Thanks to a talent-rich draft, the annual ‘grading’ of teams’ performances in the NFL Draft has been a fairly generous one this year. If any division has polarized the opinion of the media, it is the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings have been widely praised for their haul, although perhaps not too surprising, as any team would struggle not to draw praise for three first-round selections, while the Chicago Bears have been lamented for not filling certain needs and arguably reaching with their first-round selection of Kyle Long. That leaves the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Both teams have been praised for ‘solid’ drafts, but the latter’s general manager, Ted Thompson, may have struck gold with his current crop of rookies.

The Packers took UCLA’s Datone Jones with the 26th pick of the draft, and you’d struggle to find a person who does not like this pick. He has the ability to come in and start for the Packers immediately, and offers more dynamism on the edge than the likes of C.J. Wilson and Jerel Worthy. The pressure he will be able to generate on quarterbacks will help create space for Clay Matthews, who was often double teamed last season, and form a formidable one-two punch for the Packers’ defense. He has a lot to learn still, including improving his balance and agility, but he will make an impact on the Green Bay defense from day one.  Check out the NFL Future betting odds at Topbet.eu for a great 2013 NFL season.

Thompson also addressed the Packers’ desperate need for a running back, selecting Alabama’s Eddie Lacy in the second round before also taking Jones’ teammate at UCLA, Johnathan Franklin, in the fourth round. Lacy was arguably the best running back in draft, especially for teams looking for a workhorse back who can be on the field for all three-downs. However, injury concerns caused his stock to drop considerably. Instead of passing up on the immense talent Lacy offers, Thompson drafted some security in the form of Franklin. The duo should help take some heat off Aaron Rodgers, although both will need to work on their pass protection skills.

The offensive line was another area that Thompson and his team needed to strengthen, and they did so in the fourth round, taking David Bakhtiari (Colorado) and J.C. Tretter (Cornell). Green Bay has already decided to move Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton to left tackle and left guard respectively, ensuring Rodgers to have the best possible protection. This means that Bakhtiari and Tretter will likely compete with Marshall Newhouse and Derek Sherrod at the right tackle position, although potentially either or both could move inside. Given Newhouse’s and Sherrod’s troubles at the left tackle position over the last two seasons, it will be interesting to see how they transition to right, but Bakhtiari could oust both players by the beginning of the season if he impresses enough in training camp and preseason.

The Packers also added a number of players later in the draft whose contributions will likely be limited to special teams in their rookie year, but defensive lineman Josh Boyd of Mississippi State could be groomed into an NFL-quality nose tackle in a year or two. He could push B.J. Raji for playing time while also helping out in the rotation in the meantime.

Most critics of the Packers’ draft attribute not taking a safety as the reason for their lower grades, stating it was the one need the Packers failed to fill, but is there really a need at the position? Charles Woodson’s departure does leave a void in leadership, but Green Bay has real ability and potential at the position. Morgan Burnett has developed into an efficient and trustworthy presence in the secondary, whilst both M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian have shown flashes of their potential, and could excel with added responsibility.

Thompson is revered around the league as one of the savviest GMs out there. If this class of rookies helps take the Packers back to the Super Bowl, and it would be no surprise if they did, then he will have more than earned the respect the rest of the league pays him.

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World number one tennis champion Novak Djokovic fell to an emotional and shocking defeat against Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday. Ranked 28^th in the world, Dimitrov beat the Serbian number one 7-6 (8-6)6-7(8-10)6-3.

In earlier meetings Dimitrov had not been able to win a set against Djokovic, but was in fine form in Madrid. The Bulgarian might have had some extra training sessions or added incentive from his girlfriend, tennis pro Maria Sharapova who is ranked number 2 in the world. A day after Dimitrov’s surprise win he was spotted kissing his Russian girlfriend in the streets of Madrid, prompting speculation that the blonde beauty is in fact his lucky charm.

Dimitrov has been heralded as one of the brightest young stars on the tennis circuit and his win at the Madrid Open is the biggest yet of his career. He has been called the next Roger Federer and after his wins at Wimbledon and the US Junior Open in 2008 he has long been heralded as an up and coming champion and potential world number one.

Djokovic’s shock defeat came amidst rumours of a serious injury as he received treatment for his injured ankle throughout the match. He originally hurt his ankle playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup and it seems to have plagued him ever since. A spokesman for Djokovic reported that he did not blame his injury for the defeat, and he conceded that Grigor Dimitrov was the better player and congratulated him.

21 year old Grigor Dimitrov knows that there is a lot at stake in this tournament, not just in career prospects but in prize money too. The winner can claim massive cash rewards comparable to the incredible jackpots offered at AndroidCasino.com.au and improve his world ranking at the same time.

After beating Novak Djokovic in a dramatic 3 hour, five minute match that shocked hostile spectators around the world, Dimitrov performed at his peak and derailed the world number one with what looked like ease. It may seem like this result from Dimitrov is a long time coming, but this win was as much a physical triumph as a psychological one. Dimitrov now faces either seeded Stanislas Wawrinka or qualifier Satiago Giraldo in the next round.

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The modern day NFL has truly developed into a passers’ league, and if you can’t defend against the pass, chances are you will find yourselves picking pretty early in the NFL Draft. Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary was horrendous, and the statistics speak for themselves.  The Buccaneers gave up 297.4 passing yards a game (worst in the NFL), which resulted in them being just 38 yards short of the single season record for passing yardage given up. In fairness to the Tampa’s secondary, blame must also be laid at the feet of the Buccaneers’ pass rushers, who notched  just 27 sacks (T-30th) and quarterbacks often had plenty of time to allow their receivers to gain separation and make composed throws.

There are now whispers around the NFL however, that the league’s worst pass defense could actually become the league’s best in 2013. Valid? Maybe. Pre-emptive? Certainly.

Heading into this offseason, General Manager Mark Dominik probably only had confidence in one player in his secondary; safety Mark Barron. The Alabama product showed flashes of ability in his rookie season, and is certainly one of the most talented young safeties in the league. Dominik and Head Coach Greg Schiano will hope that he can show more consistency this season, and that the year playing with veteran Ronde Barber helped the younger player develop.

Outside of Barron, there was very little proven talent in the Buccaneers secondary. Corner Eric Wright underperformed last season, whilst also takin

g up a sizable chunk of the salary cap, and Barber, in addition to being 37, was heading into free agency. The Buccaneers had no higher priority than improving their secondary heading into free agency and the NFL Draft.

First up was the signing of safety Dashon Goldson, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, potentially adding an effective ball hawk, and the perfect complement to the physical, enforcer-type play of Barron.  If you look at the more successful teams on the defensive side of the ball in recent years, they have almost all had a play-making tandem of this type. You need look no further than the San Fransisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers or Seattle Seahawks for evidence.

The next move made, the trade for Darrelle Revis, will likely define Dominik’s tenure as Tampa’s GM. If Revis can return from his injury and replicate the kind of form which has had people labeling him as the best defensive player in the NFL, then the price Tampa paid for him will seem almost insignificant. It’s a question which, at the moment, remains unanswered, and could possibly stay unanswered until his second season with the Buccaneers. If Revis does regain both his fitness and form this season however, there is no better single addition the Buccaneers could have made to improve their woeful pass defense.

Then came the addition of Johnathan Banks in the second round of the NFL Draft, and despite not grabbing the same headlines that the arrivals of Goldson and Revis did, Banks could prove to be a very good move by Dominik. A tall, rangy corner, Banks is reminiscent of Richard Sherman, and could prove to be a valued press corner in the NFL. He will probably need to put on some more muscle to be as effective in the pro game as he was in college, but he certainly has the talent and mentality to be a success.

It is almost unthinkable to presume the Buccaneers pass defense will not improve. They have added key veterans and a solid rookie, whilst they will also be confident of an improved showing from their defensive line. However, the question posed was: can the Buccaneers secondary be the best in the league? And the short answer is no. There is little to no quality depth behind the starters, meaning that an injury to Barron, Goldson, Revis or Banks would be hugely impactful. It is also arguably a year or two too soon, with Barron and Banks still inexperienced.

That being said, if the Buccaneers can keep this group together, and perhaps add a dominant pass rusher, there is no reason why this same question won’t receive a different answer in a season or two.

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Following the NFL Draft, there has been plenty of talk about which rookies will have the biggest impact in the NFL in their debut season and which teams ‘won’ the draft, but there has been little debate over which NFL veterans could benefit from their team’s recent additions. Here is a look at the NFL vets primed for a big season in 2013.

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Johnson, or ‘CJ2K’, set the league alight in 2009 when he rushed for 2,006 yards, 14 touchdowns, and also notched up a useful 503 receiving yards, firmly establishing himself as one of the premiere running backs in the NFL. His last three seasons have been considerably less successful, however, and he has not been shy about laying at least some of the fault at the door of his offensive line.

It seems as if the Titans’ front office was listening. After signing one of the best guards in the NFL in the form of Andy Levitre, they went out and drafted Chance Warmack out of Alabama, a player that many had rated as the best guard in this years’ draft. They should help open up running lanes for Johnson up the middle, whilst fourth round pick Brian Schwenke will challenge Fernando Velasco for the starting center position, creating healthy competition on the interior of Tennessee’s offensive line. Throw into the mix two veteran tackles, Michael Roos and David Stewart, and Johnson has potentially one of the best offensive lines in the league to run behind.

There will be no excuses for ‘CJ2K’ this year.

Michael Huff and Lardarius Webb, Baltimore Ravens

Ed Reed may be gone, but the ‘ball hawks’ of the Ravens’ secondary could be primed for a big year. Injuries in Baltimore’s front seven last season often meant that they struggled to consistently pressure the passer. Premiere pass rusher Terrell Suggs was never at 100% after coming back from a potentially season-ending Achilles injury, while both Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee struggled with minor injuries throughout the season, leaving outside linebacker Paul Kruger responsible for getting to the quarterback. As a result, quarterbacks had more time to let receivers gain separation, and the Baltimore secondary had difficulty containing more explosive offenses.

The defensive line has been bolstered with the additions of Marcus Spears and Chris Canty, whilst Elvis Dumervil, one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, has also joined Baltimore’s ranks. If the likes of Ngata and Suggs can stay healthy, and emerging defensive stars like McPhee and Courtney Upshaw can continue their development, then both Huff and Webb could reap the rewards of the Ravens’ reinvigorated pass rush.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

It wouldn’t be too surprising if the Eagles ended up starting either Nick Foles or Matt Barkley ahead of Vick, but if the season started tomorrow, Vick would likely be the man under center for the Eagles. Last year Vick (and Foles) suffered from an offensive line bereft with injuries, and both struggled to stay upright and healthy when they faced teams with at least an average pass rush.

Their offensive line is healthy, at least for now, and has been bolstered by Lane Johnson, the fourth overall pick of the NFL Draft, who should fit a Chip Kelly offense perfectly. Johnson will most likely move to right tackle, opposite Jason Peters, allowing Todd Herremans to move inside, demoting disappointing first round pick Danny Watkins. Evan Mathis will retain his spot at left guard. Second-round pick Zach Ertz will compliment Brent Celek well, and give Vick more options in the passing game as both DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin stretch the field.

Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings

Bear with us on this selection. Adrian Peterson is potentially heading into this season fully healthy and gunning for a mind-boggling 2,500 yards, taking some pressure off of Ponder in terms of needing to put up the yards and points for the offense. Then there are the additions the Vikings have made on the offensive side of the ball: Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson. Both are playmakers and give Ponder a more dynamic receiving corps to target. Left tackle Matt Kalil, who had a very good rookie season, should also head into his second year as a more dominant lineman, and will give Ponder better protection from his blindside.

We are not suggesting Ponder will go on to post numbers worthy of mentioning him in the Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers class, or even the Joe Flacco/Matt Ryan class, but he could go a long way towards proving himself a capable franchise quarterback for the Vikings.

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It often takes at least three years to properly judge a draft class, and making judgments just a week after the NFL Draft can often prove misleading a year or two down the road. The Cincinnati Bengals have received widespread praise for their draft, but it is one of their AFC North rivals who could be sitting back and smiling two or three years down the road.

The Baltimore Ravens, led by their esteemed General Manager Ozzie Newsome, are strict adherents to the policy of ‘best player available’ in the draft and, given the multiple needs they had coming into the draft, their ability to still adhere to this policy was very impressive. In fact, the more you look at the Ravens’ current class of rookies, the more you like them, kind of like Michael Jordan’s dunk over a helpless Patrick Ewing back in the early 90’s. Sorry Patrick.

Drafting with the 32nd pick of each round, despite being a problem every team in the league would gladly have, was a challenge Newsome and Co. rose to manfully, and got things underway taking Matt Elam in the first round. The safety will likely step in for the recently departed Bernard Pollard, acting as an enforcer in the secondary, but the rookie is far more than a big hitter. Watch tape of Elam at Florida and you will see a player with all the instincts and coverage ability of a potential ‘ball hawk’ in the NFL. Having a player with that kind of dual-threat in the their secondary will be big boost to the Ravens.

Fearing they could lose their man, Baltimore traded up in the second round, taking linebacker Arthur Brown out of Kansas St., once again securing the best player available while also filling a substantial need. Brown will inevitably be compared to the recently retired Ray Lewis, but Brown is a mature and confident enough player to ignore those comparisons and focus on playing his own game. Like Elam, Brown should also start in his rookie year, and should provide much needed help to a Baltimore defense which uncharacteristically gave up a lot of yards last season.

Newsome, as well as Head Coach John Harbaugh, said that their plans for the 2013 offseason were to strengthen the spine of the defense, and by the end of the third round, they had done just that. Defensive tackle Brandon Williams, the 94th overall pick, might not start immediately on a defensive line boasting the talents of Haloti Ngata, Chris Canty and Arthur Jones, but he will certainly be seen in the rotation, and could be starting at nose tackle before long.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens drafted Kyle Juszczyk (Harvard), arguably the best fullback in the draft, who will learn from Vonta Leach, arguably the best fullback in the NFL, while also probably getting some snaps at tight end. Baltimore also took two linemen in Ricky Wagner (Wisconsin) and Ryan Jensen (Colorado State-Pueblo), both of whom will provide depth and challenge for starters roles. Seventh round pick Aaron Mellette, a wide receiver out of Elon, is another great value pickup for the Ravens, and could feature as a slot receiver in his rookie season if he impresses, as the duo of Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones are bound to continue stretching the field.

Baltimore wasn’t finished defensively either, taking John Simon (Ohio St.), Kapron Lewis-Moore (Notre Dame) and Marc Anthony (California) in the fourth, sixth and seventh rounds respectively. Simon will likely transition from defensive end to outside linebacker in the Ravens’ scheme, and could see time as a rotational pass rusher, while Lewis-Moore will have to contend with an injury he sustained during the bowl game against Alabama, but would likely have gone much higher if he had been healthy, and should be a welcome boost to Baltimore later in the season. Cornerback Anthony, like Mellette, should have been off the board much earlier, and although his contributions this season will likely come on special teams, the depth behind Lardarius Webb, Corey Graham and Jimmy Smith at corner is so thin it would not be too surprising to see him challenge Chris Johnson or Chykie Brown for game time.

The Ravens lost a lot of leaders and veterans this offseason, and we’re not saying that this class of rookies will send Baltimore straight back to Super Bowl (although don’t try telling them that…). But the foundations are being rebuilt that will see the Ravens continue to be a perennial playoff team for years to come. Baltimore had to wait 13 years for their second Super Bowl win, but if these players can reach their potentials, don’t expect them to be waiting 13 more for their third.

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Similar to their pre-draft counterparts, the ‘Mock Drafts’, the post-draft grading of NFL teams’ performances are anything but an exact science. It often takes anywhere up to five years before you can truly judge how successful a certain draft class has been, so assumptions made before training camp has even begun, should be treated with a reasonable amount of skepticism. That being said, certain factors, such as whether or not a team managed to fill their needs, whilst also trying to adhere to a ‘best player available’ policy, can be assessed.

Winners

Minnesota Vikings

When you wind up with three first round selections, chances are that you are going to have a successful draft. Minnesota took Shariff Floyd (23rd pick), Xavier Rhodes (25th pick) and Cordarrelle Patterson (29th pick) with their three first round selections, and cases could be made that they were arguably the best defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver in the draft respectively.

All of the three were expected to be off the board before they were actually taken, and General Manager Rick Spielman deserves credit for his draft day maneuvering, and the value he was able to pick up with each selection. He was also able to address a need at linebacker later in the draft, bring in Gerald Hodges (4th round) and Michael Mauti (7th round) who will both provide depth, and potentially eventually compete for a starting role.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers may not have had three first round picks like the Vikings did, but they did draft three first round talents. San Diego took D.J. Fluker with the 11th pick overall, and then added Manti Te’o (2nd round) and Keenan Allen (3rd round) shortly after, with both Te’o and Allen seen by many as late first round talents. New GM Tom Telesco should be applauded for adding a potential leader to his defense, and helping out quarterback Philip Rivers with a new offensive lineman in Fluker, and target in wide receiver Allen.

Losers

Cleveland Browns

You can forgive Cleveland fans for having a feeling of anti-climax after their draft which saw them make very little improvement, at least in the short-term, to their current roster. First round pick Barkevious Mingo will likely transition to an outside linebacker role in the Browns’ new 3-4 defense, but will most likely end up providing depth behind Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard in his rookie year as he develops his ability to drop back into coverage.

The Browns offloaded some of their picks for better selections in the 2014 draft, so outside of Mingo and cornerback Leon McFadden (3rd round), they’re unlikely to have much impact from their rookie class this season. GM Michael Lombardi may have laid foundations for Cleveland’s future, but it’s doubtful this class will be able to help the Browns move up the AFC North pecking order.

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys did the right thing trading down from the 18th spot, presumably a decision made after Kenny Vaccaro was taken by New Orleans with the 15th pick, but spending their resulting first round pick on Travis Frederick was wasteful. The center is a good player, and will probably start on Dallas’ offensive line, but was a reach in the first round, as the Cowboys could have easily traded down once more, picking up extra picks, and still have taken Frederick.

Dallas also added a potential starter in J.J. Wilcox (3rd round) and good depth in Gavin Escobar (2nd round) and Terrance Williams (3rd round), but completely overlooked their defensive line. They have already lost players such as Marcus Spears on that side of the ball, and considering their shortage of cap space, could struggle to find reinforcements.

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With the NFL Draft just days away, starting on April 26, here’s a look at the AFC North’s most pressing needs heading into the opening rounds.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengal’s draft strategy potentially hinges on whether or not they are confident they can re-sign offensive tackle Andre Smith, and whilst signs have not been positive so far in the offseason, head coach Marvin Lewis remains optimistic. If Smith is not re-signed, or the Bengals don’t think they will get a deal done, then D. J. Fluker (Alabama) or Menelik Watson (Florida St.) could be first round targets.

If Cincinnati don’t go with a tackle in the first round, they could well look at a safety, given it’s a substantial need, and trading up for a shot at Kenny Vaccaro (Texas) is conceivable. Both Matt Elam (Florida) and Eric Reid (LSU) are other options who would potentially available when the Bengals pick at 21.

Running back and wide receiver are two other areas where Cincinnati are looking to add depth and Giovanni Bernard (North Carolina) and Aaron Dobson (Marshall) could be solutions in the second and third rounds respectively.

Cleveland Browns

A lot of names have been linked with the Browns’ sixth-overall pick, including Geno Smith and Ziggy Ansah, but Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner could help push Cleveland’s defense into the ‘elite’ category, especially playing alongside Joe Haden, who has fast become one of the most dynamic corners in the NFL.

Cleveland has plenty of needs, so don’t be surprised to see them try and trade back in the first round and accumulate extra picks, especially considering they’re currently without a second-round pick.

Others pressing needs include pass-rushing linebackers, as Cleveland moves to a 3-4 defense. They plan to transition Jabaal Sheard to the position, but his ability to drop back and cover will be a concern; whilst recent signing Paul Kruger undoubtedly has talent, but he was never a starter during his time with the Baltimore Ravens. John Simon (Ohio State) could be a good pickup in the third or fourth round, as would Kiko Alonso (Oregon), as the Browns will need to add to their inside linebacker resources given their new defensive scheme.

Baltimore Ravens

Left tackle remains an issue for the Ravens, but given that they’re picking at the very end of the round, finding an NFL-ready prospect is slim. Menelik Watson could be an option if Baltimore are not keen to move either Michael Oher or Kelechi Osemele to the blindside, but if they are, expect the Ravens to target a new right tackle or guard later in the draft.

