THE BLEACHER BRIEFINGS

Pineda Stays True to His Name

2014-04-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

By - Keith Smith

If you go and research the history of the Spanish name "Pineda," you will find that one of the meanings of the word is "pine forest."

You can't make this up.

Yankee pitcher Michael Pineda has lived up to his name over the past two weeks. Back on April 10th, Pineda was caught by ESPN cameras with a wad of pine tar on the palm of his hand while pitching against the Boston Red Sox. By the time the message had been relayed to Boston's bench, Pineda had washed the substance off. This past Wednesday night, in a rematch with the Sox, the cameras again saw Pineda with a large swath of the dark, sticky substance applied to the back of his neck.

This time, word made it to Sox manager John Farrell in time for him to complain to home plate umpire Gerry Davis, who ejected Pineda after finding the foreign substance on his person.

Photo by: Getty Images

The next day, Pineda was suspended 10 games. To his credit, he has admitted guilt, not that he could've denied it. He had enough of the stuff on him both times to waterproof a house. Pineda also said he wouldn't appeal the decision.

"I'll accept it because I know I made a mistake," the 25-year-old told ESPN. "That's it."

The most disturbing part of this, at least for me, is the number of announcers, ex-players and news media who seemingly have absolutely no problem with the fact that Pineda cheated. Their only problem is that he did it so openly.

I've heard both former pitchers and hitters say that the use of pine tar is commonplace, and how it's simply to help them get a better grip on the ball in cold weather, not gain an advantage by making the ball move like the old spit balls used to.

Yet, those same guys will complain about steroid users and how they have destroyed the integrity of the game.

Maybe I'm too much of a rule follower, but to me, cheating is cheating. If it's against the rules, it's cheating. If it's gaining an advantage through illegal means, it's cheating. If the rule book specifically prohibits something, it's not okay to do.

They write that thing for a reason, people.

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Making Sense of NFL Draft Tall Tales

2014-04-24T17:04:00.000-05:00

By - Tim Swift

When you work at a sports radio station in an NFL city for over a decade, you tend to get immersed in football 24/7, 365 days a year. In the past (in the weeks leading up to the draft), I've called this the NFL "silly season," because general managers, coaches, scouts, agents, players and the media are talking loud but not really saying a word.

Photo by: Getty Images

No one admits it, but everyone is lying this time of year, and it's fascinating to try and put it all together. In this day and age where essentially every Joe Blow can get access to a highlight film of a kid from Appalachian State, you have to use misdirection to get what you want.

Let's look at all of these parties and figure out how they use the art of deception to their advantage.

- General Managers

Obviously GMs have a lot to lose when it comes to the draft and their reputations. I've heard GMs spend weeks on end talking up certain players, but then when draft day rolls around, if you were to go into their "war room" that particular player is way down on their board or in some cases not on it at all. In the spring, some GMs will play things close to the vest and stay away from the media completely, while others will talk to anyone holding a microphone, but most of what comes out of their mouth is BS until draft day.

- Coaches

Most coaches don't have the time to watch the college football that the GMs and the scouts have, so they might get a distorted view of a particular player. Also, coaches might talk up depth at a particular position, and then you look up on draft weekend and they have spent a high pick on a position that the coach hasn't talked about in months. Some coaches will target a guy and downgrade him in the media, then he ends up on the team. A case to watch for is new Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, who has seemingly gone out of his way to talk negatively about Johnny Manziel. If he takes him at No. 8 come draft day, everything he's said for the last 3 months or so has been bull; clever bull to get the other teams in front of them thinking.

- Scouts

Whether you are the director of scouting or you're a scout just for a particular conference or region, you always want to be the person who discovered the small school guy or the undiscovered player on a SEC or Big 10 team. It can get your reputation up and keep you in the NFL for years to come. Scouts will often talk to the media and let them know what players they would never take and players who should be snatched up in the first round. Of course, most of it is done anonymously to get the mystery factor up.

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Is Albert Pujols Finally Earning His Huge Salary?

2014-04-23T16:47:00.000-05:00

By - Brad Heerschop

Two years have passed since Albert Pujols signed his whopping 10-year, $240M contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. A contract that even at the time (when Pujols was still one of the best hitters in the game) seemed a bit excessive.

Photo by: Alex Gallardo

It wasn't just money, though. Pujols receives four season tickets to home games during the life of the contract, a hotel suite on road trips, the right to buy a luxury suite between first and third base for all home games and a luxury suite for the Pujols Foundation (his own charity) for ten home games a season. To top it all off, Pujols receives numerous incentive bonuses as well and will be granted $1M per year from the team for 10 years after the contract expires (or he retires), in what is coined a "personal services relationship" with the club.

So why would any player deserve all this?

Well the numbers speak for themselves. The 2-time World Series champion is a 9-time MLB All-Star, a 3-time NL MVP winner, a 6-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a 2-time Gold Glove recipient and a former National League Rookie of the Year. Amongst countless other unnamed accolades, No. 5 also has the distinction of being the only guy in Major League Baseball history to bat at least .300 with 30 or more home runs and 100 or more RBIs in his first 10 seasons.

With a career average of .321, 500 home runs and all of the aforementioned credentials, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see why the Dominican was so sought after once his contract with St. Louis had expired. What was hard to fathom is why any team would give a man in his thirties a hefty contract for a period likely longer than his career will be.

Until now, the critics appeared to be right. Pujols missed 71 games in his first two seasons in California due to a nagging plantar fascia injury. His numbers were on a steady decline as well. During those first two years, he hit for a .275 average with only 47 homers.

2012 saw Pujols hit career lows in average and home runs. The following season only served to show him break those lows. As a hitter known for his ability to find gaps and hit for doubles, the 2013 campaign saw his lowest total in that department also.

To boot, his once top-notch baserunning skills looked like a shadow of what they used to be, and even his value at first base, which was once high, dropped off significantly.

Now I realize compared to league averages his numbers are still pretty solid. However, Pujols isn't an "average" player, and his contract certainly is not what I would call "average" either.

The Day the College Football World Stood Still

2014-03-28T11:26:00.001-05:00

By - Keith Smith

College football and the NCAA held it's collective breath this week while awaiting a decision by the National Labor Relations Board on the request by Northwestern University football players to unionize.

