Pete Carroll discovered that Peyton Manning does not like surprises

It must be said that through the process that eventually landed him in Denver, Peyton Manning was about as un-Favre-like as a future Hall of Fame quarterback could be. Far from No. 4's offseason attention jags, Manning went as under the radar as possible. He conducted a workout for the San Francisco 49ers that wasn't discovered until three days after it happened, which must be a record in the Twitter-led world of modern football journalism. When he found that the Miami Dolphins weren't the right fit for him, Manning actually wrote team owner Stephen Ross a letter to explain why.

In return for these niceties, Manning wanted as much control over the process as possible. Potential suitors were identified, and summarily accepted or rejected as first-round lottery winners, with the prize being Manning's undivided attention for the franchise sell job.

[Related: NFL fans forced to wait to buy Peyton Manning Bronco jerseys]

One team that didn't get past the opening gates was the Seattle Seahawks, who decided to up the ante and break into the game anyway. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider flew to Denver during one of Manning's pre-signing visits there, and tried to get him on board -- figuratively and literally. As impressive as the gesture may have been to others, Manning wasn't impressed. From SI.com's Peter King:

Manning got a call informing him that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll had flown, unannounced, with Seattle G.M. John Schneider to the airport in Englewood. Carroll would do whatever Manning wanted?talk for a while in Denver or on the plane to Arizona, his next visit, or fly him to Seattle for a lengthier discussion.

Peyton Manning does not like surprises. He said no thanks. Carroll flew home.

While the move seems a bit tone-deaf in retrospect, Seahawks fans have to be impressed at the lengths to which Carroll and Schneider will go to improve their team. They saw an opportunity, were rejected at first, and said, "To heck with that -- let's see if we can get this done!" Fans of many teams would love for the guys running their favorite franchises to be so proactive.

In the end, the Seahawks signed former Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn to a three-year, $26 million contract, furthered their situation along as much as they could, and prepared for the future. During the conference call announcing Flynn's signing, and with Manning signed in Denver, Carroll explained the process by which he and Schneider tried to wrest Manning out of John Elway's clutches.

"We did talk and we messaged back and forth," Carroll said. "[Manning] actually called in early in the process. We just couldn't get it hooked up. We tried real hard to see if we could find a way to see where it stood. We took an approach at this just like we've taken at every other opportunity that comes down the line to help your football team ? we go for it. We competed to see how far we could take it and we found that there was an end to it and so we turned on ... Obviously he's figured it out, and it sounds like he's making a good choice.

"We tried to fit in to their schedule that looked like it had some space in it, but there wasn't enough. So we made an effort. It's kind of just classic for us ? just competing to try to find a way and we just couldn't pull it off at that time. We had to take a shot at that. It didn't work out for us there."

Well, at least Manning didn't sign with the Arizona Cardinals, which would have put him up against the Seahawks twice per season. "I like that. Yeah, I like that. He'll continue to serve the AFC in great fashion. I'm glad he's over there."

Of course, Carroll would have been happier had Manning actually given the Emerald City a shot, but you can't blame a guy for trying...

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Deep Posts: ?Put your hands up, and step away from the Tebow jerseys!?

-- The skirmish we wrote about Wednesday between Nike and Reebok over the manufacture and sale of Tim Tebow Jets jerseys has been resolved, though not yet in a permanent fashion. Nike, which will take over merchandising and outfitting for the NFL on April 1, got a temporary restraining order in U.S. District Court that will force Reebok, whose contract with the NFL ran out before March 1, to recall all Tebow jerseys made after the end of that agreement. We'll soon see a huge supply of Nike Tebow jerseys, of course. Until then, you can always buy something called a "Tim Tebow New York Jets Eligible Receiver T-Shirt," which may wind up being oddly appropriate when the Jets finally unleash their Tebow-led Wildcat brilliance. Or something. [Fox Sports]

-- Also, the Jets should go for two after just about every touchdown, says one writer. We agree wholeheartedly. Say what you want about the guy, but Timmy has been a force in the red zone since his Florida days -- he had as many collegiate rushing touchdowns as Marshall Faulk. [The Big Lead]

-- Several NFL bigwigs are very excited about the $2.15 billion price paid for the Los Angeles Dodgers, which was shelled out by the new ownership group led by Magic Johnson. "I don't know how to get my mind or arms around that [the $2.15 billion price] at all," Jerry Jones told the Dallas Morning News. "It certainly wasn't something I might have had in mind when I got involved with the Cowboys and the team. It's impressive. It's very impressive. I think it raises all boats in sports."

"It kind of raises the bar for all of us," said�New York Giants�co-owner Steve Tisch in a Chicago Tribune story. "When a baseball club sells for over $2 billion, when you fold in the real estate, it makes all of us stand up and say, 'Wow!' With our brands, with our teams, with our assets, we can't mess up. We're involved with something very special with tremendous value."

No word yet on whether Giants co-owner John Mara will try to penalize Magic and his buddies for bidding $600 million more than the team's current value in the name of competitive balance. [NFL.com]

-- St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher isn't tied to the sixth overall pick in this year's draft, which the Washington Redskins traded to his team so that Mike Shanahan could climb up to No. 2 and select either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. Asked at the owners meetings whether the Rams might trade further down or try to head up to Cleveland's No. 4 overall pick, Fisher said that "it would probably be more realistic for us to move down than it would up." Of course, the new rookie wage scale makes the trading of draft picks a more friendly process, and this year, there's no lockout to compress the issue. [Stltoday.com]

-- The most important Pro Day in the 2012 pre-draft process happens Thursday, and it will certainly affect who moves up and down in the top 10.

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who couldn't throw at the scouting combine because of a foot injury, will throw in front of NFL personnel for the first time since he started working with quarterback coach Chris Weinke, who has also helped Cam Newton, Christian Ponder and Kirk Cousins. If Tannehill lights it up, he could be slotted as high as Cleveland's current fourth pick, and there are several other options in the top 10. [NFLDraftScout.com]

-- We conclude this episode of Deep Posts with Ray Lewis' speech to the Stanford men's basketball team before a recent NIT contest. We present it without comment, since nothing we say could enhance the message. Well, except to say ... yes, we too are now "pissed off for greatness."

Courtesy of the Cardinal Channel

Albert Haynsworth San Diego Chargers College Football

City of Vancouver plans to divert Canuck fans to ?community centres? if team goes deep

It may seem presumptuous for the city of Vancouver to be announcing the crowd management plans for the third and fourth rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs already, but considering the events of last June, the municipality simply can't screw this up two years in a row.

After the riot, which took place after the Vancouver Canucks' lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at home to the Boston Bruins, the city drew criticism for being underprepared and naive about what might happen when you cram 150,000 people into three blocks, ignore the fact that they're all drinking, and then disappoint them. (When it's put that way, the criticism seems deserved, doesn't it?)

This time around, the fun police -- i.e., the regular police -- will be wisely cracking down on both factors. If the team goes deep in the postseason, there will be no municipality-sanctioned super-parties or live sites downtown, but rather, smaller "neighborhood-oriented events." And outdoor drinking will be discouraged. From the Globe & Mail:

The neighbourhood-oriented events will be in neighbourhoods outside the downtown core, such as community centre activities and small block parties.

