Wiggins GETS UP! Now it is Up to Lottery team on Where he Lands

Andrew Wiggins is just one of many +NBA draft hopefuls who has elected to skip the league's 2014 predraft combine in Chicago this week, depriving NBA decision-makers of the opportunity to conduct interviews with and physical examinations of multiple top prospects. But while the Toronto-born Wiggins — who led the Kansas Jayhawks in per-game scoring and steals and finished third in rebounding en route to a second-team All-American selection in his lone season in Lawrence — isn't working out in the Windy City, he appears to be doing a fine job of showcasing his measurables all the same, according to this shot of Wiggins demonstrating his vertical, as shared by the folks at Santa Barbara, Calif.-based sports science collective P3, who have worked in the past with a slew of NBA players, including All-Stars Deron Williams, Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko and Brook Lopez.

Remember, if you would, that Wiggins, one and done with +Kansas Jayhawks, measured at 6-foot-8 in shoes at the 2013 Nike Hoop Summit. That's an awful lot of air underneath 6-foot-8.

How much air, exactly, we don't know for sure. For the purposes of comparison, though, here's a split-screen of Wiggins' leap alongside one made by +Utah Jazz forward and 2012 Slam Dunk Contest champion Jeremy Evans, who set the P3 vertical record with a 43-1/2-inch jump:

Rare air: Jeremy Evans' @P3sportscience record 43.5" vertical vs. Andrew Wiggins' high-soaring jump (no height given) pic.twitter.com/J8DB27WKzQ
— Jody Genessy (@DJJazzyJody) May 15, 2014

The difference in angle and perspective makes it tough to tell, but other indicators (like both guys' heels getting above the black paint) makes it seem like Wiggins could be in Evans' comfortably-above-40 ballpark. That is a hard ballpark to get into, even if you have tickets.

Whether Wiggins' estimable physical talents — which also include a wingspan last measured at 7 feet, excellent second-jump ability that could make him a useful helper on the offensive glass, quick feet that could help him become a plus perimeter defender at the next level, and plenty of other great stuff from this DraftExpress.com scouting video breakdown — translate into NBA stardom remains to be seen, of course. No matter how gifted he is, he will still face hurdles and obstacles, as all rookies do.

But as he and whichever team winds up drafting him high in the lottery go about the business of turning potential into reality, it's awful nice to have access to the sort of raw material that allows you to, y'know, jump clean over at least some of those hurdles and obstacles. For whatever ingredients Wiggins doesn't yet have, he does have that, and it could very well elevate him — see what I did there? — to the very top of June's 2014 NBA draft.

Front-office personnel will reportedly be able to watch Wiggins show off his springs in person next week, when he will participate in "a group workout overseen by his agency, BDA Sports, in Los Angeles on May 23," according to Sean Deveney of +Sporting News.

@DJJazzyJody on Twitter @P3PSportsScience

Saints, Sean Payton, shows why sports is life, reality tv, why we love it, and why aren't these type of stories repeated multiple times a day, for weeks?!

Devon Walker, paralyzed safety, signs with Saints

By Kevin Patra +NFL

Around the League writer

The +New Orleans Saints signed another safety, but this wasn't just any safety.

The team announced Saturday it signed former Tulane University defensive back Devon Walker.

Walker suffered a career-ending spinal injury when he collided with a teammate in September 2012, his senior season. The injury left him paralyzed from the neck down.

"When Devon got hurt, his football career was just starting to take off after three years of hard work," Saints coach Sean Payton said, per the team's official website. "Despite the devastating injury he suffered, Devon refuses to let that define him. He is an outstanding young man, who is not only an inspiration to his coaches and teammates at Tulane, but to all of us. Devon's character, determination, intelligence and work ethic are everything that we look for in a New Orleans Saint when we sign a player. This is the least we can do to recognize Devon and these attributes that we want all of our players to have."

#Saints sign former Tulane safety Devon Walker pic.twitter.com/0vquq8SvLm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 17, 2014

The 23-year-old Walker participated in graduation ceremonies for the New Orleans-based university prior to signing with the Saints on Saturday.

According to The Times-Picayune, Walker thought he was just going to eat oysters after graduation with his family. Instead they took him to the Saints rookie minicamp where the team surprised him with a contract.

Report: Chargers Malcom Floyd expected to play in 2014

+Sports Illustrated 

+NFL  +Chargers 

BY JOHN SODARO

Before his neck injury last season, Floyd had 6 catches for 149 yards. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Malcom Floyd, who suffered a neck injury that threatened his career, is expected to be cleared to play in 2014, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The veteran receiver was faced with a tough decision after he was told by doctors that he would be at a greater risk of a spinal injury if he continued playing, but Floyd decided to push forward despite the uncertainty.

Last week, he met with Dr. Robert Watkins and according to team and league sources, Floyd will be cleared to play this season.

Floyd was injured going up for a pass last season in Philadelphia. He was hit by two Eagles defenders taking the main blow from linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Floyd was taken off the field on a stretcher after the play. Ryans was later fined $21,000 for striking a defenseless player in the head and neck area with his shoulder.

For several months, Floyd has been making small steps in his recovery from the spinal disk issues.

