SPORTS N STUFF

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I know that anyone that follows NFL offseason activities is waiting for the April 6 courtroom hearing in Minnesota.

How that meeting turns out will likely affect not only the draft and free agency, but also the regular season as well.

In the meantime, Ive put together another mock draft.

The draft, after all, is the only concrete offseason event left to speculate about. There are changes throughout, since I like to consider different draft day possibilities from mock to mock.

Anyway, enjoy my take on the Cowboys possible draft choices.

Business as usual in the NFL.

Not among the owners, coaches, and players. Not between Commissioner Roger Goodell and the players association. Nor between general managers and player agents.

In marketing the game, however, the lockout has not resulted in a dead stop.

For consumer products such as video games or trading cards, or in licensing of merchandise, not much is different even with a work stoppage.

Player merchandise, including jerseys and other items, will still be available to fans thanks to long-standing agreements between the league, the NFLPA and their licensees. Its something Gary Gertzog, NFL senior vice president of business affairs, says “we are very comfortable with.”

“We want NFL football to be depicted in an authentic way,” Gertzog said. “Those companies have secured rights from the marketing affiliate of the players association and from the league. The production is proceeding and those products will be delivered in preparation for the 2011 season.”

Even though the season is endangered by the work stoppage.

Companies involved in licensing or consumer products previously acquired rights from the NFL for its logo and trademarks and for those of the 32 clubs. Another set of rights was obtained from the NFLPA for the players identities. Those agreements remain in place for the 2011 season.

For sponsorships, though, the accord between the league and Players Inc, the marketing arm of the former union, expired when the collective bargaining agreement did on March 11.

Its up to those sponsors if they want to proceed by going after player rights through a third party, and the NFL is telling sponsors to make sure they have the appropriate rights before proceeding.

Indeed, the league has questioned the NFLPAs rights to seek group deals because it has decertified as a union.

Players Inc doesnt agree, naturally, and has been aggressive in pursuing those sponsorships.

“During the lockout, we are essentially the engine that drives the NFLPA (financially),” said Keith Gordon, president of NFL Players. “We are seeking whatever we can create to be supporting the players during the lockout. Marketing activity, including sponsorship, licensing, and event production, supports the players when they are not getting any other (income) in this situation.

“For us to not have the ability to sell sponsorships, we would be crippling ourselves. So we are actively pursuing every opportunity while they are available, which is simply smart business.”

Gordon would not identify specific companies with whom the players are talking, but cited the categories of personal care, automotive, technology, financial services, beer, and transportation/logistics.

“Our players also continue working with select NFL sponsors who have contingency agreements in place,” Gordon said. “Outside of those sponsors, individual player deals may continue to occur provided the sponsor is not in violation of our exclusive group player licensing rights.

“While football may not be played on Sundays during the lockout, the game continues to live through our players. The desire of fans to connect with NFL players has not diminished one bit, and in fact may actually increase if no games are played.

“Any players who make the commitment to be visible and engage with fans, with partners and with media will have an opportunity to increase their visibility, showcase their personality and impact their overall marketability.”

And what about the teams and the league itself? NFL merchandise tends to fly off the shelves throughout the year, but especially heading into the season. The shadow of the lockout could impact those sales just as it affects whether games will be missed.

“We have had discussions with nearly all our business partners and they all exercise their agreements in different ways and times of the year and with different executions,” Gertzog said. “We have a terrific roster we do business with who are very committed to marketing with the NFL. As we do, they have confidence our labor situation will be worked out.”

Gertzog points out that Anheuser-Busch, a first-year league sponsor, will unveil its marketing initiatives at the draft in late April. His department already has begun discussions for kickoff weekend in Green Bay in September. There have been conversations with the various broadcast partners “based on the current circumstances and selling advertising and expectations of a season.”

“In terms of our marketing calendar, training camp is an important vehicle for all the clubs and the NFL,” Gertzog added. “The clubs have found it a very important avenue to bring new fans, to get up them up close to the players, and theyve created interactive elements that are very appealing. Training camp experiences have become a very strong and important marketing effort for the teams.”

Training camps are due to open at the end of July, making them even more endangered than the games – despite both sides marketing plans being in full swing. The players and the league emphasize they both are year-round sports properties with whom marketing partners want to do business.

But theres also never been a lockout to affect the business of pro football.

NEW YORK — New York Mets left fielder Jason Bay will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left rib cage.

Bay had tests Wednesday in New York. Bay felt discomfort on his left side Tuesday and was pulled from the lineup.

The move is backdated to March 25, so hell be eligible to return April 9. Outfielder Lucas Duda was placed on the active roster in Bays spot Thursday.

The Mets also officially placed ace Johan Santana on the 15-day DL. Hes sidelined until at least midsummer after shoulder surgery.

The Mets open the season Friday at Florida.

Tampa Bay pitcher Wade Davis has agreed to a seven-year contract that could be worth up to $35.1 million with the defending AL East champions.

The deal was announced Thursday on the eve of the Rays season opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

The 25-year-old went 12-10 with a 4.07 ERA as a rookie last year. The first four years of the contract are guaranteed, ensuring Davis will earn at least $12.6 million.

The club holds options for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. The deal covers the right-handers final arbitration year and first two years of free agency.

Davis is scheduled to make his first start of the season against the Orioles on Sunday.

CBSSpor The St. Louis Blues took full advantage of a backup goalie and another netminder making his NHL debut.

Cam Janssen and Chris Porter scored for the first time this season, helping St. Louis beat the Detroit Red Wings 10-3 on Wednesday.

Western ConferenceSeedTeamGPPts1z-Vancouver771112Detroit77983San Jose76974Phoenix78955Los Angeles76946Anaheim77937Nashville77928Chicago76909Dallas758710Calgary788711Minnesota768012St. Louis778013Columbus7679Eliminated14Colorado756415Edmonton7657 Complete Playoff Race >>

“We just kept pushing and it started steamrolling,” Janssen said.

The Red Wings gave up eight goals in the first two periods of a game for the first time since 1986 and 10 in a game for the first time since 1993.

“Thank God its over,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “It looked like it was never going to end there for a w its ugly.”

Joey MacDonald, playing for the injured Jimmy Howard, was chased after giving up five goals midway through the second period. MacDonald was back in net for the third period after Thomas McCollum, called up Monday from the East Coast Hockey League because Chris Osgood is also injured, gave up three goals on eight shots in a debut he would like to forget.

“Things can only go up from here,” McCollum said.

Jaroslav Halak, meanwhile, made 41 saves for the Blues.

Detroit has won only one of six, cutting its cushion to six points ahead of Nashville in the Central Division with five games left for both teams and its lead over San Jose to a point in a race to be the second-seeded team in the Western Conference playoffs.

“We have to find ourself again,” Henrik Zetterberg said.

Especially, in the Motor City.

Detroit is 10-12-4 at home after starting the season 10-1-2 at home in Joe Louis Arena.

“Definitely not good,” Zetterberg said.

The Blues are out of the playoff race, but theyre playing well enough to be in a 3-0-1 stretch that has put Columbus in last place in the division.

“The guys know how important it is to start creating success now,” St. Louis coach Davis Payne said. “We could talk about what hasnt happened this season, but were just focused on working to lay the groundwork for us down the road. Good habits arent something you just turn on, you have to work to create them.”

Detroit scored first on Mike Modanos slap shot off a rebound 5:51 into the game, then it went downhill for the home team that was jeered early and often by a sellout crowd.

“We got booed off the ice and rightfully so,” Nicklas Lidstrom said. “We were just awful.”

Chris Stewart started the scoring flurry at the 14:06 mark of the first period and Janssen ended a 114-game streak without a goal two minutes later.

“Unbelievable,” Janssen said after scoring for the first time in two-plus years. “Im going to my phone. I probably have about 500 text messages.”

After Todd Bertuzzi made it 2-2 late in the first, Porter scored what the final go-ahead goal 29 seconds later.

St. Louis outscored Detroit 5-1 in the second on goals from Matt DAgostini, B.J. Crombeen, David Backes, Roman Polak and Vladimir Sobotka.

Detroit didnt score again after Zetterbergs 24th goal of the season midway through the second period.

The Blues didnt let up, making it 10-3 in the third on Patrik Berglunds goal early in the period and Porters second goal of the game with 2:10 left long after most of the fans walked left the building.

“It seemed like they had an extra guy out there,” MacDonald said. “We havent played like that all year.”

Actually, it has been a lot of years.

The last time Detroit gave up eight goals in the first 40 minutes of the game was March 3, 1986, when it lost 12-3 to Edmonton. The Red Wings allowed 10 goals for the first time since Oct. 9, 1993, in a 10-3 setback against the Los Angeles Kings.

“Youre usually trying to keep them from putting up double digits,” Backes said.

Notes

Howard, sidelined by a sore left shoulder, hopes to play Saturday at Nashville. Blues center T.J. Oshie served the second game of his two-game suspension for missing practice Monday, but general manager Doug Armstrong would only say the franchise would re-evaluate the situation Thursday. Detroit C Pavel Datsyuk missed his sixth consecutive game with a lower-body injury.

CBSSpor Dwight Howard kept trying to muscle his way into the lane.

Jason Collins wouldnt back down, providing hope that Atlanta will fare a lot better if the Hawks get their expected rematch with Orlando in the playoffs.

More on Magic at Hawks Related links NBA sends 09-10 data to union Power Rankings No meetings set between owners, players Shootaround 3.30.11 Howards tech upheld Hawks Williams patience pays off Message Board: Magic | Hawks Video NBA Drive Eye on Basketball

Joe Johnsons floating one-hander in the lane put Atlanta ahead with 55.4 seconds remaining, Jameer Nelson missed two chances to tie it for the Magic, and the Hawks escaped with an 85-82 victory Wednesday night.

Josh Smith led the Hawks with 26 points, and Johnson added 18. But a guy who had only three points and five rebounds might have done the best work of the night.

Collins went body-to-body with Howard in a bruising matchup, helping limit the Orlando star to 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

“I was just trying to play physical with him,” Collins said. “I try to eye him up when he crosses halfcourt. I want to meet him early, before he gets close to the basket.”

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was impressed.

“Thats the best defense Ive seen all year on Dwight,” Van Gundy said. “Against Collins, he didnt get a lot of good shots. I thought he did a great job on him. Hes big and physical. He doesnt give you anything easy. Dwight had trouble getting good, on-balance shots.”

Nelson, who paced Orlando with 20 points, missed a jumper with 38 seconds remaining, then clanked one off the side of the rim on a drive with 6 seconds left.

Collins grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. He missed the first but swished the second, forcing the Magic to look for a 3 on their final possession. The best they could do was a long, turnaround jumper by Hedo Turkoglu that sailed over the rim.

The Hawks won their third in a row and took the season series 3-1, distancing themselves from a dismal stretch in which they lost 14 of 21 games.

Theyll likely face Orlando again in a couple of weeks. The Magic seem assured of the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Hawks are headed for the fifth seed.

Last year, the teams met in the second round of the postseason, which turned into a monumental mismatch. Orlando wo the most lopsided sweep in NBA history.

Eastern ConferenceSeedTeamGB1y-Chicago-2y-Boston2.53x-Miami2.54x-Orlando7.55x-Atlanta11.56Philadelphia15.57New York17.58Indiana219Charlotte2210Milwaukee2411Detroit28Eliminated12New Jersey3113Toronto3414Washington3615Cleveland39 Complete Playoff Race >>

With that in mind, the Hawks wanted to show they could be more competitive with the Magic this time around. They sure did it during the regular season, holding the Magic to 38 percent shooting in the four games.

“Its the regular season. The postseason is totally different,” Smith said. “I dont know if were sending a message, but weve got to let teams know were coming to play.”

Turkoglu also scored 17 for the Magic, who were off their game after Howard picked up two fouls in the first four minutes.

“Things are definitely hard for us when Dwight gets in foul trouble,” Nelson said. “Hes who we are. We play through him. Offensive and defensively, hes our guy.”

Howard picked up his fourth foul with over 8 minutes remaining in the third quarter, whistled for knocking down Smith going for a rebound. The big man didnt come out of the game immediately, and the Hawks felt he should have been called for his fifth foul less than a minute later.

Howard backed into the lane looking for a pass, smashing a shoulder into Collins chest to gain position right under the basket. Nothing was called, the ball arrived and Collins had no choice but to wrap up Howard with a partial bear hug. He then turned to the officials with a look of disgust, while Hawks coach Larry Drew sprung off the bench.

“You cant let him do that,” Drew screamed.

But the Hawks ended the period on a high. Jamal Crawford saved an errant pass and Zaza Pachulia hit a turnaround jumper just ahead of the buzzer after pulling down an offensive rebound. Pachulia chest-bumped Smith as he bounced off the court, having given Atlanta a 69- the Hawks already have more 20- is finding itself at just the right time. This is Atlantas first three-game winning streak since Feb. 2-5.

“I feel real good about the direction were going,” he said. “March has not been good to us. But we seem to have weathered the storm.”

Notes

Magic F Quentin Richardson missed his third consecutive game with back spasms. The Magic have talked about bringing in another point guard if Chris Duhons ailing right thumb continues to be a problem. He didnt even suit up in Atlanta, and the Magic also have been hampered in practice because of limited numbers. “Its frustrating for me,” Van Gundy said. “Were just not getting anything done.

A judge has denied bond for troubled Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly after his latest arrest on a drug charge in Houston.

Jolly did not appear in court during a brief hearing on Wednesday. His next hearing is set for April 20.

Jolly was charged with possession of a controlled substance after being arrested early Friday morning.

Police say officers found a bottle containing 600 grams of codeine and another containing an unidentified substance under the front seats of Jollys car.

Carl Moore, Jollys attorney, says his client is innocent.

Jolly was suspended by the NFL without pay for all of last season for violating the leagues substance abuse policy related to a separate 2008 drug arrest in which officers said he also had codeine.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

The Packers are a no-nonsense franchise. A team that stays away from the medias vicious circle. An organization intolerant of petty and irrelevant issues. Not that you needed reminding of any of that.

Yep, Green Bay were the clean-cut, snobby team of the NFL.

At least that the case up until this past week.

Two individuals in particular have thrown a spanner into Titletowns humble world lately: Johnny Jolly and Brandon Underwood. Its no surprise, really. The two dont exactly scream model citizens when they walk down the street. But how did the Packers seemingly miss this issue when it first arose?

Clearly, second chances are for the lucky.

In the Packers defense, though, they have done just about everything right when it comes to handling this situation. The players havent combined into one giant ball of rage and tossed it toward anyone willing to listen. Nor have the coaching staff caused a scene and stormed off their separate ways like spoiled toddlers.

Still, its been a seven-day period to forget for Green Bay, one best described as downright disappointing—especially for a team that has led by example for the past 40 years.

Knowing where to start with this situation is difficult. Theres been enough legal talk to fill a successful crime novel, while still keeping in entertaining at the same time. I guess its appropriate to start with Johnny Jolly, though.

Yes, Jolly dropped the ball this week. Five days ago he was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, codeine, and was also said to be driving a car with a suspended license. Theres a role model you should tell your sons all about.

Just kidding. Please, dont.

Realistically, any football fan with half a brain could predict this happening. Its deja vu. We played this game with Jolly in June of 2008. He led us through the loops, we jumped, and yet again he has come out looking the ultimate fool in the end.

So whats the alternative to this debacle?

I wouldnt blame if you if youve totally lost interest in this situation. Its become almost laughable, just like Barry Bonds endless saga that now sees him mimicking O.J. Simpsons love/hate relationship for court rooms and the US judicial system.

But beneath all of the controversy and loose ends, the simple solution to this whole mess is straightforward and relatively painless: release Jolly, and send him packing.

The Packers would be smart to make this move as soon as possible. The NFL may be locked out on indefinite vacation right now, but that didnt stop Roger Goodell from waving his power wand last time. The league suspended Jolly for the 2010 season. And with any attempt at rehab useless, why entertain a problem player by leading him on as each day passes?

The NFL doesnt need their own version of Charlie Sheen.

Some fans might not like it. Those are the same fans who smiled when a guy like Pacman Jones returned to the league, only to slide further down the scale of failed second chance athletes, and flirt with the idea of professional wrestling.

Perhaps the one striking concern with releasing Jolly, however, is the fact that he does have talent. He isnt a player who is one in a millionHe isnt a “diamond in the rough,” either. But he was once a key defensive end for the Packers, and it would be unfair to forget all of that.

Releasing him leaves his future open to manipulators. The Dallas Cowboys will prey. So will the New York Greenbacks (Jets), as they try and snap up another controversial athlete who isnt named Antonio Cromartie.

Its a shame Jolly wasnt a part of the Super Bowl team. In a way he was, mentally. But a lot more was thrown away in 2008 than just his reputation. A great career, a promising future, and a maybe, just maybe, a Hall of Fame chance.

But then theres Brandon Underwood, a player who is one in a million.

Turns out Underwood isnt done just yet. News broke yesterday that two women who accused Underwood of assault were charged with prostitution—if that doesnt add some spirit into your day, I dont know what will.

Darren Hauck/Getty Images

Jolly may have been talented, Underwood on the other hand, never really took off. Zero interceptions and just 15 tackles to his name last year were expected. And although Green Bay may be short on cornerbacks in the future, Underwood isnt likely to receive a hardy promotion in the next few months.

Just release Underwood, too?

He is young, so he is possibly valuable to Green Bay. But an accusation of assault is serious. Ted Thompson surely doesnt like it. And we can all assume what Mark Murphy thinks of the situation as well.

The fact that Underwood attended a gentlemans club is one thing. The fact that he participated in prostitution, another. All up, it affects the culture of Green Bay, something head coach Mike McCarthy touched base on.

“You don’t want to be a paper champion,” McCarthy said during weekly meetings. “History tells you over and over again, you start building your team and you focus on what it looks like on a piece of paper, that’s a big mistake in my view.”

That same piece of paper now has a red line through Jolly and Underwood. It , anyway.

One man is in a Houston jail cell until tomorrow. The other is facing a long line of legal charges. Scrutiny is also a very likely side dish. What happened to the days of the straight arrow Green Bay Packers we used to know?

The league changed. Vince Lombardi moved on. Now we have players who wish to be celebrities, rather than athletes.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is still running for the cover of Madden 12.

At least Packer players still have their priorities right.

SAN FRANCISCO — Former New York Yankee Randy Velarde testified Wednesday that he purchased a performance-enhancing drug from Barry Bonds personal trainer throughout the 2002 season, the Texas natives last after 16 years in the big leagues.

Velarde said the human growth hormone gave him more “endurance and strength” and that personal trainer Greg Anderson would help him inject the drug.

Velarde, 48, was the fourth athlete to testify about his desire to work with Anderson because of his connection to Bonds, the home-run king who experienced a surge in power after he started working with the trainer.

Several more former baseball players were expected to testify Wednesday about their connection to Anderson. Anderson himself is in jail on contempt of court charges for refusing to testify at Bonds federal perjury trial, which is in its second week.

Velarde, who hit 100 home runs and batted .276 for four different teams, spent less than 15 minutes on the witness stand and testified that he never used two designer steroids that prosecutors allege Bonds knowingly used after getting them from Anderson.

Velarde followed former San Francisco Giant Marvin Benard to the witness stand Wednesday morning.

Benard, 40, testified that Anderson supplied him with the designer steroids dubbed the “clear” and “cream.”

Prosecutors hope to use the players testimony to undercut Bonds position that Anderson duped him into unknowingly using designer steroids. None of the players, except for former Giants catcher Bobby Estalella, were expected to directly testify about Bonds.

Prosecutors said in a court filing before the trial started March 21 that Estalella will “testify that the defendant admitted using performance-enhancing drugs, as well as their effects, and that they had several discussions regarding that topic.”

Also on the governments witness list: former Bonds teammates Armando Rios and Benito Santiago.

Colorado Rockies first baseman Jason Giambi and his brother, former major leaguer Jeremy Giambi, testified Tuesday about their relationship with Anderson and gave similar accounts of their relationship with him. They said that before the 2003 season Anderson supplied them with steroids designed to evade Major League Baseballs plan to test players for steroids that season.

Bonds, the major league record-holder for home runs in a career (762) and a season (73), has pleaded not guilty to four charges that he lied to a grand jury when he denied knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs. He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of obstruction.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.– Reliever Jason Isringhausen has accepted the New York Mets invitation for two weeks of extended spring training.

Manager Terry Collins says Wednesday he believes there will be a place for Isringhausen down the road.

The Mets signed the 38-year-old to a minor-league contract in the first days of camp, but he had no intention of playing in the minors. After the two weeks, hes hoping the Mets will call him up or hell find a spot with another team.

The Mets told him Tuesday they were selecting Blaine Boyer for the final bullpen spot. General manager Sandy Alderson said durability was the main concern about Isringhausen, who has undergone three elbow surgeries during his 14-year career.

Isringhausen says he hasnt spoken with any other teams.