That noise you heard was the wind being knocked out of them when the NLRB punched them in the communal gut and ruled that the players aren't "student athletes," but rather employees whose work generates substantial revenue for the school.

Photo from: cbsnews.com

I've been saying for years that money was ruining sports. More specifically, major college sports. The decision by the NLRB may very well be the beginning of the end of college athletics as we know it.

The immediate effect will be negligible, since that decision will inevitably be appealed. But if the courts uphold the NLRB's decision, college sports will change forever. It would pave the way for collegiate athletes to demand being paid.

Many people have been lobbying for that for years. I'm not one of them.

The argument can be made that these kids have never really been amateurs, since most of them are awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships every year. I would tend to agree with that, personally. Does there need to be a vast overhaul of the NCAA and college athletics rules and regulations? Certainly. Does it need to be ruling the athletes as employees and compensating them above and beyond their scholarships? I don't think so.

Nonetheless, depending on how this turns out, athletes may be able to negotiate contracts, percentages of bowl money, and any number of other ties to the multi-million dollar franchise that is intercollegiate sports.

The decision of the NLRB only applies to private institutions (for now), because they have no power at all over the state-run universities, but rest assured that it will only be a matter of time before it applies to everyone, if it isn't overturned on appeal.

In all likelihood, the final outcome is probably years away. But if the NCAA and the individual conferences and universities are smart, they will begin working on some type of settlement. Otherwise, they won't have any say in how the final outcome gets resolved. They could be looking at anything from a total overhaul of their system, to possibly the major conferences breaking away and forming their own "league."

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The Issues Surrounding an 18-Game NFL Season

2014-03-27T06:37:00.000-05:00

By - Tim Swift

Last week, the NFLPA elected Eric Winston as the new president, and one of the first things that came up was the proposed 18-game season.

Photo by: Getty Images

From the get go, Winston and the players have been dead set against the idea of taking away two preseason games and adding them to the regular season. I've gotten the opportunity to talk to several current players on the subject, and this is the only topic that I can remember that they all seem to be in total agreement on.

The NFL offices in New York City can talk about their continued commitment to player safety and new policies that will help players in the future, but as soon as Roger Goodell and all his cronies speak of an 18-game season and take the "that's what the fans want" route, the hypocrisy reigns supreme.

If there is going to be an 18-game season, the owners are then going to have to make some major concessions with the roster numbers and the amount of guys you can dress on game day. Currently, once the season starts, you have 53 guys on your roster and dress 46 on game day. If the owners aren't willing to expand the rosters by the second half of the season, teams will be signing guys off the streets, and the quality of the games will suffer. Another idea along the same lines is expanding the practice squad roster, which currently consists of 8 players.

Bye weeks are yet another major issue that the NFLPA and the owners would have to hash out if an 18-game season happens. One of the ideas that has been proposed is that each team would then get 2 byes at some point between the 3rd and 16th week.

Salary cap issues have been brought up by both sides in this battle, and with the cap increasing by $10 million this year, future major increases would have to happen; especially if the rosters are expanded by 10 to 15 guys. Minimum salaries could also be changed. As of right now, the league minimum ranges from $420k for rookies to $950,000 for 10-year vets.

The reaction of the fans to the proposed 18-game season has varied. The ones who simply love the sport and can't get enough don't care if it's played on Monday, Thursday or Saturday, and those are the fans Goodell and the owners are directly attempting to cater to. Many people have taken to the idea that they don't want to put even more money in the pockets of the owners, and that there's no sense in changing something that is fine as is. There is definitely a "don't fix it if it ain't broke" mentality to this segment of fans.

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The B/B Podcast - Episode 111

2014-03-25T11:06:00.001-05:00

By - Kris Fletcher & Tim Swift

In this week's edition of The Bleacher Briefings podcast, we're talkin' March Madness, NBA and NFL!

Photo by: Steve Mitchell

- NCAA Tournament assessment; the road to the Sweet 16 (0:39 mark)

- Top seeds bounced; where did Wichita State, Kansas and Duke go wrong? (1:51)

- Best team remaining; of the 16 squads still standing, which is the one that no one wants to see the rest of the way? (7:35)

- Pick a Cinderella; which of the 3 double-digit seeds still alive in the tourney has the best chance at continuing their surprise run? (8:26)

- Sorry state of the 76ers; Philly is now just one game away from tying the longest losing streak in NBA history. Will they eclipse the record, and what are the chances that they lose out the remainder of the season? (9:47)

- Trouble in South Beach; with the Heat struggling of late, is there cause for concern as the playoffs draw near? (12:13)

- Jets sign Michael Vick; did New York make the right decision signing the veteran quarterback, and what does the addition mean for Geno Smith's job security both short and long-term? (16:06)

- Roddy White Twitter controversy; should the wide receiver be on the hook for season tickets following a bet he made with a fan on the social-media platform? (19:30)

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Memorable Upsets From the NCAA Tournament

2014-03-20T12:33:00.000-05:00

By - Tim Swift

Today is one of my favorite days of the year; the first official day of the NCAA Tournament. Yes, I know, the tourney actually started Tuesday night with the "First Four" games, but I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to this thing, so for me it starts with 64 teams on Thursday morning.

Every season the first weekend of the tournament provides some upsets that make you scratch your head. With that in mind, let's look back at some of the more memorable surprises from the first two rounds of the NCAAs.

- America falls in love with Valparaiso

Photos by: David E. Klutho

The play was called "Pacer" by coach Homer Drew, and it was executed to perfection with a long inbounds pass to around half court, followed by a touch pass to Bryce Drew for the game winning 3, as No. 13 Valpo shocked No. 4 Ole Miss, 70-69. The score stood at 69-67 for the final 2:30, as both teams traded missed chances. SEC Player of the Year Ansu Sesay had an opportunity to put it away for the Rebels, but he missed two free throws with under 5 seconds left, setting up the stunning buzz-beater by Drew.

- The Holy Mackerel Game

The late, great Hall of Fame coach Al McGuire coined the phrase after freshman James Forrest nailed a nearly impossible turnaround 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds left on the clock to lift No. 7 Georgia Tech over No. 2 USC 79-78 in the second round of the 1992 tournament. The game wasn't the major shocker that some of the others on this list were, but because of the amazing call and the fact that the play is still talked about 20+ years later, it's extremely memorable. James Forrest took 374 shots that year, and his only made 3 is what sent the Yellow Jackets to the Sweet 16.

