Derek Jeter and 5 Reasons the Yankees Are Going to Be at the Bottom in 5 Years

The Yankees have made the postseason three years in a row now, but how long can they keep up their dominance? The Yankees have the largest fanbase, the largest payroll and most championships. So wouldn't they keep succeeding in the future? 

I'll give you five reasons the Yankees are going to meet the Baltimore Orioles at the bottom of the standings in a few years. 

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1047787-derek-jeter-and-5-reasons-the-yankees-are-going-to-be-at-the-bottom-in-5-years

St. Louis Rams Minnesota Timberwolves

Koivu returns to practice for the Wild

TUESDAY'S STORY LINE: As expected, Wild captain Mikko Koivu joined his teammates at practice for the first time since suffering an upper body injury on January 14th.

Koivu, who has 33 points in 41 games this season, was happy to be back with his team.

"It feels good, to be practicing with the rest of the team, mentally it is a lot more fun," said Koivu.

Koivu said everything felt good out there, but there is no timetable for his return. Koivu looked good skating and shooting, but didn't take any contact. His ability to take contact will be a key to his return.

Mike Yeo said there no timeframe for when Koivu will be cleared for contact, but seeing Koivu skating with his team is good sign.

"The fact that he is on the ice with us right now means that he is much closer," added Yeo.

Yeo said he expects both Koivu and Guillaume Latendresse to travel with the team on the upcoming road trip.

HE SAID IT: "I find, not too many times, do you look at a team that is being successful and they are bouncing back-and-forth from one goalie to another. I think we were able to do that earlier in the year, but certainly down the stretch it is a lot easier for guys to prepare to get into a groove, to get feeling good about their game the more that they are playing. Having said that, we are not just going to give it to anybody, someone is going to have to step up and grab it. We will use these games, and that would be the perfect situation and that is what we would like to have happen, but we will play it by ear." Yeo on either Harding or Backstrom stepping up and taking control down the stretch

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/koivu_returns_to_practice_for_the_wild/9692002

Oakland Raiders Cincinnati Bengals

D. Jordan sends Harden and his shot into the crowd!

	D. Jordan sends Harden and his shot into the crowd! Check out DeAndre Jordan as he comes up with the big swat on James Harden who winds up falling into the camera man!	From: NBA Views: 24640 159 ratings
	Time: 00:13	More in Sports

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXkBoD2U9FQ&feature=youtube_gdata

Washington Redskins Cleveland Cavaliers

What do Coyotes need to do to make playoffs?

While pondering the Coyotes stretch run, it seemed appropriate that the iPod shuffled to Coldplays "Everythings Not Lost."

Phoenix emerges from the 2012 All-Star break in 12th place in the Western Conference, seven points off last seasons pace and six spots behind its sixth-place standing at this time last year. The Coyotes are still without an owner, still without a top-line center and still looking for a legitimate home-ice advantage from their fans.

But those three issues are nothing new, and the first is manageable.

Despite a road-heavy schedule, the Coyotes are just three points behind Minnesota in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot, and their goal differential (minus-four) -- a good past predictor of whether teams make the playoffs -- is better than any of the five teams currently battling for that last spot in the West.

With money to spend in his budget, general manager Don Maloney should be able to add some scoring punch up front, even if he finds it impossible to land that prized No. 1 center without mortgaging the future.

Phoenix will play 18 of its final 32 games at Jobing.com Arena. Without the taxing road trips that have left the team exhausted when it reaches home ice, the Coyotes should be able to establish a little more home dominance.

Finally, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman sparked renewed hope when he revealed at the All-Star Game that there is a third party now interested in purchasing the Coyotes. Sure, weve heard such talk before, but its better than a gloomy forecast, no?

As coach Dave Tippett said following the teams sloppy win over Ottawa in the last game before the break, there is plenty of work to be done. Here are our top three areas in which the Coyotes must continue to excel along with three things they must do better if they are to secure a third consecutive postseason berth.

KEEP IT UP

Goalie Mike Smiths play: The offseason free-agent signing suffered a lull near the end of 2011, but hes resumed his stellar play of late and now sits 10th in the NHL in save percentage (.922) with a 2.44 goals-against average. Smith has allowed 23 goals in his last 10 games (six in one game) while stopping 291 of 314 shots (92.7 percent). By the way, Ilya Bryzgalovs numbers last season at the break looked like this: 2.64 goals-against average, .916 save percentage. We like to say we told you so, so we just did.

Penalty-killing prowess: Like Smith, the PK suffered a lull, but its now back to being one of the NHLs elite units. The Phoenix penalty kill ranks ninth in the league at 84.2 percent. Special teams are magnified in the playoffs, and without a strong power play, the Coyotes have to get one half of the equation right.

Radim Vrbatas breakout season: Have we mentioned that the Coyotes dont have much scoring punch? They are on pace to have just three 20-goal scorers, pending any trade-deadline deals. Of course, they only had one last season, but they had eight with 16 or more. That wont happen this season. Its a lot of pressure to place on Vrbata, and other teams will probably be clamping down on him, but career numbers sure would help the cause.

STEP IT UP

The power play: Following an 0-for-5 performance on the power play on Jan. 12 in Phoenix, Detroit coach Mike Babcock remarked how awful the Red Wings power play had been over the past month. Nothings happening, Babcock growled. The Wings' version of nothing still looked more threatening than the Coyotes' version. Phoenix is 29th out of 30 teams, converting at a 12.8 percent clip with the man advantage. Its easy to say the Coyotes have to be better -- that they have to get more pucks to the net and move the puck faster -- but without a play-making center or an immoveable force to park in the slot, its hard to imagine this unit improving much. If Maloney cant get that No. 1 center hes long coveted, he might look at finding a piece to help this struggling unit.

Home-ice play: Phoenix is 10-9-4 at Jobing.com Arena. Last season, the Coyotes were 10-9-5 at the break. Scary, huh? The Coyotes went 11-4-2 in their last 17 games at home last season. A similar feat this season should be sufficient for a playoff spot.

Be better in tight games: The perception has been that the Coyotes did a better job last season of getting to overtime and at least earning a point than they are doing this year. Thats not really the case. Phoenix lost a league-high 13 games in overtime or a shootout last season. With eight OT or SO losses through 50 games, theyre on pace to achieve that number again. They also won seven games in overtime or shootout last year. This year, they have three such wins, so theyll likely fall a point or two short of last seasons pace. Where the Coyotes have really struggled is in one-goal games. They had lost 10 straight before beating Ottawa just before the break and are 8-17 in one-goal games this season. Last season, they were 16-16 in such games. The good news? Phoenix was 9-14 in one-goal games before the All-Star break last season, then went 7-2 down the stretch. Just like last seasons late home-ice push, a similar streak in one-goal games could get the Coyotes to the postseason.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/what_do_coyotes_need_to_do_to_make_playoffs/9676477

Minnesota Vikings Golden State Warriors

Colts are ready to move on from Peyton Manning

�


Written by: Matthew Blunk
For over a decade now, the Indianapolis Colts have been astoundingly consistent as an elite football team in the NFL. The Colts' domination culminated in 2006, when Indianapolis beat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. And now, five years later, the Peyton Manning Era is set to end.
It all started with Manning's neck injury putting him on the shelf for all of the 2011 season after 227 consecutive starts (including postseason). Then came that disastrous 2011 season, which resulted in a 2-14 record for Indianapolis. Owner Jim Irsay cleaned house, replacing the architect of the Manning Era Colts, Bill Polian, with Ryan Grigson, who then replaced head coach Jim Caldwell with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
All that's left to do now, it seems, is gut the roster. The transformation is nearly complete. The Colts have the first overall pick in the 2012 Draft, new coaches, and new philosophies.
And, for the time being,...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/colts_are_ready_to_move_on_from_peyton_manning/9675523

New Jersey Nets Tennessee Titans

Bearcats in the doghouse after 3 straight losses

Last week Mick Cronin referred to this juncture of the season as the "Dog days", in reference to the bumps and bruises and general malaise that sets in after a two-month grind. But following three consecutive losses the Bearcats clearly were residing in Cronin's dog house.

"Right now, I don't want to be around them," Cronin said following Saturday's loss at Rutgers. "I'm about as embarrassed to be the coach of this team as I've ever been. I'm miserable."

It's difficult to point to one aspect that has contributed to the Bearcats' recent slide but one that stands out is 3-point shooting. UC evolved into a 3-point shooting team while its three big men were suspended following the December brawl with Xavier. Since then the Bearcats' fortunes appear to hinge on their success beyond the arc.

