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Browns' Ray Farmer on Johnny Manziel: He's different

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ray Farmer sees plenty to like about <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/johnny-manziel?id=2543462" target="_self">Johnny Manziel</a>, but the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE">Browns</a>
 general manager is still wrestling with the notion of drafting the 
Texas A&M prospect with Cleveland's fourth overall pick in next 
month's draft.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Praising Manziel as an "exciting, electric" player, Farmer also told reporters on Monday: "He's different."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
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<a href="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/photo/2014/01/14/0ap2000000313377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/photo/2014/01/14/0ap2000000313377.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/photo/2014/01/14/0ap2000000313377.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-browns/cleveland-browns-1.270107/browns-gm-ray-farmer-presser-watkins-gets-a-wow-support-for-manziel-bridgewater-1.484072" target="_blank">"He's not the quintessential guy who everybody points to</a>
 and says, 'This is how you would draw it up; this is the packaging you 
want,'" said Farmer, per the Akron Beacon Journal. "That speaks to a lot
 of what Johnny has been his entire life, (which) is different. It's not
 how you think about playing the position and being effective from the 
pocket."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cleveland's front office was seen as obsessed with Manziel when 
former general manager Michael Lombardi was in charge, but Farmer has 
been rumored to desire a more prototypical passer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Still, Farmer, who met with Manziel last week, called the latter a
 "good young man," telling reporters: "I don't think I have any 
reservations with who Johnny is."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">More from Cleveland's top decision-maker:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1. Farmer gushed over <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/sammy-watkins?id=2543457" target="_self">Sammy Watkins</a>,
 dismissing concerns about the Clemson wide receiver's size -- he's 
6-foot-1 -- and calling his potential on-field impact "big, big. 
Ginormous." Asked if he could see Watkins in a <a href="http://www.nfl.com/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE">Browns</a> uniform, Farmer waxed poetic, saying: "Saddle him on the other side of <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/joshgordon/2537931/profile">Josh Gordon</a> and ... Wow."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Farmer emphasized that adding slot man <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/andrewhawkins/2508097/profile">Andrew Hawkins</a> and veteran <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/nateburleson/2505511/profile">Nate Burleson</a> did nothing to lower Cleveland's chances of taking another pass-catcher early in the draft. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2. Farmer gave high marks to <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/khalil-mack?id=2543463" target="_self">Khalil Mack</a>,
 calling the Buffalo product an "explosive" pass rusher who "can do a 
little bit of everything" and "looks like the real deal." We guarantee 
that coach Mike Pettine wouldn't argue with taking a chance on Greg 
Cosell's <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000344338/article/greg-cosell-prefers-khalil-mack-over-jadeveon-clowney">favorite defensive prospect</a> at No. 4.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 
   </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3. One dark-horse option for the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE">Browns</a>? An offensive lineman. Farmer praised <a href="http://www.nfl.com/player/joethomas/2507162/profile">Joe Thomas</a>
 as a consummate All-Pro, but talked about wanting to give every player 
on the roster someone to compete with, citing offensive tackle prospects
 <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/greg-robinson?id=2543458" target="_self">Greg Robinson</a> and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/jake-matthews?id=2543758" target="_self">Jake Matthews</a> as genuine first-round possibilities.</span><br />
<br />
 
   <em>The latest "<a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/around-the-league">Around The League</a> Podcast" <a href="http://www.nfl.com/podcast/aroundtheleague-podcast/1398458796000/detail?campaign=Twitter_podcasts_atl">breaks down the draft</a> with NFL Films' Greg Cosell.</em>

Browns' Ray Farmer on Johnny Manziel: He's different

Ray Farmer sees plenty to like about Johnny Manziel , but the Browns general manager is still wrestling with the notion of drafting the T...