The additions of Michael Huff and Rolando McClain in free agency mean that the Ravens aren’t forced into drafting needs in the early rounds, but if either Eric Reid or Matt Elam fall to the 32^nd pick, Baltimore would be wise to take them, and help solidify a secondary now bereft of Ed Reed.

Anquan Boldin’s departure makes Robert Wood (USC) or Stedman Bailey (West Virginia) an intriguing option at the end of the second round, and Jon Bostic (Florida) could help replenish a depleted linebacker corps in the third or fourth round.

A plethora of compensatory draft picks should help the Ravens maneuver up or down in the draft if they have a need to.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have lost Mike Wallace this offseason and finding a new receiver to play alongside the likes of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders could lead to Pittsburgh taking Cordarrelle Patterson (Tennessee) if he’s still available, otherwise Jarvis Jones would potentially add some much needed youth to the Steelers defense, and is an area of need following James Harrison’s departure.

Pittsburgh has a talented and young offensive line that should only get better with time, but a versatile lineman like Barrett Jones (Alabama) in the second round would be the perfect addition to the likes of Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams.

Corner is another area of need for the Steelers, especially given Keenan Lewis’ departure and veteran Ike Taylor is entering the twilight of his career. Tyrann Mathieu (LSU) is an intriguing prospect if he falls to the Steelers in the third round, as he certainly has all the talent required to make it in the NFL. However head coach Mike Tomlin would have to be certain his staff could help keep Mathieu on the right path. Safer options would be Blidi Wreh-Wilson (Connecticut) or Logan Ryan (Rutgers).

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With the NFL Draft just days away, beginning on April 25, here’s a look at the AFC East’s biggest needs heading into the opening rounds.

Buffalo Bills

By cutting Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills showed they are committed to finding a new franchise quarterback, and they could do a lot worse than taking Geno Smith with their first round pick. Smith has come in for a lot of criticism this offseason, largely in part to the fact he isn’t a player of the same caliber as Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but he does have all the tools required to become a franchise quarterback in the NFL.

Buffalo has some talented young offensive tackles in Chris Hairston and Cordy Glenn, but with Andy Levitre leaving in the offseason, they could look for a guard in the early rounds to potentially help protect their new quarterback. Barrett Jones (Alabama) could still be on the board when they come to pick in the third round, but if not, Earl Watford (James Madison) or Hugh Thornton (Illinois) should be available.

A need for a tight end could also be filled in the second round, with Zach Ertz (Stanford) likely still available, and has the ability to be a starter immediately in the NFL.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins helped fill some of their many needs by spending big in free agency, but there is still a glaring need at left tackle. Trading up to try and take Lane Johnson (Oklahoma) is a move mooted by many, but if they can’t work out a deal, it’s hard to see them taking anyone other than Xavier Rhodes (Florida St.) with the 12^th overall pick, as corner is another big need.

Depending on who Miami ultimately takes in the first round, offensive tackle Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) or corner Robert Alford (Southeastern Louisiana) are potential second round targets.

Helping Ryan Tannehill has to be the Dolphins priority so do not be surprised to see Miami look for a tight end or guard in the third and fourth rounds, with both Vance McDonald (Rice) and Brian Winters (Kent St.) good fits.

New York Jets

New York could go in a number of directions with their first round pick, but finding a premiere pass rusher at the outside linebacker position has to be high on their list, and although patience will be required while he transitions to the new position, Barkevious Mingo (LSU) has so much upside that he’s hard to ignore. In addition, the recent first round they picked up as part of the Darrel Revis trade could help them aggressively go after a Dee Milliner (Alabama) or Xavier Rhodes.

Surprisingly, Mark Sanchez is still on the roster, but the Jets could be tempted to try and make a move for E. J. Manuel (Florida St.) or Tyler Bray (Tennessee) in the second or third round, to provide competition for Sanchez, and most likely, eventually replace him.

There are big question marks over Tyrann Mathieu (LSU) and whether he can keep himself out of trouble, but there are few players in the draft with more ability on the field. With Revis now a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mathieu could be a valuable pickup, especially if head coach Rex Ryan is confident he can help Mathieu overcome his troubled background.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have been putting together a talented and young defense over the last couple of years and targeting a top corner in the first round could be vital in helping it progress to the next level. Desmond Trufant (Washington) could be off the board by the time they come to pick, but Jamar Taylor (Boise St.) is not far behind Trufant, and could be an immediate starter in the Patriots defense.

New England has replaced Wes Welker with Danny Amendola, but they could be looking for some more depth at receiver, and Marcus Wheaton (Oregon St.) could help make the transition easier. Wheaton is an accomplished route-runner and has good hands, making him perfectly suited to the Patriots offense.

An injection of youth at the guard position will also be high on New England’s wish list, but given their lack of picks, they would probably have to target one with their third round pick. Like the Bills, they might have to look at the likes of Watford and Thornton at this point in the draft, and hope they can develop one of them into the long-term successor  Logan Mankins.

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Plenty of big names are off the board by the 17th pick, but historically this is where contenders become champions. Most teams in this range already have strong rosters, so who will they take to help tip their side over the edge and onto greatness? Here’s the second part of your definitive NFL Mock Draft:

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Barkevious Mingo (LB, LSU)

Mingo drops to the 17th pick thanks to concerns over which position he will play in the NFL, as well as questions over whether or not he can bulk up enough in time for the season. This makes him the perfect fit the Steelers, who tend not to rush rookies into the starters roles, and will show the patience required to turn him into a premiere NFL pass rushers.

18. Dallas Cowboys – Kenny Vaccaro (S, Texas)

Dallas have shown a commitment to improving their secondary given the nature of the modern NFL, and Vaccaro is the best safety available in the draft. There is a real need at the position for the Cowboys, but do not be surprised if Jerry Jones goes elsewhere.

19. New York Giants – Alec Ogletree (ILB, Georgia)

The inside linebacker position has been a weakness of the Giants’ defense for some time now, and Ogletree is used to playing the position in a 4-3 defense. New York could also potentially trade back a few places and still pick up Ogletree.

20. Chicago Bears – Desmond Trufant (CB, Washington)

The Bears’ secondary was causing turnovers for fun at times last season, and adding a player of Trufant’s caliber will only improve the unit.

21. Cincinnati Bengals – D. J. Fluker (OT, Alabama)

Reportedly, Andre Smith is looking for big money, and it is looking likely that the Bengals will replace him with a fellow Alabama-alumnus in the form of Fluker, who can step in immediately and take over Smith’s position at right tackle.

22. St Louis Rams – Eddie Lacy (RB, Alabama)

An unlikely pick for many, especially considering serviceable running backs can be found in the lower rounds, and that the Rams have three rookie running backs on their roster from last season, but they have let Steven Jackson go, and Lacy could be the workhorse back who directly replaces him, with the likes of Isaiah Pead being utilized more sparingly.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Manti Te’o (ILB, Notre Dame)

The linebacker has his fair share of critics, but his performances over the years at Notre Dame (barring the infamous game against Alabama) warrant him going in the first round. A much needed component to help improve Minnesota’s defense.

24. Indianapolis Colts – Jesse Williams (DT, Alabama)

The Colts are a young and growing team, but they lack quality at the defensive tackle position. Williams has the ability to start in his first year, and could be just the nose tackle that Chuck Pagano is looking for.

25. Minnesota Vikings – Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)

Minnesota lost Percy Harvin this offseason, and if there is a player in this draft who can step in and fill his shoes, it is Austin. Not only is Austin an explosive receiver, but also offers versatility as a returner and occasional running back.

26. Green Bay Packers – Montee Ball (RB, Wisconsin)

Running back has been a need for the Packers for some time now and Ball could be a very good fit for their pass-heavy offense. They could also afford to trade back a few places and accumulate an extra pick.

27. Houston Texans – Keenan Allen (WR, California)

If the Texans want to progress deeper into the playoffs, they need another receiver to draw attention away from Andre Johnson. Allen has the speed and ability to form a good dual-threat with Johnson.

28. Denver Broncos – Datone Jones (DL, UCLA)

Elvis Dumervil’s infamous fax machine-related departure could push Denver’s hand here. It will be interesting to see how effective Von Miller is without Dumervil, but a pick like Jones could help minimize the effects of losing Dumervil.

29. New England Patriots – DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Clemson)

Although replacing Wes Welker with Danny Amendola may offer the Patriots more long-term security at the position, there is a drop-off in talent. Picking up Hopkins, a solid short-to-intermediate route runner, could help Tom Brady acclimatize to losing his favorite safety blanket.

30. Atlanta Falcons – Damontre Moore (DL, Texas A&M)

The Falcons are ageing in some key positions, and by letting John Abraham go, amongst others, they are taking strides towards getting younger, particularly on defense. Moore has great potential, but should also be a serviceable starter in his rookie year.

31. San Francisco 49ers – Tyler Eifert (TE, Notre Dame)

If any team is going to take a tight end in the first round, it will be San Francisco. The loss of Delanie Walker has significant connotations for the 49ers offense, and Eifert would be a good fit, providing an effective dual-threat with Vernon Davis.

32. Baltimore Ravens – Eric Reid (S, LSU)

Baltimore may have signed Michael Huff, but the losses of both Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard means they are under-strength at safety. They may need to trade up a few places to ensure they can grab Reid, but his potential to make plays against both the pass and the run, and be an immediate starter in the NFL, should be enough to convince them he is worth trading up for.

Image credit: NFL.com

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It’s that time of year. The Combine and Pro Days are all but over with, and Free Agency has hit its annual lull. Taking into account performances during the college season, Combine showings, and teams’ needs, here is part one of your definitive NFL Mock Draft:

1.  Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel (OT, Texas A&M)

By letting Eric Winston walk, the Chiefs have effectively committed themselves to taking an offensive tackle with their top pick, and despite strong competition from Eric Fisher, Joeckel is the best player available at the position.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dion Jordan (DL, Oregon)

The Jaguars have a lot of holes, but their ability to rush the passer is almost non-existent. Patience would be required with prospects like Barkevious Mingo and Ezekiel Ansah, but Jordan is ready to make an istant impact in the NFL.

3. Oakland Raiders – Sharrif Floyd (DT, Flordia)

Given the state of the Raiders roster last season, coupled with the releases of several key players, Oakland really can go with a ‘best player available’ policy. Questions remain over Star Lotulelei, leaving Floyd as the best defensive tackle in the draft by a considerable distance.

4. Philadelphia Eagles – Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama)

The Eagles have brought in safeties Pat Chung and Kenny Phillips to help their beleaguered secondary, and adding a corner like Milliner could make it a formidable unit next season.