- Hampton announces its presence with authority

In the '01 tourney, No. 2 Iowa State was expected to breeze past Hampton in the first round with no issues, but the Pirates had other ideas. Hampton was led by Tarvis Williams, who dominated the paint to the tune of 16 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks. The Hampton defense also wore down All-American point guard and future NBA player Jamaal Tinsley, holding him to just 9 points while forcing 5 turnovers. Iowa State still appeared to have seized control of the game in the second half, and at one point held an 11-point lead, but Hampton closed the game on a 14-2 run, capped with a short jumper by Williams with 6.9 seconds remaining, and Tinsley then missed a layup at the buzzer that would have won it for the Cyclones.

- Dunk City is in the house

Heading into the 2013 tournament, most people filling out their brackets didn't even know that Florida Gulf Coast was a school until they were cast as the No. 15 seed to take on No. 2 Georgetown. Many people (myself included) who had the Hoyas as a Final Four and National Champion pick watched in shock as the Eagles took over in the second half and cruised to a 10-point victory. Florida Gulf Coast lit up the scoreboard with several highlight reel dunks, running the Hoyas out of the building, 78-68.

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The B/B Podcast - Episode 110

2014-03-18T13:02:00.001-05:00

By - Kris Fletcher & Tim Swift

In this week's edition of The Bleacher Briefings podcast, we're talkin' NCAA hoops, NFL and NBA!

Photo by: Dale Zanine

- NCAA Tournament Preview; a look at each region of the bracket, discussing the teams to beat and potential sleepers in each (0:59 mark)

- Final Four/National Championship predictions; which teams will advance to AT&T Stadium in Arlington and who will ultimately cut down the nets? (11:56)

- NFL Free Agency talk; one of the most important times of the league's offseason, which teams have made the best moves so far, and which have no-showed? (13:49)

- Phil Jackson accepts the job as President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks; what it means for the team moving forward (18:33)

- Colts owner Jim Irsay faces four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance; how should the league handle it? (21:47)

- Both the Clippers and Spurs have been hot of late; which team is the bigger threat to come out of the Western Conference? (24:18)

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Barry Bonds Back in Baseball

2014-03-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

By - Keith Smith

Even if it's only temporary, Barry Bonds returned to baseball this week, signing a 7-day contract as a hitting coach for his former team, the San Francisco Giants.

Will it lead to something more permanent? Who knows? At his Monday press conference, Bonds said, "Not everyone is suited for the job, and I may not be either. I don't know. I have 7 days to find out if I am."

Photo by: Chris Carlson

Even though I've always had an inherent dislike for Bonds, apparently there are many who are happy to have him back in baseball. I'm just not one of them.

It's not his connection to the steroids era, per se. Mark McGwire had the same thing and I was ecstatic that he landed as a coach with the Cardinals a few years ago. Even though I do think that the cloud of PED use hanging over them should keep both guys out of the Hall, if not indefinitely, then at least until the Veteran's Committee is their only option.

And no, this isn't a racial thing. Many of my favorite players of all time were African-American, so that's not it.

If I had to put my finger on it, I'd say it goes back to his horrible attitude as a player with the media, but more specifically, and primarily, with his teammates. His standoffish demeanor with the guys in his very own locker room is well documented. He had his own area blocked off from the rest of them with his own personal TV for crying out loud.

Which begs the question, "Why did the Giants bring a guy who was never a team player back into the fold?"

Maybe they felt they owed him for the incredible things he did on the field (I was under the impression that's what all those millions were for, but what do I know)?

Maybe they believed he's now contrite and finally willing to give back to the sport he's been around since the day he was born (many reporters in camp say he is as humble and genuine as he's been in 25 years)?

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2014 NFL Free Agency Frenzy

2014-03-13T08:56:00.000-05:00

By - Tim Swift

NFL free agency began this week, and within the first 24 hours, over a billion dollars in contracts were handed out; with $350 million of that being guaranteed money.

Photo by: Getty Images

This year the salary cap rose $10 million, up to $133 million, with a spending minimum of at least 89% for a 3-year average.

Today we're going to focus on the teams who had the most cap space in each division entering the free agency period, how they have spent their money so far, and what they could still do as the process continues.

NFC East: Washington Redskins ($29.5 million)

The Redskins have been to cap hell and back over the last few years due to penalties from the last lockout. With that now behind them, they finally have a bit of money to play with. However, considering owner Dan Snyder's notorious spending habits, having this kind of cash could actually be a hindrance. One of the first priorities is whether to re-sign Brian Orakpo to a long-term deal after he was franchise tagged a couple of weeks ago. The Redskins went out and got another weapon for QB Robert Griffin III, signing Andre Roberts from Arizona, an underrated wide receiver.

NFC North: Green Bay Packers ($35.1 million) and Minnesota Vikings ($35.3 million)

These two NFC North rivals virtually have the exact same cap numbers going into free agency, so we'll just put them together. The Packers have their franchise quarterback and several parts to go with that, so the focus for Green Bay will most likely be on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball. Re-signing Sam Shields helps, but the Packers still need to make a few more moves to retool the D. The Vikings will probably go after a QB in this year's draft, so the free agency focus has been on the defensive line. So far, they've re-signed Everson Griffen and picked up DT Linval Joseph from the Giants.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons ($26.2 million)

To this point Atlanta has focused on both the defensive and offensive lines, which were major problem areas in 2013. The Falcons signed defensive end Tyson Jackson and defensive tackle Paul Soliai, along with offensive guard Jon Asamoah. Atlanta still has quite a bit of talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball, and with a few shrewd moves, there is no reason why they can't get back to being competitive this year.

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MSU Primed For a National Championship Run

2014-03-01T01:09:00.000-06:00

By - Andy Garcia

Michigan State entered the 2013-2014 season as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, and rightfully so, as they got off to an 18-1 start; the best in school history.