Indian cricket will not regulate itself until forced to

Unknown 0 Cricket 14:16

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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On Tuesday the Indian Supreme Court will confirm whether Justice Mukul Mudgal will once again <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/738713.html">head a probe</a> to uncover more IPL corruption. There is now a weary acceptance that the BCCI cannot be expected to do so on its own. </span></div>
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<a href="http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/168600/168617.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/168600/168617.2.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/168600/168617.2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
What began essentially as IPL code violations is today stuck in gridlock
 due to an entanglement of colliding, conflicting interests and personal
 and political agendas. An open-and-shut case of broken rules has turned
 into a Rubik's Cube conundrum; except, this cube has eight colours on 
its six sides.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Yes, the Supreme Court was brought into the debate by parties aiming to 
strike at the BCCI's power structures over tackling IPL fraud, but the 
court has given the BCCI a chance at every stage to seize control of a 
crisis that has spiralled since the <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2013/content/story/636201.html">May 2013 arrests</a>.
 It has steered clear of what outraged defendants call "judicial 
overreach". At every stage, the court has been met with resistance, 
obfuscation, denial and sidestepping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The most meaningful outcome of months of legal wrangling and not so 
artful dodging was the setting up of the Justice Mudgal IPL probe 
committee. It is the first serious inquiry into corruption in Indian 
cricket after the CBI investigation into match-fixing "and related 
malpractices" in 2000. Despite tight terms of reference and limited 
investigative powers, the committee has held a mirror up to the flawed 
functioning of the BCCI after the Delhi and Mumbai police blew open the 
lid on the spot-fixing scandal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The Mudgal committee brought to the attention of the Supreme Court 
allegations that required a response from the BCCI. Justice Ibrahim 
Khalifullah <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/730917.html">said</a>, "If there has to be a fair and dispassionate enquiry, Mr Srinivasan must step down." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Over the past year, BCCI president N Srinivasan's deeds and words have 
given away his motives: to remain entrenched in the BCCI, to delay 
action against his IPL team Chennai Super Kings, and to hold on to a 
promised position in the ICC. Because, he remains, of course, an 
honourable and innocent man who has done nothing wrong. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The Mudgal panel sifted through a steaming pile of IPL corruption and 
the formidable self-righteousness of the man at the top of the tree. It 
did so methodically without ever veering off legal ground or losing 
equanimity, even when it suspected that audio recordings of depositions 
were being sent to interested parties outside the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The Mudgal panel was commissioned on October 9, 2013, and it submitted 
its report to the court on February 10, 2014. Justice Mudgal, Additional
 Solicitor General L Nageshwar Rao, and Nilay Dutta brought a combined 
legal experience of around 100 years to the panel. They were assisted by
 three juniors, Vidushpat Singhania, who was secretary of the 
commission, Gautam Bharadwaj and Abantee Dutta. 
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The commission first asked "persons possessing information" that was 
relevant to contact them on email, assuring confidentiality. Through 
BCCI emails, it invited individuals to appear before them with due 
notice given of time and place.  The exact number of depositions before 
the committee is not known: 52 people are named in the report, with a 
few, on request, remaining unnamed and therefore unaccounted for. The 
commission was assisted by a couple of BCCI officials who were to look 
after logistics and then stand aside. </span></div>
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 </div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="pullquote" style="margin-top: 10px; width: 310px;">
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It should not be a surprise to hear that recordings were being passed to
 those outside the committee. This is the BCCI - it contains 
businessmen, lawyers, politicians; all experts in seizing, controlling 
and protecting power. Nicking tapes is small stuff </td>
</tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hearings took place in hotel business centres in five cities - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Each person called in was told, first up, that it was to be an 
interaction, a conversation to gather strands of information, and by no 
means an interrogation. The conversation was being recorded to ensure 
the minutes of the meeting were accurate; it was not to be evidence in 
court. Should the recordings make the individual uncomfortable, they 
could be stopped at any time. </span></div>
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</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Mudgal, the oldest of the three, avuncular, relaxed moved the discussion
 along as if they were discussing the weather. Nilay Dutta was social, 
chatty, making jokes, smiling even while asking for more precise detail.
 Rao, at the far end end of the conference table from the other two, 
listented silently until he put in an incisive query - of the kind whose
 answer would make you trip over any falsehood uttered along the way. In
 tone and tenor it was a rambling conversation, but it was hard to 
ignore the glimmering edge of legal expertise in the room. </span></div>
<div class="news-body">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Journalist Pradeep Magazine has appeared before this commission and 
another related to illegal betting and fixing in Indian cricket. In 
1997, the BCCI appointed a one-man commission under a retired chief 
justice of India, YV Chandrachud, to respond to an <i>Outlook</i> magazine cover story about match-fixing and a piece by Magazine in the <i>Pioneer</i>
 newspaper relating to India's 1997 tour of the West Indies on which 
Magazine had a bookie make him an offer of money to approach Indian 
players to fix matches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The Chandrachud commission asked Magazine nothing about that experience 
or what he knew or had heard about illegal betting in and around the 
Indian cricket team. Players who appeared before the judge were asked 
for autographs. One said, "It did not feel serious. You weren't asked 
one searching question." Three years later, Hansie Cronje happened. 
Magazine says today that he was struck by the difference between the two
 commissions. The Mudgal panel asked for all the information and leads 
he had to offer and listened to him, rather than talking about what a 
great game cricket was.
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The Mudgal Commission interviewed players, officials, policemen, 
journalists, and a range of others, who provided truths, untruths, 
hidden truths, nuggets of information, idle gossip, propaganda, agendas.
 They were told tales, some tall, some true, presented with police tapes
 and reports. They probably ran into walls of silence, far from direct 
answers, and many claims of "don't know, can't say". Mudgal told 
ESPNcricinfo, "I've been a judge for about 15 years, I have seen all 
facets of human behaviour - murder, etc. So was I surprised? No." </span></div>
<div class="news-body">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
It should not be a surprise to hear that deposition recordings were 
being passed to those outside the committee. This is the BCCI - it 
contains businessmen, lawyers, politicians; all experts in seizing, 
controlling and protecting power. Nicking tapes is small stuff. </span></div>
<div class="news-body">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The BCCI's latest legal tack is an attempt to disprove the Mudgal 
commission's findings, calling for audio and transcripts, and setting in
 motion a whisper campaign about the panel members. It is however, yet 
to answer a simple question: apart from <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2013/content/current/story/636152.html">banning three cricketers</a>,
 why have neither Chennai Super Kings or Rajasthan Royals been punished 
for their links to illegal betting? What we get instead is 
self-proclaimed honour, innocence, and claims of no wrong-doing. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
In contrast to such dithering, the Mudgal Commission finished with its 
job in four months. It didn't miss a deadline, or bend or break any 
rules. Should the court order that the commission continue the 
investigation, the panel could do with both assistance and teeth: 
professional investigators, judicial powers and constant monitoring by 
the Supreme Court. </span></div>
<div class="news-body">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="news-body">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The panel has proved what was already suspected: other than the general 
nuts and bolts of the game and commercial rights, when dealing with the 
serious stuff gnawing away underneath, Indian cricket cannot and will 
not regulate itself.
</span></div>

Indian cricket will not regulate itself until forced to

On Tuesday the Indian Supreme Court will confirm whether Justice Mukul Mudgal will once again head a probe to uncover more IPL corruption....

Vlasic leaves Sharks' game with injury

Unknown 0 Hockey 01:58

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<b>SAN JOSE</b> -- <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <a href="http://sharks.nhl.com/" target="_blank">San Jose Sharks</a> were forced to play most of Game 5 of their Western Conference First Round series against the <a href="http://kings.nhl.com/" target="_blank">Los Angeles Kings</a> on Saturday without star defenseman <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8471709">Marc-Edouard Vlasic</a>, and he could miss Game 6, coach <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8449456">Todd McLellan</a> said after his team's 3-0 loss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vlasic left the game with 5:51 remaining in the first period after being checked into the boards by Kings center <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8468526">Jarret Stoll</a>, who received a minor penalty for roughing. Vlasic did not return to the game."He didn't return after the blow he took to the head from Stoll," 
McLellan said. "He's got an upper-body injury. You can call it that."</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.cdn.nhle.com/nhl/images/upload/2014/04/kings_042614_325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.cdn.nhle.com/nhl/images/upload/2014/04/kings_042614_325.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">McLellan said the referees didn't explain why Stoll received only a two-minute minor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"They have a tough job," McLellan said. "They can't determine the 
extent of an injury on the spot. I don't hold them accountable for that.
 They made the call that they thought was appropriate. Unfortunately 
he's injured. We want to get that out of the game if we can."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vlasic has been one of the Sharks' most durable players; he's missed 
one game during the past three seasons. That came late this season when 
McLellan decided to give him a day off to rest for the upcoming Stanley 
Cup Playoffs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vlasic has played 600 regular-season games in his NHL career, which 
began in 2006-07 when he made the team as an 18-year-old. He has played 
in 84 career playoff games.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vlasic was a key player for Canada's gold-medal winning team at the 
2014 Sochi Olympics. A dominant possession player, he garnered attention
 for the Norris Trophy this season and is one the Sharks' top penalty 
killers and shot blockers. He entered Game 5 with a team-high nine 
blocked shots.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Sharks, who trailed 2-0 when Vlasic left, played the rest of the game with five defensemen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"Playing five D is not something you're used to," Sharks defenseman <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8467096">Dan Boyle</a>
 said. "The problem was playing five D when you're down 3-0. That's 
where it gets a little bit difficult. Five D when you're up you can kind
 of keep it simple and play a certain way. But, you're down three goals,
 five d-men pushing the puck, rushing up, it definitely got a little 
difficult but I thought we handled it well."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If Vlasic can't play, <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8475625">Matt Irwin</a>
 would be his likely replacement. Irwin played 62 games in the regular 
season and had two goals and 17 assists. He fell out of favor late in 
the season and has not made an appearance in the playoffs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last year in the playoffs, Vlasic played a handful of games despite a broken foot.</span>

Vlasic leaves Sharks' game with injury

SAN JOSE -- The San Jose Sharks were forced to play most of Game 5 of their Western Conference First Round series against the Los An...

England U20 squad named for Junior World Championship

Unknown 0 Rugby 01:54

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The England Under-20 squad has been named for this summer’s Junior 
World Championship in New Zealand. Coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel have
 picked a 28-man squad that they hope will defend the title England won 
in France last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><img alt="rfu" src="http://www.therugbyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/rfu-logo-300x300.jpg" style="float: right; padding-left: 10px;" width="40%" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Captain Callum Braley is amongst seven 
players with previous JWC experience. He said: “It’s massively exciting 
to be heading down to New Zealand to defend our title. Rugby is 
obviously huge over there and there will be some pressure on us, but we 
will use that as a positive and look to perform as best we can.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Head
 coach Walshe added: “We’re pleased with the balance and experience in 
this squad, and we are confident that they will perform well in each of 
our five matches. While England U20 are the holders of the trophy, this 
group hasn’t won anything – we enjoyed a successful Six Nations, and 
while it was disappointing not to win it, as a group we came on hugely. 
The key is to keep building on that momentum.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">England start their
 campaign in Pukehoke on June 2nd against Italy, before games against 
Australia and Argentina on June 6th and 10th respectively.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>England Under 20 squad Forwards</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Biyi Alo (Saracens)<br /> James Chisholm (Harlequins)<br /> Joel Conlon (Exeter Chiefs)<br /> Tom Ellis (Bath Rugby)<br /> Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)<br /> Jonny Hill (Gloucester Rugby)<br /> Paul Hill (Leeds Carnegie)<br /> Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton Saints)<br /> Maro Itoje (Saracens)<br /> Gus Jones (London Wasps)<br /> Alex Lundberg (London Wasps)<br /> Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)<br /> Harry Rudkin (Leicester Tigers)<br /> Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers)<br /> Jack Walker (Leeds Carnegie)<br /> Tom Woolstencroft (Bath Rugby)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><strong>Backs</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby, captain)<br /> Billy Burns (Gloucester Rugby)<br /> Nathan Earle (Saracens)<br /> Tom Fowlie (London Irish)<br /> Aaron Morris (Bedford Blues)<br /> Sam Olver (Northampton Saints)<br /> Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)<br /> Howard Packman (Northampton Saints)<br /> Harry Sloan (Harlequins)<br /> Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)<br /> Henry Taylor (Loughborough University)<br /> Nick Tompkins (Saracens)</span>

England U20 squad named for Junior World Championship

The England Under-20 squad has been named for this summer’s Junior World Championship in New Zealand. Coaches Nick Walshe and Ian Peel have...

Gulfstream Park Pick 6 Carryover~ Free Picks 03/29/2014

Unknown 0 Horse Racing 01:21

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Good morning everyone and happy Saturday to you as we are ramping up 
for the Kentucky Derby that is only a little more than a month away. 
Today is an exciting day at Gulfstream Park where we have a Pick 6 
carryover that has gone over 4 Million Dollars! That is some life 
changing money and we will provide some insight with some great horses 
to zero in on. Check out the <a data-ls-seen="1" href="http://horse-racingtips.com/amazing-pick-six-ebook/" title="Amazing Pick 6 Ebook">Winning Pick 6 E-book</a> on this site and let’s take down this Jackpot. Here are your Free <em>Gulfstream Park Pick 6</em> picks below:<span id="more-2759"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 9: Danalin and Hillhouse High</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 10: Viva Rafaela and Caroline Thomas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 11: Salto and Mr. Online</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 12: Norumbega and Micromanage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 13: Admiral Kitten and Slumber</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Race 14: Wildcat Red and Cairo Prince</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are our pick 6 picks for this massive Jackpot at Gulfstream 
Park. There is a chance of rain later today so watch for that as things 
might get shaken up a bit. Good luck and Happy Handicapping!</span><br />

<br />

Gulfstream Park Pick 6 Carryover~ Free Picks 03/29/2014

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday to you as we are ramping up for the Kentucky Derby that is only a little more than a month away. ...

Pacers vs. Hawks Links: Pacers fade away when going gets tough in Atlanta

Unknown 0 BasketBall 01:07

<img alt="" class="vox-lazy-load lazy-loaded" data-dim="703x469" data-imgkey="32136719:standard:10" data-original="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32137199/20140424_jla_ad1_185.jpg.0_standard_709.0.jpg" data-ratio="1.5" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32137199/20140424_jla_ad1_185.jpg.0_standard_709.0.jpg" style="display: inline; height: auto;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Pacers ran into a rough night on the road in Game 3 against the 
Hawks and their response to the adversity was far from championship 
caliber.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap" id="paragraph0">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A gloomy, rainy Friday morning in Indy fittingly captures the mood of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/indiana-pacers">Pacers</a>
 fans after enduring a frustrating Game 3 loss by the boys in blue. All 
road games in the playoffs are critical and this one was right there for
 the taking but the Pacers struggled to even put themselves in position 
to win it, let alone do what it took to win down the stretch.</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph has-dropcap" id="paragraph0">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was not unlike several 
road losses towards the end of the season, but those didn't include the 
painful consequences since a favorable playoff seeding was a lock and 
there was hope for a playoff rebirth. Now the Pacers are two losses away
 from the season ending with another game in Atlanta on Saturday.</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph1">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So many, "if only" moments in this one including the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/71919/jeff-teague">Jeff Teague</a>
 out-of-bounds three ball which eventually broke the Pacers will. Not 
the actual shot mind you, but how the shot played out. I disagree with 
those that say if that play went in the Pacers favor, they still 
would've lost. After cutting the lead to six, the best defensive 
possession of the game had the Pacers momentum steamrolling in the right
 direction. They get that stop and the game is going down to the wire.</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph2">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, because the shot didn't go
 the Pacers way doesn't give Indiana a pass for folding down the 
stretch. They still could've made a run to take the game to the wire. 
But the facial expressions of the players when Tony Brothers told them 
that, yes, Teague stepped out of bounds but no, they can't reverse the 
call spoke volumes. They were done. Suddenly moved into pity mode. 
Screwed on the road, what can we do?</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph3">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph4">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Simply an immature response to playoff adversity.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph5">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There were plenty of other 
plays and culprits to point to with the "no guts, no glory" effort at 
Philips Arena where the Pacers will show up again for Game 4. Fight or 
flight, what's it gonna be?</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This shot of Larry Bird alone should be enough to motivate the Pacers to fight.</span></div>
<div class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph6">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>By <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Tom%20Lewis" rel="author">Tom Lewis</a></div>

Pacers vs. Hawks Links: Pacers fade away when going gets tough in Atlanta

The Pacers ran into a rough night on the road in Game 3 against the Hawks and their response to the adversity was far from championship ca...

