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MLB: Tanaka Steps Into The Pressure Cooker of New York

Masahiro Tanaka joins the New York Yankees. Can he handle the pressure? Photo credit LA Times.

by Steve Painter

Face it, Masahiro Tanaka is a brave man for wanting to sign with a team in a ridiculous media market like New York. It's a good thing he is used to the limelight, being married to a pop star, because the pressure on him will be incredible. I'm sure he has already spoken to Hiroki Kuroda about the media frenzy, but can mere words actually prepare him for the onslaught?

Is Steve Kasten next to run MLB? Photo credit LA Dodgers

by Steve Painter

Stan Kasten is arguably the best executive of any team in baseball. His record speaks for itself and is unmatched by anyone else. He's having a great time as one of the principal owners of the Dodgers, where his official title is President, and his proclivities of wading into and greeting the crowds go right along with another Dodger great, Tommy Lasorda.

Mike Lombardi needs to higher a head coach for Cleveland fast. Photo
credit NFL.

by Brad Barrett

In ten years the Cleveland Browns have burned through six NFL head coaches. Why would anon take the job in the Dawg Pound!? They have fired two coaches in two years, and are now the only team with a head coach vacancy. We should hear in a few hours who they will hire.

New York Yankees win the bidding war for Masahiro Tanaka.

by J.T.

The Yankees used the money they saved by not signing star secondbasemen Robinson Cano to get Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka.

Are women fighting entertainment? Photo credit MMA

by L.A. Levan

For almost two decades, I have been watching or been involved in the world of MMA. And for most of that time, the women that have attempted to compete in this combat sport have been scoffed and laughed at by a lot of fans, including this writer.

Tyshawn Taylor is now a Pelican. Photo credit NBA.

by J.T.

With the recent injury to starting PG Jrue Holiday, the New Orleans Pelicans acquired Tyshawn Taylor.

Bud Selig will leave MLB with lasting controversial legacy. Photo credit MLB

by Steve Painter

Bud Selig: The name either inspires anger or approval. There is no gray area for this black and white subject. You either approve or you think he is the worst sports (Any Sport) boss of all time. No vacillating allowed in this conversation.

NFC North Draft Needs By Team
by Jack Ballard

Minnesota Vikings: Derek Carr, Quarterback from Fresno State.

The Vikings need a Quarterback, that will play consistently. Carr is the perfect choice. Though fans are hesitant about this choice, because the last quarterback they drafted was Christian Ponder in 2011 and he was a bust, Derek Carr is the player that will put this team back on track.

Navarro Bowman suffers torn ACL anc MCL. Photo credit NFL.

by Nathaniel Herrick

Considered by some to be the best defensive player in the NFL this season, San Francisco 49er's inside linebacker NaVarro Bowman was having a dream season for any defensive player, and that season ended in the worst possible way, a gruesome injury and an upsetting loss to their NFC West rival, the Seattle Seahawks.

Did Wes Welker take out Talib on purpose. Photo credit NFL

by Brad Barrett

We all saw it, but didn’t see it coming. Early in the second quarter, little 5-9 180 pound receiver crushed New England’s big, physical corner. Wes Welker came off his route, lowered his shoulder, and whacked New England’s Aqib Talib. Talib injured his knee, and had to sit out the rest of Sunday’s game.

St Louis Cardinals posed for another run in 2014.
Photo credit MLB.

by Steve Painter

The Cards are most certainly a dynasty, similar to the Braves historic run in the 90's and early in the 2000's. GM John Mozeliak has once again tweaked the roster and added Peter Bourjos, Johnny Peralta, and Mark Ellis to supplement and indeed, improve the already impressive Cards.

Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom are headed to the Super Bowl.
Photo credit NFL.

by Nathaniel Herrick

The NFC Title game is what we all expected, it was rough, dirty, and controversial, from reports of Seahawks fans dumping popcorn on San Francisco's linebacker NaVarro Bowman, who had just suffered a gruesome knee injury in the 4th quarter after stripping the ball from the Seahawks, only to have the refs give the ball back to Seattle, to an unknown 49ers personnel clotheslining a Seahawks special teams player when he was pushed out of bounds.

Portland Trailblazers are not just a top team in the West, but they are a true championship contender. Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

How does an NBA team go from ending the season with a 13-game losing streak to a 31-9 record at the midway point of the next season? The Portland Trailblazers with second-year head coach Terry Stotts have figured it out.

Peyton Manning celebrates return to Super Bowl with the Denver
Broncos. Photo credit NFL.

by Brad Barrett

Peyton wasn’t gonna let this game slip away from him. Denver dominated every aspect of the game. Brady led his offense to just 3 points in the quarters. No Mile High Meltdowns here.

Dana White and Brock Lesnar. Photo credit ESPN

by Lance LeVan

In my last blog, I discussed what the UFC was going to do about their lack of "household name" fighters. These are fighters that EVERYONE know...not just fans of MMA, but soccer moms and business men. These huge names equate to huge Pay Per View (PPV) numbers for the UFC fights. So I wasn't sure how to react when I heard that Dana White and the UFC were considering bringing back Brock Lesnar to fight in the heavyweight division again.

MLB Umpires will now have more assistance with
close calls. Photo credit MLB

by Jack Ballard

Baseball is having a dramatic change with reviewing plays. Now the MLB will have instant replay starting in the 2014 season. The association took an unanimous vote, witch had a 100 percent approval rate.

Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady. Photo credit NFL.

by Brad Barrett

It’s what we’ve been waiting for. Brady vs. Manning. This will be the fifteenth time these two future Hall of Famers will face off. Brady has won 10 match ups, while Manning has only won four.

49ers travel to Seattle for the NFC Championship. Photo credit NFL.

by Nathaniel Herrick

While the AFC title game is match up between old-school, gunslinging rivals, the NFC title game features new school, multi-dimensional team rivals, the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. These teams are facing off for the third time with season, with each winning at home.

Max Scherzer gets new deal. Photo credit MLB

by J. T.

The Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with with 2013 Cy Young winner max Scherzer by signing him to a one year deal worth $15,525,000 million.

New Ferrari FF. Photo credit Ferrari

by Test Drive America

That's right everyone...a four seat Ferrari
(Video after Jump)

2010-11 Dallas Mavericks roster. Photo credit NBA

by Ace Feltman

Before the 2010-2011 NBA season the Dallas Mavericks were expected to be a contender yet again, but not a serious one...yet again.

The Mavs were coming off a very impressive regular season but fell as the number 2 seed in the 2010 Western Conference first round to the rival San Antonio Spurs. It was a madly depressing end for a team that seemed destined to achieve the pinnacle of basketball greatness for the first time in their 30 year existence.

David Price, one year for $14 million. Photo credit MLB

by J.T.

The Tampa Bay Rays sign ace pitcher David Price to a one year $14 million dollar deal.

Price is 28 years of age, this deal seems to be a one year rental for the life long Ray. During the off season the former Cy Young winner will get a Kershaw type contract. Maybe not as much, but very close.

Jordan Crawford apart of three-team deal in the NBA. Photo credit NBA

by J.T.

Another slick deal was made this time the Golden State Warriors were the ones being the slickster. They made a deal that strengthened their bench and may help them have a better chance at making a long run in the playoffs this year.

Jordy Nelson has made a name for himself in the NFL. Photo credit NFL

by Jack Ballard

Jordy Nelson is a simple country boy, who grew up in Kansas and attended Kansas State University. He is a god driven man. Once saying to his teammates,"Sorry, guys, I've got to be at church by 2 o'clock." Jordy did not let his religion interfere with his football. Nelson received All-American honors and was drafted in 2008 by the Green Bay Packers.

Teams will have to decide if Teddy Bridgewater or Johnny Manziel is what they need going into the 2014 NFL
Draft. Photo credit NCAA

NFL Draft: What teams need to draft a QB?
by Brad Barrett

Clayton Kershaw is now the highest paid MLB player in history. Photo credit MLB

by J.T.

The LA Dodgers made Kershaw the highest paid player in MLB history per yearly average. Wednesday, Kershaw signed a 7 year $215 million dollar deal. The deal averages $30.7 million a year.

Mike Zimmer is new head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
Photo credit NFL

by J.T.

After being eliminated from the playoffs the Cincinnati Bengals coordinators have been getting pilled like a banana. First their OC Jay Gruden left to become the Washington Redskins HC, now DC Mike Zimmer is leaving to become the Minnesota Vikings HC.

Check out the lastest podcast from 5G Sports Talk!

Jon Jones looks to carry UFC
in 2014. Photo credit UFC

by Kendrick E. Johnson

The year 2013 came to an exciting and shattering close for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Within two weeks the UFC’s two biggest stars have fallen of the canvas for the foreseeable future.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva faces a tough road to recovery which has many questioning if he will ever fight again after shattering his leg at UFC 168. While former UFC Welterweight Champion and PPV star Georges St-Pierre temporary retired and vacated his belt due person stress and family issues.

A-Rod at the center of baseball once again. Facing a season-long suspension, Alex Rodriguez sues MLB and
the Players Association. Photo credit CBS

by Jack Ballard

Alex Rodriguez is one of the most skilled, highly paid players in MLB, but recent allegations have put this superstar on the bench for all of the 2014 season.

Ken Whisenhunt names head coach of Tennessee Titans. Photo credit NFL

by Brad Barrett

Just a day after the Chargers’ heart-breaking loss in Denver, former Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt was hired as the Tennessee Titans’ head coach. Whisenhunt turned a sluggish Charger offensive into one of the best offenses in the league. He was considered a front runner in Detroit, but the Titans took him right out of the Lions’ hands.

Deion Sanders playing in 2014 Pro Bowl. Photo
credit NFL Network

by J.T.

Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders took to twitter to say he was going to suit up during the Pro Bowl January 26th.

James Harden has been outscoring everyone in the NBA since the new year.

by +Rodney Fisher

Check out my weekly Houston Rockets article with Blitz Weekly. Today I focus on the scoring barrage that James Harden as been on since the new year. Is it time to "Fear the Beard"?

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

One-on-One With Jamal Crawford of the Los Angeles Clippers

Jamal Crawford has turned his talents into a 13-year pro
career. Photo credit ClipsNation

by +Rodney Fisher

Nothing in life is promised. The same holds true for the NBA. Jamal Crawford was drafted eight overall in 2000 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers after one year with the University of Michigan. Since then, he has put on seven different uniforms. He, unlike most players drafted that year, has carved a niche for himself in the NBA as a sixth man, even winning Sixth Man of the Year in the 2009-2010 season.

I caught up with Crawford in Dallas as his Los Angeles Clippers team prepared to take on the Dallas Mavericks. Crawford was asked to change his role from sixth man to starter due to injuries to J.J. Redick, even before Chris Paul got hurt later in the game. He talked bout his role in the NBA and with the Clippers, his new head coach Doc Rivers, plus advice for upcoming athletes.

Peyton Manning throws Broncos over the Chargers to
advance to the AFC championship. Photo credit NFL

by Brad Barrett

In the first half, it was an offensive struggle. Rivers only had five completions for 20 yards. Also, Ryan Mathews only put up 26 yards in the first half. The Chargers had a big goose egg on the scoreboard. On the other Hand, Denver looked very good early. Manning threw for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Both Ball and Moreno had 40 yards rushing. At half Denver looked to be much in control, up 14-0.

Collin Kaepernick and the 49ers beat the Carolina Panthers to advance to the
NFC Championship. Photo credit NFL

by Nathaniel Herrick

Just a week after Colin Kaepernick hit Michael Crabtree 8 times for 125 yards and 2 TD's, he switches it up and finds Anquan Boldin 8 times for 136 yards and 0 TD's. Although not registering a touchdown today, he helped set up Vernon Davis for his only reception of the day, a 1 yard touchdown pass, and Kaepernick who ran for a 4 yard touchdown, which would eventually seal the deal for the San Francisco 49ers, who have now punched their ticket to the NFC Title Game winning 23-10, for a 3rd consecutive year under 3rd year coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a NFL record 15th overall appearance.

LeGarrette Blount 166-yards and four touchdowns power Patriots past Colts to advance to AFC Championship.
Photo credit NFL

by Brad Barrett

In a cold and rainy day in Foxborough, the patriots relied on the run game to power pass Indianapolis. The final was 43-22. The Pats LeGarrette Blount ran for 166 yards and an amazing 4 touchdown runs. The second most in post-season history. He did this all on 24 carries.

Dirk Nowitzki scores 40 over the Pelicans.
Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

Big night for 35-year old Dirk Nowitzki! His season-high 40-point performance included a 20-point third quarter. The Dallas Mavericks improve their record to 22-16, and third in the Southwest Division.

Marshawn Lynch 140-yards and two touchdowns against Saints to advance to NFC Championship.. Photo credit NFL

by Nathaniel Herrick

In a rainy and windy Seattle, the New Orleans Saints couldn't capitalize on their defenses effort, forcing Seattle to punt 6 times, and holding them to a total of 277 yards, but the Seahawks once again proved why they have the leagues best defense, dominating the Saints offense in every aspect.

Are UFC fans leaving?

by Lance Levan

Over the past 10+ years, the UFC has had a relatively easy time achieving their Pay-Per-View (PPV) ratings quotas because of the huge names that they have had fighting for their organization. Names like Randy "The Natural" Couture, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, Anderson "The Spider" Silva, Forrest Griffin, George St.Pierre, Rhonda Rousey have become house-hold names. Even people that are not really MMA fans know these people and what sport they promote. But in the past few years, and even 2013, saw a mass exodus of the "famous" fighters leaving the sport, either via retirement or injuries.

Melo and the Knicks have won 4-of-5 in January.
Photo credit NBA

by +Rodney Fisher

The New York Knicks may not have a winning record, but they do play in the Eastern Conference were every team seems to have a chance of making the playoffs. At 13-22 you would think they would call this season a wash, but with the new year comes a new mindset. The Knicks have won 4 of the last five games in January. We caught up their superstar Carmelo Anthony in Dallas to hear what he thinks about the Knicks turning the corner.

Is Teddy Bridgewater the number one pick in the 2014 NFL draft? Photo credit Louisville

by Brad Barrett

2014 NFL Mock Draft - First 15 positions

Courtney Lee and Jerryd Bayless swap teams. Photo
credit NBA

by J.T.

This week the Celtics, Thunder and Grizzlies made an under the radar deal. The big deal in the NBA was the Bulls/Cavs swap, but I think this could be beneficial for all teams involved.

Bruce Lee vs Muhammad Ali. Photo credit Bruce Lee

In case you missed Tribes Martial Arts Radio, the guys discussed the greatness of Bruce Lee. The also answer the question: Bruce Lee vs Muhammad Ali, who wins?

Is Johnny Manziel ready for the NFL? Photo credit TAMU

by Brad Barrett

With Johnny Football declaring for the draft, many questions raise about his game. In college he was the first Freshman to win the Heisman, and was one of the most exciting and talented players to watch. But will he be as good at the next level?

Saints travel to Seattle for a big game. Photo credit NFL

by Nathaniel Herrick

Now it's time to weed out the best and worst teams of the remaining NFC contenders. Starting off the divisional weekend is the New Orleans Saints going on the road to Seattle Seahawks home field.

What will the Bengals do with Andy Dalton? Photo credit NFL

by Brad Barrett

After another disappointing end to the Bengals’ season, many fans are wondering if Andy Dalton is the long term answer. In his third year, Dalton had career bests in nearly every category besides interceptions. He tossed a career high 20 picks this year.

Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice will try
to make the 2014 Pro Bowl a must see.
Photo credit NFL

by Nathaniel Herrick

The Pro Bowl will be played a bit different this year, almost bringing the fun and entertainment back into the sporting event, hopefully drawing in more the 12.2 million views. This year, two captain’s will get a chance to draft players from both the NFC and AFC conferences in the same draft pool. That’s right, no more NFC vs AFC, but old school, backyard, pick-up style football, but with all the normal rules of the NFL to ensure safety.

FSU wins the BCS National Championship. Photo credit BCS

by Brad Barrett

Sadly, the college football season has come to an end. In the last year for the BCS, we saw one of the most dramatic games in a while. At halftime Jimbo Fisher told his team that the first half wouldn't be what everyone remembered. It was the comeback they’d talk about.

Andrew Bynum traded to Chicago for Luol Deng. Photo credit Chicago Tribune

by +Rodney Fisher

After all the rumors that circulated around Andrew Bynum since he was suspended by the Cleveland Cavaliers he has now been officially traded to the Chicago Bulls for three future draft picks and Luol Deng.

24/7 Sports Talk

by Lance LeVan