Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Marlies Schild of Austria won her sixth World Cup slalom of the season Saturday after overall leader Lindsey Vonn and defending champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch crashed out in the opening run on the windy Pyrenees course.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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Time and again we've been told this week that the lion’s share of prospect evaluation is done between September and January. It's game tape that matters. But, as is always the case, once everyone gathers in Indy and times and measurements are getting posted, some players get more buzz than others. Here are five who have helped themselves so far this week.
1. Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Measured in at almost 6-8 and 271 pounds, ran a 4.63 40 and had a vertical leap of 33 inches. Cottam also put up 225 pounds 24 times, which is outstanding for a long-limbed gentleman. Now that's a red zone target.
2. Jake Long, T, Michigan
Already projected as a top-10 pick, Long's explosiveness (27.5 inch vertical), power (position-high 37 reps on the bench press) and agility (third-best time in three-cone shuttle at 7.44) really solidified him as being the authentic item.
3. Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Keller posted the best 40 time, vertical, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle performances and was second best in the bench press. A 6-3, 242-pounder, this was a tremendous performance for Keller.
4. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
By deciding to throw while Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan opted not to, Brohm was able to put forth some evidence that Ryan didn't match. It appears the general consensus is that Ryan is still the better prospect but that Brohm maximized his time in Indy while Ryan didn't.
5. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
He's 6-foot-6, 236 with an Uzi for an arm and, in a season where the opinions are divided on the abilities of the big-program quarterbacks like Ryan, Brohm and Chad Henne, Flacco has emerged based on his frame and personality.
Of course, not everyone was lucky enough to improve their standing. Here are three who hurt themselves this week.
1. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
He was polished enough in his answers with the press, but he seemed prepped to the point of being canned. He also seemed very nervous. Teams desire quarterbacks that ooze self-confidence, and Ryan doesn't. He also missed out on the chance to throw before a captive audience and ran a very average 4.96 40.
2. John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
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After being unable to compete due to illness at the Senior Bowl, Carlson was only able muster a 4.89 in his 40. That put him 10th in his position group.
3. Fred Davis, TE, USC
Regarded coming into the combine as the best tight end prospect, Davis measured out at just 6-foot-3 and dropped several passes during drills Saturday. Not helpful.
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Doron Lamb hit a 3-pointer with 3:18 left to put No. 1 Kentucky ahead to stay, and the Wildcats took a big step toward a Southeastern Conference regular-season title by beating Vanderbilt 69-63 Saturday night for their 17th straight win.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
