Von Miller goes to Denver Broncos with second pick in NFL Draft

Pros: Takes as quick a first step off the snap as you'll see, and he takes near-perfect angles to the quarterback. Fast even for a stand-up pass rusher. Has to be taken on one-on-one - he shoots through chip blocks as if they aren't happening. Extremely impressive footwork allows him to bait tackles inside or outside and move the other way to get an open lane.

Great speed to redirect after losing the back end of the pocket. Some of his sacks come as a result of his determination to chase quarterbacks down as they're leaving the pocket. Shoots inside with extreme quickness - unless the guard and/or center are prepared for it, Miller's going to shoot right past them. Can stack-and-shed very well for his size (6-foot-3, 237 pounds) to bring running backs down. Not a bad open-field tackler when the situation arises, but this is a guy whose gearbox is set to "forward" almost all the time.

Cons: Will need to put on a few pounds to succeed at the NFL level. Sometimes� Miller is just winning speed battles against guys who don't have serious NFL futures. Lack of experience in coverage shows on tape, but there's no reason a player with his athleticism couldn't develop into a good intermediate pass defender. He displayed some coverage ability during Senior Bowl week. No real bull-rush to speak of; he lacks the upper-body strength to do that at this time.

What he brings to the team: Miller has had the late Derrick Thomas as his NFL model for success for a long time, but he puts me more in the mind of Clay Matthews because of his ability to stunt inside and play the LEO position in hybrid fronts. Matthews has become a nonpareil quarterback disruptor out of any front, and Miller has already proven to be the same. However, he's not scheme-transcendent - he'll have to put on far too much weight to be a legitimate 4-3 end against the run -- he's a pure pass-rusher.

Is it the right pick? For� a Broncos team transitioning back to a 4-3, Miller is a great pick ? he'll bring a dominant sense of edge rush that some have compared to DeMarcus Ware, and when you put him with Elvis Dumervil, Denver's defensive line just got a lot scarier.

The rest of the top 10 picks
? 1. Cam Newton -- Carolina Panthers
? 3. Marcell Dareus -- Buffalo Bills
? 4. A.J. Green -- Cincinnati Bengals
? 5. Patrick Peterson -- Arizona Cardinals
? 6. Julio Jones -- Atlanta Falcons
? 7. Aldon Smith -- San Francisco 49ers
? 8. Jake Locker -- Tennessee Titans
? 9. Tyron Smith -- Dallas Cowboys
? 10. Blaine Gabbert -- Jacksonville Jaguars

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Von-Miller-goes-to-Denver-Broncos-with-second-pi?urn=nfl-wp1464

Heath Bell Jonathan Broxton Matt Capps Chris Carpenter

Football News from the Future: Balotelli crashes royal wedding

I've kept it a secret (until now), but I recently built a time machine that allows us to intercept football related news reports from the future. Why only football news and not things that are actually important? Stop asking questions and take a glimpse at what the future holds.

The Royal Family was left stunned on Friday when professional footballer Mario Balotelli invaded the reception at Buckingham Palace following Prince William's nuptials to Kate Middleton. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall was treated for shock and Several high-ranking officials have already been sacked for letting Balotelli and his stunning behavior spoil an otherwise dazzling event.

When asked by the Queen herself why he would arrive uninvited, the Manchester City footballer responded, "Because I can." He then threw darts at her, prompting Royal Guards to ask him to stop. He didn't.

Balotelli, who had numerous swear words carved into his hair and wore an equally offensive T-shirt with jean shorts (otherwise known as "jorts"), appeared out of nowhere midway through the reception. He and a man he introduced as his brother attacked the canapes with complete disregard for invited guests who had not yet eaten. He then spit the half-chewed Royal morsels on the floor, loudly declaring them to be not to his liking. It is understood that this caused David Beckham to recoil in horror.

Prince William valiantly attempted to defuse the situation by asking the men to leave, but the Italian international laughed in his face and made him self-conscious about his hair. Balotelli then pulled out a wad of cash and shoved it into William's trousers, stating that it was "�100 less than I gave a homeless guy last night."

Balotelli was finally subdued and removed from the premises when a quick-thinking Royal Guard threw a bib over his head before telling guests to stand back. The 20-year-old struggled to put it on and eventually passed out.

When reached for comment, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini shouted "MARIOOOOOOO!" and shook his fist in the air for several minutes in an exaggerated manner.

Photo: AP

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Football-News-from-the-Future-Balotelli-crashes?urn=sow-wp1175

Derek Jeter Miguel Cabrera Josh Hamilton Vladimir Guerrero

Notre Dame takes the blame for student’s fatal practice fall, clears everyone who works for Notre Dame

It seemed clear in the wake of last month's damning report by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration that Notre Dame wasn't going to be able to easily deflect responsibility for the death of student videographer Declan Sullivan last October, and to the university's credit, it hasn't tried.

The results of Notre Dame's six-month internal investigation, released Monday morning in a thorough 52-page report, found ? in addition to the six specific violations cited by IOSHA ? that staffers monitoring weather conditions were several hours behind on reported wind speeds on the afternoon Sullivan fell from a hydraulic scissor lift overlooking Irish practice, that his lift was more susceptible to tipping than the other two lifts on hand that day, and that the lift shouldn't have been extended to its full, 40-foot height in winds in excess of 30 mph. (Specifically, the report found that Sullivan's fatal fall was caused by a "sudden and extraordinarily" 53 mph gust.) As he did immediately following the accident, school president Rev. John Jenkins said in an open letter accompanying the report that the university is "collectively responsible" and "failed to keep [Sullivan] safe."

Where the university has accepted institutional blame, however (as well as the regulatory fines that come with it), it�hasn't been able to identify a mistake by any individual employee. From the South Bend Tribune:

The report holds no single person responsible for the accident but concludes, "Several flaws were exposed that need to be acknowledged and addressed. Responsibility for these issues is shared by many individuals."

In an open letter in the report, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, states university officials concluded "no one acted in disregard for safety" in the matter and that he takes personal responsibility for the inadequacy of safety procedures. […]

"In the grief and distress that follows a tragic accident, it is common to seek the individual or individuals responsible and assign blame," Jenkins wrote in his open letter in the report.

"After a thorough and painstaking study in which numerous university personnel were interviewed and external experts consulted, we have reached the conclusion that no one acted in disregard for safety. Each individual involved based his decisions and actions that day on the best information available at the time and in accord with the procedures that were in place," the priest wrote.

That sentiment was echoed by Peter Likins, an engineer and former University of Arizona president, who provided an independent review of the investigation and concluded "the facts here do not support any single individual finding of fault." Executive vice president John Affleck-Graves told reporters, "What we found is that numerous decisions by many people ? made in good faith on that (day) and even over the course of several years ? played a role in the accident." No university employee has faced official discipline.

