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Cavaliers land No.1 overall pick

Cavs — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:07:40 GMT

Nick Gilbert works some magic, goes 2-of-3 in the lottery and lands the Cavaliers the No.1 overall pick.

Awesome.

Stools take another shot - LT Starks "bolts" for San Diego

brooks1957 — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:29:18 GMT

OK, maybe that was over the top, but the truth is the Steelers lost another piece of their team when LT Max Starks, who started all 16 games for them in 2012, decided to sign with San Diego.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...-one-year-deal

More Humane Manner of Cutting Players

stabber27 — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:12:56 GMT

The draft provides football fans with a peek into the exhilaration that comes with entering the NFL. Far less publicized is a player's exit from the game, which carries its own emotional weight.
Speaking at the NFL Spring Meeting on Tuesday, Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had been meeting with league officials about ways to better service players when their careers are over. Those talks Tuesday included discussions with NFL senior vice president Troy Vincent, he said.

The evolution of the NFL:
Take a look at how the NFL has evolved from its humble roots, and the efforts being made to ensure it continues to grow.

"We look at our players from a total wellness standpoint," Goodell said. "It's not just a physical wellness, it's a mental wellness. And what can we do to try and make sure that we're helping our players make the transitions through life and to make sure they're getting the kind of help they need at any point."
He added: "And today one of the focuses was the cutdown process as an example. How do we make the process more dignified? It is in some cases the last experience a player has with a team or any team in the NFL. So we have to do a better job of doing that in a humane way and a way that will make sure they understand the respect we have for them and the pride we have in what they accomplished.
"Make sure they understand what they'll be experiencing as they separate from an NFL team and make sure they have the services that are available to them, which we provide and we think can be incredibly valuable to them."
If you've ever watched HBO's "Hard Knocks," you know the process of cutting players gives that series some of its most heart-wrenching moments. It's a traumatic moment for any player, and exploring ways to help them through that process makes sense.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.

Quote:

I still think there could be a minor league NFL put in place with a schedule of of say 10 games + playoffs & Championship game where these cuts could play. The original teams they belong to last, would still have first signing rights. Just an idea. Maybe having them play the timeframe between the Super Bowl and after the draft.

Super Bowl L and LI

brooks1957 — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:12:09 GMT

San Francisco gets to host Super Bowl L (50) in their brand spanking new Levi's Stadium, and The Super Bowl will make a return trip to Houston's Reliant Stadium the following February fr DB LI (unless Goodell changes that date to March too) :-X

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...uston-lands-li

Browns make roster moves

stabber27 — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:58:49 GMT

Posted 5 hours ago

The Cleveland Browns announced several roster moves on Tuesday afternoon.

The Cleveland Browns today re-signed running back Brandon Jackson to a one-year contract, the club announced. The team also signed their 2013 sixth-round draft pick, defensive back Jamoris Slaughter to a four-year contract. In addition, the club signed a pair of undrafted free agents, wide receiver Michael Edwards and defensive back Kenronte Walker. The Browns also waived defensive back Eric Hagg, linebacker Ryan Rau and running back Robbie Rouse.
Originally drafted by Green Bay in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2007 NFL draft, Jackson has seen action in 54 games with 16 starts, and has rushed for 1,383 yards on 355 carries with seven touchdowns. He has also caught 112 passes for 864 yards and two touchdowns. In 2010, Jackson opened 13 contests and set career highs in nearly every category, including rushing attempts (190), rushing yards (703), rushing touchdowns (3), receptions (43) and receiving yards (844) as the Packers captured Super Bowl XLI. He was also one of the best running backs in pass protection that season as his combined number of sacks and quarterback hits allowed was one out of 100 snaps in which he was pass blocking. That figure tied for fifth among all running backs with at least 75 pass blocking snaps.
Jackson signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent from Green Bay in 2011, but missed the entire 2011 campaign with a toe injury. During the 2012 season, Jackson appeared in two games and rushed for 54 yards on eight carries and caught two passes for 20 yards. A native of Detroit, Michigan, the 5-10, 216-pound Jackson attended Horn Lake (Miss.) High School and was a three-year letterman at the University of Nebraska (2004-06).
Selected in the sixth round (175th overall), Slaughter appeared in 39 games with 19 starts at the University of Notre Dame (2009-12). He totaled 98 career tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, two sacks and one fumble recovery. Slaughter started the first three games as a senior before an Achilles injury ended his season. He saw action in all 13 games with 10 starts at safety as a junior and totaled 45 tackles, one interception, two passes defensed, two sacks and a forced fumble. Born December 22, 1989, the 6-0, 190-pound Slaughter is a native of Stone Mountain, Georgia and attended Tucker High School.
Edwards was initially signed by the Browns on April 30, 2013, and was waived on May 13 after participating in the team�s rookie minicamp. He was a two-year starter at the University of Texas-El Paso (2011-12) after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College (2010) in Walnut, California. He recorded 101 career receptions for 1,477 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons at UTEP. Born December 14, 1989, the 5-11, 200-pound Edwards is a native of Glendora, California, where he attended Glendora High School.
A two-year letterman at safety at the University of Missouri (2011-12), Walker appeared in 25 games, recording 115 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble, one pass defensed and three defensive fumble recoveries. Walker redshirted the 2010 season after transferring from City College of San Francisco, where he notched 36 tackles, five pass breakups, two sacks and one interception in two seasons (2008-09). Born July 28, 1990, the 6-0, 210-pound Walker is a native of Fayetteville, N.C., where he attended Westover High School.

Browns awarded Maysonet from waivers

stabber27 — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:54:39 GMT

Posted 2 hours ago

The Browns were awarded RB Miguel Maysonet off waivers from Philadelphia and waived Jamaine Cook, the team announced Tuesday evening.

The Cleveland Browns today were awarded running back Miguel Maysonet off waivers from Philadelphia. In addition, the club waived running back Jamaine Cook.
Maysonet was originally signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2013. He spent three seasons at Stony Brook University (2010-12) after transferring from Hofstra University (2009). While at Stony Brook, he was a two-time Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and totaled 4,725 career rushing yards on 695 carries (6.8 average) with 48 touchdowns. As a senior, Maysonet rushed for 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns. Born December 13, 1989, the 5-10, 210-pound Maysonet is a native of Riverhead New York, where he attended Riverhead High School.

Miguel Maysonet flashes his speed at Stony Brook's pro day

Originally published: March 22, 2013 8:55 PM
Updated: March 22, 2013 9:30 PM
By KIMBERLEY A. MARTIN kimberley.martin@newsday.com
Running back Miguel Maysonet of the Stony Brook

Photo credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke | Running back Miguel Maysonet of the Stony Brook football team looks on during the Stony Brook NFL Pro Day. (March 22, 2013)
Galleries
Running back Miguel Maysonet of the Stony Brook Stony Brook football pro day Stony Brook's Miguel Maysonet looks on from the Miguel Maysonet ANDREW QUARLESS High School: Holy Trinity (2006) NFL: Long Island in the pros: NFL edition
Web links
Stony Brook's Miguel Maysonet runs a 75-yard kick-off Miguel Maysonet's career numbers John Haggart scores his second touchdown of the Stony Brook recruits from Long Island

There were no nerves when Miguel Maysonet bent over and placed his hand on the turf.

He had waited almost a month to show off his speed. And now, in the presence of scouts from 25 NFL teams, the Stony Brook running back had his moment in the spotlight. And he didn't disappoint.

No longer slowed by a balky hamstring, he clocked unofficial times of 4.45, 4.49 and 4.56 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day Friday at Stony Brook.

There was a calmness and a swagger about him. He knew the stage was his -- and he owned it.

"Honestly, I wasn't really nervous,'' he said. "When I put my hand down on the start, I knew I was doing it for myself and my family. That's the only thing that was going through my mind: I have to do this for my family.''

The Stony Brook standout was invited to last month's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis but couldn't run the 40 because of a lingering hamstring injury. He impressed the scouts with his speed Friday (posting a 4.01 short shuttle time) and bench-pressed 225 pounds 21 times -- one more rep than he completed in Indy. He also had a 311/2-inch vertical jump and leaped 8-9 and 8-11 in his broad jump attempts.

"It was sad that I wasn't able to run [the 40] at the combine to show America that I'm a good football player,'' said the 5-8�, 212-pounder, who joked that he must have shrunk an inch since the combine. "But for the scouts to come out here and to see not just me but other Stony Brook players run, it was awesome.''

Sixteen players worked out, but the stage belonged to Maysonet. Only seven teams didn't attend his pro day: the Patriots, Rams, Bengals, Texans, Vikings, Cowboys and Redskins. But the Rams requested tape of his pro day and Maysonet already has a private workout with the Patriots scheduled for Wednesday. He also will have a private workout at the Giants' facility next month and plans to visit with the Jets, too.

"He had a sick year and brought all these scouts,'' former Stony Brook running back Brock Jackolski said of his old teammate, who rushed for 5,110 yards during his college career (including one year at Hofstra) and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award after the 2012 season.

"He's the spotlight, obviously,'' added the 5-9, 202-pound Jackolski, who ran an unofficial 4.47 in the 40. "He brought the scouts here. Even if it was all for him, I guarantee you one or two other guys had some shine, too.''

Stony Brook defensive lineman Jonathan Coats (6-2, 250) ran an unofficial 4.70 40 and safety Dominick Reyes ran an unofficial 4.59.

Maysonet also showed off his footwork and versatility in passing drills with RPI quarterback Mike Hermann. "That was always the questions that they asked me: 'Can you catch?' '' said Maysonet, who garnered high praise from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. "My tape doesn't really show that I can catch the ball, but I showed it out here.''

But Maysonet -- who's projected to be drafted in the fourth round or later -- isn't satisfied with being the first SBU player ever invited to the combine.

"I've gotta put Stony on the map,'' he said with a smile. "They've done so much for me, so for me to hear my name if I get drafted and see 'Miguel Maysonet from Stony Brook,' that'll be awesome. And a lot of people are going to go: 'Where the hell is Stony Brook?' ''

Browns will waive Eric Hagg

stabber27 — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:46:00 GMT

Browns waiving safety Eric Hagg

Posted by Mike Wilkening on May 21, 2013, 1:28 PM EDT
APThe Browns will waive safety Eric Hagg, Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com reported Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Hagg appeared in 12 games for Cleveland in 2012, starting three games at free safety and one at strong safety. A Nebraska product, Hagg was a seventh-round pick of Cleveland in 2011.
The reported departure of Hagg continues the Browns� reworking of their safety corps. Earlier in the offseason, the club released Usama Young, who started 10 games at free safety and one at strong safety in 2012.
With Hagg and Young gone, second-year pro Tashaun Gipson now becomes the most experienced option at free safety. T.J. Ward is the starter at strong safety.

Quote:

Welcome Kerry Rhodes, FA, Arizona Cardinals. Hagg will be picked up quick imho, he's only 23 and I guess Horton didn't think he was a 'fit' for his defense. Maybe so, but I liked this kid when he was picked and he was a team leader at Nebraska and highly respected.

OK City

Diehard — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:00:22 GMT

Just devastating.
Thoughts and prayers to all the people effected by the tornado.

Just posted yesterday on Gomes

Stoney Greywolf — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:23:56 GMT

Yesterday I posted that it was time to get Gomes in the line up,
as Catcher -1B - O/F and or DH and why.But again, Yans needs to be in the line up, his bat will be special.

Something special is happening, and even the tribe writers are now
using that phrase as well --

Outstanding

Justin Masterson named AL Player of the Week

Cavs — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:10:20 GMT

#Indians Justin Masterson wins AL Player of the Week after going 2-0 w/a 0.00 ERA in 2 starts (16.0IP, 7H, 0R, 5BB, 20K) #TribeTown #mlb
— Katie Witham (@Katie_Witham) May 20, 2013

Well deserved.

Indians sweep 4-game series against Seattle

Cavs — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:03:45 GMT

Bullpen pitched like complete trash, but the offense came in for the save and the clutch magic continues thanks to Yan Gomes' 3-run blast to win the game, and complete the sweep.

Let's keep it going against Detroit..

Ranking AFC NORTH Positions

stabber27 — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:29:31 GMT

Reviewing AFC North position rankings

May, 17, 2013

2:30
PM ET

By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

For the past two weeks, the AFC North blog has ranked the positions in the division. Some positions were easy (running back was straightforward) and others were not (wide receiver and secondary were the toughest for me).

To review all of the positions, I asked ESPN's Matt Williamson to provide his rankings, which we can compare to mine. Surprisingly, they were very similar. We only disagreed on the top rankings at two positions: wide receiver and tight end.

Matt Williamson's AFC North
Position Rankings

POS	BAL	CIN	CLE	PIT
QB	2	3	4	1
RB	1	3	2	4
WR	4	1	3	2
TE	2	1	4	3
OL	2	3	1	4
DL	2	1	3	4
LB	3	4	2	1
S	2	4	3	1
CB	1	4	2	3

At wide receiver, I had the Steelers at No. 1 followed by the Bengals and Williamson had them reversed, with Cincinnati as the best group. I can understand putting the Bengals first because they have the division's top receiver in A.J. Green. There's no one close. My decision was based on Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders being a better tandem than Green and Mohamed Sanu.

It was the same situation at tight end, where I had the Ravens at the top and the Bengals second. Williamson put the Bengals at No. 1 and the Ravens right behind them. I believe the Bengals have a chance to have the best tight ends, especially if Tyler Eifert surpasses the expectations for a rookie. But I went with Baltimore right now because Dennis Pitta could have the most catches by any tight end in the division (especially if Heath Miller is sidelined for a period of time) and Ed Dickson played his best football last season after Jim Caldwell took over as offensive coordinator.

Williamson said the offensive line was the toughest position to rank on offense.

"I actually think Pittsburgh's front five will be noticeably improved from a year ago, but the other three teams in the division could feature top-10 type offensive lines," Williamson said. "In the end, I went with Cleveland slightly over the Bengals and Ravens, even though I have some minor concerns about the Browns' guards."

My thought process with the offensive line was similar. The Browns' weak spot is their guards, but the rest of the line (tackles Joe Thomas and Mitchell Schwartz along with center Alex Mack) is so good that Cleveland deserves to be No. 1.

On defense, Williamson called ranking the cornerbacks "a tough chore."

"By putting Baltimore and Cleveland at the top in this group, I went with star power over depth, as I am a huge fan of Joe Haden and Lardarius Webb, who might just be the Ravens' best defensive player as he returns from injury," Williamson said. "The Bengals have a lot of capable bodies at corner and Leon Hall is a well-above-average starter, while Pittsburgh also features a very solid cornerback in Ike Taylor and some intriguing young talent."

In case you missed any of my rankings, simply click on the position to see how the AFC North teams stack up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, secondary and special teams.

Quote:

When we begin to see in the QB rankings, that the Browns are rated 1 or 2; then that's when we will have arrived at becoming a winning team and more. jmho

Time for Gomes as DH

Stoney Greywolf — Sun, 19 May 2013 22:25:44 GMT

No slam on Giambi, but his swing isn't as crisp as it should be , or used to be,
and at .188 it is starting to show, and at 42, it is understandable, nuff said.

However, Gomes at .271 serves as a back up catcher, and doing well, but
it is time to utilize Yan as DH in place of Giambi, to add more offensive pop
to this already potent offense -- IMO.

No complaints, as complaints go, merely an observation and suggestion
Bottom line is to have more consistency at DH instead of Jason.

I also like Aviles as a DH when not playing infield, same reasons. Aviles hitting .292
with extra bas hits, faster.

Giambi is a good Clubhouse guy and MENTOR now, keeping everyone at a even keel,
valuable in that sense, but its getting close to hang them up as a player.

Commentary -- I like Giambi, and it is difficult to post (( Giambi thoughts ))

Marquee Pitching Matchup today

brooks1957 — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:33:34 GMT

Sunday, May 19th - beautiful weather, two aces going at it

Justin Masterson (6-2 3.14 ERA) vs. Felix Hernandez (5-2 1.52 ERA)

Hope there's a big crowd an the Tribe doesn't disappoint.

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/mlb...mode=probables

This never gets old...........

brooks1957 — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:04:09 GMT

Browns beating the Steelers.