Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc: Syracuse is among a solid group of No. 1 seeds in our latest tournament projections, but the middle of the pack is much more murky.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
Getty ImagesPress pause on all this college football coaching craziness and check out the moves that matter just as much — eligible underclassmen players leaving early for the NFL draft.
Juniors and third-year sophomores who want to bolt must declare their intentions by Friday. Those who opt for the draft have until Monday to change their minds. Besides balancing big dollars versus another college season, this year's crop of players also must consider the uncertain NFL labor situation.
"Everybody has different factors to make their decision," Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones said. "For me, it was to come back. For other guys, it's time to go."
Here's a glance at the programs that took major hits or received unexpected boosts from their underclassmen's choices:
The unlucky
Georgia Tech: The flood of talent leaving early for the NFL includes a double-digit sack man in Derrick Morgan, a double-digit career interceptions man in Morgan Burnett, 1,000-yard rusher Jonathan Dwyer, and 1,000-yard receiver Demaryius Thomas. A repeat ACC title looks less likely now for the Yellow Jackets.
USC: The Trojans' top receiver, Damian Williams; two most-talented running backs, Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson (a senior who opted not to pursue a medical redshirt); and most-productive defensive end, Everson Griffen, all bailed school early.
Florida: The Gators lost five players, highest in the country. Sure first-round picks Joe Haden at corner and Carlos Dunlap at defensive end head up the exodus.
Georgia: The early departures of linebacker Rennie Curran and safety Reshad Jones mean the top two tacklers on an already shaky Bulldogs defense won't be back.
Oklahoma: With a slew of NFL-ready talent, the Sooners prep for such departures every year. Still, the loss of defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and corner Dominique Franks will hurt.
USF: Leading receiver Carlton Mitchell leaving early dents the offense. On defense, the subtraction of end Jason Pierre-Paul decimates the Bulls' pass rush.
The lucky
Arkansas: Quarterback Ryan Mallett turned down almost certain first-round cash to lead the Razorbacks on a run toward the SEC West title. The return of tight end and big target D.J. Williams makes his job easier.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels bring back six junior starters, led by first-team All-ACC picks linebacker Quan Sturdivant, corner Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams.
Washington: Jake Locker joins Mallett in this year's "Surprise! I'm Back" club, and he takes Washington from also-ran to the Pac-10 team on the fastest rise.
Michigan State: Jones, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, serves as the heart of the Spartans' squad. MSU will need him to survive a stacked Big Ten next season.
Houston: Quarterback Case Keenum, a Heisman Trophy candidate for half of 2009, returns to school and keeps the Cougars as a favorite in Conference USA.
Pittsburgh: End Greg Romeus, the leading sack guy on the team with the most sacks per game in Division I-A, returns to anchor one of the Big East's best defenses.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
The Red Wings have finally started to embrace a record they've been chasing.
