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Pittsburgh travels to New York to the islands of knowledge that in the playoffs, but looking for momentum heading into the first round. With the season until his last days of this game has a lot of attention, because what happens when these teams on 11 February last meeting attracted. The final result was 9-3 in favor of the islanders fight by strong competition, a 65 almost ridiculous penalties and 346 penalty minutes were included overshadowed. It was performed 15 major battles and ejections of ten teams in both franchise records in those departments. T Islands in a season-high goals in the game too, but what they bring to the table, the season ends in a few days with them out of the playoffs is the question.
New York is definitely in the spoiler role with the penguins may display its position in the playoffs with wins in their last games with a little help to improve.Apparently half the physical nature of the game for New York and on the playing field level, but Pittsburgh will certainly like to avoid a repetition of an obvious reason: injuries and suspensions. Pens forward Eric Tangradi suffered headaches and dizziness after it in the head several times and Eric Goddard suspended ten games by the league for leaving the bench to join the fight has been beaten. The Islanders were reported in a hot mini-series after this game as the winner in four out of five, their players had less room for violence since then.
The Penguins have three of five games with the Islanders this season and won 16-5 in the last 21 head to head. In addition to the 9-3 debacle at the last meeting Pittsburgh really has the defense with a pair of shutouts and a 3-2 victory became a 2-1 overtime and shootout. The records say that the pins are the best clubs and have a motivation in some areas, namely, to avenge the loss of shame, is growing and the possibility of improving their position in the playoffs. It’s always a little worried on the bench to play better because I do not know what their chances of improvement of sowing. In the Matter with the best team and hopefully play a total of 60 minutes.

Having lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex now for 12 years, I’ve never been in short supply of opinions when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys.
You’ll probably enjoy this Q&A the Dallas Morning News did earlier this week with Bob Sturm, a local radio show host on the popular sports radio station The Ticket. Sturm has joined on with the website and has offered up his analysis on the upcoming NFL Draft.
Earlier this week, Sturm said he’s not real keen on Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara, but does like the idea of Dallas going with Cal defensive end Cam Jordan.
“I think Jordan can be Richard Seymour, but of course, I am just a media guy who has never done anything more than watch a lot of football,” Sturm says.
As for the offensive line, Sturm said he’s all for improving at two positions.
“I would be thrilled to snag a guy like Danny Watkins from Baylor or the Moffitt kid from Wisconsin or Bolling from Georgia at pick #41 to be an instant contributor in the interior as they all look like they could start at guard as rookies,” he said. “If the Cowboys took a RT in the 1st and a Guard in the 2nd, you would not hear me complain at all.”
The best comes at the end when he’s asked if Dallas missed on Rashard Mendenhall.
“Yes. And Chris Johnson. And Matt Forte . And Ray Rice. And…. They blew the Felix Jones pick,” Sturm said. “There is no other way to say it. He might still be able to prove me wrong, but the clock is ticking, and everyone is losing patience. A new and improved OL might do him good, but you really wish he was able to demonstrate the ability to make something out of nothing a bit more often.”
I would absolutely love to hear what you Cowboys fans think.
The Seymour comparison caught my attention, but I don’t disagree. As hard as it is for me to admit (because I loved it when they drafted him), but I think Felix has been a bust too.

The dawn of spring can mean only one thing for the Oregon football team: It’s time to get back to business.

With the afterglow of a national championship run beginning to fade, Chip Kelly and the Ducks return to the field today to begin spring practice drills in preparation for the 2011-2012 season. The workouts serve as a leadup to the annual Spring Game that takes place at Autzen Stadium on April 30.

As was the case last year, the game will be used as a way to honor the United States armed forces and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

“This not only presents a tremendous opportunity for our fans to pay their respects for the sacrifices men and women around the country make every day, but proved to be an eye-opening experience for our players and coaches,” Kelly said in an athletic department statement. “There were relationships formed from last year’s experience that extended beyond just one afternoon.”

