The Dallas Cowboys added to their wide receiver depth Thursday by signing LaRon Byrd one week before the NFL draft.

Byrd (6-4, 220) played college football at Miami and was originally signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2012. In four games with Arizona in 2012, Byrd had one catch for eight yards. He also made two special teams tackles with Arizona during his two seasons.

Byrd, 24, missed all of last season after suffering a concussion during the preseason, leading to Arizona putting him on the reserve/injured list. Byrd was released by Arizona on April 4.

Byrd finished his Hurricanes career with 106 receptions for 1,254 yards (11.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns while appearing in 51 games with 16 starts.

Byrd prepped at Hahnville High School in Boutte, La., where as a senior he caught 50 passes for 630 yards and 13 touchdowns at receiver and also played safety and recorded three interceptions.


(dallasnews.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Bernie Kosar's name may be gone from the broadcast booth, but it's back on beer.

A draft version of Bernie Beer, a brown ale, will be available starting Thursday, May 8 – coinciding with the first day of the NFL Draft. Plans then call for wider distribution to be rolled out in time for the NFL season, which begins Thursday, Sept. 4.

Ed Thompkins, wine and beer buyer for Heinen's, said Kosar will be at Winks Bar and Grille, 25800 Central Pkwy., Beachwood, from 5 to 6 p.m. on May 8. Sixteen of 17 Heinen's locations also will have the draft available that day; only the Middleburg Heights location will not have it, since there is no growler station there. First-day draft coverage will air on NFL Network and ESPN beginning at 8 p.m.

Thompkins said a team effort was involved to fight the clock so the beer could be ready by Draft Day.

"We were building around the excitement of the draft," he said. "It was an opportune time. The timing worked out."

Like a well-executed play on the gridiron, where everyone has a specific job, several companies each have a specific role to play with Bernie Beer. The beer will be brewed by The Hop View Brewing Co., at Cellar Rats Brewery in Madison, under the name Bernie Beer Co. Hop View is the name Cellar Rats uses for contract brewing.

Contract brewing is when an entity – sometimes even a non-brewing venture - has a brewing recipe but no equipment. So an established brewer – in this case, Cellar Rats – is asked to step in.

"We're excited they approached us," Joel Sandrey of Cellar Rats told The Plain Dealer. "If this beer takes off, we hope to have other seasonals. Bernie Beer would be year-round in draft and cans, and seasonals would follow from the Bernie Beer Co. They (Bernie Beer names) would be based on the football season. Bernie's Brown Ale would be the flagship. All the packaging will say Hop View Brewing Co."

Sandrey's company is handling only the brewing. Initial launch of the brown ale will be draft only in half-barrels, he said.

"We are simply the place where the beer is being made," Sandrey said. "All we are is a place for brewing." The hope, he said, is the beer would be canned by Buckeye Canning of Amherst in time for the NFL season.

Sandrey said the recipe is a new one.

"We've never made a brown ale before at this facility," he said. "We brewed a small batch, brought out some samples, did some minor tweaks, and we came up with this."

Retail price and packaging – whether it will be cans or bottles, or four-packs or six-packs – is undecided, Thompkins said, but he added it will be "competitively priced."

"I like cans, their portability as for tailgating, as much as anything else," he said.

Thompkins said what excites him about the beer is it's a "total Cleveland effort," from the ale's creation by a local brewer to distribution through a family-owned grocery chain. And Kosar is, of course, an Ohio native.

Bernie Beer actually came about last year, after Thompkins introduced Kosar to Sam McNulty of Market Garden Brewery. The brewery released an amber ale on tap in September. Kosar greeted hundreds of fans who showed up for the release party at the Ohio City brewery.

That same month, Kosar, a beloved figure among Cleveland sports fans, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Solon. Charges were dismissed on April 28. Last week, it was announced Solomon Wilcots will replace the candid Kosar as preseason analyst in the broadcast booth.

Kosar played nine of his 13 NFL seasons for Cleveland.

"He's a living legend with his name on a beer in a greet beer town," Thompkins said.


(cleveland.com)

SOLON, OH — Fox 8 obtained additional video that was taken by Solon police the night Bernie Kosar was arrested.

New video taken by a body camera that the police officer wore during the arrest shows Kosar talking to officers in the booking room of the jail.

He appears calm for the majority of the video. He does get startled when he hears another inmate screaming.

Kosar also answers all questions asked by police and even corrects the officer when they misspell his last name.

“You don’t see I am capable and talking?” Kosar asked the officers. “I remember everything. How many people know these answers without even thinking? You guys see it, you guys know.”




(fox8.com)

The Miami Heat are officially the only team in the playoffs to have swept their opponent out of the first round, which is a welcome sign for a team that was struggling mightily just weeks before the playoffs even began. Each game seemed to show how deep the Heat truly were, with multiple role players coming off the bench and scoring in the double digits.