Malcom Floyd on Monday:

“The doc said … I’m at risk just like anybody else,” Floyd said Monday. “There’s not really a worry. … I’m feeling good. I think I feel like my old self. I’m really excited to make plays again,” Floyd said. “Hopefully, I can do more this year than I ever have.”

SI Wire: Josh Gordon expected to practice with Browns while awaiting suspension

This will be Floyd’s 11th season in the NFL.

Infographic: NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Fast Facts

Posted by Shake and Bake Crew

Amaze your friends & impress your neighbors with these #SprintAllStar fast facts: http://t.co/Lsyv85hswB #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/cdF03blLVh
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 17, 2014

Indianapolis Colts DE, Robert Mathis is Suspended 4 Games by the NFL, will miss opener vs Broncos

Colts' Robert Mathis suspended four games for PEDs

By Gregg Rosenthal
+NFL Around The League Editor

+BRONCOS CR3W Original (USATSI)

The Indianapolis Colts defense has taken a big hit with training camp still months away.

The +NFL and the +Indianapolis Colts announced Friday that outside linebacker Robert Mathis was suspended four games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

"We recognize the extreme seriousness of this matter and will honor the confidentiality requirements of the League's program. We nevertheless wish to assure Robert and our fans that he remains an honored and cherished member of the Colts family and that we support him as he deals with this difficult challenge," the team said in a statement.

Mathis will be eligible to return to the team's active roster on Monday, September 29 after the team's Week 4 game against +Tennessee. Mathis will miss the season opener against the +Denver Broncos, a rematch against his old teammate Peyton Manning. (Mathis delivered the game-changing sack of Manning in last year's upset against Denver.) Mathis will also miss games against the +Philadelphia Eagles and +Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Colts' defense had plenty of questions even before this news. They have struggled to find a secondary pass rusher behind Mathis, and gave up 87 points in two playoff games last year.

Colts pass rusher Robert Mathis suspended 4 games: http://t.co/RGCEhjOA86 pic.twitter.com/JLtjubtEsq
— NFL (@nfl) May 16, 2014

+SPORTS CR3W 

Panthers Rookie Minicamp Underway

+Carolina Panthers +NFL 

Tony Parker has strained hamstring, could miss Game 1

Patty Mills has chance to shine after Tony Parker suffers hamstring injury

+The Associated Press

Spurs claimed an unassailable 4-1 lead over Portland in their playoff to reach the Western Conference final courtesy of a 104-82 rout in game five.

DESTINY is calling for Patty Mills

Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts as his team defeats the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals. Source: AFP

The Australian +NBA star could find himself in the high-pressure position of +San Antonio Spurs’ starting point guard after superstar Patty Mills was struck down with a grade one hamstring strain.

Mills showed he is up to the task by racking up 18 points and three steals against his former team, the +Portland Trail Blazers, on Thursday after Parker left the court in the second quarter.

RELATED | Spurs ease back into Western Conference Finals, finish Blazers off in Game 5

Mills’ efforts were instrumental in propelling San Antonio to a series-clinching 104-82 victory over Portland, ensuring their progression to the Western Conference finals where they will play the +Oklahoma City Thunder.

Mills has impressed the Spurs with his performances off the bench this season. He was also a significant factor in San Antonio’s 11-3 record in the 14 games Parker missed during the season.

“Patty Mills has been a significant part of our success all year long,” Spurs coach Greg Popovich told +The Oregonian on Thursday. “Tonight was really no different than what he has done for us all year long. He has been magnificent.”

Mills said his game had evolved in the three seasons since he departed Portland for San Antonio.

“Definitely — I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better since then,” Mills said. “I’ve kind of been annoying in picking (Tony Parker and Tim Duncan’s) brain and trying to get better.

“Obviously, I didn’t play last year and much the year before here, but I’ve definitely felt myself getting better as a player just from sitting, learning, watching and seeing it go through on a daily basis. It’s an opportunity that you don’t want to go to waste. I’m here, I want to make the most of it and to learn from these guys any way possible.”

Patty Mills battles Thomas Robinson #41 of the Portland Trail Blazers for a loose ball in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals. Source: AFP

Parker is a day-to-day proposition ahead of the Spurs’ NBA Western Conference finals.

The Spurs made the announcement on Thursday, a day off after eliminating the Portland Trail Blazers in game five of the semi-finals. Parker missed the entire second half of the clincher. Just as the Spurs appeared to be finding their playoff legs and asserting themselves as the team to beat in the powerful Western Conference, Parker’s gave out. He felt his left hamstring tighten early in the second quarter, went to the locker room to get it examined and only played briefly before calling it a night.

“If we want to have a chance to make it to the finals, we need him healthy,” said guard Manu Ginobili.

Parker suffered a grade-two strain of his right hamstring in game three of the +NBA Finals last season against the Miami Heat. He didn’t miss a game because of it, but the discomfort definitely limited effectiveness. He was nine for 35 in the last two games, including three for 12 for 10 points in the Game-seven loss at the +Miami HEAT.