Before any of that, however, the team has to get through a month of serious practice. With plenty of returners such as running back LaMichael James, quarterback Darron Thomas, and cornerback Cliff Harris, the Ducks do not lack for star power as they head into the first phase of a new season. Yet, spring is a time for new faces to prove their worth as potential contributors. Without further ado, we present some notable story lines as a new season officially begins.

The evolution of Darron Thomas

In the midst of all of the hoopla surrounding James, the Heisman and Oregon’s undefeated regular season run, lost in the shuffle was the fact that Thomas led the Ducks to the BCS National Championship Game in his first season as a full-time starter. Returning to practice for what will be his junior season, the sky is the limit for Thomas as a collegiate quarterback.

Though spring practices surely cannot be described as “all-important,” it will be interesting to see how Thomas improves as the unquestioned leader of Oregon’s offense. No longer fighting for his job with veteran Nate Costa, as was the case last season, Thomas will be free to develop his skills in peace.

Preseason All-Americans

GoDaddy.com announced its 2011 preseason All-America team back on March 24, and it included two of Oregon’s most popular players. James was named a first team running back, while Harris made the cut as a first team cornerback and punt returner. Thomas and senior tight end David Paulson were also named as honorable mentions.

Who will fill the shoes at linebacker?

Perhaps most noticeable in the line of departures from last season’s squad were starting linebackers Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger. A surprisingly stingy Oregon defense relied heavily upon the leadership of the two seniors, who combined for 155 tackles in 2010. Emerging talents Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso wait in the wings to replace the departed seniors, alongside returning starter Josh Kaddu. Yet, it remains to be seen just how much of a hole will be left at two of the crucial positions on defense. Spring practices will show just how prepared the newcomers are for the spotlight.

A chance to shine

Redshirt freshman running back Lache Seastrunk spent the entirety of his inaugural season at Oregon on the bench. It was widely known that the adjustment to the new role, or lack thereof, was difficult and that the Texas native had thoughts of transferring. Spring practices provide the opportunity for Seastrunk to finally prove his worth as a spell for James and backup running back Kenjon Barner. After fellow redshirt freshman Dontae Williams’ departure from the Oregon program last February, it is Seastrunk’s spot to lose. Whether he will step up to the challenge remains to be seen, and he may also face potential distractions after his name popped up in an NCAA investigation of Oregon’s relationship with Texas scout Will Lyles. Seastrunk’s talent cannot be denied, however, and it could be on full display during spring workouts.

Culture change?

Oregon’s run to the national title last season placed the program into the national spotlight. A trip to the Rose Bowl in 2009 was noteworthy, to be sure, but nothing compares to an undefeated regular season and shot to win it all. Thus, spring football may have a slightly different feel to it this year. With the nation still abuzz about Oregon’s high octane offense and flashy uniforms, there may be more attention paid to these practice sessions than ever before. How the Ducks react to it remains to be seen, though if Kelly has a say, the players will approach it no differently. Whatever the case, fans will find out soon enough.

Coaches and members of the St. Joseph Notre Dame (SJND) men’s basketball team show off their California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Northern California (NorCal) championship plaque. The team beat San Francisco University High School to earn the plaque and the right to play in the Division V state championship against St. Bernard of Playa del Rey, the Southern California champion tomorrow in Sacramento. Both SJND men’s and women’s basketball teams made history at the CIF Northern California championship games March 19. The women’s team finished its season, losing to three-time NorCal champion Pinewood by a score of 41-36. The women completed a season in which they won the North Coast Section championship and advanced to the NorCal finals for the first time in school history. “They have made their mark,” said women’s Coach Julianne Berry. Read more about tomorrow’s game in SPORTS.