Photo by: Scott Park

However, since junior forward Branden Dawson broke his hand prior to MSU's loss to arch-rival Michigan on January 25th, the Spartans have alternated back and forth between wins and losses.

Their current 22-6 record is still good enough to be ranked 18th in the country, but they now must look up at the Wolverines in the Big Ten standings after blowing their revenge opportunity and a chance to remain atop the conference. While a home loss to Nebraska can be chalked up to a lackluster performance by the Spartans, the remaining blemishes on their record can be attributed to solid teams (UNC, Michigan (twice), Georgetown, Wisconsin) simply earning the victories.

Getting swept by their intrastate rival this season may have been the pivotal point in their quest for a national title. This was the wake up call MSU needed. Couple that with their Spartan in shining armor, Dawson, back in the lineup, and I do not see Michigan State losing another game the rest of the year.

Yes, that includes the Big Ten tournament and NCAA tourney.

The Spartans have endured a flurry of injuries all season long. Multiple key players have missed extended time. Despite the inconsistencies in the lineup, State has still managed to play well. They remain a squad that no one wants to see in March, and for good reason.

Widely considered one of the top college coaches in the game, Tom Izzo has himself a roster loaded with depth this time around. The team has multiple key components. The scoring is paced by star sophomore Gary Harris (17.9 ppg). Many people thought he would be a one-and-done player, but Harris opted to stay put another year. The ability to get his own shot goes a long way for the Spartans on offense. Forwards Adreian Payne (16.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Branden Dawson (10.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg) anchor the front line and can control the glass. Senior guard Keith Appling (13.6 ppg, 4.8 apg) is also an essential piece to the overall puzzle. He continues to battle through a nagging wrist injury suffered back in December, and it appears he still has a little ways to go before he's back to 100%. His toughness and experience is unmatched. Backing him at the point, junior Travis Trice (45% 3-pt) has filled in admirably, hitting from behind the arc in critical moments. The wild card for Michigan State is do-it-all sophomore Denzel Valentine (8.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.9 apg). He is an absolute x-factor.

Not only is this team loaded with individual talent, but more importantly, they mesh extremely well together in all aspects of the game.

MLB 2014: Spring Has Almost Sprung

2014-02-28T14:09:00.001-06:00

By - Keith Smith

I'm not alone in saying that spring is my favorite time of year. Probably 90% of Americans live for the end of winter, with bright, warm, sunshine beating down on their face, melting the mounds of snow that have piled up during the doldrums of the colder months.

But while the weather is certainly a plus of the upcoming season, it isn't what lures me to it. It's the crack of the bat, the smell of freshly oiled leather and newly mown fields, popcorn and hot dog aromas wafting through the warmth of the sunshine. In short, it's spring training for Major League Baseball.

And it's here!

Photo by: Getty Images

Spring training games began earlier this week in Arizona and Florida, as the start of the 2014 baseball season is just over a month away. And I'm like a kid with a...well, a new baseball glove.

Every spring brings renewed hope for teams from California to New York and everywhere in between; even in the heartland of Chicago. Yes, the Cubs are actually tied for first right now. We'll check on that again two weeks into the season and see what the magic number for elimination is down to by then, but for now, there is at least hope for the hapless Cubbies.

It's too early to predict who will win each division and who will claim the wild card slots. Granted, plenty of people do preseason predictions, and I could do that, too, strictly based on the talent on the field, but I'll leave that to others. The only prediction that I'll make is that, come March 30th (opening night with ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball), there will be a huge smile on my face.

Oh, I know that baseball is no longer a perfect sport, as I had romanticized it to be in my youth. The influx of overblown salaries, strikes and lockouts, steroids, etc., long ago shed the illusion of perfection for me. And now with the new rule that removes home plate collisions further proving that we are trying as hard as we possibly can to make all sports non-contact events, I'm convinced there is no going back to the game I loved for so long.

Even so, there is still nothing as wonderful as a warm summer's night at the ballpark, relaxing with friends or family (or both), watching guys struggle to make a round bat contact a round ball that's being thrown first at 97 mph painting the outside corner, followed by a ball thrown at 90 mph breaking eight inches a mere two feet in front of the plate, followed by yet another pitch that looks exactly like the one that was at 97, but is only 85 and sinking rapidly.

The "Distraction" Lie Around NFL Locker Rooms

2014-02-27T13:34:00.001-06:00

By - Tim Swift

This past week at the NFL Combine, one of the words that came up a lot when talking about former Missouri standout Michael Sam was "distraction."

Fans and the media have bantered about how an NFL team will welcome the first openly gay player, and how Sam could potentially be a distraction to whichever organization selects him.

Photo by: Ben Liebenberg

Also last week, footage surfaced of Baltimore running back Ray Rice dragging his unconscious fiancee out of an Atlantic City casino elevator. Obviously we don't know the whole story, but putting your hands on a woman at any time is a pretty disgusting act. Once the video footage began to circulate, few talked about how the alleged heinous crime could be a distraction for the Ravens next season, and coach John Harbaugh even went as far as to say he was confident that Rice would be back with the team.

This is a perfect example of the double-standard that is so blatant around the National Football League.

The vast majority of GMs, coaches, and players are worried about Sam being a distraction, but guys that have been accused and in some cases convicted of crimes are just fine, and in most instances, welcomed back to the locker room with open arms.

The whole idea of distraction when it comes to an NFL locker room is pretty ridiculous in the first place. The Patriots dealt with one of their best players being involved in a murder investigation prior to the 2013 season, yet the people within the organization didn't blink because they controlled the narrative.

Here is something you may not know about NFL locker rooms and the access that the media and fans get; it's completely up to the team who they let in the facility. The Patriots controlled the narrative from the start, and once the season actually got underway, you didn't hear a peep about Aaron Hernandez. Some franchises, like New England, don't have a lot of people within the organization talking out of turn, and typically, those are the ones that run more smoothly.

On the other hand, when the New York Jets signed Tim Tebow and let him do an hour-long press conference, they allowed a ton of media into the facility that under normal circumstances wouldn't have been there. Tebow went on to do interviews all throughout the year, and nobody within the organization ever saw fit to say maybe it's not such a good idea to let our backup QB who has thrown all of eight passes talk to everyone with a mic.

