Second-round action continues Thursday at the French Open Tennis Tournament. Below are some of the most intriguing matches of Day 5, along with the television schedule

Men's Draw

Here are some of the highlights on the men's side for Thursday. Andy Murray (No. 4) faces Jarkko Nieminen. John Isner of the USA (No. 10) faces Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 5) faces Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, Rafael Nadal (No. 2) meets Denis Istomin and David Ferrer (No. 6) plays Benoit Paire of France.

Women's Draw

Here are some of the big names playing Thursday in women's second-round action. Caroline Wozniacki (No. 9) meets Jarmila Gajdosova, Maria Sharapova (No. 2) plays Ayumi Morita and Christina McHale and Lauren Davis, both of the USA and both unseeded, will play,

TV/Streaming Information

Thursday's action will be live on ESPN2 from 5 a.m. ET until 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. action will be carried on Tennis Channel. You can find a live stream beginning at 5 a.m. from ESPN3 or WatchESPN.

Q: How has Mathias Kiwanuka settled into the outside linebacker position?

A: It was good to see him show off, though, because he’s gained more knowledge and experience at the linebacker position, and his pass coverage has gotten better in the third session. He’s improved each session, but it got better in the third session. As he told me last week, he said "I’ve seen it a year now. I’m getting more comfortable. I’m going through an OTA now. I’m going to be better." That’s true – he’ll be better.

Q: You have mentioned before that this is a numbers game, a competition. Do you sense in Kiwanuka’s mind that he feels he should try to fit in at another position? When did that stop being an issue for you guys?

A: When you have a player like Kiwi, that’s always going to be something we play with because, obviously, we think he can play the linebacker position. Obviously, we think he can add some depth to the defensive end position, too, depending on what happens. He’s kind of like a hybrid. We’ve turned him into a hybrid player for us. I love what he’s doing at backer right now. Some practices we may play him at defensive end, too. It’s always going to be back and forth for him. It probably will never be ‘this is what he truly is.’

Q: In your mind, it doesn’t stunt his development at linebacker?

A: No doubt about it because that makes us more flexible.

Q: Do you think Adrian Tracy is a hybrid player or more of a defensive end?

A: We felt that he’s more of a defensive end. After looking at him for the past year or so, we feel that’s his strength and we can make some progress with him playing defensive end for us.

Q: Does he need to get his weight up?

A: He’s really strong at the point of attack. If you talk to Robert Nunn, and if you watch him on tape and that type thing, you’d be surprised at how Tracy is strong at the point of attack – much stronger than he physically looks. But I think he’ll do well there.

Q: You tried Greg Jones at outside linebacker. Is that something you’ll keep moving forward with or do you still have him as a middle linebacker?

A: We’re going to try him on the outside. We like the young kid that we have, Jake [Muasau], playing middle backer. We’ll probably split the time with Greg a little bit there. If we try to expand Greg more, we think we can get a little more out of him in what he can do, so it’s a little bit of an experiment with us now. We’ll play him on the outside, and then probably later on in camp move him on the inside.

Q: What have you seen from Keith Rivers so far? Mentally, is he up to speed?

A: He’s still a work in progress from a mental standpoint. He made two good plays out there today in pass coverage. He had two alignment busts today, and we said something to him. The first time it didn’t click, and we said something to him again and it clicked after the second time. It’s still a work in progress but he is an athletic guy. He can move, he can flip his hip. I want to push it quicker. He’s playing the Will linebacker for us. At some point in time, he’ll play some Mike linebacker for us as we continue in our OTAs. It’s how much can he digest and how much he can execute for us at this point in time. Coach Herrmann is doing a nice job at bringing him along, but at some point in time, we’re going to move him around a little bit more.

Q: He has such pedigree. Do you see that in him? Once he figures that out, do you think you got a steal in a player?

A: No doubt. There’s no doubt about it. I want to push it faster than what he’s able to do. And I have to think about that a little bit because you’d like for him to walk away from the OTAs and mandatory minicamp feeling really good about: ‘OK, I got this down. When I go into training camp, I’m ready to perform at this position.’ However, I want him to have a little flexibility, saying: ‘I’ve learned this and I have to put it all together when I get to training camp.’ I have to think about how to approach that and how to do that so I don’t shatter his confidence.

Q: How do you envision using your linebackers?

A: I think it’s important to see where guys fit with other guys… if we can play different combinations. That’s kind of what we would like to do. That gives us an array of coverages, of pressures, of defenses that we would like to run. We’ll try some different combinations that we will experiment with during the OTAs and play with some of our guys and see how they’ve progressed. Mark Herzlich had a great play out there today; he had a clinic play out there today. He’s done some nice things. When you see that, you want to expand him a little bit more. You want him to grow some more.