5. Detroit Lions – Eric Fisher (OT, Central Michigan)

The retirement of Jeff Backus and departure of Gosder Cherilus means that the Lions have a big need at tackle. Fisher could be paired with last year’s pick Riley Reiff to give Detroit a tandem that will protect Matthew Stafford for years to come.

6. Cleveland Browns – Ezekiel Ansah (DL, BYU)

Cleveland seem committed to Brandon Weeden, at least for the moment, and will resist the temptation to go after Geno Smith. Few players have improved their draft stock as much as Ansah over the last couple of months, and he will add to an already strong defensive line in Cleveland.

7. Arizona Cardinals – Lane Johnson (OT, Oklahoma)

This year’s draft class is extremely deep at the tackle position, and therefore taking the third tackle off the board with just the seventh pick can probably not be considered a reach. They have brought in Carson Palmer in the offseason, so protecting him, and giving him the time to find a target like Larry Fitzgerald, is a must.

8. Buffalo Bills – Geno Smith (QB, West Virginia)

Smith has been questioned a lot this offseason, essentially because he isn’t Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III, but he has the tools to be a good franchise quarterback. Parting ways with Ryan Fitzpatrick was a brave move, but probably the right one, and don’t be surprised to see the Bills trade up to ensure they acquire Smith.

9. New York Jets – Bjoern Werner (DL, Florida St.)

The Jets’ offensive failings have been well documented, but their once formidable defense has also struggled of late, and Werner could help reverse that trend. He could also help cover the loss of Mike DeVito to the Chiefs.

10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack (OL, Alabama)

Warmack is undoubtedly one of the best players in this year’s class, but guards are just not seen to be as valuable as tackles in the modern NFL. The Alabama-product could arguably start on every single team drafting above the Titans, but expect Tennessee to be the first team willing to use a high first-round pick on a guard.

11. San Diego Chargers – Jonathan Cooper (OL, North Carolina)

Like the Titans, the Chargers also have a big need at the guard position, especially with the loss of Louis Vasquez, and they should take Cooper off the board immediately after Warmack.

12. Miami Dolphins – Xavier Rhodes (CB, Florida St.)

Miami have spent big money to improve their team during free agency, but one area they were unable to make much of a splash in, was the secondary. Rhodes is a big, physical corner, in the ilk of Richard Sherman, and would help solidify an under-strength secondary.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sheldon Richardson (DL, Missouri)

The Buccaneers love interior defensive linemen who can get after the quarterback, and Richardson fits that mould perfectly. Coupled with Gerald McCoy, Tampa could have a solid pairing at the position for years to come.

14. Carolina Panthers – Star Lotulelei (DT, Utah)

A highly versatile defensive tackle, Lotulelei could help improve the Panthers’ defensive line, and help out a very talented linebacker corps behind him.

15. New Orleans Saints – Jarvis Jones (LB, Georgia)

Although New Orleans might be tempted to take LSU’s Mingo, Jones would be the better fit for their defense. If it weren’t for some lingering questions over his health, Jones would potentially be a top-10 pick.

16. St Louis Rams – Cordarrelle Patterson (WR, Tennessee)

The Rams are looking for a star receiver following Brandon Lloyd’s departure last year, and Patterson arguably offers the most potential at the position in this year’s class. He would give the Rams one of the youngest and most dynamic, albeit raw, receiving corps in the NFL, along with the likes of Brian Quick and Chris Givens.

Image credit: NFL.com

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On Sunday, Clippers fans saw something they haven’t ever seen: a division title. Since the Clippers were created back in 1970 they have been known mainly as the laughing stock of the league. After a few years of bouncing around to Buffalo and then San Diego, they made Los Angeles their home.

Unfortunately for them, they had to take the backseat to Laker nation and watch as they won multiple championships. However, the tides have greatly changed in the past year in L.A. On Sunday the two L.A. teams faced off against each other in a game with huge playoff implications for both.

The Clippers handled the Lakers with ease, finishing off their season sweep of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, winning the game 109-95. This marked the first time the Clippers swept the Lakers in the regular season since 1974 when they were then known as the Buffalo Braves. Chris Paul, who will surely be up for MVP consideration this year, controlled the flow and tempo of the game as he filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Paul has undoubtedly played a huge role in the Clippers turn around; since he joined the team in 2011 they have had 40 back-to-back win seasons for the first time since 1992 and now have their first 50-win season in franchise history. Despite the team’s first division title there was no celebration in Staples Center on Sunday. “It just feels like something we were supposed to do” Paul noted, “It means we’re headed in the right direction. We’re not satisfied. We understand this is something small compared to the big picture.” Winning the division guarantees a top-four seed in the playoffs for the Clips, another achievement never done before in franchise history.

On the other hand, the loss for the Lakers was a huge blow as they have now moved out of the 8th seed into 9th and as of now out of the playoffs. With the Clippers winning the division and the Lakers still fighting to just reach the playoffs it seems as if the new favorite in L.A. is the young and highflying Clippers.

Photo credit: NBA.com

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With the Six Nations over and done, the eyes of the Rugby Union world turn towards the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour this summer.

An amalgamation of the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Lions tour the Southern Hemisphere just once every four years. Representing the Lions on a winning tour is every bit as prestigious as winning the World Cup itself.

Unfortunately, the Lions have not been on a winning tour since their 1997 excursion to South Africa, but there is a growing feeling that they could end their 16-year wait this summer when they take on Australia.

With relative performances in the Six Nations taken into account, here is a look at the potential team which could line-up for the Lions in the first Test in Sydney on June 22.

1. Loosehead Prop – Gethin Jenkins (Wales)

Jenkins has struggled to nail down a starting position at his club Toulon, and was considered by some as having little chance to make the Lions tour. A great Six Nations campaign for Wales has catapulted him into the frontrunners jersey, but he will be run close by Cian Healy, and could be ousted by Alex Corbisiero, if he can return to form and fitness in time.

2. Hooker – Dylan Hartley (England)

Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland has been critical of Hartley previously, but the hooker’s abrasive on-field demeanour and intensity might be something which Gatland believes could serve the Lions well in Australia.

3. Tighthead Prop – Adam Jones (Wales)

This always looked to be a two-horse race between Jones and Dan Cole, but the Welshman took the lead during the Six Nations when he was arguably the best scrummager in the competition.

4. Lock – Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Similar to Jenkins, AW Jones was probably on the periphery of the Lions squad prior to the Six Nations, but a strong campaign has improved his stock dramatically.

5. Lock – Geoff Parling (England)

There is no more lineout-savvy forward currently playing in the British Isles. Parling will be key to competing with the Australian forwards at the set-piece.

6. Blindside Flanker – Chris Robshaw (England) Captain

Although Robshaw plays as an openside flanker for England, he is not a natural openside, one of which will be needed to compete at the breakdown with Australia. He could comfortably play at six, where his biggest competition comes from national team colleague Tom Wood and the powerful Sean O’Brien.

7. Openside Flanker – Justin Tipuric (Wales)

Tipuric seems to have beaten Sam Warburton to the seven jersey for Wales, and expect him to do the same for the Lions. A warrior at the breakdown, he has also really improved his ball-carrying skills.

8. Number 8 – Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)

Heaslip didn’t have the greatest Six Nations for Ireland, but he is still the most complete eight available. Dynamic ball-carriers like Ben Morgan and Toby Faletau could challenge him if they are in-form and healthy.

9. Scrum-half – Ben Youngs (England)

This selection is hard on Greg Laidlaw, who has been in great form, but Youngs is arguably a more balanced scrum-half. This also allows for the dynamic Mike Phillips to come off the bench as a game changer.

10. Fly-half – Jonathan Sexton (Ireland)

Sexton missed the majority of the Six Nations through injury, but the other fly-halves arguably did not show enough to make Gatland consider them over the Irishman. Owen Farrell would most likely then be on the bench, and his accurate goal kicking and fierce defense could be vital late in games.

11. Winger – George North (Wales)

A big, powerful winger, North will provide the perfect foil to a smaller, quicker winger on the other side of the pitch. Welsh compatriot Alex Cuthbert is also a strong contender for this position.

12. Inside Centre – Manu Tuilagi (England)

Tuilagi can use his strength and power to create something out of nothing, especially if the Australian defense is stifling the Lions’ attempts to move the ball wide.

13. Outside Centre – Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)

The easiest selection in the entire squad, O’Driscoll may not be getting any younger, but he is still one of the best players in the world. Excellent distribution skills, uncompromising defense, and a rugby brain that any player would be envious of – a must start at 13.

14. Winger – Christian Wade (England)

Wade is a real wildcard considering he hasn’t represented England yet, but his scintillating pace and devastating sidestep could cause havoc on the hard, dry grounds of Australia. It also gives him the edge over Tim Visser, and the currently injured Irish duo of Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe.

15. Fullback – Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

Undoubtedly the form fullback after the Six Nations, his goal kicking, ability under the high ball, and reliability make him the obvious choice. He has competition from a plethora of players including Rob Kearney, Stuart Hogg, Ben Foden and Mike Brown, all of whom could offer an intriguing option off of the bench.

Image Courtesy : Official Lions Rugby

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Pittsburgh Steelers’ fans are used to being envied. The Steelers are an almost perennial playoff team and have a record six Super Bowl trophies, including two titles since 2005. This success means that their fans will be fairly unaccustomed to the dark cloud hanging over Pittsburgh this offseason.

Not only did the Steelers miss out on the playoffs, but they also saw two of their divisional rivals, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, make the postseason, with the former eventually lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy. Throw into the mix the aging defense, inconsistent offense and salary cap constraints, and you can see the challenge that lays ahead for the Steelers’ front office.

Pittsburgh may not have been at their vintage best at any point last season, the loss of Ben Roethlisberger for several games due to injury was almost directly responsible for their omission from the playoffs. If the importance of keeping Roethlisberger upright and healthy wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now.

By drafting David DeCastro and Mike Adams last year, General Manager Kevin Colbert will be fairly confident he has a good, young offensive line developing, especially with the likes of Maurkice Pouncey and Marcus Gilbert already on the roster. If Colbert can find the cap space, a far from easy task, he may look to add a veteran guard in free agency and add some much needed experience to the unit.

Indeed, finding salary space will be an unenviable challenge for Colbert, with Pittsburgh’s top 10 salaries currently accounting for just over $100 million. The consequences of this will almost certainly see wide receiver Mike Wallace hit free agency, and unless serious salary cap sacrifices are made, the Steelers will struggle to enthuse youth into their ageing defense in free agency.