Nick Schultz knows Matt Cooke well.
In 2007, Cooke, the Pittsburgh Penguins player who routinely crosses the line and was handed the stiffest suspension of the NHL season Monday, targeted the Wild defenseman’s knees when playing for the Vancouver Canucks.
With Schultz leaving the defensive zone, Cooke bent down for a low-bridge check aimed at Schultz’s knees instead of hitting him shoulder to shoulder.
Schultz is happy the NHL finally dealt with Cooke, who hit former Minnesota Mr. Hockey and New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh with a blatant elbow Sunday. Cooke has been suspended for the rest of the regular season and first round of the playoffs.
“You can play that role and be an agitator, and do it a certain way, but when you’re going out there and targeting guys and trying to hurt guys, I don’t think that’s the way to play,” Schultz said. “I think you can be an agitator in different ways, and chirp and be a pest. But to constantly do things like that, it shouldn’t be allowed and that’s why he got the suspension he did.”
The Wild’s Matt Cullen didn’t see Cooke’s latest infraction, but he’s glad the NHL is cracking down seriously on intentional head shots.
“It seems like it’s long overdue for the league to really take a stand on it,” Cullen said. “It’s a big black eye on the league, the whole thing, and it’s good that the league does something meaningful with one of them. There’s been a lot of slaps on the wrist.”
Mental drainTodd Richards had been questioned by some fans and media for giving the Wild a day off Monday after Sunday’s 8-1 loss to Montreal.
But the coach felt the team needed a mental day away after playing back-to-back home games Saturday and Sunday and after arriving home from San Jose in the wee hours of Friday morning.
“When you travel west to east, it’s difficult,” Richards said. “We turned around and have a 1 o’clock game and then we have a 5 o’clock game. And to me it was a no-brainer to give the guys a day off, probably more mental than physical the way the game went on Sunday.
“I think we needed to get away from each other, just think.”
Injury updateDefenseman Cam Barker missed his 13th game out of the last 14 with an upper body injury. The Wild was 2-8-2 in the 12 games he missed before Tuesday. Barker has been skating lightly and Richards said he may join practice Wednesday.
Left wing Guillaume Latendresse (lower body) missed his fifth game since his three-game comeback came to a screeching halt. Asked if there’s a chance he’ll be shut down for the season, Richards said, “Hoping he’ll be back. May or may not happen.”
Defenseman Marek Zidlicky (hamstring) is feeling better and may try to skate Wednesday, said Richards.
Richards said James Sheppard, who hasn’t played all year with a knee injury, has had a setback. He’s experienced soreness in his knee and stay off the ice for now.
Etc.Agent Paul Ostby tweeted Tuesday that Bemidji State’s Matt Read is 48 hours from signing. It’s unlikely to be the Wild, though. As much as the Wild likes Read, who attended the Wild’s development camp last summer, his age (25 as of Sept. 15) means he’s not restricted to an entry-level deal. He’s expected to sign a three- or four-year, one-way, seven-figure contract.

NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes said a family of Pete Carroll a possible response to the uncertain future could be the Seahawks quarter.
I try to understand why no interest in Matt Leinart view of Pete Carroll because he can take some time,  Herzog said Monday in an episode of NFL Total Access.  37-2. He won 37 games for Pete. OK, maybe he is not the starter, (but) why not see a flyer on him if he could not revive something (USC), magic. ..  Leinart NFL career was anything but magical. Since the Cardinals were ranked him tenth overall in 2006 released only 14 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.He was lost before the start of last season after failing to Derek Anderson for the starting job released. Leinart signed a one year contract with Houston – the Seahawks were necessary – but never attempted a pass
Dukes asked what Leinart in the NFL has a chance to justify the Seahawks.
The fact is that (Carroll) is from other children, SC, and gave them the opportunity, and actually worked,  he said, referring to Mike Williams.
Fellow analyst Trent Green agreed. Although (Leinart) was not very successful in the NFL, from the experience of USC,  he said.  This is a guy who won a national championship. Yes, paid a little Matt Leinart Pete Carroll and Matt Leinart Pete Carroll got paid enough.

You can use the video segment on the website of the NFL Network.

