just like the last couple games, this is Atlanta’s to lose. I see the Hawks sweeping the Bucks.

LA Lakers (+2) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (4-24: 9:30 PM ET – ESPN): The Lakers lost last time out despite Durant struggling from the floor, again. He made some really big shots down the stretch. but his teammates really helped him out. Russell Westbrook had about the sickest playoff dunk I’ve seen this year as he dunked all over every Laker in the history of the franchise. But again, if the Lakers just go to their bigs, they should win fairly easily. I’m hoping I’m wrong, and I’m hoping I’ll be wrong every time I ever pick L.A. but I have a feeling the Lake-show goes up 3-1 in this one.

Bucs load up on defense in NFL draft

2010-04-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

By FRED GOODALL (AP) – 11 hours ago

TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay's determination to restore a once fearsome pass rush didn't stop with the selection of Gerald McCoy.

A day after taking the former Oklahoma star with the third overall pick in the NFL draft, the Buccaneers surprisingly added another defensive tackle — UCLA's Brian Price — early in the second round.

It didn't matter that McCoy and Price played the same position in college, or that a year ago the club used a third-round pick on Roy Miller, another a young tackle coach Raheem Morris feels has a chance to develop into an outstanding pro.

"It starts up front around here. It's always started up front. That's never been truer," said Morris, who also serves as his own defensive coordinator.

"Get those guys up front humming and it makes your linebackers better, your secondary better, the guy calling the plays better, everybody better."

One of the keys to the Tampa 2 defensive scheme that was the backbone of the Buccaneers for more than a decade is having disruptive tackles who cause pass protection problems and can get opposing quarterbacks on the ground.

Morris thinks he has three of them now, giving the Bucs the depth necessary to stay fresh and apply constant pressure in the intense Florida heat.

"We were very creative last year with some of our tackles and some of our schemes," the second-year coach said. "With (McCoy and Price) coming in, all kind of thoughts go around in your head, especially as a defensive coordinator."

In addition to bolstering a defense that ranked last in the NFL against the run and tied for 26th in sacks a year ago, the Bucs entered the draft needing to add some offensive playmakers around young quarterback Josh Freeman.

It seemed logical they might go for a receiver with the first two second-round picks. Instead, they went for Price at No. 35 overall before finally turning their attention to offense with the selection of Illinois receiver Arrelious Benn four spots later.

To get Benn, who led Illinois in receiving each of the past three seasons, general manager Mark Dominik traded up three spots in the draft order.

In addition to receiving the second of Tampa Bay's two second-round picks — No. 42 overall — the Oakland Raiders also got a fifth-round pick from the Bucs.

Receiver became a high priority after Antonio Bryant was not re-signed after last season's 3-13 finish.

Benn had 38 receptions for 490 yards and two touchdowns at Illinois last season. He was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2008, but his statistics lagged a year ago after the Illini changed offensive coordinators and quarterbacks.

"When you turn on the tape, you see a guy who catches the football and then after he catches the football, he's tough to get on the ground," said Morris, who has known Benn since the Bucs coach was an assistant at Kansas State and tried to recruit the receiver to sign with the Wildcats.

K-State's quarterback at the time was Freeman, Tampa Bay's first-round pick a year ago.

"Maybe it was meant to be," Benn said of being united with Morris and Freeman, who was 3-6 as a starter as a rookie.

Price was the Pac 10 defensive player of year at UCLA last season, when he made 23 1-2 tackles for loss and had seven sacks.

The Bucs were impressed with the 6-foot-1, 303-pound Price during the prospect's predraft visit to Tampa, and Morris noted that a team that practices every day and plays half its game in Florida's extreme heat can never have too much depth, especially on the defensive line.

"We do live in Tampa," the coach said. "It's hot, and we're talking about bigger men."

The Bucs continued loading up on defensive help, selecting Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis with the third pick of the third round.

The 67th pick overall had 10 career interceptions in college, four as a senior. At 203 pounds, he's a big cornerback who'll be expected to compete for playing time behind veteran Ronde Barber.

The Bucs have seven picks on Saturday, the final day of the draft. Five of them are in the seventh round.

Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, Tim Tebow perfect fit

2010-04-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Sentell -- The Birmingham News

April 24, 2010, 9:45AM

Tim Tebow may have found a perfect coach in Denver's Josh McDaniels. (The Associated Press)Lots and lots has been written and said about Tim Tebow.

There's the character, the ethic and the leadership. But stop and think about the fit at Denver. Coach Josh McDaniels was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach who turned a season-ending injury to Tom Brady into a Pro Bowl-type year for no-name Matt Cassel.

Cassel threw just 33 career college passes at USC backing up Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer. He never threw a touchdown and only saw mop-up duty.

McDaniels steered him to 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns in his first serious football since high school. He did have three seasons as a backup at New England before that season, but scant game experience.

Now think about all the big snaps Tebow had at Florida. All those passes he threw against defenses at least half-filled with future NFL players.

Think McDaniels can't do the same with Tebow? He needs to win now at Denver and sounds ready to bet his coaching career on the kid. It feels more like an investment to anyone's who seen Tebow rip the SEC's best up for the last four seasons.

Denver Broncos Select Tim Tebow

2010-04-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

First round

1. St. Louis: Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford.
2. Detroit: Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh.
3. Tampa Bay: Oklahoma DT Gerald McCoy.
4. Washington: Oklahoma OT Trent Williams.
5. Kansas City: Tennessee S Eric Berry.
6. Seattle: Oklahoma State OT Russell Okung.
7. Cleveland: Florida CB Joe Haden.
8. Oakland: Alabama LB Rolando McClain.
9. Buffalo: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller.
10. Jacksonville: California DE Tyson Alualu.
11. San Francisco: Rutgers OT Anthony Davis.
12. Miami: Fresno State RB Ryan Matthews
13. Philadelphia: Michigan DE Brandon Graham.
14. Seattle: Texas S Earl Thomas.
15. N.Y. Giants: South Florida DE Jason Pierre-Paul.
16. Tennessee: Georgia Tech DE Derrick Morgan.
17. San Francisco: Idaho OG Mike Iupati.
18. Pittsburgh: Florida C Maurkice Pouncey.
19. Atlanta: Missouri LB Sean Weatherspoon.
20. Houston: Alabama CB Kareem Jackson.
21. Cincinnati: Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham.
22. Denver: Georgia Tech WR Demaryius Thomas.
23. Green Bay: Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga.
24. Dallas: Oklahoma State WR Dez Bryant.
25. Denver: Florida QB Tim Tebow.
26. Arizona: Tennessee DT Dan Williams.