Pittsburgh’s arch-rivals, the Ravens, have had similar issues in recent years, coping with an ageing defense and relatively little cap room. As much as Steelers’ fans will not want to hear it, they could learn a lot from the Ravens, and their GM Ozzie Newsome, who have arguably coped with these issues much better than the Steelers.

Pittsburgh defensive veterans Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, James Harrison and Brett Keisel are all now well into their 30s and will account for nearly $40 million in cap space in 2013.

Offensively, the loss of Bruce Arians as offensive coordinator last season and the arrival of Todd Haley, hurt the Steelers. The deep threat of Wallace was rarely used and Pittsburgh were uncharacteristically poor in their running game, ranked 26^th in the NFL. This was certainly not helped by the mercurial form of the Steelers’ running backs, with no back in particular shining consistently throughout the season.

Once again, Colbert will be limited as to what he can do offensively in free agency. Along with Head Coach Mike Tomlin, he will need to decide whether or not there is a running back currently with the Steelers of starting quality, whilst a slot receiver in the mould of Wes Welker would be a perfect fit for Haley’s offense, but neither will come cheap, and instead may be looked for in the draft.

Even with all the challenges that face the Steelers in this offseason, a team which features a player of Roethlisberger’s quality at quarterback, and a coach as talented as Tomlin, will undoubtedly be competitive next season. With the team continuing to age on defense however, this offseason, and specifically the draft, could prove to be critical in ensuring long-term competitiveness with both the Ravens and the Bengals in the AFC North.

Image Courtesy : The Pittsburgh Steelers

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Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis saw his ‘last ride’ end in perfect fashion as the Baltimore Ravens saw off a spirited comeback from the San Francisco 49ers to triumph 34-31 at Super Bowl XLVII. The game also saw quarterback Joe Flacco named Super Bowl MVP after a nearly faultless performance.

Legendary linebacker Lewis opted to defer after winning the toss, a decision which was vindicated soon after when he helped the Ravens defense restrict the 49ers offense to a quick three and out.

Baltimore’s offense, keen not to be outdone by their defense, quickly laid down a similar marker. They moved swiftly down the field in a drive which culminated in a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

San Francisco made a statement of their own on their next drive, moving seemingly effortlessly up the field. Once they entered the Red Zone however, the Baltimore defense immediately looked to tighten up. A sack from Paul Kruger helped restrict San Francisco to a successful field goal from David Akers.

The 49ers registering on the scoreboard seemed to spur the Ravens into a higher gear, and Baltimore’s defense registered two quick turnovers, the first a forced fumble from Courtney Upshaw, and the second an Ed Reed interception. The Ravens capitalized on both, with quarterback Flacco showing his ‘elite’ credentials, hitting Dennis Pitta and Jacoby Jones for touchdowns on the respective drives.

San Francisco managed to double their points tally late in the second quarter, successfully landing another field goal, which sent them into the halftime break trailing 21-6. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick had look rattled up until the late scoring drive, but his key role in overcoming a 17-point deficit against the Atlanta Falcons previously had 49ers fans remaining fairly confident over their chances in the second half.

Clearly, Jim Harbaugh had his work cut out in the locker room at the half, but it looked as if John Harbaugh had more success, with Jones returning the subsequent kickoff for a 108-yard touchdown, tying the NFL record.

The 49ers ensuing drive was of critical importance. If San Francisco were to have any chance of a comeback, they needed a score. A disruptive loss of power then sparked a monumental swing in momentum, despite the Ravens defense holding strong and forcing the 49ers into a three and out.

A 31-yard Michael Crabtree touchdown midway through the third quarter brought the 49ers to within 15 points of the Ravens and gave much needed hope to an ailing 49ers side. Hope was then compounded by the San Francisco defense, who forced the previously ruthless Baltimore offense into a three and out.

Ted Ginn’s punt return to Baltimore’s 20-yard line gave the 49ers excellent field position as Kaepernick went back to work, first finding Vernon Davis with a precision pass, before Frank Gore ran untouched into the end zone.

Things then went from bad to worse for Baltimore as running back Ray Rice fumbled deep in Ravens territory, which was recovered by San Francisco and eventually a field goal kicked, leaving the score at 28-23 to Baltimore.

The Ravens were in dire need of a score on their next drive. A big gain down the sideline by Boldin put Baltimore into 49ers territory, but the San Francisco defense came up strong in the Red Zone, limiting the Ravens to a field goal.

The Ravens reprieve was short lived however as Kaepernick lead the 49ers down the field in just three plays, and then sped into the end zone on a 15-yard rush. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful however, and Baltimore maintained a two point lead.

Time management was now on both teams’ minds. A Ravens’ drive, ending in a field goal by Justin Tucker, increased their lead to five points with just over four minutes left on the clock.

The 49ers drive made it to the Baltimore’s 7-yard line by the two minute warning, but the Ravens forced a turnover on downs with some fierce defense. The Ravens were then unable to get a first down and wind down the clock, but gave up an intentional safety in order to take as much time off the clock as possible. The 49ers attempted to return the resulting punt, but with just four seconds left on the clock, they were unable to do so.

Lewis’ legacy cemented. Reed won his first Super Bowl in his hometown. Flacco proved, perhaps unequivocally, that he is an elite quarterback. John Harbaugh won the ‘HarBowl’. The storylines were concluded in dramatic fashion, amidst scenes of euphoria for the Baltimore Ravens.

The Baltimore Ravens, World Champions.

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The recent firing of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has given the Cowboys a good start towards improving on the defensive side of the ball. In spite of this, there remains to be controversy over whether or not Monte Kiffin is the right man for the job. There is certainly no questioning that Kiffin was a great and influential defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he helped to revolutionize the “Tampa 2″ defense, but his age has led many to question if he is capable of replicating his past success. To be optimistic, while still having regards for some realism, it can be inferred that if Kiffin is even able to be half as good of a play caller as he once was, he will at the very least be an improvement over Rob Ryan.

However, much of this will be contingent upon whether the current personnel on the Dallas defense will be compatible with Kiffin’s scheme. As mentioned before, Monte Kiffin is fond of the “Tampa 2″ scheme, so we should expect to see him convert the team to a 4-3 defense. Transitioning a team between a 3-4 to any type of 4-3 can be difficult as it is, but converting to a “Tampa 2″ requires even more specified personnel.

To reiterate, the “Tampa 2″ is a cover 2 variant in which the MLB will cover the seam between the two deep safeties. As a cover 2 variant, it is essential that a team has two physical cornerbacks (CBs) that are capable of bump and run coverage. The reason being that when both CBs have reliable safety help, there is much less risk in pressing the opposing receivers. In the Cowboys’ case, Brandon Carr is more than capable of being a physical corner, but Morris Claiborne raises some concerns in that area. One of the main gripes that people had against Claiborne going into the draft was that he wasn’t physical enough. This issue also seemed to carry over into the NFL this past season, so CBs could be a slight weakness for the Cowboys when trying to run Kiffin’s scheme.

An additional requirement for a “Tampa 2″ defense is a weakside linebacker (LB) that is a sure tackler and capable of covering a lot of ground. With the MLB focusing on the seam between the safeties, the weakside linebacker assumes a greater responsibility against the run. Prototypical weakside linebackers in this scheme have been Derrick Brooks of Kiffin’s Buccaneers back in the day, Lance Briggs of the Bears, and Chad Greenway of the Vikings. These are LBs that are not only quick enough to play the weakside but are also better tacklers than your typical weakside linebacker. Luckily for the Cowboys, Sean Lee is the perfect fit for a “Tampa 2″ scheme. As an up and coming LB, Sean Lee has spent time playing weak inside LB in Rob Ryan’s 3-4 defense, where he has been notably great at chasing runs from the backside. There is no reason to suggest that he wouldn’t be an ideal weakside LB in a “Tampa 2″ defense.

Although the Cowboys seem to be set at weakside LBs, middle LBs could be a problem. For obvious reasons, there is more emphasis on pass coverage for a MLB in a Tampa 2 scheme than any other scheme. However, the Cowboys are stocked with ILBs that are best utilized in a 3-4 defense. In other words, linebackers such as Dan Connor and Bruce Carter have too much size in order to be able to cover the seam between the safeties.

Lastly, a “Tampa 2″ scheme is typically dependent on having a good pass rush from its front four. While this may seem like an obvious necessity for any scheme, it is more crucial in a Tampa 2 scheme than any other. Since both safeties will be deep for a majority of the game, there will be fewer opportunities to blitz, which puts extra importance on the defensive line being able to get pressure on the quarterback. Although DeMarcus Ware is best suited as a 3-4 outside LB, there is no question that he is also capable of rushing the passer with his hand in the dirt as well. In addition, Jason Hatcher should be right at home as a 3-technique tackle given his ability to penetrate in both the running game and the passing game.

Overall, the Cowboys should at least be adequate enough personnel wise in order to transition to Kiffin’s defense. In spite of this, there are certainly some voids that need to be addressed either in the draft or during free agency. Skepticism can also arise from Monte Kiffin’s age, as well as the lack of overall talent on the roster as of now. For these reasons, Cowboys fans should not take for granted that Rob Ryan’s firing will drastically improve the defense.

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On Saturday, the NFL’s current Pro Bowl stars were given the unique opportunity to play in what was expected by many to be the last Pro Bowl ever played. Following the abysmal effort from players in the exhibition last year, coupled with a strict warning from Commissioner Roger Goodell that the Pro Bowl’s future would be decided this year, the portents were not looking kind for the event, which was first played back in 1939.

Although many expected the Pro Bowl to write its own eulogy, the viewing public were treated to a surprising compelling game, and the players could well have done enough to breathe life into an event that was all but on the scrapheap.

Both teams displayed considerable effort given the circumstances, and could have found a comfortable ‘middle ground’ which could see the Pro Bowl remain a feature on the NFL calendar.

A perfect example of this was evident when Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil had a big blindside hit lined up on Drew Brees, but pulled out of it, seemingly remembering where he was as he got closer to the quarterback. Protecting the quarterback in a game such as this seems fair, especially when you consider the defensive hustle that was shown throughout the game (by this I mean tackles were made, an odd sight in recent Pro Bowls).

The game also featured its madder moments, not least so the inclusion of JJ Watt as a wide receiver at one point, but to the Pro Bowl detractors, let’s not forget that this is an end of season showpiece – If you can’t do the crazy here, where can you?