Tony Parker #9 of the San Antonio Spurs glares over at the bench in the second half of Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals. Source: AFP

But Parker told the +San Antonio Express-News that his latest injury wasn’t as serious as the one that bothered him last June. “It’s OK; not too bad,” Parker said. “Not as bad as the NBA Finals. NBA Finals was a grade two. This one is grade one. So should be fine for Monday.” The Spurs will host the opening game of the Western Conference finals on Monday if Oklahoma City defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in game six of their series on Thursday. If the series goes the full seven games, the next round will open on Wednesday in San Antonio.

This makes the Spurs’ five-game victory over the young Trail Blazers even more important. Parker will have at least four days off, perhaps as many as six, to rest and rehab his hamstring. “Luckily we have a couple of days,” Spurs forward Tim Duncan said after the game. “It worries us, obviously. But he’s been going hard. He’s had a great series thus far, and it just kind of caught up with him.”

The Western Conference finals are to start on Monday vs the Thunder.

Donald Sterling tells NBA he won't pay fine

Jeff Zillgitt, 

+USA TODAY Sports

(Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Banned +Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling won't pay the $2.5 million fine levied by the NBA, Sterling's attorney wrote in a letter to the +NBA, a person with first-hand knowledge of the letter told +USA TODAY Sports.

The person requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the letter, which was sent Thursday.

The attorney, Maxwell M. Blecher, also wrote that Sterling doesn't warrant "any punishment at all" for his racist comments that were recorded in a conversation with a female friend and made public.

SHAME: Sterling, not Magic, should be ashamed

LEVERAGE: Sterling's wife holding divorce papers

Blecher, a well-known antitrust attorney, also contends that the fine violates Sterling's due process rights.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on April 29 fined Sterling $2.5 million and issued him a lifetime ban. Silver also said he will urge other owners to force a sale of the Clippers and do everything in his power to ensure that.

If three-fourths of the other 29 owners agree to Silver's recommendation, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981.

After the ruling, players, fellow owners and civil rights leaders applauded Silver. Union representatives had discussed a boycott of playoff games had Silver not delivered such a strong ruling.

Sterling has already missed the deadline for paying fine, which earlier this week.

It is not a surprise Sterling's attorney threatened a legal battle. Sterling is well-known for litigious tactics, and the league had been expecting Sterling to fight.

LITIGIOUS: Sterling known as 'tyrannical' in court

VIDEO: Did Sterling on CNN do more damage?

The letter was in direct response to the fine and the lifetime ban. The NBA's advisory-finance committee was also notified of the letter.

Blecher is one of Sterling's longtime lawyers and represented Sterling when he moved the Clippers from San Diego to Los Angeles in 1984, and the NBA fined him $25 million. Sterling sued the league for $100 million and dropped it when the NBA reduced his fine to $6 million.

Rivers fined $25K for Justifiably Criticizing Officials by the NBA

+Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers has been fined $25,000 for publicly criticizing the officiating after a controversial call in his team's dramatic Game 5 loss to the +Oklahoma City Thunder.

According to a Clippers statement, the comments that earned Rivers the fine were made in the postgame press conference following the Clippers' 105-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on May 13, at Chesapeake Energy Arena. 

The Clippers believed the Thunder's Reggie Jackson had knocked the ball out of bounds with 11.3 seconds remaining, but officials ruled it Oklahoma City ball. After going to replay, the call stood, and the Thunder rallied to win the game.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers was livid, saying the Clippers were ''robbed,'' but +NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn said Wednesday in a statement that: ''In order to reverse the call made on the court, there has to be 'clear and conclusive' evidence. Since no replay provided such evidence, the play correctly stood as called with the Thunder retaining possession.''

Photo Courtesy +FOX Sports 

Newest Buffalo Bills visit Jim Kelly in hospital

Finding out you're Draft Class are wise beyond their years, at least off the field. Realy Good Stuff. Why isn't "DISNESPN" talking about this. This means more to +SPORTS CR3W and what we want hear and talk about compared to a lot of the run they put out, amongst others. Positivity is merited of half the stories.., just saying. They're out there, "journalists??"

Kami Mattioli @kmattio
Contribution from

Former +Clemson Tigers teammates Darius Robinson and Sammy Watkins were in Buffalo partaking in the post-draft whirlwind tour when they stopped to visit Jim Kelly, former +Buffalo Bills QB.

Kelly has been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy in a Buffalo-area hospital.

"Pray for Uncle Jim," Watkins, the fourth overall pick, wrote.

Richard Sherman Presser about Contract Extension, Seahawks CB, NFC West

The +Seattle Seahawks just shelled out a lot of money to safety Earl Thomas. And now they are giving even more to cornerback Richard Sherman.

The team is set to announce that Sherman has signed a four-year contract that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, which was first reported by +FOX Sports' Jay Glazer and then confirmed by — natch — Sherman himself, on Twitter and also on his own website.

Sherman posted the whopping financial details of the extension — four years for a total of $57.4M, with $40M guaranteed — on his official website, a move we almost never hear of in sports. We believe that this would be tacked onto his current 2014 deal and the $1.43 million he's owed this season, so essentially he's locked up through 2018 for nearly $60 million.