Most emphatically, that includes head coach Brian Kelly, who has the final call on all practice-related issues but was specifically exonerated by the report because he "did not think the wind was as severe" as it had been the day before ?�when the Irish took practice indoors for the first time all season ?�and hadn't been informed otherwise. According to the report, Kelly depends on three people --�director of football operations Chad Klunder, video coordinator Tim Collins and then-head trainer Jim Russ -- to "inform him if the weather will pose a problem or if any precautions should be taken for player safety." But Collins and Russ had both checked on weather reports multiple times on Oct. 27, the last time less than 10 minutes before the National Weather Service upgraded its data to report winds gusting above the 35-mph limit prescribed by the wind-safety procedure for grounding lifts. In simple illustrated form, from the report:

At that point, they were still concerned enough before practice to initially keep a less experienced videographer off of a lift, and to order at least one of the others to remain at less than full height. But it's hard for anyone to imagine how a random glance at a computer screen on a Wednesday afternoon might show up later as a life-or-death decision.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Notre-Dame-takes-the-blame-for-student-s-fatal-p?urn=ncaaf-wp818

Andrew Bailey Clay Buchholz Trevor Cahill Fausto Carmona

Teeing off: Which public PGA Tour course would you pay to play?

Welcome to Teeing Off, where Devil Ball editor Jay Busbee and head writer Shane Bacon take a day's topic and smack it all over the course. Suggest a future topic by writing jay.busbee@yahoo.com, or hit us on Twitter at @jaybusbee and @shanebacon. Today we tackle the public golf courses that host PGA Tour events, which one is the best, and how much is too much to pay for golf.

Busbee: This week, the tour heads to Hilton Head to play at Harbour Town, one of the few courses on the circuit that will actually let you roll up and play ... provided, of course, you can come up with as much as $260 for a round. There's nothing quite like playing where the pros play, setting yourself up for that tee shot, approach or putt you know so well. And Harbour Town boasts one of the best-known finishing holes on the planet, with that candy-cane lighthouse in the distance. But how's it stack up against the other public courses on tour? Everybody send us a nickel; we'll play and report back ... or speculate right here. Mr. Bacon, your take?

Bacon: Well the obvious competition for Harbour Town is some of the ocean courses on the West Coast; Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach. Did I mention Pebble Beach? Anyway, I've talked myself into driving from Charleston to Hilton Head before to play, but could never spoon out the green fee for Harbour. That said, it is probably on my top-three golf course list of places I want to play. It looks wonderful, and all the pros say it is one of their favorite stops on tour. Can a course like this rank up against some of those courses with the beautiful views?

Busbee: The knock on Harbour Town is that an already tight track is made even tighter by the condos that line every inch of the course. Really, it depends on what you're seeking out of a course: If you like shotmaking and a sense of history and don't pay much attention to what's happening out of bounds, Harbour Town is the way to go. If you want a course where every single shot on every single hole is worthy of a photo you'll hang on your wall and show everyone who comes near you for the rest of your life, you'll want Torrey or ... what was that other one you mentioned?

So, to follow up on your greens fee question: What's the most you'd pay to play one of these courses? (Public courses only; I'd tap into the kids' college fund to pay off a member to play Augusta.)

Bacon: I've always said $300 is as much as I'd pay for golf, unless it was Augusta or Pine Valley. Sure, there are some incredible tracks out there, but I find it incredible some of these resort courses can get people to fish over $200 to play 18 holes.

Is golf too expensive now? Would you pay $500 to play golf anywhere?!

Busbee: Depends on what else I'm getting. For half a grand, they better throw in a hot dog at the turn and a free shirt at the end. Plus a complimentary "I'm playing ______ and you aren't!" email photoblast to all my friends while I'm out on the course. (For the record, if you're looking to play, Torrey Pines is up to $292 per round, and Pebble checks in at just under your $500 benchmark.) So, as always, it comes down to why you play golf. If it's for the experience of the moment, sure, scrimp and save and play a round. If you're looking for the camaraderie, skip the round at Pebble and play a year's worth of rounds at your local dog track for the same price. Sure, no pro ever chipped in from the other side of the industrial highway that runs alongside the course, but there's no reason you can't try that shot.

OK, your take ... which public course would you most want to play, and how much is too much to pay to play a round of golf?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Teeing-off-Which-public-PGA-Tour-course-would-y?urn=golf-wp1168

Jonathan Broxton Matt Capps Chris Carpenter Yovani Gallardo

DT Exclusive: Gerrard tries to convince Liverpool to keep Dalglish

Now that Steven Gerrard is out for the season with a groin injury, he's had the time to try and convince Liverpool owner John Henry to make caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish the club's permanent gaffer. The following is a transcript of how we imagine Gerrard's most recent attempt went.

Henry: Steven, how are you? I was sorry to hear about your injury.

Gerrard: I'm great. I've been finding cures for homelessness and dominating at board games. What have you been doing?

Henry: Just business as usual. What can I do for you?

Gerrard: There's a lot you can do for me. I was just talking to my court-ordered house guest Andy Carroll while we ate Mickey Mouse French toast in our pajamas this morning and I was like, "Liverpool should make Kenny Dalglish the permanent manager because he's a great manager and he's like an old and Scottish version of me." And he was like, "Oh Steven Gerrard, that's the greatest idea ever and I'm not just saying that because you make delicious Bugs Bunny shaped French toast for us to eat." And I was like, "Actually, it's Mickey Mouse shaped." And he was like "..." and I was like "..."

Henry: Uh, well, Kenny has done a tremendous job for us. But between you and me, we are looking at other candidates just to be thorough in our decision making process.

Gerrard: Exactly. I was just telling my daughters that. I was like, "The owners better be thorough in their decision making process before giving Kenny a new contract because that's what I would do and I'm a champion at businessing." And they were like "Oh Steven Gerrard, we're pretty sure 'businessing' isn't a word. And why didn't Andy Carroll leave any Mickey Mouse French toast for us?" And I was like "..." and they were like "..."

Henry: Again, between you and me, we've had advanced discussions with Porto's manage- why do your daughters call you Steven Gerrard?

Gerrard: Villas Boas is okay, but have you talked to me about being Liverpool's manager yet?

Henry: Um, no.

Gerrard: Well you should, because I know I'm going to be a legendary manager and they'll probably make me the new pope when they see how many trophies I win.

Henry: That's not how popes are chosen. I do appreciate your input, though, Steven. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Gerrard: Yeah, like I said before there's a lot you can do for me. I was conversing with Jay Spearing last week and I was like, "It would be so nice if Mr. Henry had Phil Collins come out of retirement so he could sing to me in the dressing room, but instead of him singing he'd ask me to sing all songs because he's heard that I have the voice of a masculine angel." And Jay Spearing was like, "Oh Steven Gerrard, that's best idea I've ever heard in my young life, but who is Phil Collins?" And I was like "!!!" and he was like "..."

Henry: Okay. So. If there isn't anything else...

Gerrard: There is something else -- you have to give me a cupcake. Now which desk drawer do you keep them in?

Henry: ...

Gerrard: ...

Henry: I don't keep cupcakes in my desk. But I'm sure we could get you some.