If there ever was a team that live and dies by the 3-point shot it's this one. UC leads the Big East Conference in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.5 percent, but ranks last in the league in overall field goal percentage. In its past three games UC has shot 27 percent from 3-point range (21-for-78), all losses.

Cronin's tirade had been simmering for more than a week. The loss at West Virginia was in overtime in a tough environment on the road and against former UC head coach Bob Huggins. In the loss to Syracuse the Bearcats held the lead for much of the game until the Orange closed it out with a 16-5 run. And Syracuse was 20-0 and ranked No. 1 less than 48 hours before.

But the trends continued on Saturday when the Bearcats dropped a 61-54 decision to Rutgers, a team with a sub-.500 Big East record that they'd beaten five straight times. Cronin didn't want to discuss 3-point shooting, but rather that they were outrebounded 32-21 and committed 14 turnovers.

It's a good time for the Bearcats to have a week off. They don't play again until Feb. 4 when they host DePaul. So six days to exit Cronin's dog house.

NOTES, QUOTESDespite injuries, Kilpatrick keeps streak alive

--Sean Kilpatrick has been playing through a groin pull which occurred in the Jan. 14 game at Villanova and a hip pointer that happened a week later at West Virginia. Despite the nagging injuries Kilpatrick maintained a streak of 21 straight games with a made 3-pointer. Kilpatrick leads the Big East Conference with 2.8 3-pointers per game through Jan. 28. He has scored in double figures in 19 of 22 contests.

--Senior G Dion Dixon responded with a team-leading 17 points in a Jan. 28 loss at Rutgers after a sub-par 5-point outing in the loss to Syracuse. Dixon earned Big East Conference player of the week honors on Jan. 16 after scoring a season-high 22 points in wins at then-No. 11 Georgetown and vs. Villanova.

--While UC has primarily been a perimeter team of late, Yancy Gates has made the most of his opportunities in the middle. Gates had 16 points and eight rebounds Jan. 28 in a loss at Rutgers, making it five straight games in double figures for the senior forward who's had three double-doubles in that stretch.

BY THE NUMBERS: 5.7 -- Average margin of defeat for Cincinnati in consecutive losses to West Virginia, Syracuse and Rutgers from Jan. 21-28.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Anybody who loses three games in a row in January better decide what they're going to do. They're either going to tough it up or they're going to pack it in." -- Mick Cronin after his team's third straight loss, 61-54 at Rutgers.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNELTHIS WEEK'S GAMES:--vs. DePaul, Feb. 4

KEY MATCHUPS: Through 20 games the Blue Demons were averaging 74.6 points on offense, but giving up the same amount on defense. DePaul, which ranked 11th in the Big East Conference in 3-point percentage defense, might be just the cure for UC's 3-point shooting woes. Cleveland Melvin, who averaged 17.8 points through 20 games, is DePaul's top scoring threat.

FUTURES MARKET: Highly touted four-star recruit Shaq Thomas, who was ruled ineligible for this season due to alleged academic discrepancies at NIA Prep in New Jersey, has impressed coaches since he began practicing with the team in December. Thomas, a 6-foot-7 guard, can handle the ball and is developing a perimeter shot. "He'll be a great fit in our offense (next year)," said UC head coach Mick Cronin. "He'll become really tough to defend."

PLAYER NOTES

--G Sean Kilpatrick is playing hurt. He suffered a groin injury on Jan. 14 against Villanova and then a hip pointer on Jan. 21 at West Virginia. Kilpatrick admitted last week to experiencing pain during games, especially moving laterally on defense and sprinting up the court.

--G Cashmere Wright led the Bearcats with 14.4 points in a four-game stretch before facing Rutgers on Jan. 28. He had scored in double figures in each of those games before scoring just three points in a loss at Rutgers.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/bearcats_in_the_doghouse_after_3_straight_losses/9676138

Houston Texans Detroit Lions

Djokovic wins marathon match to set up Nadal final

If anyone knows how Novak Djokovic feels after sweating and scrapping for almost five hours in the Australian Open semifinals, it's his next opponent - Rafael Nadal.

A day after Nadal beat Roger Federer in four compelling sets, Djokovic dug deep to overcome Andy Murray 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5 on Friday night after 4 hours, 50 minutes.

Defending champion Djokovic will face Nadal in a third straight Grand Slam final on Sunday. It's a reversal from three years ago, when Nadal had to regroup after his own lengthy semifinal.

The Spaniard needed 5 hours, 14 minutes in 2009 to get past compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the longest men's singles match in the tournament's history. He was so exhausted, he didn't lift a racket the following day.

Yet when the final rolled around, he beat Federer - who had an extra day to rest - in five sets that reduced the usually composed Swiss player to tears.

Now a weary Djokovic has less than 48 hours to prepare to face Nadal, one of the most fit players in the game.

''I know that I maybe have a mental edge because I've won six finals. ... We played in 2011 and I've had lots of success against him,'' Djokovic said. ''That's going to be my main priority and concern the next day and a half, to physically be able to perform my best and be ready to play five sets.''

Djokovic won 10 titles in 2011, six of them by beating Nadal in finals. Just as Nadal has the mental edge over Federer, Djokovic has developed a hold over the Spaniard.

But the No. 1-ranked Djokovic has shown chinks in his armor at Melbourne Park this year. Against David Ferrer in the quarterfinals, he struggled to breathe through most of a straight-sets win and at one point, clutched his leg in agony.

Against Murray, he looked completely spent again when he hobbled gingerly back to his chair after dropping serve to go down 2-1 in the third set.

''He's done it many times before,'' Murray said. ''He runs very well even when he's breathing heavy. I was ready for that. He was similar in the last match. But he moved fine.''

Murray had his own slump when he lost the fourth set in 25 minutes - an aberration in a match featuring long baseline rallies that quite often ended in errors.

One rally in the eighth game of the second set ended after 41 shots. The third set lasted nearly an hour and a half, with the opening game taking almost 15 minutes alone. There was one serve-volley point in the entire match, won by Murray.

The gap between the top-ranked player and the No. 4 was mostly indiscernible throughout a match featuring 18 breaks of serve and almost as many changes in momentum.

When a scampering Murray knocked a forehand into the net on the final point, Djokovic collapsed onto the court. He shared a warm hug with his old friend Murray, sank to his knees and did the sign of the cross, then turned to his players' box and thumped his chest.

Many of his 70 match wins in 2011 seemed to come easy - this was anything but.

''Definitely one of the best (wins) under the circumstances,'' Djokovic said. ''Time wise, I think this was one of the longest, if not the longest, that I've played in the later stages of a Grand Slam.

''As a tennis player, you practice hard every single day knowing that you will get an opportunity to be part of such a great match and on such a high level.''

After losing the last two finals at the Australian Open, Murray went out a round earlier this time but left more encouraged than ever that he can break through and become the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since 1936.

''Tonight's match was important for many reasons,'' the 24-year-old Murray said. ''Obviously I wanted to win first and foremost. But also sort of after last year, the year that Novak's had, I think there's a very fine line between being No. 1 in the world and being 3 or 4. I think that gap, I feel tonight I closed it.

''My job over the next two or three months is to surpass him and the guys in front of me.''

Djokovic will bid for his fifth major title in Sunday men's final, with the chance to become only the fifth man in the Open Era to win three straight Grand Slam titles.

If he can achieve that, Djokovic would make 10-time Grand Slam winner Nadal the first man since the Open Era began in 1968 to lose three straight major finals. Just like Nadal three years ago, Djokovic doesn't plan on doing much before Sunday's final.

''I think I had enough time spent on the court. Now it's all about recovery,'' said Djokovic, who has won 19 consecutive Grand Slam matches.

After a year in which almost everything went his way and he overtook Nadal and Federer for the No. 1 ranking, Djokovic is just finding out what it feels like to be the hunted rather than the hunter.

''I'm aware now that everyone wants to win the major title, get that No. 1 spot, he said. ''It's normal. It's something I'm prepared for.''

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/djokovic_wins_marathon_match_to_set_up_nadal_final/9643888

Chicago Bears Portland Trail Blazers

Why Does the Southeast Produce So Few Elite Quarterbacks

Southeast high-schools produce more four and five-star quarterbacks than any other region. Why do so few of them end up in the NFL?