On his blog, Sherman wrote:

“I am blessed to announce that the Seattle Seahawks and I have reached an agreement on a contract extension. The goal has always been to stay in Seattle and continue to play for the Seahawks. With this chapter closed, I can continue to focus on what is important – defending our Super Bowl Championship and being the best cornerback in the NFL.”

The boisterous, outspoken and wildly talented Sherman is the tone setter and perhaps best player on the world champions' outstanding defense.

But being the highest-paid player in the +NFL was not his goal, Sherman said, per the Seattle Times.

“I don’t care for that,’’ Sherman said. “The only list I care about being at the top of is interceptions.

“It’s about respect,’’ he said. “Whatever the team feels I deserve, the respect they feel — that (money) is the respect from the team. That’s how they show it, at least in this game. In other aspects of life it may be different. You may show respect in different ways. But in this game that’s how they show it.’’

The Seahawks certainly showed it.

Vince Young Browns' Career Last just a week and a half, end shortly after Browns Draft, Manziel and co.

Cleveland Browns part ways with quarterback Vince Young after just 11 days

BY BRYAN ROSE

Vince Young hasn’t played a regular-season down since 2011. (Bill Frakes/SI)

While the vast majority of fans were rooting for the Cleveland Browns to draft a quarterback last week, one person hoping against that was backup Vince Young.

Of course, the Browns ended up selecting Johnny Manziel with the No. 26 pick, and just 11 days after signing a contract with Cleveland, Young was released on Monday morning, the announcement coming from team owner Jimmy Haslam during a speech at a Pro Football Hall of Fame luncheon.

Young was signed alongside fellow quarterback Tyler Thigpen on May 1 and had hoped to impress during training camp, but the fact that Cleveland decided to part ways with him before even getting him on the field may say plenty about Young’s future.

MORE: 2014 NFL draft grades: How’d your team do? | Best undrafted FAs | More NFL draft

Alongside Young, fellow quarterback Alex Tanney (known for his impressive “trick shot” passing), cornerback Brandon Hughes, defensive lineman Brian Sanford and running back Fuzzy Whittaker were also given their pink slip.

As for the former Texas star, Young is just days away from turning 31 years old and hasn’t played a regular-season down in the NFL since 2011. There still may be a team or two willing to take a roll of the dice come training camp, but Young’s future prospects continue to dwindle.

Magic's Agent, with much Validity, Strongly Opposes Sterlings Ignorant, Bitter Remarks by Sterling

+SPORTS CR3W is only briefly talk about a person that time shouldn't be wasted on in our opinion. To Donald Sterling of the +Los Angeles Clippers, if you're gonna go at a gentleman again, maybe know what the hell your're talking about. Magic has paid his penance. You're talking on something nearly 25 years ago?? If you were paying attention, the guy did more for the disease and the advancement of the treatment of it and taught others to not follow in his mistakes. Let alone, all the good will he does. Sad thing is that this guy has obviously had this slanted viewpoint for decades and he is finally being exposed. The leagues, franchise deserve to get rid of such sickness. Racism is a disease and the guy needs counseling/therapy as "Meta World Peace," poignantly said when this came out on his twitter account.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, said in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper that aired Monday that he didn't think Lakers great Magic Johnson is "a good example for the children of Los Angeles." (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times; Robyn Beck / Getty Images)

Agent: Magic Johnson the 'opposite' of what Donald Sterling said

MIKE BRESNAHAN

The longtime agent and friend of Magic Johnson responded quickly to defend Johnson after Donald Sterling's incendiary comments Monday on CNN.

Johnson is "the exact opposite" of the way Sterling portrayed him on "Anderson Cooper: 360," said Lon Rosen, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the +Los Angeles Dodgers.

Related story: Donald Sterling slams Magic Johnson, cites HIV status
Shelby Grad

"I've known Earvin since 1979 and his whole mission in life has been to create business opportunities in urban America and to be charitable," Rosen told The Times on Monday. "He has literally donated tens of millions of dollars of his own money to organizations and individuals forever and ever and ever.

"In 1986, he decided to create the United Negro College Fund summer basketball game. He did this while he was a player. He raised millions and millions of dollars. He did this on his own for years.

l

SPORTS NOW

Clippers' interim CEO thinks team will get new owners

"He has opened up movie theaters in urban markets across America. He had 124 Starbucks in urban cities across the country. His business model has revitalized urban America and he continues to do it."

Rosen relayed a story in which he went with Johnson in 1990 to visit a school in Mississippi that benefited from the +UNCF summer game.

"When he was there, he noticed there was a raffle to raise money because they wanted to rebuild a track. He asked how much it was and they said $150,000," Rosen said. "He pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check on the spot.

"And by the way, he's done this at so many of these events. And he doesn’t want press on it."

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, right, and V. Stiviano, left, watch the Clippers play the Sacramento Kings during an exhibition game earlier this season at Staples Center.Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

There are 150 students on college scholarships via Johnson's foundation, Rosen said. Johnson has also donated $5 million to the West Angeles church.

Sterling was banned for life by the +NBA two weeks ago for comments he made about blacks. In that audio recording, he derisively asked a female friend why she posted a photo of Johnson on Instagram.

Sterling was not apologetic Monday on +CNN.