Deron Williams will miss the New Jersey Nets’ next three games with a right wrist injury.
Williams, the Nets’ star point guard, hopes that rest and treatment on the wrist will allow him to return for the club’s final 12 games.The decision to rest Williams was made during a meeting Saturday night between Williams, Nets coach Avery Johnson and general manager Billy King. Williams, who originally injured the wrist on Jan. 26 while playing for the Utah Jazz, considered continuing to play through the injury but decided that a brief rest was the better option.
“It’s something that we know: rest — not surgery — is required,” Johnson said. “We’ll treat him. We’ll rest him.”
While sitting out the rest of the season was also a possibility, Williams decided against it because of his desire to play and help the Nets reach the playoffs. With 15 games remaining, the Nets are 6½ games behind eighth-seeded Indiana.
Williams said he was disappointed to be sidelined, but said it was “a strong possibility” he’d play again this season.
“I’m just getting a little rest and then re-evaluate it,” Williams said. “Maybe a couple of more games. It’s not really set in stone. I’ll just see how it feels.”
Doctors have told Williams and the Nets that he will not need surgery during the offseason and that three-to-six weeks of rest should heal the injury, which is officially being called a strained flexor tendon. Williams has been assured that he cannot further damage the wrist by playing.
Williams, who banged the wrist and reaggravated the injury in Friday’s loss to Milwaukee, has averaged 16.2 points and 13.1 assists in eight games with the Nets. The wrist, however, has hampered his shooting ability, as he is hitting just 32 percent of his shots.
Johnson said in the short time Williams has played for New Jersey, he’s seen what he can do at the point.
“I’ve seen enough, so I’m not overly disappointed,” Johnson said. “We’ve seen flashes in certain situations.”
Williams will miss Sunday’s game at Washington in hopes of returning Friday against Orlando.

While Chad Ochocinco making headlines in the NFL is hardly a new phenomenon, the typically quiet Adrian Peterson stole the show on Tuesday with some rather insensitive comments.
Peterson, the Minnesota Vikings All-Pro running back, sounded off to Yahoo! Sports and Football Outsiders columnist Doug Farrar about his thoughts on the lockout and the rest of the NFL’s current labor situation.
Peterson speaking his mind on a national stage is rare enough, but a few of his comments probably ensured he’ll be quiet for the foreseeable future. When asked about the status of the players, Peterson had this to say:
“It’s modern-day slavery, you know? People kind of laugh at that, but there are people working at regular jobs who get treated the same way, too. With all the money…the owners are trying to get a different percentage, and bring in more money.”
Obviously, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand how misguided and uninformed those comments are—even if Peterson feels he’s been misunderstood.
In this day and age of social media and immediate news, Peterson’s comments are like gasoline on a fire. Within minutes of Farrar linking the article on Twitter, reader commentary on the slavery quotes were bashing Peterson left and right and Farrar ended up taking down the quotes within a half-hour of posting them.
Do you think less of Adrian Peterson after his comments?It was a professional move by Farrar, but even his best attempts to backtrack for Peterson weren’t enough. He’s been thrashed by the media and, maybe most importantly, his own peers.
Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant responded with a series of tweets setting the record straight on an issue Peterson should have never brought up.
Overall, we know Peterson is wrong. To compare playing football to slavery is disingenuous and pretty insensitive to something that still stings this country’s history.
However, it also gives us an interesting perspective on how upset the players actually are.
It’s no excuse for Peterson, but his comments might give us more perspective on the labor situation than they do on his character.