Source: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/01/29/why-does-the-southeast-produce-so-few-elite-quarterbacks/

Seattle Seahawks Green Bay Packers

WWE Royal Rumble 2012 Results: News Reaction and Analysis from PPV

It’s one of the best pay-per-views that the WWE puts on as a company: the Royal Rumble. And tonight, the field is as wide open as ever.  

However, before we get into the over-the-top battle royal match, there is a stacked card that features three excellent matches. Two of those matches are title bouts, with the WWE and World Heavyweight Title on the line.  

Will both champions—CM Punk and Daniel Bryan—be able to hold onto their championships and head into the road to WrestleMania as the face of the company? Or, will Dolph Ziggler pull one of the biggest upsets in the history of the company, defeating Punk for the WWE Title? 

On the SmackDown side, can Daniel Bryan hold off both the Big Show and Mark Henry as they battle inside of the unforgiving steel cage? It will be interesting to see if Henry will be able to compete tonight, after suffering an injury on the last episode of SmackDown. 

Aside from the two title matches, John Cena will be out for blood as he battles “The Big Red Machine,” Kane. Kane is fresh off of destroying Cena’s best friend, Zack Ryder, and it looks like it was the thing that finally pushed Cena over the edge. 

Will Cena finally embrace the hate, destroying Kane and showing a violent side that the WWE Universe has never seen?

And then there is the 30-man Royal Rumble match. There are a number of exciting question marks heading into the match such as:

Will Randy Orton win the Royal Rumble at his hometown of St. Louis? Can The Miz survive from No. 1 to be the last man standing? What will Chris Jericho do in the rumble match that makes it the end of the world? And, which former superstar will make a shocking return tonight? 

Follow us live here tonight as we will be updating you with results, analysis and opinion on what happened in the match.

 

Follow @tjmcaloon

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1044256-wwe-royal-rumble-2012-results-news-reaction-and-analysis-from-ppv

Minnesota Timberwolves Kansas City Chiefs

Wade powers to the rim for the big slam!

	Wade powers to the rim for the big slam! Check out Dwyane Wade as he drives to the rim for the big finish against Knicks!	From: NBA Views: 30315 274 ratings
	Time: 00:20	More in Sports

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEsQm3cxw2A&feature=youtube_gdata

Oklahoma City Thunder Sacramento Kings

Video: Andre Miller?s Casual Buzzer Beater

Andre Miller is a great 3-point shooter who just spends too much time in the weight room.

Source: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/01/28/andre-millers-casual-buzzer-beater/

Boston Celtics Denver Broncos

Why The Devils Need to Trade for Ryan Miller

As this season continues to play itself out, one the the questions the Buffalo Sabres are going to need to answer is whether or not Ryan Miller is going to be their goaltender moving forward. The Sabres find themselves in the lower half of the Eastern Conference and stuck with a handful of bad contracts as a result of �players they had signed last offseason. Despite their questionable moves, one of the biggest�disappointments�has to be that not one person on their team stuck up for Ryan Miller when was he was hit by Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins in November.From that moment on their team has struggled in almost every aspect. It has reached the point to where Miller isn�??t sure what players have his back, if any. He has a GAA over 3.00 and a save percentage of under .900. For him, those numbers are brutal.The Sabres have Jhonas Enroth splitting time with Miller. �Truth be told, it appears Enroth can handle being a true starting goalie in the NHL. Miller, s...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/why_the_devils_need_to_trade_for_ryan_miller/9644968

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

KG Pumped Up After Comeback Win

	KG Pumped Up After Comeback Win Kevin Garnett was pretty intense talking to Craig Sager after the Celtics came back from 27-points down to beat the Magic in Orlando.	From: NBA Views: 16950 425 ratings
	Time: 01:17	More in Sports

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JHV5pZQpoc&feature=youtube_gdata

Washington Wizards New Jersey Nets

The Rob Gronkowski Rap is Magnificently Awful

The latest in athlete-related jingles.

Source: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/01/26/the-rob-gronkowski-rap-is-magnificently-awful/

Indianapolis Colts Lenny Wilkens

A.J. Foyt hospitalized for infection

A.J. Foyt has been hospitalized in Houston for complications from knee surgery and will skip the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The 77-year-old Foyt had knee surgery two weeks ago, and an infection sent him to the hospital Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner said Friday that Foyt may stay in the hospital through the weekend. She said he had been up and walking since the surgery but developed an infection this week.

Foyt is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Foyt was scheduled to be the grand marshal Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/aj_foyt_hospitalized_for_infection/9622534

Indianapolis Colts Lenny Wilkens

2012 Australian Open Final: Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka

In recent years, women's tennis has become more enjoyable to watch than men's tennis. It might be because most points include some volleying back and forth instead of ace city in men's matches. Maybe it's because you're sick of Andy Roddick's inability to win a big match. Or it's possible that women's tennis players have become sex symbols...and hot blondes beat a sweaty Rafa Nadal any day any time anywhere.

Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will face off in the land down under Saturday in the Australian Open Final. And while Maria's grunting might annoy pants off you, it's music to my ears and soothes, uh, well. Miss Azarenka has the grunting ability...and the legs to match up well against Maria. It'll be like a Las Vegas showgirls production with a little bit of sweat. Count me in.

Who's your pick: Sharapova or Azarenka?

Maria:













...or Victoria?









We'll take Maria in f...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/2012_australian_open_final_maria_sharapova_vs_victoria_azarenka/9618388

James Worthy Buffalo Bills

Sharapova vs. Azarenka: Finals Experience Favors Maria at Australian Open

It's only fitting that Maria Sharapova would have to face Victoria Azarenka, rather than Kim Clijsters, in the finale at the 2012 Australian Open.

Sharapova has spent the bulk of the tournament battling younger, less experienced challengers at Melbourne Park. From Jamie Hampton and Sabine Lisicki to Ekaterina Makarova and Petra Kvitova, Sharapova has asserted herself as an elder stateswoman of sorts, even though she's only 24 herself.

And even though the Russian bombshell and former No. 1 in the world of women's tennis hasn't won a Grand Slam title since the 2008 Australian Open.

The semifinal victory over Kvitova was particularly redeeming for Sharapova's career. She may well have broken her major drought months ago had it not been for the big Slovakian, who topped Sharapova in the final at Wimbledon last year.

As for Azarenka, the difference in age may be only two years, but the disparity in experience is nothing short of cavernous. Saturday's match will mark Azarenka's debut in a Grand Slam final, as opposed to the sixth such appearance for Sharapova, of which she's won three previously.

That's not to say that such an advantage will (or even should) make Sharapova the overwhelming favorite. Her career record against Azarenka is an even 3-3, with two of the losses coming in hardcourt finals in Miami and Stanford.

Azarenka has proven on her own, too, that she's no slouch. She did well to oust Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam winner and the defending Australian Open champion, drawing upon her tremendous grit and determination to fend off the seasoned veteran.

And lest anyone forget, if Azarenka defeats Sharapova, she'll be the top-ranked player in women's tennis.

The same goes for Sharapova, who hasn't scaled the mountain of her sport since 2007. Should Sharapova win, she'll have validated further the triumph of experience over youthful exuberance, of persistence amidst past injury over a relatively spotless medical record.

Of the "old guard" of women's tennis over the brash up-and-comers.

Follow @J0shMart1n

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1041079-sharapova-vs-azarenka-finals-experience-favors-maria-at-australian-open

Golden State Warriors James Worthy

Ricardo Clark gets 1st US start since World Cup

Ricardo Clark earned his first U.S. national team start in 19 months for Wednesday night's exhibition game at Panama after scoring in stoppage time against Venezuela last weekend.

Clark, who replaced Jeff Larentowicz in the midfield, had not started for the Americans since June 26, 2010, when he was stripped of the ball leading to Ghana's opening goal in the 2-1 overtime loss that eliminated the U.S. He was replaced that night in the 31st minute.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann made four changes to his starting lineup, also inserting goalkeeper Nick Rimando, left back Zack Loyd and forward Chris Wondolowski in place of Bill Hamid, Heath Pearce and Benny Feilhaber.

Rimando, Loyd and Wondolowski started for the first time since the 1-1 tie against Chile on Jan. 22 last year.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/ricardo_clark_gets_1st_us_start_since_world_cup/9588491

Washington Redskins Cleveland Cavaliers

Falcons to Cut Dunta Robinson?