NFL Draft Update, Day 1

2010-04-22T19:19:00.001-07:00

NFL Draft Update, Day 1

(The Sports Network) The Arizona Cardinals have the 26th pick, which is the 26th pick of the First Round.

Round One:

1. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma); 2. Detroit Lions - Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska); 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma); 4. Washington Redskins - Trent Williams (OT, Oklahoma); 5. Kansas City Chiefs - Eric Berry (S, Tennessee); 6. Seattle Seahawks - Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State); 7. Cleveland Browns - Joe Haden (CB, Florida); 8. Oakland Raiders - Rolando McClain (ILB, Alabama); 9. Buffalo Bills - C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson); 10. Jacksonville Jaguars - Tyson Alualu (DT, California); 11. San Francisco 49ers - Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers); 12. San Diego Chargers - Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State); 13. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Graham (DE, Michigan); 14. Seattle Seahawks - Earl Thomas (S, Texas); 15. New York Giants - Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, So Florida); 16. Tennessee Titans - Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech); 17. San Francisco 49ers - Mike Iupati (OG, Idaho); 18. Pittsburgh Steelers - Maurkice Pouncey (C, Florida); 19. Atlanta Falcons - Sean Weatherspoon (OLB, Missouri); 20. Houston Texans - Kareem Jackson (CB, Alabama); 21. Cincinnati Bengals - Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma); 22. Denver Broncos - Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech); 23. Green Bay Packers - Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa); 24. Dallas Cowboys - Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State); 25. Denver Broncos - Tim Tebow (QB, Florida);

Tebow brushes aside the detractors

2010-04-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Tim Tebow needs a hot tub time machine.

He could journey back to a simpler era where a high draft selection would be guaranteed. Tebow's quarterbacking accomplishments at the University of Florida would outweigh the concerns about his mechanics and throwing motion being espoused by NFL personnel directors and draft analysts. His wholesome image would be universally lauded, not ridiculed by snarky media members and Internet bloggers.

Unfortunately for Tebow, time travel can only happen in the movies. Tebow, though, still plans to make his critics all wet whenever and wherever he is picked in the 2010 draft.

"I honestly let all that talk fuel me to work and train that much harder," Tebow told FOXSports.com on Wednesday. "Unfortunately, that's the society we live in today. A lot of people want to pull you down."

Detractors be damned, Tebow's draft stock is on the rise heading into tonight's first round. He recently conducted private workouts for five NFL teams - Denver, Washington, Seattle, Minnesota and New England - and has drawn interest from other clubs intrigued by his mix of size, leadership, competiveness and athleticism. All the work Tebow has done toward changing his release point and taking snaps from under center has paid dividends. Once considered a likely second-round pick, Tebow now shows signs of going late in the first round.

"There have been a lot of tests that teams have put me through," Tebow said. "Quarterback coaches have been talking about different schemes, the digit system, West Coast-style offenses and how it relates to pass protections. They're taking what I already know about football and adding to it."

Tebow ranks among the greatest college players ever. A dual run-pass threat, Tebow won a Heisman Trophy and was part of two national champion teams.

Even so, there are legitimate concerns such success won't translate to the NFL. Pittsburgh Steelers personnel director Kevin Colbert said Tebow would need one to three years adjusting to a pro-style offense after playing in a spread system at Florida. Sirius NFL Radio analyst and ex-NFL quarterback Jim Miller is concerned that Tebow will revert to old habits - like holding the football too low on his wind-up - when under pressure in games. Miller played for Chicago in the late 1990s when the Bears unsuccessfully attempted to change Cade McNown's sidearm throwing motion.

"They tried to get him to become more accurate by throwing over the top and he just couldn't do it," Miller said. "He spent the whole offseason working on it, then lo and behold, everything went to crap on the first day of practice. He threw the way he always threw.

"For Tim, it's not just the motion or footwork involved. It's everything."

One thing that won't be questioned is Tebow's character. Although his participation in a pro-life Super Bowl commercial rankled some pro-choice advocates - not to mention those who believe he goes too far publicly espousing Christianity -- Tebow has practiced what he preaches, living a squeaky-clean lifestyle in a hard-partying college town. Google searches would boom on game days with fans wanting to know the meaning of the biblical verses Tebow had imprinted on his eye-black - a practice recently banned by the NCAA.

"From the NCAA's perspective, I can understand them doing that because there are so many thousands of athletes and so many rules. This makes it easier for them overall to control things," Tebow said. "But for me, it was a great thing. It was an opportunity to get my message out there."

Besides the football training and marketing responsibilities arranged by agent Jimmy Sexton, Tebow has still made time this month for speaking engagements at colleges and religious functions. Tebow plans to continue such outreach though his new foundation ( www.timtebowfoundation.org ) aimed at helping orphanages as well as sick and disadvantaged children.

A league embarrassed by the off-field actions of Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has nothing to worry about with Tebow. No wonder NFL commissioner Roger Goodell personally lobbied (albeit unsuccessfully) for Tebow to attend draft festivities at Radio City Music Hall. Tebow will instead spend the draft with friends and family members in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla.

Within 48 hours, Tebow will have a new NFL home. And the road he took to get there is one Tebow wouldn't change - time machine or not.

"I feel I'm becoming a better quarterback," Tebow said. "I'm better when it comes to fundamentals and understanding different schemes. The key to my whole life is trying to get better every day. That's not true of every athlete. Sometimes when people feel they've arrived, they settle. Not me. My edge is constantly having that drive to be the best."

Gerald McCoy Selected 3rd Overall and Now a Buccaneer

2010-04-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

Randy Lutz

Written on April 22, 2010

Mark Von Holden/Getty Images

Gerald McCoy has been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the third overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

McCoy will help to shore up a line that ranked last in the league against the run this past season. Most see McCoy as a perfect fit for the Tampa 2 defense the Bucs run.

Personally, I have some reservations about McCoy, particularly about his strength. I think a lack of core strength showed through with his 23 reps of 225 at the combine. However, regardless of those reservations he was productive at the college level, and most believe he projects very well at the next level. The Bucs hope, as the Lions do in selecting Suh before them, that they've now solidified their defensive line for the next ten years.

2010 NFL Draft

2010-04-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Eric Galko

I know many are getting sick of hearing about him, many are getting sick looking at him, and hey, I’m sick of writing about him for the most part.

But, the reason there is so much buzz about him is that he’s everything that makes the draft exciting. Arguably the greatest college player ever, he isn’t a top prospect but has the star power already.

Every team would love to have him, but not every team is in position to take him. Which team will take the chance? In what round might he go in? What could his arrival mean? All great points and factors that make Tebow the most intriguing prospect in the last 10 years.

50 days from kickoff, local organizer says World Cup one of SAfrica's 'defining moments'

2010-04-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

By Associated Press

April 21, 2010 | 3:24 a.m.

KIMBERLEY, South Africa (AP) — Chief local organizer Danny Jordaan marked the 50-day countdown to the World Cup on Wednesday, saying the tournament was one of South Africa's "most important defining moments."

Jordaan said hosting soccer's showcase tournament was one of a series of "significant moments that have shaped the country we live in today," comparing it to Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990, and South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

Jordaan was in Kimberley, in the country's Northern Cape province, with South African President Jacob Zuma to mark the 50-day countdown to Africa's first World Cup.

A series of celebrations are planned at the Galeshewe Stadium on Wednesday, 50 days before the host nation kicks off the 2010 tournament against Mexico on June 11 at Soweto's Soccer City Stadium.

Jordaan said South Africa will defy the skeptics who thought the country was incapable of hosting the tournament because of its high rate of violent crime and erratic transport system.

"The world has heard so many stories about us (since 1994), sometimes more negative than positive," Jordaan said. "But this World Cup gives all South Africans the opportunity the show the world who we really are 16 years into our democracy."

Zuma has said the country was "more than ready" to host soccer's biggest event.

Jordaan said the 10 World Cup stadiums were ready, and the needed infrastructure was in place.

He also said tickets "were selling fast" despite worries over empty stadiums when organizers put 500,000 unsold tickets on sale on April 15.

Rays on the rise!

2010-04-20T04:11:00.000-07:00

Posted April 20th, 2010 by Devon Rogers

This was a very important sweep of the Red Sox. We knocked the Sox back to fourth place and have everyone everywhere questioning whether the Red Sox need to have a firesale or trade for big names. Many think this is the death of them. Winning is great isn’t it.
Jason Bartlett had a great day in another blowout. There were no real close games other than Friday’s in this series. Three blowouts is how you want to go about beating the Red Sox.
The Rays will look to remain perfect on the road as they head to Chicago for a three game series against the White Sox. The Rays will send Price, Davis and Shields to the mound before heading home Friday. The Rays would hope to continue their win streak here in the 2008 ALDS rematch.
The Rays will send David Price to the mound tonight in what seems to be a pitchers duel. Price has had an awesome season thus far, going 2-0 in two starts with a 2.45 ERA> Hopefully Price can keep it up and show he is who everyone thought he was when the Rays picked him first.
The Rays will be faced by John Danks, who is also having a very good start. Danks is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. The Rays have had a string of good starters that they have beaten up on, so hopefully that can continue. As for the rest of the series, the Rays will face Mark Buerhle tomorrow and Jake Peavy Thursday. Great matchups, huh.
As for the home opener on Friday, the matchup will be Ricky Romero against Matt Garza.

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Its Time To Get Serious

2010-04-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

From Bleacher Report

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/379396-2010-nfl-mock-draft-its-time-to-get-serious

Today many picks of the draft are many based on the general decision coming from the entire teams staff mainly the general manager and/or the Head Coach. All teams have several needs in the offseason some are filled via free agency others from making deals through trades leading up to the draft. A great period on an exciting weekend where the NFL prospects finally their dream may become a reality. After seasons of college ball and numerous try out sessions that are initiated at all-star games like the senior bowl leading to the combine into pro-days.

Welcome to New York for the first time the NFL has invited 19 players to partake in the excitement on draft day from Radio City music hall.

Draft day includes two teams of Draft Analysis one from the NFL network that some cable viewers still tend to miss and the other is ESPN. The nationwide telecast on ESPN consists of the great Mel Kiper and Chris Berman among other wanna bee draft analysis then comes the ex-NFL stars on that should have stayed on the playing field. I do enjoy Chris Mortenson and Kurk Hurbstreet as they interview the coaches with their decision in the war room. Todd McShay I thought I might leave you out with your teleprompter studies you are looking better everyday keep smiling you’re not quiet there.

The NFL network, a little different angle not as much as show as ESPN a straight forward point blank description on the NFL picks. The NFLN has been informative, entertaining, and simply put, as outstanding as possible giving their views the full aspect of the draft. I cannot imagine ESPN coming anywhere close to that. Kudos to the NFL Network. As long as they are covering the NFL Draft live at the level as they at the last draft, my TV will not be tuned to ESPN again.

Rich Eisen is an outstanding host, letting his panel of experts be the star of the show rather than himself. Chris Berman same old story though he is the extreme and lets them take over the show. Plus, Mike Mayock is my favorite of the draft scout talking heads. I trust his opinions far more than Tood McShay and Mel Kiper Jr., and I never get a sense that Mayock’s ego is talking; rather, he always seems to provide measured, balanced, and informed analysis of each player and pick that comes through. I don’t trust the opinions of Todd Mc Shay or Mel Kiper. As a writer myself I trust Mike Mayock and Choarley Casserly view and analysis of the NFL draft.

It’s time to open the debate as the first pick overall some say Sam Bradford others say Ndamukong Suh both Big 12 guys. The St Louis Rams are on the clock. Will you be glazing at computer or watching the draft on TV or maybe both to receive a complete analysis of the draft. You may be lucky to attend the draft the draft in New York City unless you have a press pass it’s a battle to get access as a fan waiting in line. In either case it’s definitely worth the trip to eye die hard NFL draft fans. You will have access to see the prospects see the floor and cheer for your favorite.

Yes, another dramatic Mock draft hope you enjoy.

NBA Playoffs 2010 First Round schedule

2010-04-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

By Official Release
Posted Apr 15 2010 2:42AM

Here is the complete schedule and national television & radio arrangements for all First Round series:

WESTERN CONFERENCE

L.A. Lakers vs. Oklahoma City

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sun April 18	Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers	3:00PM	ABC/R
Game 2	Tue April 20	Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers	10:30PM	TNT
Game 3	Thu April 22	L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City	9:30PM	TNT
Game 4	Sat April 24	L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City	9:30PM	ESPN/R
Game 5*	Tue April 27	Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Fri April 30	L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sun May 2	Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers	TBD	TBD

* - If necessary

Dallas vs. San Antonio

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sun April 18	San Antonio at Dallas	8:00PM	TNT
Game 2	Wed April 21	San Antonio at Dallas	9:30PM	TNT
Game 3	Fri April 23	Dallas at San Antonio	9:30PM	ESPN
Game 4	Sun April 25	Dallas at San Antonio	7:00PM	TNT
Game 5*	Tue April 27	San Antonio at Dallas	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Thu April 29	Dallas at San Antonio	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sat May 1	San Antonio at Dallas	TBD	TNT

* - If necessary

Phoenix vs. Portland

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sun April 18	Portland at Phoenix	10:30PM	TNT
Game 2	Tue April 20	Portland at Phoenix	10:00PM	NBATV
Game 3	Thu April 22	Phoenix at Portland	10:00PM	NBATV
Game 4	Sat April 24	Phoenix at Portland	4:30PM	TNT
Game 5*	Mon April 26	Portland at Phoenix	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Thu April 29	Phoenix at Portland	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sat May 1	Portland at Phoenix	TBD	TNT

* - If necessary

Denver vs. Utah

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sat April 17	Utah at Denver	10:30PM	ESPN
Game 2	Mon April 19	Utah at Denver	10:30PM	TNT
Game 3	Fri April 23	Denver at Utah	10:30PM	ESPN2
Game 4	Sun April 25	Denver at Utah	9:30PM	TNT
Game 5*	Wed April 28	Utah at Denver	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Fri April 30	Denver at Utah	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sun May 2	Utah at Denver	TBD	TBD

* - If necessary

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Cleveland vs. Chicago

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sat April 17	Chicago at Cleveland	3:00PM	ABC
Game 2	Mon April 19	Chicago at Cleveland	8:00PM	TNT
Game 3	Thu April 22	Cleveland at Chicago	7:00PM	TNT
Game 4	Sun April 25	Cleveland at Chicago	3:30PM	ABC/R
Game 5*	Tue April 27	Chicago at Cleveland	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Thu April 29	Cleveland at Chicago	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sat May 1	Chicago at Cleveland	TBD	TNT

* - If necessary

Orlando vs. Charlotte

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sun April 18	Charlotte at Orlando	5:30PM	TNT
Game 2	Wed April 21	Charlotte at Orlando	7:00PM	TNT
Game 3	Sat April 24	Orlando at Charlotte	2:00PM	TNT
Game 4	Mon April 26	Orlando at Charlotte	TBD	TBD
Game 5*	Wed April 28	Charlotte at Orlando	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Fri April 30	Orlando at Charlotte	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sun May 2	Charlotte at Orlando	TBD	TBD

* - If necessary

Atlanta vs. Milwaukee

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sat April 17	Milwaukee at Atlanta	5:30PM	ESPN
Game 2	Tue April 20	Milwaukee at Atlanta	7:00PM	NBATV
Game 3	Sat April 24	Atlanta at Milwaukee	7:00PM	ESPN
Game 4	Mon April 26	Atlanta at Milwaukee	TBD	TBD
Game 5*	Wed April 28	Milwaukee at Atlanta	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Fri April 30	Atlanta at Milwaukee	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sun May 2	Milwaukee at Atlanta	TBD	TBD

* - If necessary

Boston vs. Miami

Game	Date	Site	Time (ET)	Station
Game 1	Sat April 17	Miami at Boston	8:00PM	ESPN
Game 2	Tue April 20	Miami at Boston	8:00PM	TNT
Game 3	Fri April 23	Boston at Miami	7:00PM	ESPN
Game 4	Sun April 25	Boston at Miami	1:00PM	ABC
Game 5*	Tue April 27	Miami at Boston	TBD	TBD
Game 6*	Thu April 29	Boston at Miami	TBD	TBD
Game 7*	Sat May 1	Miami at Boston	TBD	TNT

* - If necessary

2010 NFL Mock Draft: Tim Tebow to Minnesota, C.J. Spiller to Seattle

2010-04-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

David Xaviel is the Real Mr. X

Senior Analyst Written on April 09, 2010

Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Okay, I fibbed. I have written more than three mock drafts this year.

Heading up to the 2010 NFL Draft, the question that has started to sizzle the most has been where Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow could land.

Don't be surprised if the Minnesota Vikings take Tebow to groom behind Brett "Any Day Now" Favre.

Moreover, this pick would reunite Tebow with his college receiver, Percy Harvin—a rapport that should be conducive to Tebow's development.

Tebow would also be well served under the tutelage of coach Brad Childress. Tebow had some unorthodox ways of playing in college, but he often raises comparison to Donovan McNabb and Vince Young as unorthodox quarterbacks that find a way to win.

The other hot-button question has been where Clemson halfback C.J. Spiller could land. I have Washington and Kansas City selecting offensive tackles.

Assuming that's true, I think Seattle will opt from taking the third tackle and instead take the best halfback—a player that could be potentially the best offensive rookie.

Seattle should be able to take an offensive lineman with its second pick.

1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

The Rams are rebuilding and should start with a franchise passer.

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

Detroit coach Jim Schwartz gets an anchor for the defensive line.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

The Bucs get a future Warren Sapp.

4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Mike Shanahan's new regime now has Donovan McNabb, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker. The missing piece is a left tackle.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

The Chiefs get the left tackle that they covet. I should add that Washington has shown some interest in Trent Williams. Nevertheless, I think that interest is only as insurance, in the event that Detroit defies expectations and takes Russell Okung. Yet, Washington's interest in Williams could mean that the Chiefs will agree that Williams is the second best offensive tackle.

6. Seattle Seahawks: C.J. Spiller, HB, Clemson

Seattle gets the halfback that it needs.

7. Cleveland Browns: Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

The Browns get the quarterback of the future.

8. Oakland Raiders: Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

Surprise. The Raiders pass on taking a tackle altogether and go for another pass rusher to upgrade an iffy defense.