Gerrard: Yes!

Photos: Getty Images

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/DT-Exclusive-Gerrard-tries-to-convince-Liverpoo?urn=sow-wp806

Brian Waters Carl Nicks Champ Bailey Chris Johnson

Yost on Billy Butler wishing to play 1B: ‘I’d like to be an astronaut’

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost can be a pretty funny guy when he wants to. Responding to the wishes of born-designated hitter Billy Butler, who would prefer to keep playing first base, Ol' Ned came up with a witty answer to the press:

"You know, I'd like to be an astronaut."

So, I guess that means Kila Ka'aihue (for now) and perhaps Eric Hosmer (in the future) will be manning first base in K.C. So that's settled. Sorry, Billy.

But what about Ned's wish to be launched into space? That's quite a bit of breaking news. But I think we can accommodate him, at least via an artist's rendering.

Only, how about cosmonaut instead? Yost's friendly face seems a natural fit for an outfit similar to the one Yuri Gagarin wore into outer space for the Soviet Union on April 12, 1961.

I re-dub him Yosti Gagarin!

Now, somebody find a rocket and blast Ned to the ionosphere!

Big BLS H/T: Jeff Passan's Twitter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Yost-on-Billy-Butler-wishing-to-play-1B-I-d-li?urn=mlb-wp3766

Jean-Claude Killy Jerry Rice Jerry West Jesse Owens

Wanna skip work for Stanley Cup Playoffs? Invent a Wiki-holiday

Reader Joe Hindy has a friend named John who he said was in a pickle tonight.

He wanted to watch Game 3 of the Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes, but had to work on Monday night. He even posted one of those maudlin "I'm going to miss the game" messages on his Facebook page. So sad.

Undaunted by the reality of his surroundings, John and Joe concocted a last-ditch attempt to spring him from his work obligations tonight: Inventing a holiday with a fake Wikipedia page so he could call out of work without any repercussions.

You know, like any of us would have.

Thus, the sacred "Kwanza holiday of El Juego De Tres De Los Siete (The Game of 3 Out of 7)" was born, according to Joe. Among the facts about this hallowed occasion:

"The beginning dates back to 1991, wherein the Detroit Red Wings would begin to make history as they made the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Every year since then, due to this astounding holiday, the Red Wings have not missed the playoffs. The name literally means 'game 3 of 7' and is preceded by national holidays el juego de dos de los siete and el juego de uno de los siete. Following it will be quatro, cinco, seis and siete.

"It is customary for any subscribers to the religion of the Red Wings to request days off, often at little to no notice, in order to take part in a tradition that millions take part of. The tradition is to sit on a couch (later rules to the tradition say bar stools and lay-z-boy chairs are an adequate substitute) and watch the red wings game while imbibing the traditional snacks of pizza, wings and beer (pizza, wings and beer optional)."

It's still on Wikipedia as of tonight, with the expected nominated for deletion note. You can find a screenshot of the stunt here.

So, did it work? Of course not, Joe told us. Because it's completely absurd. Still, Joe wanted us to pass it along in order to "give you the answer to any Wings fan who wants tonight off."

And who are we to laugh in the face of one's religious dogma?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Wanna-skip-work-for-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Invent?urn=nhl-wp2918

E.J. Henderson Jamaal Charles Jerod Mayo Jon Beason

Puck Headlines: Seabrook out for Chicago; more Boudreau blowback

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media

? Honestly, why bring Pat's and/or Geno's into it, Buffalo Sabres fan with the culinary protest sign?

? Sergei Zubov is hanging up the skates after missing the entire KHL season with a hip ailment. [Defending Big D, and check out our interview with Zubi from last year]

? No Brent Seabrook tonight for the Chicago Blackhawks, as he suffers the effects from that Raffi Torres hit. Dave Bolland will return to the lineup, as will Bryan Bickell and Ryan Johnson. [CSN Chicago]

? This may come as a great shock to you, but the NHL may have mis-communicated some information in its ruling on Torres. [Pass It To Bulis]

? Dirk Hoag with a terrific look at how the new NBC/NHL deal affects the Nashville Predators' salary cap situation, which you can apply to your favorite team's cap. Highly recommended. [On The Forecheck]

? Mike Green of the Washington Capitals on whether the New York Rangers are targeting his head: "Whether it's high or just finishing their checks is irrelevant. They're coming so hard that, you know, it's hard to get out of the way. It is what it is. It's part of the game. I'm not complaining." No, you leave that stuff for your coach. [Capitals Insider]

? Jesse Spector stands up to Bruce Boudreau "running his mouth on Washington radio" about how the Garden isn't that loud. It doesn't have cow bells or air horns, but it has New Yawkers! [NYDN]

? John Tortorella on Boudreau working the refs: "We have confidence the officials won't be influenced by all the whining going on." [Washington Times]

? Dallas Stars ownership news from Mike Heika: "Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi has become the leading candidate to buy the Stars, according to two sources close to the sale of the team, and could become the stalking horse in what could eventually become an organized bankruptcy case that would allow the exchange of the ownership from a group of lenders led by Monarch Investments" [Dallas Morning News]

? According to Crossing Broad, this is Lindy Ruff's 22-year-old daughter wearing a Philadelphia Flyers hat that appears transported in from the late 1980s. It also appears she's partying with a Vulcan. [Crossing Broad]

? Maintenance day for Mike Richards. [Philly Sports Daily]

? Maintenance day for Mike Knuble. [CSN Wash]

? The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning are playing Game 5 at noon on Saturday. Yuck. [Raw Charge]

? Jack Edwards' favorite Hab, Benoit Pouliot, will not be disciplined for his hit on Johnny Boychuck last night. [Bruins Blog]

? A complete look at Bryan Murray's trade history as Ottawa Senator GM. You know, that Andrej Meszaros trade was rather terrible. [Cory Clouston Fashion Review]

? Jewels From The Crown with a FJM'ing or MiSTing of the Mark Purdy column on Staples Center. "First of all, as a metaphor, that is incoherent. Second, does the writer not see that the Sharks are Lindsay Lohan in that sentence?" [JFTC]

? In response to the NHL not creating a "History Will Be Made" video for the Washington Capitals after Alex Semin's Game 1 winner but making one for Brandon Dubinsky's game-winner in Game 3, a Caps fan did that. [RMNB]

? Mikko Koivu joins the army. [MTV3]

? Rear Admiral on last night's anthem at Bell Centre: "The Bell Center had to remind the fans before the U.S. National Anthem that the following Canadiens they were about to name are all American so that when they go ahead and boo the song like the pack of A-holes they are, they're booing Canadiens. Pathetic or what? The worst part about this? Every WWE-attending Bruins fan will bring their beat up Old Glory to Saturday's game in some misguided form of patriotism (and forgetting that the Bs roster is loaded with Canadians and has just two Americans). If you feel the need to bring the stars-and-stripes to a NHL game, at least have the decency to display it right. Blue is always top left." [Barstool]

