SBNation.com User Blog: Pete Holby

• Complete coverage of the Players Championship

Giro d'Italia 2013 Stage 8: TV schedule, map, route and more

Pete Holby — Sat, 11 May 2013 03:38:51 -0000

Stage 8 of the 2013 Giro d'Italia takes place on Saturday, a 54.8-kilometer individual time trial from from Gabicce Mare to Saltara. Movistar's Benat Intxausti Elorriaga is currently in possession of the Maglia Rosa, but with 2012 Giro champion and strong time-trialist Ryder Hesjedal only eight seconds back, ending the day in pink might be out of reach. Plenty of other GC contenders will make their first move on Saturday, but none will find it easy. The final kilometer of the course includes a section of pavé and an uphill finish that hits a 13 percent grade.

As the stage profile shows, there's only one genuinely flat section, coming between a bumpy run and the uphill finish:

As the stage map demonstrates, cyclists may have to deal with some coastal winds without the peloton to shield them:

Television coverage for the stage comes from beIN Sport starting at 9:30 a.m. ET, with the start of the race at 6:20 a.m. ET. The channel is available on several American carriers, including Comcast, Dish Network, Verizon FiOS and DirecTV.

More from SB Nation:

• Longform: How Paul George evolved into a star

• Who will Mayweather fight next?

• Orb wins the Kentucky Derby | Video: Orb storms down the stretch

• Wheel Routes: Dan Snyder knows the value of a name

Joseph Randle injury: Cowboys rookie RB limited after thumb surgery

Pete Holby — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:06:19 -0000

Dallas Cowboys fifth-round selection Joseph Randle is missing out on much of the action at the team's offseason activities, reports Cowboys Corner. The team was aware the rookie running back would be unavailable when they drafted him. With his hand in a cast, Randle is absent from the on-field action, though team owner Jerry Jones stressed there was still a great deal Randle could do to mentally prepare for the upcoming season.

The Oklahoma State standout was expected to be drafted well before the fifth round, and the Cowboys are expecting him to serve as the primary backup to DeMarco Murray. Murray has a history of injury, missing six games in the 2012 season, meaning a role as his backup is likely to be a big one.

Randle played for three years at Oklahoma State, putting up 1,216 yards in his sophomore season and 1,417 yards as a junior. Oklahoma State blog Cowboys Ride for Free noted his big-play ability, something that Dallas could certainly use. The Cowboys finished second from the bottom of the league, averaging just 79.1 rushing yards per game in the 2012 season.

More from SB Nation:

• Wheel Routes: Dan Snyder knows the value of a name

Dwight Freeney rumors: DE to visit Lions, Titans, Broncos, others next week

Pete Holby — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:36:51 -0000

The Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos and others will be among the teams hosting Dwight Freeney in the coming week, reports Ian Rapoport. The veteran defensive end is one of the few remaining pass rushers on the free agent market, which may help him find the kind of deal he wants.

Substantial contract demands have kept Freeney from signing with anyone so far, but recent reports have indicated that he would accept something close to what Osi Umenyiora received from the Atlanta Falcons, a two-year, $8.5 million deal.

Freeney is 33 years old and has the wear of 11 years in the NFL. He had just five sacks in 2012, the second-lowest total of his career. Lions blog Pride of Detroit suggests that the timing may make him a good fit for the team, who have two rookie defensive ends in Ezekiel Ansah and Devin Taylor. Freeney may be approaching the end of his career, but it's been quite a run: He has 107.5 career sacks -- fifth on the active sack leaders list -- 298 career tackles and 44 forced fumbles.

More from SB Nation:

• Wheel Routes: Dan Snyder knows the value of a name

Kyle Williams injury: Bills DT had right Achilles surgery

Pete Holby — Sat, 11 May 2013 00:13:50 -0000

Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams had surgery on his right Achilles tendon, leaving him unable to participate in offseason activities, the team announced. The surgery was to repair a frayed tendon, not a torn one, and the timeline given by the team indicates that he would be ready well in time for the 2013 season.

The surgery took place in mid-February and has an estimated five-month recovery time. Williams had a similar procedure on his left foot in the 2012 offseason. His timely return would mean a great deal to the team. As Bills blog Buffalo Rumblings points out, Williams is essential to Buffalo's defensive line. "Kyle Williams is still the team's best player," they say, "by a considerable margin."

Williams had five sacks in 2012, third on the team behind Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus. He was named to the 2012 Pro Bowl roster and was awarded the 2012 Ed Block Courage Foundation Award, an award given to players who exemplify commitments to the principles of courage and sportsmanship.

More from SB Nation:

• Yankees austerity plan collapses under own weight

Dodgers' prospect Yasiel Puig arrested for speeding, reckless driving

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:19:08 -0000

Yasiel Puig, a 22-year-old minor-league prospect of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was arrested on Sunday and charged with speeding, reckless driving and driving without proof of insurance. Puig was arrested in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he plays for the Dodgers' AA affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts.