One of the most resounding arguments for keeping the Pro Bowl was surely made by Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday. Manning and Saturday played together for the majority of their careers in Indianapolis, and following Saturday’s recent retirement announcement, the NFC center was allowed to snap the ball one last time to the AFC’s Manning. It was a poignant moment, and if Goodell does end up scrapping the Pro Bowl, it was a fitting moment for the exhibition to go out on.

It will inevitably, if unfairly, be compared to the NBA’s ‘All Star Weekend’ which far exceeds it in popularity and effort displayed by its players (the joys of a non-contact sport). However, could the Pro Bowl learn something from its round-balled cousin?

All Star Weekend is littered with extra events that all lead up to the All Star game, such as the three-point shootout, slam dunk competition, and a celebrity game, all of which contribute to the success of the weekend. It is difficult to imagine similar events at the Pro Bowl, with perhaps the exception of a highly appealing quarterback shootout, but it is something which Goodell could consider to help rejuvenate the event.

Unfortunate, it is unlikely that we will ever see a Pro Bowl competed for with the intensity that the players play with in the NFL. Due to the money these players risk losing if they suffer a serious injury, sensibility will always cause them to reel in their efforts.

In the world of Rugby Union, the Barbarians invitational side play with passion and effort abound, despite the fact the players are at just as much risk of injury as those in the Pro Bowl. There is however a large disparity in earnings, and most rugby players also have guaranteed contracts, meaning that all but the most serious injuries should have little to no affect on the players’ earnings.

With the Super Bowl, Free Agency, Combine and Draft all looming on the horizon, anxiety over Goodell’s decision in regards to the Pro Bowl will be very low. This essentially has left many with decidedly mixed feelings over the Pro Bowl. It is a nice event to have, but if Goodell does decide to do away with it, I certainly won’t lose any sleep over it.

Image Courtesy : NFL

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Lance Armstrong, through winning seven Tour de France titles, brought the sport of cycling into the eyes of thousands of fans. When Armstrong battled and overcame testicular cancer, forming the Livestrong Foundation, he won the hearts of many. Throughout his career he denied doping accusations, and fought back against anyone who began the rumors. In a January 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong finally admitted to doping during his cycling tours. He is now being attacked on all sides –  from other cyclists, fans, family and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). But Armstrong is facing another round of attacks, this time from readers.

Rob Stutzman, aide to former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, along with chef and amateur cyclist Jonathon Wheeler feel betrayed by the portrayal of Armstrong as an inspirational figure after he admitted to lying on Oprah’s show. The two books, It’s Not About the Bike and Every Second Counts, published by Penguin and Random House, were labeled as “true memoirs” of Armstrong’s battle with cancer as he won seven Tour de France titles. Readers claim they were misled and would not have bought the books.

According to the Daily News, the suit says “Plaintiffs and class members would not have purchased the books had they known the true facts concerning Armstrong’s misconduct and his admitted involvement in a sports doping scandal that has to his recent and ignominious public exposure and fall from glory.” It also “includes long passages from the books in which Armstrong denies doping or claims his athletic accomplishments were achieved without the use of performance-enhancing drugs.”

Stutzman, who says he is not normally a reader, even recommended the book to friends who were battling cancer. When he had the chance once to meet with Armstrong and thank him for the inspirational books, Armstrong merely thanked him.

The case is being filed in Sacramento federal court. While it is not clear how much the defendants are suing for, it will be more than the price of the book. Penguin believes the case should simply be dismissed.

This suit is only the tip of the iceberg for Lance Armstrong as more people and organizations claim they were cheated by the cyclist. Some papers, like the Sunday Times of London, plan to sue for the money lost in libel cases that Armstrong brought to them for publishing an article about Armstrong’s doping allegations, which he vehemently denied at the time. Former teammate and close friend of Armstrong’s, Floyd Landis, filed a whistle-blower lawsuit claiming that accepting the $30 million from the U.S. Postal Service as a sponsorship was fraud because the team was fueled illegal methods.

Lance Armstrong had admitted doping with the hope of resuming his cycling career once more. According to the New York Times, “Armstrong has hopes of competing in triathlons and running events, but those competitions are often sanctioned by organizations that adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code, under which Armstrong received his lifetime ban.”

Oprah Winfrey believes that this is not the end for Armstrong. “If he is willing to do the work … he can be a real hero” she told USA Today. “Everybody has the ability within them to rise again. What really matters in the world is what kind of human being he chooses to be.” As more people react to the truth about their fallen idol, fans can only hope that he can redeem his name.

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Candlestick Park was silenced after second year quarterback Collin Kaepernick dropped back on the fourth play of the game and threw an interception to Packers cornerback Sam Shields, who returned it for a touchdown.

Kaepernick quickly brushed off his lone mistake to have a career day to help lift the 49ers over the Packers 45-31.

Green Bay’s defense was non-existent and unable to contain the dual threat quarterback. Kaepernick set a quarterback rushing record, compiling 181 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns. He also completed 17 of 31 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns.

His favorite target was wideout Michael Crabtree, who caught nine passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

The Packers also had no answer for 49ers running back Frank Gore. Gore carried the ball 23 times for 119 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 48 yards.

After the Packers had a 14-7 lead going into the second quarter, momentum quickly shifted when Packers punt returner Jeremy Ross muffed the catch and the 49ers recovered the fumble. The 49ers responded with a touchdown to tie the game.

On Green Bay’s ensuing drive quarterback, Aaron Rodgers over threw wideout Jordy Nelson and was intercepted. Once again the 49ers turned a Packers mistake into a touchdown to retake the lead.

The Packers went into the half down 24-21 but did not make any halftime adjustments to get back into the game and were outscored 21-10 in the second half.

Rodgers finished the game, completing 26 of 39 passes for 257 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Rodgers connected with James Jones and Greg Jennings for touchdowns.

Jones finished the game with four receptions for 87 yards along with his touchdown. Jennings led the Packers with six receptions for 54 yards along with his late score.

The 49ers are now heading back to the NFC Championship game. They will either face the No.1 seed Atlanta Falcons or the No.5 seed Seattle Seahawks. If the Seahawks pull off the upset, San Francisco will host the Championship game at Candlestick Park.

As for the Packers, they will enter the offseason with many decisions to make regarding players and staff.

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The Green Bay Packers took care of business over NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings 24-10 at Lambeau Field to punch a ticket into the next round of the playoffs.

Minnesota, was without starting quarterback Christian Ponder. Ponder was ruled inactive in Saturday’s match-up because of an elbow injury. As a result, back-up Joe Webb got the nod and started in his first game of the season.

Webb, completed 11 of 30 passes for 180 yards one touchdown and one interception. He had success evading the pocket and scrambling seven times for 68 yards. The third-year quarterback from UAB, led the Vikings down the field on their first drive but settled for a Blair Walsh 33 yard field goal.

The Packers answered back towards the end of the first quarter to help swing momentum on their side. On Minnesota’s nine yard line, Green Bay’s starting running back DuJuan Harris punched in an nine yard run to give the Packers a 7-0 lead.

Green Bay was back on the board in the second quarter with a Mason Crosby 20 yard field goal. Right before the half, Packers full-back John Kuhn punched in a three yard run to give Green Bay a 17-3 lead into half.

On the first drive of the second half, Aaron Rodgers lead the Packers offense right down the field with ease. The Vikings gave the Packers another opportunity after committing a 12-men on the field penalty. On the ensuing play, Rodgers dropped back and connected with Kuhn for a score to give the Packers a 24-3 lead.

Kuhn, had one touchdown all season long and was able to be a leading factor scoring two touchdowns to help the Packers defeat the Vikings.

Webb threw his first touchdown pass with just under four minutes in the game to a wide open Michael Jenkins.

After torching Green Bay in the regular season, the Packers defense was able to contain Adrian Peterson. Peterson rushed 22 times for 99 yards.

Rodgers ended the game completing 23 of 33 passes for 274 yards and one touchdown. Rodgers was able to connect with 10 different wide receivers. Wideout Greg Jennings caught four passes for a team high 61 receiving yards.

With the victory, the Packers will travel to No.2 seed the San Francisco 49ers next week. The Packers lost to the 49ers in Week 1 at Lambeau 30-22 and will look to clinch a spot in the NFC Championship.

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The Minnesota Vikings defeated NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers 37-34 at Mall of America Field to earn themselves the final NFC Wild Card position.

All eyes were on Adrian Peterson, who entered the game 208 yards away from Eric Dickerson’s rushing record. Peterson had an extremely effective game but fell nine yards shy of the record. Peterson carried the ball for a career high – 34 times for 199 yards and one touchdown. Peterson also had one reception that was a touchdown.

Vikings quarterback, Christian Ponder played mistake free football to help Minnesota win a fourth straight game and clinch a spot in the playoffs. He completed 16 of 28 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdown passes was a season high along with his 120.2 passer rating.

Rookie wideout Jarius Wright caught an eight yard touchdown pass with just over a minute left in the first half. Ponder connected with Wright again in the fourth quarter on a 65 yard bomb, that later resulted in a Michael Jenkins three yard touchdown catch.

Wright led the Vikings with three catches for 90 yards along with his touchdown. Also wideout Michael Jenkins had three catches for 37 yards along with his touchdown grab.

As for the Packers, they were unable to take a lead the entire game and found themselves fighting back until the final whistle.

Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 40 passes for 365 yards and four touchdown passes. His 365 passing yards was a season best and it was the fourth time this season he threw at least four touchdown passes.

Rodgers favorite target was wideout Greg Jennings. Jennings caught eight passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns and his big performance helped the Packers stay competitive the entire game. Wideout, James Jones was the recipient of Rodgers second touchdown pass in the third quarter. Rodgers and wideout Jordy Nelson connected on a two yard back shoulder pass to tie the game 34-34 with less than three minutes to go.

Green Bay was led on the ground by back, DuJuan Harris. Harris had 14 carries for 70 yards. Although, having some success the Packers were forced to throw the ball because they were trailing the entire game.

With the loss the Vikings snapped Green Bay’s 12-game winning streak over the NFC North division.

The Packers are now the No. 3 seed in the NFC Playoffs and will face the No. 6 seed Vikings next week in the Wild Card Round.

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The Bears’ tenacious defense turned four turnovers into 16 points, defeating NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions, 26-24.

