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 for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
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.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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Quarterback
1. Pat White, West Virginia
2. Matt Grothe, South Florida
3. Hunter Cantwell, Louisville
4. Tyler Lorenzen, Connecticut
5. Mike Teel, Rutgers
Quick thoughts: White is the best player in the game — period. When Grothe becomes more of a pocket passer, the Bulls will be more consistent on offense.
Running back
1. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh
2. Noel Devine, West Virginia
3. Andre Dixon, Connecticut
4. Mike Ford, South Florida
5. Donald Brown, Connecticut
Quick thoughts: A strong group; could be the best in the BCS leagues by the end of the season. The Pitt staff estimates McCoy left 600 yards on the field last fall because of his inexperience. Think about that.
Wide receiver
1. Kenny Britt, Rutgers
2. Marcus Barnett, Cincinnati
3. Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers
4. Derek Kinder, Pittsburgh
5. Mike Williams, Syracuse
Quick thoughts: Britt and Underwood are among the top five receiver combinations in the nation. Barnett is lanky, but he's quick and catches nearly anything thrown his way. Kinder was the league's best receiver last fall before an ACL injury in camp.
Tight end
1. Cedric Hill, South Florida
2. Kevin Brock, Rutgers
3. Nate Byham, Pittsburgh
4. Steve Brouse, Connecticut
5. Johnnie Burns, Louisville
Quick thoughts: This is a thin spot in the league. There is a lot of inexperience and plenty of guys who are pass-catchers first, run-blockers second. Burns, a former defensive end, is an intriguing athlete. Pitt's Dorin Dickerson, a former linebacker, will eventually unseat Byham and could be the league's best by the end of the season.
Offensive line
1. Greg Isdaner, West Virginia
2. Ryan Stanchek, West Virginia
3. Eric Wood, Louisville
4. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati
5. Jason Pinkston, Pittsburgh
Quick thoughts: Isdaner and Stanchek are among the elite in the nation, and Wood has been a grinder the past three years. Pinkston has elite talent, but was injured much of last season.
Kicker
1. Tony Ciaravino, Connecticut
2. Conor Lee, Pittsburgh
3. Pat McAfee, West Virginia
4. Delbert Alvarado, South Florida
5. Patrick Shadle, Syracuse
Quick thoughts: A good group from 40-45 yards and in. Lee and McAfee have made some big kicks.
Defensive line
1. George Selvie, South Florida
2. Terrill Byrd, Cincinnati
3. Jamaal Westerman, Rutgers
4. Arthur Jones, Syracuse
5. Gus Mustakas, Pittsburgh
Quick thoughts: This is the deepest spot on the defense. Selvie and Byrd both have first-team All-America ability, and Westerman doesn't get nearly enough publicity.
Linebacker
1. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
2. Reed Williams, West Virginia
3. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida
4. Lawrence Wilson, Connecticut
5. Kevin Malast, Rutgers
Quick thoughts: McKillop isn't as athletic as Southern Cal's Rey Maualuga and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, but McKillop is there in terms of production. McKenzie has serious potential, and Malast is the classic run-stuffer.
Defensive back
1. Mike Mickens, Cincinnati
2. Courtney Green, Rutgers
3. Nate Allen, South Florida
4. DeAngelo Smith, Cincinnati
5. Aaron Berry, Pittsburgh
Quick thoughts: The rise of playmakers on defense has allowed the Big East to jump the ACC. The secondary is a big reason: Mickens and Green are All-America candidates, and Berry could be the league's best cover corner by the end of the season.
Punter
1. Kevin Huber, Cincinnati
2. Pat McAfee, West Virginia
3. Rob Long, Syracuse
4. Delbe Alvarado, South Florida
5. Desi Cullen, Connecticut
Quick thoughts: Huber is the nation's best punter, and McAfee and Alvarado are better punters than kickers.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
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The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos |
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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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.