Puig was extremely impressive in spring training, with Dodgers manager Don Mattingly referring to him as possessing "a Bo Jackson-type package." Puig began the season with the Lookouts and continued to impress, batting .333 with a .385 on base percentage and a .625 slugging average, according to Baseball Reference. Most recently he landed on the disabled list with a sprained thumb.

Puig is a Cuban defector who signed a seven-year, $42-million contract in June of 2012. Some reports indicated that might be significantly overvaluing the prospect, but his early performance for Los Angeles hasn't done much to dampen expectations. The Dodgers seem to be aware that Puig might require attention to more than his on-field skills and they have provided him with an interpreter and mentor, reports the LA Times.

More from SB Nation:

• When Jackie got caught stealing

• The Blue Jays' waiver fetish

• The arch-nemeses for every AL team

• The Rotation: What start fooled you?

Eric Winston rumors: Dolphins should know soon whether deal is possible, per report

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:00:34 -0000

The Miami Dolphins are still in the market for free agent tackle Eric Winston, reports Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. The team has remained in contact with Winston and fans shouldn't have to wait long to learn what chance the team has of signing Winston.

Winston was released by the Chiefs in order to save salary cap space, and a point of contention in talks so far has been how much Winston is willing to accept in a short-term deal with the Dolphins. Winston's previous contract was a four-year, $22 million deal with Kansas City, but he was released after the first year.

Miami had a successful draft, but the 2013 class only included one offensive lineman, third-rounder Dallas Thomas. As Dolphins blog The Phinsider points out, Winston would fit well with the team, having experience zone blocking and having proved himself a durable, reliable player. Winston plays at right tackle, so moving current right tackle Jonathan Martin would be a possibility.

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

2013 NFL Draft buzz: Matt Barkley in Philadelphia, big changes in Dallas and more

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:00:31 -0000

The 2013 NFL Draft results are in, and with the first big flurry of football news since the end of the season, there's plenty for fans to talk about. Discussion of all the picks and the undrafted free agents is taking place around the SB Nation network, with some highlights presented below.

Matt Barkley's fall to Day 3 of the draft was one of the bigger stories over the weekend, and the fact that he was selected by the Chip Kelly-coached Philadelphia Eagles just made things even more puzzling. Many were expecting Kelly's offense to look like it did when he was the coach of the Oregon Ducks, but Barkley is a straight drop-back passer. Dan Kadar took a detailed look at how Kelly and Barkley might fit together.

The Miami Dolphins made the draft's first big move when they traded up to land Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan. Dolphins blog The Phinsider has a rundown of Miami's entire draft, evaluating everyone from Jordan down through Miami's 7th round pick, Arkansas safety Don Jones.

In contrast to Miami, the Dallas Cowboys traded down and started their draft with a player who won't attract nearly as much attention as a pass rusher. They took Wisconsin center Travis Frederick at No. 31 overall, a position many thought was high. Cowboys blog Blogging the Boys might have thought that, but with the second-round selection of tight end Gavin Escobar, they began to see a plan emerge, and by the end of the draft they saw big changes coming to the Dallas offense.

It might be a bit premature for draft grades, but that doesn't stop many from doing the best they can and many more from being interested anyway. SB Nation collected draft grades from around the league, so you can check out both how your team is viewed and how their rivals seem to stack up.

The draft isn't the last word in team development, of course, and every team participated in the flurry of undrafted free agent signings. SB Nation's free agent tracker is keeping an eye on those developments, and breakdowns for many individual teams are available at Mocking the Draft.

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

NFL undrafted free agents 2013: Raiders signings among best available players

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:12:35 -0000

The Oakland Raiders have moved on from the close of the 2013 NFL Draft and picked right up signing undrafted free agents, including two players who have been mentioned in the best available player discussion. Adrian Bushell, a cornerback out of Louisville, and Conner Vernon, a Duke wideout, are among the more notable names on Oakland's list of signings. Raiders blog Silver and Black Pride has a full rundown of Oakland's draft picks, and a list of the undrafted free agents is below.

Bushnell, ranked as the second-best available cornerback on Dan Kadar's list of best available players, had 46 tackles and thirteen passes broken up in his 2012 season at Louisville. That said, his chance to impress in Oakland may come on special teams. He returned 17 kicks in 2012, averaging 19.6 yards per return. Vernon, a wide receiver who made USA Today's list, is the all-time receptions leader in the ACC. He put together over 1000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns in his 2012 season.

A full list of undrafted free agents signed by the Raiders:

Adrian Bushell, CB, Louisville
Kentrell Harris, DE, Virginia Union
Lamar Mady, G, Youngstown State
Kyle Magnuson, OT, Wyoming
Dexter McColl, S, Tulsa
Sam McGuffie, RB, Rice
Kyle Padron, QB, Eastern Washington
Conner Vernon, WR, Duke
John Wetzel, OT, Boston College
Deunta Williams, DB, Cal
Tim Wright, WR, Rutgers

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

NFL undrafted free agents 2013: Browns add depth at safety

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 17:35:34 -0000

The Cleveland Browns fans may be focused on Barkevious Mingo and other signings from the 2013 NFL Draft, but their team has also signed plenty of undrafted free agents in hopes of adding depth to their roster or finding an overlooked talent.