9. Buffalo Bills: Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

The Bills could trade down even one spot because Eric Berry would not fill a pressing need, but he would be the best available player.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

The Jags have invested in DE Aaron Kampman and former first-round pick DE Derrick Harvey. The Jaguars take the best available tackle to protect those investments.

11. Denver Broncos: Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama

The Broncos need a tackling machine in the middle now that Andra Davis is gone.

12. Miami Dolphins: Jason Pierre-Paul, DE-LB, South Florida

The Phins get a project rusher to replace Joey Porter.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Earl Thomas, DB, Texas

Mike Singletary gets a versatile defensive back to shore up the secondary. Earl Thomas is reminiscient of Bob Sanders.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Bryan Bulaga, OL, Iowa

I still think that Bryan Bulaga is overrated as a left tackle. He reminds me an awful lot of Robert Gallery. Bulaga should be a guard in the NFL.

15. New York Giants: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

The G-Men add Joe Haden to shore up the secondary.

16. Tennessee Titans: Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri

The Titans add a young linebacker to an aging and injury prone corp.

17. San Francisco 49ers: Mike Iupati, OL, Idaho

Mike Iupati could play right tackle in the NFL, which is a position that SF could upgrade.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ryan Matthews, HB, Fresno State

The Steelers add Mathews to return the one-two punch they had with Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

The Falcons are in a tough spot here. They need a rusher, but there won't be a sure-fire end available. Sergio Kindle, though, could upgrade the linebacking spot for Atlanta and disrupt the backfield.

20. Houston Texans: Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

The Texans need to beef up the defensive line in order to compete with the Colts. Jared Odrick could free up Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

The Bengals need another target for Carson Palmer. Chad Ochocinco and Antonio Bryant are both over 30, so the Bengals would love to add another young receiver.

22. New England Patriots: Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

The Pats take Jermaine Gresham as an underneath target for Tom Brady now that Wes Welker is likely out for much of 2010.

23. Green Bay Packers: Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

Anthony Davis could fall far from expected.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

The Eagles get the cornerback they need to upgrade the secondary.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida

The Ravens take a value pick.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Jerry Hughes, LB, TCU

Jerry Hughes is skyrocketing up the boards as a 3-4 linebacker in the NFL. Hughes would be a near perfect replacement for Karlos Dansby.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Rodger Saffold, OT, Indiana

Rodger Saffold has come from nowhere and has impressed.

28. San Diego Chargers: Brian Price, DL, UCLA

The Bolts add Brian Price as an end in the 3-4. This pick makes sense to me because the Chargers need to add talent to the defensive line, and Price has good size and technique to play end in the 3-4.

29. New York Jets: Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

Unless the Jets trade this pick for Brandon Marshall, I expect the Jets to add a receiver.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Don't be surprised if the Vikings look long at Tebow to groom behind Brett "Any Day Now" Favre. Moreover, this pick would reunite Tebow with his college receiver, Percy Harvin. Tebow would be well served under the tutelage of coach Brad Childress. Tebow had some unorthodox ways of playing in college, but Tebow often raises comparison to Donovan McNabb and Vince Young as unorthodox quarterbacks that find a way to win.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Taylor Mays, S, USC

The Colts' defense relies on speed, which would make Mays a perfect fit. It would make sense to convert Mays to strongside linebacker in the NFL.

32. New Orleans Saints: Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

The Saints need a defensive end now that Charles Grant is gone, and Dunlap fits the bill.

Mock Draft 1.0: Why It Should Be McCoy, Not Bradford Going #1

2010-04-13T04:04:00.000-07:00

Ryan Wood

Contributor Written on April 13, 2010

Marc Serota/Getty Images

In just under 10 days the 2010 NFL Draft will begin, and more than likely Sam Bradford will get his named called to be the savior of what used to be a championship football team just a decade ago. Actually, with how recent years have gone, within 24 hours of April 22nd, the general public will probably already know the exact terms of his over inflated contract for being picked number one, somewhat ruining the fun of draft night.

But is it really the best choice? By now we all know that the draft is a crap-shoot, it's all a big gamble that sometimes pays off and gives you Peyton Manning, and other times you lose and get Alex Smtih, or lose big and get JaMarcus Russell. Now I don't think Bradford is an Alex Smith, and definitely not JaMarcus Russell, but in terms of value I don't think there's better value than what you can get out of going with Gerald McCoy #1 overall.

The way you can pair up McCoy with a quarterback such as the other McCoy or Tebow, and maybe even Clausen the way his stock has been falling, is much better than the defensive line help you can acquire at #33 overall. The Rams did say they like Colt a lot after seeing his pro day, even enough to hold a private workout before the draft. Neither quarterback is going to make the difference this year with the Rams, way too many holes to fill.

Do you run the risk of Colt McCoy not being there at 33? Sure you do, just about every team this year has said they would like quarterback depth, but we all know that Gerald McCoy and N'damukong Suh won't be there, and the gap in talent between the McCoy/Suh and the rest of the DT's is much larger than the gap between Bradford and Clausen/McCoy.

Here is how I ideally see the first round playing out, and I think it works best for the Rams to take Gerald, or even Suh for that matter, over Bradford. No trades were worked in, although I'll mention spots where I see teams trading, which I feel like this draft is building up to be a big trade day.

1. St. Louis Rams: Gerald McCoy DT Oklahoma

It's tough to say who truly is a better prospect between McCoy and Suh, and I believe both will become elite DT's for the next decade. I see it as a choice between Warren Sapp (McCoy) and Kevin Williams (Suh). You really can't lose when looked at it this way. I just give McCoy the slight edge for one reason- he would have been top 5 last year too. That means little, but it's really a coin flip between the two. They'll adress the QB issue in round 2, or they could be a potential trade up into the late 1st round if they feel like they can get their guy.

2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh DT Nebraska

In the end I believe this is who the Lions really want. He's a big DT that can stop the run and mix well with DE Vanden Bosch. Although O-line help here wouldn't be a huge stretch. Gosder Cherilus could use some help as he makes Matt Stafford look like Joey Harrington. But the Lions have to believe Cherilus is the man for one more year which is why Suh is the no-brianer for the Lions.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Russell Okung OT Oklahoma State

Uh Oh. Those are the two words coming out of the Tampa Bay boardroom after McCoy and Suh come off the board. The key positions of need (DL/WR) are all now too early to take in Dan Williams and Dez Bryant, and they just took Freeman so that cancels out Bradford. So it comes down to Eric Berry and Russell Okung. Going back to the Tampa 2 makes Berry seem like the obvious choice, but the value of Okung and possibly Myron Rolle in round 2/3 is too good to pass up.

4. Washington Redskins: Bryan Bulaga OT Iowa

If Bulaga ends up with Washington, something went wrong on draft day. There's no way he goes here because someone (Oakland or Buffalo maybe?) is going to bite the bullet and trade up for Bradford. However, there's virtually now way to predict trades so if it were to go through Washington needs to replace Chris Samuels, and fast. Some may think that the ultimate one up on Philadelphia would be to take McNabb from them and get Bradford, who the Eagles said is the reason they made the trade. But you just don't pay 2 QB's top 5 money...then again the team is still owned by Dan Snyder

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Berry S Tennessee

One of the few bright spots from the one year stint of Lane Kiffin is the preserving of safety Eric Berry. Kansas City needs help, pretty much everywhere. They just missed on Bulaga (but theoretically I think he'll still be here) who is a Pioli guy and would be taken in a heartbeat. Bradford won't be taken if Cassel's contract ($63 mil., 6 years with $40.5 mil due in the first 3 years!) is still on the books. So that leads to the best player left on the board in Eric Berry. Look for the Chiefs to trade the pick if Okung/Bulaga is gone.

6. Seattle Seahawks: Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma

Looks like Pete Carroll just won the lottery. Leave USC after one of his worst seasons ever at Southern Cal, get basically full control of an NFL team, then land Bradford. Even if Carroll was serious about keeping Hasselbeck as the starter, this is very promising for the future. Again, I don't think Bradford will fall to 6, but this just shows you exactly how far he can slide if the Rams go with McCoy/Suh. Makes for a very interesting 14th pick with Bradford on board.

7. Cleveland Browns: Earl Thomas S Texas

For the sole reason that the Browns and Shaun Rogers need eachother equally means that they will live with him at DT for one more year. So this takes away the immediate need for a DT. So what's next? Can you name one player in the Cleveland secondary with a decent amount of skill? Can you name one player in the secondary period? Yeah, me neither. Joe Haden's 40 was awful, but he's still a possibilty, Berry would have been ideal but Holmgren will settle for Thomas as he needs all the help he can get.

8. Oakland Raiders: Jimmy Clausen QB Notre Dame

A west coast guy for a team out on the west coast. He already is better than JaMarcus, but then again so is just about anyone. If Bradford is sitting at the 4th or 5th pick I think Oakland will move up to grab him instead as even Al Davis knows who is better. Some may worry about Jimmy's character issues, but when has that ever stopped Al Davis before? This is a match made in heaven for the Davis, as we are either looking at the next Ryan Leaf or potentially Philip Rivers. I'd take either over Russell at this point.

9. Buffalo Bills: Anthony Davis OT Rutgers

They need a QB, missed on that, they need an OLB but there really isn't one in this draft worthy of the 9th overall pick, and they need a LT. Davis is the solid fit here, over Trent Williams because Trent is a RT. He could play LT but in his first year I don't see him an upgrade, and he'd probably start at RT anyways. Davis can be the anchor the Jason Peters was before him, trading him actually cost Trent Edwards an NFL job. Don't be surprised to see Buffalo trade up to grab a QB, or down to position itself for McCoy/Tebow.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jason Pierre-Paul DE South Florida

Only Tim Tebow has more local notoriety in the state, and JP^2 helps out the front 4 which is a key need. Garrard was a probowl QB this year (back up yes, but he still was) so the need to replace him isn't glaring, and he could be useful for 2-3 years still. The Jags need people in the stands, period, and the best way to do that is to trade for Tom Brady (probably not going to happen) or start winning games. Trading down would be smart and stockpiling picks to be able to fill holes would be ideal, but I don't see them passing on Pierre-Paul.

11. Denver Broncos: Dan Williams DT Tennessee

Maybe just a bit early to take him, but I don't see them really having a choice so long as Brandon Marshall is still on the team. If they do manage to trade Marshall this pick becomes Dez Bryant in a flash, but McDaniels won't have two divas on the team, let alone at the same position. Williams can be a solid DT for years, even if he's not ready now, a year behind Ron Fields can't hurt his developement. Yes Champ Bailey is getting old, but he's still a shut down corner, although this might be his last year at that level, so Joe Haden here is also a possibilty, but this is a deep CB draft.

12. Miami Dolphins: Sergio Kindle OLB Texas

The addition of Dansby is good, but the departure of Porter isn't. Porter wanting out, and his clashing with Sporano made it easy for Miami to release him, but it doesn't help when Charlie Anderson and Erik Walden are his back ups. While the fans may want a playmaker WR in Dez Bryant here, which I don't blame them, the need for OLB's in a 3-4 is vital, and after we all saw how Orakpo did with Washington last season, Kindle has to excite Parcells and co.

13. San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams OT Oklahoma

There are very few who believe Alex Smith is the answer, but with no McNabb he's starting to look like he'll be the starter in 2010. The 49ers are a prime canidate (with 2 1st rounders) to trade up to take Bradford or Clausen, but if they don't they'll look to give Smith as much time as they can. Williams is a perfect fit here, he's big enough to play either tackle position, but with Joe Staley already rock solid at LT there is no need or pressure to move Williams from the right side.

14. Seattle Seahawks: Derrick Morgan DE Georgia Tech

Bradford to Bryant? Sounds good, but even Carroll will know to quit while you're ahead. Bryant would bring in all the hype for the Seahawks to win the NFC West, but it doesn't fill the need of DE, which is much larger. Arguably DE is their biggest need, but with the combination of Bradford slipping and no elite DE prospect at 6, they go with best availible. In this scenario they get the #1 QB and the #1 DE prospects, which is starting to sound like some of Carroll's old recruiting classes that made USC so good. This pick also could become Brandon Marshall, which isn't an upgrade or downgrade over Morgan.

15. New York Giants: Rolando McClain ILB Alabama

This guy was a beast for Alabama's national championship team, and for an oddly soft New York Giants' defense this is just what they need. Pierce is becoming a liability, and his age and injuries aren't helping his case. If Dan Williams is still here this pick becomes a very tough decision for the G-Men. Safety is a concern, but more on a depth concern, so reaching for Taylor Mays here isn't smart, even if you want him as a LB. This is one of the more obvious picks in the draft.

16. Tennessee Titans: Everson Griffen DE Southern Cal

When the Titans released Keith Bulluck, they filled that need with Will Witherspoon. The secondary is a concern, but with the loss of Vanden Bosch and the talent that Griffen can become makes this too good to pass up. OLB is still a need, which can be addressed in later rounds. Also, WR help for Vince Young will need to be address somewhere down the line. Kenny Britt showed a flash or two of what he could be, but as a talent he is still somewhat raw, and I see him being more of a #2 WR than a dominant WR in the league.

17. San Francisco 49ers: Dez Bryant WR Oklahoma State

Being a diva really doesn't pay off. Bryant has top 5 talent, but too many questions lead to him landing here. Teams with too many holes for one pick to change (Jacksonville, Buffalo, Miami) could be contenders to trade down for another team to move up and take Bryant. That's more likely than him falling into the hands of San Fran, who just took fellow Big 12 diva Michael Crabtree last year. However, by addressing the O-line at #13, and just watching what the combination of Fitzgerald/Boldin did for the last 3-4 years, makes me wonder if the 49ers wouldn't mind trying to recreate that.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Joe Haden CB Florida

This could be a steal in the making, maybe the biggest of the whole draft. Haden who has top 5 talent, has a major concern involving his 40 times. San Fran could take him at 13 and 17, but they need quick, speedy corners, not a 4.57 guy. But put him with Polamalu and let him develop into a starting corner opposite Ike Taylor, and speed won't matter a whole lot. D-line is also a huge concern with age and the Steelers could use some youth around Hamptom, and depth pending the development of Ziggy Hood. O-line depth could also be addressed with Iupati, but Haden is too tempting to leave on the board.

19. Atlanta Falcons: Jermaine Gresham TE Oklahoma

What if I told you that Tony Gonzalez was going to be around, at an elite level, for the next decade? That's what the Falcons get by taking Gresham here. If he would have left last year he would have been the clear cut #1 TE over Pettigrew who went #20 overall, and probably would have been picked higher due to having more upside. He's coming off an injury that cost him his entire senior season, so being behind Gonzalez for a year would do wonders for his development. It gives Matt Ryan weapons beyond 2010, which is key to him getting back to his 2008 form. Corner and D-line are huge needs, but there is no shutdown corner past Haden, who was just taken, and there isn't a D-lineman with talent to blow them away here.

20. Houston Texans: C.J. Spiller RB Clemson

With blazing speed, and someone who is similar to Reggie Bush in his impact to the return game, Spiller can add a dynamic that will compliment Schaub and Andre Johnson quite nicely. There are a few minor holes that this team could also choose to fill, but for a team that was just a game out of the playoffs I feel as if they will take the best player available. Slaton fell off the map last year and the Texans can't wait around for him to get on track, and Arian Foster is a nice complimentary RB, and with the looming idea that Johnson could ask for a trade the Texans need to get wins now.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Iupati OL Idaho

With the unfortunate passing of WR Chris Henry the Bengals addressed that need when they signed WR Antonio Bryant. However, this is not a replacement as the Bengals would have gone out and gotten WR help even if Henry were still around. There for WR Demaryius Thomas is still a possibility here, and no team is bumming more than the Bengals that Gresham came off the board just 2 picks before them. Taylor Mays is essentially a faster Roy Williams (the safety) and since the Bengals already own the original I can't see them going for Mays. With the versatility that Iupati could potentially play either guard or tackle position, and being able to pair him up with Andre Smith sounds like a great option for keeping Carson Palmer healthy.

22. New England Patriots: Brandon Graham OLB Michigan

Trading away Richard Seymour really hurt the Patriots defense as a whole last year as they really struggled in a way that we aren't used to in the Belichick era. Randy Moss isn't getting any younger, so Demaryius Thomas is tempting here, as well as replacing Seymour, but the Patriots need to start building around Jerod Mayo, and that starts with Graham. He's size and speed combination would fit wonderfully in the Pat's 3-4, and if needed he can slide into their DE position, although that's not likely for this system. Faulk is in his last year, Maroney hasn't proven he's a #1 RB, so maybe Ryan Matthews or Joe McKnight here isn't out of the question, neither is trading the pick which Belichick has shown he's always willing to do.

23. Green Bay Packers: Bruce Campbell OT Maryland

There is really only one glaring need for Green Bay, and that is to keep Aaron Rodgers off his back. The Packers look extremely good on paper, and have few holes to fill, maybe the least of any team that made the playoffs last year. They could get help at safety making Taylor Mays not out of the picture, but Rodgers just took too many hits, period. Campbell is a bit of a stretch, but not taking an OL here is a stretch to see Rodgers making it all 16 games and into the playoffs. Charles Woodson was great last year, and will be top 5 again this season, but he as well as Al Harris aren't on the good side of 30, so CB help needs to be addressed sometime soon as well.

24. Philadelphia Eagles: Sean Witherspoon OLB Missouri

This is tough for Philadelphia fans to swallow. Yes, with Will Witherspoon leaving there is a hole at OLB, and in a blitz heavy defensive designed by the late Jim Johnson OLB's are in need. The signing of DB Marlin Jackson from Indianapolis and his move to safety will help fill the hole that Dawkins left 2 seasons ago, but the need for Witherspoon to come in and play over Moise Fokou and Akeem Jordan is bigger than Taylor Mays coming in and fighting for time with Marlin Jackson, Quintin Mikell, Quintin Demps, and Macho Harris.

25. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Wilson CB Boise State

Todd Heap is getting old and useless, but there's nobody to take his spot at this part of the draft. The addition of Anquan Boldin solves the need for a playmaker at WR to help Joe Flacco. Ray Rice had a breakout, pro bowl year at RB, and Michael Oher shored up the O-line. Ray Lewis isn't going to let the defensive slip, and where they can help Ray try to make one late run at a super bowl is to solidify the pass coverage. I don't think that there is a shut down corner in this draft past Joe Haden, but that's not what the Ravens need Wilson to become. He can be a great #2 CB, or an Ike Taylor like #1 for the next 12 years. The last CB out of Boise State isn't doing too bad in Dallas either.