One player in particular that has seen a huge spike in playing time is James Jones. Once delegated to the furthest end of the bench, Jones averaged 16 minutes a game throughout the first round, while averaging 7.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, and 1.0 APG. More importantly, Jones is shooting over 46 percent from beyond the arc, which is the highest percentage of any Heat player thus far in the playoffs.

The Heat relied on Mike Miller’s 3-point shooting more often than they would have liked to throughout the 2012 and 2013 NBA Playoffs. If Jones is going to continue averaging at least 16 minutes a game, then he will have to fill this role for the Heat. With Shane Battier and Ray Allen (notorious Heat sharpshooters) both being in horrendous shooting slumps, Jones may end up with meaningful playoff minutes, potentially making this the most important postseason of his career.

Miller brought other intangibles to the lineup that Jones just isn’t able to, such as high rebounding numbers and quality defense. Jones is notoriously slow-footed on the defensive side of the ball, and this was extremely apparent when the Bobcats would purposely switch players on  Jones, so that he would become isolated in one-on-one defensive matchups against quick guards.

Outside of Jones’ defensive lapses, his ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc is not something the Heat will take for granted, and this is why Jones will fill that essential “Mike Miller” role for the Heat. With some of the defending champs other sharpshooters in a perpetual funk, Jones is now one of the most reliable 3-point shooters on the Heat’s roster, and we all know how much the Heat rely on shots from beyond the arc.

Just ask Ray Allen about Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.


(rantsports.com)

Chris Perez got a five-out save in the Dodgers' 9-4 win over the Twins in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader.

Perez came in with the tying run on deck in the eighth, so it qualified as a save chance, even though it was a four-run game at the time. The Dodgers then added one more run in the top of the ninth. It was Perez's first save after six holds for the Dodgers. He's performed well, allowing just two runs in 13 1/3 innings to date, but he's not much of a threat for more saves.


(rotoworld.com)

KANSAS CITY -- Third baseman Mike Moustakas has some plusses and some minuses in the first month of the season.

"Moose is third on our team in RBIs and first in home runs," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He's a great defender at third base."

True enough. Entering Wednesday night's game against the Blue Jays, Moustakas had four home runs and 12 RBIs.

However, Moustakas also had a .155 (13-for-84) batting average and a .226 on-base percentage. In particular, the left-handed batter has struggled against left-handed pitching, going 1-for-11, .091.

Could that mean right-handed-hitting Danny Valencia might get more shots against left-handed pitchers?

"Yes, absolutely," Yost said.

That likely will be the case Thursday night against Blue Jays lefty Mark Buehrle. In his career, Valencia is 7-for-25 (.280), against Buehrle compared with Moustakas' 1-for-8 (.125).

Valencia has hit lefties for a .329 (134-for-407) average in his career; Moustakas has only a .218 (82-for-376) mark against them.

"I imagine we'll see Danny pinch-hitting a little more -- against tough left-handers," Yost said. "Not all of them. We look at matchups. It'll probably just be when we're behind."


(mlb.com)

Ryan Braun has avoided the disabled list so far, but tonight the Brewers right fielder is sitting out his fifth consecutive game with a strained oblique muscle.

Elian Herrera subbed for Braun in right field for the first four of those games, but the Brewers just demoted him back to the minors and will apparently use first baseman/third baseman Mark Reynolds in right field now. Not only has Reynolds never started a game in the outfield, he has a grand total of four career innings there. So that should be pretty interesting to watch.

As for Braun, a disabled list stint seems likely if only because players with oblique injuries rarely are able to return within two weeks. He was last in the Brewers’ lineup Saturday.


(rotoworld.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Coach Mike Pettine said that the Browns plan to keep Benjamin (knee) sidelined until the start of training camp, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Benjamin, who is bouncing back from a torn ACL that he suffered last season, will need to re-prove his health before re-emerging on the fantasy radar, but prior to his injury, the 2012 fourth-rounder had displayed some big play upside. The Browns added Nate Burleson and Andrew Hawkins to their wideout mix this offseason, which affords the team the luxury of easing Benjamin back in.


(rotowire.com)

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun was held out of the Brewers’ starting lineup for a second straight game Monday with a strained intercostal muscle.

Braun, injured Saturday in a 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, is still considered day-to-day. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke indicated Braun will not go on the disabled list, but he could miss at least two, and maybe three, more games.

Braun is hitting .318 with six homers and 18 RBI in 22 games.

The Brewers are playing at St. Louis against the Cardinals on Monday night.


(cbslocal.com)

BALTIMORE - Jemile Weeks endured a month of bus rides in the minor leagues and a futile trip to Yankee Stadium before finally making his debut with the Baltimore Orioles.

Now that he's back in the majors, Weeks is playing as if he intends to stay.

Since his arrival at Camden Yards on Saturday, the diminutive 27-year-old has twice batted in the leadoff shot, going 3 for 8 with a triple and scoring two runs. His most notable contribution, however, was a 40-foot dribbler down the third-base line.

With runners at first and second and no outs in the 10th inning against Kansas City on Saturday night, the switch-hitting Weeks laid down a sacrifice bunt from the left side. Royals pitcher Danny Duffy rushed his throw in an effort to get the speedy Weeks at first base, and the misfire loaded the bases to set up the game-winning hit by Nick Markakis.

"When you make professional athletes play the game at a pace they're not used to, in any sport, that's where the mistakes happen," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He makes people want to know where he is, what he's doing, what he's getting ready to do."

Weeks is a perfect fit in a batting order filled with power hitters.

"We have a few guys that can steal some bases here and there, but Weeks is definitely a guy pitchers are going to worry about every time he gets on base," catcher Matt Wieters said.

Weeks was obtained in the December trade that sent closer Jim Johnson to Oakland. Although the deal was perceived to be nothing more than a salary dump by the Orioles, Weeks batted .303 with 22 steals over 97 games for the Athletics in 2011.

After he struggled in 2012 and spent the majority of the 2013 season in Oakland's minor league system, Weeks viewed the trade to Baltimore as a chance to get a fresh start.

"It's a lineup that I wanted to be a part of," he said. "I always felt like if I could jump in there and do my part, I could help."

But after batting .171 in spring training, he was sent to Triple-A Norfolk.

During the second week of April, Weeks was told to get to Yankee Stadium as a possible replacement for David Lough, who was experiencing symptoms of a concussion. But Lough avoided the disabled list, and Weeks made a U-turn back to Norfolk.

"I came up obviously with the mindset that if they put me in the lineup, I'll be ready," Weeks said. "I got sent back really quick. But at the same time, I was grateful for the opportunity. It showed me that they had their eyes on me."

Opportunity knocked again after Chris Davis left Friday night's game against Kansas City with a strained oblique. Weeks singled in his first at-bat Saturday night, added a triple and capped his memorable night with pivotal bunt.

"Once they gave me the call, it was a good feeling of excitement to be able to come back to the major leagues and actually be a part of team this time," Weeks said.

"If you're going to be here, you want to contribute. For me to be able to come out here and lead off, and for Buck to have that confidence in me, that meant a lot," he said.

Weeks was the designated hitter in both games, but that doesn't mean he can't do his part defensively. Although he's a second baseman by trade, he also played left field and centre while with Norfolk.

For now, the Orioles like his ability to get on base and the potential to do something once he gets there.

Baltimore closer Tommy Hunter, a teammate of Weeks on the 2006 Team USA squad, said, "The guy can handle the bat. He's fast. A little sparkplug. He's going to play well for this team. We're just waiting to see a steady dose of him."


(timescolonist.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Grandal will start at first base and bat cleanup Tuesday against the Giants.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
It will Grandal's first career start at first base, a position that's been a black hole for San Diego this season. Yonder Alonso is batting .172/.204/.237 and Tommy Medica has struck out in nearly 50 percent of his plate appearances. Grandal is expected to take over as the primary backstop once his knees are ready, but if he can hold his own at first, there's a chance he could see enough time there to earn dual eligibility.


(rotowire.com)

BALTIMORE — Jemile Weeks viewed the trade as good news, even if scores of Orioles fans did not.

The 27-year-old infielder came to Baltimore from Oakland during the offseason in exchange for closer Jim Johnson. The Orioles sent Johnson, an All-Star who posted back-to-back 50-save seasons in 2012 and 2013, to the Athletics and got a former first-round draft pick who had played in only eight games last year.

There was not exactly the warmest welcome for a guy like Weeks, who didn't make the club coming out of spring training and started the season with Class-AAA Norfolk. His perseverance paid off last weekend, however, when the Orioles promoted him and stuck him in the starting lineup as their designated hitter.

Weeks' debut was a good one — he went 2 for 4 with a triple and a run Saturday in Baltimore's 3-2 win over Kansas City. He then found himself in the same spot Sunday and went 1 for 4 with another run.

Contributing and playing in the bigs -- that's all Weeks wants right now.

"I've been trying to take things as they come," Weeks said before Sunday's game. "Once they gave me the call, it was a good feeling of excitement to be able to come back to the major leagues and actually be a part of team this time."

At 5 feet, 9 inches, and 165 pounds (maybe), Weeks doesn't strike a powerful pose among his fellow Orioles in the lineup . But he batted in the lead-off spot against Kansas City, and Baltimore is banking on Week's speed to be an offensive asset when he's used.

"Jemile has some versatility," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "I know from trying to defend him in the past, he's got a more little pop than people think he does. He's strong. And he makes people hurry in the infield.

"I've said many times, when you make professional athletes play the game at a pace they're not used to, in any sport, that's where the mistakes happen. And he makes people want to know where he is, what's he doing, what's he getting ready to do."

Weeks could see more playing time given the Orioles' current health issues. With first baseman Chris Davis on the disabled list, shortstop J.J. Hardy dealing with back spasms and a hamstring strain, and rehabbing third baseman Manny Machado nearing his return, it's possible Weeks works his way into a rotation of infielders and players who can DH.

That's fine with Weeks, who said he knows what he offers to the Orioles.

"I knew I wanted to take this season and improve and become the player I know I can become," Weeks said. "I knew if I did those things, the game would take of itself."

They almost did a little earlier than last weekend.

Baltimore turned to Weeks for its April 9 game in New York to replace David Lough when it appeared Lough was hurt. But Lough wound up playing that night, and Weeks headed back to Norfolk despite being in Yankee Stadium hours before the game started.

Weeks hit .296 with four doubles, three triples and seven RBIs in 17 games for the Tides before his promotion.

"He’s a good baseball player, a solid baseball player," said Tommy Hunter, who took over Johnson's role as the Orioles' closer after the trade. "He showed it in spring training. He had a hell of a spring, just the cards weren’t in his favor. He’s going to contribute. He’s going to play well for this team. We’re just waiting to see a steady dose of him."

Hunter wasn't shocked to see Weeks contribute right away. He remembered Weeks as a sure-handed second baseman and teammate in the 2006 World University Championship. Hunter and Weeks helped Team USA, which didn't lose a game in the international series, win the title along with current big-league stars such as Pedro Alvarez, Ross Detwiler and David Price.

Weeks said already knowing some of the Orioles — Hunter with Team USA, going against Matt Wieters in college when he played for Georgia Tech and Weeks for Miami — helped him with making the transition to a new organization.

Then came his first taste of playing time. And success. And the notion of good things to come with an offense with great expectations.

"It's a lineup that I wanted to be a part of," Weeks said. "I knew what this lineup would probably look like before the season started. I always felt like if I could jump in there and do my part, I felt like I could help. Hopefully it shows."


(carrollcountytimes.com)

Even though the decision to play James Jones was driven initially by matchups, Spoelstra --- in the next series --- will be hard-pressed to ignore either his performance or how well the Heat has played with Jones on the floor.

Since Spoelstra started playing him regularly on March 28, Jones is 26 for 53 on three-pointers, and the Heat has outscored opponents by 112 points in 11 games during the minutes when Jones was on the court. Jones was a plus-46 in 64 minutes of the Bobcats series, including a plus-eight tonight.


(miamiherald.com)

NFL Hall of Famer and University of Miami football great Michael Irvin will host the 4th Annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF) Celebrity Dolphin Fishing Tournament June 27-28 in Islamorada, Fla. Event activities will take place at Founders Park at Mile Marker 87 and Coconut Cove Resort and Marina at Mile Marker 85 on the Overseas Highway.

The tournament weekend will begin Friday evening with a kick-off party and captains' meeting followed on Saturday by a full day of fishing, awards dinner and live and silent auctions featuring unique sports memorabilia as well as a variety of gift packages. This is the only fishing event of its kind that matches participants with former Miami Hurricanes sports stars for the competition. Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to anglers in eight categories. A portion of the tournament proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and the UMSHoF.

"This tournament reflects the Hall of Fame's mission," said K.C. Jones, president of the UMSHoF, a 2008 hall inductee, two-time Super Bowl winner with the Denver Broncos and founder of the tournament. "Not only can University of Miami sports fans celebrate the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, they can compete side-by-side with them while raising money for local causes. We are on track for 100 boats to participate in this year's tournament."

Irvin added: "This is really all about the U and our family of Hurricanes fans and former student-athletes. We must embrace the mission of the UMSHoF, which is an organization that recognizes the tremendous efforts of our Hurricanes athletes, coaches and administrators."

Former Hurricanes sports stars scheduled to participate include NFL Hall of Famer and 2012 Tournament Host Warren Sapp (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders), NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks (Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders), Clinton Portis (Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins), Brett Romberg (Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons), Gary Dunn (Pittsburgh Steelers), Damione Lewis (St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Houston Texans), and Randal Hill (Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints).
Tournament Information

For information about tournament participation, including boat entry or sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.canesfish.com or contact Tournament Director Judy Layne at judy(at)canesfish(dot)com. Save $150 on tournament fees by registering online now until June 1. Follow the tournament on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/canesfish.

About the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF)



Nestled on the Coral Gables campus of the University of Miami, the UMSHoF is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose sole purpose is to recognize those student athletes, coaches and administrators who have contributed the most to Hurricanes Athletics over the years. The showcase for the UMSHoF and repository of the great sports traditions of the University of Miami is the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building, next door to the Hecht Athletic Center on San Amaro Drive. On display are photos of each of the inductees, the National Championship Trophies for University of Miami football and baseball, as well as the Heisman Trophies of Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta. The UMSHoF display includes basketball memorabilia from the Rick Barry years along with items from all of the university sports programs. For information about planning a visit, participating in one of the annual fundraising event or contributing to the UMSHoF, visit http://www.umsportshalloffame.com, send an email to umsportshalloffame(at)aol(dot)com or contact John Routh directly at (305) 284-2775.


(digitaljournal.com)

The Ravens could look at free agent RT Eric Winston if they don't select a right tackle early in the draft.

It's a logical fit that keeps coming up because Winston was Gary Kubiak's starting right tackle for five seasons in Houston. Kubiak is now Baltimore's offensive coordinator. The 30-year-old Winston would serve as competition for in-house candidate Ricky Wagner -- assuming they can't land a tackle like Notre Dame's Zack Martin or Michigan's Taylor Lewan at No. 17 overall.


(rotoworld.com)

CLEVELAND (92.3 The Fan/AP) — Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has pleaded no contest to a lesser charge after blaming knee and ankle surgeries for not performing a field sobriety test during a traffic stop last year.

Kosar had been charged with drunken-driving in September, but on Monday he entered a plea to reckless operation and received a fine and suspended jail sentence.

“I am pleased with the court’s decision that reaffirms that alcohol was not involved in my traffic citation from September in any way,” Kosar said in a statement. “I sincerely apologize to my fellow Clevelanders for the guilty charge of reckless operation, resulting from speeding in a construction zone. In the future, I will strive to be more cautious and careful.”

Police say officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol when Kosar was pulled over in Solon, in suburban Cleveland. Kosar told an officer he couldn’t perform the standard one-leg stand or walk and turn tests as he had undergone several surgeries on his knees and ankles because of his playing days.

“I do not fault law enforcement for making the original charges and mistaking my concussion related ailments for alcohol-induced impairments,” Kosar said. “I understand how slurred speech and physical limitations could be misinterpreted as intoxication.”

A police report said Kosar was driving 74 mph on a 50-mph limit street. According to the report, Kosar had slurred speech and difficulty speaking.

Kosar has publicly talked about how head injuries suffered during his NFL career have affected his speech, making him sometimes slur his words.

Last week the Browns and WKYC-TV 3 announced that Kosar was being removed as a color commentator for preseason games.

Kosar, 50, said he was removed because of slurred speech he attributes to “a direct result of the many concussions I received while playing in the NFL.”

WKYC-TV issued a statement disputing Kosar’s assertions. In announcing the decision, the Browns said they were in discussions with Kosar about “potential new roles” on pregame telecasts and on the team’s website.

Last summer, Kosar drew criticism for in-game comments about former St. Louis third-string quarterback Kellen Clemens, the Rams’ receivers and assistant coach Ray Sherman. The Browns apologized to the Rams and reprimanded Kosar.


(cleveland.cbslocal.com)

When considering the possibilities for the Patriots in the upcoming draft, the topic of Vince Wilfork's health came up with the panel at ESPNBoston.com's recent draft event.

The main question was whether or not Wilfork, who is coming off a torn Achilles, will be able to be an every-down player. Tedy Bruschi said that given the current Patriots roster, Wilfork will be needed to play every down, but that may not be a problem.

Bruschi said the offseason is hugely important for Wilfork. "He's so much of an athlete that he can come back in the best shape of his life and almost resurrect his career so he has another mini-career with the Patriots."

Mike Reiss brought up the notion held by some that a big nose tackle is less important these days with teams playing so much in sub packages, but disputed that idea, citing the Patriots' loss to the Broncos this season when Denver running backs gashed the New England line.


(espn.com)

When Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun left Saturday’s game against the Cubs, he was initially diagnosed with a slight intercostal strain. However, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that he underwent an MRI yesterday which revealed a strained oblique.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said yesterday that Braun was expected to miss 3-5 days, but it’s unclear whether the updated diagnosis will change the tentative timeline. We’ve seen on countless occasions that oblique injuries are very unpredictable, so there’s still a chance he could end up on the disabled list if he doesn’t see improvement soon.

The Brewers will be using a depleted lineup against Michael Wacha and the Cardinals tonight, as they are also missing shortstop Jean Segura after he suffered a deep gash under his right eye when he was accidentally hit by a warm-up swing from Braun during Saturday’s game. He required plastic surgery as a result and will likely miss a few more days.


(hardballtalk.com)

BALTIMORE — Jemile Weeks endured a month of bus rides in the minor leagues and a futile trip to Yankee Stadium before finally making his debut with the Baltimore Orioles.

Now that he’s back in the majors, Weeks is playing as if he intends to stay.

Since his arrival at Camden Yards on Saturday, the diminutive 27-year-old has twice batted in the leadoff shot, going 3 for 8 with a triple and scoring two runs. His most notable contribution, however, was a 40-foot dribbler down the third-base line.

With runners at first and second and no outs in the 10th inning against Kansas City on Saturday night, the switch-hitting Weeks laid down a sacrifice bunt from the left side. Royals pitcher Danny Duffy rushed his throw in an effort to get the speedy Weeks at first base, and the misfire loaded the bases to set up the game-winning hit by Nick Markakis.

“When you make professional athletes play the game at a pace they’re not used to, in any sport, that’s where the mistakes happen,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He makes people want to know where he is, what he’s doing, what he’s getting ready to do.”

Weeks is a perfect fit in a batting order filled with power hitters.

“We have a few guys that can steal some bases here and there, but Weeks is definitely a guy pitchers are going to worry about every time he gets on base,” catcher Matt Wieters said.

Weeks was obtained in the December trade that sent closer Jim Johnson to Oakland. Although the deal was perceived to be nothing more than a salary dump by the Orioles, Weeks batted .303 with 22 steals over 97 games for the Athletics in 2011.

After he struggled in 2012 and spent the majority of the 2013 season in Oakland’s minor league system, Weeks viewed the trade to Baltimore as a chance to get a fresh start.

“It’s a lineup that I wanted to be a part of,” he said. “I always felt like if I could jump in there and do my part, I could help.”

But after batting .171 in spring training, he was sent to Triple-A Norfolk.

During the second week of April, Weeks was told to get to Yankee Stadium as a possible replacement for David Lough, who was experiencing symptoms of a concussion. But Lough avoided the disabled list, and Weeks made a U-turn back to Norfolk.

“I came up obviously with the mindset that if they put me in the lineup, I’ll be ready,” Weeks said. “I got sent back really quick. But at the same time, I was grateful for the opportunity. It showed me that they had their eyes on me.”

Opportunity knocked again after Chris Davis left Friday night’s game against Kansas City with a strained oblique. Weeks singled in his first at-bat Saturday night, added a triple and capped his memorable night with pivotal bunt.

“Once they gave me the call, it was a good feeling of excitement to be able to come back to the major leagues and actually be a part of team this time,” Weeks said.

“If you’re going to be here, you want to contribute. For me to be able to come out here and lead off, and for Buck to have that confidence in me, that meant a lot,” he said.

Weeks was the designated hitter in both games, but that doesn’t mean he can’t do his part defensively. Although he’s a second baseman by trade, he also played left field and center while with Norfolk.

For now, the Orioles like his ability to get on base and the potential to do something once he gets there.

Baltimore closer Tommy Hunter, a teammate of Weeks on the 2006 Team USA squad, said, “The guy can handle the bat. He’s fast. A little sparkplug. He’s going to play well for this team. We’re just waiting to see a steady dose of him.”


(washingtonpost.com)

Charity golf tournaments are like free gum in the clubhouse for major league baseball players. They can usually take their pick.

Organizations salivate to have a ballplayer support their cause. In the case of Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, his choice was a no-brainer.

Alonso will host the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego Celebrity Golf Classic on Thursday, June 5, at Barona Creek Golf Club. The event will be another in a string of fund-raisers that Alonso has supported for an organization that touched him personally.

When he was 10, Alonso’s family moved to Miami from Cuba, and at the Boys & Girls Club he made friends and was inspired by the visits of numerous major leaguers, including Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Seventeen years later, Alonso is in his third season with the Padres, the starting first baseman hoping to inspire kids the way his predecessors did.

In December, Alonso, 27, hosted a tour of Petco Park for kids from the 4S Ranch branch of the Boys & Girls Club and recalled for the Padres’ website, “It definitely brought back memories to my days growing up, and it gave me an understanding of what it takes not only to be a role model but to really understand that you can do a lot and give a lot.”

His first golf tournament for the Boys & Girls Club will benefit the Ramona branch, only a few miles from Barona Creek.

Registration and partnership opportunities for the tournament are still available. The cost for a foursome is $1,000, with individual spots going for $300. For more information, visit playgolfwithyonderalonso.com or call (858) 866-0591, ext. 208.


(utsandiego.com)

This UM draft class elicits as much frustration as optimism. One longtime NFC scout was bemoaning how disappointed he was that the impressive physical tools of Stephen Morris and Henderson didn’t translate into more consistent play.

The scout said there’s no question about Morris’ arm --– and there are no character questions --– but he’s not sure he can even be a No. 2 quarterback in the league.

“He’ll throw late to receivers, or on a crossing pattern, the ball will sail on him,” the scout said, aware that Morris understandably attributed some of last season’s mechanical issues to an Achilles’ injury. “I’m not sure he judges the speed of the receivers coming across the middle. He’s 50/50 on his throws; his misses are more high than low. The accuracy and vision are concerns.”

Nolan Nawrocki --- in his outstanding NFL Draft preview book (Triumph Books) --- said Morris is a fifth- or sixth-rounder who “struggles to handle pressure and presses to create plays. Eyes drop to the rush very quickly and vacates the pocket prematurely. Makes too many head-scratching decisions and makes his receivers consistently work for the ball. Has moldable talent for a backup role and enough raw tools to pique the interest of a patient quarterbacks coach.”


(miamiherald.com)

The NFC scout said Pat O’Donnell, one of the top five punter prospects, “is better than some of the punters in the league now. What a weapon.”





(miamiherald.com)

Beyond questions about Henderson’s character and marijuana use at UM, one scout said “he couldn’t draw up formations” when he met with him at the NFL Combine.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said Henderson has high bust potential. “No consistency with this kid at all,” Mayock said. “From a talent perspective, he's a first- or second-round talent. But he’s probably a fourth-round kid just because you don't know what you're getting. If you can take Brandon Linder’s toughness and tenacity and place it in Seantrel Henderson’s body, you’ll have a first-round pick.”

NFL.com’s Nawrocki said Henderson “already has been removed from many draft boards” but still could go in the second or third round.


(miamiherald.com)

One scout said he was impressed that Allen Hurns’ yards per catch jumped dramatically from 11.2 as a junior to 18.7 as a senior. “Maybe he’s a No. 4 or No. 5 receiver,” the scout said. “I would consider him in the fifth, sixth round.”

Mayock said Hurns’ issue “is that he's got average size and speed. I don't see him separating in man‑to‑man press coverage very easily.  He's not overly big or fast.  So how does he fit in?  He's got to be crafty; he's got to run great routes.”


(miamiherald.com)

Scouts like Linder as a late-round pick. “He’s smart enough to be a guard/center swing guy, and a lot of guys can’t do that,” the scout said. “He was very impressive at his Pro Day.” Said Draftinsider.com’s Tony Pauline: “Miami coaches have been raving about Linder's character and his grade is rising.”




(miamiherald.com)

Vince Wilfork is not leaving the Patriots after all.

That's a good thing - but just how good is it? Is Wilfork's value still as high in a league that has turned to the pass much more than the rush?

Tom E. Curran, Mike Giardi, and Phil Perry discuss what Wilfork means to the Patriots this season and going forward.

"I say it still has a lot of value," Giardi said. "All these people that talk about, 'Well the Patriots got to the AFC Championship game with Chris Jones and the hodgepodge [offensive line].' Look, bottom line is you need talent and Vince Wilfork is a talented football player. How much does he have left? We're going to find out. But if the Vince Wilfork before the injury comes back and plays at the level you're accustomed to playing, that's a guy that can be a difference-maker for you. I don't care how fat he is. If he's 350 [pounds], if he can penetrate, if he can take up two blockers, that's what you need in this league."

Curran agrees that Wilfork still has value to the Patriots, and all you have to do is see how some teams still managed to run all over the Patriots even if in general the pass is now a favorite across the league.

"I think if you look at Vince and that position in the NFL," Curran said, "it's critical and we saw it last year because when Tommy Kelly and Vince weren't in there the Denver Broncos came in and ran for 280 or whatever it was Knowshon Moreno had 229 on the ground. The Patriots needed an overtime mistake by Wes Welker to win that game . . . so it's critical, you need it, you can't stop-gap it with hardworker, try-hard guys, you have to get the 'planet people' that Bill Parcells talked about."


(csnne.com)

Jon Beason remembers getting a call from the Giants at 3:52 on Tuesday, just eight minutes before the start of free agency. He was one of their top priorities, but he was also their biggest obstacle to a new deal.

Beason was his own agent now, and any decisions would have to work through him.

"I think as athletes we get labeled that this is all we do," Beason said. "...But at the same time, if you take the time to learn something and put forth the effort, you can do it. I wasn't naive enough to just think I could do it on my own. I got help going through the process and getting ready for the process."

Beason wanted to act on his own in order to be directly involved in the process. He didn't want to pace and fret while his near future was being negotiated. He likened the old way to "a little kid game of telephone."

The Giants were not the only team calling, which helped Beason add some leverage during the process, but the linebacker needed a lot more ammunition in order to secure the three-year, $16.8 million deal with more than $6 million guaranteed.

"The slight from teams comes with the (offer)," Beason said. "Their number is this, and I'm like, I'm pretty sure the market is a little north of that. That's where it becomes, not an insult, but a business.

"If you're buying a car, there's a sticker price. The buyer wants to get a little under, the seller is trying to get a little over -- but I'm the car. It's funny, it's like playing poker. You don't want to say what your hand is."

Beason said that players fearful of representing themselves cannot be fearful of the honest truth. That being said, Beason thought his negotiation process was cordial, and didn't hear any slights on his play from a team trying to get him as cheap as possible.

"That's the misconception of it," Beason said. "If you're going to negotiate for yourself, obviously there's a certain level of professionalism. I don't think they are going to take the shots they would if they were talking to your agent. But if you feel like you're a really good player, what are they going to say bad about you? You're too slow? You can't do this?

"I was selling them my intangibles; being a leader, being consistent and wanting to win. It was a great process."

Despite his success, though, Beason doesn't see himself entering the business after he's done playing football.

"I don't want to chase young guys around telling them how great they are," he said.


(nj.com)

Excited about the Dolphins’ season opener against the Patriots? You’ve got nothing on Olivier Vernon.

The Dolphins defensive end, appearing on 790 The Ticket last week, said that he circled the date (Sept. 7, at Sun Life Stadium) as soon he got his hands on the schedule.

“What really got my blood pumping is that we got New England on the first game of the season,” Vernon said. “I’m just really excited to start it off with a bang, with a conference game.”

There’s a reason Vernon, who had a breakout season in 2013 with 11.5 sacks, sounds so eager. Part of him is still stewing about the way the previous season ended.

The Dolphins would have made the playoffs if they had beaten either the Bills or the Jets in the final two weeks of the season. They lost to them both, and within two weeks, general manager Jeff Ireland and offensive coordinator Mike Sherman were both out of a job.

When asked if the bad taste was yet out of his mouth, Vernon responded: “They never really leave until the season’s right around the corner, the season starts, and you have another crack at it.”

Vernon said it’s essential that the team remain “on the same page” and finish the games that got away from it a year ago.

The work on that began this week with the start of the team’s offseason conditioning program.

Vernon made it a point to praise the effort of Dion Jordan, the draft’s No. 3 pick a year ago who finished his rookie season with just two sacks.

Jordan has been a fixture in the film room this spring, “soaking everything up like a sponge,” Vernon said.

And yet, Jordan might again have trouble seeing the field if Vernon continues making plays. The two both play defensive end, and Cameron Wake isn’t going anywhere.

So what does Vernon do for an encore? He wouldn’t disclose his goals but did say that “15’s pretty good,” referring to a possible sack total in 2014.

Fifteen sacks would almost certainly put him into the Pro Bowl, which would be sweet, considering he wasn’t even on the ballot last year. His rise was so unexpected, it caught the league by surprise.

“There’s a lot of guys that before me, they’ve had great seasons and they didn’t make it to the Pro Bowl that year,” Vernon said. “That just adds more fuel to the fire. Can’t wait until this year and see all that work I put in show on the field.”


(miamiherald.com)

DALLAS — Shane Larkin was less than a year old when his father, Hall of Fame baseball player Barry Larkin, had to deal with an owner who made racial comments.

Major League Baseball fined Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott $250,000 and suspended her from baseball for one year in 1993 after she made racial slurs against African-Americans, Asians and Jews. At the time, Barry Larkin was a star shortstop for the Reds, and Schott’s comments caused a national stir.

“I was young and I didn’t really know about what was going on,” Larkin, the Mavericks’ rookie point guard said. “But my dad was a professional, he handled himself in a professional way.

“He was the captain of the team. So I’m sure he just tried to keep his team focused on what the main goal was — to win the World Series — and they just went out there and played hard for their families.”

Schott was banned from MLB from 1996-98 after she said of Adolf Hitler that “everybody knows he was good at the beginning, but he just went too far.” In 1999, Schott sold her ownership stake in the Reds.

TMZ late last week released a taped conversation of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling purportedly making racist comments about African-Americans to his mistress. Mavs star forward Dirk Nowitzki said Sunday that he is disappointed in Sterling’s comments.

“I’m not sure if a guy like that is allowed to own a team in 2014,” Nowitzki said. “But there’s a lot of research, obviously the league’s got to do, [to see] if the tape’s real and all the stuff.

“So there’s not really much more I can say about that. But that’s disappointing hearing that stuff.”

It’s a story familiar to Shane Larkin.

“It’s just a really tough situation knowing that you’re out there playing for [Sterling’s] team, basically, and he feels that type of way about a lot of the people who are just like you,” Shane Larkin said.

“You can’t really think that you’re playing for that person because even though that person is the owner of the team you’re playing for your family, to feed your family, clothe your family, take care of your family for now and down the road.”

(star-telegram.com)

Yankees catching prospect Peter O'Brien hit his eighth home run of the season as part of a 2-for-3 day on Friday.

O'Brien is hitting .347/.383/.760 for the season, though he is approximately four months older than the average player in the High-A Florida State League. He has seven doubles (tied for seventh) and eight home runs (first by four home runs) for the season.


(rotoworld.com)

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said Sunday that he expects Ryan Braun (intercostal) to miss the next 3-to-5 days.

Braun suffered a slight strain of his intercostal muscle during Saturday's game. While it's encouraging that he'll avoid a trip to the disabled list, fantasy owners will have to have a replacement available for the first half of next week.



(rotoworld.com)

This looks awfully painful…

Ryan Braun was standing in the dugout taking practice swings in Saturday’s game against the Cubs when teammate Jean Segura happened to walk right behind him.




(blacksportsonline.com)

NEWS UPDATE
Weeks was recalled by the Orioles on Saturday, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports.

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Weeks will provide depth in the Orioles' infield until Manny Machado (knee) is activated from the 15-day DL. The Orioles are also in need of an extra position player with Chris Davis (oblique) potentially day-to-day with an injury suffered Friday.


(rotowire.com)

Yankees prospect catcher Peter O'Brien was 2-for-4 with a home run on Thursday for High-A Tampa.

O'Brien's dinger was his seventh of the season, and he's now batting .333/.364/.708 with six doubles and 13 RBI in 19 games. The 23-year-old has massive raw power, evidenced by his .544 slugging percentage, 39 doubles and 22 home runs last season in 119 games between both Class-A levels. However, O'Brien's defense is pretty rough behind the plate and will prevent him from becoming an everyday catcher in the major leagues. And while O'Brien's power profiles cleanly at any corner position, his penchant for whiffing (134 strikeouts in 119 games last season) raises questions about its potential utility at the highest level. Don't be surprised if the Yankees move him to a new position at some point this season with the goal of expediting his arrival in the major leagues.


(rotoworld.com)