Wilson has torn biceps tendon

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson has a torn right biceps tendon and will try to rehabilitate the injury to avoid surgery that would sideline him for a longer period.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt would give no timetable for Wilson's return other than to say he expects the four-time Pro Bowler to play this season.

"That's one thing that is encouraging," Whisenhunt said. "It's just going to be a matter of how his body responds to the rehab. So far it's been very good."

Wilson didn't talk to reporters after Monday morning's practice but reportedly has told people that he believes he will be ready for the team's Sept. 11 opener against Carolina. The 31-year-old Wilson, who has played all 10 of his NFL seasons with Arizona, was injured in Saturday's scrimmage while attempting to tackle running back Beanie Wells.

The Cardinals have re-signed safety Matt Ware and waived injured tackle Brad Thorson (foot).

Whisenhunt said he didn't know how long the Cardinals would give the rehab process before deciding whether surgery would be necessary.

"I can't say if it's a week, two weeks, three weeks. I can't tell you what that is," Whisenhunt said, "because I don't know. I know this. My No. 1 concern is the health of Adrian. I know he's a very tough player and he'd go out there with one arm if he could. So we have to obviously make sure that his body is healing correctly before we allow him to play."

Rashad Johnson, a third-round draft pick out of Alabama in his third season with Arizona, moves up to Wilson's place on the depth chart.

"Listen, this business is all about the next guy being able to step in and play," Whisenhunt said. "Rashad's been here working very hard for a couple of years and if he gets this opportunity, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he does a very good job with it."

Wilson immediately began rehab exercises once an MRI showed the extent of the injury, including work on the field while the team practised.

"As you saw today, he's going to work as much as he possibly can to get back as quickly as he can," Whisenhunt said. "I've learned in this business you can't ever rule somebody out or say for sure somebody's going to play. You've got to see how everybody responds differently."

Although he made the Pro Bowl, Wilson considered last year a sub-par season. Although he would not use it as an excuse, he was bothered by an abdominal injury much of the way.

"I can play hurt," Wilson said last week. "Regardless of what happens to me on the field, it's my responsibility to the team to be a leader, to be out there and show those young guys that even though you're hurt, you can still play through things like that. Really, that's my whole message."

.A team captain, Wilson is the longest-serving member of the Cardinals. He endured the years of losing before the stunning turnaround that led to the Super Bowl appearance in the 2008 season and an NFC West title the following year.

"I know what type of player that I am," he said last week. "I know I'm a top 50 player in this league. So I'm just going to go out there and do my thing and let my play speak."

In another injury development, backup cornerback Michael Adams underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. No timetable was set for his return, either.

Ireland's economic recovery damaged by downgrade, says government

The Irish government has warned that its economic recovery has been damaged by Moody's decision to downgrade its credit rating to junk, and insisted that the move was unfair.

Economy minister Richard Bruton said Ireland had become "caught up" in the problems of other weaker members of the eurozone, and that the country was on track to hit the targets agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also admitted that the downgrade will hurt Ireland's ability to rebuild its economy.

"This means for certain investors, Ireland is now taken off their radar, they will not touch Irish borrowings, that is bad for us, that makes the whole job of recovery more difficult," said Bruton.

"It is important to say this is agencies looking at a European strategy and we have been caught up in their view of the European solutions," Bruton added.

Investors drove down the value of Ireland's sovereign debt on Wednesday morning, driving up the yield – or interest rate – on the Irish 10-year bond above 14%. There was some relief for Spain and Italy, whose yields fell back to 5.7% and 5.4% respectively.

Moody's justified the one-notch downgrade, to Ba1, on two counts – the weak Irish economy, which it said undermines the effectiveness of the government's fiscal plan, and the increased likelihood that any subsequent rescue package would include losses for private creditors.

Analysts at Dublin stockbrokers Davy said that Ireland will now find it harder to borrow money on the international monetary markets in 2013, as planned under last year's bailout.

"Even the perception of possible private sector participation in a future funding package impairs the ability of the Irish sovereign to regain access to private markets in the near term," said Davy's Conall Mac Coille.

The Irish government has also argued that Moody's downgrade, which came late on Tuesday, was "completely at odds" with other rating agencies' views.

It also said it did not reflect the progress made at last night's eurogroup meeting where the minister of finance Michael Noonan is believed to have edged closer to a deal to get the country's "punitive" interest rate on the bailout reduced in a move that could save the country over €200m (£176m) a year.

"This is a disappointing development and it is completely at odds with the recent views of other rating agencies. Just last week, Fitch & DBRS noted our economy's return to growth in the first quarter, the progress in reducing our budget deficit and said that there was no reason to alter their views on Ireland at this time," said a spokesman for the department of finance.

"Given the timing of the Moody's announcement it is difficult to see how its decision reflects the agreement reached at last night's eurogroup meeting to enhance the flexibility and the scope of the European financial stability facility (EFSF), and to lengthen the maturities of, and lower the interest rates on, loans to countries in receipt of financial support," she added.

The cost of insuring Irish debt rose on Wednesday, as traders reacted to Moody's downgrade.

"The one-notch cut to Ba1 wasn't a tremendous surprise given the action on Portugal last week, and Ireland has been trading equivalent to a junk credit for many months," said Gavan Nolan, director of credit research at Markit.

"Nonetheless, it could trigger some forced selling in the bond market and can only add to negative sentiment."

The European commission said it "regrets the decision of Moody's to downgrade Ireland". It said it was confident Ireland was on track for a recovery and the decision "contrasts very much with the recent data, which support a return to GDP growth this year".

The European commission added that Ireland was making a "determined implementation" of the bailout programme and the Irish government had taken "strong ownership" of the necessary austerity programme.

The Moody's decision is a particular blow to the government, which is expected to get a good school report on Thursday from the IMF and EU, who will hold a press conference outlining how Ireland has met all fiscal targets under the IMF/EU programme.

They are also expected to say that Ireland is on track to achieve the deficit reduction for the year as a whole.

The head of the IMF's mission to Ireland, Ajai Chopra, has been in Dublin for a week leading the review of the second quarter performance.

In a note today, Dublin stockbrokers Bloxham said Moody's decision would force some investors who were permitted to hold non investment-grade status stock to sell.

"In our view this latest move by Moody's is cynical and manipulative, coming just two days before the EU/IMF in their latest quarterly review are expected to give Ireland the thumbs-up in meeting all its bailout targets," it said.

"The bottom line is that the credit ratings agencies have far too much power but policymakers and regulators only have themselves to blame."

Only last week Moody's said it saw differences between Ireland and Portugal when it downgraded the latter's debt to junk status.

Cavendish wins crash-marred 5th Tour stage

Mark Cavendish of Britain won a windy and crash-marred fifth stage of the Tour de France in a mass sprint on Wednesday, while Thor Hushovd of Norway kept the leader's yellow jersey.

Defending champion Alberto Contador fell in a crash and RadioShack rider Janez Brajkovic broke his collarbone and pulled out of the race during the 102-mile stage from Carhaix to Cap Frehel on the English Channel.

Cavendish, a sprint specialist, collected his 16th career Tour stage victory and his first this year by speeding past Philippe Gilbert of Belgium — who finished second — and Jose Joaquin Rojas in third.

"I am really happy. It was a difficult finish," said Cavendish, who rides with the HTC-Highroad team. "I put every thing into it … If we win, it's not because we're lucky, it's because we're good."

The British rider, known almost as much for his powerful legs as his sharp tongue, took aim at unidentified critics who he said expressed doubts about his abilities.

"It's always sweet to silence the ignoramuses," he said.

But Gilbert succeeded in making him work hard in the sprint.

"Normally, I try to win by a little-ish margin, just to try and save energy," Cavendish said. "Today, I had to give everything I had. He's taken a lot out of me, so I'll take a couple of days to recover."

The top standings didn't change because the vast majority of riders crossed in a pack right behind the sprinters. Hushovd kept his one-second lead over Cadel Evans of Australia in second. Frank Schleck of Luxembourg is third overall, 4 seconds back.

Schleck's younger brother Andy — the Tour runner-up for the last two years — is 10th, 12 seconds behind. Contador, who lost time by getting caught up in a crash in Stage 1, is 39th overall, 1:42 behind Hushovd.

The stage Wednesday included a picturesque patch along rocky Brittany cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, was mostly marked by crashes that brought down some of the biggest names in the pack. Two riders pulled out, reducing the pack to 195.

"It was very nervous, and because of that you get a lot of crashes, because there are 200 riders who want to be in front," said Hushovd, who retained the coveted yellow jersey for a fourth straight day.

Many riders were jostling to stay at the front — and ahead of possible group spills.

Contador, the Spanish three-time Tour champion, fell at about the 44-mile mark. With his Saxo Bank jersey ripped over the right shoulder, he took off his helmet briefly, then gave a thumbs-up to signal that he was all right.

"It was very difficult day, with a lot of tension," said Contador, who had scrapes on his right shoulder, elbow and knee. He said he took "a little knock" while braking to avoid one crash, then had his own a few miles later.

"When I got back going, 5 kilometers later, my chain came off — so I fell," Contador told French TV, which showed images of him throwing his bike on the roadside at the time. "What matters is, I was able to get back up."

"Yes, it'll be a bad night, of course, but you have to think about tomorrow," he added, suggesting his bruises and bumps might cause him to lose some sleep.

The highest-profile withdrawal was Brajkovic. The 27-year-old Slovenian was evacuated to a hospital in an ambulance. A race medical report said he had suffered a broken collarbone and a concussion.

Teammate Levi Leipheimer of the United States also was involved in a crash but returned to the course. In one of the more dramatic spills, Saxo Bank's Nicki Sorensen bumped into the motorcycle of a race photographer, and skidded on a roadside. The motorbike dragged his bike along the road — and race organizers barred its driver from covering the race.

Robert Gesink, the leader of the Rabobank team, went down in the same spill as Brajkovic. A mass crash earlier tangled up France's Sylvain Chavanel and Britain's Bradley Wiggins. Yet another ensnared Belgian sprint star Tom Boonen and his teammate Gert Steegmans.

Christophe Kern, the French time-trial champion, dropped out of the race after yet another crash.

"I kept hearing over the radio, 'Crash! Crash! Crash!', and then I saw guys like Gesink coming back to the peloton all covered in dirt," Evans said. "It was a dangerous day, I think."

With his jersey torn over his right shoulder, Boonen struggled through wincing pain behind an escort from Quick Step teammate Andy Engels — and finished more than 13 minutes behind the main pack.

On top of his injury, Boonen was penalized along with Rojas for an "irregular sprint" during the intermediate sprint earlier in the day's stage, race officials said. The riders were stripped of points used to calculate who wins the Tour's green jersey awarded to the best sprinter.

What to get Flacco for his wedding?

A big Mazel Tov to Ravens QB Joe Flacco, who married his longtime girlfriend, Dana Grady, in Philadelphia last weekend.

The Baltimore Sun wrote that Flacco and Grady started dating in high school. They’ve been together for nine years, and the two married in the same church where Flacco’s parents had wed.

Conveniently, the couple is registered at Crate & Barrel.

Here are a few things I recommend you buy for the happy couple (keep in mind, gift cards are welcome).

A tea bag squeezer: The couple needs only one, and it’s an affordable $4.95.
A large Artesia bread/cracker dish: For $17.95, give the Flacco’s a place to hold their bread during dinner.
A 3x3 flameless pillar card: If you want to help the Flacco’s set the mood, you’ll need to spend $7.95. Or you could spend about $16 and get them two. Don't be cheap. Get them two.

But buy these gifts soon, because most of their needs have been fulfilled. And don’t forget: cash always makes a good gift. Especially during times of a lockout.

Packers players – maybe not top 10, but we’ll take the trophy

Today’s announcement that three Packers, Clay Matthews (19), Charles Woodson (16), and Aaron Rodgers (11), were named to the NFL’s top 100 players of 2011 was satisfying and is a great tribute to those individuals.

However, it’s got to be even more gratifying to the other players, coaches and administrators who are a part of this great organization.
Individual recognition is awesome for these players – they certainly love being recognized by their peers and fans.
But this is just a list, a popularity contest, if you will.
We all know that lists are great, but we also know that they mean absolutely nothing.
What matters are championships. It’s a team sport made up of individuals.
Sure, we’re happy with the accolades, but we’re way more impressed with the George Halas and Vince Lombardi trophies, thank you.

Everything’s Bigger in Texas: Mavericks Hosted Championship Parade

Every player on the champion Dallas Mavericks’ roster had their share of laughs, songs and some tears. Dirk Nowitzki could finally bask in the championship atmosphere with his beloved fans that have supported him and his team through thick and thin.

Around a hundred thousand people packed the streets of Dallas for the championship parade morning of Thursday to celebrate with their newly-crowned championship team. A flock of 20,000 people also occupied the seats of American Airlines Center for the rally that was highlighted with different outbursts of emotions.

It was the first pro sports championship in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since the NHL’s Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999. For the city’s basketball franchise, it was their first after 31 years of experiences that was full of hopes and also marred by disappointments.

It was no surprise that Nowitzki, the MVP of their recently concluded 6-game Finals series against the star-studded Miami Heat, was the focal point of the entire celebration. Chants of “M-V-P” serenaded the 7-foot German along with waived flags of his hometown country and signboards showing some love to their franchise player.

Nowitzki himself has come a long way en route to his first NBA title. The Wurzburg, Germany native was drafted by the franchise in 1998 and struggled to make a smooth transition from Europe to the NBA. He then led the Mavericks to playoff appearances, starting with the trio of him, Steve Nash and Michael Finley in the early 2000’s. Then, he carried the team all by himself to the 2006 Finals, where they bowed down to Miami after blowing a 2-0 lead in that series.

Like Nowitzki, Jason Kidd was also emotional during the parade. Drafted by the Mavericks in 1994, he suffered the failures and the long wait before he could proclaim himself as a champion. Jason Terry, the other player besides Nowitzki who are still with the Mavericks from that 2006 team that reached the Finals, finally got revenge from the team that they lost from five years ago.

As for Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, he broke down in several occasions while addressing the crowd. The big-time billionaire bought the team in 2000, and was a big part of the club’s success. Don Carter, the franchise’s cornerstone back in 1980s said that that the celebration and the moment itself was “Fantastic”.

Jason Terry leads the way in fourth quarter for Mavericks

DALLAS — Jason Terry promised all week that the Miami Heat couldn't beat his Dallas Mavericks in a high-scoring game.
He was spot on, just as he was in the last two minutes with pivotal three-pointers as he sparked the Mavericks to a 112-103 victory in Game 5 on Thursday night.

"I said if we can get 100, we like our chances. We did that, but we definitely don't want to give them 100 points," said Terry, who had 21 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The Mavericks made 13 of 19 three-pointers (68.4%) as they took a 3-2 series lead. They head back to Miami with two chances to win the franchise's first championship. Game 6 is Sunday.
STORY: Mavericks take Game 5 over Heat
BOX SCORE: Mavericks 112, Heat 103
PHOTOS: Top images from the NBA Finals
SCHEDULE: NBA Finals dates and results
Dirk Nowitzki shot 9-for-18 for a game-high 29 points, but after the Mavericks blew a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter it was Terry who led them back.
Terry's three-pointer tied the score at 100. He blew past LeBron James and into the lane, then threw the pass back to Jason Kidd who was spotting up at the top of the key for an open three.
"Jet is a great scorer. He's a great shooter, and he's a great player" Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said of Terry, who was the starting point guard on the 2006 Mavericks team that advanced to the Finals. "He used to play point guard exclusively, so he has a lot of experience as a play-maker."
With the shot clock winding down and the Heat trailing 105-101, Terry hit another three-pointer over James for a 108-101 lead to seal the outcome.
"Jet was phenomenal. He was aggressive again from the get-go," Nowitzki said. "It opens up a lot of stuff for everybody else out there. It opens up Tyson (Chandler) on the rolls that we actually hit him on a bunch of times today….Also that opens up the corner threes."
The Mavericks got out to the fast start they've longed for all series. They led by as many as seven in the first quarter as they forced the Heat into four turnovers.
They got scoring from unusual places with Chandler contributing nine points, point guard Jason Kidd five and four from seldom-used reserve Brian Cardinal.
Still, the Heat led 31-30 entering the second because of their bench play. Mario Chalmers, Juwan Howard, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem combined for 15 points. By halftime the quartet had 22. They finished with 40, led by Chalmers' 15 and 10 from Haslem.
James, coming off a career playoff-low eight points in Game 4, finished the half with nine points, six rebounds and four assists but he failed to knock down a jump shot.
He was 4-for-10 in the first half as all of his jumpers came up short, including an airball on his first attempt.
James finished 8-for-19 shooting with a triple-double of 17 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. But he only scored two points in the fourth quarter after not scoring at all in the fourth of Game 4.
Terry, who James held scoreless in the fourth of a Game 3 victory for Miami, made him work on the defensive end.
"Jet is a very emotional player. He loves the fourth quarter," Kidd said. "I think the challenge is for him with LeBron, he's got to use his quickness. LeBron is one of the best defenders in this league."
Nowitzki agrees at the 6-4 Terry can't be stationary vs. the more physical James, who also is four inches taller. And Dallas has to make it more difficult for James to size him up.
"If he just stands there and looks at him, LeBron is long enough and quick enough to contest his slot late," Nowitzki said. "So he's got to attack him. He's got to attack his feet. … We got to run LeBron through some screens when he's on him, screen-and-rolls. So LeBron constantly has to chase him and fight over some picks."
Dallas overcame a six-point deficit in the second quarter to lead 60-57 at the half behind Nowitzki.
He hit a pair of free throws and then drove strong past Chris Bosh. He hit an open lane jumper with 6.1 seconds left.
Every time the Heat made a move early, it was Nowitzki who closed the door.
James hit a fading jump shot over Nowitzki to tie it at 65 but the 7-footer hit a jump shot and a three-pointer to build Dallas' cushion.
Then Miami couldn't contain the dribble penetration of J.J. Barea, who got past Mike Bibby to cause havoc in the lane. That led to three-pointers by Nowitzki and Kidd as the Mavericks' lead grew to 80-71.
Barea, getting his second start of the playoffs, contributed 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting and five assists.
Just when the Heat were getting set for a run in the fourth quarter, Nowitzki drew a foul on Wade to put them in the penalty. He hit the free throws to push the score to 95-90.
The Heat were without Wade for key stretches in the first half because of a left hip contusion. But his play in combo with James was crucial as Miami regained the lead at 96-95 on a dunk by Udonis Haslem. Wade drew the double-team and Haslem slipped the screen to get the pass over the top.
Wade, who had a team-high 23 points in 34 minutes, then struck a pose after this three-pointer at the top of the key gave Miami a 99-95 lead. Dallas, however, had the last laugh.
"If there's space, I'm going to let it fly," Terry said. "It's just like being out there on the playground back home in Seattle, emulating your idols in the Finals. Game on the line. Raise up. Knock it down."

Shaquille O'Neal announces retirement

BOSTON — He was a prolific producer of rebounds and record albums. And nicknames, too, as if at seven-foot-one and 350 pounds he was too big for the simple "Shaq" that made him an instantly recognizable, one-name star in all of his endeavours.

Shaquille O'Neal had more than 28,000 points and almost four million Twitter followers. He appeared in six NBA finals, three times as the MVP, and seven feature films, twice in a starring role.

A 15-time all-star, four-time champion and the 2000 NBA Most Valuable Player, the 39-year-old O'Neal announced his retirement on Twitter on Wednesday after spending most of his 19th season on the Boston Celtics bench, in street clothes because of leg injuries.

Along with a mid-afternoon tweet saying, "im retiring," O'Neal included a link to a 16-second video of him saying, "We did it; 19 years, baby. Thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first: I'm about to retire. Love you. Talk to you soon."

An inveterate prankster who gave himself a new nickname -- or several -- in each of his six NBA cities, O'Neal did not notify his latest team, leaving it wondering about his plans. He played just 37 games this season, the first of a two-year deal at the veteran's minimum salary, making just three brief appearances after Feb. 1.

"He's a giant," commissioner David Stern said Wednesday at the NBA finals in Miami. "He's physically imposing; he has an imposing smile. In the game, he imposed his will, and he has done it for quite a long time. It's been a great run here, and we're going to miss him greatly. We hope we can find ways to keep him involved in the game."

O'Neal, 39, retires fifth all-time with 28,596 points, 12th with 13,099 rebounds, and a .582 field goal percentage that is second only to Artis Gilmore among players with more than 2,000 baskets. His free throw percentage of .527 -- well, now is not the time to dwell on that.

"I'm a little bit sad," said Heat president Pat Riley, who also coached O'Neal when he won a title in Miami and watched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning when they retired. "It's been an honour to be part of coaching great, great players. And he will go down as one of the greatest of all time."

Appropriately, O'Neal's retirement became the No. 1 trending topic on the social networking site he embraced by early evening, and his former teammates and opponents took to Twitter to wish him luck.

"Shaq not only dominated the game of basketball but also dominated off the court w/ his big personality. Hes 1 of the greatest entertainers," Magic Johnson said. "Thank you Shaq for leading the Lakers to 3 titles. We loved every minute of it!"

O'Neal spent three years at Louisiana State and was the big prize when the Orlando Magic won the 1992 draft lottery and selected him first overall. He took them from the lottery to the playoffs in two years, and then led them to the NBA finals in his third year before they were swept by the Houston Rockets.

O'Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996 and had his greatest success there, winning three titles alongside Kobe Bryant and coach Phil Jackson. But amid tension between O'Neal and Bryant after a loss to the Detroit Pistons in the finals, O'Neal was traded to the Heat in the summer of 2004.

"I often wonder how many they would've won if he stayed," said Johnson, the Lakers Hall of Famer.

Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who decided to break up the tandem and keep Bryant, thanked O'Neal for a "long and amazing career, with a huge impact both on and off the court."

"His contributions were significant to the entire NBA, but we specifically appreciate what he did with and what he meant to the Lakers during his eight years with us," Buss said. "We have three championships that we wouldn't have won without him, and we will forever be grateful for his significant contributions to those teams."

After 3 1/2 years in Miami, a tenure that included his fourth NBA championship, O'Neal became a veteran for hire, moving to Phoenix and then Cleveland and finally Boston. But he couldn't deliver another title for Victoria's Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire with the Suns, with LeBron James with the Cavaliers, or with the Celtics' Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

At each stop, he endeared himself to the fans and his new teammates with his effervescent smile and playful attitude, including the habit of adopting a new nickname he felt embodied his role with his new team. In Phoenix he was the "Big Shaqtus"; in Boston, the "Big Shamroq."

"What a career for Shaq Diesel!!" James wrote on Twitter. "The most dominating force to ever play the game. Great person to be around as well. Comedy all the time!!"

O'Neal embraced social networking, amassing more than 3.8 million followers on his Twitter account and keeping them informed on his "random acts of Shaqness" -- like sitting in Harvard Square, pretending to be a statue, or going out in drag on Halloween.

But O'Neal's off-court persona couldn't disguise the fact he was getting old, and while he showed he could still play with younger opponents, he couldn't manage to stay on the court with them. He missed a week in November with a bruised right knee, a week in December with a calf injury, and another in January with a sore right hip.

He returned for three games -- a total of about 34 minutes -- before missing the next 27 games with what the team called a sore right leg. Although the injury was originally expected to keep him out just a few games, his absence stretched to more than two months.

He returned to play in one more regular-season game, but lasted just five minutes, 29 seconds before reinjuring the leg and limping off the court. He missed Boston's entire first-round series against the New York Knicks and made two appearances against Miami, a total of 12 minutes, and scored two points.

In all, O'Neal averaged just 9.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 20.3 minutes this season -- all career lows.

"I'm glad that he retired. I think it was time," former guard Tim Hardaway said. "He was hurting his legacy. You don't want to see anybody hurt their legacy when they're going out. I think a lot of people are happy he didn't go through that pain of waiting too long. And I think it was tough for everybody to watch Shaq when he was playing hurt like that at the end of this season."

And that left O'Neal in the market for a new nickname.

After announcing his retirement, he asked fans to give him a nickname that befit his retirement. He reported at about 5 p.m. that "The Big 401K" was the leader.

"I know you can do better, though," he said in another video. "I'm here all day. I'm retired."

Knicks intrigued by Faried's board work

CHICAGO -- Newark's Kenneth Faried thought it was a practical joke last summer when his former high school coach handed him the phone and said it was Dennis Rodman on the other end.
It was no joke. The Hall of Fame rebounding demon was on the line, offering him words of encouragement, words that may have put the undersized power forward in the position he is today. Faried is a projected mid-first-round pick in the June 23 draft.
Faried, the Morehead State senior power forward, is on the Knicks' radar. Team president Donnie Walsh would love to add a solid rebounder to help Amar'e Stoudemire in a draft that doesn't have a 7-footer, according to measurements released at yesterday's combine. As such, there's a growing belief the relentless board man could be picked before the Knicks pick at 17, although one scout thought he struggled in various offensive drills.
"He's a great rebounder," Walsh told The Post yesterday. "He's got energy. Some called him a Ben Wallace. There's nothing wrong with that. We're looking at him. We're looking at all of them."
The next Wallace wouldn't be bad at all. The next Rodman, elected into the Hall of Fame this year, would be even better.
"He encouraged me to keep playing hard, hustling and make a name for [myself] by being a hustle guy," Faried said of the Rodman phone chat. "Don't let anyone hold you back or stop you. Everyone will say you're an undersized guy, don't let that intimidate you. He said be like him on the court, but don't act like him off the court."
Faried, who averaged 17.3 points and 14.3 rebounds, is ready to follow Rodman's plea to the letter. Faried wears his hair in long dreadlocks, but has no Rodman-like piercings, his body isn't covered in tattoos and he has no dress in his wardrobe. He just rebounds and comes off as a wholesome kid. He spoke thoughtfully of the pain in having to break it to his mother a year ago he was about to be the father of an infant daughter.
"It did inspire me," Faried said of Rodman's talk. "It inspired me to want to be great and a Hall of Famer like he was. It made me feel I could be like him on the court."
Faried measured, without shoes, is only 6-foot-6, but he has a healthy 7-foot wingspan.
"If he was 6-9, he'd be the top pick in this draft," ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said. "He's got deficiencies but he's got one major-league skill -- rebounding. And he's low-maintenance guy; nothing off the court you have to worry about."
Faried, though, is plenty confident. He believes he can post a 30-rebound night in the NBA.
"With my height, people don't really think I can maintain it at the next level, but I believe in myself," Faried said. "My strength is rebounding and defense and my motor. I have a quick first jump and my second jump is probably more amazing and is quicker than my first jumper. I'm relentless."
With the scouting report pegging him as offensively challenged, Faried is nonplussed. The big fear is he becomes another Ronaldo Balkman rather than Rodman or Big Ben.
"When the ball's anywhere around the rim, I can go up and get it, and that's a great and attribute to have," Faried said when asked if he had any offensive skills.
Faried rooted more for the Nets, who select 28th, than Knicks growing up Newark and Jersey City.
"I was a great Nets fan," Faried said. "In high school [at Technology H.S.] one time when they came out, I spoke to Vince Carter, Jason Kidd. They stopped to wish me good luck."
But he'd be fine landing with the Knicks.
"It would be a great place to play, the Garden is loud," Faried said. "Amar'e [Stoudemire] and Carmelo Anthony are two great payers. They play hard and I can push their level higher to make them play harder and try to win a championship."
The draft will be in his backyard -- at Newark's Prudential Center.
"If I'm invited, it would be great to be there," Faried said. "It's my hometown. a lot of friends are talking to me about getting tickets. I don't know if I'll be lottery. We'll see if they invite me."

Cutler talk, but not expected

Say what you want about Jay Cutler. I do not like his attitude, his behavior, he said. It does not matter and that does not mean it is a difficult player and does not mean he does not care.

Steve Jensen, the Chicago Sun Times, managed to land an interview with Cutler, and said on the subject of criticism during and after the NFC championship.

Cutler admitted he was worried about the criticism, but it will not worry him. All that really matters is that I can not wait until the football field and his followers colleagues back.

Some people still say that should Cutler, came before the defense. No, he did not. The fact that no reference to the press at a separate press conference, does not mean he did not care. It did nothing to choose from.

Since leaving Denver, body language, fraternity boy personality and all that he has a dislike for the world to have Cutler. But what the people is not to note that Cutler was right. He did not want for a coach who knew what he was playing. Josh McDaniels, the  trainer  Cutler would not play was, after running all the players that the Broncos actually made the city dismissed competitive.

When football starts (where) do not expect to explain Cutler what happened or how I felt everyone was offended. It is old news. All that matters and all that should matter is how it reacts in the area, Cutler and his colleagues think of him.

If you are still waiting to go to Cutler and have a strong opinion on how it was destroyed by the media and not disappoint the fans. The problem is that it will not be disappointed.

NFL owners do not consider the waiting

The owners have said by using replacement players if the first work stoppage in the NFL since 1987, directs the Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday said, and the league could not keep their contract offer last negotiating table, if not soon.


He also said that, the Miami Dolphins and four other teams so far been informed or fines that the NFL will be prosecuted for violating rules prohibiting contact with the off-season player. Goodell was asked about the Dolphins, did not show any other team.

NFL general counsel Jeff Pash, said injuries are not related to the closure of the players in the league, the 12th March hours after negotiations with the players broke began, and dissolved the union. Even during normal counter-season from the end of the season to about 15 March NFL teams organized bar to keep training rules, practices or meetings, and coaches do not allow players to control the conditions.

This is a  go home and rest  period,  said Pash.
Since the blockade began, no contact between the 32 clubs in the league and the players were allowed. Players are not paid and can not negotiate new contracts, institutions to take advantage of the team.

Goodell said he has not been 11th on the NFL Players Association director DeMaurice the Smith March, when the talks said after 16 days of the Federal Mediation ended.

The owners have a proposal on this day in 2011 included an increase in their salary cap to $ 131 million to 141 million offer, the players were a ceiling of 151 million dollars this year, a greater chance of us at some of the revenue to higher than expected win over a certain threshold.


was made six days after the proposal, Goodell said that some of the information sent in an e-mail contained information on all active players.
 Some players complain letter Goodell, saying that he intends to divide. He also opposed the proposal of the letter that  return-union at the negotiating table, the players their push, the NFLPA renounced their union status, and said that now is a professional association. This in turn allowed the player in the league in federal court under the antitrust laws continue. A hearing is for 6 April planned.


The NFL has no games lost to a work stoppage since 1987, when the strike of the season and some games, including non-union shortened the waiting list.

Goodell said the owners want a full season in 2011, and reiterated his hope that negotiations could resume before the draft starts 28th April.

We are certainly about it, a full season,  he said.  It is our goal and we work as hard as we can see that a reality.

Cohen: The result of the final classification

ORLANDO - I tend to be very obsessed with the rankings of the NBA playoffs and possible collisions. Every day during the regular season, after all get up and turn on my computer, I have to visit NBA.com for a look and analysis of past positions.

There is always plenty to analyze and predict, especially at this stage of the season when teams are in the final phase of competition for places in the playoffs and positioning.

It's almost impossible not to think about what are the best arguments for the Orlando Magic. What is the best seed for your search in the championship, which will go with the first round and what do you expect the rest of the case on the floor?

Currently, there are all sorts of oddities in the Eastern Conference to spread.

Ultimately, the end No 1 in the East: Celtics and the Bulls?

Then the magic will take the heat and claim the title of the Southeast Division?

Atlanta, New York or Philadelphia: Who is Orlando in the first round of the playoffs face?

Those who avoid the lottery of the NBA and fall into the playoffs as a No. 8 seed: Indiana, Charlotte and Milwaukee?

If the magic prior to the event finals, most likely?

As one of the invigorating and stimulating arguments raised in the War Room OrlandoMagic.com, I decided some of my colleagues predictions about what the rankings look like when the regular season, compiling over.

Forecast for everyone after revealing that allows each team to its projected point in the playoffs to the fans for what they think the result would be that these are the struggles of the first round vote sown.

CTE found in brain tissue Probert

Bob Probert knew was given to the savage beatings and received over 16 seasons as an enforcer in the NHL at its own expense, as he grew up. So he wanted to analyze his brain to, once he is dead.

Although heart failure has finally ended his life last July after 45 years, Probert was also living with a brain damaged.

Researchers at Boston University on Thursday that Probert the degenerative brain disease, had chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The disease was found by the analysis of brain tissue by Probert anyway.

It is the second player in the hockey program of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy with the disease diagnosed after death.
Reggie Fleming, an agent of the 1960s, which was played in front of helmets mandatory took ETC.

CSTE is a collaboration between the Boston University Medical School and the Sports Legacy Institute, to address what he calls the crisis  concussions in sports studied. The group has been at the forefront of research on brain injury in sports and was awarded $ 1,000 , 000 donation from the NFL, which has for better treatment of bruises lobbying.

The family of former Bears safety Dave Duerson agreed to donate their brains trial after he committed suicide last month at 50 years.

During his years as one of the most feared player in the NHL Probert had a value of 3,300 minutes - fifth on the career list in the league. It was the most difficult fight and most productive of his time. Probert, to overcome the problem, an alcohol during their fight to stay in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks from 1985 to 1994 played from 1995 to 2002.


The first results were reported by the New York Times and the Globe and Mail in Toronto on Wednesday night.


Some of the biggest stars of the NHL, including Sidney Crosby of Pittsburgh lost time this season because of the effects of a concussion. Crosby has not played since he recorded a few hits in consecutive games in early January.

Commissioner Gary Bettman said during the All-Star break, the tremors are caused appears in court this season, but quickly took note of the increase in incidental or accidental situations, rather than contacting the head of another player.

Although the NHL has set a new standard to surprise him illegal access side of the head, and the CEO of the league will later consider this month, when should the contact of the head are prohibited, was the fight against time is an important part of the professional Thurs

There were signs that the NHL in changing or eliminating this aspect of the sport is interested.


The detailed results of brain tissue Probert will be released only if they submit to a medical journal. His family asked the diagnosis is made publicly available could the dangers of head injuries in sports are considered and to encourage greater efforts to make the sport safer for the brain, says SLI.


Fleming died in 2009 at the age of 73 with dementia after 30 years the deterioration of cognitive and behavioral problems.

Daniel Probst said her husband showed mental decline of about 40 years, new problems and the increase in short-term memory, attention, and moody. These are all symptoms are similar to those reported from other athletes, ETC.



Nowinski has in the past month more than 300 athletes, 100 NFL players in the past, the record of brain donation are CSTE. There are 65 cases in the study. The  brain bank  CSTE is currently 68 copies.

Dr. Ann McKee, Co-Director of the ETSC - reportedly the largest brain bank in the world, analyzed the brains of 40 former athletes and found that 30 showed evidence of CTE. This includes 13 of 14 former NFL players, football players, college and high school hockey players, wrestlers and professional boxer.

CTE, originally as a  pugilistic dementia  because they thought, that affect only boxer known, is a progressive disease of the brain seems to be caused by repeated trauma subconcussive of the brain, including vibration or shock.

It is believed that other undetermined factors such as genetic predisposition, like some people more at risk of developing the disease.

Keith Primeau, a former jockey of the stars who are forced, in 2006 was due to a concussion during a 15-race of the season in the NHL retirement is decided by those who donate his brain.

Probert and Primeau were Red Wings teammates for four seasons.

Hockey is positive measures to protect players from shock and trauma,  he said.  I hope the results of my friend, Bob Probert, accelerate the momentum at all levels of the game.

NBA: All-Star Weekend Winners and Losers

With an abbreviated set of games this past week ahead of All-Star Weekend, we’re going to do things a little different for the Pinkie’s Monday NBA coverage. Instead of the normal short opinion piece with the UK and UofL updates, I’m going to run down the winners and losers from this weekend’s festivities in LA.

WINNERS

Kobe Bryant/Kevin Durant

With a 37 point, 14 rebound outing in his home building, Kobe was a shoo-in for MVP honors. He had 32 heading into the fourth quarter and with the West holding a double-digit lead, he had all but locked down the award. However, the East rallied behind LeBron James and in the end it was Kevin Durant, not Kobe, that made the big shots to sew up the win.

Durant scored 34, including four threes, but Kobe’s stellar first three quarters and home court advantage were too much to overcome.

LeBron James

I saw a few jokes floating around the Twitter universe about LeBron playing as hard as he did in the All-Star game after his now notorious egg-laying against the Celtics last season in the playoffs. Maybe the jokes were deserved, but LeBron was still fantastic. He had just the second triple-double in the history of the All-Star game with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. If you include “ridiculous open floor plays that make you say ‘wow’” as a statistical category, he actually had a quadruple-double.

The Three Amigos

I was fairly entertained by All-Star game and dunk contest, but the highlight of the weekend for me was, without a doubt, the Rookie-Sophomore game. In fact, I think it was the most I’ve enjoyed watching a non-UK game in a long time. Seeing John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe play together again was really cool, especially with all the highlights they turned in with neither team bothering to play defense.

It was a Big Blue infomercial as Wall set a record with 22 assists in the game and Cousins had 33 points and 14 rebounds. After the game, Wall said that he set out to break Chris Paul’s assist record in the game and was looking to get Cousins the MVP. Wall, though, was just too brilliant. Besides, how could they not give it to him after that bounce pass alley-oop to Blake Griffin. Bledsoe didn’t play as much as his former teammates, but he did turn in a nasty left-handed dunk off a Wall pass.

Blake Griffin

It was a bit of a coming out party for the sort-of rookie, as he participated in the Rookie-Sophomore game (playing limited minutes), won the dunk contest and played in the main event. The dunk contest was honestly a bit underwhelming, but Griffin had his share of patented ‘wow’ dunks in both games to remind you why he has been one of the stories of the year in the NBA.

Teenage Girls with Bieber Fever

If you watched the abomination that is the NBA’s celebrity game, you know what I’m talking about. Justin Bieber played in the game, scoring eight points but leading the world in high-pitched screams from fans. Even though he was on the same team as Scottie Pippen and Bieber shot just 3-11, Biebs took home MVP honors thanks to some Chicago style ballot box stuffing. And if you were wondering, yes, text message voting was available.

LOSERS

Members of Miami’s Big Three not named LeBron James

Dwyane Wade went down with an ankle injury, aggravating a sprain from last week. Chris Bosh, on the other hand, looked a lot like he does when he plays for the Heat: a bit lost and unsure of his role. Bosh shot pretty well and did score 14 points in just under 21 minutes, but it came time to make a clutch play, he failed to grab a big rebound and decided to shoot a three pointer, which he bricked.

Everybody involved in the Carmelo shenanigans

‘Melo was highly average in the main event with just 8 points and 7 rebounds, while talks of the trade that may or may not happen with the Nets/Knicks dominated much of the conversation all weekend. I’ve been a Carmelo defender most of the year because I think he’s really good, but I am 100% ready for this to be over and done with.

Derrick Favors

I know it’s kind of iffy to single out a player for a performance in an all-star game, especially a big man, but Derrick Favors was the one guy in the Rookie-Sophomore game who looked like he just did not belong. Playing against very thin competition from the sophomore front line, Favors managed to avoid grabbing a single rebound. He was badly overshadowed, perhaps because of the distraction of the potential ‘Melo trade. It still baffles me that someone could have taken him ahead of DeMarcus Cousins, even with all of Boogie’s supposed issues.