Leake aims to avoid big blast vs. Braves

Unknown 0 Baseball 01:04

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Reds right-hander Mike Leake, who will start against the Braves on 
Saturday at Turner Field, was on the wrong side of one of the bigger 
headlines in baseball this April. In his most recent start, Leake 
surrendered Ike Davis' second grand slam of the season and his first 
since the Mets traded him to the Pirates.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2014/04/16/images/mlbf_32108037_th_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="video thumbnail" border="0" height="132" src="http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2014/04/16/images/mlbf_32108037_th_10.jpg" width="236" /></a>"I wouldn't call Ike's a bad pitch. I broke his bat on the home run,"
 Leake said. "He just was able to get his hands to it and do some 
damage."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Despite broken wood and a good pitch, the only thing that showed up 
in the box score was a four in Leake's earned-runs column for the second
 time this season.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Despite his penchant for surrendering home runs to Mets first basemen
 past and present -- Lucas Duda homered twice against the right-hander 
on April 4 -- Leake has also given the Reds plenty to admire this 
season.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">He outdueled the Cardinals' Shelby Miller on April 9 and outperformed
 young Pirates ace Gerrit Cole six days later. He even hit a home run of
 his own on April 15, bringing home what ended up giving the Reds a lead
 they wouldn't surrender in a 7-5 victory against the Pirates.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After watching Leake, 26, post career-best numbers with a 14-7 record
 and a 3.37 ERA in 31 starts and 192 1/3 innings in 2013, Reds manager 
Bryan Price entered the season aware of how good Leake can be.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"You can really look at 2013 for Leaker and go, 'Boy, he's arrived. 
He's a guy now. We should be able to expect this.' My feel was to forget
 the expectations," Price said on Feb. 16. "Let's work and continue to 
strive for greatness. Be as good as you can be. There are no limitations
 on his ability to be a guy we feel as good about as anybody in our 
rotation every fifth day when he takes the ball."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Leake opposes Braves right-hander David Hale, who has shined and 
faltered as part of a patchwork Atlanta rotation that has taken the 
Majors by storm. His impressive 2.93 ERA ranks last among Braves 
starters.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With Mike Minor on a rehab assignment, Hale looked likely to lose his
 rotation spot by the end of April heading into his most recent start. 
However, only two earned runs given up in six innings against the Mets 
on April 20 earned him another outing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hale is aiming for his second straight quality start and his third in six career starts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Braves: B.J. Upton one hit shy of 1,000 </b><br />
Atlanta center fielder B.J. Upton finished 1-for-4 with an infield 
single on Friday night, putting him one hit away from career hit 1,000. 
Upton is in line to become the first Brave to reach 1,000 hits since 
Brian McCann did so on June 3, 2013.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Upton nearly reached the milestone twice on Friday night. After 
recording hit No. 999 in the first, he lined out to Reds center fielder 
Billy Hamilton in the second. In the fifth, Brandon Phillips picked a 
sharp grounder to second to retire Upton.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Reds: Frazier, Mesoraco exit Friday's game due to injuries </b><br />
Third baseman Todd Frazier and catcher Devin Mesoraco both exited 
Friday's 5-4 loss to the Braves due to injuries. Frazier exited with 
tightness in his left groin while Mesoraco left with a strained left 
hamstring.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mesoraco suffered his injury when he fell as he was rounding third 
base in the seventh on a Hamilton double. He managed to get up and score
 the run before leaving the field. Former Braves catcher Brayan Pena 
replaced Mesoraco.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A trainer came out to check on Frazier after he led off the second 
with a double, but Frazier remained in the game and took another at-bat 
in the fourth before he was pulled for Neftali Soto prior to the bottom 
of the fifth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cincinnati began the season with eight players on the disabled list, 
more than any other team in the Majors. Right-handed reliever Trevor 
Bell upped the total to nine on April 8.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Worth noting </b><br />
• Jason Heyward owns a six-game hitting streak. He is batting .346 (9-for-26) during the streak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Craig Kimbrel recorded his 146th career save on Friday night. He is
 only eight saves away from tying John Smoltz's franchise record of 154.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• The Braves are 9-0 when scoring first this season compared to 6-7 when they do not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">

</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">• Jay Bruce drove in a run on Friday night, putting him one away from reaching 500 career RBIs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
   </span>
   
   <br />
<div class="article-tagline">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Joe Morgan</b> is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.</span></div>
<div class="article-tagline">
<br /></div>
<div class="article-tagline">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Joe Morgan</span> </span></div>

Leake aims to avoid big blast vs. Braves

Reds right-hander Mike Leake, who will start against the Braves on Saturday at Turner Field, was on the wrong side of one of the bigger he...