Super Bowl XLVI
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.
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi scored shootout goals to give Detroit a 2-1 win over Anaheim on Friday. The victory was the Red Wings' 19th consecutive at home, one shy of the NHL record.
Jeremy Lin had the most astounding performance of his remarkable week, scoring a career-high 38 points and outdueling Kobe Bryant as the New York Knicks held off the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85 on Friday night.
Arc's weekend preview: The way you beat Kentucky is by getting physical with their big guys, and the Wildcats don’t have much depth up front.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Despite an injury scare and a few missed opportunities at Monterey Peninsula CC, Tiger Woods remains in contention at the AT&T.
John Isner jolted Roger Federer with his big serve and booming groundstrokes Friday, winning 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to give the United States a 2-0 lead against Switzerland in the first round of the Davis Cup.
Manchester City will find at least three highly motivated players in its way Sunday when it tries to improve upon its flagging away form in the Premier League at Aston Villa.
All that stuff about the Olympic ideal, how it's all about taking part, not winning, can often seem like so much hot air, rendered hopelessly quaint and outdated by the ultra-competitive and mercenary world of modern sport. Until, that is, you speak to Kieran Behan.
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.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - There was a perception building that Cierre Wood is somewhat of a quiet guy. That perception, according to the Notre Dame-bound running back, is not accurate.
"That's a lie," Wood quickly corrected. "I'm quiet when I want to be."
There may be times when Wood is loud, and there may be times when he's not so loud, but his numbers on the field speak volumes.
Wood is Notre Dame's most high-profile recruit in the class that will sign on Feb. 4. His name sticks out. He plays at a glamour position.
And he has posted gaudy high school numbers.
As a senior at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard, Calif., Wood ran for 1,622 yards and 20 touchdowns. The year prior, the 6-foot, 192-pounder averaged 14.7 yards per carry, rushing for 2,612 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Wood's "dip," if you want to call it that, no doubt came because his stellar junior season had placed a gigantic bullseye on his jersey.
But it also didn't help that Santa Clara moved up to a more powerful league. Included in that league is Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, the same school that two years ago produced current Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen, as well as a number of other high-profile players to major programs over the last few years. Oaks Christian was a big winner over Santa Clara this season, but Wood ran for more than 100 yards before his night ended with an injury.
"I knew he was a very fine football player, but he's actually a better football player after seeing him here than I actually thought he was," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said from San Antonio, where he was the head coach of Wood's West team at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
"Now I can see after watching him here for two or three days, the kid's outstanding. He certainly stands up with all these kids. ...His quickness, his speed, he's got good hands. He's a hard-working kid. He's definitely a big-time player."
Wood carried just twice for six yards in the game, but practices proved to him that he could stand up to the competition.
"It's a lot faster to me, but that's how I play and I have no problem adjusting to it," Wood said.
"I know I can perform against the high level of competition, so I'm not worried about that."
When Wood arrives at ND, the competition will include a senior in James Aldridge, and juniors Armando Allen and Robert Hughes, with sophomore Jonas Gray trying to nudge his way into the mix.
All three of the upperclassmen gained significant carries in 2008, but none was able to fully seize control of the job, and Wood could become an instant impact performer.
Already, he's proved that he can handle some of the verbal aspects of the game, specifically from future USC players.
"They talk their mess every day. They ask me the same question, 'Why did you choose Notre Dame?' I say, 'Man, don't worry about me. Why did you choose SC? Same reason.'" he said. "Just wait until I get there. That's what I say all the time. Wait 'til I get there."
Recruiting rumblings
Notre Dame may receive an official visit this weekend from Tallahassee, Fla., safety Jawanza Starling. Florida State and Georgia are believed to be the leaders for Starling, who was expected to visit Florida last weekend.
It took a while for the light bulb to go on, but when it did, Jonas Gray finally showed the talent many had expected from the blue-chip prospect from Detroit. In a recent interview, Gray, who is rehabbing an ACL injury to get ready for the NFL Scouting Combine, expressed the confidence and support he has for head coach Brian Kelly.
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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 |
Jeremy Lin had the most astounding performance of his remarkable week, scoring a career-high 38 points and outdueling Kobe Bryant as the New York Knicks held off the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85 on Friday night.
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.
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.