Shawn Johnson still looking toward 2012 Olympics

USA Gymnastics women’s coordinator Martha Karolyi said Thursday she expects the three 2008 Olympians who didn’t make the 2011 team that will represent the U.S. at the world championships next month in Tokyo to shine at their assignment to the Pan-Am Games instead. She also is expecting good things from the relatively inexperienced group that will go to Tokyo and try to earn the U.S. team a spot at the 2012 Olympics.

The top eight teams in Tokyo will earn places for the London Games; the U.S. will be led by another 2008 Olympian, Alicia Sacramone.

Shawn Johnson, Chellsie Memmel and Bridget Sloan, also members of the 2008 team who are in various stages of returning from retirements, are still strong candidates for London, Karolyi said, even though they were named to the Pan-Am team on Wednesday night.

“Bridget, with another month to reach her potential, can win Pan-Ams,” Karolyi said. “Memmel had to stop in the middle of her bar routine at nationals because of shoulder problems -- and those problems kept her from her potential and [led to] her not being selected. She’s had to deal with this injury.

“Shawn, nice effort but same thing. She wasn’t in maximum shape on her preparation. She’s had to deal with a knee injury and couldn’t train 100 percent all these months leading up. For next year I think she’ll be a fantastic competitor for the Olympic team.”

Johnson, who won a gold medal on the balance beam in Beijing and silver medals in all-around, floor exercise and team competition,  was designated the “non-traveling” alternate for the world team, and if there is an injury before the team leaves for Tokyo, Johnson might still compete.

“It’s not a disappointment at all,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of progress in the last year. I’m here for the team and right now I’m not the best pick for the team. I think there’s always room for improvement. I’ll go home, work hard, put in the hours.”

Johnson said she isn’t certain she will do all four events at the Pan-Am Games. She may skip the floor exercise, which is most difficult on her knee.

Karolyi said that putting together the world team was made more difficult by recent injuries to former U.S. all-around champion Rebecca Bross, who dislocated her knee at nationals in August, and Mackenzie Caquatto, who severely sprained an ankle at the final selection camp in Texas this week.

Joining Sacramone on the world team are 15-year-old McKayla Maroney from Laguna Niguel, who finished second in the all-around at the 2011 nationals; former UCLA standout and uneven bars specialist Anna Li; 2011 U.S. all-around champion Jordyn Wieber; Alexandra Raisman, who was part of the 2010 U.S. world silver medalist team; and newcomers Gabrielle Douglas, who trains with Johnson in Iowa, and Sabrina Vega of Carmel, N.Y.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Shawn Johnson. Credit: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images.

Tailgating Recipes: Cheddar, Bacon and Ranch Dressing

The Quad, the Times’s college sports blog, is running back recipes submitted by readers for football tailgating parties. Last week we offered up a Brat Stew. This week, it’s Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls from an Auburn fan. It’s not too late to submit your own recipe for barbecue or chowder, or whatever makes your pregame feast tasty.

How can UCLA fix its defense? [video]

Times UCLA reporter Chris Foster talks about UCLA trying to fix its defense ahead of Saturday's trip to Oregon State:

 

 

 

 

Rays would have edge over Angels, Red Sox in three-way tie

The Tampa Bay Rays would have a slight edge over the Angels and the Boston Red Sox if the three teams, separated by 2 1/2 games in the standings entering play Thursday, finish in a three-way tie for the American League wild-card spot.

Under baseball's intricate tie-breaking formula, if three clubs tie for a division title or wild card with identical winning percentages, the tie is broken by designating the clubs as "A," "B" and "C," with selection of those designations based on the clubs' records against one another, and playing tie-breaking games as follows:

Club A would host Club B on Thursday, Sept. 29. The winner of the A/B game would then host Club C on a date to be determined, most likely on Friday, Sept. 30. The winner of the A/B-vs.-C game would be declared the division champion or wild-card winner.

The Rays are a combined 16-10 against the Red Sox and Angels, so they would choose whether they wanted to be team A, B or C. The Red Sox are a combined 12-14 against the Rays and Angels, so they would get the second pick, and the Angels are a combined 6-10 against the Red Sox and Rays, so they would get the third pick. 

It would seem logical that the Rays would choose to be team C; that way, they would only have to win one game against the Red Sox/Angels winner to gain the wild card. However, by choosing to be team C, they would give up home-field advantage for that one game.

Such a scenario could create a bizarre four-day travel odyssey for the Angels, who close the regular season against the Rangers in Anaheim next Wednesday night. They could travel to Boston to play the Red Sox on Thursday and, if they win, return to Anaheim to play the Rays on Friday. If they win that game, they would fly to New York to open the division series against the Yankees on Saturday.

A two-team tie for the wild card would force a one-game playoff on Thursday, Sept. 29, with home field determined by head-to-head records. The Red Sox won the season series against the Angels, 6-2, so they would have home field for a one-game playoff.

Because the Rays and Angels tied their season series, 4-4, home field would go to the team with the better intra-division record. Tampa Bay (36-29 vs. AL East) currently holds that edge over the Angels (26-25 vs. AL West). Since the teams have identical 85-70 records today and close the season against division opponents, the Rays would have home-field advantage over the Angels in a one-game playoff.

-- Mike DiGiovanna

Week 3 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).

Dear Minnesota Vikings: Your quarterback, Donovon McNabb, needs all the help he can get. So why are you limiting the role of your best receiver, Percy Harvin?

While we wait for a hand-written letter from the Vikings’ coaching staff explaining this madness, you should probably avoid starting both players in Week 3. Their opponents this week, the Detroit Lions, have proved to be a tough matchup for quarterbacks in the first two weeks, allowing the second fewest points to the position. You know you can find a better matchup, and we’re here to help.

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We are taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.

Favorable/Unfavorable Quarterback Matchups

Favorable

Matt Hasselbeck (TEN) vs. Denver – If you’re in a bind at quarterback, Hasselbeck may offer some relief, at least this week. The Ravens dared the Titans to beat them through the air in Week 2 by keying in on Chris Johnson. Hasselbeck responded with great poise and accuracy, going 30 of 42 for 358 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals rookie Andy Dalton, who was playing through an injured wrist, took advantage of a Champ Bailey-less Denver secondary to the tune of 332 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the star cornerback could be missing again in Week 3.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (BUF) vs. New England – The Amish Rifle is off to a hot start, having thrown just as many touchdown passes as Mathew Stafford and Tom Brady (7) through the first two weeks. Odds are favorable that he stays sharp, as New England’s secondary has looked a lot like it did last season, allowing an eye-opening 35 fantasy points a game on average to the position.

Cam Newton (CAR) vs. Jacksonville – O.K., we didn’t see 400-plus yards coming against the Packers last week, but neither did you, so we’re off the hook for now. Play Newton against a Jacksonville defense allowing 21 fantasy points a game to quarterbacks.

Rex Grossman (WAS) vs. Dallas — A third straight week for Grossman on our favorable matchups list. We know, it’s getting predictable, but Dallas has given up 22 points to the position on average and the Redskins’ ground game will have a tough go against the second best run defense in the league.

Unfavorable

Eli Manning (NYG) vs. Philadelphia – The Giants’ passing game woes were in full effect early Monday night, until a no-huddle touchdown drive before the end of the first half finally gave Manning something to smile about. Of course, it seems you can’t have the good without the bad with this team, as the recipient of that touchdown pass, Domenik Hixon, was injured while making that spectacular catch and will miss the rest of the season with a torn A.C.L. Mario Manningham also left the game with a concussion, meaning Manning might have to face the Eagles’ sixth ranked secondary with Hakeem Nicks as his only reliable option. There are safer plays than Manning this week.

Kyle Orton (DEN) vs. Tennessee – The Titans’ defense played extremely well against the Ravens last week, sacking Joe Flacco three times and picking him off twice. He managed to complete just 46 percent of his attempts and was held to under 200 passing yards. The Titans have allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in the league so far this season.

Donovan McNabb (MIN) vs. Detroit – Just how bad has McNabb been this season? Tavaris Jackson and Kerry Collins have actually produced more fantasy points. It would be hard to imagine him getting it together against the Lions, who have allowed the second fewest points to the position through two weeks. Consider him a QB3 this week.

Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. St. Louis – This matchup isn’t particularly challenging, but the way the entire Ravens passing game performed last week, you should certainly explore other options, especially with news that the team may shut down Lee Evans for a while.

Favorable/Unfavorable Running Back Matchups

Favorable

Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) vs. Carolina – Things keep getting worse for Carolina’s defense with linebacker Thomas Davis joining Jon Beason on the season-ending I.R. with a torn A.C.L. The Jaguars would be wise to keep this one on the ground, and they most likely will with the rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert starting. Carolina is allowing nearly 5 yards a carry.

Felix Jones (DAL) vs. Washington – Jones has been a brutal fantasy play so far this year, but you have to take into consideration that his matchups with the Jets and 49ers were equally unfriendly. If he can play with a separated shoulder this week, and he is expected to, the going may be a little easier. The Redskins had no answer for Beanie Wells in the second half last Sunday, allowing 87 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries.

Frank Gore (SF) vs. Cincinnati – Like Jones, Gore is off to a rough start, he gets his first favorable contest of 2011 in Week 3. The Bengals allowed the declining Willis McGahee to run for 101 yards and a touchdown in Week 2.

Ryan Mathews (SD) vs. Kansas City – The Chiefs have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to running backs in 2011, and with the likelihood that the Chargers end up blowing this one wide open, Mathews could be seeing plenty of action in a clock-killing, mercy-giving kind of way for much of the second half.

Unfavorable

Cedric Benson (CIN) vs. San Francisco – Benson was a major disappointment in a favorable matchup with Denver’s shaky run defense last Sunday (59 yards on 16 carries). The 49ers are allowing just 2.5 yards a carry and did a great job shutting down Dallas’s Jones last week.

Tim Hightower (DEN) vs. Dallas – The Dallas run defense was stout for the second straight week, allowing San Francisco’s Gore just 47 yards on 20 carries. Hightower had a big first half against his former team last Sunday (83 yards, 15 carries) but, oddly enough, Coach Mike Shannahan decided to go with the rookie Roy Helu for most of the second half. Helu was electric, totaling 112 yards on 13 touches. Fatigue might have been at play here, but Hightower owners will have more company than they’d like from here on out as Helu has certainly earned more playing time.

Steven Jackson (STL) vs. Baltimore – Jackson is likely to return this week, but you might want to leave him on your bench considering the Ravens’ formidable defensive line limited Rashard Mendenhall and Chris Johnson to just 3.1 yards per carry through the first two weeks.

Beanie Wells (ARZ) vs. Seattle – It wasn’t looking good early on against Washington, as Wells managed just 6 yards on 3 carries in first-half action. Luckily for you, he saw more work in the second half, finishing with 93 yards and a touchdown on just 14 attempts. He’ll take on Seattle’s underrated run defense, which has allowed only 3.1 yards a carry to Gore and Mendenhall. Don’t bench him, but keep expectations in check.

Favorable/Unfavorable Wide Receiver Matchups

Favorable

A.J. Green (CIN) vs. San Francisco – Green and Dalton are starting to build a nice rapport. Denver was missing its pro bowl corner back Bailey and the two Bengals rookies took advantage. Green compiled 124 yards on 10 catches, including an unbelievable touchdown grab. This week, Green gets the best receiver matchup through the first two weeks. The bumbling San Francisco secondary was all sorts of bad against Dallas last week, allowing a monster 143-yard, 3-touchdown game to Miles Austin.

Dez Bryant (DAL) vs. Washington – A lot of uncertainty surrounds this one, as we can’t be sure if Bryant will even play (as of Wednesday). But with Miles Austin a scratch, you’d definitely want to play him against a banged-up Redskins secondary that allows 23 fantasy points a game to receivers. Kevin Ogletree would most likely get the start if Bryant can’t go and would be a sneaky spot play if you’re desperate.

Kenny Britt (TEN) vs. Denver – Britt has played like a top-10 option over the first two weeks and is a must-start regardless of whether Denver’s Bailey suits up. According to The Denver Post, Bailey looks nowhere near returning to the lineup on Sunday. Britt could be in for a beastly day considering what Green just did to them in Week 2.

David Nelson (BUF) vs. New England – Congratulations on claiming this week’s top waiver wire add, now make sure he’s in your lineup against a Patriots secondary that is giving up the second most fantasy points to guys like Nelson (34 PPG).

Unfavorable

Brandon Lloyd (DEN) vs. Tennessee – Lloyd is expected to be a go this week, but he’ll have his hands full with a Titans secondary that has surrendered just 199 yards and 0 touchdowns through the first two weeks (worst matchup).

Reggie Wayne (IND) vs. Pittsburgh — Consider him more of a WR3 in his meeting with the nasty Steelers defense (11 fantasy PPG, 2nd worst matchup).

Hakeem Nicks (NYG) vs. Philadelphia – You can never bench a talent like Nicks, but with Manningham dealing with a concussion this week, he could end up seeing plenty of double teams as the only threatening Giants receiver. Philadelphia has been tough on wideouts as it is, allowing them just 12 fantasy PPG.

Percy Harvin (MIN) vs. Detroit – For reasons we can’t understand, Minnesota’s most talented receiver is not being used as an every down option right now, having played in just 38 of the offense’s 68 plays last week against Tampa Bay. We aren’t saying you should bench him this week, but you might want to consider him more of a flex option until things change.

Favorable/Unfavorable Tight End Matchups

Favorable

Evan Moore (CLE) vs. Miami – Moore has scored two touchdowns in as many games, and now he gets the best tight end matchup in fantasy for Week 3 (20 PPG).

Antonio Gates (SD) vs. Kansas City – Normally we don’t list must-start guys like this in our posts, but we will make an exception for those owners who are bummed out by his lack of production and are thinking of benching him this week. Gates should have a field day against a Kansas City defense that has major issues covering the position (14 PPG).

Unfavorable

Jared Cook (TEN) vs. Denver – Hasselbeck has not called Cook’s number much through the first two weeks (3 receptions, 44 yards) and Denver has done an excellent job covering the position so far, allowing just four receptions for 18 yards.

Favorable/Unfavorable Defense/Special Teams Matchups

Titans vs. Denver, San Diego vs. Kansas City, Cardinals vs. Seattle, Ravens vs. St. Louis

Unfavorable

Texans vs. New Orleans, Bears vs. Green Bay, Vikings vs. Detroit, Patriots vs. Buffalo

Do you have a “start or sit” question? We will be taking questions on Twitter. Follow us at @5thDownFantasy.

UFC 135: David Haye works out at UFC gym and comments on Jon Jones versus Rampage Jackson

David Haye, the former WBA heavyweight champion, has long been a fan and an admirer of the UFC. Last week, he trained at the UFC gym in Las Vegas. Haye has been Octagonside for some events.

Here, he gives his take on the main event at UFC 135, in Denver, Colorado. The Telegraph will be reporting live from the event on Saturday night.

Listen here for this week's ESPN UFC Podcast. I join the boys in the studio on the phone from Denver, Online: http://es.pn/kRAf1o iTunes: http://bit.ly/eRhWHQ

London 2012 Olympics diary: Pamela Anderson coming to the Games?

Pamela Anderson could be lighting up London during the Games (Photo: REX FEATURES)

Pamela Anderson was brought up to date with all things Boris Johnson – and Olympics – when she attended the Vivienne Westwood catwalk show at London Fashion Week on Saturday night.

Her date for the evening was the Mayor of London's head of marketing Daniel Ritterband, who was overheard convincing her the athletic action at Stratford would be well worth returning for.

The breakdancing Business secretary

Boris was so upbeat about the economic impact of the London 2012 Olympics he said Business Secretary Vince Cable would not only be smiling, he would be breakdancing down Whitehall.

Johnson didn't give any hint as to which sectors would boom, but noted of previous Games: "In Beijing people made money out of the vast types of beers and in Sydney, I am told, they made money out of flat screen televisions and sales of condoms".

GREAT competition for Games sponsors

The government is looking to add four million tourists and £1 billion to the economy on the back of the Olympics, with Prime Minister David Cameron launching the GREAT Britain campaign this week.

But curiously no one has told the Government of their own strict Olympic advertising restrictions, banning non-Olympic sponsors from making an association of the Games to their business.

Technically the taxpayer is the biggest sponsor of all, with £9.3 billion spent on construction and Games activities, and of course the Government is going to promote the Games, but among the GREAT Britain campaign's supporters were five companies in direct competition to Olympic sponsors.

The ambush marketing people have raised their eyebrows.

From flat water to frozen water

While 11 sailors were the first of 570 Team GB athletes officially named this week, the Olympic sailing team manager Stephen Park has a few non-nautical duties, like barreling headfirst down a skeleton track in Austria later this month.

Park is consulting to the bob-skeleton winter Olympic team and he has insisted on at least one death-defying run.

Party starts now for modern pentathlon

A spiritual home of modern pentathlon – the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst – has started a 12-month celebration until the Olympic Games, with General Sir Peter Wall, head of the British Army, hosting Olympic champions, Jim Fox, Stephanie Cook and Heather Fell last week.

Wall was a former national junior champion, but the most famous modern pentathlete was George S Patton, the US army general who competed at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.

Sandhurst will host a display of modern pentathlon artefacts, including the  King Helenos Shield, a priceless bronze shield weighing 30kg, which was first presented to the winning team at those Stockholm Games.

Crisis? What transport crisis?

Transport for London chief executive Peter Hendy has identified five critical hotspots of potential conmmuter chaos during the Olympic Games if 30 per cent of people don't change their travel habits, travel earlier, later or not at all, and has warned the gates to the stations of Canary Wharf, Canada Water, London Bridge, Bank and Monument could be closed at peak times during the Games.

Transport minister Theresa Villiers said the Olympic demands on transport would be "significant and severe" but an experiment at the Department of Transport showed 69 per cent of staff could still maintain their normal workloads despite changing their travel habits or working at home.