"What has he done? Can you tell me? Big Magic Johnson, what has he done?" he asked Cooper. "He’s got AIDS. Did he do any business, did he help anybody in South L.A.?

“What kind of a guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then he catches HIV? Is that someone we want to respect and tell our kids about? I think he should be ashamed of himself. I think he should go into the background. But what does he do for the black people? He doesn’t do anything.”

Rosen clarified that Johnson is HIV-positive but does not have AIDS, and declined further comment.

Canadiens force Game 7 with 4 - 0 Win over Bruins

Canadiens force Game 7 with 4-0 win over Bruins
+The Associated Press

(Photo: Eric Bolte, USA TODAY Sports)

MONTREAL (AP) — Max Pacioretty had a goal and an assist in the second period and Carey Price made 26 saves and the Montreal Canadiens blanked the +Boston Bruins 4-0 on Monday night to force Game 7 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The series is tied 3-3 going into Game 7 on Wednesday night in Boston.

Pacioretty, who had only one assist in the first five games, scored and set up Thomas Vanek's goal in the second period. Lars Eller scored in the first for Montreal and Vanek added his second of the game into an empty net with 3:56 left.

BOX SCORE: Canadiens 4, Bruins 0

Rookie Nathan Beaulieu, the Canadiens' 2011 first-round draft pick who was given a surprise start by coach Michel Therrien, picked up an assist in his first +NHL playoff game and was plus-2.

The Canadiens repeated the scenario of their 2011 first-round series against the Bruins, winning at home to force a Game 7. That year, they lost Game 7 in overtime. The Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup.

Montreal got out to a strong start after a rousing pregame show and the teams played at a ferocious pace through the first two periods.

Despite having the best of the play in the opening 20 minutes, the Canadiens needed an unusual play for the only goal.

Kevan Miller lost the puck off his stick behind the Boston net and then inadvertently tripped goalie Tuukka Rask as he tried to smother it, leaving Eller free to score unassisted 2:11 into the game.

WATCH: How did this Bruins shot not go in?

The second period was marked by a remarkable 5:11 stretch without a whistle in which the Bruins bottled the Canadiens in their end for minutes at a time, only to see Milan Lucic miss their best scoring chance from the edge of the crease.

Soon after, Beaulieu flipped the puck up the center of the ice and saw it go off Loui Eriksson to Pacioretty, who won a race with Zdeno Chara and beat Rask between the pads at 15:24.

Pacioretty kept a puck alive with his feet amid a crowd in front of Rask during a power play and saw the puck slide to Vanek for a shot into an open side at 17:39.

RANGERS: Lundqvist fined for squirting Crosby

The Bruins came close at 11:05 of the third when a Chara shot went off Price and dropped behind him.

But with Jarome Iginla digging in the crease, David Desharnais was on his knees to stop the puck with his stick just as it had almost crossed the goal line. The no-goal call stood up to video review.

Notes: Beaulieu replaced Douglas Murray on Montreal's third defense pair and Daniel Briere returned to the lineup for Travis Moen. ... Eller scored during Beaulieu's first career NHL playoff shift, making him plus-1 only 2:11 into the game. ... Boston made no changes. ... Shawn Thornton played his 100th career playoff game.

Johnny Manziel has the top-selling NFL jersey since April 1

Johnny Manziel was drafted on May 9, but still has the top-selling NFL jersey since April 1. http://t.co/x0L9i1LmqZ pic.twitter.com/tF4Jrj8CoC
— The Buzzer on FOX (@TheBuzzeronFOX) May 12, 2014

Jimmy Traina

+FOX Sports

Elsa / Getty Images North America

Just how popular is Johnny Manziel?

When it comes to jersey sales, no player in the NFL is more popular right now.

According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, Manziel has the top-selling jersey on the NFL's official website since April 1.

He was not drafted until May 8.

Even LeBron has one.

Miami #Heat star @KingJames got his #Browns #1 @JManziel2 jersey. Did you? pic.twitter.com/QMp5s2pKpl
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 9, 2014

In terms of NFL rookie jersey sales, St. Louis' Michael Sam is second behind Manziel, while Jadeveon Clowney ranks third.

Manziel tops rookie jersey sales

By The SportsXchange

Johnny Manziel's No. 2 +Cleveland Browns jersey is the top-selling jersey on +NFLShop.com since April 1, +ESPN reported Monday.

The NFL will not say how many Manziel jerseys were sold, but did say that its official website store sold nearly as many Manziel jerseys during last weekend's draft as it sold Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, and Tim Tebow jerseys during their drafts combined.

There was a line outside the Cleveland Browns' team shop at FirstEnergy Stadium when Manziel jerseys went on sale at 11 a.m. Friday.

+Miami HEAT star LeBron James wore a Manziel jersey on Friday during his team's flight to New York. James' business partner, Maverick Carter, works with Manziel.

+Nike, which endorses Manziel and is the NFL's official uniform supplier, is selling Manziel jerseys in every version and size. The company also made special Manziel Browns shirts that read "Johnny Football" and "Manziel or Nothing" and a women's shirt that reads "My Manziel."

The second-most popular rookie jersey this year is +St. Louis Rams  defensive end Michael Sam, the first openly gay player ever drafted. Sam's jersey was not even available until 9 p.m. ET Saturday when he was selected in the seventh and final round.

"We think this is a sign of what we've been saying all along, that Michael's inclusion in the NFL is bringing fans into the game who weren't previously consumers of the NFL game," said Sam's agent, Cameron Weiss.

+Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, +Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and +Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles rounded out the top five rookie jerseys sold. Clowney was the No. 1 overall pick, Bridgewater was the last pick of the first round and Bortles was the first quarterback chosen and third pick overall.

NFL draft Day 2 steals and reaches: Marqise Lee, Kony Ealy, Tre Mason and more

BY DOUG FARRAR

UCLA’s Xavier Su’a-Filo is ready for the challenges of the NFL. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

It’s never possible, and always impractical, to grade drafts just as they happen. All we can do is try to estimate what prospects might do in their new NFL homes based on their own attributes and the new schemes they’ll be learning. And in the second day of the draft, where the second and third rounds take place, teams will snap up those prospects who drop for whatever reason, and occasionally reach up to take those players they value enough to overpay — with the alternative being the notion that another team will take them.

So, with that in mind, here are the players we believe were the biggest steals — and reaches — of the second day of the 2014 draft.

Steals

Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, Houston Texans (Second round, 33rd overall pick): Based on his tape, Su’a-Filo probably should have gone somewhere in the 20s in the first round, but the Texans were more than happy to take him with the first pick of the second round. Unquestionably the best guard in this class, Su’a-Filo can also play tackle, and he’s as much a technician as he is a mauler.

Marqise Lee, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (Second round, 39th overall pick): Lee was derided by some analysts for his 2013 season, when he struggled through injuries, drops, and lapses in concentration. But he has an underrated way of getting up to full speed very quickly in seam and vertical routes, and he is a dynamic after-the-catch receiver when healthy. He could be Blake Bortles’ primary target very, very soon.

BURKE: McCarron, Murray, Carey all strong options entering Day 3

Kony Ealy, DE, Carolina Panthers (Second round, 60th overall pick): I wasn’t as in love with Ealy’s tape as were the people who graded him as a can’t miss first-round prospect, but to see him drop to the 60th overall pick was a bit unusual. In the right scheme, Ealy could be a better-than-average pass rusher, and he has the pure strength to stop the run as a strong-side end. In addition, he can slip inside in passing downs, and his versatility makes this pick have outstanding value.

Morgan Moses, OT, Washington Redskins (Third round, 66th overall pick): Moses has had conditioning issues, and he hasn’t always played to his potential. But when he’s on the ball, Moses has the potential to be a dynamic run blocker, and a developing pass protector as well.

AL.com - Photo Courtesy

Tre Mason, RB, St. Louis Rams (Third round, 75th overall pick): Yes, the running back is devalued in the NFL these days, but to get the man who broke a bunch of Bo Jackson’s records at Auburn with the 75th overall pick could add up to highway robbery when all is said and done. Mason has a skill set that reminds me of Ray Rice at his peak, which fits the Rams’ running back rotation very well. Tre Mason Surprised by slide in Draft, but very happy to be running behind +Auburn Football OT, Robinson with +St. Louis Rams 

Louis Nix III, DT, Houston Texans (Third round, 83rd overall pick): Nix suffered by far the biggest drop between potential and draft value in the second day — many had him ranked as a first-round prospect, but reported issues with conditioning and motivation led to his relative plummet. No matter — in Romeo Crennel’s defense, and with the right kind of coaching, Nix can still be a huge factor in the middle of Houston’s defense.

Reaches

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, New Orleans Saints (Second round, 58th overall pick):Some believe that Jean-Baptiste will soon become a second-round talent based on his potential, which doesn’t always show up on tape — at least, not yet. He still struggles with angles in coverage, he’s susceptible to double moves, and you’d like to see a guy with his size (6-3, 218) play a bit more physically.

Justin Britt, OT, Seattle Seahawks (Second round, 64th overall pick): Though Britt is versatile enough to play every position along the line, his tape as a pure left tackle is worrisome at times — he gets beaten around the edge, and pushed back frequently. These things could be dealt with in a professional strength program and a move to right tackle or guard, which will likely happen. But a lot of people had a third-day grade on Britt, and the Seahawks will have to prove otherwise.

Christian Kirksey, LB, Cleveland Browns (Third round, 71st overall pick): Kirksey is a slightly undersized ‘backer (6-2, 233 pounds) who showed great improvement in 2013 when diagnosing the run and taking the proper angles. Cleveland may soon get its optimal value with this pick, but the general grade given is at least a round lower.

Chris Watt, OG, San Diego Chargers (Third round, 89th overall pick): While it’s tough to rate a guy at the bottom of the third round as a reach, Watt raises concerns due to his relative lack of athleticism and strength, and his primary value as a phone-booth player. Watt is a high-effort guy, which means that he’ll extract the maximum potential out of his talent, but we may be dealing with a low ceiling here.
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RELATED: PAC-12.com - Sutton, Sankey, Lee among Pac-12 Gridiron players selected in 2014 NFL Draft Rounds 2 & 3 

Bruins Ice Girls the most liked thing about the team after the Game 1 Behavior at home - Thank you ladies!

Kansas Speedway, a first for the 24 and Danica in NASCAR Careers

Flash Gordon: Hendrick driver wins first race of season at Kansas

Jay Pennell

+FOX Sports

Todd Warshaw / NASCAR

Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, won his first race of the season on Saturday night at Kansas Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon entered Saturday night's +5-hour ENERGY® 400 at +Kansas Speedway as the Sprint Cup points leader, but was missing a notch in the all-important win column.

That all changed Saturday night as he and his Alan Gustafson-led team played their cards right to score his first win of the season.

"How's that feel boys? To have that weight just lifted off of our shoulders?" Gordon radioed crew chief Gustafson and the rest of his team after the race.

.@JeffGordonWeb wins first race of season at @kansasspeedway. @jaywpennell has more» http://t.co/bZSWnzucc5 #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/UaQ3RuLo5E
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 11, 2014

Gordon's win certainly wasn't a lock as the winner as the race came to its end, as he had to hold off a last-lap charge from Kevin Harvick, who had the dominant car on the night.

Leading only nine laps in the race, Gordon got the advantage over Harvick on the final round of green flag pit stops. The four-time champion brought his car to pit road with 30 laps to go, while Harvick came in one lap later. The No. 24 crew got their driver back on track with a 13.4-second stop, compared to Harvick's 13.7-second stop.

As the rest of the field peeled off for their final stops, Gordon and Harvick battled for what would be the lead. When Brad Keselowski came to pit road with eight laps to go, Gordon retook the lead and focused on holding off Harvick.

While he initially pulled away from the No. 4 Chevy, Harvick made a huge charge on the final lap to pull within 0.112 seconds at the flag. The run wasn't enough, though, as Gordon scored his first win of the season.

"I knew we had a fast race car. We've been bringing fast race cars every single weekend. It's just giving me confidence in the race cars and the race team," Gordon said. "Kevin was tough. He was so strong. I did not know if I could hold him off, and I almost didn't there at the end."

While Gordon entered the night as the points leader, the all-important win went a long way to ensuring a Chase berth for the No. 24 team.

"What a huge weight lifted off this team's shoulders," he said. "We've been leading the points, but we needed to get to victory lane, and they proved they were capable of doing it. Great, great job by then."

Leading 121 of the 267 laps, Harvick's hard-fought day ended with a disappointing second-place finish.

"In the end I ran out of gas coming to pit road. I was paying attention to that and didn't get enough RPM down pit road," Harvick said. "Then I didn't get out of my box very well. He wound up getting by me there as we came out of our pit stop."

With under 24 to go, @JimmieJohnson leads at @kansasspeedway! #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/x7L5uYFnAy
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 11, 2014

Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10. Saturday night's race saw 29 lead changes among 10 different drivers, and was slowed by cautions eight times for a total of 47 laps.

Next week, the series heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint All-Star Race.

+Danica Patrick finishes career best at +5-hour ENERGY® 400 at +Kansas Speedway - Link Here~

.@DanicaPatrick has career-best night at @kansasspeedway. @jaywpennell has more» http://t.co/AYfVl88NZa #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/AqPbL1xFun
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 11, 2014

Buffalo Bills insight into the rare talent, former Clemson WR, Sammy Watkins

+Buffalo Bills +Clemson Tigers WR Sammy Watkins +Atlantic Coast Conference +NFL AFC East

5 things you need to know about Sammy Watkins

Bills GM, Whaley,"I Will not be Afraid"

Anna Stolzenburg

+Buffalo Bills Correspondent

Bills on Facebook 

Bills on Twitter

Everything you need to know about the Bills newest WR Sammy Watkins. 

1) He was the 2014 +Orange Bowl MVP.

In his final game at Clemson before declaring his intentions for the +NFL Draft after his junior year, he led Clemson to victory with 16 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the Orange Bowl MVP nod.

2) He’s a record-books kind of guy.

Watkins burst onto the scene as a freshman All-American in 2011 after 82 catches for 1,219 yards and 12 touchdowns, and didn’t slow down. In just 29 starts for Clemson, Watkins became one of only two players in school history with over 5,000 all-purpose yards (5,129) and with 3,000 yards receiving (3,391). He’s the school’s all-time leader in receptions (240) and yards (3,391), is tied for the lead in touchdown catches (27) and is also the only player in school history to catch a pass for a touchdown, carry the ball for a touchdown, return a kick for a touchdown and throw a pass for a touchdown. In total, he set 23 records in his three seasons.

3) He’s as “low maintenance” as C.J., and they’re friends.

“When C.J. Spiller left, I didn’t know if I’d have another one like him, and then Sammy Watkins came along,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney told CBS Charlotte. “Obviously, the talent is off the charts but a lot of guys have great talent. It’s the work ethic, the commitment, the humility, the knowledge, the instincts, the toughness. It’s all of those combined that make him a great player. Very low maintenance guy to coach every day. He’s been blue collar since the day he got here.”

Watkins credits Spiller with putting Clemson on the map as a football destination for Florida recruits often drawn to the more local +Florida State Seminoles. Spiller and Watkins are friends from their Clemson days (with no bad blood despite the fact that Watkins broke Spiller’s +Clemson Tigers freshman all-purpose yards record), and are pictured here earlier this year at an NBA game.

4) He grew up a Bills fan.

Watkins told the South Carolina media the Bills were his favorite NFL team growing up. We’re a fan of you too, Sammy. 

5) He plays bigger than his size.

Watkins ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the Combine, moves well with and without the ball, and is quick in and out of his breaks. Though only 6-1 and 211 pounds, he plays bigger on the field, and big plays largely summarized his college career.

“For me I think I can do just about anything on the field from running back to wide receiver, slot. I can make plays all over the field,” said Watkins. “What I love doing is dominating defenses and I think that’s what I bring to the game. I think that’s going to turn over to the NFL. When I come into the NFL I think I can be that dominant receiver.”

Yu Darvish loses a "no-no" with 1 out remaining to Big Papi, Rangers drop Red Sox 8 - 0

So close again: Rangers' Darvish loses no-hit bid with out to go

Anthony Andro

+FOX Sports Southwest


ARLINGTON, Texas – Boston's David Ortiz took the official scorer off the hook Friday night in what would have been one of the most debated no-hitters in big league history.

His ninth inning single with two outs off Texas ace Yu Darvish ended Darvish's bid for a no-hitter and made a controversial seventh-inning error by Texas outfielder Alex Rios a non-factor in Darvish's no-hit bid. It didn't take away from a brilliant performance by Darvish in an 8-0 blanking of the Boston Red Sox.
The hit by Ortiz to right field in the teeth of the Texas shift marked the second-consecutive year Darvish has lost a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning.

It was fitting that it was Ortiz who ended the no-no bid as he was part of the controversy in the seventh inning. It was his two-out blooper to right that fell in between Rios and second baseman Rougned Odor, without either of the players touching the ball.

It took official scorer Steve Weller a couple of minutes to make the error call. While that was happening Darvish walked Mike Napoli before getting Grady Sizemore to fly out to right to keep the no-hit bid intact.

Darvish, who struck out 12 before being lifted after allowing the Ortiz single, took some of the blame for the error because he fell behind 3-1 to Ortiz. He had no problem with the final result.

"This is my second time I experienced this but if I keep pitching like this someday I'll get it," Darvish said. "I'll keep doing what I'm doing and I'll probably have the world record of almost a no-hitter. I don't think it was the best game that I threw but it was against Boston and I think I pitched well against them."

Darvish was perfect through six innings and that carried over to start the seventh as he got a fly ball from Dustin Pedroia and a grounder from Shane Victorino.

That's when Ortiz looked like a lazy fly ball that no one caught. Rios took full responsibility for the play.

"We had the shift on and I thought that he (Odor) was a little closer to the ball than I was,
said Rios. "At the end, it's my responsibility to call him off and it's a shame that I couldn't help him achieve a great pitching performance tonight. I should have taken control of that ball. It can be called an error, yeah. We were camped under the ball, so it can be called an error."

Odor said he couldn't hear Rios because of the crowd noise at Globe Life Park.

Texas manager Ron Washington thought the play should have been made too.

"My take on it is it should have been caught," said Washington, who declined to say who he thought should have caught the ball.

Weller cited Rule 10:12a1 in the rule book for his decision on the error call. He believed Rios called off Odor on the play. He checked with the Elias Sports Bureau who agreed with his decision.

"Again, this is a judgment call," Weller told a pool reporter. "In my judgment, when the ball goes up in the air, I felt like the second baseman or the right fielder under normal effort could've clearly caught the ball. I don't think there's a lot of argument about that. Under the rule, 10.12a1, it clearly states that a fly ball that lands — that's allowed to hit the ground, that in the judgment of the official scorer under normal effort could be caught — you're to award an error on the play."

Ortiz said he had no problem with the play being ruled an error but after he broke up the no-hitter with a clean hit, he believes the call in the seventh should be changed too. 

"Ok, I know I hit a ball that was supposed to be caught," Ortiz said. "You know guy throwing a no-hitter, we all understand, but it comes down to the rules of the game… that's a hit. That's the rule that we all know and that's rule that the game have for more than 100 years. "

Darvish worked around an eighth-inning leadoff walk to keep the no-hitter going, finishing the inning with his 12th and final strikeout.

He was replaced by Alex Ogando after the single and Ogando completed the major-league high eighth shutout for the +Texas Rangers. That's not up for debate regardless of how the seventh inning played out.

Darvish was philosophical about the night because he felt like he had given up a hit to Ortiz in the seventh.

"It was a 3-1 count and I had to throw a fastball in that situation," Darvish said. "As soon as he hit it I thought it was going to be a hit. Obviously I was a little bit disappointed but I was already ready to give up a hit so it didn't matter."

SO CLOSE! AGAIN! Yu Darvish loses a no-no with one out to go. The @Rangers defeat the #RedSox 8-0. http://t.co/vt0GSG7x4Z
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) May 10, 2014

+Texas Rangers +Boston Red Sox +MLB +David Ortiz