? Do not ever call Samantha a puck bunny. It sounds like she will punch you in the eye. [Above The Glass]

? This is kinda cool: Danny Syvret and Kris Versteeg's little brothers are teammates in the ECHL. [The Checking Line]

? Did the referees make the right call on the Brian Boucher mask toss last night at the Buffalo Sabres? "There's no doubt that Boucher deliberately removed his helmet, but was it to secure a stoppage in play, or was it to simply free his vision from bouncy head gear? If you take his word for it in his post-game comments, he truly didn't know what would happen as a result of the mask flip, and that the latter assessment is true." [Broad Street Hockey]

? Finally, via Houses Of The Hockey, a humorous video by the Rapid City Rush, snarking on their CHL foes the Fort Wayne Komets. Good lord, you have to use the buzzer from the Bruins Bear video, too?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Puck-Headlines-Seabrook-out-for-Chicago-more-B?urn=nhl-wp2980

Vernon Wells David Ortiz Hanley Ramirez Martin Prado

Friday’s Three Stars: Sedin leads Canucks; Ducks, Bolts even up

No. 1 Star: Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

The Hart Trophy candidate played like an MVP in the Canucks' 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Sedin scored on the power play 30 seconds into the second period and then had a critical insurance goal (which would end up the game-winner) in the third on a stellar individual effort. Sedin also had the primary assist on Jannik Hansen's first-period goal, his second in two games. The Canucks lead the series, 2-0.

No. 2 Star: Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks' stars came to play against the Nashville Predators in Game 2, with Getzlaf leading the way in the 5-3 win. He picked up assists on goals by Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan, to whom he made a perfect pass for a break in to the crease. In the second period, Getzlaf scored what turned out to be the game-winner right after power-play time expired. The series is tied 1-1.

No. 3 Star: Eric Brewer, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Bolts defenseman set the tone for their defiant 5-1 Game 2 victory at the Pittsburgh Penguins with a goal just 2:02 into the game on an odd-man rush. He would later add two power-play assists as the Lightning offense came to life. Marty St. Louis had a goal and an assist, while Vinny Lecavalier had a goal and Simon Gagne had three assists. The series is now tied 1-1.

Honorable mention: The Washington Capitals received goals from Jason Chimera and Jason Arnott in the first 4:08 of the second period, and that was all the offense they needed in a 2-0 Game 2 victory over the New York Rangers. The Caps blocked 21 shots and Michal Neuvirth stopped all 22 that he faced to earn his first playoff shutout. The Caps lead the Rangers, two games to none. … Ben Smith had two goals for the Blackhawks. Chris Campoli was a plus-3. … Shea Weber, Joel Ward and Patric Hornqvist had the Predators goals. … Ray Emery made 31 saves for the Ducks. … Craig Adams had the Pens goal.

Did you know? Mattias Ohlund's empty net goal was his first in a Lightning uniform, having played 139 regular season games and two playoff games without a tally.

Dishonorable mention: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa were all held scoreless for the second straight game. … �The Penguins are 0-for-13 on the power play in the series. … The Rangers are 1-for-31 on the power play in their last 11 games. … Jordan Staal was a minus-3. … Weber lost a goal on a goalie interference call on David Legwand. … Finally, it's really not cool to shower an assistant coach with ice, Caps fans (via Colin):

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres; 2. Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals; 3. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; 4. Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings; 5. Brian Gionta, Montreal Canadiens; 6. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks; 7. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals; 8. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators; 9. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens; 10. Marty St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Friday-s-Three-Stars-Sedin-leads-Canucks-Ducks?urn=nhl-wp2728

Roy Halladay Tim Hudson Josh Johnson Althea Gibson

Why one coach did not vote Connecticut No. 1 in his final poll

If the argument for a playoff system in college football is that it would guarantee a unanimous national champion each year, it appears even that might not be enough to eliminate every shred of season-ending controversy.

UConn won college basketball's NCAA tournament on Monday night, yet the Huskies only received 30 of 31 first place votes in the final USA Today/ESPN poll released Tuesday.

The lone dissenter was Northern Arizona coach Mike Adras, who selected Ohio State and Kansas ahead of UConn on his ballot. Asked about his controversial choices, Adras told USA Today that this wasn't a protest vote and that he simply believed the Buckeyes had a better season-long resume than UConn.

"I voted for who I thought was the best team in the country based on the entire body of work during the season," Adras said. "I believe it is Ohio State. I want to congratulate Connecticut for winning the NCAA tournament. They deserved it."

While the rules of the poll do not require coaches to vote the NCAA tournament champion No. 1, Adras is needlessly detracting from Connecticut's accomplishment by doing otherwise.

Ugly title game performance or not, Connecticut is a deserving champion because it won six straight NCAA tournament games. It doesn't matter that the Huskies weren't the best team in the nation for most of the regular season like Ohio State because a playoff isn't designed to determine that.

Ask the 2007-08 New England Patriots that suffered their first loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. Or the 116-win 2001 Seattle Mariners that couldn't make it past the American League Championship Series.

Would either of those teams been voted No. 1 if a season-ending poll existed in either sport? Of course not. There's no point in even having a playoff system if the eventual winner isn't an automatic champion.

Ultimately, the only good news about Adras' vote is that it's essentially irrelevant. Polls don't matter in college basketball, and this is yet another reminder of why we can all be thankful about that.

Follow Yahoo! Sports on Facebook and be the first to know about the most interesting stories of the day.

Other popular Yahoo! Sports stories:
? Impostor fans used in national title game
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Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Why-one-coach-did-not-vote-Connecticut-No-1-in-?urn=ncaab-wp1916

Jose Bautista Torii Hunter Nick Swisher Vernon Wells

Josh Hamilton out 6-8 weeks with fractured humerus

It didn't look good when Josh Hamilton had to leave the Texas Rangers' game after a headfirst slide on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, the worst fears were confirmed shortly after the Rangers' 5-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

What was initially diagnosed as a strained right shoulder turned out to be a much worse injury for the reigning AL MVP. Hamilton suffered a non-displaced fracture of the humerus bone (at the top of the arm), and will miss six-to-eight weeks.

Hamilton hurt the shoulder on a headfirst slide into home plate during the first inning. He was tagged out on the play, running on a foul pop-up when third base coach Dave Anderson told him to go for the score. It's not a decision that Hamilton agreed with.

From ESPNDallas.com:

"I listened to my third-base coach," Hamilton said. "That's a little too aggressive. The whole time I was watching the play I was listening. [He said], 'Nobody's at home, nobody's at home.' I was like, 'Dude, I don't want to do this. Something's going to happen.' But I listened to my coach. And how to you avoid a tag the best, by going in headfirst and get out of the way and get in there. That's what I did."

Hamilton came up holding his back and left the game. He told reporters he heard two pops when he made the slide and felt a "dull pain" in the shoulder. Initial X-rays showed no fracture, and team doctors believed there was no separation or dislocation. Hamilton even took a few swings in the batting cage before telling manager Ron Washington that he couldn't go back in.

But a subsequent MRI exam revealed a small fracture. That leaves the defending AL champs without their best hitter for up to two months. Hamilton won't be able to swing a bat for four weeks, but the Rangers are preparing for the worst.

Texas currently holds the best record in the majors at 9-2, which has already established a 3 1/2-game lead in the AL West. But general manager Jon Daniels seems confident his team can sustain success while Hamilton is out, saying "we built the club to deal with injuries like this."

Still, the team's depth is about to be tested.�First baseman Chris Davis was called up from Triple-A Round Rock to take Hamilton's spot on the roster. Lone Star Ball thinks it's curious that another outfielder, especially one that could play center field, didn't get the call. But Davis' hot start (.429 average, four home runs) may have swayed the decision. David Murphy is expected to get the majority of time in left field, with Mitch Moreland also getting some time in the outfield.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Josh-Hamilton-out-6-8-weeks-with-fractured-humer?urn=mlb-wp3171

Mario Andretti Mario Lemieux Mark McGwire Mark Spitz

Carroll and Skrtel have developed an interesting corner kick routine

Andy Carroll helped Liverpool to a tremendous 3-0 victory over Manchester City with a pair of fantastic goals, yet it was his unusual corner kick routine with teammate Martin Skrtel that produced the most indelible images of the match.

On more than one occasion, Carroll assumed a position right behind Skrtel's backside, grabbed him by the hips and whispered in his ear (I'm guessing it was something to the effect of, "I'm the boss.").� Carroll seemed to be the one in control of whatever happened there, while Skrtel had the uneasy look of a young Pierluigi Collina letting himself go with a strange and exciting new experience.

Perhaps it was something Carroll and Kenny Dalglish concocted while at a Boyzone show, but it didn't seem particularly effective any of the times they tried it. It probably did succeed in making Joleon Lescott feel uncomfortable, though. So there's that.

And that's how Martin Skrtel got pregnant. The baby will be a minotaur.

Bottom image via @sansri88

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Carroll-and-Skrtel-have-developed-an-interesting?urn=sow-wp791

Steven Jackson Strong safety Tony Gonzalez Wes Welker

NASCAR’s inevitable Auburn-themed car is on its way

Brace yourself, city slickers, for the overwhelming power of an awesome new redneck vortex: A NASCAR racer slathered in an orange, white and blue paint job to commemorate Auburn's BCS championship. The car, a Toyota Camry sponsored by Atlanta-based "lease to own" giant Aaron's, will debut on April 17 with Michael Waltrip behind the wheel for the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway.

It's an obligatory move on two fronts: Besides creating an unprecedented synthesis of Alabama's favorite pastimes at one of the state's holiest sites, Aaron's put itself on the hook last year by unveiling a Crimson Tide-themed car at Talladega to commemorate Alabama's BCS championship win in January 2010. It's like a new Iron Bowl tradition, y'all, and if you don't think security will have to break up at least one fight over the superior car, you truly do not understand NASCAR or the SEC.

As a shrewd love letter to the sporting culture of the South, it's pretty good. If they can somehow get Waltrip to shoot a deer in the infield at full throttle, it will be perfect.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Source: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/NASCAR-s-inevitable-Auburn-themed-car-is-on-its-?urn=ncaaf-wp461

Mark Spitz Martina Navratilova Maurice Richard Michael Jordan

Police report accuses Aqib Talib of pistol-whipping, shooting at a guy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Aqib Talib is in a heap of trouble. The following paragraph Monday from Richie Whitt at Sportatorium, the Dallas Observer's Sports Blog, is a doozy.

According to a GPD initial report about the incident and two sources familiar with the case Talib allegedly attempted to pistol-whip his sister Saran's boyfriend, Shannon Billings, and then, after a struggle, used his mother Okolo's pistol and fired several shots at Billings as he fled the scene on foot.

If you're scoring at home, that's a pistol-whipping and a borrowing of mom's gun to shoot at your sister's boyfriend, all in one paragraph. Yikes.

Police currently describe Talib as a "person of interest" in the shooting. Billings, the alleged victim, has been involved in two other family-violence cases involving Talib's sister, Saran.

You can check out more details of the police report here. Talib has yet to release any kind of statement about the incident.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Police-report-accuses-Aqib-Talib-of-pistol-whipp?urn=nfl-wp620

Josh Gibson Juan Manuel Fangio Julius Erving Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Masters Thursday Wrap-up: Who was the biggest disappointment?

After every round this week, we here at Devil Ball will give you a quick recap of the day, with our thoughts on some of the best, and worst, performances of the day. This Thursday kicks it off, so let's get to it, shall we?

Round of the Day: You could easily go with Rory McIlroy's early round of 65, or Alvaro Qurios matching the Northern Irishman in the afternoon with 7-under, but the round of the day goes to Phil Mickelson. Why? Because for where he was off the tee all day, Mickelson should have been closer to 80 than 69. Lefty's short game around the greens showed exactly why he has the ability to hold together rounds where he isn't swinging well, and to get a 2-under 70 out of that was as impressive as anything I saw all day.

[Related: Complete Masters leaderboard ]

Biggest Surprise: The incredible play of the final threesome on Augusta National. Quiros, Gary Woodland and Jhonattan Vegas got attention before the round for their distance off the tee, but the back nine they played, combining to shoot 11-under over the final nine holes, was as enjoyable a thing to watch as anything that happened on Thursday. Woodland's 31 really showed why people think he could be a star, and Quiros held it together after a bogey on 14 to tie for the lead.

Biggest Disappointment: It's impossible not to vote Martin Kaymer here, even with his poor play at Augusta in the past. On a perfect scoring day, with a solid tee time, Kaymer shot 78, beating three men over the age of 50, Arjun Atwal and Henrik Stenson. For the world No. 1, a bad day should never be this bad, especially given the friendly pin positions and little to no wind.

What to look for on Friday: We all know Saturday is moving day, but with a lot of low numbers posted on Thursday, some of the names near even par are really going to have to make a move in the second round to get back in this tournament. Look for guys like Tiger Woods, Mickelson and Anthony Kim to fire at some pins they might not normally fire at, in hopes of jumping a few people on Day 2. Also, more red numbers as the wind is supposed to be relatively calm for most of the morning-early afternoon.

More Masters coverage on Yahoo! Sports:
? Is Tiger finally back? Yes!
? World No. 1 opens with nasty 78
? McIlroy's 65 could've been better

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/golf_experts/post/Masters-Thursday-Wrap-up-Who-was-the-biggest-di?urn=golf-wp663

Red Grange Roberto Clemente Rocky Marciano Rod Laver

If there’s no NFL, is Sunday still a day for football?

No one knows how long this damn lockout will last, of course, but if it does end with us experiencing NFL-free Sundays in the fall, every other football organization in the world seems to have a plan for capturing your eyeballs.

The fledgling UFL sees it as its chance to shine. The Lingerie Football League wants to seduce you. College football conferences are thinking of moving games to Sundays. Everyone wants what you used to give to the NFL.

I'm curious, though: Does any of that really appeal to you? Can you just plug in some other form of football and be just as content?

I speak only for myself, but no, no I can't. I don't think I'd watch any of those things.

I like college football, and I consume oodles of it on Saturdays, but I don't like it so much that I'd give it a few more hours of my time on Sundays. The quality of play isn't close to the same, there's no satisfactory conclusion to the season, and there's way too much Lee Corso. I can't do it. I like it, I'll continue to enjoy it in the same capacity as I did before, but an NFL substitute, it is not.

The UFL? I know this sounds cynical and belittling, but I can't shake the feeling that it's closer to a YMCA flag football game than an NFL game. Yes, there are quality players and elite athletes out there, but at the end of the day, it's still decidedly minor league. Maybe the level of play there will be better this year than it was last year, but I just can't get past that these are not the best players. This is not the game at its highest level.

As for the Lingerie Football League, well, it's like comparing apples to luscious, luscious melons. I like seeing Eric Steinbach pull around the end and pancake a guy on a sweep. I also like her. But they are very, very different feelings.

I really don't think I'd watch any of it.

I watch the NFL on Sundays because the NFL is awesome. I don't watch because it's Sunday, and I have some kind of football quota that needs to be met on that particular day. If they played NFL games at 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Tuesday mornings, I'd make some waffles and watch then, and on Sundays, I'll, I don't know ... start a fight club or something.

It's not just Sunday football that I'll miss; it's the NFL's particular brand of football. I don't know that it can be replaced.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/If-there-s-no-NFL-is-Sunday-still-a-day-for-foo?urn=nfl-wp683

Jim Brown Jim Thorpe Joe DiMaggio Joe Louis

MMA Marketplace: The Diaz Brothers shirt to wear to work

If you have a big day coming up at work, you need this shirt. As you consider your big presentation, meeting, review or maybe even fight, wear this shirt to remember the wise words of Nick Diaz: Don't be scared, homie.

As modeled by Chael Sonnen, the shirt will give you the confidence to face the day and the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Urijah Faber wore it to send a message to his UFC 132 opponent, Dominick Cruz. Hopefully, Diaz will wear it as he walks out to this weekend's bout with Paul Daley.

I don't think I'm overstating when I say this shirt will make your life better. Buy it here for $25, a paltry sum to pay for improving your life.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/MMA-Marketplace-The-Diaz-Brothers-shirt-to-wear?urn=mma-wp951

Larry Fitzgerald London Fletcher Long snapper Matt Cassel

Bourne Blog: Inside the playoff prep meeting

Before each and every playoff series, hockey teams hunker down to do their homework, getting thoroughly prepared to go to war against whoever's next on their playoff checklist. Unlike the regular season, you actually have the time and reason to worry about more than just your own squad.

Inside those meetings, you get the chance pick apart your opponent. The focus falls squarely on two areas: personnel and X's-and-O's.

When it came to personnel, most coaches have some form of what my junior coach referred to as the "Circle and Block Theory" for dealing with the guys wearing the wrong colors (not all coaches use circles and blocks, of course, but the message will be the same).

With the opposing line-up on the whiteboard, this is the rare opportunity for players to speak up in meetings, giving their two cents on the strengths and weaknesses of ex-teammates as to determine who gets the circles, who gets the squares, and who remains sans-attention.

The circled names are the guys you want to pester until they need to be put in a room with padded walls. You stick 'em, you chirp 'em, and you hack and whack and generally make their life as miserable as possible. The best guys to dig at (and thus the ones most likely to be circled) are the ones we in the media refer to as "enigmatic," a not so subtle euphemism for "inconsistent."

Names like Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Semin, and Marian Gaborik ? these guys are guaranteed to have extra shots taken on them. They'll get facewashed in post-whistle scrums and have each and every check finished on them. Ideally, the goal is to get these players into "y'know what, I'd just rather not take this puck to the danger areas anymore" mode.

The squares ? or blocks, if you will, for "blockheads," are the complete opposite. These are the guys you utterly ignore, since the only way they're effective is if they're getting under players skin. As far as you're concerned, they cease to exist. Think Max Lapierre/Sean Avery types, the pests that thrive on heated verbal exchanges and adrenaline. All they want is attention, so the goal there is that the lack of it will either render them useless, or frustrate them to the point of taking stupid penalties.

The rest of the team, well, they might as well be generic, faceless players that you're going to beat using the next part: the X's and O's.

While teams will invariably have a multitude of power play breakouts, penalty kill forechecks, and ways to defend in the neutral zone, all have their preferences. As a coach, you simply can't inundate your players with too many ways to counter each and every possibility ? they're only hockey players, after all - so you can make changes on the fly if and when things change. But first, you start with your competitor's preferences and focus on the best ways to beat those.

Hockey is a fluid game that doesn't allow for football-esque black and white plays. There's a lot of reading and reacting, so as a coach, all you can do is put your players in positions that give them the best odds of breaking up your opponent's breakout. It's all about minimizing odds.

In most cases, your forecheck will be based off what hand the defenseman behind the net is (and your forecheck will flip sides of the ice accordingly) ? when they step out, you want to make sure you force him out on his backhand side so it's harder to make a breakout pass. From there, a coach should figure out what your rival's ideal breakout would be, and have his players in positions to angle them towards the bailout options they'd prefer not to take (for example, if they like to swing their center behind the net to grab the puck, maybe your coach has a guy mirror that center so he has to leave the puck with the d ? you want to take away option A at all times, and make them have to beat someone one-on-one to advance zones).

In the regular season, you don't know who's going to be in your opponent's lineup, which breakouts they'll be favouring and you just play too many games to prepare the way you do for playoffs. But at this time of year (and in this video-available day and age), there's no excuse for being surprised by your opponent.

As a player, it's bizarre devoting time and energy on your opponent's game, as it's the complete opposite of the regular season, and different from the message that's been sent over the rest of the year ? it was always "don't worry about them. If we just play our game and execute well, they won't be able to touch us." Not anymore.

It's a nice change ? you still focus on your own game, but you do so with better knowledge of what your opponent is up to.

In the end, there's no such thing as over-preparing. Playoffs are a long haul ? if you can minimize your output with good positioning (and by helping your opponent beat themselves), you'll be glad you paid attention during those meetings. Execute the plan well enough, and you may get to sit through four rounds of them.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Bourne-Blog-Inside-the-playoff-prep-meeting?urn=nhl-wp2576

Tiger Woods Ty Cobb Walter Johnson Walter Payton

Video: Pavel Datsyuk and play of Stanley Cup Playoffs thus far

This isn't the goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, through four days of the tournament. This isn't the pass of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This is simply the play of the playoffs thus far, as Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings chips the puck to himself, fires a shot between his legs and sets up a Darren Helm goal with his wizardry at 19:01 of the first period.

The bouncing puck was tough to handle, but it was still Datsyuk's play against Keith Yandle of the Phoenix Coyotes at center ice that made this thing happen. The shot was obscene. Give Ilya Bryzgalov credit for making the stop, but there was little he could do on Helm's follow-up to make it 3-0 Detroit after the first period.

This was Datsyuk's second incident of Coyotes Defenseman Abuse in Game 2, as he faked Adrian Aucoin out of his skates on a power-play goal earlier in the period.

As Doc Emrick said after the first 20 minutes of Red Wings domination: "With all due respect: Detroit 3, the Washington Generals Nothing."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Pavel-Datsyuk-and-play-of-Stanley-Cup-Pla?urn=nhl-wp2746

Paavo Nurmi Pele Pete Rose Pete Sampras

Bubbly NHL Playoff Preview: Red Wings (3) vs. Coyotes (6)

Last year's series between the Detroit Red Wings and the Phoenix Coyotes was absolutely surreal: sold out games in Glendale, with a crowd whiting out the building; the Coyotes playing through the uncertainty of their ownership situation and future in the city; Shane Doan's face exploding in euphoria; and, of course, snakes on the ice.

This postseason's battle between the Wings and the Coyotes, however, features … well, pretty much everything listed above. Although we're not sure about the snakes this time.

What has changed: The Red Wings are a year older and a little more injured, and the Coyotes are an upset glamour pick for many pundits and fans this postseason.

Will the Coyotes eliminate the Red Wings?

No. 3 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 6 Phoenix Coyotes

�

Wednesday, April 13 Phoenix at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 16 Phoenix at Detroit, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 18 Detroit at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m. �
Wednesday, April 20 Detroit at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.
*Friday, April 22 Phoenix at Detroit, 7 p.m.
*Sunday, April 24 Detroit at Phoenix, TBD�
*Wednesday, April 27 Phoenix at Detroit, TBD

*if necessary

All times Eastern

Henrik Zetterberg played every game but the final two for the Red Wings, but his status for this series was uncertain before Game 1, which he'll miss with an injury. He's their leading scorer (80 points) and their leading forward in power-play time (3:15). Are the Wings deep enough at forward to compensate? Perhaps. Are they a significantly better team with Zetterberg healthy? Absolutely.

Pavel Datsyuk was limited to 56 games due to injury, but remains one of the most dangerous players in hockey. They could use more from him on the power play; same goes for Tomas Holmstrom, who has 10 power-play goals on the season by three since Feb. 26.

It's the playoffs, which means it's Mule Time. Johan Franzen has 31 goals and 59 points in his last 51 playoff games, including seven points in seven games against Phoenix last postseason. Few players find another gear like Franzen in the playoffs.

Danny Cleary had 26 goals. Todd Bertuzzi finished the season strongly offensively. Valtteri Filppula is going to be vital for secondary scoring.

Last season, the Coyotes had one 20-goal scorer; same deal this season, as Shane Doan had 20 tallies and 40 assists to lead the team in scoring. He's skated recently with fellow vets Eric Belanger (40 points) and Ray Whitney (57 points). Obviously, a full series from Doan is a key; he was injured in Game 3 last season and missed the rest of the series.

Radim Vrbata, who scored 24 goals last season, was one of three Coyotes to score 19 goals, along with Lauri Korpikoski and Lee Stempniak. Martin Hanzal just returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with a lower body injury.

With Belanger (55.3), Vernon Fiddler (53.9) and Hanzal, they have three pivots that are over 50 percent in faceoffs. An advantage in the dot could be a huge advantage for the Yotes.

Of course, the key to the entire series hinges on the four or so minutes of BizNasty we'll see …

The notion that Nicklas Lidstrom isn't the league's top defenseman because he was a minus-2 is absurd. He hasn't had a season up to his standards, sure, but he's still their most essential special teams player and ice-time leader 5-on-5. His 62 points aren't shabby, either. He's spent the majority of his time with Brad Stuart, who had 131 hits and 114 blocked shots.

Speaking of hits: Niklas Kronwall is back from injury, and had five points against the Coyotes last season. Brian Rafalski, Jonathan Ericsson and Ruslan Salei round out the group.

Keith Yandle is in the Norris Trophy conversation thanks to a stellar 59-point season that includes 26 power-play points. He led the Coyotes with 24:22 average ice time, with Adrian Aucoin second at 21:39. Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski are the Coyotes' leaders for shorthanded ice time, and along with Rostislav Klesla and Derek Morris they're going to have to handle the Wings' sizable forwards down low.

Major cause of concern for the Red Wings. Jimmy Howard has been pedestrian too often this season, earning 37 wins but sporting an inflated 2.79 GAA. The Wings say this isn't a make-or-break postseason for him, but what if he's the major liability in the first round? There's no Chris Osgood to save the day … yet.

Conversely, the Coyotes have a major advantage with Ilya Bryzgalov. His GAA rose to 2.48 this season, while his save percentage improved to .921. Simply put: The player that can steal this series, although the Red Wings hung 24 goals on him in seven games last postseason.

Did you know next year marks the 10-year anniversary for the Red Wings/Eminem anthem "Without Stanley"?

Until we saw the lyrics, we thought this was about Stan Lee. Which made us think it was viral marketing for the Guardians Project. Which made us weep.

A fantastic battle behind the bench. Mike Babcock is one of the NHL's best adjusters, and a coach that simply knows how to manage his roster to perfection. Dave Tippett has led this team to two of the best regular seasons in franchise history and has created a system that spreads offense through the lineup.

Babcock and Tippett and 1-2 in number of wins since the 2002 season. Players want to win for both of these guys.

The Red Wings were fifth in the NHL on the power play (22.3 percent, 301 chances) and a disappointing 17th on the kill (82.3 percent, 300 times shorthanded). Zetterberg had 30 power-play points.

The Coyotes were 23rd on the power play (15.9 percent on 289 attempts) and 26th on the kill (78.4 percent, 296 times shorthanded). So, in summary: Stay. Out. Of. The. Box.

A memento for any fan …

… that needs a new box for their conference and Stanley Cup gold coins. Seriously, do Red Wings fans even care about division titles?

Howard's a cause for concern. Zetterberg is a cause for concern. Their very average (21-14-6) record at home is a concern, with home ice in this series. The fact that that Coyotes took them to seven without Doan for most of the series is a concern, too.

That said, the Detroit Red Wings are deeper and filled with players that step up in the postseason.

Prediction: Red Wings in seven. They do it again, going the distance and having players like Datsyuk and Franzen break through the Coyotes' system to create goals.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Bubbly-NHL-Playoff-Preview-Red-Wings-3-vs-Co?urn=nhl-wp2467

Neftali Feliz Phil Hughes Cliff Lee Jon Lester

BDL’s Playoff Previews: Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets

After a needlessly overwrought season that seemed to start all the way back in July with LeBron James' "Decision," the playoffs are finally here. After months of waiting, we're at a point where we don't have to qualify every on- or off-court decision with the caveat that reminds us that we're not yet at playoff time. No, we're at playoff time. It's the freakin' playoffs, cats and kittens, and I can hear your goosebumps popping from here. Gross.

So come heed my middling mutterings, alongside the staggering genius of Dan Devine and Eric Freeman, as we discuss the opening round.

In the final episode before the first round hits, we feature the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets.

I have a bad feeling about this series.

It has all the flash and thunder-fire that NBA junkies love, loads of depth and plenty of kids and all sorts of names that Mark Jackson hasn't heard of, but I fear that we're going to be disappointed. What should be a classic seven-gamer built around two very deep teams clashing using high-octane running offenses and ever-improving defenses could be a one-sided affair due to injuries on the Denver end and superior talent on Oklahoma City's side.

And while we still might get a litany of games that are too close to call until the final minute, Oklahoma City just seems better in every regard. This just smacks of all the nearly great playoff series' we see where the hometown team takes a tough Game 3, only to suffer a heartbreaking close one in Game 4, effectively ending the series as it shifts back to their opponent's house, down 3-to-1.

I hope I'm wrong, but though the team's schedule down the stretch does give you pause, it should be noted that Oklahoma City's offense was absolutely lights out over the last month or so of the season. This isn't just Kendrick Perkins flexing and pushing, this is less Jeff Green, more James Harden, and a whole lot of Serge Ibaka with his noise an inch away from the rim.

Can Denver hang? I think so. The Nuggets weren't exactly blown out by the Thunder in their two meetings on April 5 and April 8, but the Thunder did beat George Karl's group by a combined 22 points. I respect the turnaround that we've seen in Denver since the Carmelo Anthony trade, and while the Nuggets have done well in taking down some big boys with some unrelenting depth, what happens when they run into a team that's just as deep as them, with superior talent?

I'll tell you.

My pick? Thunder in five games.

***

Kelly Dwyer's Hopeful Hashtag

#THUNDERNUGGETS

All caps. Make it happen, followers of an NBA scribe who boasts 1/13th the followers of Kenny Loggins.

***

Dan Devine presents …

Welcome back to "PLAAAAAAAAAAYOFFS!" It's that time of year again, sports fans! This postseason, who will survive and thrive? Who will spit the bit? And who's going to come up with a third thing that rhymes?

Here to give you their made-up takes on the key X-factors, O-multiples and Zeeman effects of Thunder/Nuggets are 7-foot-4 Utah Jazz center-turned-celebrity motivational speaker Mark Eaton and 310-year veteran/olde-tyme crustbucket Ol' Man Howard!

Ol' Man Howard: Begin discussing Oklahoma City and Denver.

Mark Eaton: Shotblocking, running, beards, tattoos, smiles and George Karl. Honestly: What more could you ask for in a series?

OMH: Mayhap some relief from this Bronze John that's ailed me of late, but sport surely can't soothe all afflictions.

ME: Oh, I beg to differ. Watching Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson run has been known to straighten the crooked spine and cool the fevered brow. At my seminars, I meet a lot of rudderless guys and gals -- just regular, everyday folks that want to be happy but might not have the most get-up-and-go in the world. I'll tell them, "Hey, it's like I always say: Energy and persistence conquer all things." And then sometimes they say, "Wasn't it actually Benjamin Franklin who said that?" And then I'll say, "Security!" and say they tried to touch me in a manner that made me feel unsafe.

OMH: You indeed preside over a dark carnival.

ME: The point being, these are two teams with an abundance of energy, but when it comes to persistence …

OMH: A fine name for your first-born daughter.

ME: … I believe Oklahoma City's got more in store than Denver does. Thunder in 7.

OMH: There, we agree. Importing scowls did the Okies a world of good. Thunder in 6.

(Editor's note: SHOCKER! Dan's got the Nuggets in 6.)

***

Eric Freeman's Reputation Index

The regular season counts, but the postseason is where reputations are made. Tracy McGrady never won a playoff series and will always be seen as a disappointment. Derek Fisher lacks several fundamental basketball skills but will always be seen as a champion because he makes big shots when it counts. Chauncey Billups owes his entire nickname to the 2004 playoffs. The point being that playoff performance skews national perception of NBA players beyond all reason. In that vein, behold the BDL Reputations Index, your guide to what's at stake for the top names in the first round.

THUNDER

Kevin Durant: Six months ago, Kevin Durant was the toast of the NBA world for his dominant performance at the world championships and the simple fact that he was a superstar who didn't seem to relish the limelight quite as much as the dastardly LeBron James. He was all but anointed as the People's Champion. Durant had another stellar year on his way to becoming the scoring champion for the second year in a row, but he didn't make anything close to the leap he experienced in 2009-10. That's fine, but it's possible to imagine a first-round exit at the hands of the Nuggets acting as the first hint of a coming backlash against Durant and his squeaky-clean image. Win in convincing fashion, and fans may start looking ahead to a Durant/Rose Finals battle for the title of NBA Golden Boy.

Russell Westbrook: If Durant didn't become a transcendent talent this year, then it may only be because both he and Westbrook couldn't possibly have both taken evolutionary steps in the same season. Because, after becoming more than just an erratic presence last season, Westbrook has become a legitimate star talent likely to team with Durant for a seriously imposing duo in OKC. However, there are times when Westbrook seems to dominate the ball too much, looking for his own shot when he should be trying to get Durant and others involved. If the Thunder lose because Westbrook appears too selfish, there may be some question as to whether he's a good fit for Durant. If he can lead the Thunder to a deep run, he may become a superstar in his own right.

NUGGETS

George Karl: With more than 25 seasons as a head coach, Karl currently teeters on the brink of becoming seen as one of the best coaches of his era. The only thing keeping him is that his best teams have had some kind of major flaw: the Sonics' Finals squad is generally said to have tuned him out a few years later; his best Bucks team gets the same rap; and the conference finalist Nuggets group of '08-'09 didn't come close to reaching the same heights the next two season.

If these Nuggets can top the Thunder, or even just take the series to six or seven, Karl will have achieved something that no one can argue with. Whenever a team of semi-stars bands together with little interest in points-per-game averages or becoming The Man, the coach receives most of the credit. And while this Denver squad will never be called his best or most talented team, it will probably go down in history as the best-coached roster Karl ever dealt with. It may not be enough to make him a legend, but he'll at least have a signature bit of coaching.

Nene: For several seasons, Nene has been an advanced-stats favorite for his efficient play and solid contributions in every major aspect of the game. Still, he usually toils in obscurity, rarely standing as a widely discussed All-Star choice. Now free from the shadow of Carmelo Anthony, Nene has a chance to be the Nuggets' best player in the series and get mainstream attention. If he succeeds against an acclaimed defender in Kendrick Perkins, you may see Nene become a star among non-obsessive observers of the game.

My pick? The Thunder in six games.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/BDL-s-Playoff-Previews-Oklahoma-City-Thunder-an?urn=nba-wp1508

Chris Johnson Chris Snee Darnell Dockett Donald Penn