26. Arizona Cardinals: Jared Odrick DT Penn State

This pick is very interesting. No one has truly fallen to the Cardinals, and the glaring need on the team, ILB, doesn't produce a prospect that can be really trusted at the 26th selection. Brandon Spikes has 1st round talent, but with average speed at best and character issues he becomes a liability more than an impact. Ken Whisenhunt can definitely command the respect and attitude adjustment needed in the desert, but with no true DT, the 6'5 Odrick should hear his name called here. There is a need to replace Boldin, but this is a very deep WR draft, and with added later picks in the Boldin trade that issue can be addressed with Jordan Shipley or Dez Briscoe.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Taylor Mays S Southern California

I just don't see this team going forward this year, not with what they have on the team now. Roy Williams (the WR) just isn't what Jerry Jones thought he would be, especially for $9 million a season. Miles Austin is solid, but can he handle #1 corners the whole year? Who is the RB in Big D, is it Barber or Jones or Choice? The front 7 on the defensive side is the only thing that is a for sure thing to stay constant, which is a huge plus. With the release of Flozell Adams there is an obvious need to get OT help, but they also let go of Ken Hamlin, and Taylor Mays presence might be enough to keep WR's honest and out of the endzone.

28. San Diego Chargers: Ryan Mathews RB Fresno State

The #1 producing RB from the college football season, with great size and surprising speed. Sproles isn't going to be a #1 RB for the Chargers, let alone for any other team in the NFL, but he's good enough to warrant 15-20 touches. Mathews is a great side kick for Sproles this year to split carries, although more in Sproles favor. Looking towards the future, Mathews has the tools to become an elite RB in this league somewhere in the next 2-3 years, which is perfect timing for the team to shift away from Sproles and carry on with Mathews. Also, giving Terrence "Mount" Cody a look isn't a poor idea, as a true NT could really help their defense. Also, if Floyd and Jackson were to leave in free agency a WR such as Benn and Damien Williams are possible solutions.

29. New York Jets: Carlos Dunlap DE Florida

I know what you're thinking, another DE athletic freak who has no work ethic once he gets paid, but this is different. Gholston is all but a complete miss at this point, and even with the possible addition of Jason Taylor the age of the Jets' DEs are a bit of a concern. Unlike Gholston, Dunlap is more of a true DE who can fit in the 3-4. Gholston, who played DE at Ohio State, may be a physical freak, but doesn't have the body mass to play the 3-4 DE, and apparently is missing the interest to play the 3-4 OLB or football in general for that matter. CB depth is also a bit of a need, but you can't address that in the 1st round. Looks like Hard Knocks: Rex in the City is going to be a good one.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Colt McCoy QB Texas

This pick kind of kills my whole point of taking Gerald McCoy #1 overall, but let's look at this a bit more. The Rams should trade back into the later 1st round anyways, so don't look for McCoy to fall to them at 33 to begin with. This is a rather deep draft at 3 positions: WR, D-Line, and CB. Aging Winfield is a problem, and Griffin is probably going to start on the PUP baring a miracle. Asher Allen needs at least one more year in the nickel/dime role, and there really isn't much past him that will be an upgrade in the future. But a shutdown guy in college like an Amari Spivey of Iowa or a Javier Arenas/Kareem Jackson from Alabama will more than likely be there in rounds 2 and/or 3. O-line is a problem, especially if #4 is coming back, but Pouncey won't help the O-line this year, and past this year it's not as much of a need. So why not groom McCoy behind the best to ever play the game, and allow his shoulder to heal fully to have a QB for the next 12-14 years. Tebow would be you're other option here as the combination of pure leadership and not having to play anytime soon would be very tempting to look at.

31. Indianapolis Colts: Jerry Hughes OLB Texas Christian

Think about it, a versitaile OLB/DE hybrid who can help at either position offering depth immediately and a solid starter in the future. His size can't be considered a problem considering who is at DE for the Colts now (6-1 Freeney and 6-2 Mathis) and his quickness is very similar to the current starters. They don't need a QB, RB, WR, TE, S, or an ILB, so now it becomes more of a depth draft pick rather than filling holes. To get back to the super bowl the Colts aren't too far away, and much of last years team is still in the prime of their careers to make another run at it. Depth at CB could be addressed here to such as McCourty or Patrick Robinson, but the upside of Hughes is something the Colts love.

32. New Orleans Saints: Devin McCourty CB Rutgers

The Saints finally won the Super Bowl, whoever they pick here is going to be considered a "good" choice. Even with last years 1st round pick Malcolm Jenkins being a CB, Jenkins doesn't possess great speed and could very well be moved to safety if/when Sharper leaves. The Saints have no real holes, obviously, they just won the Super Bowl, but the DB's aren't great. The only other position that could use an upgrade is OLB, but with Hughes and Witherspoon gone at this point, it is a bit too early to reach for Navorro Bowman. Bowman has 1st round talent, coming from linebacker U, but his speed is a big question mark. If the Saints feel like they can get over the speed issue than I wouldn't put it past them to take Bowman here. But McCourty's value is undeniably better here.

Again, you can't mock trades, so it's kinda tough to put Bradford at 6 overall, but that's just the way it falls. I don't think that the Rams will pass on Bradford at #1 overall, but it would be a valued mistake I think. Then again the draft is all a gamble.

Lake Park High School Lancers

2009-10-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

We are very proud of our latest logo design for the Lake Park Lancers in Illinois.

Central Florida Football League

2009-10-13T05:54:00.000-07:00

Major League Logos is proud to announce our partnership with the Central Florida Football League. Major League Logos is the official graphic design company for the CFFL. We are also very proud to present the two logos that we have already designed for the organization.

Ruffneck Wear - Soccer Scarves

2009-09-24T04:27:00.001-07:00

Major League Logos and Ruffneck Scarves have announced a new partnership that will increase joint advertising activities and is expected to open up new markets opportunities for both companies.

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Welcome to Major League Logos

2009-09-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

Sports Logo design From Major League Logos®:

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Our sports logo designers have had many years of experience designing logo images for all types of games and semi-professional, minor leagues, major leagues, and professional sports be it baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, track and field, ball sports, motor sports, combat and contact sports as well as leisure sports. That means we understand your need for a dynamic looking logo and are extremely fast, saving you many hours in lost time. We then take that sport design concept and turn it in to a powerful logo design that you and your clients or sponsors will admire and be proud of.