There?s no question that cornerback Dunta Robinson has been a free agent bust for the Atlanta Falcons.� Since he was brought in during the 2010 offseason,� he?s been anything but a shutdown corner.
I?m sure the Falcons would love to cut bait and move on from Robinson,� but the problem is that Robinson will make a base salary of $6 million for the 2012 season.� Of the $6 million he?s set to make, $5 million of it is guaranteed.� If you add in his signing bonus pro-ration,� so it would cost the Falcons $7.75 million to keep him and $6.75 million to cut him.
In the end it?s not worth it to cut Robinson.� They would be just throwing away money if they moved on from him,� so for now he?s just an overpaid cornerback.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/falcons_to_cut_dunta_robinson/9605114

Cleveland Cavaliers New Orleans Saints

49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh Disrespectful Whiny Jerk

TweetSan Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh is proving to be a disrespectful, whinny jerk. You can throw immature and unprofessional into the mix.
A good head coach? Maybe, time will tell he certainly had great success his first season. Then again he wouldn't be the first coach to have success only to fall flat on his face after his act starts wearing thin with players and the media.
When Jim Harbaugh got into it with Lions head coach Jim Schwartz most people gave him the benefit of the doubt but it's clear the man is rude. After beating the New Orleans Saints he met coach Sean Peyton on the field and pretty much ignored him during the hand shake. He was looking out onto the field as he shook his hand and just pushed him along and kept going.
This past Sunday after the New York Giants beat the 49ers, Harbaugh proceeded to do the same thing to coach Tom Coughlin. He also refused an interview after the game with FOX something he had agreed upon before the game. Of course ...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/49ers_coach_jim_harbaugh_disrespectful_whiny_jerk/9592529

Philadelphia 76ers Chicago Bulls

Canucks goalie rips Tim Thomas

Vancouver goaltender Cory Schneider took issue with Bruins goalie Tim Thomas blowing off the team's White House visit, saying it is "about putting your own agenda aside to do something with the team." 

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/cory_schneider_blasts_tim_thomas_says_goalie_should_have_sucked_it_up_visited_white_house/9581303

Charlotte Bobcats Oakland Raiders

Knicks everything Cavs hope not to become

CLEVELAND -- One look at the New York Knicks, and youre probably happy to be a Cavaliers fan.

At least the Cavs didnt mortgage the future to land Carmelo Anthony. At least they didnt tie themselves to big contracts in Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.

And at least they dont have a coach who can feel the noose around his neck slowly getting tighter and tighter.

That would be none other than Knicks coach Mike DAntoni, who greeted the media wearing an exasperated look following Wednesdays 91-81 loss to the Cavs.

DAntoni sported bloodshot eyes and messy hair. He looked as if he had spent the previous two hours tumbling in a clothes dryer -- and considering the state of his team, that might be preferable.

The Knicks have lost seven of eight, with their lone win during that stretch coming over the lowly Bobcats. Heck, even the Wizards beat the Bobcats.

The Knicks seem to be hoping Baron Davis can return from injury and make everything good again, but at this point, you have to wonder if even Iron Man could save them.

Our offense is anemic, DAntoni said.

The Knicks shot just 42 percent from the floor, went a miserable 3-for-20 on 3-pointers and committed a whopping 22 turnovers.

And this is why they went out and got Anthony and Stoudemire?

Granted, everyone has an off night, but this has become the norm for the Knicks. Perhaps they should try revisiting things with Denver, Anthonys old team, and seeing what the Nuggets would be willing to give up in return. Since the Nuggets have been just as successful without Anthony as they were with (if not better), it likely wouldnt be much.

This isnt intended to rip on Anthony or Stoudemire, or downplay the fact that its still early in this scrunched-together season.

But maybe theres a lesson here. Maybe just taking a bunch of big names and throwing them on the floor together doesnt necessarily make them a team. Maybe chemistry still counts for something.

On Wednesday, it was the Cavaliers who displayed that solidarity -- staying low and helping on defense, and not getting rattled by their once-in-a-while struggles on offense.

I thought everybody was really in tune with what we needed to do on the defensive end, said Cavs coach Byron Scott. Thats good because we couldnt throw it in the ocean.

The Cavs improved to 7-10, a half-game ahead of the Knicks (7-11) for the Easts eighth-best record. They also snapped a four-game losing streak, and won on the second night of a back-to-back for the first time this season.

More importantly, they followed up two real stinkers over the weekend with an impressive showing Tuesday in Miami and a win on Wednesday.

There will be no 26-game losing streak this year, kids.

For the Cavs, even when rookie standout Kyrie Irving is off (seven points, 1-for-7 shooting), they still have a chance. Irving did a nice job creating, and a better job defensively, and everyone else benefited.

Omri Casspi (13 points) and Anderson Varejao (10 points, 16 rebounds) each had monster dunks. Antawn Jamison (15 points) rediscovered his rhythm, and his aggressiveness. And Anthony Parker added some offense (13 points) to go with his heady floor play and veteran leadership.

On this night, Cavs fans should feel good about their team again. Well, they should have felt good about it already -- as the Cavs are a mostly young team that, while certainly will take its lumps, is progressing.

And, hey, at least theyre not the Knicks right now.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/knicks_everything_cavs_hope_not_to_become/9591803

New Orleans Hornets Philadelphia 76ers

Tom Brady, Patriots: The Most Hated Man, Team?

Think you are the only one that hates Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? You are not alone. There are tons of sites and images out there that show just how much Tom Brady and the Patriots are hated. In fact, here is a gallery of ?I hate Tom Brady photos? for you to enjoy before Super Bowl XLVI. The Patriots may have defeated the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship, but for us Brady haters his two interceptions brought smiles to our faces. In fact, some of us are still searching the sidelines for cameras. While looking forward to next week, the best part of the 2012 NFL Pro-Bowl is that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots won?t be in it. Instead now we have to listen to two weeks of Tom ?Terrific? and the New England Cheaters. What is it about the ?Golden Boy? that we dislike? Are we jealous of his Justin Beiber like hair, his anorexic girlfriend/wife, whatever the hell? Success brings haters and while we can sit here and bash Tom Brady and the Patriots it pains me to sa...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tom_brady_patriots_the_most_hated_man_team/9544838

New York Giants Los Angeles Lakers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Scheduling Second Interviews -- Possibly With Bengals Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning to schedule second interviews among a list of candidates that includes Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Originally Mike Sherman was the only known finalist for the vacant Buccaneers head coaching job. Including Zimmer and Sherman, other candidates that the team could be scheduling to conduct a second interview with includes former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, former head coach Marty Schottenheimer, Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements and Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
There is some speculation that the Buccaneers may favor an offensive-minded coach to help quarterback Josh Freeman, who took an impression 2010 campaign (95.9 passer rating) and arguably regressed in 2011. Based on that speculation then Sherman, Childress, Clements and Chudzinski would be the favorites over defensive-minded coaches like ...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/tampa_bay_buccaneers_scheduling_second_interviews_possibly_with_bengals_defensive_coordinator_mike_zimmer/9573869

St. Louis Rams Minnesota Timberwolves

Deserved praise after Abidal's Copa goal

Just when you thought the clásico had run out of surprises, it threw up something new. On a field containing the two most incandescent and prolific players on the planet, the difference was eventually marked by a player who has never scored a league goal in a 12-year professional career.

Few would argue that Eric Abidal was not a worthy scorer of the winning goal; a steadfast, noble presence on a stage always as replete with chicanery as it is with breathtaking soccer. Bobbing his head above the parapet at such a crucial juncture was his "Miles Davis moment," as his erstwhile international colleague Lilian Thuram described his own moment in the sun - the brace against Croatia in the 1998 World Cup semi-final that proved to be his only two goals in 142 appearances for France.

The France international's popularity has augmented considerably in the last year as pundits, punters and fellow pros alike have marveled at his surge back from serious illness, after he had a liver tumor removed last March. Yet Abidal's stature comes from more than that.

Outside the sacred circle of La Masia, he is the one player that traverses the two distinct eras of modern Barcelona; before, and after Pep Guardiola. Abidal's future at the club has been called into question many times before the most recent round of speculation was ended by last week's inking of a new contract. His versatility has sometimes done him a disservice. Now, there is even merit to the argument that he should be considered as the best left-back in the world.

