Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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.
Lefty wins his 40th PGA Tour event with his never-ending supply of tricks up his sleeve. What We Learned this week at Pebble Beach.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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Cowboys at Browns
I really hope the Browns build on that great season they had last year. If their offense keeps up that nice run-pass balance, they’ll be tough to stop. You can’t rule them out.
Still, this is a tough matchup for them. I think the Cowboys are better are just about every position, especially in the kicking game.
The Cowboys will have to be more business-like this season to replicate their 2007 regular season. Even if they struggle at the start, they’ll be better by season’s end.
Pick: Cowboys
Panthers at Chargers
San Diego had as good of a chance to be in the Super Bowl as any team last season. Norv Turner’s been looking at those AFC championship game tapes and making tweaks here and there to ensure the Chargers don’t fall short this season.
If their defense holds up – particularly Shawne Merriman’s knee – they’ll have a chance at the Super Bowl.
Pick: Chargers
Cardinals at 49ers
I like that Arizona is going with Kurt Warner at quarterback instead of Matt Leinart. Warner gives the Cardinals their best chance to win because he sees the field and has two great receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. As long as they protect him, he’ll pick defenses apart.
I like that they’re going with Warner. They can throw the ball. They have good receivers, protect Warner and he’ll throw the ball all over the place.
As for the 49ers, it’s too early to tell if they’ve improved. Holding out judgment on that one.
Pick: Cardinals
Bears at Colts
He may have missed the whole preseason, but Peyton Manning won’t miss a beat. That offense will still be one of the league’s best. Same goes for the defense.
Indianapolis’ ‘D’ flies all over the place, makes plays and ensures opponents don’t have any easy time passing or running the ball.
That’s bad news for the Bears. Their offense is still bad and their defense can only do so much.
Pick: Colts
Vikings at Packers
I know the Vikings are supposed to be an NFC contender this season. With that defense and Adrian Peterson, it’s easy to see why.
But this isn’t an easy game. They have to open on the road, at a division rival that was in the NFC championship game last season. That’s a brutal combination.
And right now, when you match up two teams with similar strengths and weaknesses, I’m going with the home team.
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Pick: Packers
Broncos at Raiders
The Broncos have always been able to run the ball. If they get on a roll against Oakland, they’ll be tough to stop.
This is an important game for Denver, too. It’s the one team in the division that can push San Diego for the division title. If the Broncos stumble here, kiss that goodbye.
Pick: Broncos
Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
Rotoworld: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill among the 10 players who will slip down draft boards, but probably shouldn't.
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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
Paul Pierce has been around long enough to know what Rajon Rondo's performance can mean for the aging Boston Celtics.