The Browns went into the draft with significant needs at both cornerback and safety. The selection of Leon McFadden in the third round may give them someone to start opposite Joe Haden, but it still leaves questions at safety. A pair of undrafted free agents may be of some help there, with Ryan McWethy of Wisconsin-Platteville and Ricky Tunstall of Delaware both joining the team.

McWethy ran a 4.48 40-yard dash at his pro day, according to Madison.com, and posted 180 tackles and five interceptions in his career at the small Wisconsin-Platteville. Ricky Tunstall put up fewer tackles in his career at Delaware, 101 in his career, but had more success going after the ball, with nine interceptions.

Other players signed by Cleveland include a pair of offensive tackles as well as Jamaine Cook, a 1200-yard running back out of Youngstown State. The full list of undrafted free agents signed by Cleveland:

Aaron Adams, OT, Eastern Kentucky
Perez Ashford, WR, Northern Illinois
Josh Aubrey, CB, Stephen F. Austin
Braxston Cave, OL, Notre Dame
Jamaine Cook, RB, Youngstown State
Chris Faulk, OT, LSU
Caylin Hauptmann, G, Florida International
Garrett Hoskins, FB, Eastern Michigan
Dave Kruger, DT, Utah
Ryan McWethy, S, Wisconsin-Platteville
Mike Niam, LB, Wofford
Cordell Roberson, WR, Stephen F. Austin
Travis Tannahill, TE, Kansas State
Ricky Tunstall, S, Delaware
Martin Wallace, OT, Temple

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

2013 NFL undrafted free agents: Saints sign Chase Thomas, best available linebacker

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:52:37 -0000

The New Orleans wasted no time in adding undrafted free agents to their roster following the close of the 2013 NFL Draft, including Chase Thomas, an outside linebacker out of Stanford who has been mentioned as the best of the undrafted class. Thomas was No. 2 on Dan Kadar's list of best available players.

The Saints were named as a potential good fit when Stanford blog Rule of Tree took a look at Thomas' draft prospects. With Rob Ryan bringing in a 3-4 defense, Thomas has a good shot at working his way into a role with the team. He's hardly the fastest linebacker, running a 4.91 40-yard dash at the combine, but he has a reputation for finding his way to the ball and being strong against crossing receivers. Rule of Tree wasn't the only place predicting he would hear his name called somewhere between the third and fifth rounds, so New Orleans may have gotten a great value.

The Saints added plenty of other talent, any one of whom could impress and work their way onto the regular roster. Saints blog Canal Street Chronicles is excited about quarterback Ryan Griffin in particular. The complete list of Saints undrafted free agent signings:

Shawne Alston, RB, West Virginia
Ryan Griffin, QB, Tulane
Josh Hill, TE, Idaho State
Ryan Lacy, CB, Utah
Tim Lelito, G, Grand Valley State
Eric Martin, DE, Nebraska
Elliott Mealer, OL, Michigan
Keavon Milton, TE, Louisiana-Monroe
Kevin Reddick, MLB, North Carolina
Ray Shipman, LB, Central Florida
Rod Sweeting, CB, Georgia Tech
Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

2013 undrafted free agent signings: Steelers add depth on offensive line

Pete Holby — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:23:18 -0000

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up their fair share of undrafted free agents following the end of the 2013 NFL Draft, adding to their roster in hopes of discovering a hidden gems on both offense and defense. Behind the Steel Curtain has a full rundown of the complete Steelers draft class, and a list of the undrafted free agents is below.

On offense, Pittsburgh picked up a number of players in an attempt to find some depth for the offensive line. They signed a pair of tackles, Nik Embernate and Mike Farrell, as well as a pair of centers in Joe Madsen and Ivory Wade. Madsen was a four-year starter and has good lateral movement, according to his draft profile, but he'll need to add strength to his 6'3, 310-pound frame in order to compete in the NFL.

The Steelers also added Anthony Rashad White, a defensive tackle out of Michigan State whose name was mentioned when notable NFL Combine snubs were being discussed. Spartans blog The Only Colors notes that White's strength comes against the run game, and also features White in their top five moments from 2012.

A complete list of undrafted free agents currently signed by the Steelers:

Brian Arnfelt, DE, Northwestern
Alan Baxter, LB, Northern Illinois
Reggie Dunn, WR, Utah
Nik Embernate, OT, San Diego State
Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State
Mike Golic Jr., OL, Notre Dame
Cordian Hagans, DE, Louisiana-Lafayette
Chris Hubbard, G, UAB
Omar Hunter, DT, Florida
Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii
Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia
Curtis McNeal, RB, Southern Cal
Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State
Ivory Wade, C, Baylor
J.D. Woods, WR, West Virginia

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft grades: Who are the winners and losers?

• Jaguars draft Denard Robinson -- as a running back

• Matt Barkley, Michael Vick will compete for job in Philly

• 2013 NFL draft results: Every pick from every round

2013 NFL Draft results: Bjoern Werner selected by Colts with 24th overall pick

Pete Holby — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:08:28 -0000

With the No. 24 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. Werner was the top-ranked defensive end in the draft rankings from SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn and the 11th-ranked player in Dan Kadar's overall rankings.

The Colts made the playoffs in 2012, but they finished the season with the No. 26 ranked defense. In order to address the problem, the Colts used their first-round selection on Werner, who should boost the team's front line. The Colts are switching to a 3-4 defense in 2013 and will need new players to help fill out the depth chart. Werner should fit nicely at defensive end. Werner should be able to step in and start for the Colts right away and make an impact on the defensive line.

Werner had an impressive 2012, finishing the year with 42 tackles, 18 for a loss, 13 sacks and eight passes broken up. He finishes his college career with 23.5 sacks, the second-highest three-year total in FSU history.

Combine results

Height: 6-3
Weight: 266 lbs.
Hand size: 9.6 inches
40-yard dash: 4.83 seconds
Vertical jump: 31.0 inches

Werner's athletic background has more soccer in it than football, something that can scare off NFL teams, but the speed he displays for a man his size than other prospects with similar experience. His combine performance was a slight disappointment, but his long list of accolades (Sporting News All-American first team, AFCA FBS Coaches' All-American first team, AP All-American first team, CBSSports.com All-American first team, Pro Football Weekly All-American first team, among others) likely helped sell teams on his skills.

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft results: All the first-round picks

• Rules for the NFL draft drinking game

• Spencer Hall: Scouting the draft scouts

• Top 9 NFL draft storylines

• The worst NFL draft picks of the century

• What does your team need? Breaking down every team

NFL Draft results 2013: Ezekiel Ansah selected by Lions with 5th overall pick

Pete Holby — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:29:18 -0000

With the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah. Ansah was the second-ranked defensive end in the draft rankings from SB Nation's Matthew Fairburn and the 14th-ranked player in Dan Kadar's overall rankings.

The Lions needed an outside pass-rusher, and Ansah, who rose quickly across draft boards over Senior Bowl and NFL Combine workouts, will hope to make a Detroit defensive line all the more dangerous on the edge.

Combine results

Height: 6'5
Weight: 271 lbs.
Hand size: 10.25 inches
40-yard dash: 4.63 seconds
Vertical jump: 34.5 inches

Ansah boasts an impressive 2012 stat line: 62 tackles, 13 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, nine passes broken up, one forced fumble and one interception. He's versatile, having lined up on the outside rush, at defensive end, as well as at tackle. On top of all that, he has few equals for size and athleticism in this draft. His gas tank has drawn some questions, but he has massive potential at the NFL level.

More from SB Nation:

• NFL draft results: First-round picks and analysis

• The NFL draft's best available players

• The Drafty Hour: First-round reactions

• Rules for the NFL draft drinking game

• What does your team need? Breaking down every team

Louisville vs. Wichita State: 2013 Final Four Cinderella run ends for Shockers

Pete Holby — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:34:17 -0000

Wichita State had a 12-point lead over Louisville with just over 13 minutes to play, but the ninth-seeded Shockers couldn't hold off the No. 1 seed Cardinals in the final minutes. Louisville mounted a comeback that ended with a slim victory for the favorites. Just like that, as Mid-Major Madness put it, "the magic ran out."

SB Nation's home for mid-major news and commentary has followed Wichita State all the way through the tournament, and they have a detailed post up looking at how close the Shockers came to the championship game.

[Wichita State] neutralized the game of Gorgui Dieng, annoying him into foul trouble, and sending him to the bench. The player who was so crucial for the Cardinals all season was not able to score a point.

Dieng did have foul trouble, but he was still on the floor for 30 minutes. That makes the Shockers holding him to no points, down from an average of nearly 10 during the regular season, all the more impressive.

As with any close game, there are particular moments one can point to where everything seemed to slip away, and for Wichita State it came all the way down to the wire:

Were it not for Ron Baker losing his balance as he corralled Luke Hancock's missed free throw with just eight seconds left, and walking into Hancock's arms for a jump ball, this could have kept going just a little longer.

The Shockers would have needed a 3-pointer -- something that is not their forte -- to tie this again. But given the way things have gone in this Tournament to this point, it was not beyond belief that there was some magic, probably in Baker's hands.

Check out the full post for more.

More in College Basketball:

• 10 things you should know about the Final Four

• Rick Pitino's elusive title

• Final Four 2013: 5 thoughts on Saturday's national semifinals

• Jabari Parker and Chicago's new basketball lineage

• Living and playing basketball with cancer

• Andrew Wiggins is the anti-LeBron

Rob Gronkowski injury: Patriots TE has arm infection, per report

Pete Holby — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:42:11 -0000

Rob Gronkowski's return to football may have to wait until after the start of the season. An infection has developed from his second surgery on his broken left forearm, reports the Boston Herald, and without a little luck, he could be looking at delays that last into September:

Doctors treating Gronkowski will have to go back into the arm again to remove the plate and install a new one, but if they find more infected tissue, they would be unable to install the plate at that time. That would require another surgical procedure after the tissue around the injury is clear of infection and, sources confirmed, that would not give Gronkowski the required 10 weeks healing time to be ready for the season opener in September.

Recent comments from Gronkowski were more positive, saying he was rehabbing and waiting to get back to work, but few athletes have been known for embracing a slow return to the field. Given the persistent nature of the injury, the team may opt for whatever course of action results in the most stable, long-term success.

With the changes in New England's receiving corps, a familiar face like Gronkowski could be a big deal for Tom Brady on opening day. Free agency has led to big changes for New England, and Patriots blog Pats Pulpit has a good look at what that might mean for the team. They also have a take on some of the less serious offseason Gronkowski concerns.

More from SB Nation:

• 4 gay NFL players could come out on same day

• NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper predicts Geno Smith to the Eagles

• 3 reasons to draft Geno Smith

• Which QB does Cam Newton most closely resemble?

• Scouting the 'Jokers' in 2013 NFL draft

• The next step for Mankind: Mick Foley's evolution

How to follow STP Gas Booster 500 online, TV schedule, radio and more

Pete Holby — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:22:48 -0000

It's race day in Martinsville for the STP Gas Booster 500, and information on how fans can catch the action on television, the radio, or online are all provided below. The forecast is showing warm and sunny, making it a perfect day for racing.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the leader in the Sprint Cup points standings, but more eyes might be on Joey Logano and Tony Stewart as the Gas Booster 500 gets underway. A blocking incident between the two has been attracting a lot of press, but sitting 22nd in the Sprint Cup point standings, Stewart might do better to focus on racing rather than revenge. Logano is currently ninth in the standings and isn't planning on changing his style.

Television coverage will be provided by FOX starting at 1 p.m. ET, with radio coverage available on XM 90 or Sirius 90. Streaming video isn't available, but fans can get lap-by-lap updates at NASCAR.com with additional coverage via the NASCAR mobile app.

More from SB Nation:

• Why we still care about WrestleMania

• With little fanfare, Earnhardt leads standings

• NFL Mock Draft: Pushing through smoke screens

• Will there be backlash for the first gay NFL player?

• When the wind cried Tuffy: Why not to hit 3 home runs on opening day

NFL draft 2013 visits: Jarvis Jones visits Bills, Jaguars host Justin Pugh

Pete Holby — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:49:35 -0000

With the 2013 NFL Draft on the horizon, official visits have teams around the league trying to get as much information as possible about the prospects they're considering drafting. Teams still have questions about medical issues, personal questions, and a few that can only be answered through workouts, so getting in as many visits as possible is a must for any team.

A rundown of some recent visits:

The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly hosted Syracuse offensive lineman Justin Pugh. The Jaguars do have big needs on the right side of their line, as Jaguars blog Big Cat Country points out, and is an All-Big East lineman.
On the other side of the ball, the Buffalo Bills reportedly had a visit from Georgia pass rusher Jarvis Jones. Jones' draft stock took a big hit following his pro day, but he has a ton of potential for whatever team lands him. The Bills are also looking at offensive options, and Bills blog Buffalo Rumblings considers where Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson might fit in with the team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had previously hosted some offensive prospects, but more recent reports have them looking at defensive options. Penn State's Michael Mauti and Clemson's Malliciah Goodman both visited the team, reports Steelers Depot. The Steelers have some history with defensive lineman in the draft, not all of it good, and Steelers blog Behind the Steel Curtain has a detailed look at why things haven't worked out in the past.
The Philadelphia Eagles looked at Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, reports CSN Philly. They may be looking that way because better offensive line prospects will be off the board, speculates Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation, and they consider what Johnson might be able to contribute to the team.

More from SB Nation:

• 4 gay NFL players could come out on same day

• NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper predicts Geno Smith to the Eagles

• 3 reasons to draft Geno Smith

• Which QB does Cam Newton most closely resemble?

• Scouting the 'Jokers' in 2013 NFL draft

• The next step for Mankind: Mick Foley's evolution

Matt Barkley pro day: USC QB impresses Gil Brandt off the field

Pete Holby — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:18:48 -0000

Matt Barkley's senior year did a number on his draft stock, but his character and off-field demeanor may send him back up the board, reports Gil Brandt. Brandt spoke to Barkley in advance of USC's Pro Day and came away impressed with his positive attitude, determination and what he's done to prepare for the opportunity.

Barkley was unable to throw at the NFL Combine, but he will do so at his pro day. He has been preparing with Chris Weinke, former pro quarterback and director of the IMG Academy. Weinke has experience prepping players for the draft; he worked with first overall pick Cam Newton in 2011.

Barkley was once seen as a potential first overall pick, but that time has passed. He certainly won't go that high, but he could easily sneak up the board if a team decides to take a chance. (SB Nation's latest mock draft does not include Barkley being selected in the first round.) The Trojans' 2012 season was widely considered a disappointment, going from being ranked No. 1 in the AP's pre-season poll to finishing 7-6 with losses to Stanford, Oregon, UCLA and to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl. Barkley had key interceptions in each of the regular-season defeats, but missed the Sun Bowl with the same shoulder injury that prevented him from throwing at the Combine.

Despite a lackluster senior year, Barkley is still a four-year starter who averaged more than 3,000 yards per season, with 116 touchdowns and 48 interceptions in his career. Given the lack of quarterbacks in the draft, it's a certainty that someone is looking his way with interest. Two teams rumored to be doing just that are the Buffalo Bills and the Arizona Cardinals. Bills blog Buffalo Rumblings took a look at pro day being make-or-break for Barkley, and Cardinals blog Revenge of the Birds made the case for why Barkley belongs in Arizona.

More from SB Nation:

• After talks stall, will the Raiders cut Carson Palmer?

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

Lance Armstrong being investigated for criminal charges related to doping, per reports

Pete Holby — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:37:54 -0000

Lance Armstrong is looking at yet another legal issue stemming from his admission to doping, reports ABC News' Neal Karlinsky.

The Spanish government is said to be looking into possible criminal charges against the cyclist. Criminal charges would be new for Armstrong, who currently faces lawsuits from the US government as well as sponsors and companies involved in his long career.

Armstrong's involvement in Spanish cycling has been limited. He traditionally avoided Spain's major cycling race, the Vuelta a España, focusing his attention on the Tour de France. He did ride the race in 1998, well within the range of time covered by both Armstrong's own admission and the USADA report detailing the doping program of Armstrong's US Postal Service team. He also rode several smaller Spanish races in his second comeback period, from 2009 to 2011.

If Spanish history is any indication, any potential charges may not amount to much. Operación Puerto was a 2006 investigation into Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes that saw numerous cyclists named, including former Armstrong teammates Tyler Hamilton and Alberto Contador. Though there was substantial press and eventual criminal charges filed against cyclists, there were no convictions. While Armstrong has admitted to doping throughout his career, specific evidence linking him to doping within Spain is likely to be difficult for Spanish authorities to present.

More from SB Nation:

• USMNT vs. Mexico: The game that sparked a rivalry

• Tiger's back on top, ready for the Masters

• The Daily Win: FGCU Dunk-a-Thon

NFL Draft 2013: Menelik Watson a top 5 talent, says FSU OL coach

Pete Holby — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:16:40 -0000

Every college football coach has an interest in making sure their players are drafted as high as possible, but Florida St. Seminoles' offensive line coach Rick Trickett has more than the standard praise for Menelik Watson, reports Les Carpenter. Of the 6'5, 310-pound right tackle, Trickett says:

"He's a top five talent in the draft. He's not going to be picked in the top five because he just hasn't played enough. If this kid had played high school ball and then two or three years of college it wouldn't be a contest."

The Manchester, England born Watson isn't in any danger of being forgotten in the draft. On the contrary, he's routinely projected as a first-round pick. St. Louis Rams blog Turf Show Times took a good look at Watson after several mock drafts showed the Rams taking Watson with the 16th overall pick. That's not a unanimous view, as SB Nation's latest mock draft does not include Watson in the first round.

Watson may have great size and astounding athleticism, but those aren't his only assets. Perhaps looking to reassure teams critical of Watson's limited experience, Trickett says that early on he saw the prospect "[do] things you couldn't coach," adding that "he just has instincts." Watson played one year at FSU as a JUCO transfer, converting to football after a college basketball career didn't seem to be going anywhere.

Watson will be 25 in his rookie season, and despite his instincts and natural ability, he's likely to need a lot of coaching before he's playing at an NFL level. Whether it's the Rams or someone else, whoever ends up taking him in the draft will have a player with immense potential but no small amount of risk.

More from SB Nation:

• After talks stall, will the Raiders cut Carson Palmer?

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

2013 pro day results: Teams look for hidden treasure at small school pro days

Pete Holby — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:47:12 -0000

Texas and Notre Dame may have been the big names on Tuesday's list of pro days, but a number of prospects at smaller schools were out to impress scouts and front office personell. Iowa Tech, North Carolina, McNeese State, Louisiana Tech and Southeastern Louisiana all held workouts on Tuesday.

Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Robert Alford impressed in his performance at the combine, with a 4.39-second, 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical leap, and reports indicate his pro day did nothing but help his chances. He has yet to climb into the first-round discussion, but he has been named as a top 42 pick.

Louisiana Tech attracted a fair amount of attention from the New York Jets, reports Jake Steinberg. Jordan Mills and Oscar Johnson were the two men the Jets were interested in, both offensive lineman with above-average size and power. Both men went to the combine and are projected as late-round picks, so New York is likely looking for a sleeper candidate here. If the Jets look to address their offensive line earlier in the draft, Jets blog Gang Green Nation had some thoughts about where they might look.

Jake Knott and A.J. Klein were the names to watch at Iowa State's Pro Day, and the two linebackers did what they could to sway scouts nervous about their health. A knee injury at the combine prevented Knott from completing the workouts there, but he was able to move through drills easily on Tuesday, according to Mark Emmert. It was Klein's shoulder that was the issue, but a reported 24 reps on the bench press should reassure scouts. Knott has placed higher than Klein in pre-draft rankings, but both look to be late-round picks.

North Carolina's Pro Day was also on Tuesday, though some of the more prominent prospects sat out many of the tests. One of those is Sylvester Williams, a defensive tackle who has attracted attention fro the Carolina Panthers. His athleticism and speed have drawn praise, and Panthers blog Cat Scratch Reader took an extremely detailed look at his speed off the line and how that might contribute to the Panthers' 2013 season.

More from SB Nation:

• After talks stall, will the Raiders cut Carson Palmer?

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

Notre Dame pro day results 2013: Manti Te'o shows improvement from NFL combine

Pete Holby — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:30:03 -0000

Manti Te'o tried his best to rehabilitate his draft stock on Tuesday, working out in front of scouts and media at Notre Dame's pro day. Activities both on (the National Championship game) and off (the hoax) the field have cost Te'o some status, and his pro day might not have done much to boost him back up the board.

The biggest result from Te'o's pro day is an improvement on his 40-yard dash time. He ran a disappointing 4.82 seconds at the NFL Combine, but reports indicate he was in the 4.7 range on Tuesday, with a 4.75 second run reported, and other reports putting him as low as 4.68. That's still slow, ranking in the bottom half of times recorded by other linebackers posted at the Combine, but it may be enough to convince teams to take another look and consider his other attributes.

As the scouting report noted, Te'o has strong fundamentals and can handle zone coverage over the middle of the field. The Chicago Bears are one of the teams that have been linked with Te'o, and Bears blog Windy City Gridiron took a look at how he might fit in Chicago. The Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens hold the very last pick in the first round, so Te'o would have to fall all that way for him to be in reach, but Ravens blog Baltimore Beatdown considered the possibility.

Tyler Eifert was another member of the Fighting Irish working out on Tuesday. The latest mock draft already shows Eifert as the first tight end being taken, and reports indicate he impressed at his pro day. One scout noted Eifert was the best tight end this year, according to Dane Brugler, saying "I want him on my team." Eifert is projected to go to the Miami Dolphins, and Dolphins blog The Phinsider took a detailed look at the prospect.

More from SB Nation:

• After talks stall, will the Raiders cut Carson Palmer?

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

Titans hosted Ropati Pitoitua this week, according to report

Pete Holby — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:57:10 -0000

The Tennessee Titans hosted free agent defensive end Ropati Pitoitua earlier this week, according to Adam Caplan. Pitoitua was most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played in 15 games, collecting 51 tackles and two sacks.

More: Music City Miracles

Recent mock drafts have had the Titans taking a defensive end with their 10th overall pick, so this could be a sign that they're looking elsewhere in the draft. Pitoitua would hardly be a game-changing solution for the defensive line, but he could offer consistency and core value to the line. The Titans had also looked at Star Lotulelei, and Titans blog Music City Miracles considered what he might add to the team.

Pitoitua was an undrafted free agent in 2008 when he signed with the New York Jets. He spent a year on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster, but he failed to make an impression and spent some time on injured reserve. He was waived by the team after the 2012 season, when he was picked up by the Chiefs. Pitoitua played his college ball at Washington State, where he had 8.5 sacks and 116 tackles in 36 games over four years.

More from SB Nation:

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

• What Jaguars owner Shad Khan learned in Year 1

• Modeling success: Analyzing the top 5 NFL defenses

• NFL Mock Draft: SB Nation bloggers are on the clock

• Brian Urlacher, Bears to part ways

Cardinals leaning toward Drew Stanton as starting QB

Pete Holby — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:12:50 -0000

Drew Stanton is looking more and more like the new starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, reports ESPN's Mike Sando.

Stanton signed a three-year deal with the Cardinals earlier in March, and the subsequent release of Kevin Kolb pointed toward a big role for Stanton. Now new head coach Bruce Arians has made comments confirming that role.

More: Revenge of the Birds

"I have all the confidence in the world with [Stanton] being our starter," Arians is quoted as saying. He goes on to note that he wanted to settle the issue quickly, and would not be looking for a quarterback competition during training camp.

Stanton as starter isn't a small risk for the Cardinals. 2013 will be Stanton's seventh year in the league, but he hasn't seen action since 2010. He played in six games, starting three of them, with a 58 percent completion percentage, four touchdowns and three interceptions. That said, if anyone knows what to expect from Stanton it should be Arians. Stanton was Andrew Luck's backup in Indianapolis last year, where Arians was offensive coordinator and then interim head coach.

There had been speculation that Arizona would try to grab West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith in the upcoming draft, something looking increasingly less likely. Even aside from Stanton, as SB Nation's latest mock draft shows, Smith may simply be out of their reach. That makes a pick like LSU's Barkevious Mingo more likely, and Cardinals blog Revenge of the Birds has some thoughts on that.

More from SB Nation:

• What Jaguars owner Shad Khan learned in Year 1

• Modeling success: Analyzing the top 5 NFL defenses

• Brian Urlacher, Bears to part ways

Kenny Britt arrest: Titans WR found not guilty of DUI

Pete Holby — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:52:02 -0000

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt was found not guilty of driving under the influence, reports Jim Wyatt.

Britt had been arrested in July of 2012 when he attempted to enter the Fort Campbell Army post in Kentucky, failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a Breathalyzer test.

Britt was also found not guilty of violating the implied consent law, which holds that a licensed driver has given implied consent to allow police to determine the driver's level of intoxication.

The incident, only one of Britt's numerous off-field incidents, cost him a one-game suspension at the start of the 2012 season. He's been arrested eight times since being drafted by the Titans in 2009, where he was the 30th overall pick. This particular case is behind him, but he remains involved with law enforcement.

Britt's latest issue stems from a stabbing incident in New Jersey. Police believe that Britt can provide information, but Britt has thus far declined to do so.

More from SB Nation:

• Tyler Eifert could be a first-round surprise

• Jake Long's impact on the Rams

• NFL players get crash course in film industry

• Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck

Pro day results 2013: Florida State, others hold workouts

Pete Holby — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:59:36 -0000

Tuesday meant pro day for NFL Draft prospects around the country, including those at Florida State, Florida A&M, Richmond, Louisville, San Diego State and Virginia. A rundown of some of the results:

SB Nation's FSU blog Tomahawk Nation had live results from the pro day, including 32 reps on the bench press from Tank Carradine. Carradine is linked to the New York Giants in the latest mock draft, and Giants blog Big Blue View has a full rundown of how he might fit with the team
Cooper Taylor was one notable player at Richmond's pro day, and Jaguars blog Big Cat Country has detailed results on what teams saw from the safety. According to BCC, he put up very good numbers for a player his size.
Gavin Escobar was at San Diego State's pro day, with the tight end hoping to improve on the 4.84 40 time he posted at the combine. He ran a 4.70 on Tuesday, according to reports.
Of course, pro days are opportunities for players who were not invited to the combine, like Louisville running back Jeremy Wright. His 40-yard dash time was reportedly 4.49 seconds. That may not be entirely accurate, but if it is it would place him in the top 10 when compared to times from the combine.

For information on the above schools, as well as pro days past and still to come, check out SB Nation's pro day StoryStream.

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Tavon Austin could give the Rams a big play threat

Pete Holby — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 21:07:58 -0000

With the 2013 NFL Draft approaching, fans of the St. Louis Rams are likely looking at what the team can gain on offense. SB Nation's latest mock draft has the Rams selecting Tavon Austin in the first round, giving St. Louis an extremely versatile threat on offense.

Austin put up some decent numbers in his final year at West Virginia (top 15 in total yards and yards per game, top 10 in touchdowns) but the stats don't tell the whole story. As Rams blog Turf Show Times noted, the Rams have a serious need for explosive players, and Austin has big potential as a playmaker. SB Nation's scouting report breaks down why: he can line up all over the field, he can move after the catch, and with eight kickoff returns of 30+ yards in 2012, he's a multi-dimensional threat. His size is a drawback (he's listed at 5'9) but small men have made things work at wide receiver.

The Rams have eight total picks in the 2013 draft, one in each of the first six rounds and two in the seventh. Starting off with Tavon Austin would bring a lot of talent and potential to the class.

More from SB Nation:

• Tyler Eifert could be a first-round surprise

• Jake Long's impact on the Rams

• NFL players get crash course in film industry

• Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck

2013 NFL Mock Draft: Cordarrelle Patterson and Jesse Williams may figure in Vikings' first round

Pete Holby — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 20:30:56 -0000

The latest 2013 NFL mock draft is out, and the Minnesota Vikings have a good chance at making some big moves in the first round. They hold both the 23rd and 25th overall picks, giving them two shots at some seriously talented players.

With their first pick, SB Nation's mock draft sees Minnesota taking Cordarrelle Patterson, a wide receiver formerly with the Tennesee Volunteers. Vikings blog The Daily Norseman took a look at Patterson earlier this year, weighing him against Tennessee teammate Justin Hunter. SB Nation also has a full scouting profile on Patterson, praising his speed and athleticism but noting his lack of physicality and questionable technique. Patterson didn't lead the league in receptions or total yardage, but his stats point to big-play ability. He was fifth in the SEC with an average of 16.9 yards per catch.

With the first pick filling the hole left by the Percy Harvin trade, it's not unreasonable to expect Minnesota to use their second first round pick to address defensive needs. The mock draft slots in Jesse Williams, a defensive tackle out of Alabama. The Vikings could use some help up front; as The Daily Norseman points out they had some stats that rank among the worst all-time. Williams would be a huge help in the middle of the line, as the scouting report points out.

The Vikings may have missed out on any compensatory picks, but with two first round picks and 11 overall, they're in position to walk away from the 2013 draft with a lot of talent.

More from SB Nation: