NBA lockout talks stall...again

Negotiations between NBA owners and players have stopped again without a new deal in place.

The NBA owners offered a new proposal to the players' union Thursday night, but union executives looked less than impressed.

"It’s not the greatest proposal in the world but I have an obligation to at least present it to our membership," said union chief Billy Hunter (pictured above).

Player representatives from the 30 NBA teams will meet Monday or Tuesday in New York to review the owners' latest offer. If they do not agree to the contract after those meetings, the offer will get worse, NBA Commissioner David Stern said.

"We await the response from the union," Stern said.

There is still a chance at a 72-game season that starts Dec. 15, Stern said, though the union would have to agree to the revised proposal early next week.

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Union decertification could mean no season

NBA lockout: Should the players union decertify?

Twenty years later, Magic Johnson is living proof of surviving HIV

--Mike Bresnahan

Photo credit: John Minchillo / Associated Press

Pacquiao-Marquez: Trainers discuss fight strategy

Las Vegas bookmakers have installed Manny Pacquiao as a near 10-1 favorite to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night, but Marquez trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain exuded confidence Thursday in projecting a strong showing by his 38-year-old fighter.

"Juan's always been a great technical fighter. He's perfected that and learned to control the combat zone," Beristain said. "He now knows how to handle left-handers."

Beristain embraced the fact that if Marquez had been able to avoid knockdowns -- three in their first bout (a draw) in 2004 and another in Pacquiao's split-decision triumph in 2008 -- the Mexican fighter has outboxed Pacquiao.

Beristain says Marquez can do it again as he flashes speed to complement a training camp dedicated to strength training.

"Obviously, Pacquiao has a great punch. Every minute of every round is danger," Beristrain said through an interpreter. "But no matter anyone says, we won that second fight. I'll go to my death saying that."

Beristain said he's spent dozens of hours reviewing replays of Pacquiao's fights since the March 2008 Pacquiao bout.

"You can lose a lot of sleep thinking how to beat Pacquiao," Beristain said. "That's what happens."

For Pacquiao, his training discipline is far superior to the way it was in 2008, when he struggled to make the 130-pound limit, then "ballooned to 149 [pounds] on fight day," according to Gary Poole book "PacMan," which was released in paperback this week.

Sipping from a holiday-red Starbucks cup Thursday morning, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach listed the improvements his fighter has made since that narrow escape in the second part of this trilogy.

"Manny's a compassionate guy and he's let the last couple of guys [Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito] off the hook," Roach said. "Manny will never predict a knockout, but I know the way he's trained and prepared for this fight. I've seen how he's meaner to his sparring partners. He wants this fight badly. He has a fire in him."

Penn State sex-abuse scandal spreads to Texas

It appears the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal is no longer confined to State College, Pa.

Texas authorities announced Thursday that they are looking into whether an offense occurred during Penn State's trip to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio in 1999.

Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who was still with the Nittany Lions during their bowl game that year, was arrested Saturday on charges he sexually assaulted eight boys over a 15-year period. Sandusky has denied the allegations.

San Antonio Police Sgt. Chris Benavides told reporters Thursday that his department is "looking into the possibility that an offense may have happened" during the Penn State football team's time in town.

The 1999 Alamo Bowl marked Sandusky's final appearance as a Penn State coach.

Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn State coach and winningest coach in college football, was fired by the school Wednesday for failing to contact authorities in 2002 after being told a graduate assistant saw Sandusky assaulting a boy in a school shower.

RELATED:

Document: Grand jury report on alleged Penn State sex abuse

Paterno fired: Tom Bradley news conference highlights

Full Coverage: Penn State scandal

-- Austin Knoblauch

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is led away by police after being arrested on molestation charges Saturday. Credit: Reuters

Tory Hernandez out as Angels front-office shake-up continues

Tory Hernandez, who as manager of baseball operations helped run a bare-bones Angels front office while the team searched for a general manager in October, was informed by new GM Jerry Dipoto on Thursday that he will not be offered a contract for 2012.

Hernandez, 33, was with the team for seven years, the first three as a player performance analyst and the last four as manager of baseball operations. Considered one of the team's bright, up-and-coming young executives, Hernandez was mentioned as a possible GM and assistant GM candidate before Dipoto got the job in late October.

Instead, like former Angels GM Tony Reagins, assistant GM Ken Forsch, special assistant Gary Sutherland and farm director Abe Flores, Hernandez, whose loyalty to the organization was reflected in his willingness to work the last 10 days without a contract--a highly unusual practice in Major League Baseball--is no longer with the organization.

"I can't say it's entirely unexpected, but the timing is not good -- it's Nov. 10, and most of the jobs in baseball are filled," Hernandez said. Dipoto "wants to bring in his own guys, which I understand. They didn't see a fit, a role for me, here. I know there are better challenges out there for me. I want to scout more, and they don't have a role that fits that."

Dustin Penner loses a point, Colin Fraser gains a roster spot

The more things change, the fewer points left wing Dustin Penner has.

The Kings announced Thursday that a video review of their third goal against Nashville on Tuesday showed that Penner should not have gotten an assist on the play and it was taken away from him, negating what appeared to be his first multi-point game as a King.

According to a statement released by the team, the review showed “that Penner lifted the stick of a Nashville player but never did touch the puck as the puck moved up the ice.” The assist he originally got was given to Willie Mitchell.

That doesn’t change the fact Penner played a solid game for the second successive night, after a strong effort at San Jose on Monday.

“He’s played better here the last three games. I really like his energy and I like the way he’s starting to move around the ice,” Kings Coach Terry Murray said before his team faced the defending West champion Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night at Staples Center.

“Much more confident, much more with authority. He’s in an athletic position. He’s got his knees bent and he’s playing both ways. And with that kind of work I think everything will get on track in the offensive part of it.”

Hearing required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

The New York State Athletic Commission will conduct a Nov. 18 hearing before granting a license to Tijuana's Antonio Margarito for his scheduled Dec. 3 rematch against Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden.

Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) hasn't fought since losing a unanimous decision to Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, where he sustained right eye damage that earlier this year was considered career-threatening. A Pacquiao left uppercut shattered an orbital bone.

In May, Margarito underwent cataract surgery at a prestigous eye care center in Utah, and was later deemed capable of fighting again.

Increased scrutiny by regulators was expected.

Margarito promoter Bob Arum said Thursday that Margarito will be accompanied at the New York hearing by the ophthamologist who performed his surgery, along with another eye expert and an individual Arum described as the leading sports opthamologist in the world.

"We're confident he'll be OK," Arum said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be spending the money to show he's fine."

There was speculation that Arum was positioned to use Glendale's Vanes Martirosyan as a fill-in fighter if Margarito isn't licensed.

"We don't need a backup," Arum said.

ALSO:

Battling for lord of the ring in trilogy

Boxing needs a brilliant Manny Pacquiao now

Bill Dwyre: In death, Joe Frazier finally gets some separation

--Lance Pugmire

Photo: Antonio Margarito talks about his Dec. 3 bout against Miguel Cotto at a news conference in Los Angeles in September. Credit: Reed Saxon / Associated Press

Week 10 in Fantasy Football: Favorable and Unfavorable Matchups

Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football team. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).

If you submit one of the 50 most accurate responses this week, you can win a prize from FantasyPros.com.

The Seattle Seahawks unleashed “Beast Mode” last week against Dallas and Marshawn Lynch (SEA) owners benefited as the running back trounced the Cowboys for 135 yards and a score, the third-highest fantasy total among RBs in Week 9. The performance prompted Ravens Coach John Harbaugh to say that Lynch is “definitely a top 2 or 3 running back in the National Football League.” Was that the same Marshawn Lynch who ran for just 24 yards on 16 carries a week earlier against the Bengals? Let’s not get too carried away here. Lynch has been way too inconsistent to be considered a top-rate fantasy running back going forward and he is among our unfavorable matchup picks in Week 10 against Baltimore’s third-ranked run defense.

View our Week 10 rankings here.

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Mark Sanchez (NYJ) vs. NE —  The Patriots rank dead last in pass defense and have yielded consecutive 20-point, 2-touchdown games over the last two weeks to Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger. Sanchez tossed two touchdowns in his first meeting with New England this year, and his offense has improved considerably since then.

Matt Cassel (KC) vs. DEN — Starting this guy would require a forgiving short-term memory, but in Cassel’s defense, he really didn’t have much time to throw the ball against Miami. Be forewarned that Denver’s pass rushing duo of Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil appear to be finally clicking, with 2 sacks and 5 hits on Carson Palmer last week. But Palmer still managed to throw for 322 yards and 3 TDs, and nobody is allowing more fantasy points to quarterbacks this year, so the matchup is there if you believe he can bounce back.

Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. SEA — Flacco’s surprisingly solid 300-yard game against the Steelers’ elite pass defense marks the fourth time he’s reached that mark this season. A good game from this inconsistent quarterback might not be so shocking this week, as the Seahawks have allowed 4 TDs and 19.5 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks over the last two weeks.

Christian Ponder (MIN) vs. GB — It seems like Green Bay is always involved in a shootout and opposing quarterbacks have benefited, with a 22-point fantasy average this season. Ponder racked up 19 fantasy points against the Packers in Week 7, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

Unfavorable

Josh Freeman (TB) vs. HOU — Freeman has been hard to count on in a good matchup, let alone a bad one, and the Texans represent the latter, yielding the fourth fewest points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Drew Brees has been the only one to surpass the 20-point mark against this unit, and Houston hasn’t allowed a multiple TD day to the position since Week 5 (Jason Campbell).

Tom Brady (NE) vs. NYJ — Sit Tom Brady this week? Maybe if you have Eli Manning on your bench. The Jets are the worst matchup a quarterback can have this season. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging just eight fantasy points a game. Brady has been interception-prone as well of late, throwing five of them in his last three games.

Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. DET — Cutler produced a solid stat line in the Bears’ upset win over the Eagles Monday night (208 yards, 2 TDs), and his offensive line didn’t allow a sack for the first time this season. But we still feel Cutler is best suited for QB2 duty this week. The Lions are yielding just 13 points a game to the position, and Cutler was nothing special in his first meeting with Detroit (16 fantasy points).

Andy Dalton (CIN) vs. PIT — Three touchdown passes on a tough Titans secondary was mighty impressive last weekend, but he’s still a risky start against a tougher Steelers secondary allowing just 14 fantasy points a week through the air.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Ben Tate (HOU) vs. TB — After racking up 115 yards on 12 carries against the Browns, Tate has proved he can be a viable fantasy option despite a limited workload. Tampa Bay allows the fourth-most fantasy points to the position and will be further hurting with the loss of DT Gerald McCoy for the rest of the season. Tate is a solid flex play this weekend.

Mike Tolbert (SD) vs. OAK — The Raiders are fresh off a 168 yard beat-down from a banged up Willis McGahee and have allowed the third-highest fantasy average to running backs this season. Ryan Mathews is expected to return for Thursday’s game, but the Chargers could initially choose to go easy on his workload after a solid Week 9 outing from Tolbert against the Packers (83 yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 59 yards).

Chris Johnson (TEN) vs. CAR — Johnson showed signs of life in Week 9, posting his highest YPG (4.6) of the season against a tough Cincinnati run defense. But with just 9 yards on 5 carries in the second half, it would be premature to say the tide is turning. It would be a good idea to keep him active, however, as no one allows more fantasy points to running backs than the Panthers.

Steven Jackson (STL) vs. CLE — Jackson is looking for his third consecutive 100-yard game this weekend, and with the Browns on the menu, odds are looking good. Cleveland’s 30th ranked run defense has allowed three 100-yard rushers in just two weeks (Foster, Tate, and Gore), and has allowed running backs to reach that mark six times in eight games this season.

Unfavorable

Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) vs. CIN — A fourth-quarter touchdown saved owners from another mediocre outing, and with just 13 carries in each of his last 3 games, he’s likely going to need to reach pay dirt again in order to be a worthwhile start against the N.F.L’s second-ranked run defense (3.3 yards a carry).

LeGarrette Blount (TB) vs. HOU — The Texans’ fourth-ranked run defense is holding opposing running games to a 91-yard average, but the bigger question may be how many attempts Blount actually sees this week. The Texans lead the N.F.L. in time of possession, thanks to their elite running game, and Blount has averaged just 11.5 carries over his last two games. Similar power backs such as Rashard Mendenhall and Daniel Thomas have been held out of the end zone against Houston, and have managed just an 8-point fantasy average.

Ahmad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs (NYG) vs. SF — At this point, nobody is sure if Bradshaw will suit up this week after missing Wednesday’s practice, but neither back will be a good option against the N.F.L.’s best run-stopping unit (70 YPG, 0 TD).

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

Laurent Robinson (DAL) vs. BUF — Tony Romo has recently taken a liking to Robinson, even when Miles Austin was on the playing field, as the two have paired up for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 13 targets over the last two games. With Austin expected to miss the next 2-4 games, and the Bills allowing 22 fantasy points a game to opposing pass-catchers, the arrow is pointing straight up.

DeSean Jackson (PHI) vs. ARZ — ”Decoy” Jackson continues to blame defensive game plans for his lack of production, which might have worked three weeks ago, but it’s starting to get old. No excuses this week, as the Cardinals ‘suspect secondary has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers this season.

Steve Breaston (KC) vs. DEN — Breaston is coming off his best game of the season vs. Miami (7 rec., 115 yards) and has an outstanding matchup this week. Opposing teams’ secondary wideouts have tallied an 11.8 fantasy average over the course of eight games against the Broncos, who are considered the best matchup a receiver can have.

Anquan Boldin (BAL) vs. SEA — Boldin was targeted a team-high 11 times in the Ravens’ big win Sunday night and he managed to haul in 7 of those for 88 yards, a respectable outing considering what he was up against. Seattle has allowed opposing team’s number one receivers an average of 8.6 fantasy points this season, so a similar if not better stat line from Boldin could be expected in Week 10, making him a rock-solid WR2 this week.

Unfavorable

A.J. Green (CIN) vs. PIT — Pittsburgh’s Ike Taylor will present the biggest challenge the rookie has faced all season. Teams’ No. 1 receivers are averaging a measly 5 fantasy points through nine games against him, including the likes of Wes Welker, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson.

Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ) vs. PHI — No. 1 receivers average a minuscule 3.3 fantasy points in eight games played against the Eagles, and he’ll most likely be catching passes from John Skelton again.

Nate Washington (TEN) vs. CAR — Washington is banged up with a hip injury but is still expected to play. That doesn’t mean you have to start him, especially since Carolina is allowing the fourth-fewest points to the position this season.

Brandon Lloyd (STL) vs. CLE — Mark Clayton is returning this week to steal some targets, and his matchup with Cleveland ranks in as the worst one a receiver can have this season.

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Greg Olsen vs. TEN — He had his best game of the season prior to Week 8’s bye and he could pick up where he left off, considering the Titans have given up the fourth-most points to the position this season.

Unfavorable

Rob Gronkowski (NE) vs. NYJ — Gronk managed just 3 fantasy points in Week 5 against the Jets, and New York is holding the position to a 6.7 fantasy average, which is considered the sixth-worst tight end matchup in fake football land.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Favorable

Eagles vs. Arizona, Lions vs. Chicago, Chargers vs. Oakland, Texans vs. Tampa Bay, Cowboys vs. Buffalo

Unfavorable

Saints vs. Atlanta, Bears vs. Detroit, Bengals vs. Pittsburgh, Titans vs. Carolina, Falcons vs. New Orleans

 

This post has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: November 10, 2011

An earlier version of this article misstated Christian Ponder's team as Indianapolis.

Sparks will get top pick in WNBA draft

The Sparks were awarded the top pick in the WNBA draft despite entering Thursday's lottery in New York with only a 10.4% chance of earning the No. 1 spot.

The Sparks were competing against three other teams for the top pick -- the Tulsa Shock, the Minnesota Lynx and the Chicago Sky -- and had the fourth-best odds.

The Shock, who were 3-31 last season, were favored to win the top pick (44.2%). They will draft fourth. The Sky (14-20) will select second and the Lynx (27-7) will choose third.

This is the second time in franchise history that the Sparks drew the top pick. The last time they had the top choice was in 2008, when they drafted Tennessee superstar Candace Parker, who went on to earn the MVP award in her rookie year.

This is an unexpected coup for the Sparks, who were 15-19 last season and missed the playoffs for the fourth time in franchise history.

The draft will be held April 16.

-- Melissa Rohlin

Photo: The Sparks prepare for an exhibition game against Seattle in May. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Gary Klein discusses the game between USC and Washington

 

Times USC reporter Gary Klein discusses what he thinks will happen in this weekend's showdown between the Trojans and the Washington Huskies.

The Trojans will be trying to stop Washington running back Chris Polk, who could have been a Trojan. As Klein wrote earlier this week:

"Polk running back made a verbal commitment to USC while playing at Redlands East Valley High, but he changed his mind and signed instead with the Huskies in 2008.

"Polk, a fourth-year junior, ranks second in the Pac-12 Conference and seventh nationally in rushing going into Saturday's game against No. 21 USC at the Coliseum.

"He's probably the best back we've faced so far," USC safety T.J. McDonald said Wednesday. "He can catch the ball and he can also run with it between the tackles.

"He's a big kid so we have to make sure we tackle him. We don't want to give him many second chances."

"Or, as Coach Lane Kiffin said, "It's not real complicated: Tackle the guy really well and don't let him keep falling forward."

"The 5-foot-11, 222-pound Polk has rushed for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He and Napoleon Kaufman, who played in 1992-94, are the only Huskies running backs to amass more than 1,000 yards rushing three times.

"Washington Coach Steve Sarkisian recruited Polk to USC when he was an assistant on the Trojans staff, but Polk opted to play for Tyrone Willingham in Seattle.

--Houston Mitchell

 

Penn State student defends firing of Joe Paterno [Video]

During an ESPN interview, a Penn State student stood up to the mob and defended the firing of Joe Paterno, only to be interrupted by an emphatic Paterno supporter.

"It's a terrible situation, but he should have done more," said the student. "I'm embarrassed for the university, for Joe Paterno, for everyone."

In the background, thousands of students were chanting, "We want Joe." The interviewee consented that he was among a small minority.    

Before long, another man shouts into the microphone, "Joe Pa should be here until the end of time. Joe Pa should be here for life."

The reporter then asked the student who was defending the dismissal of Paterno whether he feared for his safety.

"Absolutely," he said.

RELATED:

Penn State students stage mini-riot after Paterno fired

Paterno fired: Tom Bradley news conference highlights

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-- Melissa Rohlin

London 2012 Olympics diary: WW1 verterans to be honoured by BOA

Noel Godfrey was one of only three people to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice for bravery and devotion to duty

Olympic athletes who gave their lives during World War I will be honoured at the Armistice Remembrance Day Ceremony in Yprés, Belgium.

British Olympic Association Chairman Colin Moynihan will lead a delegation of British Olympic medallists and officials at the Menin Gate at 11:00 am on the 11th of November and will be joined by IOC president Jacques Rogge.

The Last Post Association says,there are three British Olympians in the Yprés Salient: Captain (Doctor) Noel  Godfrey  Chavasse VC and Bar,  who was a 400m runner at the 1908 London Olympics;  Lt G.R.L. ‘Twiggy’ Anderson a hurdles finalist at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 and world record holder and Gunner George Albert (GA) Hawkins a 200m finalist at the 1908 London Olympic Games.

****

How fortunate that the Team GB football teams had their fixtures announced months ahead of any other team.

With more than 1.5 million football tickets to shift, London Olympic Games organisers are now able to market – and sell – a wad of Games football tickets as ideal Christmas presents.

****

A big pre-opening ceremony Olympic Games rock concert is being mooted to put the capital in a festive mood but the planning has put a couple of Olympic sponsors offside.

While Coca Cola has the celebrated DJ Mark Ronson involved to produce a worldwide advertisement including the sounds athletes make, it appears Locog wants one massive rock event, rather than separate sponsor activations.

But we are hearing there are  problems securing an adequate venue.

****

With the Olympic torch relay route confirmed this week, the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt has started his own nationwide tour to promote the tourism benefits of the Olympics.

Unlike the torch Hunt won't quite reach 95 per cent of the country but his 13 city visits  will launch 20.12 per cent discounts for domestic tourism on the back of the

Olympics.