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The B/B Podcast - Episode 109

2014-02-25T14:14:00.000-06:00

By - Kris Fletcher & Tim Swift

In this week's edition of The Bleacher Briefings podcast, we're talkin' a variety of NFL topics, pro and college basketball, boxing, NASCAR, and hockey from the Sochi Winter Games!

Photo by: Patrick Smith

- NFL Combine discussion; more than just numbers/to throw or not throw?/who has impressed?/who should be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft? (0:45 mark)

- How stable is the relationship between Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers following trade talks with the Browns? (5:20)

- League Competition Committee considering rule to penalize teams on the field for use of the n-word (8:09)

- In signing with the Nets, center Jason Collins becomes the first active openly gay athlete in North America's four major professional sports (10:00)

- Floyd Mayweather to fight Marcos Maidana on May 3rd; what to expect (11:59)

- Is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. the favorite to win the Sprint Cup title following his second career win in the Daytona 500? (15:36)

- Syracuse/Duke game; Jim Boeheim's meltdown (17:11)

- Men's and Women's Hockey comes up short for Team USA in Sochi; who choked more? (19:33)

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What Exactly Are the Lakers Doing?

2014-02-24T11:26:00.000-06:00

By - Andy Garcia

Another NBA trade deadline came and went last week, and lo and behold, Pau Gasol is still wearing Purple & Gold.

Ever since the 2011-2012 offseason when Gasol was unofficially traded to the New Orleans Hornets in a deal for Chris Paul, there have been constant trade rumors involving the Spaniard. He has handled it as perfectly as possible, exemplifying true professionalism on and off the court, which is partly why he is still a Laker.

Photo by: Andrew D. Bernstein

It seemed to be a no-brainer for the Lakers to trade away Pau this time around, seeing as the team isn't going anywhere this season, along with the fact that it is in the organization's best interest to get under the luxury tax. To avoid the steep repeater tax that was implemented in the new CBA in order to keep franchises like the Lakers from consistently going over the salary cap, Los Angeles would have to get under the cap twice in the next couple years. Since they are one of the NBA's most profitable franchises, along with the new billion-dollar television deal with Time Warner Cable, it seems the organization isn't all that worried about having to pay a massive luxury tax. Obviously they don't want to get rid of their two-time champion with a simple salary dump, or else they would have done the Andrew Bynum deal and saved tons of money back in early January.

Gasol still has value, and they know it.

Even at 33-years-old, he remains a solid player. For what it's worth, the Lakers are expressing their faith in Pau by not dealing him. This might play a vital role in re-signing the big man this offseason. While he may not be a $19 million-a-year player anymore, he would still be a great signing if the Lake Show can get him for under $10 mill per. I can't see Gasol being unhappy or feeling disrespected enough to leave Los Angeles. He loves playing and living in Tinseltown. Just like he gets walked all over on the defensive end, I doubt Gasol will have the guts to leave the Lakers.

But possibly the most important aspect of keeping Gasol is the fact that Kobe Bryant is happy. I know this isn't the same Kobe, and he only has two years remaining on his contract, but I can name 48.5 million reasons why the organization still cares about him and what he thinks.

There were recent rumors about a possible deal in which the Lakers give up Gasol and the lottery pick they are almost certain to have this summer to the Timberwolves in exchange for 3-time All-Star Kevin Love. Of course, there was only a slim chance the T-Wolves would pull the trigger on that to begin with, and the Lakers possibly dodged a bullet in not making the trade. Love is indeed one of the best players in the game today when he is on the court.

The key part of that sentence is the latter half.

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Will the Old MVP Be M.I.A. This Year in Mil-town?

2014-02-21T10:51:00.003-06:00

By - Keith Smith

Anyone but me old enough to remember the old TV show "To Tell the Truth?" If so, you'll remember how they revealed the real person for whom they were looking.

It's the same question we'll all be asking in a few weeks when the MLB season starts.

"Will the real Ryan Braun please stand up?"

Photo by: Getty Images

The Brewers hope, in fact they're banking on, the real Ryan Braun being the dominant player of 2011 and 2012. Even without the steroids he admitted using during last year's Biogenesis scandal.

The question is, without performance enhancing drugs, can he even be a shadow of his former self? My guess is no, but I've been wrong before.

Braun has only admitted to using one year (2011), but a quick glance at his career numbers indicate one of two things; either the steroids had virtually no effect on his performance the one year he claims to have used (2011 - this is the scenario the Brewers hope is true), or he was using his entire career (in my opinion, the more likely scenario).

Here are Braun's year-by-year numbers:

2007 - .324 BA, 34 HR, 97 RBI, .634 SLG, 1.004 OPS
2008 - .285 BA, 37 HR, 106 RBI, .553 SLG, .888 OPS
2009 - .320 BA, 32 HR, 114 RBI, .551 SLG, .937 OPS
2010 - .304 BA, 25 HR, 103 RBI, .501 SLG, .866 OPS
2011 - .332 BA, 33 HR, 111 RBI, .597 SLG, .994 OPS (MVP season)
2012 - .319 BA, 41 HR, 112 RBI, .595 SLG, .987 OPS
2013 - .298 BA, 9 HR, 38 RBI, .498 SLG, .869 OPS (injured thumb + 65-game suspension)

Is it me, or are all those seasons (with the exception of the suspension year) eerily similar? Who knows? Maybe he is just that good. One thing is certain; this will be a very telling season.

With the scrutiny Braun will be under coming off the suspension, any drop-off from those consistent numbers he posted from 2007-2012 will be greatly magnified. If he only hits .280 with 23 homers and 80 runs batted in, slugs .450 with an OPS around .800, it will be very telling as to the extent of his juicing.

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A Comprehensive Guide to the NFL Combine

2014-02-20T13:37:00.000-06:00

By - Tim Swift

One of the biggest highlights of the National Football League's offseason comes in late February, when GMs, coaches, scouts, and owners descend upon Indianapolis for the combine.

Many people believe that because the players aren't in full pads during the event, it lessens the significance of analyzing them. However, for many of the evaluators around the league, it's the first impression they get of the prospects.

Here's a list of what the players will be facing when they arrive in Indy.

- Workout Drills

Photo by: Ben Liebenberg

These are the drills that will get most of the attention over the next week. The ones that will be talked about the most are the 40-yard dash and the bench press. The other drills that the players will participate in include the vertical jump, three-cone, broad jump, and shuttle run. Flashy numbers in the 40 and the bench press are sure to impress the fans and media members alike, but most NFL executives know that the workout drills are just a small part of the much bigger picture.

- Positional Drills

These drills are much more important to coaches and scouts. During this period, you're going up against other players that you could be facing off with over the next several years. The biggest traits that the coaches want to see are technique and effort, even if you don't execute each drill perfectly. If you're fundamentally sloppy or not giving it your all, coaches, scouts, and GMs will notice immediately.

- Dealing With the Media

At some point, people in the media are going to ask dumb questions. Questions that pry into your personal life and have nothing to do with football. Some people will even ask questions to make things about them and not the players. Trust me, each team will be watching to see how players deal with the media and how they answer tough questions. If you can't handle media sessions during NFL combine week, you are way more likely to blow up after a big loss or break down after a slump in play.

- Film Work and Testing

Sooner or later, coaches will get players in a room and ask them what they're seeing on game film, and they've got to be able to explain the plays and schemes. It's amazing how some players reach this level by dominating physically, yet don't have any real grasp on why they should be lined up at a certain spot. The film work is one of the most underrated parts of the combine, and can go a long way towards impressing a team enough to want to draft you or scaring a team away altogether. Also, players will be taking the infamous Wonderlic Test during the week, which will be the source of much debate when the scores get out, and they always do.

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The B/B Podcast - 2014 Sochi Winter Games, NBA All-Star Weekend and Controversial Officiating on the College Hardwood

2014-02-18T09:59:00.001-06:00

By - Kris Fletcher & Tim Swift

In this week's edition of The Bleacher Briefings podcast, we discuss major storylines from the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the NBA's All-Star gala, and contentious calls in college basketball games from over the weekend!

Photo by: Getty Images

- Down the Homestetch in Sochi: With the conclusion of the XXII Winter Games now in sight, we break down some of the highs and lows for Team USA entering the final week of competition, and take a closer look at the staple of every Winter Olympics; Men's Ice Hockey.

- Big Easy Welcomes the Stars: The NBA's hierarchy was in full mass in New Orleans on Saturday and Sunday, with the Smoothie King Center playing host to the annual Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Game. Was the overall event a hit or miss? Did the right man take home the game's Most Valuable Player Award? Hear our take.

- Poor Officiating Takes Center Stage in College Hoops: Over the weekend, glaring mistakes by officials in both the Maryland-Duke and Arizona-Arizona State game stained the final outcome of each. Was this a precursor to the type of "madness" we're in for next month? We'll tell you.

Plus:

We debate just how historically bad this year's Slam Dunk Contest truly was, as well as share our opinions on the results from ESPN's anonymous survey of NFL players regarding their thoughts on having a gay teammate, and the type of impact the loss of pitcher Ryan Dempster has on Boston's chances of repeating as World Series champions!

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After All These Years, United States vs. Russia Still Holds Our Undivided Attention

2014-02-16T20:19:00.000-06:00

By - Benjamin Lincecum

It goes without saying that history runs deep between the U.S. and Russia. From the time when they were the two most dominant super powers on the planet (both politically and athletically), to today, there is something about these two countries competing against one another that fills their citizens with fire.

There is perhaps no better instance of this competition than the "Miracle on Ice," when an overmatched Team USA managed to defeat the heavily-favored Russians during the 1980 Olympics held in Lake Placid, New York.

Audiences in both countries were again treated to a fantastic hockey game Saturday, and more than anything, it perfectly illuminated the Olympic spirit.

Photo by: Jonathan Nackstrand

Both teams took to the ice determined to pull out a win, and both had solid outings. There was controversy and intrigue. Jonathan Quick, the American goaltender, put on a brilliant display, with 29 saves in regular time and 5 more during the shootout. Pavel Datsyuk started the scoring for both teams before the U.S. scored twice. The Russians eventually tied the game, and then the controversy came.

With a little over 15 minutes to go in the contest, the Russians appeared to have taken the lead on a strong shot by Fedor Tyutin. Amidst the celebration by both the home crowd and Russian International Team, the officials started a review process. No one in the play-by-play group knew what was going on, as there was seemingly no reason the shot should have been reviewed.

They were even more flummoxed when the referee came out and waved the goal off.

It was then that it was pointed out that the net was off the moorings before the goal had been scored, which, according to international rules, negated the point. Once play resumed, neither team really made much noise.

In the overtime period, both squads struggled to get much of anything going. The only real chance came when Patrick Kane managed to breakaway from the Russian defense and streak towards the net. At that moment, my throat tightened. I felt my friend lean forward in his seat, and I swear he temporarily stopped breathing. Alas, the room filled with groans when Kane's shot was corralled by Sergei Bobrovsky.

Then came the extras. We all nervously stared at the screen hoping that the U.S. could put the game away. The outburst when T.J. Oshie scored on his first attempt was not overwhelming, but it was strong. Jonathan Quick stayed big in the net, making sure the Russians had no conversions in the shootout after two tries. After Joe Pavelski failed to convert his scoring opportunity, the tension in the room really ratcheted up. We watched as Ilya Kovalchuk picked up speed on his way towards the goal, and everyone let the outbursts fly as he blasted a shot past Quick to keep hope alive for Team Russia.

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Derek Jeter: O Captain, My Captain

2014-02-14T00:16:00.005-06:00

By - Keith Smith

The man that some people consider to be the greatest Yankee ever, Derek Jeter, announced Wednesday that the 2014 baseball season will be his last.

Photo by: John Munson

Before I delve into where he ranks among both the all-time great Yankees and shortstops, let me say that I'm not a Yankee fan. Quite the opposite, actually. I've never cared for the team from the Bronx. So nothing I say here can be attributed to any type of bias tied to being a homer.

I will simply say, of all the players that I've had the pleasure of watching over my 52 years of life, Jeter ranks near the top in terms of people I would want to start a team with and build around.

His passion for the game shines through in everything he does. He's the kind of player that every child aspires to be when they are tossing a ball around the back yard with their dad. He's also the kind of player every father envisions his kid becoming in that same instance.