Ochocinco to Kansas City?
No, the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t nearing a trade with the Chiefs for the flamboyant receiver. But with the lockout looming, Chad Ochocinco is giving a try at a different form of football.
Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City has offered Ochocinco a four-day tryout, with a chance for a further look if he passes the initial tests.
Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said this about Ochocinco:”We’re always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent. We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We’re excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team.”
With Ochocinco involved and the MLS starving for attention, this is probably nothing more than a public relations experiment to keep the receiver in the news and give Sporting KC a couple of major headlines.
However, it’s a sad commentary on the MLS that this is even a story.
Can you imagine any professional league in the United States that would try to pull off a stunt like this?
If the MLS were locked out next season, would Landon Donovan be trying out at running back for the Oakland Raiders? I guess you never know with owner Al Davis—but the point here is that an idea like that is just crazy.
In the ESPN story, Ochocinco states that he “started playing soccer at age four” and is “friends with big names in soccer such as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.”
It goes on to state that Ochocinco “uses a soccer ball to warm up for NFL games.”
Of course, this isn’t a knock on ESPN. Those are just the only ties Ochocinco has to any sort of credibility in the soccer world.
Surely, playing the game as a youngster, having friends at the highest ranks and warming up with a soccer ball qualifies you to play as a professional.
And we wonder why the MLS is a joke in this country. I’ll stick to watching the likes of Barclay’s Premier League in England.
For the sake of the league, let’s hope Ochocinco doesn’t get past the already embarrassing four-day tryout this week.

We enter the college basketball season pretty much assuming this would be the last season of college basketball for Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie, two Georgia juniors who’d been projected as NBA lottery picks. But there’s a chance neither will wind up in the lottery, which could mean one or both might decide to stick around.

We enter the college basketball season pretty much assuming this would be the last season of college basketball for Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie, two Georgia juniors who’d been projected as NBA lottery picks. But there’s a chance neither will wind up in the lottery, which could mean one or both might decide to stick around.
Check the 2011 mock draft on the excellent site NBAdraft.net and you’ll note that Thompkins is projected to go 16th overall, or one spot out of the lottery. Keep checking and you’ll find Leslie …
Well, that’s the point. You won’t find Leslie on this year’s mock. You’ll find him on next year’s — as the second pick in Round 2. Which makes you go, “Whoa.”
For comparative purposes: Chad Ford of ESPN Insider has Thompkins rated the 30th-best prospect (link requires registration) and projects him in the mid to late first round; Ford ranks Leslie the 34th-best prospect and projects him in the late first to early second round.
I spoke recently with an NBA scout who prefers Leslie to Thompkins, which frankly surprised me. I’ve regarded Thompkins as the better NBA bet because he has a true position — power forward — and some nicely developed skills. (For a big man, he can really shoot.)  Leslie is, in my view, a hugely gifted wing who will be asked to play shooting guard as a pro, and the thing Leslie does least well is shoot. (Although he has, under Mark Fox, progressed as both a shooter and ballhandler.)
Thompkins thought seriously about leaving for the NBA after his sophomore season but decided against it. It’s not often a guy who has decided to come back for another year chooses to return for yet another. (Gani Lawal removed his name from draft consideration in 2009 to remain at Georgia Tech but left in 2010 after his junior season even though he wasn’t a Round 1 lock. Indeed, he wound up going in Round 2.)
My guess is that Thompkins, who hasn’t had quite the season we all expected, will leave this time. Leslie could go either way. If he stays, he’s next year’s Bulldog star. (Unless Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the incoming McDonald’s All-American from Greenville High, is even better than advertised.) If he leaves, there’s a chance he might not be taken in Round 1. But it only takes one team to fall in love with him — and Leslie is a major talent — to make him a lottery pick.
As for Iman Shumpert, the splendid Tech junior guard: The scout with whom I spoke believes he can play in the NBA. (I do, too.) But Ford has him ranked 71st among this year’s prospects, and only 60 players get drafted. NBAdraft.net has Shumpert being taken with the 15th pick of Round 2 in the 2012 draft, which would seem to mean: He can only help himself by staying. I’m guessing he will.