The city will also work with police and transit officials to crack down on the amount of liquor on transit and on the streets.

Ooh, community centres! I hope you like multi-colored folding chairs and murals.

Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu ruffled some feathers last week when he indicated that fans would be discouraged from coming downtown during the games. "I think this time around 'don't come downtown' is going to be the philosophy," he said.

But Chu clarified his position two days later. From the Winnipeg Free Press:

"At all times and during the hockey playoffs, the Vancouver police are encouraging people to come downtown to enjoy our bars, restaurants, arenas, theatres, shopping and street ambience," Chu said.

"Our focus is to make it safe for you to enjoy our city. You are not welcome in Vancouver if you intend to engage in public drinking, hooliganism and criminal behaviour."

In effect, hockey fans won't be shooed away from the downtown core, but they will be if they don't have a destination in mind beyond that.

Now, discouraged hardly means prevented, because that's impossible. The fact is, no matter what the city tries, it won't be able to prevent large groups of people from congregating on Robson, Georgia and Granville, and if the plan is to attempt to fight this inevitability, there will undoubtedly be minor scuffles on those blocks between drunk hockey fans and officers trying to adhere to the plan.

But a handful of minor scuffles are definitely preferable to one massive scuffle. It's certainly a more proactive policing strategy than what the city has tried leading up to the last two Vancouver riots. It's nowhere near as free-wheeling and fun, but if it means the next day isn't all sweeping up glass and apologizing, I don't think anyone will mind.

Will it work? Well, the mayor and the police chief have both said they don't "expect" another riot to take place, but that may just be because they think Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis ruined the team's chances of going deep when he traded Cody Hodgson.

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Puck Previews: West playoff race heats up; Canucks confirm Daniel Sedin concussion

Here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

? Time to swap out Tebow Time with Landeskog-sanity? [Getty Images]

Preview: Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets, 8:30 p.m. ET. Losing to Nashville on Saturday really hurt the Jets' chance of sneaking into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they currently sit six points out with seven games to go. The Senators try for their third win over Winnipeg this season as they try to keep a grasp on the No. 7 seed coming off an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Craig Anderson gets his second start after coming back from injury, which ends up being good timing, in a way, with Ben Bishop missing the next two weeks with a groin injury.

Preview: Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET. Things got a little chippy at the end of their game on Saturday afternoon and it was understandable as both teams are still fighting for their playoff lives. The Stars hold a slim lead atop the Pacific Division with three teams chasing them. Meanwhile, the Flames have dropped five straight and are three points out of eighth. Even running the table in their final six games won't be enough as Calgary needs to rely on the failure of those ahead of them and they know that.

Preview: Colorado Avalanche at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET. We'll finally get some separation tonight at the bottom of the West playoff pack. The Avs and Sharks are tied at 86 points, but San Jose has two games in hand, and Colorado hopes to improve on its 0-5-2 record at HP Pavilion in their last seven trips. Defenseman Erik Johnson will be back in the lineup for the Avs and

Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page. For tonight's starting goalies, check out Left Wing Lock.

Evening Reading

? Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed that Daniel Sedin is suffering from a concussion. No timetable has been set on his return and Sedin will resume skating once he's symptom-free for seven days.�[Province]

? Elliotte Friedman's always-excellent 30 Thoughts column this week. [CBC]

? Any time you reference the "sugar" episode of The Simpsons, you're going to get linked. Here's Sam Fels look at the highs and lows of the Chicago Blackhawks over the last week. [Second City Hockey]

? A local group is set to announce its purchase of the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers and keep them in town. The Nailers are affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. [WTRF]

? Looking at the Draft Lottery odds of the 29th-ranked Montreal Canadiens. [Habs Eyes on the Prize]

? Finally, Petri Kontiola of Traktor scored this nifty little goal against Ak Bars last week during the KHL playoffs:

Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: Daniel on the Bruins' commercial for their new digital entertainment network:

"Can someone nominate The Bear for the Lester Patrick Trophy?"

Would you tell The Bear no?

Bold Prediction: All six games will be won by the home team.

Miami Dolphins Orlando Magic Darrius Heyward-Bey

Chase Utley experiences a ?plateau? in his rehab, opening day status set at ?doubtful?

So much for the best laid plans. Two days after�saying he hoped to be on the field within a week, Chase Utley left camp in Clearwater on Monday morning to seek more rehabilitation work on the chronic tendinitis that has plagued his right knee.

Utley has yet to play in a spring training game and Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said it is "doubtful" that his second baseman will be ready to go by opening day. Utley also missed all of spring training in 2011 as well as the first 46 games of the season.

Here's the statement from Phillies GM Ruben Amaro (via The 700 Level):

"Chase's rehab process has come to a bit of a plateau.� He has made some strides but not enough to take the field.� He is headed out of town for a few days to be evaluated by a specialist that has helped athletes overcome his issue.� We anticipate that this trip will allow him to build on what he has already done with Scott Sheridan in order to get over the hump.� He wants more than anything to be on the field with his teammates and we believe that this is a step in that direction."

As always, this is only further confirmation that the only optimistic injury news comes when we actually see a player return to the field. All the other periodic updates are pure headline filler, no matter what message is being conveyed.

As for Utley's situation, the future looks like a tough one for the 33-year-old All-Star. Amaro says Utley isn't working with much cartilage in his knee, a condition that never fully rights itself. And not to be all pessimistic, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel hits the nail on the head when he asked (and answered) the following question:

"Will he ever be 100 percent? I don't know about that. He might never be that."

The setback ? or, excuse me, "plateau" ? is sad news for a player who is just a few complete years away from assembling a good case for the Hall of Fame. It's also sad news for a fan base that is quickly reconsidering how much longer the Phillies' window in the NL East can stay open. Starting the season without Utley and Ryan Howard in the heart of the order will do that to an outlook.

Make sure you're reading for opening day ...
Follow @bigleaguestew,�@KevinKaduk and the BLS Facebook page!

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Outland winner Barrett Jones moves to center for Alabama

In his first two years at Alabama, Barrett Jones started 25 games at right guard. Last year, Jones' primary position was left tackle. After being one of the best guards in the country, he was arguably the best left tackle in 2011 and won the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman on either side of the football.

After he decided to stay at Alabama for his senior year, Jones will be a front-runner for more hardware in 2012. But if Alabama's first spring practice is any indication, it won't only be for the Outland, but for the Rimington Trophy as well.

[Related: LSU's Les Miles has 'no reservations' playing female kicker]

The All-American played four positions on the line at various points in 2011 and is starting spring practice at center for the defending national champion Crimson Tide. And according to coach Nick Saban, this isn't a test. Why? Because of sophomore tackle Cyrus Kouandjio's development.

You may remember Kouandjio as the player whose dramatic recruitment was one of the top stories of 2011 signing day. He committed to Auburn, but didn't submit his letter of intent, and signed with Alabama three days later. Kouandjio received significant playing time as a freshman, but suffered a season-ending knee injury against Tennessee.

From the AP:

"We thought (Kouandjio) was a starter last year," Saban said. "Obviously he's a freshman, but he made tremendous progress. Obviously his injury set him back a little bit but he's worked very hard and made a good�recovery.

"We think he can be a very, very good player. There's no experiment involved in Barrett playing center. That experiment was all done last year. He got a lot of reps and played some in games. I don't think there's any question about the fact he'll do a really good�job."

Tight end Michael Williams called Jones "a genius, almost," so line calls and blocking assignments at yet another new full-time position probably won't be an issue. Minnesota's Greg Eslinger is the only player to win both the Rimington and the Outland Trophy, but he won them both while playing center in 2005. No player has won the Outland Trophy at guard or tackle and then the Rimington Trophy.

Had Jones left for the NFL draft after last year, he was projected by many to be a top-1o pick. While centers traditionally aren't drafted as high as tackles or even guards, in this case, Jones' versatility may only serve to help his draft status, as if he succeeds at center, whoever drafts him could plug him in at virtually any position.

- - -
"Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday

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Watch thousands pray for Canucks? Daniel Sedin at Rogers Arena (VIDEO)

Louie Giglio is a pastor and founder of the Passion Movement, a Christian organization geared toward young adults and college students. The movement has been around since the mid-1990s touring the world and spreading their message.

On Friday night, the Passion Movement made an appearance at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Giglio, while holding Daniel Sedin's actual helmet, asked for those in attendance to pray for the health of the Canucks forward, who's sidelined with concussion-like symptoms.

As if the millions of Canucks fans in Vancouver and around the world weren't already praying for Sedin's quick return to health after Duncan Keith's elbow to the head on Wednesday night, what's a few thousand more? And what better way to get your fans in the city you're touring even more behind you than holding a mass prayer for the quick recovery of one of their hockey stars?

Despite the fact one their top players was injured by a reckless elbow, the Canucks are tight-lipped about their feelings about the five game suspension for Keith. There's still no timetable on Sedin's return to the Canucks' lineup as they begin a five-game homestand tonight.

Stick-tap Reddit hockey

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Seattle Seahawks Josh Beckett Carmelo Anthonyy

Zone read: Kyle Padron, the latest SMU QB to defect to Eastern Washington

The Zone Read is your college football primer to make you seem like the smartest person at the water cooler even if you're not.

Eastern Washington is becoming the new home for disgruntled SMU quarterbacks.

Kyle Padron, who started 21 games for the Mustangs coming into the 2011 season, has decided to join the Eagles this summer.

"I felt comfortable with being able to pick up the system and how well the system prepares a QB to get to the next level," Padron told ESPN. "There is more responsibility the QB has there than what I'm coming from and the guys they have coming back, especially at WR are very intriguing."

Padron came into the 2011 season as the starter at SMU, but threw back-to-back interceptions in the season opener against Texas State and lost his starting position to J.J. McDermott. Padron also saw the writing on the wall when Garrett Gilbert decided to transfer from Texas to the Mustangs.

Padron follows Bo Levi Mitchell, who ironically, left SMU after being beaten out by Padron. Mitchell led the Eagles to a national championship in 2010, but the Eagles were just 6-5 last year.

Well, Forcier sounds French: Former Michigan, Miami, almost Hawaii and San Jose State quarterback Tate Forcier hasn't given up on the football dream.

Forcier told Joe Schad that he's been training with Jeff Garcia in San Diego and preparing for a possible career in the Canadian Football League.

Forcier had trouble staying in school because of academics, so going pro might be his next best option.

We'll see if that actually happens, though. Forcier has wanted to do a lot of things with his football career that haven't exactly panned out. At least if he goes to the CFL, he doesn't have to worry about passing any academic standards.

Nothing to see here: A campus wide drug scandal that made national news has done nothing to hamper the appeal of TCU to recruits. Coach Gary Patterson said his recruiting efforts haven't changed in the wake of four of his players being arrested for their role in a drug ring.

"I think people said this is a safe place for our kids because TCU did something about it because this is a problem everywhere," Patterson told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

"I think the people that know us know how we do things. If we truly believe we are the only people that have this problem, maybe they don't want to come here because we'll do something about it."

- - -
"Like" Dr. Saturday on Facebook for football conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. And follow Dr. Saturday at its new home on Twitter: @YahooDrSaturday

Detroit Lions Minnesota Vikings Jermaine Oneal

Can the Jets? ?Sanchise? survive Tebowmania?

It is certainly the beginning of �"Tebowmania" in New York, but does that spell the end of the "Sanchise"?

Late on Wednesday night, the New York Jets announced for the second time in the day that they had acquired quarterback Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos. The deal, which was originally held up due to a roster bonus issue, brings to New York a�quarterback who is the ideal fit for the Wildcat package that offensive�coordinator Tony Sparano utilized in Miami with the Miami Dolphins as their head coach in 2008.

It also brings other issues, such as what now to do with incumbent starter�Mark Sanchez, who recently signed a five-year contract extension with the�Jets. Tebow comes to the team after starting 11 games in Denver last�year and leading the surprising Broncos to a division title and a wild-card�playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he is far from an ideal�starting quarterback in a traditional sense, Tebow does win and that's something that the Jets with�their 8-8 record last season struggled with, in large part due to Sanchez's�sporadic play.

"Mark Sanchez is, has been and will be our starting quarterback," Jets�general manager Mike Tannenbaum said on Wednesday night during a conference�call with the New York media.

"We're adding Tim to be our backup quarterback and to play in roles and�packages as coach Ryan and coach Sparano see fit. Tim is comfortable with�that."

It remains to be seen how this experiment will work out, especially since�Tannenbaum's line sounds eerily like the talking points out of Denver this�time last year. Tebow was supposed to be the backup to starter Kyle Orton�and only play in certain "Tebow packages," but after the Broncos began the�season 1-4, he assumed the starting spot. The Broncos responded with a 7-4�record and that playoff win; the same scenario could be shaping up in New�York.

None of it bodes well for Sanchez, who�has shown little progression in his three years in the league�despite his playoff success, where he has posted a 4-2 mark. While he didn't�flat-out say that he wanted to be a starter, Tebow also didn't come across�as a player who would be content in a limited role with the team, even if�that is the grand vision for the Jets bringing him in.

"I feel like this is a great opportunity for me to develop, playing for�great coaches," Tebow said.�"My goal is just to be the best player, the best quarterback, the best�teammate I can be and improve every day. To earn everything I get through�working hard; to find the way to help the team in whatever role it is. To�maximize the opportunity that was given to me."

But while the Jets' decision to trade for Tebow is puzzling and is perhaps�creating a quarterback controversy where none should exist, other headaches�are involved too. Given the Jets' recent contractual commitment to Sanchez, it�does place them in a bind. If the Jets decide to go with Tebow, they would take a serious cap hit in doing so.

While Tebow is under contract for three more seasons, Sanchez's "dead money" number for�2012 is a staggering $24,506,250 and next year would be $17,153,125 .�That is an awful lot of cap space lost as the Jets bring in a Tebow who, if�and when Sanchez stumbles, will surely get the support of fans to�come in and claim the starting spot.

"Every quarterback in the NFL has a backup, so we just changed who ours is, and we feel really good about it. But Mark has been our starter and Mark has�won a ton of games and we just signed him to a five-year extension - we feel�great about him," Tannenbaum said.

"This was an opportunity to sign another playmaker, a backup quarterback who�can do some other things. Mark knows that, Tim knows that and we're excited�about it."

Follow Kristian R. Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer

DeMarcus Ware Los Angeles Dodgers Tyson Jackson

Al Jefferson?s buzzer-beating putback puts Kings away, gives Jazz fifth straight win

Another night, another failed box-out leading to a tip-in win for a team in the Western Conference playoff race.

On Thursday, the Utah Jazz were the beneficiaries on the boards, as center Al Jefferson, unfettered by defenders, corralled a missed Devin Harris runner and put it in with 0.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the Jazz a 103-102 win over the Sacramento Kings.

And it was a missed runner. Don't you dare believe those lying, assist-hungry point guards. From the Associated Press:

Devin Harris claimed he was trying to pass the ball to Utah teammate Al Jefferson, who was alone under the basket with time winding down.

Jefferson wasn't so sure but he wasn't going to argue [...] "I honestly thought it was a short shot," said Jefferson, who shot 13 for 19 from the floor. "I was at the basket by myself and that was the only way he could get it to me. It was a perfect pass."

The play was ruled a missed shot by Harris and a putback by Jefferson on the official score sheet.

I'm sure Harris appreciates his center trying to give him an assist, even if he's not going to get one himself.

The bucket capped off a perfect 5-of-5 night at the rim for Jefferson and came on a play that, depending on your perspective, could be attributed to either a Sacramento lapse or Jazz coach Ty Corbin's design.

Following a bowling-ball drive to the hoop for a layup by Kings guard Marcus Thornton (16 points on 7-of-18 shooting) that gave Sacramento a 102-101 lead with 4.1 seconds remaining, Corbin called a timeout, advancing the ball past half-court and letting rookie Alec Burks trigger play from the right sideline. Jefferson steps out toward the top of the key to represent that he's setting a screen for Utah guard Gordon Hayward, who is running away from the ball. On the back side of the play, Harris sets a back screen for power forward Paul Millsap, bumping off Sacramento's Jason Thompson and giving Millsap an opening to run to the near corner to provide a safety-valve option on the inbounds pass.

As Hayward curls down the left side of the lane, Jefferson squares up and heads to the basket, pressing Kings center DeMarcus Cousins down between the circles. Having set his screen for Millsap, Harris sprints toward the 3-point line for Burks' inbounds pass, with both Hayward and Jefferson providing impediments to slow down defender John Salmons. Harris curls at the free-throw line, catches Burks' pass and drives the right side of the lane with Salmons in pursuit.

All that pre-snap movement ensures that three Sacramento defenders ? Thompson, guarding Millsap in the near corner; Thornton, whom Hayward has drawn off the left block on the back side of the play; and Tyreke Evans, who guarded in the inbounds pass and stayed with Burks up top ? are occupied in areas where they can't really affect what's happening. It's a four-man game at this point ? Harris with the ball, Salmons trailing him, and Cousins and Jefferson in the paint.

With a shade over three seconds left, Harris starts to raise up for his attempt, putting Cousins in the position of having to make a decision ? do I step toward the shooter to help Salmons and contest the shot, or do I stay with Jefferson? In that split-second, the sophomore big man chooses poorly ? sure, the on-rushing length of Cousins may have influenced the point guard's release and led to the shot coming up short, but Salmons had recovered his lost ground and was already in the process of doing an excellent job of contesting Harris' floater.

Meanwhile, his double leaves Jefferson ? who won a game against the Toronto Raptors in a very similar fashion right around this time last year ? all alone underneath to clean up the miss. By the time the other Kings defenders can converge on the paint, they're all on the outside looking in, watching Big Al win the game. (Frankly, DeMarcus, I expect better from a coach with your resume.)

You might blame Cousins for abandoning his post; you might credit Corbin for drawing up a late-game play that would create either a clean look for his point guard or a one-on-one opportunity for his center and a chance at an offensive rebound. Either way, it's fair to say that Jefferson's only offensive board of the night ? Sacramento's front line dominated Utah on the glass, with Cousins and Thompson combining for 33 rebounds, including 18 offensive boards, as the Kings outrebounded the Jazz 55-45 ? was a pretty big one.

In fact, Al's offensive rebounding numbers, which have never been great for a four/five type, have been down all year; he's grabbing 7.4 percent of his team's available misses, according to Basketball-Reference.com. He had a strong showing on that end in February, averaging 2.8 offensive boards per game in 15 Jazz contests, but his glasswork has dipped a bit in March, with Jefferson averaging 1.7 nightly offensive rebounds in his 11 appearances this month.

Then again, considering the Jazz went 4-11 in February and now stand at 9-4 in March, having won five straight (including games against the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers that Jefferson missed for personal reasons) to draw within a half-game of the eighth-place Houston Rockets and stay in the thick of the Western Conference playoff chase, I'm guessing coach Corbin's not sweating the dip too much, especially on nights when he leads all scorers with 26 points on 13-of-19 shooting and blocks four shots. (Just how thick is that West chase? As The Basketball Jones' Tas Melas tweeted Friday morning, ninth-place Utah trails the fourth-place Dallas Mavericks by just 1.5 games in the standings.)

The putback punctuated an exciting fourth quarter that saw the Kings work to erase an eight-point deficit entering the final 12 minutes, drawing even on a Chuck Hayes basket just inside the seven-minute mark. The teams traded buckets from there, with the lead changing hands 10 times in the last six-plus minutes.

The nip-and-tuck play culminated in a wild stretch of end-to-end action in the final two minutes that saw Jefferson, Harris and Burks each make big plays for Utah to hold off the hard-charging Thornton, who scored Sacramento's final six points but fell short of answering Big Al's tip-in with a contested 3-pointer on the other end.

Is the clip above not rocking for you? Feel free to peruse the tip-in elsewhere, thanks to our friends at the National Basketball Association.

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Tim Lincecum puts Clayton Kershaw into playful headlock on ESPN Magazine cover

The headline on ESPN the Magazine's upcoming baseball preview reads "Cy vs. Cy" and that's pretty darned clever, given the Spy vs. Spy play on words. I also like the old-school Sports Illustrated-esque nature of the pose, with Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants getting Kershaw in noogie position. One quibble: Presumably, somewhere off camera, Roy Halladay of the Phillies is standing by ready to suck the snake venom out of either pitcher from the NL West.

It's really Kersh who has Timmy in a headlock, you know, at least since 2011. Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat Lincecum and the Giants 2-1 on opening day, they beat them with 12 strikeouts 1-0 on July 20 and they beat them 2-1 on Sept. 20. (The Arizona Diamondbacks really remember that last one fondly.)

Further: Did you know that Kershaw is 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA in 11 career starts against the Giants? If San Francisco wants back in the playoffs all it has to do is even that out a little.

Reporter Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle blogged about the cover, and Lincecum's feelings about going to a photo shoot with a rival:

Given that Lincecum lost to Kershaw three times last year, this noogie must have felt good.

I asked Timmy if it was weird to meet Kershaw to take a photo together. He said no and pointed out that he's seen many historical baseball photos of opponents posing together (presumably none with hair like his).

Schulman also could have been referring to Kershaw's beard, which will come in anytime now.

Big BLS h/t: @Teapotsonfire

Spring Training has arrived! Follow Dave on Twitter ? @AnswerDave ? and engage The Stew on Facebook for your fill of Grapefruit and Cactus!

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Videos: Point guard dunk contest: Jeff Teague vs. Deron Williams

Shortly after 9 p.m. on the East Coast, Jeff Teague added some energy and spice to what had been a truly gross Monday night matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics. About a half-hour later, Deron Williams ended a brief lull during his New Jersey Nets' much-more entertaining tilt against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They both did so with big, loud dunks, which are pretty fun in most situations, but are almost always more fun when they're packed by guys who are 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3, as Teague and Williams are, respectively.

But which point man's throwdown was more fun? As always, BDL readers, when in search of wisdom and guidance, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you. (Woo woo woo.)

First up, Teague disrespecting his elders by banging on, then barking at, Ray Allen:

The woofing earned the third-year triggerman from Wake Forest a technical for taunting, which I suppose could either increase or decrease the coolness of this dunk, depending on your perspective. Teague joins New York Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert as the first victims of the "don't be mean to old Celtics" clause instituted in the new collective bargaining agreement. Young players never read the fine print.

After the jump, check out D-Will serving youth ? namely, Cavs rooks Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson.

An argument can be made that Williams' move is more impressive, since he creates the at-the-rim attempt in the half-court, blowing past a leaning Irving en route to the rack, elevating before Thompson could get up, then cramming it on the late-rotating No. 4 overall pick. Teague's stuff, while more directly on a defender, also came in a transition scramble rather than against a settled defense. (Then again, how "set" that defense was is sort of in the eye of the beholder. Nice "help," Alonzo Gee.)

Two sweet dunks, both from relative li'l guys, both in losing efforts. Who ya got? Let us know in the comments or at the BDL Facebook page.

Are the clips above not rocking for you? Feel free to peruse the dunks by Teague and Williams elsewhere, thanks to our friends at the National Basketball Association.

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JaVale McGee?s Quest For Salvation Begins On The Right Foot

Wednesday night marked a lot of first times for JaVale McGee. It was the first time that JaVale donned an NBA jersey that didn?t belong to the Washington Wizards. It was the first time in his career that he made a shot to give his team the lead with less than a minute to go. [...]

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Refurbished Tigers statues return to Comerica Park (Photos)

Kyle Stuef was traveling on Interstate 696 on Friday morning when he happened to notice two gigantic fiberglass tigers, each strapped to a semi trailer in the next lane over. Thinking quickly, the Ypsilanti resident snapped this photo of a 15-foot-tall beast as it sped toward Detroit.

Boy, it's a good thing Stuef wasn't driving (or else he never would have been able to get such a clear shot).

"I audibly gasped when I saw them," Stuef said.

No doubt. And this means only one thing: We must be getting close to opening day. The statues, which have lived atop the main scoreboard in left field at Comerica Park since it opened in 2000, have returned after a quick winter hibernation. They spent the past few weeks in Milford, Conn. (of all places) getting a good scrubbing for fleas and ticks, along with some touch-up paint.

But simply driving them back to the Motor City isn't enough. They have to be remounted on the scoreboard. After all, how else are they going to be in position to growl whenever Miguel Cabrera or Prince Fielder hit a home run, or a fly ball comes near Delmon Young, for the Detroit Tigers?

Check this out:

From an office building not far away, Kate Grace Bacheller's photo shows that the tigers don't simply leap onto the scoreboard themselves. Thankfully, some of her co-workers realized that the second statue was still on the ground and they couldn't pass an opportunity to see it up close:

Amateur photographer Joe Mazzara asked a stadium worker, who said this guy was due to go up about 4 p.m. ET. Just about now! What a fantastic looking cat. The Tigers got their money's worth from Show Motion, Inc., which did the refurbishments.

Awesome stuff. Way for Tigers fans to be on the lookout. Less than three weeks 'til the opener ? Red Sox at Tigers. The statues will be ready.

Spring Training has arrived! Follow Dave on Twitter ? @AnswerDave ? and engage The Stew on Facebook for your fill of Grapefruit and Cactus!

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Zone read: UNC wanted to contest NCAA penalties, but decided against it

The Zone Read is your college football primer to make you seem like the smartest person at the water cooler even if you're not.

North Carolina thought about appealing the sanctions that were handed down by the NCAA Committee on Infractions, but after careful consideration decided against it.

"We considered an appeal," North Carolina chancellor Holden Thorpe said in a statement. "But given the timing and the record that other schools have had with appeals, as well as the fact that penalties are suspended during an appeal, we've decided it's best to accept our sanctions and move forward."

The Tar Heels were hit with a postseason ban for the 2012 season and will lose 15 scholarships during the course of next three seasons. Former assistant John Blake was given a three-year "show-cause" no recruiting ban.

The university also self-imposed penalties that included the team vacating the 16 games the team won during the 2008 and 2009 season and a $50,000 fine.

North Carolina was found guilty of failing to monitor its football program after Yahoo! Sports revealed an ongoing relationship between Blake and the sports agency Pro Tect Management. This relationship also extended to several players, who received benefits from Pro Tect. In June 2011, UNC was found guilty of nine major NCAA violations, including academic misconduct and impermissible benefits to players. This after as many as 13 players missed at least one game in 2010 because of the violations.

Unfortunately, the brunt of these sanctions now falls on new head coach Larry Fedora as he attempts to turn North Carolina into a player in the ACC. After the news was released, TarHeelIllustrated.com spoke to several of the Heels' 2012 recruits and the response was mostly positive. Most played off the sanctions saying that it didn't really affect them and felt bad for the team's senior class.

"I knew they were coming," linebacker Dan Mastromatteo said. "But I think everything is gonna be fine. We got a great new coach in Coach (Larry) Fedora and a great new staff, so I think it's going to be fine. We have a fresh start and can put everything behind us now so things will be great."

In the face!: Missouri backup quarterback Ashton Glaser had a tough Sunday.

Early in the morning, he knocked on the door of a female neighbor's home for some unknown reason and was greeted by a male, who wasn't exactly happy to see Glaser. The male punched Glaser in the face and witnesses called the police.

When the police arrived, they arrested Glaser, not the male who punched him, around 3:18 a.m. Yep, Glaser had warrants out for his arrest for a speeding ticket, not having a valid drivers license and a missed court date.

Talk about a bad morning.

Glaser, Missouri's third-string quarterback who spent last year working with the scout team, was released on two $300 bail amounts. Missouri said any further punishment for the incident ? as if the embarrassment wasn't punishment enough ? would be handled internally.

Mutiny in the WAC: As the Conference USA/Mountain West Conference begins to recruit new schools to fill out what could be a 24-team league, each school from the WAC is trying to get on board. According to CBSSports.com, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Jose State, Texas State, Texas-San Antonio and Utah State have all been in contact with Conference USA or the Mountain West about their interest in the new league. Florida Atlantic, Florida International and North Texas from the Sun Belt; and Charlotte from the Atlantic-10 also have expressed interest.

Those teams shouldn't be kept in the dark too much longer since the new league is scheduled to start during the 2013-14 season. If the WAC does lose teams to the new league, it would almost certainly doom it as a conference, which isn't great news for new interim WAC commissioner Jeff Hurd.

The WAC has been a sinking ship ever since Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii all left for the Mountain West. The conference had tried its best to plug the holes, but it had to know that the poaching wasn't over, which is probably why former commissioner Karl Benson left for the comfy confines of the Sun Belt.

Sticky notes: Maryland's softball team is apparently receiving fashion advice from the football program? After being on the hot seat a year ago, Georgia rewards coach Mark Richt with a five-year contract extension on the same day the team learns cornerback Branden Smith was charged with possession of marijuana? And West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen wants his team to pick up the pace.

- - -
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Bigger shoes is the biggest reason Ray Allen is setting career marks from long range

Boston Celtics sharpshooter Ray Allen has always taken excellent care of his body, watched his conditioning and passed on the sort of late nights and cloudy thrills that can cut an NBA career short. As a result, he's been effective at a young man's perimeter game deep into his 30s, though there has been some fretting over his stamina at times. When the Celtics traded for Allen in 2007, there was some concern about how his already-gimpy ankles would hold up as he entered the latter stages of his career. And by 2010, Allen was shooting a league-average (the horror!) mark from 3-point range.

Enter bigger shoes. Size 15s, to be exact. Allen entered the NBA in 1996 wearing a size 13 sneaker. As time went on, he went up to� 14. Just two years ago, he made another jump that has helped his performance and his health.

From an interview with CSNNE's Jessica Camerato (via Bleacher Report), it appears as if a switch upward to size 15 shoes allowed Allen's doggies the room to breathe, and the larger pairs may have contributed to an upshot in 3-point shooting that has seen Allen pour in a white hot 45 percent mark from behind the arc in the two seasons since. From CSNNE.com:

"My feet were always hurting," he told CSNNE.com. "I was at shootaround in Detroit two years ago, I was running through it, and when I got back to the bus, it was just like the shoes, my orthotics ? I called over to Nike and said, 'The next shoe allotment, send it to me in 15s.' I've been a 15 ever since."

That shootaround was in March of 2010, and it's probably no coincidence that Allen�hit 39 percent from deep during that year's Finals run for Boston, a nice mark against improved defensive competition, nailing a postseason-best 54 triples along the way.

To fill in that extra space, Allen just slipped a pair of orthotics into his shoes. Because that's what we do when we get older. From his talk from Camerato:

"It just doesn't restrict my feet as much," he said. "My feet can breathe."

Allen's all-around game isn't the stuff of legend at this point in his career, and he'll never be compared with contemporary Kobe Bryant as they work through their mid-30s. But Allen's improved mark from long range comes while working for a Boston team that often finds spacing, good screening (especially since Kendrick Perkins was shipped to Oklahoma City a year ago) and overall offensive execution in short supply. Teams are loading up on this guy as he curls off those screens, and yet his 2011-12 mark of 46.5 percent from behind the arc is the best of a career that has seen him hit more 3-pointers than anyone else in NBA history.

And the obvious question is, if Allen moves up to size 16 next season, and 17 the year after that, will he be shooting over 50 percent from behind the arc in 2016?

I didn't say it was a "serious" or even a "smart" question, I said it was an "obvious" question.

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The strongest voice in the Boston Celtics locker room, weirdly, belongs to Mickael Pietrus

Boston Celtics -- hell, we'll call him this -- legend Kevin Garnett is a free agent this summer. So is Ray Allen, the NBA's all-time leader in made 3-pointers. Paul Pierce has another year left before his contract can become mostly unguaranteed, and Rajon Rondo has been involved in trade rumors quite literally since the day he was drafted by another team back in 2006. As Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears pointed out on Thursday, the Celtics are living in a state of impermanence.

As the season swings back and forth, and the team trades inspiring wins with ugly losses, it seems appropriate amongst this group of knowing veterans that an evocative voice in the locker room would stand up. And, as you'd expect, a clarion call has bounced off those locker room walls several times this season. And, as you wouldn't expect in a million years, that voice belongs to Mickael Pietrus. You heard me. According to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, the journeyman forward has been calling out the C's all season long:

Pietrus singled out teammates by name. He was careful to be respectful, but he was also critical. As the new guy he undoubtedly raised a few eyebrows, but that didn't stop Pietrus from standing up in a room that is ruled and policed by the most veteran group of future Hall of Famers in the NBA.

Murphy goes on to point out that Mickael didn't just stop with the speech he gave his team on Feb. 10, following an embarrassing loss to the lowly Toronto Raptors. He's been pressing the boys -- the men -- since then.

(I don't want to be too insensitive when I point out that the idea of Mickael Pietrus' heavy Guadeloupian accent (as evidenced here) could leave some on the other end of his pet talks a little giggly, but the way he articulates what it means to be a professional, and a winner? As, again, evidenced here? I'd line up behind this man. Even if his shot selection leaves a little to be desired.)

The Celtics, according to Murphy, weren't keen on confirming his well-sourced accounts of Pietrus' derring-do. Boston captain Paul Pierce, according to Mark, "responded with a suspicious frown and shook his head when asked about Pietrus' pep talk." That's par for the course for NBA teams, to keep such things in house. It's about as par for the course as it is for sports writers to use the phrase "par for the course."

Boston will make the playoffs, you know. They're a few games up on those battling Knicks and Bucks, and they've worked this before. The team looked nearly as middling during this time of year back in 2010, and responded with a run that led to a seventh game of the Finals and a close loss while working without their injured starting center. These things can happen again, even if the squad pulls Miami in the first round. They're smarter than you. And, as Marc pointed out earlier on Thursday, they know how to appreciate these things.

The team still can't score. The C's are 27th in the NBA in offensive efficiency. It relies on Rajon Rondo's engaging if unreliable shooting touch and Paul Pierce's declining fortunes in the clutch. It leans on Kevin Garnett, out-muscled by some small forwards, in the pivot. And Mickael Pietrus is giving locker room speeches.

Doesn't matter. Doubt them at your own peril, Eastern Conference.

More NBA news from the Yahoo! Sports Minute:

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The newly bought-out Boris Diaw is available to disappoint your favorite team

The Charlotte Bobcats and Boris Diaw have reached a buyout agreement, making the versatile forward a free agent. This is good news for those who embrace versatility's literal meaning, because Boris can come to you in several shapes and sizes, with different levels of motivation, declining to make an impact or completely taking over the game in a positive way. He can be brilliant, and he can be terrible. He can help your team, or absolutely waste its time. He could be in shape, or maddeningly portly. He's versatile.

Charlotte Observer reporter Rick Bonnell first reported the news on Tuesday morning, but this has been in the offing for two weeks, especially after Bonnell quoted Bobcats coach Paul Silas' infamous description of Diaw after his removal from Charlotte's active (a loose definition, to be sure) roster on March 7th:

"I like a player who is really committed to not only the team but to himself and then doing the best he can as a player,'' Silas said. "Some of the things that would go on, like not shooting the ball, passing all of the time."

The popular perception by those who are really looking forward to college basketball on Thursday night is that the NBA is a league full of players who are shooting "all the time," and not passing the ball; so Diaw's unique take on the pro game would seem to be a breath of fresh air. The problem with this is that, since being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in 2003, Diaw has made an unfortunate career of passing up shot after shot; completely frustrating both fans and teammates with his refusal to utilize his profound gifts as a low post scorer.

The guy's a great passer, always has been, and it says a lot about Diaw's commitment to craft that he was originally thought of as a Grant Hill-type point forward before thickening up and becoming a low post threat. Heading into the post and using guile and wily ways is a typical career arc for most NBA players as their ages advance, but this dude's only 29. Come on. He's been the old guy in the post at the pickup game since before he was legally allowed to rent a car.

His career has been one big taunt. We'd get just enough taste to keep us going -- a nice touch dish as a Hawk, a couple of rolling hooks in Charlotte, his brilliant 2005-06 campaign with the Phoenix Suns -- and it would be enough to keep us coming back. Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated pointed out on Wednesday morning that Diaw attempts one free throw for every 36 minutes of basketball he plays (one!), and yet you're considering it. You're a fan of 29 other NBA teams, and you're wondering if your team couldn't use that help up front, and someone to hit cutters.

Diaw will hit your cutters. He can't help it, despite his attempts at remaining completely anonymous. Even on Charlotte's 30th-ranked offense (perhaps better known as The Worst Offense You've Ever Seen) over a quarter of the possessions Diaw used up ended in an assist for the center. That would leave you enthused until you remember his 41 percent shooting, or the fact that the guy that doesn't shoot enough somehow still shoots too many three-pointers.

It's maddening. Diaw's 2005-06 campaign was one of the more enjoyable runs (he did run, back then) we've had as a fan of NBA big men. His quick hits and work in the post kept the Suns in championship contention despite playing almost an entire season without Amar'e Stoudemire in Stoudemire's prime years. Not only did Diaw make himself a threat, but he established that he could work with someone else (in this case, Steve Nash) dominating the ball. When the play breaks down, dump it in to Diaw and cut. See what happens. Get your hands ready.

We're six years removed from these nice things, and Diaw has let it all go to waste. At 29 he should be utilizing nearly a decade's worth of NBA know-how and a body that should still be in peak form, and yet one of the worst teams in NBA history wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

Nine years in, and it's clear that this is the Diaw we should come to expect. He might still provide those exhilarating hiccups, especially for whatever team he chooses to play for as 2011-12 winds down (the San Antonio Spurs, with close friend Tony Parker running the offense, appear to be the early leader), but Boris Diaw has spent 80 percent of his career betraying his gifts. By this time, there's no point in expecting anything else.

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Matt Flynn?s offers have diminished, but opportunities still abound

It seemed that as recently as a couple of weeks ago, any talk about former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn had to include the inevitability of an enormous free-agent contract for the seventh-round pick out of LSU in 2008. The assumption was that despite his two NFL starts, Flynn was ready to lead a team at an elite level. There is some fire behind that smoke -- Flynn performed well against the New England Patriots in 2010, and threw for a franchise-record six touchdown passes against the Detroit Lions in the Packers' 2011 regular-season finale.

Then, two things happened: One, Peyton Manning hit the open market and seemed to be a lot healthier than expected. Two, the Arizona Cardinals prepared to go after Manning, and didn't seem to care if they pushed quarterback Kevin Kolb aside in the process. The first factor pushed Flynn down the food chain, and the second factor made teams a bit more cautious about taking a huge financial chance on a relatively unproven quarterback. The Cardinals made that move with Kolb before the 2011 season, and proved to the world that when you throw serious collateral behind a quarterback who played in a greased-up offense, and your offense isn't quite as effective, you wind up in trouble.

Now, it seems that two teams are interested in Flynn, but each one has climbed down from the roof. The Seattle Seahawks, who hosted Flynn on a Thursday/Friday visit, were not prepared to offer him anywhere near the six-year, $65 million deal the Cards gave Kolb, in addition to a second-round pick and cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. ESPN's John Clayton told Seattle radio on Thursday that the Seahawks are most likely to offer Flynn something the neighborhood of $12-15 million over two years.

And despite all the hubbub about Flynn coming to Seattle because Seahawks general manager John Schneider was part of Green Bay's staff when Flynn was drafted, there doesn't seem to be any specific imperative to hand Flynn the starting job, sight-unseen. In fact, that kind of contract would seem to say that Flynn would be competing for a starting role with incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.

The Miami Dolphins, fresh from their unsuccessful attempt to land Manning, are flying Flynn to their facility on Friday to see what it will take for him to be their next franchise quarterback. There's a Green Bay connection here, as well -- new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was the Packers' offensive coordinator from 2007-2011.

While Clayton hypothesized that Flynn might get an offer from the Dolphins somewhere in the four-year, $40 million range, Yahoo's Jason Cole reported on Friday that the Dolphins are "low-balling" Flynn as well, hoping that the appeal of working with Philbin again, in an offense he's familiar with, would offset any financial concerns. A brief review of the NFL historical archives produced a very limited number of quarterbacks who have taken huge pay cuts to remain in familiar schemes, with severe dropoffs at the receiver position.

So, the Dolphins will most likely have to revise their negotiating tactics if they really want Flynn, because the Seahawks are commonly acknowledged as a team just one great quarterback away from a deep playoff run. Miami? Not so much at this time.

Flynn's story is taking a serious backseat to Manning's for obvious reasons, but if he's able to live up to the small sample size the NFL has seen, his could be the more sustaining role from here on out. His ability to do so, and the historical lack of quarterbacks succeeding in similar circumstances, complicate his prospects in the short term.

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Danny Ainge is apparently not the easiest guy to make a deal with

With his Boston Celtics sitting in the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference on Thursday morning, team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told Boston radio station WEEI that there was a 50-50 chance that he'd make a trade later that day. (Classic troll move.) Yahoo! Sports' own Adrian Wojnarowski, among other reporters,�heard that the Celtics were involved in serious talks about moving stars Ray Allen and Paul Pierce before Thursday afternoon's trade deadline.

By the time the clock struck 3 p.m. on the East Coast, though, nothing had materialized, leaving Doc Rivers' squad intact moving forward. (For what it's worth, Ainge was emphatic after the deadline that the team "never, ever tried to trade [Rajon Rondo]," according to the Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett.)

Ainge told reporters Thursday that nothing lined up just so, with no bowl of porridge the right temperature and no bed quite comfy enough, according to Bill Doyle of the Worcester, Mass., Telegram & Gazette:

"There were deals," Ainge said during a conference call [Thursday] night, "that we wanted to do that we couldn't get a taker, and there were deals that other teams wanted to do that we just couldn't bite on." [...]

"We were close," he said, "to a handful of different types of trades from small to bigger that just couldn't be resolved. That happens often."

Sounds like a real Hall and Oates situation. That's one way to put it. Another, less genteel way was offered to Fox Sports Ohio's Sam Amico by a fellow general manager:

Ainge cited other teams' reticence to surrender draft picks as a major roadblock preventing potential deals, according to the Herald's Bulpett. Woj reported early Thursday that the asking price for Allen ? a 36-year-old shooter whom the acquiring team would only be getting on a three-month rental, since his contract is up after the season ? was a first-round pick and a young player. Prospective suitors must have deemed that a bit rich for their blood, because Allen's still wearing kelly green.

It makes sense that other teams' executives would be frustrated by Ainge's high sticker prices, but it wouldn't have made much sense for the Celtics to make anything but a no-brainer deal given the kind of weird situation in which they now find themselves ? very evidently at the end of an era, waiting for the odometer to roll over onto a new set of zeroes, but still a playoff team just 1.5 games off the division lead and a top-four seed in the postseason.

If standing pat means continuing to win somewhere around 55 percent of your games and getting into the postseason to take one last crack at a ring ? especially if doing so doesn't hamstring you for the future ? then why not do it? That's the landscape Ainge is looking at, because as the�Boston Globe's Gary Dzen points out, he can do nothing and still have boatloads of flexibility in charting the organization's new course this summer.

The Celtics are slated to shed $21 million in contracts from their balance sheet when Allen and Garnett come off the books after the season. They also hold two first-round picks (including the Los Angeles Clippers' first-rounder, which�they received from the Oklahoma City Thunder in last year's Kendrick Perkins trade) and two second-round picks (including the one they received from the Milwaukee Bucks when they brought aboard Keyon Dooling in December) in what's expected to be a deep 2012 NBA draft.

Brandon Bass and Greg Stiemsma have player and team options, respectively, for 2012-13. E'Twaun Moore's contract isn't guaranteed for next year. Only Pierce, Rondo, Avery Bradley and JaJuan Johnson are on the books past the end of next season, according to the�ShamSports.com salary database. That leaves, in Dzen's words, "a big blank slate" for Ainge to use any way he sees fit; all he had to do to keep it that way is say, "Thanks, but no thanks." So he did.

For his part, Jeff Clark of standard-bearing C's site CelticsBlog is "perfectly comfortable" with Ainge playing hard-to-get on what worked out to be "the perfect storm situation for a no-deal deadline":

One one hand, [Ainge] didn't have the urgency of "going for it" with this group because the odds are just a little too long on this group getting to the Finals even with an added piece or two. On the other hand, there's no urgency to "blow it up" when the team is set to reset in the offseason. Finally, there's the sentimentality factor [...] Nobody would want to trade Paul Pierce or any of the stars unless it was a slam dunk win for now and for the future.

Like most C's fans, though, Clark would've liked to see Ainge import a big man at the deadline to give Boston some frontcourt depth, with ineffective center Jermaine O'Neal expected to be gone and power forward/center Chris Wilcox out for the season due to an enlarged aorta, but Ainge found nothing that moved him on the trade market. He'll now have to look elsewhere for help; WEEI.com's Paul Flannery suggests he might not like what he finds.

Whether Ainge's decision to hold fast was a wise one will depend largely on his ability to turn cap space, picks, young players and flexibility into tangible assets that can make the Celtics a force going forward. He should probably get the benefit of the doubt on that, because he has done it before. If he can't repeat the trick, though, at least we know one NBA GM will have a pretty satisfied smile on his face.

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Here?s Ryan Duncan, former Hobey Baker Award winner, after taking skate to face (PHOTO)

Ryan Duncan won the 2007 Hobey Baker Award with the University of North Dakota, and he's currently a forward with the AHL Portland Pirates (an affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes).

On Sunday afternoon, this happened:

O-U-C-H.

From the Press Herald, the skinny on how Duncan's face was beautified (in a hockey sense) by teammate Whale player Casey Wellman's skate:

Duncan was taken to St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center by ambulance after his face was cut by Wellman's skate midway through overtime. Duncan was cut from one cheek under his nose to the other cheek.

"It's a nasty cut," [Pirates Coach Ray Edwards] said. "It wasn't bleeding that much, but we knew it was a bad one right away when he came to the bench. I just hope that they have a good plastic surgeon to sew him up."

According to Duncan, he did: Four and a half hours of getting stitched up, to the tune of 45 stitches, and the results are above. (Please note that Duncan hash-tagged his tweet with "#WhySoSerious"; but unlike The Joker, we know how he got those scars.)

Alas, when it comes to hockey players sharing their freak show scars through social media, Taylor Hall's Frankenstein head still has the lead. But an impressive entry into this ever-growing field of squirm imagery, Mr. Duncan.

s/t reader Brendan Joyce.

Julius Peppers Mark Sanchez Jimmie Johnson

Trevor Cahill adjusts to the National League

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. ? While many of us didn't see Billy Beane's offseason pitching purge coming, Trevor Cahill says he had an idea that it was a possibility.

He just didn't think he'd be a part of it.

"It was definitely a surprise," Cahill said in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse at Salt River Fields on Wednesday morning. "I mean, I knew that Gio [Gonzalez] and [Andrew] Bailey might be gone. But I never thought I'd be gone, at least not for a couple of years.

"I definitely didn't think I'd be the first one to go."

But the 24-year-old right-hander was indeed the first one out of the Bay Area, taking his sinkerball (and teammate Craig Breslow) from the Oakland A's to Arizona. The players headed the other way were outfielder Collin Cowgill and pitchers Jarrod Parker (who Dave Brown checked in with last week) and Ryan Cook.

Cahill now finds himself as one of the key reasons why D'Backs fans believe their reinforced team will successfully defend its NL West championship. He'll slot into a rotation that already includes Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Joe Saunders (the senior of the group at age 30) with top prospect Trevor Bauer waiting in the wings. Cahill is used to pitching in a young rotation ? "It's kind of similar to Oakland," he noted ? but the big difference is that he's now pitching for a division favorite.

The other changes Cahill will have to deal with, of course, are switching leagues and getting used to pitching in Chase Field, which ranked as a much friendlier hitters park in 2011 (fifth in ESPN's park factors) than Oakland Coliseum (20th). It's a cause for concern as Cahill's ERA dropped to 4.16 in 2011 from the 2.97 that he posted in 2010.

Then again, Brandon Webb threw a sinker and experienced plenty of success at Chase Field. Cahill said a big part of the challenge will come in learning how to pitch to a new set of teams and players. He noted that additional homework will come with the role, but says he can lean on his rotation mates for pointers ? just as he can offer them advice when they take on American League teams this season.

"Hudson throws the same fastball I do but a little bit harder, so maybe I can see what he does," Cahill said. "I can ask Ian how he throws his changeup against certain batters."

Cahill also has to ask for directions to the bat rack these days. He went straight to work in the batting cage after reporting to camp, first facing pitches from a machine and then slowly graduating on to throws from a live arm.

"Playing in interleague [with Oakland], it was like 'don't get hurt, maybe get a bunt down, but definitely don't get hurt,'" Cahill said. "Moving over here, there are games won or lost based on bunting or moving a guy over or getting a hit here or there.

"The [National League] is a bigger adjustment because of the hitting part. Hitting, bunting and all that stuff ? I have to learn how to do it."

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