Jay Cutler led the Bears, completing 18 of 31 passes for 257 yards and one touchdown. Cutler’s lone touchdown pass came in the first quarter on a 60 yard screen pass to wide out Earl Bennett. Bennett led the Bears with five catches for 109 along with his touchdown catch.

Detroit’s defense kept wideout Brandon Marshall in check limiting him to five catches for 42 yards. Marshall finished the regular season with a team high 118 catches.

Running back Matt Forte carried the ball 24 times for 103 yards and punched a one yard run touchdown. Forte injured his ankle for the third time this season and withstood the pain in a must win game. This was Forte’s third game this season surpassing the 100 yard mark on the ground.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford broke Drew Bledsoe’s pass attempts record after completing 24 of 42 passes for 272 yards three touchdowns and one interception. He was intercepted by cornerback Tim Jennings. Jennings, ninth interception is a league best.

Stafford finished the season with 727 pass attempts and with 4,967 passing yards, just 33 yards shy of consecutive 5,000 yard seasons.

He connected with two year wideout Kris Durham on a 26 yard touchdown pass for his first touchdown catch of his career. Stafford and Durham were teammates at the University of Georgia. He also threw a touchdown pass to tight end Will Heller for his first touchdown of the season and his final touchdown pass came in the fourth quarter to wide receiver Brian Robiskie to pull within two points.

Wideout Calvin Johnson, led the Lions with five catches for 72 yards. Unfortunately, Johnson came short of setting a  2,000 receiving record finishing the season with 1,964 yards.

After starting 7-1, the Bears are not heading into the postseason finishing the year 10-6 because the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers to earn the final wild card position.

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The New York Giants won in convincing fashion, beating NFC East Rivals the Philadelphia Eagles 42-7. Yet they will not be heading to the playoffs because of the Chicago Bears’ victory over the Detroit Lions.

The Eagles started the game off with trickery, recovering an onside kick to gain possession. Five plays later, quarterback Michael Vick dropped back, threw the ball deep down the middle and was intercepted by Giants safety Stevie Brown. Brown’s interception was his eighth of the season.

Vick started in his first game since Week 10 because rookie quarterback Nick Foles was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hairline fracture of his hand.

Eli Manning and the Giants offense were on point early, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions in the first quarter. Manning connected with Rueben Randle on a three yard pass to begin the scoring spree. On the following possession, Manning and Randle connected again on a 38 yard pass.

Rookie back David Wilson caught a 15 yard pass towards the end of the first quarter to give the Giants an early 21-0 lead.  Wilson finished the game with 15 carries for 75 yards.

The Eagles scored their one and only touchdown in the second quarter. Vick connected with wideout Jeremy Maclin on a seven yard pass. Vick finished the game completing 19 of 35 passes for 197 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Ahmad Bradshaw carried the ball 16 times for 107 yards and punched in a one yard touchdown in the second quarter. This was Bradshaw’s fourth game, surpassing the 100 yard mark in a game. Seconds before the end of the first half, Manning connected with wideout Victor Cruz on a 24 yard pass to take a 35-7 lead into the half.

Fullback Henry Hynoski caught his first touchdown of the season and Eli’s fifth touchdown pass of the game in the fourth quarter to put the icing on the cake.

Manning finished the game completing 13 of 21 passes for 208 yards and five touchdowns. Manning’s 134.5 passer rating was a season best. His five touchdowns is a career best.

Both the Eagles and Giants will look to make offseason improvements with hopes of  making a playoff run next season.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco started the season, the last of his rookie contract, in a confident mood. He boldly stated that he thought he was the best quarterback in football. He then went on to praise the strength of his offensive line and receiving corps, whilst also reiterating his faith in then-Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron.

Fast forward six months and a change in offensive coordinators, and Flacco’s ability has been consistently questioned, despite the quarterback already having registered his career high passing yards with a game still left to play.

Nobody questions Flacco’s arm strength or his ability to make any kind of throw needed, but his pocket awareness and decision making has been scrutinized widely, with many expecting a starting quarterback of four years experience to have developed further in these areas. Flacco also had forays into the playoffs in all four of those seasons, impressing particularly in both 2010 and 2011.

This leaves Baltimore with an unenviable dilemma at the end of the season. Flacco and his agent, Joe Linta, have been holding out for ‘Elite Quarterback money’ with Linta stating earlier in the season that his ‘biggest negotiating tactic is his (Flacco’s) play on the field’. Linta could possibly be regretting that statement at this current moment.

Key errors in decision making as well as poor pocket awareness leading to strip-sacks in two consecutive games have both contributed significantly towards a three game losing streak for the playoff-bound Ravens late in the season.

This streak was snapped in Week 16 as the Ravens cruised to a comfortable victory over the New York Giants, thanks largely to an excellent performance from Flacco; a performance which will just fuel the critics’ claims that the quarterback is far too inconsistent to warrant a contract similar in value to those of Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

That being said, Flacco would certainly be an upgrade at the quarterback position for a lot of teams in the NFL, and it’s unlikely that the Ravens will want to part ways with him, especially with the lack of superior talent available at the end of the season (Michael Vick and Alex Smith both potentially available) and no high first-round draft pick to compete for the likes of Geno Smith and Matt Barkley.

Both the Seattle Seahawks (Russell Wilson) and Cincinnati Bengals (Andy Dalton) have shown in recent years that you can hit on a successful quarterback outside of the first round, but it’s a gamble that a perennial playoff side like the Ravens will not want to take.

The most likely course of action now seems to be that Baltimore will use their franchise tag on Flacco, giving them another season to analyze his abilities and weigh up whether he deserves a long-term contract or they begin afresh with a new quarterback.

This could have the unwelcome consequence of bringing about the end of Ed Reed’s time with the Ravens. Many had predicted that Baltimore would use the tag on Reed, with the organization not keen to give a player of his age a long-term contract. Without the tag, and uncertain over a new long-term contract, Reed could sign a big money deal with what would likely be a long list of suitors, or carry through with his threat of retirement.

Whether or not Flacco gets the contract he has been hoping for this offseason, or the tag gets used on the quarterback rather than long time Baltimore favorite Reed, it will have serious connotations for the Raven’s strategy heading into the 2013 NFL draft, especially considering their potential lack of salary cap to lure in free agents.

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The Atlanta Falcons clinched a home-field advantage through out the playoffs after their 31-18 victory at Ford Field over the Detroit Lions.

Although losing, star wideout Calvin Johnson stole the show with a record breaking night. Johnson caught 11 passes for 225 yards. His performance, helped him surpass Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice’s NFL receiving yards record. Johnson has accumulated 1,892 yards and will look to hit 2,000 in the season finale.

He also broke the record for most consecutive 100-yard games (8), tied the record for 100-yard games in a season (11), broke the record for consecutive 10-catch games (4) and he broke the record for most receptions in a month (44).

Detroit quarterback, Matthew Stafford finished the game 37 of 56 for 443 yards and one interception. Stafford, has attempted 685 pass attempts, just six away from breaking Drew Beldsoe’s NFL single season passing attempts record. Stafford is also 305 yards away from compiling 5,000 passing yards in consecutive seasons and becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to do so.

As for the Atlanta Falcons, quarterback Matt Ryan had an extremely efficient evening. Ryan completed 25 of 32 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan’s 142.6 passer rating tied his season best that he set last week.

Roddy White, was probable with a knee injury but performed exceptionally well. White lead the Falcons with eight catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver, Julio Jones also caught seven passes for 71 yards and scored his 10th touchdown of the year.

The Falcons are 7-0 at home this season and 33-6 at the Georgia Dome in the regular season since the 2008 season. The last time the Falcons clinched the No.1 seed and home field advantage was in 2010 where they were demolished  by the Green Bay Packers 48-21.

Atlanta will look to end the season 8-0 at home and will face divisional rivals the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Detroit will look to continue to break and expand more records in their season finale against the divisional rivals the Chicago Bears.

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The Chicago Bears kept their playoff hopes alive with their 28-13 victory on the road against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bears defense put them ahead in the first quarter after Arizona running back Beanie Wells fumbled and cornerback Zack Bowman recovered the fumble and easily got into the end-zone.

Cornerback Charles Tillman extended the Bears’ lead in the third quarter on a 10 yard interception return for a touchdown. All three of Tillman’s interceptions this season have been returned for touchdowns.

Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and safety Anthony Walters both recorded interceptions. The Bears defense also compiled four sacks and were without veteran leader Brian Urlacher.

Quarterback Jay Cutler led the Bears, completing 12 of 26 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. Cutler and wideout Brandon Marshall connected on an 11 yard pass for pass in the second quarter. Marshall caught six passes for 68 yards along with this touchdown.

On the ground, Matt Forte led the Bears carrying the ball 12 times for 88 yards and punched in a four yard touchdown in the second quarter.

The Arizona Cardinals started quarterback Ryan Lindley. Lindley completed 17 of 30 passes for 141 yards and one interception. Lindley has yet to throw a touchdown pass since becoming a starter and was benched early in the third quarter.

Fourth year player Brian Hoyer entered the game and completed 11 of 19 passes for 105 yards and one interception.

Larry Fitzgerald led all wide receivers with eight receptions for 111 yards surpassing the 100 yard mark for the second time this season.

The Bears will finish their season on the road at Ford Field against NFC North divisional rivals the Detroit Lions and look to sneak into the playoffs. The Cardinals will end their season with a tough match-up against NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers.

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The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Houston Texans 23-6 at Reliant Stadium to improve to 9-6 and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder played efficiently, completing 16 of 30 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown. Ponder connected with tight-end Kyle Rudolph on a three yard play action pass to go ahead 7-3. Ponder’s favorite receiver was rookie Jarius Wright, who caught five passes for 53 yards.

Running back Adrian Peterson carried the ball 25 times for 86 yards. This was Peterson’s first game being held under 100 yards after running for over 100 in the last eight games. Peterson needs 208 yards to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.

Vikings rookie kicker Blair Walsh hit three field goals from 39, 41 and 56 yards to help Minnesota stay ahead. Walsh broke an NFL record with nine field goals of 50 yards or longer.

The Houston Texans offense was out of sync the entire day and was only able to compile 187 total yards. Quarterback Matt Schaub completed 18 of 32 passes for 178 yards. This was Schaub’s fourth game this season without throwing a touchdown pass and the Texans lost three of those four games.

Schaub’s favorite target was wideout Andre Johnson, who hauled in seven passes for 97 yards. Back-up quarterback T.J. Yates came in on Houston’s final drive. Running back Arian Foster was limited to 10 carries for 15 yards and one fumble. His 1.5 yards per carry was a season worse for the four year back. Foster left the game because of an irregular heart beat.

Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt recorded one sack to expand his total to 20.5 sacks. Watt needs 2.5 sacks to surpass Michael Strahan’s single season record.

The Vikings will have another tough match-up next week against NFC North rivals the Green Bay Packers. The Texans will end the season next week against AFC South rivals the Indianapolis Colts and will look to clinch home field advantage in the playoffs.

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The Green Bay Packers demolished the Tennessee Titans 55-7 at Lambeau Field to improve to 7-1 at home and an 11-4 overall record.

Green Bay played ferocious defense the entire day, giving up 180 total yards and compiling seven total sacks. Titans quarterback Jake Locker completed 13 of 30 passes for 140 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Locker threw back-to-back interceptions on the Titans final two drives of the first quarter.

Linebacker Erik Walden and cornerback Sam Shields both recorded their second interceptions of the season. The Packers contained Titans running back Chris Johnson to 11 carries for 28 yards. Johnson exited the game in the first half with an ankle injury but was able to return.

The Packers were led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers completed 27 of 38 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. This was Rodgers seventh game throwing at least three touchdowns in a game. Rodgers started the scoring frenzy in the first quarter with a six yard run.

Rodgers connected with wideouts Randall Cobb, Greg Jennings and James Jones. Jones led all wide receivers with seven receptions 100 yards along with his touchdown. Jones’ touchdown was his 13th of the year an NFL best for wide receivers.

Cobb caught three passes for 62 yards along with his eighth touchdown of the season. He also broke a Green Bay record for most all-purpose yards, previously held by Ahman Green. Unfortunately, Cobb injured his ankle in the third quarter on a punt return.

Rodgers and the Packers were on cruise control and he was able to take a seat for a majority of the fourth quarter.

The Packers were led on the ground by Ryan Grant. Grant had 20 carries for 80 yards for a touchdown. Also DuJuan Harris carried the ball eight times for 29 yards and one touchdown.

With the victory, the Packers are still in contention for the No.2 seed. The Packers have won 20 of their last 21 home games. They will end the season at Mall of America Field against NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings. The Titans season finale will be at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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There is a reason cliches become cliché. Some things people just keep repeating. Such was the case at the Orlando County Thursday night as 600 plus parents and kids packed the atrium to the point of standing room only capacity. All were there to see Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas, as she made her sixth stop on the “Grace, Gold, & Glory” book tour.

The book is a memoir detailing the challenges faced, and sacrifices made by Douglas on her way to becoming the first African-American female to win all around Gold at the Olympics. Reggie Smothers arrived with nine-year old daughter, Zakaria, at two o’clock, four hours before the 6pm start time, to be sure of meeting the Olympian. They were the first in line. Opposite them in a line specifically for non-library members, a mother of two had driven two hours to make sure her daughter would meet their gymnastic idol. It is a testament to both the little-publicized popularity of young gymnasts and Douglas’s own popularity that both lines snaked backward until reaching the opposite end of the library.

Douglas’s mother, Natalie Hawkins, still has not gotten used to the response to her daughter. “Right after she won, people would get out of their cars in the middle of the street to run and take a picture with her. But even at the signing in Virginia (months after her win) we had 700 people show up. 600 at the next stop. And tonight this is the strongest response it seems yet. We feel blessed.”

One can only imagine what it must feel like to see young girls and adults alike crowed into a room, and chanting your name. At one point a chant of “Gabby,” “Gabby,” “Gabby,” reverberated through the library book stacks, followed by the crowd singing Happy Birthday, after the publisher of Grace, Gold, & Glory announced Douglas’s upcoming birthday on December 31.

Douglas took it in stride, commenting more than once in her Q&A session that she felt blessed and appreciated those that she has inspired. One rather poignant question was about how Dominique Dawes had inspired Douglas. “Dominique was my inspiration when I was growing up. And after I won I saw later on television Dominique crying.”

When speaking about being the first African-American female to win the all around Gold, Douglas clearly understands the significance, saying, “I’m glad I can be an inspiration for others because I know there are not a lot of black girls in gymnastics.”

The crowd yelled loudly when city officials mentioned the historic win as Orlando County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and city Commissioner Samuel Ings each presented Douglas with keys to the city. To the credit of the crowd, and the country at large, the response from the crowd was twice as loud simply for Douglas being Douglas. Not one color or ethnic group stood out. At one point the sheer number of people made things get a little chaotic, but the young girls (and some boys) took it all in stride because they loved Douglas for being a great gymnast, and an American gold medal winner. The fact that she happens to be black is more important to the historians than her fans.

The best question of the night came from Brittany who asked: “Were you scared the first time you got on the uneven bars, cause I’m scared.”

With the brilliant smile that has become as much her signature as her tumbling skills, Gabby responded, “Yes there first time I was on them I was scared. But, I knew I could do it. And so can you. You can do it, just go out there and have fun. Don’t let fear stop you.”

That is perhaps the best lesson anyone; young or old can learn from America’s new sweet heart.

Gabby Douglas book signing – free slideshow maker with music

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Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks improved to 19-6 after defeating New York rivals the Brooklyn Nets 100-86 at Madison Square Garden.

‘Melo’ was extremely efficient, playing in his first game back since missing the last two games because of a sprained ankle. He scored 17 points in the first half, helping the Knicks take a 52-48 halftime lead.

Point guard Deron Williams helped spark a Nets’ comeback as he scored nine of Brooklyn’s first 10 points, to start the second half, giving the Nets a 61-57 lead.

New York was able to regain their composure and played solid lockdown defense to regain momentum. They then finished the third quarter with an eight-point lead, thanks to an 18-6 run late in the quarter.

Anthony finished the game scoring 31 points on 12 of 22 shooting from the field, and 4 of 8 from downtown. He also contributed with three rebounds, one assist, two steals and a block. In his three games against the Nets, Anthony is averaging 37 points per game.

Prolific sixth man and guard, J.R. Smith, scored 19 points, dished out three assists and secured five rebounds. Big man Tyson Chandler also contributed as he recorded his tenth double-double of the year, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 boards.

The Nets were led by shooting guard Joe Johnson, who scored a team high 17 points.  Deron Williams and center Brook Lopez both finished the game with double-doubles, as Williams scored 16 points and dished out 10 assists, whilst Lopez also scored 16 points with 10 rebounds.

Brooklyn continues to be inconsistent as of late, and are currently on a three game losing streak, which contributes to a record of 2-8 in their last 10 games. The Nets will be hoping for a chance in fortunes when they welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to the Barclays Center December 23, for the first time this season.

Although being blown out at home against Houston earlier in the week, the Knicks have managed to win five of their last six games, and remain atop the Eastern Conference with a game and a half lead over the Miami Heat. The Knicks will entertain the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on December 21.

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Boston, U.S.A. — On December 18, John Hancock Financial announced the return of 2012 Boston Marathon champions Sharon Cherop and Wesley Korir of Kenya for the 117th running of the race on April 15.

Wesley Korir ran the smartest race of his life in winning the 116th Boston Marathon. Deftly handling blistering heat that reached a high of 85F, Korir patiently stayed connected to the leaders of the fastest men’s field ever assembled. Heading into the Newton hills, he resisted the surges of front-runners Geoffrey Mutai and Levy Matebo, and instead ran within himself and focused on strategy. Singing out loud and staying hydrated, Korir found inspiration to pass first one heat-fatigued runner and then the next. He deliberately moved from sixth place at mile 20, to second at mile 24, to undisputed champion at the finish (2:12:40). Kenyans Levy Matebo and Bernard Kipyego and American Jason Hartmann finished second through fourth respectively.

“Winning the Boston Marathon was the biggest accomplishment of my life and the win placed me in a distinguished group of champions who are legendary,” said Korir who is a permanent U.S. resident of Louisville, Kentucky. “The entire world recognizes and respects the Boston Marathon, and I am proudly a Boston Marathon champion forever.” Korir said 2013 marks his fifth year of marathon running and his main goal for the year is to defend his Boston title. He is a two-time marathon winner in Los Angeles and was runner up in Chicago in 2011.

Boston’s 2012 women’s race was equally as strategic as Sharon Cherop’s experience on the course proved to be the deciding factor. In her 2011 Boston debut, Cherop ran in sync with country woman Caroline Kilel and American Desiree Davila until the final meters, but could not keep pace with the duo and was denied the win by six seconds and the runner-up spot by four seconds. This year, Cherop made amends and after running side by side with countrywoman Jemima Sumgong over the final miles, she put in a crushing surge at the home-stretch corner of Hereford and Boylston. Sumgong was unable to respond and Cherop reached the tape first in 2:31:50, just two seconds ahead of her rival. The close finish marked the fifth consecutive year the women’s race has been decided by three seconds or less. Kenyan Georgina Rono finished third and was followed by Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado, the 2011 New York City champion.

“I will be in Boston to try to win again and perform at my best level,” said Cherop. “I know that there are some of the best athletes in the world competing in Boston in 2013, but I’ll be ready for the big race. The course is very hard because there are a lot of hills and you are running without pacers, but I like this course because it’s also making a natural selection among the athletes.” Cherop is past marathon champion in Toronto and Hamburg, and was the bronze medalist at the IAAF World Championships Marathon in 2011.

“As John Hancock closes in on 30 years of sponsorship of the Boston Marathon, we are thrilled to have our defending champions returning for the 2013 race,” said Rob Friedman, head of Sponsorship and Event Marketing at John Hancock. “Both Wesley and Sharon held off an excellent field in 2012 and will face another one this year as we once again honor our commitment to bring the world’s top runners to the race. Marathon Monday will be here before you know it and we fully expect millions of spectators and viewers will experience yet another thrilling race on April 15.”

“It is with great pride that we welcome back Wesley Korir and Sharon Cherop to defend their titles at this year’s Boston Marathon,” said Tom Grilk, Boston Athletic Association Executive Director. “Their insightful and tactical races in challenging conditions last year will be remembered for years to come as part of Boston’s rich tradition of excellence. Thanks to John Hancock Financial Services, both of these great champions have the opportunity to add another Boston Marathon win to their distinguished careers.”

The 2013 Boston Marathon marks the 28th year of John Hancock’s landmark sponsorship of the legendary race. For additional information about the elite athlete program and sponsorship, please visit www.johnhancock.com or follow John Hancock  on Twitter @jhboston26.

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