During a time in baseball history marred by the ugliness of steroids, Derek Jeter has remained the class of the league, staying above the fray and accusations. He has been solid in every phase of a sport where, nowadays, if you excel at more than two of those phases, people start talking Hall of Fame.

But in Jeter's case, there will be no reason to push people for votes. He will be a first-ballot guy, and my guess is six years from now he will receive one of the highest vote totals that the game has ever seen.

Jeter has played his entire career in New York, something we continue to see less and less of every generation. Playing on the most storied franchise in major league history, Jeter owns many of the team's all-time records.

The Captain is first in games played (2,602), hits (3,316), at-bats (10,614), plate appearances (11,968), singles (2,470), and stolen bases (348). He's also second in doubles (9 away from first, almost a certainty), third in runs (could end up first), fifth in walks (will finish fourth), sixth in runs batted in, seventh in batting average (could finish as high as fifth), and ninth in home runs.

As a matter of fact, in looking at all the Yankee career batting records, only three names appear at the top of practically every category; Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Derek Jeter. That's extremely rare company on what is universally recognized as the most successful franchise in any major sport.

Knicks in Need of a Complete Overhaul

2014-02-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

By - Tim Swift

When you've been consistently getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs for years on end, it eventually gets to the point where you need to reevaluate the things you do on a day-to-day basis to figure out why you've been failing for such an extended period of time.

The New York Knicks are far beyond that point.

Photo by: Seth Wenig

There needs to be wholesale changes made to this club, and it starts with trading Carmelo Anthony right now while he still has some prime years left. Let another team worry about his next long-term deal. I'm not saying this option is overwhelmingly beneficial, seeing as how they won't get anywhere near full value for the guy, but upper management needs to at least place a few calls.

Someone would bite.

The scouting department and most of the front office needs to be overhauled as well, so things can be looked at through fresh eyes. Amare Stoudemire's contract would be funny if not for the fact it's so sad, as he is due over $23 million next year. There is an early termination clause, however, and the Knicks would be wise to use it the second this season ends.

New York is currently $30 million over the luxury tax. Not that owner James Dolan has ever really cared about spending money with any sense of responsibility, but still. With Melo, Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani and Tyson Chandler making a combined $73 mill this year, it's safe to say new spending tactics should be the focus.

Obviously when rebuilding, coaching is a big part of the overall equation. Mike Woodson has had some decent moments, but the bad has far outweighed the good. The mess between him and J.R. Smith is a perfect example of how Woodson has no real grasp of what this team needs on or off the court. His offensive sets look more like something you'd see at a Rucker Park street game, where the guy who grabs the rebound usually takes the shot, or a big man sets a screen for Melo, and he then dribbles for 20 seconds or so before throwing up a 22-footer as the shot clock expires.

The Knicks have also been bad about trading away first round draft picks, and when they have kept them, they usually have made the wrong decisions. See the likes of Renaldo Balkman, Mardy Collins, Donnell Harvey and Jordan Hill, among others. Because of the Stepien Rule, a stipulation that says you can't trade first round picks in consecutive years, New York has to keep their 2015 and 2017 first round selections.

All things considered, they don't deserve to keep them.

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2014 Men's Olympic Hockey Power Rankings

2014-02-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

By - Brad Heerschop

With most of the other events well underway now, the moment we've all been waiting for is finally upon us.

What I'm referring to, of course, is Men's Olympic Hockey. Sure, the women's portion has been fun, but let's be honest, that was basically a two-horse race before it even started. With the United States and Canada capturing four golds, three silvers and one bronze medal over the last four Winter Games, it's pretty much a lock that the preliminary affairs will be nothing more than formalities.

The men are an entirely different story, though. There are seven teams fully capable of capturing gold in Sochi, and the other five clubs in the tournament are good enough to play spoiler at any point.

So let's get to it. Here are our 2014 Men's Olympic Hockey power rankings.

Photo by: Jayne Kamin

12. Slovenia - While I have them as a dark horse to make at least some noise in this tourney, with the exception of L.A. Kings center Anze Kopitar, the Slovenian team is primarily made up of nobodies. 26-year-old Kopitar is no slouch with 47 points in 59 regular season NHL games this year, but is he enough to take this club past the group stage? The only other vaguely familiar name on this squad is Jan Mursak, a former Detroit Red Wing, and only the second Slovenian-born player in NHL history. Mursak now plays in the KHL, and has performed more than modestly at that level, but with only two familiar faces, Slovenia is a wild card, at best. If you're one of those people looking for that "root for the little guy" moment, this is it. 2014 marks Slovenia's first time ever competing for Olympic glory, and they managed to qualify without Kopitar, who was playing in North America at the time.

11. Latvia - A case could be made for this bunch at No. 12, but it's hard to put them behind Slovenia, all things considered. Latvia managed to qualify for the Olympics last time around, in 2010, albeit an 0-3 performance in which they scored only 4 goals. Another club with many unknowns, the only big name to speak of is center Zemgus Girgensons. A former first-round pick for the Buffalo Sabres, Girgensons highlights a rather limited group of talent, at least as far as the NHL is concerned. Older hockey fans will remember Sandis Ozolinsh, who will be playing in his second Olympics, but at age 41, it remains to be seen what he has left in the tank. Other names of note are Oskars Bartulis, Arturs Kulda, Kaspars Daugavins and Martin Karsums, all of whom have played in the big leagues in some form or fashion. The real question is, how will 5'10 goalie Edgars Masalskis, a notoriously clutch goaltender in big moments, play for the Latvians? The person who could really help them is Sabres interim head coach Ted Nolan, who should make this Latvian team play to their highest potential. I just don't think that potential is medal-worthy.

10. Austria - This is the first year that Austria has qualified for Olympic play since '02, when they finished dead last. The last time they won any medal in men's hockey was in the 1947 World Ice Hockey Championship when they took home the bronze. Goalie Bernhard Starkbaum has been good in international play during his career, so at the highest level, it'll be fun to see how he performs. Austrian team captain Thomas Vanek and New York Islanders teammate Michael Grabner, along with Philadelphia Flyers first-liner Michael Raffl account for all of the NHL talent on this team. However, hockey is deeper than the NHL these days, and you can expect some of the spotlight to shine on Manuel Latusa and Daniel Oberkofler, both of whom play in Austria's hockey league. This team is far from loaded, but they have some talent. That said, paired with Finland, Canada and Norway, I wouldn't expect them to go far.

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The B/B Podcast - Sam Comes Out, Smart Hits the Stands and Rodriguez Finally Folds

2014-02-11T11:44:00.000-06:00

By - Kris Fletcher & Tim Swift

In this week's edition of The Bleacher Briefings podcast, we discuss All-American Michael Sam's monumental announcement on ESPN's Outside the Lines, Marcus Smart's physical altercation with a Texas Tech fan in the stands Saturday, and Alex Rodriguez's decision to drop his lawsuit against Major League Baseball!

Photo by: Getty Images

- NFL Prospect Reveals He's Gay: In an interview with Chris Connelly on Sunday, SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam stated publicly what his teammates and coaches at Mizzou have known since August; "I am an openly proud gay man." What type of impact could Sam's announcement have on where he's selected in the draft, and is the National Football League really ready for an openly gay man in the locker rooms? Hear our take.

- Smart Loses His Cool Yet Again: Late in the game in a loss to the Red Raiders Saturday, Oklahoma State All-American Marcus Smart entered the stands and shoved a fan after the man heckled him following a foul under the basket. Considering this wasn't the first time Smart did something ill-tempered on the court this year, was the three-game suspension he received enough, and will the reputation he's developed come back to haunt him when the NBA Draft rolls around in June? We'll tell you.

- MLB Finally Breaks A-Rod: Last Friday, lawyers representing Alex Rodriguez filed a notice of dismissal in his lawsuit against Major League Baseball, essentially ending one of the most controversial chapters in the history of the league's performance-enhancing drug program. After months of proclaiming his innocence and deeming the investigation a "witch hunt," was A-Rod's decision surprising? We break it down.

Plus:

We debate whether or not the 76ers are purposely tanking this season, and if head coach Maurice Cheeks got a raw deal with the Pistons!

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"Slim Reaper" Eyes First League MVP Award

2014-02-10T00:07:00.003-06:00

By - Andy Garcia

After a long reign and practically a monopoly of Most Valuable Player Awards by LeBron James, it seems that the widely regarded "second-best" player in the game, Kevin Durant, may finally get over the proverbial hump this season and take home the hardware.

Photo by: Getty Images

With about two-thirds of the 2013-14 NBA campaign now in the books, it's beginning to look like it's Durant's award to lose. The Oklahoma City Thunder sit atop of the Western Conference standings once again, which bodes well for Durant's chances to come away with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Although the MVP Award shouldn't be given to the best player on the best team, it seems that it is a major deciding factor to the voters. It clearly says most valuable player, not best player.

However, it's rare to see someone take home league MVP honors whose team didn't finish in first place in their respective conference. In fact, it has only happened three times in the last 20 years. Each time it happened, the MVP was awarded to a player on a team with the second-best record (James 2011-12, Steve Nash 2005-06, and Tim Duncan 2001-02) and only because there wasn't a player who stood out on those top-seeded teams.

Kevin Durant clearly stands out on his team, though, and I will tell you why he is going to be this season's Most Valuable Player.

Let's start with the basics. To the average basketball fan, the main statistical categories are points, rebounds, and assists. Durant is starting to be more than just the best scorer in the game today, as he has taken his play to another level by getting his teammates involved as well. He is averaging an NBA-leading 31.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and a career-high 5.5 assists per game. His biggest competitor for the award this season, reigning four-time MVP LeBron James, is also having a solid year, averaging 26.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. Not too shabby. However, I think it's safe to say KD is the front-runner in overall numbers.

Of course, you cannot simply use just these three statistical categories to decide which player is worthy of the award, but when you look at the advanced metrics, it becomes clear that KD is the man to beat.

In this sports era of "moneyball" and high-tech computer software, we can delve into the numbers to further analyze players beyond just the normal stats. One major category used to determine a player's value is PER (Player Efficiency Rating), which measures per-minute production. Durant leads the league at 30.9, while LBJ trails at 28.6. Usage Rate Percentage is the estimate a percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor. In layman's terms, this is essentially a measure of how much a team may rely on a certain player. Durant's 32.1% is also among the league leaders, and more than his counterpart in question.

The XXII Winter Games: Hypocrisy in Sochi

2014-02-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

By - Benjamin Lincecum

If you think the 2014 Sochi Winter Games are strictly about the events themselves, you are sadly mistaken.

Photo by: Getty Images

Everything about these Olympics has been big and political, something the event is not unfamiliar with. From the U.S. protest of the 1980 Moscow Games, to the Berlin Games in 1936 that saw Adolf Hitler try to prove his ideas about race and eugenics, to the '68 Mexico Games where two African-American athletes raised their fists in gesture to support the idea of civil rights in their country.

Perhaps the most infamous political moment in the Olympics came in the 1972 Games in Munich where eleven Israeli athletes were killed by five Palestinians, who also died, after a standoff with German authorities.

From the onset of these particular Games, there have been accusations of political intrigues, corruption and misconduct. Contracts were given out to childhood friends of the Russian president, and the cost overrun for the projects has been enormous. There has also been the storyline of recent anti-homosexual and general anti-human rights laws that have come out of the Russian government, coupled with jihadist threats to attack the Games themselves.

Teams like Greece and Germany were assigned protest status against their own intentions, and a gay athlete from the Netherlands openly flouted her opinion after her slopestyle run by showing off her rainbow themed unicorn gloves to the cameras.

Perhaps one of the most interesting and underreported stories comes from recent revelations that Russian TV audiences were not allowed to see footage of the ring mishap during the opening ceremonies, but were treated to a doctored version that was earlier recorded where all of the snow flakes successfully changed into colorless rings.

The big question we now face is, do we really care?

Per Olympic rules, the Games are not to be used as a political platform, but it's rarely, if ever, enforced by the committee. Athletes like Tommie Smith and John Carlos faced no lasting consequences, and the IOC has said nothing in regards to Cheryl Maas' antics. Russia has even used the Olympics to advance the narrative of their beliefs regarding the problems with the modern gay rights movement becoming less a movement about human equality and more about forcing people to adopt beliefs against their will.

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