This scheme is funded from nearly £3 million of the £9.3 billion  Olympic budget.

*****

More than 4,000 semi-mature trees, including Willow, Poplar and Alder have been planted at the Olympic Park.

The greening of the Park is now completed with more than 10 football fields’ worth of nectar-rich annual and perennial meadows ready to flower during the  Olympic Games.

Designers have built more than 3,300 seats into the park so people are never more than 50m walk from a seat.

*****

One of the Olympic sponsors, Coca Cola, is planning to create 80 million new Coke bottles within six weeks of the closing ceremony of the Games using about a fifth of the total waste from the  Games.

The company says all of the clear PET plastic will be recycled and will help Locog's target to send zero waste to landfill. A new recycling facility with Eco Plastics in North Lincolnshire will double the current recycled  plastic from 35,000 tonnes to more than 75,000 tonnes.

Chris Foster discusses Kevin Prince and UCLA football

Times UCLA reporter Chris Foster about Kevin Prince leading UCLA's resurgence, and if Saturday's game at Utah is a trap.

As Baxter Holmes wrote earlier this week:

"More than a month before Thanksgiving, UCLA's goose already looked cooked. Arizona's football team, with a five-game losing streak and an interim coach, roasted the Bruins by 36 points in Tucson on Oct. 20.

"The embarrassing loss prompted calls for Coach Rick Neuheisel's ouster, but UCLA responded with consecutive victories over California and nationally ranked Arizona State to pull into a first-place tie in the Pacific 12 Conference's South Division.

"Now the future suddenly looks bright with possibility. The only roadblocks between UCLA and a Nov. 26 showdown at USC with a berth in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game at stake are the conference's newcomers, Utah and Colorado.

"The Bruins travel to Salt Lake City to face the Utes on Saturday, then play host to Colorado on Nov. 19.

"Both teams have struggled in their inaugural Pac-12 seasons but Utah, liked UCLA, has reversed field by winning its last two games.

"It took far longer to get our first Pac-12 win that we had hoped it would, but we finally got it," Coach Kyle Whittingham said after Utah's 27-8 win against Oregon State on Oct. 29. The Utes improved to 5-4 overall, 2-4 in conference play by defeating Arizona, 34-21, on Saturday."

--Houston Mitchell

Dana White: UFC and boxing will co-exist in harmony when fightnights are great

It is a historic night for the UFC on Saturday when the heavyweight belt between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos live on network television in the United States. UK viewers can also see the contest free on any one of several platforms, including an internet stream.

Dana White, the UFC President, made a statement today about what is being seen as a landmark day for mixed martial arts.

The FOX network has signed a seven-year deal with the UFC worth $700 million US dollars.

"This Saturday night is a huge night for fight fans, maybe the best night of fighting in 2012. In boxing, Manny Pacquiao faces Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on Pay-Per-View and – before the boxing even gets started – the UFC has an historic fight live and free on FOX.

In the first UFC fight ever on network TV, undisputed, undefeated UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez defends his title against the awesome No 1 contender Junior dos Santos. Modern mixed martial arts may be a young sport, but this fight from Honda Center in Anaheim, CA is a real throwback to the days of Dempsey or Ali or Tyson.

Cain became 'the Man' the old fashioned way just like Dempsey or Ali did: he beat the Man who beat the Man who beat the Man. And Junior earned his shot just like a Sonny Liston or a Mike Tyson: did he knocked out top 10 guys until he was the last man standing.

Cain and Junior are the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division and this is a fight that, as a promoter, I have no doubt that it will deliver on FOX.

The Velasquez v dos Santos fight on FOX revives the great tradition from boxing where the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship will be defend on network TV. It’s taken a long time for this to happen again – it is 26 years since Larry Holmes last fought on NBC. I have always wanted to bring big fights back to network TV.

There’s always been a lot of talk about the UFC killing boxing. I’ve always said that boxing is hurting boxing, not the UFC. I honestly believe that many people are fans of both. And I can prove it: on September 17, the UFC drew 2million viewers to a live fight on cable TV… a couple hours later over 1.3million fans bought the Floyd Mayweather PPV. Fight fans stayed in and watched both!

It will happen again this Saturday. The Cain v JDS fight will start at 6pm on the West Coast and 9pm in the East. [2am Sunday morning in the UK]. There will be a full hour between the UFC fight ending and the Pac-Man v Marquez fight beginning – and I promise you it will be a huge night for combat sports again.

On Monday morning, millions of Americans will go to work and be asked by a colleague if he saw ‘the fights’ on Saturday night. And the conversation will be about boxing AND the UFC on FOX."

UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos on November 12, 2011, at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California will air on Premiere Sports in the UK (SKY CHANNEL 433) and on Setanta in Ireland, as well as free on UFC.com. This event will be the UFC debut on Fox, with the Heavyweight Championship on the line.

Penn State students stage mini-riot after Joe Paterno is fired

Thousands of Penn State students staged a mini-riot Wednesday evening after Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno was fired by the school's Board of Trustees.

The students assembled two blocks from campus and chanted, "We want Joe! We want Joe!" Some threw rocks and bottles. A TV news van was tipped over and its windows were kicked in and a lamppost was toppled.

About 100 police wearing wearing helmets and carrying batons arrived at the scene around midnight and used pepper spray to break up the crowd. The officers announced into megaphones that the students would be breaking the law if they did not leave the area.

PHOTOS: Riot at Penn State

Paterno, 84, was fired after reports surfaced that he didn't alert police when a graduate student came to him in 2002 and told Paterno that he had witnessed assistant coach Jerry Sandusky engaging in inappropriate behavior with a 10-year-old boy in a school shower.

Paterno announced earlier Wednesday that he would retire after finishing the season, but an outraged Board of Trustees was not satisfied and dismissed the storied coach effective immediately.

Dustin Morgan, 20, a junior from Scranton, Pa., told Bloomberg that he thought the decision was "a little harsh."

“They’re just allegations,” Morgan said. “A lot of people were saying Joe didn’t make the right choice and morally he didn’t do the right thing, but to just fire a man who’s been here for 46 years and pretty much made this campus what it is now, I think is a little harsh.”

James Choi, 18, a freshman from Baltimore, also thought the way Paterno was fired was unjust.

“He shouldn’t have to go out this way,” Choi said. “They should let him leave with his dignity.”

MORE:

Joe Paterno fired

Chris Dufresne: Penn State ruined for years to come

Full coverage: Child sex abuse scandal rocks Penn State

-- Melissa Rohlin

Photo: Penn State students smash a TV news van after Joe Paterno was fired. Credit: Michael Henninger / Associated Press

UCLA football: Bruins to play Texas in Cowboys Stadium in 2014

UCLA and Texas have agreed to play a spotlight game in Cowboys’ Stadium in 2014.

The game, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 13, will be nationally televised. The Bruins have a game against Virginia schedule for that day, but the two schools will work out a change.

UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, in a blog posting to donors and boosters, said this week that UCLA had, “negotiated a deal that will feature the Bruins against a marquee opponent at Cowboys Stadium.”

UCLA and Texas just completed a home-and-home series. UCLA defeated Texas, 34-12, in Austin in 2010. Texas returned the favor this season, beating the Bruins, 49-20, in the Rose Bowl.

--Chris Foster

Report: Kidnapped Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is alive

Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, who was kidnapped Wednesday outside his home in Venezuela, is alive, it was reported Thursday.

A Venezuelan police Twitter feed says: “State law enforcement officials confirm ballplayer Ramos alive," according to the Washington Post.

Venezuelan officials said Thursday that they found the vehicle Ramos' kidnappers used to abduct him. The Ramos family, which had not been contacted by the kidnappers, urged the public to stay calm.

The Nationals and Major League Baseball issued a joint statement Thursday: “Our foremost concern is with Wilson Ramos and his family and our thoughts are with them at this time. Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations is working with the appropriate authorities on this matter. Both Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals have been instructed to make no further comment."

ALSO:

Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An "unbelievable, amazing, incredible" victory for Cardinals

-- Melissa Rohlin

 Photo: Wilson Ramos. Credit: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

NFL Network starts with Raiders, Chargers and new announcing team

After receiving many bad reviews last year for its three-man booth of Bob Papa, Matt Millen and Joe Theismann, the NFL Network has revamped its announcing team and Thursday night when it kicks off its season with Carson Palmer and the Raiders against the struggling San Diego Chargers and their befuddled quarterback Phillip Rivers, the listening audience might be pleased.

Mike Mayock, who has received positive responses from his work announcing Notre Dame football, has been respected for years for his work with NFL draft coverage, and will be the NFL Network analyst this year.

Brad Nessler is one of those guys doing analysis where you hear him, might not recognize his voice initially, then come to discover that it's Nessler and that you don't recognize him because he is even-toned, mistake-free and knowledgeable. He will be the play-by-play voice on the NFL Network broadcasts.

Mayock said the two, who hadn't worked together before, did some practice games in the studio and found their rhythm almost immediately.

The last time Mayock worked with Nessler, Mayock was a sideline reporter but he says, honestly, that Nessler has always been one of his favorite analysts. "The big thing for us the first night," Mayock said, "is to just not make mistakes. And we both agree, it's the game that's important. Not us."

That philosophy seemed missing last year when Thursday broadcasts often seemed to be debates between Theismann and Millen.

Despite Oakland's loss last week, Mayock thinks Palmer and his strong arm and ability to throw 15-20 yard passes with consistency will ultimately keep the Raiders in the thick of a playoff race in the AFC West that is in no way predictable. Mayock is less cheery about Rivers, who he says "is not playing well."

When Rivers fumbled the snap two weeks ago, Mayock said, "that's one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen, mind-boggling even."

Though Nessler's voice is more familiar to college fans, he has served as lead announcer on the back end of Monday Night Football doubleheaders in 2006 and 2010 and was the radio play-by-play voice for the Falcons from 1982-88 and for the Vikings in 1999.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: NFL Network’s new Thursday Night Football announcing team of Mike Mayock (analyst) and Brad Nessler (play-by-play). Credit: Shandon Melvin / NFL.

 

 

 

 

Joe Paterno fired: Tom Bradley news conference highlights

Tom Bradley, who was named interim head football coach at Penn State after Joe Paterno was fired Wednesday night, held his first news conference Thursday morning. Some highlights:

Bradley said Mike McQueary, the former graduate assistant who reported the 2002 Jerry Sandusky allegation to Paterno, will remain in his capacity as an assistant, but didn't say where he'd be positioned in the stadium. He also declared Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden will take over as co-coordinators on defense.

“I take this job with very mixed emotions, due to the situation,” Bradley said.

PHOTOS: Riot at Penn State

“I grieve for the victims. I grieve for the families … Our thoughts and our prayers are with them,” Bradley said.

Bradley says he called Joe Paterno on Wednesday night, but would not say what they talked about.

Bradley, who replaced Sandusky as defensive coordinator in 1999, repeatedly declined to answer any questions about Sandusky, noting that the investigation against him is ongoing.

"The football part, we'll get working on that right away," Bradley said, "For now, you should know our team's thoughts and prayers are with those children and their families."

He said that, despite the protests Wednesday night in State College, Pa., he is not concerned about the safety of his players at the game on Saturday. He does not think the events of the last week will distract them. “It’s a very resilient group,” he said.

When asked about his thoughts on Paterno, Bradley said: "Joe Paterno has meant more to me than anybody but my father.... Coach Paterno will go down in history as one of the greatest men -- most of you know him as a football coach -- I've had the privilege to work with him. He's had a dynamic impact on so many, so many -- I'll say again, so many -- people and players lives. I'm proud to say that I worked with him."

RELATED:

Penn State students stage mini-riot

Chris Dufresne: Penn State ruined for years to come

Full coverage: Child sex abuse scandal rocks Penn State

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Tom Bradley was appointed interim head coach at Penn State after Joe Paterno was fired. Credit: Doug Benc / Getty Images

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos kidnapped in Venezuela

Venezuelan officials said Thursday they have found the vehicle used by armed men who abducted Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos.

Police found the kidnappers' vehicle abandoned a short distance from where he was abducted and were gathering evidence, Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami told reporters Thursday morning. He said anti-kidnapping units were dispatched to the area in central Carabobo state.

"The abductors haven't made contact with the family or with anyone," said Domingo Alvarez, vice president of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. "We're worried."

Ramos was taken away in an SUV by four armed men from his home in Santa Ines on Wednesday night.

"Every major league player has his own security, but we don't know if at that time he had his security there," Alvarez said. He said it's the first time a Major League Baseball player has been abducted in the country, though players' relatives have been held for ransom in the past.

As a rookie in 2011 Ramos hit .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs in 113 games.

ALSO:

Now the Cardinals will look to the future

Photos: Cardinals vs. Rangers in World Series

An "unbelievable, amazing, incredible" victory for Cardinals

-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Wilson Ramos. Credit: David J. Phillip / Associated Press

Crosby May Return Soon

The timetable for Pittsburgh Penguins All-Star Sidney Crosby’s return to playing in games remains speculative, but there are growing signs he could be back soon. Crosby, who has been out since Jan. 5 because of a concussion, is practicing harder with the team.

Crosby, 24, is working contact into his practice routine, and according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, his Penguins teammates gave him the real deal during Wednesday’s 75-minute hard session at Consol Energy Center.

The Penguins next play Friday, against the Dallas Stars. The team has a few days to practice and rest, leading to some speculation that Crosby may try to play on Friday. Practicing hard, and taking contact, is part of the tests to see where Crosby is in his recovery. He has been consulting with doctors, while trying to get his conditioning and game timing back.

The Penguins, and Crosby, have not said anything concrete about what could happen.

“I guess [they] know more than I do, because I haven’t really thought about it,” Crosby, said earlier in the week, to the Post-Gazette about those who have said his return is imminent. “I’ve thought more about just getting through this week….I’d love it to be Friday. I’d have loved for it to be on the West Coast trip, but I didn’t play there. There are a lot of different guesses. Everyone else’s guess is as good as mine.”

Crosby withstood the customary hacks and bumps of a game Wednesday, thanks to practicing scrums in front of the net and five-on-five drills. He did not comment on how he felt after the practice, other than telling the media that nothing has changed in his status.

Penguins coach Dan Byslma seemed pleased with how Crosby, the team’s captain, withstood the game-simulated rigors.

“He shows a great willingness to initiate and go to the net, look for that type of situation, whether it’s one-on-one, two-on-one, three-on-two, whether he is expecting to have contact or not,” Bylsma told the Post-Gazette. “I thought he’s got a willingness to go into the area where there’s traffic. … He’s shown that willingness for a while now.”

Floyd Landis convicted in French court

A French court convicted American cyclist Floyd Landis in absentia Thursday for his role in hacking into the computers of a French doping lab.

Landis, who was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title for doping, was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence.

The WADA-accredited lab in the town of Chatenay-Malabry south of Paris uncovered unusually high testosterone levels in Landis' samples from the 2006 Tour.

Prosecutors argued that Landis and coach Arnie Baker masterminded a plot to hack into the lab's computer system to obtain documents as part of an effort to defend the cyclist's name.

Landis, in an email to the Associated Press after the trial opened last month, wrote that he had no information about the case except through the press, and was never summoned or contacted by the court, despite its claims to the contrary. He denied any connection to hacking.

In an email to The Times last year, when the arrest warrant was issued, Landis said: "I can't speak for Arnie, but no attempt has been made to formally contact me. It appears to be another case of fabricated evidence by a French lab who is still upset a United States citizen believed he should have the right to face his accusers and defend himself."

ALSO:

Former cycling chief denies Lance Armstrong doping cover-up

Whom does the public believe, Lance Armstrong or his detractors?

-- Houston Mitchell

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo: Floyd Landis. Credit: Dianne Manson / Associated Press.

Phil Mickelson elected to World Golf Hall of Fame

Four-time major winner Phil Mickelson has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Mickelson, who became eligible after turning 40 last year, received 72% of votes cast.

"My thanks go to those who voted me into the World Golf Hall of Fame," Mickelson said. "It really is a tremendous honor to be mentioned alongside the greats of a game that's centuries old. The Players Championship week always has been special to me and the induction ceremony next May will make it even more so."

The induction ceremony will be May 7 at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., the week of the Players Championship, which Mickelson won in 2007.

"It seems Phil has been destined for this honor for some time," PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said. "From his days as one of the world's premier amateur players to his seamless transition to professional star, Phil has always performed at the highest levels of the sport and this recognition is well deserved."

A winner of 39 events on the PGA Tour, Mickelson has won three Masters and a PGA Championship.

A golfer must be named on 65% of ballots sent in by a panel comprising golf journalists, historians and golf dignitaries to be inducted. This year's results:

Phil Mickelson, 72%; Fred Couples, 38%; Davis Love III, 29%; Mark O'Meara, 29%; Macdonald Smith, 27%; Ken Venturi, 27%; Tony Lema, 22%; Fuzzy Zoeller, 17%; Dave Stockton, 16%; Harold (Jug) McSpaden, 12%; Miller Barber, 10%; Don January, 9%; Jim Furyk, 4%; Loren Roberts, 1%.

ALSO:

Penn State scandal: full coverage

Manny Pacquiao: This will be the fight of the year

Floyd Mayweather offers to pay for Joe Frazier's funeral

-- Houston Mitchell

Photo: Phil Mickelson. Credit: Stephen Morrison / EPA.

London 2012 Olympics: blood on the carpet as welfare rule splits dressage

Horseracing is still gripped by the very public fall-out about use of the whip. In some ways, racing should think itself lucky. At least jockeys, owners and trainers in both Flat and National Hunt agree about the issues, unlike dressage where horsemen are vehemently at odds over a new welfare proposal that the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is due to decide on Monday.

At the 2010 world championships in Kentucky, Holland’s Adelinde Cornelissen, then the dressage world number two, was only a few movements into her six-minute Grand Prix test when a judge spotted blood on the mouth of her horse, Jerich Parzival. Under dressage's zero tolerance  ‘blood rule,’ Parzival was instantly eliminated from the entire contest, with no procedure for a vet to check for any minor scratch that could inform the judges’ decision, and no right of appeal.

As humans know, biting the inside of your mouth produces an inordinate amount of blood for a few minutes. It looks all the more dramatic when diluted by the proverbial frothing of the horse’s mouth and so spectators might well be concerned. Public relations is increasingly emphasised in this arena-based discipline, as cameras are moving ever closer and more personal when delivering horse sport to households that are divorced from the practicalities of animal husbandry.

A photo was released showing a small nick on Parzival’s tongue. The media sympathised with the impossible positions of both Adelinde and the head judge but everyone agreed that although draconian, it was the ‘rule’.

Assessment of surface lacerations is complicated, because of the horse disciplines’ diversity. Dressage is not about sudden exertion. In dressage, the welfare issue is when an over-active jaw might indicate stress. But equally, relaxed horses can catch their tongue; the blood could even come from a swallowed horsefly. All possibilities – however remote – should surely be weighed up in the spirit of fair play.

Then in January, I discovered the blood rule did not exist; for years global dressage had uncomplainingly gone along with a career-defining convention that had never been enshrined in type. Initially the sport fell back on other general rules but in June the FEI decided to align dressage with other disciplines that allow a vet to decide if the stopped horse can re-commence.

If passed, the new rule is effective from January 1. But at a late stage the influential German federation has said it will vote against. There is now a ‘say no to blood’ internet petition. Riders, officials and judges have come up with their own instant-elimination rule, alleging that the trainers drafted the FEI proposal without consulting them. Personality clashes are certainly clouding aspects of the debate, as is the FEI’s clumsy caveat that instant elimination still applies at the lower levels. In another procedural oversight, the FEI’s official advisor World Horse Welfare does not appear to have been consulted.

Laura Bechstolsheimer is among notables to have signed the petition, and one has to respect the riders’ willingness to subject themselves to this lottery for their belief in the greater good.

But  the apparent selflessness of the instant elimination rule is not quite what it seems. The alternative wording condones bleeding in the warm-up ring, provided it can stopped or wiped clean before the horse enters the field of play, and there is no in-hindsight elimination if bleeding is spotted once the horse has finished and out of sight! I’m right behind any move to demonstrate the highest standards of horse-care to spectators but, please, let’s not make fools of them in the next breath.

At the Olympics, there are only three horses per national squad, with all scores counting. So an eventer may win a medal after being re-started with a scrape, but two days later, a dressage horse with a tongue-nick is eliminated and takes out his entire national team. The incredulity of public and press would be worth it if instant elimination improved the wellbeing of a single horse, but too much of this debate is about who controls the sport.

 

A Pro Bowl Ballot at the Midpoint

With half of the season in the books, now is an appropriate time to start talking about Pro Bowl considerations. Here’s my ballot (as filled out on NFL.com) at the midway point, determined by observations from film study (with statistics serving as an infrequent “verification tool”).

*Indicates a starter; all other players are listed in no particular order.

A.F.C. Offense

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers*

The most physically gifted quarterback in the A.F.C. has improved his mental approach to the game.

Tom Brady, Patriots

Recent struggles aside, he is orchestrating one of the most efficient passing attacks in football.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills

Has five wins with a spread offense that lacks a big-time receiving corps.

Running Back

Fred Jackson, Bills*

Could go to Hawaii just for his running, receiving or blocking.

Darren McFadden, Raiders

The best north/south runner in the game right now.

Arian Foster, Texans

The best all-around runner in the A.F.C. right now. (And he’s assumed an elevated role in the passing game, too.)

Wide Receiver

Mike Wallace, Steelers*

The most lethal downfield weapon in the N.F.L. is the reason Pittsburgh has fully transformed into a passing team.

Wes Welker, Patriots*

No longer on a record-smashing pace, but 66 receptions and 960 yards are almost Pro Bowl numbers for a full season.

A.J. Green, Bengals

The only truly dynamic weapon in Cincy’s effective ball-control offense.

Anquan Boldin, Ravens

His third quarter against Arizona alone makes him worthy.

Fullback

Marcel Reese, Raiders

Has missed time because of injury but is the only genuine mismatch-creating fullback in the A.F.C.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots*

Fantastic blocker who can also beat cornerbacks one-on-one from the slot. He’s not easy to tackle, either.

Heath Miller, Steelers

The steadying force of Pittsburgh’s high-powered offense.

Offensive Tackle

Michael Roos, Titans*

Consistent as a clock. Don’t even think about blaming him for Chris Johnson’s struggles.

Andrew Whitworth, Bengals*

A natural run blocker who has built himself into one of the premier pass protectors in the game.

Joe Thomas, Browns

Same as Roos, only with “Cleveland’s” in place of “Chris Johnson’s”.

Guard

Kris Dielman, Chargers*

Great pass protector and an even better puller.

Marshal Yanda, Ravens*

The best all-around blocker on a remade but surviving offensive line.

Brian Waters, Patriots

Kansas City’s cutting him will never make sense.

Center

Nick Mangold, Jets*

Sealed his fourth Pro Bowl when the Jets played on national TV without him.

Chris Myers, Texans

Not good in a phone booth but outstanding on the move as part of a five-man unit. Good thing he plays in a zone-blocking scheme.

A.F.C. DEFENSE

Defensive End

Brett Keisel, Steelers*

Good versatile presence who does all the dirty work that makes Pittsburgh’s front seven special.

J.J. Watt, Texans*

His long arms and supple strength have been huge for Houston’s revamped front seven.

Marcell Dareus, Bills

He has gotten better since moving to nose tackle. But the ballot lists him as an end, and the two usual Pro Bowl players in Indy have vanished over the past month.

Defensive Tackle

Vince Wilfork, Patriots*

Tireless.

Richard Seymour, Raiders*

Penalties are a concern, but it’s hard to not get penalized when you can toss people around the way he does.

Haloti Ngata, Ravens

A little quieter than usual, but come on – you’ve seen the man play.

Inside Linebacker

Brian Cushing, Texans*

Has exploded as a downfield attacker in Wade Phillips’s scheme.

Ray Lewis, Ravens

If he was 100 percent at his peak, he was asked, what percent is he at now? He says 105. In actuality, it’s probably more like 85. Good enough.

Outside Linebacker

Tamba Hali, Chiefs*

Relentless low-leverage force whom offensive tackles must absolutely hate dealing with.

Terrell Suggs, Ravens

Baltimore’s best down-to-down defender this season.

LaMarr Woodley, Steelers

When he’s healthy, multi-sack games are practically guaranteed.

Cornerback

Darrelle Revis, Jets*

The best defensive player in football, no discussion.

Johnathan Joseph, Texans*

Has been everything and more that the Texans were looking for. A shadow-man defender who’s willing to hit.

Ike Taylor, Steelers

Champ Bailey has been terrific but has had slightly more safety help than this guy.

Strong Safety

Troy Polamalu, Steelers

Next.

Free Safety

Ed Reed, Ravens

Next.

Kicker

Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders

Makes 50-yarders look like extra points.

Punter

Shane Lechler, Raiders

It’s always a numbers game. As in, he always has the best numbers. This year is no exception.

Return Specialist

Joe McKnight, Jets

Averaging over 40 yards per kick return? You kidding?

Special Teamer

Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

Let’s be honest: special teams aren’t studied on film. So every outsider’s guess is as good as anyone’s. The thinking here is this guy’s been doing it a long time, and he’s been serviceable in Baltimore’s sub defensive packages this season.

N.F.C. Offense

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers, Packers*

The best first half of a season we’ve seen from any quarterback. Ever.

Drew Brees, Saints

It’s the closest we can get to voting in Jimmy Graham twice.

Eli Manning, Giants

Has the Giants in first place despite a rash of injuries and a disintegrated running game.

Running Back

Matt Forte, Bears*

Pay the man.

LeSean McCoy, Eagles

The most frightening open-space runner in the game.

Adrian Peterson, Vikings

Tough to not include Darren Sproles here, but the fact of the matter is the Vikings don’t exist without this guy.

Wide Receiver

Calvin Johnson, Lions*

The most intimidating physical specimen any cornerback will line up against this season.

Greg Jennings, Packers*

Because Aaron Rodgers likes him.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

Frustrated by the lack of weapons around him but is still able to produce.

Steve Smith, Panthers

He should take Cam Newton as his guest.

Fullback

Tyler Clutts, Bears

Credit Mike Martz for being flexible and letting him play.

Tight End

Jimmy Graham, Saints*

Borderline unguardable.

Jason Witten, Cowboys

If it were strictly about talent, Jermichael Finley would get the nod (he’s having a solid season). But it’s about production and impact. Witten’s the clear choice.

Offensive Tackle

Jason Peters, Eagles*

Consistently proving that he’s the most athletic tackle in the game today.

Jordan Gross, Panthers*

Almost never requires help from tight end or running back chips.

Donald Penn, Bucs

He’s decent, but to be frank, for the second straight year, there just aren’t any standout tackles in the N.F.C.

Guard

Josh Sitton, Packers*

The best guard in football last year has helped keep the Packers’ front line afloat despite injuries at both tackle positions.

Carl Nicks, Saints*

Would like to see a little more consistency this season, but he’s still the most physically impactful inside blocker in the game.

Jahri Evans, Saints

Also not quite as consistent this season as you’d like, but the bar for him is set extremely high.

Center

Scott Wells, Packers*

This year it’s been easy to see why teammates have always loved him. He’s a fundamentally sound, stabilizing force.

Ryan Kalil, Panthers

Easily the most skilled center in the N.F.C.

N.F.C. DEFENSE

Defensive End

Jared Allen, Vikings

On pace to break Brett Favre and Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. Has also been a force against the run.

Chris Clemons, Seahawks*

Jumps out on film every week. Far more disruptive than his solid-but-unspectacular numbers suggest.

Cliff Avril, Lions

A matchup nightmare for right tackles and has been one of the driving forces behind Detroit’s emergence.

Defensive Tackle

Ndamukong Suh, Lions*

Think he’ll play dirty in an all-star game? Does he know any other way?

Justin Smith, 49ers*

Makes four to five splash plays every game and always fights opponents to, at minimum, a positive stalemate for the defense.

Darnell Dockett, Cardinals

The Cardinals’ defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, would have zero trouble implementing his new scheme if he had one or two more Darnell Docketts to work with.

Inside Linebacker

Brian Urlacher, Bears*

Having a renaissance in his 12th season.

NaVorro Bowman, 49ers

Do we really have to choose between Bowman and Patrick Willis?

Outside Linebacker

DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys*

Rob Ryan has made pretty good use of him, wouldn’t you say? Like Jared Allen, he’s on pace to break Brett Favre and Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record.

Clay Matthews, Packers*

Never mind the dipped sack numbers. He’s been a headache for every offense he’s faced.

 

Ahmad Brooks, 49ers

Dominant edge-rushing talents – and he’s finally learned to play the run, too.

Cornerback

Charles Woodson, Packers*

His brilliance as a nickel back is the key to Dom Capers’s system. He’s been surprisingly elite in traditional coverage at times this season, too.

Corey Webster, Giants*

Shadowing the opposing team’s No. 1 outside receiver week in and week out.

Patrick Peterson, Cardinals

Downfield man coverage has been nearly as impressive as his punt returning.

Strong Safety

Charles Godfrey, Panthers

Solid. Not many N.F.C. strong safeties have had the consistency or impact to warrant that description.

Free Safety

Antrel Rolle, Giants

His versatility is a major plus for the defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Kicker

Mason Crosby, Packers

Pretty simple – he hasn’t missed.

Punter

Michael Koenen, Bucs

Has brought value on punts (leads the conference with 16 inside the 20) and kickoffs.

Return Specialist

Devin Hester, Bears

Has the big plays again this year and affects field position more than any other player in the game.

Special Teamer

Jarrett Bush, Packers

Has been decent moonlighting with the regular defense.

Andy Benoit is an NFL analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit@NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.

Week 10 N.F.L. Game Probabilities: A Jets-Patriots Tossup

It’s now the Jets’ turn to represent New York against the Patriots. The twist in this matchup is that the Jets think they’re a running team, when they’re actually more productive when passing. And the Patriots are thought of as a sophisticated finesse passing offense, when they’re also one of the best running teams in the league.

The Jets’ Expected Points Added (EPA) — a measure of net scoring capacity — totals 0.02 when running and 14.1 when passing. And on a per play basis, passing is remarkably more effective than running for the Jets.

The Patriots’ running game is strong, with a solid 4.5 yards per carry (YPC) average and, more important, a 49 percent success rate (SR). The last time the teams met, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 136 yards on 27 carries, good for 5.0 yards per carry and a 57 percent SR. Much of New England’s running success is because defenses are on their heels, focused on containing Welker, Hernandez and Gronkowski.

Here’s how both teams stack up at this point in the season:

 

In terms of predictive efficiency, the Jets rank 20th on offense and 5th on defense, while the Patriots rank 2nd on offense and 25th on defense. Both teams have had tough schedules, with the Patriots having a slightly tougher one. New England is reeling from two consecutive losses, but they’re the better team at the moment. The Jets have home-field advantage this time around, so the efficiency model is in agreement with the larger consensus that this game is a virtual tossup.

Here are the Game probabilities for Week 10.
(For more on the prediction model and its accuracy, see this post.

 

Brian Burke, a former Navy pilot who has taken up the less dangerous hobby of N.F.L. statistical analysis, operates Advanced NFL Stats, a blog about football, math and human behavior.

Newcastle’s name game is glimpse of Stadiums Future

Another Ashley hit: Toon fans in their traditional posture upon hearing news of Mike's latest scheme. Photo: Mike King

Perhaps Mike Ashley simply finds the spectacle of crying Geordies funny. With the club enjoying their best on-field days since Keggy was in his managerial pomp, it takes a very special sort of owner to nonetheless plunge the fans into frustrated outrage. But Mike is a man who never stops thinking about how he can take his relationship with the Toon Army to the next depth, and it was inevitable that the shell suit magnate would sooner or later auction-off naming rights to the family home.

The argument that “a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet” holds no appeal for Newcastle fans who, not unreasonably, don’t feel too happy about roaring on their heroes in the Sports Direct Arena rather than St James’ Park (even if some are as shaky on the apostrophe as Titus Bramble dealing with a bouncing ball).

They should count their blessings: fans of MLS team FC Dallas have to root for the home team at the Pizza Hut Park. The NHL’s Nashville Predators until recently welcomed opponents to their intimidating Gaylord Arena. And what MLS fan could fail to be inspired by a trip to watch the Colorado Rapids at their prestigious Dick’s Sporting Goods Park? Closer to home, pity York City fans, obliged to create a cauldron of support inside Kitkat Crescent (née Bootham Crescent, and thankfully restored to its former glory once sponsors Nestlé moved on in 2010 before they could change it to the Baby Milk Bowl).

All in all, the Sports Direct Arena could be a lot worse. And with all the teams that aren’t owned by billionaires starting to feel the pinch, maybe a rubbish name for your beloved home ground is inevitable. At least Newcastle can enjoy some sort of early-adopter advantage, and hopefully get a decently named sponsor while there are still plenty to choose from. Newcastle United at Sony Park, or the Adidas Stadium, or the Coke Arena (even has ties with the region’s colliery past)… it might not be so bad.

Rather that than be one of the teams that leaves it too late and is forced, like a man ferreting for the wife’s Christmas present in a Christmas Eve panic at Superdrug, to pick up any old rubbish that has a half-familiar name and hope for the best.

In five years time, slowcoaches like Sunderland might have had to forgo the Stadium of Light for the Happy Shopper Arena, Liverpool might be playing their home games at Ovaltine Crescent and, if Lord Sugar for some reason decided to get back into bladdy football, poor Tottenham might even be turning out every fortnight at the Amstrad Stadium. All in all, it could be worse.