We’re in the formative teaching stages right now – seeing who works well with who right now. We’re experimenting a little bit because with the addition of Rivers, obviously, we’ve gotten more athletic and we think we’re a little better at linebacker now. I can probably answer the question better at the end of mandatory minicamp than I can right now.

Q: How about Clint Sintim? Where does he fit?

A: We really can’t say because he’s being handled by the doctors on what he can do and what he can’t do. Mentally, he’s in the meetings… I was in the linebacker meeting today and we were talking about different defenses and reactions, so he was mentally in tune with what we’re doing. Physically, he’s being handled by our training staff, so I can’t really say where he’s going to fit right now because I have to wait.

Q: What prompted the team to sign Jake Muasau, who is from a small college [Georgia State]?

A: Obviously, our scouting staff did a really nice job and had him down and we brought him in during rookie minicamp. When I walked in the equipment room and the first time I saw him, I thought he was Kawika Mitchell, and I got excited. ‘Kawika’s back.’ And then he turned around and said ‘I’m so excited to be here.’ Then I said, ‘It’s not Kawika.’ He comes to the meeting room, he’s prepared. Coach Herrm has done a nice job of getting him focused on what to do. We saw something in him at rookie minicamp and said ‘Hey, let’s give this guy a shot’ because he was really professional at how he went about his work and business. We think if we give him the opportunity to get enough reps at the position he’s playing right now, we might find something. Obviously, preseason games will tell, but we like what we saw in rookie minicamp and we like what we’ve seen in these three OTAs.

Q: Where does he fit? He has never played inside linebacker?

A: He looks like a natural Mike, even though he’s not played it, than some of the guys we have. Coach Herrm has really done a nice job with him. Mentally, he has a visual picture of what we want and how we like to fit. I’ll be very interested in how he performs when we get to training camp and when we get to preseason because he’s just doing what we ask him to do. Sometimes that’s just the best thing: just go out and play.

How are Will Hill and Janzen Jackson performing?

A: I’m very impressed with Will Hill. He’s 30 minutes early for the meetings. When I go into the meeting room, he’s always in there studying. He’s a very athletic young man. This is his second chance, so to speak. He is being the ultimate pro by the way he is preparing for his opportunity. Will made a play last Thursday, phenomenal, in our OTA practice. Absolutely phenomenal. If he can continue at this pace, and if he continues to learn and grow, he’s another guy when we get to the preseason games I hope that we’re talking good things about him because he is preparing to make this football team.

We’ve had to move Janzen because of injuries to the corner position, so we start his learning curve. He looks like he can play out there and he’ll be comfortable out there, but we have to get him more practice sessions and get him back in the groove of being a corner. We had him at safety initially.

Five players from New York colleges are among the top 30 2012 NBA Draft prospects on the Big Board released Wednesday by ESPN college basketball expert Doug Gottlieb [ESPN Insider only]. Dion Waiters (No. 10) of Syracuse, Moe Harkless (No. 17) of St. John's, Fab Melo (No. 21) of Syracuse, Andrew Nicholson (No. 22) of St. Bonaventure and Scott Machado (No. 25) of Iona are on Gottlieb's list.

Below is what Gottlieb had to say about each player.

Dion Waiters (No. 10) -- With no position per se, Waiters should have the same role in the pros as in college, where he came in and changed the tempo. He is a dynamic Dwyane Wade-type of driver who will be a streaky shooter from NBA range, but he can get to the rim and is ideal for playing the role of an off-the-bench dynamo.

Moe Harkless (No. 17) -- I'm not totally sold on taking Kidd-Gilchrist ahead of Harkless, as Harkless has the scoring skill and perimeter ability that MKG lacks. Harkless does need to continue to improve his range, but as a 3 he has size, can rebound and definitely can score.

Fab Melo (No. 21) -- Melo made a magical improvement jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and he continues to improve his body. Melo is huge, he can shoot from 15, he can catch and is a basket protector.

Andrew Nicholson (No. 22) -- Nicholson is super bright, skilled as a shooter and passer. He has tremendous feet and gigantic hands, but he is not really a great athlete in transition and his game has some small forward to it. Nicholson is a good shot-blocker who probably is best with a winning team where he can just fit in.

Scott Machado (No. 25) -- Machado is an athletic point guard who can really create in transition or off of penetration. He changes the tempo of the game quite quickly and is a better shooter and athlete than Kendall Marshall, a better shooter than Tony Wroten and far more consistent a ball handler than Marquis Teague.

Deron Williams wants to know where Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports gets his information. Williams took to Twitter today to call out the Yahoo! basketball reporter.

I would love to know who Adrian Wojnarowski source is bc he knows more about what I'm thinking then I do

Hakeem – missing the spring – giving other guys an opportunity to get some playing time, get to learn the offense. And hopefully prepare us better for the start of the season.

Q: Is there a little concern……..?

A: No, I don’t think so. We will have time. Hakeem has always been a fast healer. So hopefully he gets healed up quickly and can get back for training camp – for a good bit of that where we can get our timing down. He is a guy who knows the offense. He knows what he is doing. It won’t take long for us to get back on the same page.

Q: Have you seen anything from Ramses Barden to make you think that he could be a factor?

A: I hope so. Ramses is a smart guy. He knows the offense. He knows what to do. Last year I think he was coming off the injury. He never really got exactly where he wanted to be. He looks like he is running well; coming out of his breaks well. So hopefully he can step up and play a role for us this year.

Q: How is Hixon looking?

A: Domenik is looking good. He is running well. He is running by people. He knows the offense. He is a smart player. It is good to have those guys. He can move around to different spots. You depend on him to do the right thing.

Q: After winning two, how do you regroup everybody psychologically and say, "Okay, we can do this again"?

A: I think the focus is really just on getting better; working on getting better – improving our game. That has been my focus coming into the offseason – just continue to work hard in the weight room; do those things when we are on the practice field. Look at your mechanics; look at different things that you can improve on from last year. And that is really the focus of the team, "How can we improve; how can we get better." …… put exactly on our …. , "We have to repeat." That comes from a lot of things happening. And things going your way and playing well. But I think the focus is just worry about, as a team, improving and finding ways to play better football than we did last year.

Q: You and Hakeem have connected on 183 balls in the last two years – more than any other of your wide receivers. What is it about him that is so special with the connection between the two of you?

A: Hakeem is a smart guy. He works hard. He comes in understanding each week what technique he is going to have to do to get open. He is a playmaker. He has strong hands, he catches the ball well. And so obviously having him in the lineup, he draws some attention – he gets some double coverage. That opens up things for other people – and Victor Cruz. And I think with Victor and Hakeem out there, a lot of times they will kind of draw the double coverage. And that is why you need that third receiver, that tight end who is going to be singled up to get open and have a great matchup for them.

Q: Did you get to talk to him? Tom said he talked to him on Sunday. Have you talked to him yet?

A: I talked to him Thursday a little bit. And he just said, "Hey, I’m a fast healer. I’ll be back quickly."

Q: It seems every year there is a question with the receiving corps for three or four years now. Does it get tiresome for a lack of anything else … just run the same four or five guys out there every year?

A: It is just part of the NFL. You are going to have different guys in and out. And it is hard to continue to keep guys. We have had success. he receivers have done well. They work hard. Coaches do a good job of coaching them up and getting them doing the right things. So I think it keeps guys competing and working hard. And we do have a number of guys who have been in this offense for multiple years who do have a good feel. You are always going to have some new guys in that you are trying to train and try to get them caught up to speed. And hopefully they can continue to learn and get better and help out in some way.

Q: But it is a bigger blow because Mario left as well. So now there are two spots …….

A: Right. Obviously right now during the OTA’s we have Victor, but we have Domenik Hixon who has been here. He started for us and played in games. We have Ramses Barden who has started in games for us. So we have guys who understand the system to be able to go out there and be sharp and do things well with the first team. And then we have young guys and you are trying to train them and get them caught up. It is good that they can watch some of these veterans and how to run routes, how to get open and what you need to do.

Q: You will have to rely a little more on the young receivers.

A: Sure. They get a lot of reps, anyway. Everybody gets a lot of reps at this time of year and in training camp. So that is all going to take place. And they will get just as much as they can handle.

Q: Have you heard from Hakeem?

A: I did talk to him. He sounded great. He was very optimistic. He rushed down to Charlotte to get the surgery taken care of as fast as he could. He did that. And that is a great example. This guy really, really wants to be on the field and out here. We certainly hope that the idea of him returning by camp can happen.

Q: Based on his experience. Do you think that Ramses Barden would be a guy that could fill in one of those roles while this guy is hurt?

A: It would be great if he did.

Q: What does he have to do?

A: Well, it has been a little bit of inconsistency. Some days are very, very good and others are not as good. He knows that and he is working hard on that. Hopefully it is going to all catch up with Ramses this spring and this fall.

Q: ….last year – being on the PUP list?

A: Well it never helps. It never helps. The pressure of preparing; the pressure of being on the field; of being evaluated every game. They are all good things, now.

Q: Do you think you need to bring in a veteran receiver? Or do you think you have what it takes right now?

A: We are going to study everything as we go along here. Right now our focus, of course, is on the group that is here. And we have a lot of talented guys that, "it’s time to go; it is time to get involved." Maybe there is perhaps another Victor Cruz.

Q: What have you been able to see from Hixon so far? It has been a couple of years since he has been out there.

A: Same ole’ Domenik. Makes plays; makes plays, makes plays. Very, very steady; very consistent. He never makes a mistake. He is always in the right place; lots of good things. It makes me very anxious to make sure that he gets through the spring and feels real good about himself. He is a tough guy, now. He doesn’t back down from anything. And, again, he is a great example.

Q: What is it about Eli Manning that has allowed him to adjust year in and year out despite different parts that he is presented with on the offense?

A: He is focused in his desire to be the best he can be. It never changes. He understands completely what the team concept is. And no matter where the necessary reinforcement is and the possessiveness that has to come from him as the leader, he is going to be there and do that. A year ago it was a young receiver corps. This year perhaps some of these young offensive linemen have to get going. They have to take up the slack. So he puts himself in a position where he is there – he is responsive to the circumstance that whatever our team’s needs are and he is going to do the best that he can to help regardless. So he has bought compete ownership of his team. He continues to get better himself and to help everybody around him get better.

Q: Does Hixon have everything back at this point?

A: I don’t know. I’m sure there is a gear or two that he has not turned on yet. But that is fine. I’m not anxious to have anything more than what he is doing right now.

Q: When we talked to Rueben Randle at rookie mini camp he kind of said, "I know that third receiver position is open, I can complete for that." Has his opportunity changed with the Nicks injury?

A: No. His opportunity remains the same. He can be a factor in everything that we do going forward. I think he is a talented young guy. Naturally he has some things to learn about intensity and studying and preparing. You can’t come out here and make an error. It is a little bit different in terms of the peer pressure. He is feeling it and sensing it. He has only had a few days out here on the field. But you can see – all you have to do, really, is watch him catch punts. So you know he is talented.

Q: Even watching an OTA like this, do you miss seeing Hakeem Nicks?

A: Oh sure. I want them all around me every second of every practice and every meeting. That is the whole idea of it. Quite frankly, it has not happened for us. But we want it that way. I think Hakeem has taken a good solid leadership role this spring with the young guys and practicing himself. There isn’t any question about what he wants. He wants to be a premier player in this league. And he just demonstrates that whenever the opportunity is there for him. So for us to put that group together so that we can work on the timing, etc., etc., certainly we are missing him.

Q: Can you talk about James Brewer and his development?

A: We need him to develop. We need him to come along. We need him to improve. He has got to, again, understand the work ethic that those guys with lunch buckets come to the office with every day. And he has a little bit of ways to go there but he has made progress. And I think, for him, there will be another little step right here. But come fall we are going to need him to be as intense as he can possibly be and to understand what has to happen at this level for us to succeed and for him to be a part of it.

The NFL Pro Bowl is such a horrid, non-interesting event that the league had considered suspending the annual affair. It is really just touch football in pads, anyway.

NFL players, though, want their annual vacation in Hawaii and the league announced today that they will get it. The 2013 Pro Bowl will be held in Hawaii on Sunday, Jan. 27 -- one week prior to the Super Bowl.

"The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii," said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. "We will support the players on this initiative to improve the Pro Bowl. We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season's game."

"The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition," said NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth. "We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field."

NFL players voted to the Pro Bowl will get their vacation to Hawaii in 2013. The NFL today announced that the 2013 Pro Bowl will be played in Honolulu on Sunday, Jan. 27, one week prior to Super Bowl XLVII. So much for that talk of suspending the game.

"The players have made it clear through the NFL Players Association that they would like the opportunity to continue to play the Pro Bowl in Hawaii," said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson. "We will support the players on this initiative to improve the Pro Bowl. We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognize that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards. We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season's game."

"The players believe that the Pro Bowl is an important tradition," said NFLPA President Domonique Foxworth. "We worked hard with the league to make sure the best players in the NFL are honored for their achievements on the field."

Osi Umenyiora and the New York Giants have been squabbling about Umenyiora's contract for years. Now, a pair of Umenyiora's long-time defensive teammates have taken his side, agreeing that the seven-year, $41.3-million contract the defensive end will finish this season makes him underpaid.

Mathias Kiwanuka just signed an extension this offseason that brings his contract to four years worth $21.75 million, with nearly $11 million guaranteed. Kiwanuka, a linebacker/defensive end, said Umenyiora has been "in a bad deal for years now."

At the time of Kiwanuka's deal Umenyiora expressed happiness for Kiwanuka but frustration for his own situation.

"Anybody who looks at the situation would say, 'Well, this should've been taken care of a long time ago.' For whatever reason it hasn't so I understand his frustration. I know that it wasn't a slight at me. I know he was just trying to get his point across."

Giants defensive captain Justin Tuck also took Umenyiora's side today.

"It's hard," Tuck said. "He's signed a contract and I believe in abiding by that contract, but also I think he's outplayed that contract in today's market. And how some of these defensive ends are getting paid lots of money, I think he deserves to get paid."

The Giants and Umenyiora have been disagreeing about Umenyiora's worth for years. Despite the lobbying of his teammates, it would seem a surprise right now if Umenyiora were to remain a Giant past the coming season -- when his contract expires.

Maybe it just isn't meant to be for former New York Knicks great Patrick Ewing. He wants desperately to be an NBA head coach, but it seems more and more as if the NBA does not feel the same way.

Ewing was a candidate for the vacant Charlotte Bobcats head coaching job, a team owned by Ewing's friend, Michael Jordan. After getting an interview, however, Ewing has been informed he is no longer a candidate for the job.

Ewing has been an NBA assistant coach for nine seasons.

Yahoo! Sports speculated that Ewing's friendship with Jordan may have actually worked against him in this case, as Jordan has apparently been accused of hiring too many cronies within the Bobcats organization.

Ewing interviewed for the Detroit Pistons job a year ago. Even as an assistant he will be searching for a new employer as the Orlando Magic have fired head coach Stan Van Gunday.

Here is New York Jets center Nick Mangold answering a hard-hitting question from the New York Times on whether Tim Tebow or Mark Sanchez has softer hands.

"That's a tough call. They both seem to moisturize pretty well and take good care of themselves. I think we'll really find out come the nitty and gritty of training camp when there is not a lot of time to really put in for personal hygiene and whatnot and see what they're doing."

That, without doubt, is critical info for a center.

Here are a couple of other notes from today's New York sports scene.

2012 Stanley Cup Finals, Devils Vs. Kings: Game 1 Set For Wednesday Night

2012 NBA Draft, Brooklyn Nets: NBA Draft Lottery Provides Sliver Of Hope

Belmont Stakes 2012: Pre-Race Protocols Established By New York State

Justin Tuck: Giants Should Pay Osi Umenyiora

Poll: Mike Woodson Right Choice For New York Knicks?

Even Little-Brother Teams Can Win Sometimes

Earlier Wednesday, PETA released a letter asking for 24-hour surveillance on Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another leading up to the June 9 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Well, whether it has anything to do with pressure from PETA or not, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for all horses entered in the race.

"Millions of race fans from around the world will be witnessing a historic spectacle at New York's beautiful Belmont Park on June 9, and the Racing and Wagering Board will ensure that the race is run in a safe and fair manner," Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. "The protocols put forth here will protect horses, riders and the betting public and underscore the symbolism of the world-class racing held in New York State."

The protocols will include all horses entered in the race being stalled in a secure area beginning June 6. A blood test will also be taken on all entrants that day.

PETA had asked for special attention for I'll Have Another due to trainer Dou O'Neill drug suspension by the California Racing Board.

Justin Tuck tried to walk the line between company man and football player/friend of Osi Umenyiora. In the end, though, Tuck appears to come down on the side of Umenyiora in New York's longest-running off-Broadway show -- Umenyiora's contract squabble with the New York Giants.

"It's hard," Tuck said on ROME, a show on the CBS Sports Network. "He's signed a contract and I believe in abiding by that contract, but also I think he's outplayed that contract in today's market. And how some of these defensive ends are getting paid lots of money, I think he deserves to get paid."

Umenyiora has, of course, complained for years that his seven-year, $41.3-million deal leaves him underpaid. He is now entering the final year of that deal.

It can't be a surprise that Tuck -- or any player -- would say Umenyiora deserves to get paid. Collecting $41.3 million over seven years is not shabby in any line of work, however. Definitely not shabby enough to merit the amount of complaining Umenyiora has done over the years.

Umenyiora currently remains the only player not attending Giants OTAs.

In the walk of Doug O’Neill, trainer for Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another, being suspended by the California Racng Board for allegedly giving a horse an illegal performance-enhancer, PETA has requested a 24-hour watch on I’ll Have Another leading up to the Belmont.

“Doug O’Neill’s shocking record of drug violations risks horses’ lives and damages the already tarnished image of thoroughbred racing,” says PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange. “Governor Cuomo can put substance behind his promises by telling racing officials not to allow I’ll Have Another out of their sight for a minute.”

PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) sent its request to New York’s governor because the state recently took control of the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

PETA wants I’ll Have Another housed in a ‘secure detention barn’ monitored by state racing officials, as well as blood testing, controls on medications given to the horse and also asks that food and water be supplied by an independent source.

If you have paid attention to the New York Giants defense the past two season under coordinator Perry Fewell, you understand how much the Giants have relied on their three-safety package. Well, Deon Grant, the third member of that group -- and most often the 'box' safety playing down near the line of scrimmage -- is gone.

Fewell isn't likely to abandon a philosophy that has worked for the defending Super Bowl champion Giants. And there is always the possibility that Terrell Thomas, one of the best-tackling cornerbacks in the NFL, could handle some of that responsibility with 2011 first-round pick Prince Amukamara handling duties on the outside.

Still, it appears right now that the Giants need a safety step up and replace Grant. Which makes Tyler Sash, entering his second season, today's 'player under pressure' as the Giants head into the 2012 season.

Sash, drafted in the sixth round (198th overall) a season ago would seem like the player with the first shot at Grant's role. Sash played just 41 snaps on defense a season ago with four tackles. His primary impact was on special teams, where he led the Giants with 15 tackles and was the personal protector on the punt team.

Can the former Iowa Hawkeye move from a special teams role into a regular role on the defense this season? Judging by all of the moves the organization has made in the offseason it seems like the Giants are not sure.

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Here is a look at the predictions of some of the experts when it comes to the outcome of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings. Game 1 is Wednesday night at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

New York Daily News ... Devils in 7

New York Times ... Kings

Sporting News ... Devils in 6

Barry Melrose, NHL.com ... Kings in 6

Assorted NHL.com Analysts

In Lou We Trust

The Kings are the betting favorite to win the series. You can see the odds from a variety of sports books at SB Nation's NHL Odds Page, sponsored by Odds Shark.

SB Nation New York has a host of previews and analysis for your in our Stanley Cup Finals StoryStream. You can find more entertaining reading on the SB Nation NHL Hub Page. For the Devils perspective, check In Lou We Trust. For the Kings perspective, visit Jewels From The Crown.

I'll Have Another will be bidding to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since 1978 in the Belmont Stakes on June 9 at Belmont Park. NBC Sports, which holds the broadcast rights for the event, will try to take full advantage. The network says that both NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine for "extensive additional coverage" beyond the 61/2 hours initially planned.

USA Today says that since 2000 Belmont Stakes broadcasts not involving a potential Triple Crown have drawn a 4 percent share of U.S. households, while races with a potential Triple Crown winner garnered a 10.1 percent share.

Post time for the Belmont Stakes is 6:30 p.m. ET. Live coverage on NBC is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Exact details of the additional coverage have not yet been released. We will pass them along when they are made available.

In the meantime, stay with our Belmont Stakes Storystream for all your Belmont Stakes news, odds and analysis. You can also visit anddownthestretchtheycome for more on the race.

The New Jersey Devils begin the hunt for the fourth Stanley Cup championship in franchise history Wednesday night when they host the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals (8 p.m. ET, NBC).

The Devils and Kings are unlikely participants in the Finals. New Jersey was the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while Los Angeles was the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Devils won series against the Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers to reach the Finals. The Kings defeated the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes to reach the Finals.

The TV schedule for the series is as follows (All times Eastern):

Game 1, Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils: Wednesday, May 30, 8 p.m. on NBC, CBC

Game 2, Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils: Saturday, June 2, 8 p.m. on NBC, CBC

Game 3, New Jersey Devils at Los Angeles Kings: Monday, June 4, 8. p.m. on NBCSN, CBC

Game 4, New Jersey Devils at Los Angeles Kings: Wednesday, June 6, 8 p.m. on NBCSN, CBC

Game 5, Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils (if necessary): Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m. on NBC, CBC

Game 6, New Jersey Devils at Los Angeles Kings (if necessary): Monday, June 11, 8 p.m. on NBC, CBC

Game 7, Los Angeles Kings at New Jersey Devils (if necessary): Wednesday, June 13, 8 p.m. on NBC, CBC

-- See In Lou We Trust for more about the Devils

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Devils and Kings Series Has Both Team and Individual Sub-Plots (via sbnation)

I'll Have Another is receiving some heavyweight help recently in preparing for his bid for horse racing's Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes June 9 at Belmont Park. Billy Hunter, trainer for 1977 Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, and Hall of Fame jockey Richard Migliore are sharing wisdom with I'll Have Another's team.

Belmont Stakes 2012: O'Neill consults with Billy Turner, Seattle Slew's trainer | Daily Racing Form
Doug O’Neill wasn’t so much interested in talking to the connections of the recent horses who attempted – and failed – to win the Triple Crown. Instead, O’Neill wanted to talk someone who actually accomplished the feat.

So on Tuesday morning, about two hours after watching I’ll Have Another gallop a strong mile at Belmont Park, O’Neill had a little sit-down with Billy Turner, the trainer of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

Sitting at a table outside Barn 9 for approximately 40 minutes, O’Neill picked Turner’s brain about his experiences some 35 years ago.

“He’s done what I’m hoping and dreaming of doing,” O’Neill said later in the day. “The one thing he said, which we’re already doing, was getting him here early and training over the track. He said, ‘That’s the biggest suggestion I would have given you had you asked me.’ He was such a class act, just very complimentary to the whole staff.”

'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez | BloodHorse.com

As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.

Early-round action in the 2012 French Open Tennis Tournament continues Wednesday. Day 4, featuring second-round action, finds several big-name players in action. Even if Serena Williams has already been bounced from the event.

Men's Draw

Here are some of the best men's matches of the day. Player seeds are in parenthesis. Roger Federer (No. 3) faces Adrian Ungur, Novak Djokovic (No. 1) faces Blaz Kavcic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 5) faces Cedrik-Marcel Stebe.

Women's Draw

Here are some of the best women's matches of the day. Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka faces Dinah Pfizenmaier, Venus Williams faces Agnieszka Radwanska (No. 3) and Samantha Stosur (No. 6) faces Irina Falconi of the USA.

See RolandGarros.com for a complete match schedule

Television Coverage

ESPN2 will have live coverage from 5 a.m. ET until 10 a.m. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. live second-round action will be carried on Tennis Channel.

-- You can follow all the action at SB Nation's Tennis Hub.

The New York Yankees claimed former New York Mets reliever Ryota Igarashi off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, and assigned the veteran right-hander to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Igarashi, 33, did not pitch well in his two seasons with the Mets. In 2010 he pitched to a 7.12 ERA in 34 games. In 45 games last season he had a 4.66 ERA. In two big-league appearances this season for the Blue Jays he had an ERA of 36.00, surrendering four runs in one inning of work.

Igarashi has a career ERA of 6.17 in 81 games.

The Yankees most likely are looking to replenish some depth in their minor-league system. Injuries to Mariano Rivera and David Robertson have forced New York to dip into its farm system for relief help, with veteran right-hander Cody Eppley being the most recent callup.

— See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees.

The New York Jets announced the signings of a pair of free-agent offensive tackles on Tuesday, adding both Stephen Hoyer and Ray Willis to the roster.

Hoyer, 6-foot-6, 330 pounds entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Redskins in 2007. He started in 33 games for the Redskins from 2007 to 2010. In 2011, Heyer was active for 12 games, including two starts, with the Oakland Raiders after signing as an unrestricted free agent in August.

Willis, 6-4, 304 pounds, was a member of the Seattle Seahawks from 2005-2010 after being drafted by Seattle in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Willis started 26 of the 49 games in which he played for the Seahawks. Willis spent the 2010 season on injured reserve. In 2011, Willis signed as a free agent with New Orleans and spent two weeks on the active roster before being waived in November.

New York Giants fans, who are crossing their fingers and hoping wide receiver Hakeem Nicks recovers quickly from his broken foot, should be interested in the progress of cornerback Prince Amukamara as well.

Amukamara suffered the same injury as Nicks did last season during training camp, and the broken bone did not heal as well as hoped. He underwent a procedure this offseason to promote further healing in the bone and ran on grass for the first time on Tuesday.

"It feels great,'' Amukamara said. "They just told me do some little stuff, run some sprints, do the figure eight to see if I felt any tenderness but I didn’t. Things are looking good right now.''

Amukamara did play in seven games at the end of last season, but the 2011 first-round pick did not play particularly well.

Giants' fans, familiar with foot injuries now with Amukamara and running back Ahmad Bradshaw, can only hope that Nicks heals quicker than Amukamara.

The architect of the New Jersey Devils, general manager Lou Lamoriello, said Tuesday during the media day festivities for the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Devils and Los Angeles Kings he realized halfway through the season that this New Jersey team could be special.

“You like to think every team you ever have has a chance. I don’t think we ever did until halfway through the year,” Lamoriello said. “Anytime we had any adversity, came out of it quickly, no looking back. It’s probably one of the best teams we’ve had as far as chemistry.”

Here are some of Lamoriello’s other thoughts on the eve of the Stanley Cup Finals.

On being underdogs to the Kings …

“I don’t think it matters. You want to come in any way. Don’t be choosy.
I don’t think it matters. We think we’re favored every night we go into a game. If we don’t think like that, we shouldn’t go into the game.”

On first-year coach Peter DeBoer …

“I knew he was a very hard coach on his players because he didn’t want to accept anything but the best out of them. That to me was a positive for me because he might have wanted success, maybe didn’t have the talent to get there. … He’s done a fantastic job.”

On goaltender Martin Brodeur …

“Marty is an unflappable person. He has a personality that never looks back. He loves the game. He plays it because he loves it. He works at it. He’s changed his game accordingly to the way the style is. He’s a student.”

As we try to do occasionally during the offseason, let's go Touring the Nation and see what some of the other fine football writers around the SB Nation network are writing about.

Worst-To-First: Which NFL Team Can Make The Jump In 2012? - SBNation.com
Eight teams finished in last in their division in 2011. Which teams can make the jump from worst-to-first next season?

Miami Dolphins' Hard Knocks to Debut August 7 - The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins announced today that they will be the team featured on the 2012 edition of NFL Films and HBO's Hard Knocks. The series, returning for it's seventh season, has a five-episode run, with the fastest turnaround from filming to air in reality TV. The first show will debut at 10pm EDT on August 7. Each hour long episode will then air eaech Tuesday night, with an encore showing on the following Wednesday at 11pm EDT. The final episode will air September 4, the day before the NFL season starts.

Brent Celek Feels "Fixed" - Bleeding Green Nation
One of the under the radar injury issues last season were those suffered by Brent Celek.

Dallas Cowboys Roster: Who'll Be This Year's Surprise Cut? - Blogging The Boys
Cowboys training camp may be more competitive than ever this year, resulting in some surprise cuts after training camp.

Reggie McKenzie drafts players in his own image - Silver And Black Pride
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie says he drafts players like himself.

More Revisionist Colts History From Bill Polian - Stampede Blue
Bill Polian continues to lie, make stuff up about the Colts.

PFT Founder Mike Florio's Character Assassination of Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin is Out of Line - Behind the Steel Curtain
PFT's assumption-based attack on Steelers coach Mike Tomlin after his William & Mary Hall of Fame induction speech shows again the agenda the league's controlled information outlet is following.

John Harbaugh Not Concerned About Ray Rice's Preparations - Baltimore Beat Down
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice remains unsigned in hopes of securing a long-term contract, but in the meantime, head coach John Harbaugh is not concerned about Rice's preparations.

Will The St. Louis Rams Consider Albert Haynesworth? - Turf Show Times
Will the St. Louis Rams consider Albert Haynesworth? They just might.

Lions Really Don't Want Nick Fairley, Titus Young Speaking To Media - Pride Of Detroit
The Lions had team security escort Nick Fairley and Titus Young off the practice field so they could avoid the media on Tuesday.

Forte's Use of Twitvid to Dispel Rumors Displays Thin Skin - Windy City Gridiron
Matt Forte took to Twitvid to try to dispel concerns about his knees. But was that the right idea?

On the basepaths New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner is rarely stopped, having stolen 49 bases a season. Trying to come back from an elbow injury that landed him on the disabled list less than two weeks into the season, Gardner has been stopped a number of times.

Each time he has begun to swing a bat recurring pain in the elbow has forced him to shut down. Now, the speedy outfielder is trying again.

The Yankees are hoping that Gardner will be back in their lineup in as little as 10 days. Maybe that will be the case, but this is Gardner’s second attempt at rehab, having had to shut down the first time.

The Yankees have missed Gardner’s speed on the basepaths and his outstanding defense in left field.

“I think he changes our lineup, the speed that he provides and his ability to create runs,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “He does give you a little bit different element than the rest of our team.”

Preliminary odds have been set for the 2012 Belmont Stakes, and the current betting odds show I'll Have Another as a heavy favorite to win horse racing's first Triple Crown since Affirmed did so in 1978.

Union Rags (5-1), Dullahan (11-2) and Paynter (9-1) appear to be the primary challengers according to the early odds.

Entries for the June 9 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park have not yet been finalized, and the odds will change between now and race day. Undoubtedly, though, I'll Have Another should remain a heavy betting favorite.

Continue reading this post »

The New York Rangers have to sit home and watch as the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings meet in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. After being ousted by the Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals the Rangers are planning for the 2012-2013 season.

Coach John Tortorella says his team still needs more weapons offensively. From WFAN:

"I think we have made improvements but I don’t think any organization in the league wants to sit still," coach John Tortorella said. "We have to continue to improve as an organization, not just skill but all throughout."

The Rangers have $49.1 million in player salaries earmarked for next season. With the salary cap expected to max out around $76 million and the organization’s usual willingness to spend, it would be no surprise if New York made a run at unrestricted free agent stars Zach Parise of New Jersey and Ryan Suter of Nashville.

"Sometimes when you think it’s a really good piece but he doesn’t exactly fit in all the little things you do, you can teach him those things if he really brings you something else," Tortorella said. "We have to work extremely hard to score goals. Along the way if there’s something that can help, you find a way to teach your concept (to a player and) allow some talent to let (him) work for you."

The Daily News also speculates that Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets could be a potential trade target.