JUPITER, Fla. — One purpose of Albert Pujols’ self-imposed deadline was allegedly to keep distractions to a minimum.Instead, the early days of Cardinals camp have been nothing but a distraction. In addition, it has made Pujols, at least in the short-term, seem unnecessarily self-interested. He is a good guy who, for the moment, doesn’t look like one.The deadline made it seem like this is all about Albert and not one bit about the Cardinals. We know that’s not the case with Pujols, an ultimate team player who’s battled through intense elbow pain and assorted ailments to win three NL MVP awards while always accepting his role as the cornerstone of his storied franchise. But that’s the way it looks today.Pujols may be, as Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt called him at Wednesday’s press conference, “an iconic player.” But even for someone who has managed his career beautifully to this point, this looks like nothing but a misstep by Pujols and his camp.Are we to believe that Pujols, such a brilliant performer that you have to reach back deep into the game’s history to find a true comparable, is incapable of continuing to play brilliantly if negotiations are still ongoing? There was no reason for Pujols’ camp, led by agent Dan Lozano, to set a deadline and halt talks until the end of the season. Keep talking, but continue to keep it mostly quiet if you wish.Pujols is expected to arrive in the Cardinals’ clubhouse on Thursday, and it’s been suggested by a person in his camp that he won’t discuss the matter when he does. If he knows what’s good for him, he better talk now. His camp ceded the white hat by setting the deadline, and he needs to explain himself.It isn’t going to be an easy explanation, either, not just because superstar ballplayers make monstrous sums of money but because he is the one who cut off talks with the only franchise he’s ever known. He should have let the team do that. Pujols is understandably a legendary figure in St. Louis, and his deadline stance has surely dropped him half a peg in the eyes of some in that city, which is described by one observer as the “the ultimate company town.”DeWitt characterized his own emotion Wednesday as “disappointment” when the deadline came and went, as has been expected by most for a week or more now. But the reality is that this was a long shot to get done now, anyway. When superstars get this close to free agency, they don’t usually pass it up.DeWitt said “out of respect” to the other side, they won’t interrupt the cessation of talks with a phone call or text. But he also smartly said that “the Cardinals are always open for business,” which struck exactly the right note. They said they made a great effort, and they are willing to keep trying if the other side will let them. Whether they are or not, the Cardinals looked like the good guys Wednesday.GM John Mozeliak said he got the feeling that free agency held an allure for Pujols, and there’s no reason to be doubt that. Free agency does wonders for alltime greats. So the reality is that it’s pretty unlikely they can do a deal in the coming months, or even in the five-day exclusive negotiating window the team will have after the World Series, anyway. But why tell St. Louis you don’t even want to talk about it?DeWitt got a ridiculously great deal with Pujols the first time around — an eight year, $116 million contract signed before the 2005 season — and the reality is that both sides might not mind seeing what the market has to offer. As DeWitt pointed out, they made a deal with their own Matt Holliday (for $120 million over seven years) even after he became a free agent. Maybe they can do the same with Pujols.Three competing executives say they expect the rival Cubs to make a big push for Pujols and, indeed, they do look like the greatest outside possibility at the moment. Wouldn’t that cast him in a new light for Cardinal Nation? The Cubs have the resources and the need, and execs feel they will pursue either Prince Fielder or more likely Pujols.”They’ll give him the A-Rod deal,” one exec opined.”They’ll give him $33 million or $34 million for seven years,” guessed another exec.The market for Pujols’ services might be hurt by the fact that the Yankees already have Mark Teixeira and the Red Sox will have presumably locked up Adrian Gonzalez by the time the season ends. But it will still be ripe for the greatest player ever to reach free agency. The Rangers, Orioles, Nationals, Giants and Angels also look like possibilities.The Cardinals made what they consider a great effort, and indications are that they showed a willingness to go to seven or eight years, with the eight-year deal being for a lower average annual value, maybe $25 million for eight and $28 million for seven, or something along those lines (though those numbers couldn’t be absolutely confirmed).But word is, Pujols sought a 10-year deal for Alex Rodriguez money, or even above that, meaning at least $275 million. Sources tell SI.com Lozano also broached the subject of an ownership stake in the team, too.DeWitt said both sides have agreed not to talk about what was discussed. So all we know for sure now is that Pujols is the one who set the deadline and that no deal was reached, casting an early pall over the spring camp of one of baseball’s most storied franchises.