Few positions cause as much 'who's better, who's best' debate as left-back. Head coaches of teams all around the world encounter as much difficulty in finding the right candidate to fill the slot as fans setting the world to rights in bars. It's acknowledged as Spain's one glaring weakness, with the admirable but modest Joan Capdevila doing the job for the 2008 European champions and 2010 World Cup winners. Many left-footers have been shoehorned into having a go at some point in their careers, including the reluctant likes of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Florent Malouda and Miguel Veloso.

Many of the world's leading players in the position arrived there from a similar angle. None of Ashley Cole, Fábio Coentrão or Patrice Evra began their careers as left-backs. Neither did Abidal, but his evolution has been atypical. While Cole, Coentrão and Evra started out as left-wingers at Arsenal, Benfica and Nice respectively, and developed defensive sense further down the line, Abidal has always been a defender. While he is no mug with the ball at his feet, he lacks this more heralded trio's finesse.

He made his name as a center back at Lille, but he was never a run-of-the-mill blocker. Abidal stood out like a sore thumb in Claude Puel's circumspect sides, muscling opposing attackers out of the way before surging upfield, eating up turf like Pac-Man.

Though he hit the big time with Paul Le Guen's Lyon in 2004, it was after the arrival of Gerard Houllier in the following year that Abidal started to develop into the player we know today. The experienced coach made the Lyon native a dedicated full-back after he had flirted with the position under Le Guen. As with many of Houllier's innovations, his gamble went on to benefit French soccer in general, with the Abidal/Malouda axis at Lyon reprised to fine effect in Les Bleus' run to the 2006 World Cup final.

After moving to the Camp Nou in 2007, the transition was tough. The Frank Rijkaard era was crumbling, the Barcelona locker room was in disarray and Real Madrid was dominant. Abidal had his own issues of identity to deal with in the subsequent months, and indeed years. Moved back into the center of defense during Euro 2008 by Raymond Domenech for a crucial group match against Italy, Abidal was found wanting, with his positional sense rusty. When he conceded a penalty in the 25th minute for hauling back Luca Toni, he was sent off and the game was up for France.

This is not the only time Abidal's reputation has taken a hit for the team. His harsh red card in the Champions League semi-final at Chelsea, after he was adjudged to have fouled Nicolas Anelka, saw him miss the Rome final. In a nightmare few days, Abidal was again sent off in Barça's next match, in La Liga against Villarreal. This time, suspension kept him out of the Copa del Rey final.

With hindsight, it can be argued that this catalogue of accidents made Abidal at Barça. Pep Guardiola was forced to field Yaya Toure in central defense in Rome. The success of this - and the subsequent failure of Dmytro Chygrynsky at the Camp Nou - started to persuade the coach that continued circulation of the ball was more key to Barça's future than specialist defenders. Abidal would have less to worry about in terms of Guardiola signing direct competition, had the athleticism and sound technique to fit in, and had the advantage of being a natural fit for a back three.

It is extraordinary to think that the French international is already 32 years old, especially when one compares his rich vein of form in the last two seasons to the continued careful management of Carles Puyol, another player heavily reliant on physical attributes but less resistant to wear and tear as he firmly ensconces himself in his 30s.

There is truth in saying that Abidal's health scare has given him a renewed drive and vigor. That, however, would completely overlook his superb form for most of 2010-11. When Abidal dropped out of the side, it was a far heavier blow to Barcelona's hopes of closing out a potentially historic season that Puyol's continuing struggles. They suffered a shock loss to Real Sociedad en route to the title, and the balance in the run of clásicos tipped, with Barça losing the Copa del Rey final to Real Madrid in late April.

Abidal almost reprised his Bernabeu moment of magic four days later against Málaga at La Rosaleda. Again, Messi found him with a superb lofted pass, but the Frenchman's first touch was heavy and allowed goalkeeper Willy to shepherd him wide. Maybe it's better this way, so his Copa del Rey winner can stand alone - and we can recognize Abidal for his defensive brilliance instead.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/deserved_praise_after_abidals_copa_goal/9566207

Green Bay Packers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Chris Paul misses fifth game but is feeling better

It seemed as if everything was set up for Chris Paul to make his return Sunday against Toronto at Staples Center.

Paul had gone through multiple workouts at full speed, and he had come out of those workouts pain free. Still, with the Clippers not playing again until Wednesday, Vinny Del Negro and the Clippers' training staff decided a 100 percent Paul is worth the wait.

"We worked him out (Saturday) and he feels great," Del Negro said. "But I just think the smart, prudent thing to do right now is to give him a couple more days and a couple more workouts and practices."

Paul's missed five games with a strained left hamstring, including Sunday's 103-91 win over the Toronto Raptors. It is an injury he suffered while scoring 33 points in the Clippers' 102-94 win over the Lakers on Jan. 14.

He has not spoken to the media since after that game.

Del Negro admitted the team wanted to err on the side of caution with Paul considering the busy schedule that awaits the Clippers in the upcoming months.

"I just think that we feel it's in the best interest in terms of the big picture," Del Negro said. "He wants to be out there, but the big picture is that we have a lot of games. To be a little cautious now, we feel, makes a little more sense."

NOTES, QUOTES
--With Chris Paul out and Eric Bledsoe not back from offseason knee surgery, the Clippers turned to the NBA Development League for reinforcements at point guard. In Courtney Fortson, they got a player they really like.
"I like Courtney. He's a great kid and he works hard," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "He can penetrate the ball. He just gets out there and competes. I really like that about Courtney. That's why we brought him in."
Fortson's given the team positive minutes for the most part before turning the ball over three times in just over six minutes during the Clippers' 103-91 win over Toronto Sunday afternoon. Fortson said he knows that ultimately he's auditioning for a job with another team because it's unlikely the Clippers will carry four healthy point guards once Paul and Bledsoe return.
"I wish I could see the future. Hopefully, mine's here," Fortson said. "But if it's with some other team, so be it. Right now, this is my family. I'm just trying to make this a hard decision for them."
--Rookie guard Travis Leslie is known for his high-flying, but after a botched alley-oop late in the Clippers' 103-91 win over the Raptors Sunday, Leslie was left shaking his head. "It's like I can't dunk anymore," he said.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "When he gets hot and he gets going, you just kind of get out of his way and watch." -- Forward Blake Griffin on Clippers' guard Mo Williams, who scored 17-straight points for the Clippers to start the fourth quarter in their 103-91 win over Toronto.

ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--G Chauncey Billups scored a season-low five points Sunday. He made up for the one-for-nine shooting game by dishing out a season-high 14 assists.
--C DeAndre Jordan pulled down a season-high 16 rebounds Sunday against Toronto. Jordan had nine rebounds in the first quarter.
--F Blake Griffin finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Griffin had recorded double-doubles in eight-straight games prior to Sunday.
--F Caron Butler returned for a one-game absence to score 15 points in 24 minutes. Butler missed the Clippers' game Friday after hyper extending his knee last Tuesday.

MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Chris Paul (left hamstring strain) worked out on the court before the game Sunday. Paul will continue to rehab and receive treatment, and he could return Wednesday against the Lakers.
--F Brian Cook (sprained left ankle) was active and in uniform Sunday, but he didn't play. Cook's day-to-day.
--G Eric Bledsoe (torn right lateral meniscus) is set to begin 5-on-0 work in practice and could return in early February.

ROTATION:
Starters:
--Point guard Chauncey Billups
--Shooting guard Randy Foye
--Small forward Caron Butler
--Power forward Blake Griffin
--Center DeAndre Jordan
Bench:
--Guard Mo Williams
--Forward Ryan Gomes
--Forward Soloman Jones
--Forward Reggie Evans
--Guard Courtney Fortson
--Forward Trey Thompkins
--Guard Travis Leslie

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/chris_paul_misses_fifth_game_but_is_feeling_better/9536033

Buffalo Bills Atlanta Hawks

Rest in Peace Joe Paterno

Rest in Peace Joe Paterno

Unfortunately, the news is now official. Early this morning, January 22nd 2012, Joe Paterno had lost his two month battle with cancer. Rest in Peace Joe Paterno. Joe Pa died at the age of 85, holding the NCAA record for most wins in football by any coach, with 409 victories. I?ve been a fan of Joe Paterno ever since I was a little kid, when my grandpa was rooting for the Penn State Nittany Lions and Joe Paterno, because he they were both Italian and from New York. I?ve stuck with the team since then as well, even though my grandpa and Joe Paterno are no longer here.
Regardless of all the circumstances, Rest in Peace Joe Paterno. You were my favorite football coach of all-time and it?ll stay that way. I?ll leave off with some words from recent Penn State Football graduates on the subject.
Coach, you embodied so much more than just Penn State football! football was what u did but put so much more above it! I have learned more about ...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/rest_in_peace_joe_paterno/9514460

Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder

Waltrip recalls journey of joy to Hall

As with most things, Darrell Waltrip's love of racing started simply.

As a little boy, he'd travel to his local short track with his grandmother to take in the action. She was a diehard fan, one who loved her favorite and reviled all others. Sitting in those stands showed Waltrip a lot about fans -- information that would come in handy in years to come.

Then his eyes caught sight of a go-kart as he traveled his father's Pepsi-Cola route in the summer. When he finally got a chance to drive the gleaming machine, Waltrip felt like a new person. Something altered in that boy a little that day.

What had been a love for racing, one that already had led him to proclaim his plans to be a race-car driver someday, blossomed into an obsession.

Soon, Waltrip commanded a go-kart of his own. Racing and winning sparked a new fire in the Owensboro, Ky., native, a fire that would blaze for the rest of the life.

That would lead him track to track, race to race, first across the South, then across the country and even around the world. From the moment his father agreed to buy him a go-kart, Waltrip was that racer he'd proclaimed to become.

Brash and outspoken, he had the talent, passion and desire to gain notice and an ever-evolving series of increasingly competitive rides. His career would take him to the pinnacle of the NASCAR world, to three Cup titles and 84 wins, then to a ground-breaking role in the television booth.

Now, it's taking him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where he'll be enshrined Friday night.

For Waltrip, who turns 65 on Feb. 5, it's truly a story of perseverance, a tale of sticking to one's dreams and remaining true to oneself in the face of adversity. And it all started sitting in the grandstands with his grandmother.

Back when he was little, Waltrip's grandmother developed a love of racing and started going to the track on Sundays. She didn't like to go on her own, so little Darrell found himself tagging along from the time he was about 6 years old.

"She was a ball of fire," Waltrip recalled recently. "She was one of those kind of older ladies that was like a rooster out in the yard scratching around."

She was also a fan of G.C. Spencer, and therefore not so much for his rival, a driver known to fans as "The Brute." If her guy wasn't winning, the others must be doing something wrong. Waltrip sat in the stands as she yelled and hollered and shouted at the drivers in the race. Then she'd take him down into the pits to see Spencer after the showdown.

"I got to meet G.C. when I was a little boy, he knew my grandmother because my grandfather was a deputy sheriff there in Owensboro, and so everybody knew him because he was out in the community all the time, and G.C. was real nice to my grandmother and he was really nice to me," Waltrip said.

"This was back in the day when you didn't ask for autographs, you didn't know what an autograph was, but you kind of had, as a little boy, you had somebody you really looked up to. And I really looked up to G.C.

"He was a clean driver and he had a car called the Flying Saucer, and it made a different sound than all the other cars, so I would try to emulate that sound. I would go home and tie balloons to the fender of my bicycle and let the balloon thump against the spokes, and that would make a funny sound. Or I'd put cardboard, tie it to the fender braces of my bicycle and that would make funny sounds, and so I was always trying to make the same noise that G.C.'s car made and actually got to where I could.

"So, I'm going all over the neighborhood like some nut trying to make a noise like a race car."

He loved it all so much that after one Spencer win, he proclaimed his life plan.

"I said, 'Mamaw, I'm going to be a race-car driver someday.'

"Of course, that thrilled her to death -- 'Great, let's do it.'

"Of course, I told my mom and dad that and they said, 'You've got to be out of your mind. How are you going to do that?' I said, 'I don't know, I'll figure it out. I'll find a way.' And that's when I was little," he said.

Soon, he did just that. Riding his dad's delivery route with him in the summer, they made a regular stop at West End Hardware. That, it turns out, would alter Waltrip's life -- and put him on the path he had so firmly announced his intention to take. For in that hardware store was where he grabbed his first chance to race.

A go-kart sat in the hardware store, and Waltrip was in love.

"I'd go run up front and I'd hop on that go-kart and I would sit there and I could just imagine myself driving this go-kart like G.C. Spencer," Waltrip said, still sounding excited at the prospect.

"The guy that owned the hardware store, he and my dad were pretty good buddies and he said, 'I'll tell you what, Mr. Waltrip, why don't you bring ole Darrell out to the airport Sunday. We're going to put a little exhibition on and let some people ride these things' -- because go-karts were kind of new at the time, in that area particularly. 'We're going to let a few people ride these things, I'll let him drive it a lap or two if he wants to.'

"Man, oh man. I couldn't sleep. For five days and nights, I couldn't sleep thinking about getting the chance to go over to the airport. They had a track over there, to go over to the airport there in Owensboro and drive that go-kart. Wow! What a thrill."

He spent that Sunday morning at church staring out the window, watching the weather to make sure it didn't rain out his shot. Then he went to the track and sat in the go-kart.

True love bloomed.

"I hopped on that go-kart, and I don't know what it was. I don't know if it was watching races as a kid or watching G.C. Spencer. I don't know what it was, but when I hopped on that go-kart you would have sworn I was born on it," he said.

"I mean I just got on her, I matted her, I went around that racetrack. There were people that had been racing go-karts forever and they were just amazed at how fast I could go. It just felt natural. It felt good. Of course, the bug bit me and daddy both right there."

And his career path was set. Waltrip still seems amazed that his dad finally bought the go-kart, paying $10 a month toward the $100 to $120 total. After all, there were four kids in the family, with dad running the delivery route and his mother working at the IGA.

They raced everywhere they could. Sundays, they threw the go-kart in the car and, after church, carried some fried chicken and potato salad his mother had made and went to a race. They expanded into the Tri-State area, and Waltrip says he won more than 500 go-kart races between the ages of 12 and 16. Then he got his first race car.

"I got my driver's license, me and dad built an old '36 Chevrolet, No. 6, and put 'The Wild Child' on the side of it," he said.

"You didn't have sponsors back in the day. You just put whatever. ... And it was No. 6 because I had a six-cylinder motor, so that made sense. And I'd ride my go-kart all over the neighborhood through the week working on it, so everybody in the neighborhood called me the 'Wild Child,' and so that's kind of what we put on the car, and that was the first step toward really starting my career."

After marrying his wife, Stevie, in 1969, Waltrip moved to Tennessee, where he became a regular fixture at The Fairgrounds at Nashville. He competed against the best, got to know the NASCAR drivers when they came to town for the pair of Cup races. He'd go on to start his own team and break into the Cup series after establishing himself as a driver to beat week to week.

He broke into the Cup series in 1972, running five races in preparation for a rookie run the following season.

There, he found himself earning both respect and a reputation for his outspokenness. Both would mark his career.

"(I) lost Rookie of the Year to Lennie Pond because I was too controversial, I was not politically correct," Waltrip recalled.

"Said all the wrong things to all the wrong people. That didn't go over so well with all the higher-ups at NASCAR, so I kind of got labeled as a bad boy when I came into this sport. People had a misconception of who I was because my wife, Stevie, her father was a very successful businessman -- he was the president and chairman of the board of a company in Owensboro called Texas Gas -- and people thought I had a lot of money.

"And so they thought I was some rich kid just showed up around there to cause trouble and to race a little bit; race a little and cause a lot of trouble, which was far from the truth. We struggled, mightily, trying to make it, trying to keep going."

By the end of 1973, he had hooked up with team owner Bud Moore, and he was showing the NASCAR field just how much of a threat to win he could be.

"He's a fierce competitor, he's a lot smarter when it comes to knowing how to set a car up than a lot of people give him credit for, and he knew that the secret to being a good race-car driver was not necessarily being the macho man, but being the mechanical man," said Jeff Hammond, who worked as Waltrip's crew chief and won two championships with him.

"He learned how to make the car do the work rather than the driver, so that at the end, when the driver needed to carry the car, he had something left. He was the original closer. ... When I started realizing the method to the madness, it was like watching an artist at work, because he would start painting some of the prettiest pictures you've ever seen, because he was very methodical and very precise."

It was 1979 that perhaps changed Waltrip the most. In a season that haunts him somewhat to this day, Waltrip lost the championship race he'd led earlier in the year to Richard Petty -- by 11 points.

To this day, Waltrip rehashes that season, seeing minor changes that could have altered the outcome. But he also sees the value of the lesson he learned from the close call.

"Even to this day, I still can't get over the fact that we let that get away," Waltrip said.

"And looking back, it would have been so simple if we'd have just been a little bit smarter to have won that championship. But we didn't."

What he did, though, was have a talk with Cale Yarborough the following year, one that led to Waltrip driving for Junior Johnson, and winning three titles, in the ensuing years.

"I knew I'd win a lot of races and I knew I would probably win some championships, and that's how I made my mark," Waltrip said.

"I think all that other stuff I did was kind of training for the opportunity I got to go drive for Junior. I knew that was the opportunity of a lifetime. It defines my career, those six years that I drove for him."

By the time he was done, Waltrip had tallied 84 career wins.

Nowadays, Waltrip enjoys life as a TV commentator for FOX Sports. He retired from racing in 2000 and almost immediately joined the network.

Modern fans know him as the broadcaster unafraid to offer his opinions on a swath of subjects. Longtime fans know him as a champion driver capable of winning week to week against some of the best who have ever driven a race car.

Johnson has known him as both.

"We had a good run," he said of their years racing together.

"I think he's in a comfort zone now. He's a good commentator."

As to Waltrip, he values it all -- especially that part about joining the Hall of Fame.

"I love doing TV, enjoy my work there, inducted into the Hall of Fame, turn 65 in February, still going strong," he said with a smile.

"Still got my foot on the gas, pushing forward."

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/waltrip_recalls_journey_of_joy_to_hall/9469610

Los Angeles Lakers San Francisco 49ers

Abbrederis: 'All the hard work has paid off'

MADISON, Wis. -- It took longer than Jared Abbrederis had initially hoped, but he's finally earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Wisconsin.

Abbrederis, a 6-foot-2 redshirt sophomore from Wautoma, Wis., tweeted on Monday that, after nearly three years, he would no longer be paying his own way to play for the Badgers.

"Praise God for blessing me with a scholarship, signed the papers today!" Abbrederis tweeted. "All the hard work has paid off!"

The UW athletic department also announced Monday on Twitter that defensive lineman Ethan Hemer had earned a scholarship as well. Hemer, like Abbrederis, was a third-year sophomore walk-on. Monday marked the first day of classes at Wisconsin for the second semester.

Abbrederis had an outstanding sophomore campaign for Wisconsin. He caught 55 passes for a team-best 933 yards and added eight touchdowns. As a punt return man, he fared even better. He ranked third nationally in punt return average, at 15.8 yards per punt. He holds the school record by averaging 14.2 yards per punt return for his career.

Hemer played in all 14 games this season for the Badgers and registered 34 total tackles with one sack.

Originally, Abbrederis anticipated earning a scholarship last summer. But that was before quarterback Russell Wilson transferred to Wisconsin.

Following Wilson's addition, Badgers coach Bret Bielema had one available scholarship remaining, but he opted not to choose between Abbrederis and Hemer, instead awarding the scholarship to no one. He said he would wait until the second semester to award both a scholarship.


Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/abbrederis_all_the_hard_work_has_paid_off/9540437

New York Giants Los Angeles Lakers

A historical look at Super Bowl player bonuses

Players who make it to the Super Bowl can expect a super paycheck. The winning players?either the Patriots or Giants?in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on Feb. 5, 2012, will each receive a super-size bonus to the tune of $88,000, while each member of the losing team will earn $44,000. How does that compare to Super Bowls of the past? Here's a look at the winners' and losers' share from every Super Bowl.Super Bowl Date Winner (Share) Loser (Share) XLV 2-6-11 Green Bay ($83,000) Pittsburgh ($42,000)XLIV 2-7-10 New Orleans ($83,000) Indianapolis ($42,000)XLIII 2-1-09 Pittsburgh ($78,000) Arizona ($40,000)XLII 2-3-08 N.Y. Giants ($78,000) New England ($40,000)XLI 2-4-07 Indianapolis ($73,000) Chicago ($38,000)XL 2-5-06 Pittsburgh ($73,000) Seattle ($38,000)XXXIX 2-6-05 New England ($68,000) Philadelphia ($36,500)XXXVIII 2-1-04 New England ($68,000) Carolina (36,500)XXXVII 1-26-03 Tampa Bay ($63,000) Oakland ($35,000)XXXVI 2-3-02 New England ($63,000) St. Louis ($34,500...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/super_bowl_bonuses_what_players_earn_at_the_big_game/9528635

Utah Jazz Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Miami Heat: Does the Funkadelic Floridian's Dud against the Bucks Mean Anything?

Just when the Miami Heat appeared to be playing their best basketball of the season, they managed to drop a dud against the sub-par Milwaukee Bucks.

The Heat's throwback Miami Floridian jerseys didn't faze the upset-minded Bucks, who finished the game on a 7-0 run to put an end to the Heat's three-game winning streak.

How did the Bucks stop the psychedelic Floridians?  They did so by capitalizing off a ridiculous 22 Heat turnovers, which is almost seven more than their 15.2 season average.

The Bucks scored 22 points off Heat turnovers, which ultimately proved to be the real difference maker in the game. 

The most shocking part of the Heat's 22-turnover performance on Sunday night was that the turnovers weren't a result of some brilliant defensive scheme drawn up by Bucks head coach Scott Skiles, or by Milwaukee overpowering the Heat on the defensive side of the ball.

The Heat's turnover explosion against the Bucks came about because they played apathetically, uninspired and ridiculously lazily.

Coming off a three-game stretch against teams with a combined record of  31-20, the Heat were perfectly set up for a letdown and that's exactly what Sunday night turned out to be in South Beach.

The Bucks managed to hold the Heat to a season worst 37.4 field-goal percentage, but what is more amazing is that Milwaukee managed to do the Heat one better by beating them with an even worse field-goal percentage of just 35.0 percent.

That's not a sign of the Heat losing to a better team, that's a sign of the Heat letting a worse team beat them, and that's not really a reason to be concerned in South Beach.

What the Heat need to be worried about is their tendency to play down to the competition they face, rather than bringing their dominant style of game to their opponent, night in and night out.

What's going to keep the Miami Heat from having the best overall record in the NBA and even the Eastern Conference at the end of the season isn't the talent on their roster or their championship potential, it's the Heat's tendency to become complacent throughout the season against weaker competition.

Look at it this way.

Whenever a team takes the court against the Heat, they have a chance to take down the mighty "Big Three" of the Miami Heatles.

When the Heat take the court against a team that's not from Chicago, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City or Dallas, they face a matchup that's just another game they're supposed to easily win.

That dichotomy is the reason why the Heat will continue to lose to teams that they shouldn't throughout the continuation of the 2011-12 season.

There's no doubt that the Heat are one of the best teams in the NBA, and even if they lose to teams like Milwaukee throughout the rest of the regular season, those losses won't prove anything more than the Heat having trouble hyping themselves up to play sub-par teams night in and night out.

So does a loss to a 6-9 Milwaukee Bucks team teach us anything about the Miami Heat that we didn't already know?  No, not really.

Sunday night's loss taught us one thing, that the Heat aren't invincible in their awesome throwback Floridian jerseys, which is a shame, because they are absolutely epic.

Next up? A Jan. 24th visit from LeBron's old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are off to a slightly impressive 6-9 start..  

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1034763-miami-heat-does-the-funkadelic-floridians-dud-against-the-bucks-mean-anything

Portland Trail Blazers Carolina Panthers

Waltrip recalls journey of joy to Hall

As with most things, Darrell Waltrip's love of racing started simply.

As a little boy, he'd travel to his local short track with his grandmother to take in the action. She was a diehard fan, one who loved her favorite and reviled all others. Sitting in those stands showed Waltrip a lot about fans -- information that would come in handy in years to come.

Then his eyes caught sight of a go-kart as he traveled his father's Pepsi-Cola route in the summer. When he finally got a chance to drive the gleaming machine, Waltrip felt like a new person. Something altered in that boy a little that day.

What had been a love for racing, one that already had led him to proclaim his plans to be a race-car driver someday, blossomed into an obsession.

Soon, Waltrip commanded a go-kart of his own. Racing and winning sparked a new fire in the Owensboro, Ky., native, a fire that would blaze for the rest of the life.

That would lead him track to track, race to race, first across the South, then across the country and even around the world. From the moment his father agreed to buy him a go-kart, Waltrip was that racer he'd proclaimed to become.

Brash and outspoken, he had the talent, passion and desire to gain notice and an ever-evolving series of increasingly competitive rides. His career would take him to the pinnacle of the NASCAR world, to three Cup titles and 84 wins, then to a ground-breaking role in the television booth.

Now, it's taking him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where he'll be enshrined Friday night.

For Waltrip, who turns 65 on Feb. 5, it's truly a story of perseverance, a tale of sticking to one's dreams and remaining true to oneself in the face of adversity. And it all started sitting in the grandstands with his grandmother.

Back when he was little, Waltrip's grandmother developed a love of racing and started going to the track on Sundays. She didn't like to go on her own, so little Darrell found himself tagging along from the time he was about 6 years old.

"She was a ball of fire," Waltrip recalled recently. "She was one of those kind of older ladies that was like a rooster out in the yard scratching around."

She was also a fan of G.C. Spencer, and therefore not so much for his rival, a driver known to fans as "The Brute." If her guy wasn't winning, the others must be doing something wrong. Waltrip sat in the stands as she yelled and hollered and shouted at the drivers in the race. Then she'd take him down into the pits to see Spencer after the showdown.

"I got to meet G.C. when I was a little boy, he knew my grandmother because my grandfather was a deputy sheriff there in Owensboro, and so everybody knew him because he was out in the community all the time, and G.C. was real nice to my grandmother and he was really nice to me," Waltrip said.

"This was back in the day when you didn't ask for autographs, you didn't know what an autograph was, but you kind of had, as a little boy, you had somebody you really looked up to. And I really looked up to G.C.

"He was a clean driver and he had a car called the Flying Saucer, and it made a different sound than all the other cars, so I would try to emulate that sound. I would go home and tie balloons to the fender of my bicycle and let the balloon thump against the spokes, and that would make a funny sound. Or I'd put cardboard, tie it to the fender braces of my bicycle and that would make funny sounds, and so I was always trying to make the same noise that G.C.'s car made and actually got to where I could.

"So, I'm going all over the neighborhood like some nut trying to make a noise like a race car."

He loved it all so much that after one Spencer win, he proclaimed his life plan.

"I said, 'Mamaw, I'm going to be a race-car driver someday.'

"Of course, that thrilled her to death -- 'Great, let's do it.'

"Of course, I told my mom and dad that and they said, 'You've got to be out of your mind. How are you going to do that?' I said, 'I don't know, I'll figure it out. I'll find a way.' And that's when I was little," he said.

Soon, he did just that. Riding his dad's delivery route with him in the summer, they made a regular stop at West End Hardware. That, it turns out, would alter Waltrip's life -- and put him on the path he had so firmly announced his intention to take. For in that hardware store was where he grabbed his first chance to race.

A go-kart sat in the hardware store, and Waltrip was in love.

"I'd go run up front and I'd hop on that go-kart and I would sit there and I could just imagine myself driving this go-kart like G.C. Spencer," Waltrip said, still sounding excited at the prospect.

"The guy that owned the hardware store, he and my dad were pretty good buddies and he said, 'I'll tell you what, Mr. Waltrip, why don't you bring ole Darrell out to the airport Sunday. We're going to put a little exhibition on and let some people ride these things' -- because go-karts were kind of new at the time, in that area particularly. 'We're going to let a few people ride these things, I'll let him drive it a lap or two if he wants to.'

"Man, oh man. I couldn't sleep. For five days and nights, I couldn't sleep thinking about getting the chance to go over to the airport. They had a track over there, to go over to the airport there in Owensboro and drive that go-kart. Wow! What a thrill."

He spent that Sunday morning at church staring out the window, watching the weather to make sure it didn't rain out his shot. Then he went to the track and sat in the go-kart.

True love bloomed.

"I hopped on that go-kart, and I don't know what it was. I don't know if it was watching races as a kid or watching G.C. Spencer. I don't know what it was, but when I hopped on that go-kart you would have sworn I was born on it," he said.

"I mean I just got on her, I matted her, I went around that racetrack. There were people that had been racing go-karts forever and they were just amazed at how fast I could go. It just felt natural. It felt good. Of course, the bug bit me and daddy both right there."

And his career path was set. Waltrip still seems amazed that his dad finally bought the go-kart, paying $10 a month toward the $100 to $120 total. After all, there were four kids in the family, with dad running the delivery route and his mother working at the IGA.

They raced everywhere they could. Sundays, they threw the go-kart in the car and, after church, carried some fried chicken and potato salad his mother had made and went to a race. They expanded into the Tri-State area, and Waltrip says he won more than 500 go-kart races between the ages of 12 and 16. Then he got his first race car.

"I got my driver's license, me and dad built an old '36 Chevrolet, No. 6, and put 'The Wild Child' on the side of it," he said.

"You didn't have sponsors back in the day. You just put whatever. ... And it was No. 6 because I had a six-cylinder motor, so that made sense. And I'd ride my go-kart all over the neighborhood through the week working on it, so everybody in the neighborhood called me the 'Wild Child,' and so that's kind of what we put on the car, and that was the first step toward really starting my career."

After marrying his wife, Stevie, in 1969, Waltrip moved to Tennessee, where he became a regular fixture at The Fairgrounds at Nashville. He competed against the best, got to know the NASCAR drivers when they came to town for the pair of Cup races. He'd go on to start his own team and break into the Cup series after establishing himself as a driver to beat week to week.

He broke into the Cup series in 1972, running five races in preparation for a rookie run the following season.

There, he found himself earning both respect and a reputation for his outspokenness. Both would mark his career.

"(I) lost Rookie of the Year to Lennie Pond because I was too controversial, I was not politically correct," Waltrip recalled.

"Said all the wrong things to all the wrong people. That didn't go over so well with all the higher-ups at NASCAR, so I kind of got labeled as a bad boy when I came into this sport. People had a misconception of who I was because my wife, Stevie, her father was a very successful businessman -- he was the president and chairman of the board of a company in Owensboro called Texas Gas -- and people thought I had a lot of money.

"And so they thought I was some rich kid just showed up around there to cause trouble and to race a little bit; race a little and cause a lot of trouble, which was far from the truth. We struggled, mightily, trying to make it, trying to keep going."

By the end of 1973, he had hooked up with team owner Bud Moore, and he was showing the NASCAR field just how much of a threat to win he could be.

"He's a fierce competitor, he's a lot smarter when it comes to knowing how to set a car up than a lot of people give him credit for, and he knew that the secret to being a good race-car driver was not necessarily being the macho man, but being the mechanical man," said Jeff Hammond, who worked as Waltrip's crew chief and won two championships with him.

"He learned how to make the car do the work rather than the driver, so that at the end, when the driver needed to carry the car, he had something left. He was the original closer. ... When I started realizing the method to the madness, it was like watching an artist at work, because he would start painting some of the prettiest pictures you've ever seen, because he was very methodical and very precise."

It was 1979 that perhaps changed Waltrip the most. In a season that haunts him somewhat to this day, Waltrip lost the championship race he'd led earlier in the year to Richard Petty -- by 11 points.

To this day, Waltrip rehashes that season, seeing minor changes that could have altered the outcome. But he also sees the value of the lesson he learned from the close call.

"Even to this day, I still can't get over the fact that we let that get away," Waltrip said.

"And looking back, it would have been so simple if we'd have just been a little bit smarter to have won that championship. But we didn't."

What he did, though, was have a talk with Cale Yarborough the following year, one that led to Waltrip driving for Junior Johnson, and winning three titles, in the ensuing years.

"I knew I'd win a lot of races and I knew I would probably win some championships, and that's how I made my mark," Waltrip said.

"I think all that other stuff I did was kind of training for the opportunity I got to go drive for Junior. I knew that was the opportunity of a lifetime. It defines my career, those six years that I drove for him."

By the time he was done, Waltrip had tallied 84 career wins.

Nowadays, Waltrip enjoys life as a TV commentator for FOX Sports. He retired from racing in 2000 and almost immediately joined the network.

Modern fans know him as the broadcaster unafraid to offer his opinions on a swath of subjects. Longtime fans know him as a champion driver capable of winning week to week against some of the best who have ever driven a race car.

Johnson has known him as both.

"We had a good run," he said of their years racing together.

"I think he's in a comfort zone now. He's a good commentator."

As to Waltrip, he values it all -- especially that part about joining the Hall of Fame.

"I love doing TV, enjoy my work there, inducted into the Hall of Fame, turn 65 in February, still going strong," he said with a smile.

"Still got my foot on the gas, pushing forward."

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/waltrip_recalls_journey_of_joy_to_hall/9469610

Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder