NFL
– A league source tells PFT that the Ravens are making “no progress” in long-term extension discussions with QB Joe Flacco. Flacco recently inaccurately argued that he’s the best quarterback in the entire NFL, and is known to be shooting for the stars for his next contract. The 27-year-old is due a $6.76M salary and $2.1M roster bonus in the last year of his rookie deal.
– For those that haven’t heard the audio, here’s what former Saints’ DC Gregg Williams was caught saying as part of their bounty scandal:
WWE
– According to the PWInsider, with WrestleMania XXVIII in the books and new talent being promoted to the main roster, there’s a lot of talk that WWE’s annual talent purge will occur “sooner than later.” This week alone saw the debut of four new talents, and according to Jim Ross, many more wrestlers from Florida Championship Wrestling will likely be introduced in the coming weeks.
– TNA executive Eric Bischoff weighed on Brock Lesnar’s decision to return to WWE, writing on Twitter:
“Somewhat surprised by Brocks decision to come back to WWE. Some guys do it for $, some for the love of performing. Either way, good for biz!”
– Tickets for WrestleMania XXIX are expected to be released in November. The event takes place April 7, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
MLB
– Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi admitted Friday that it’s “safe to say” RHP Michael Pineda (right shoulder tendinitis) won’t rejoin the rotation before May. Pineda was placed on the DL late last month, and although it’s not considered serious, he’ll remain in the minors until his diminished velocity returns. Pineda threw 43 soft tosses to pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Thursday and played catch again on Friday. It’s not known when he’ll make his first rehab start.
NBA
– Check out these massive dunks by Clippers’ F Blake Griffin, as well as Lakers’ F Andrew Bynum’s reaction to F Pau Gasol getting posterized:
– Magic’ F Hedo Turkoglu (facial fractures in right cheekbone) will miss at least 3 weeks.
NHL
– Rangers’ head coach John Tortorella has been fined $20,000 for his comments following Thursday’s game against the Penguins. Tortorella voiced his displeasure with the Brooks Orpik knee-on-knee hit against Derek Stepan. “What would happen if we did it to their two whining stars?” Tortorella also called the Penguins “one of the most arrogant organizations in the league.” Torts received a $30K fine back in January for calling the officiating in the Winter Classic “disgusting” and suggesting that NBC might have conspired against the Rangers to send the game into overtime. He later apologized for his comments regarding the Winter Classic and said his conspiracy remarks were meant to be sarcastic.
– For those that missed it, Sharks’ F Ryane Clowe played the puck from the bench with his stick during his team’s 6-5 shootout win over the Kings. No penalty was given on the play.
– Flyers’ F James van Riemsdyk (foot) will be out for at least another 2-3 weeks. JVR has 11 goals and 24 points in 43 games this season.
– Wayne Gretzky’s daughter, Paulina Gretzky, was caught by TMZ wearing lingerie in public downtown. Check it out:
– The Flyers have signed D Nicklas Grossman to a multi-year contract extension. The terms of the deal are not yet known. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He’s solid defensively, but he doesn’t have much fantasy value unless you use hits and blocked shots as categories.
– Wild’ D Nate Prosser has been suspended 1 game for headbutting. Prosser will miss Minnesota’s final game of the season and given that they won’t make the playoffs, he will not return until 2012-13. He had 12 points and 57 penalty minutes in 51 games this season. He will forfeit $3,864.86 in salary.
OHL
– The Erie Otters announced that 15-year-old F Connor McDavid of the Toronto Marlboros will be the 1st-overall pick in the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. Born January 13, 1997, McDavid became just the third player to be granted “Exceptional Player” status by Hockey Canada making him eligible for the OHL Priority Selection as a 15-year-old following in the footsteps of 2005 first overall pick John Tavares, and 2011 first overall pick Aaron Ekblad. McDavid is also the second player to be chosen first overall by the Otters, joining current Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly who was selected first overall in 2007.
UFC
– Check out this video of Rampage Jackson teaching you how to pick up girls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GAz0LI4FBVY
– Check out UFC President Dana White’s reaction to Alistair Overeem’s positive drug test:
TNA
– Hulk Hogan responded to Scott Steiner’s outburst toward him this week on Twitter, writing Friday:
“Wow do I feel like a fool! I knew Steiner came to TNA the last tapings then was asked to leave, I heard the news and I was lobbying hard to bring him back the right way because I see money and talent in him, I had no idea he felt that way about me because he is always really nice to me and my family, guess I was really wrong, at least I know who he really is now.”
Though Steiner was asked by TNA Wrestling staff to leave a recent Impact Wrestling, it did not occur this week.
– TNA Wrestling has announced three new title matches for Lockdown on April 15 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium as the World Tag Team Championship, Women’s Knockout Championship and Television Championship will be on the line. A stipulation has been added to Lethal Lockdown as the losing Bischoff family member “must leave TNA for good.”
Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Bobby Roode (c) vs. “Cowboy” James Storm
Lethal Lockdown: Team Eric Bischoff vs. Team Garett Bischoff
Steel Cage Match: “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle
Steel Cage Match for the World Tag Team Championship: Magnus and Samoa Joe (c) vs. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
Steel Cage Match for the Women’s Knockout Championship: Gail Kim (c) vs. Velvet Sky
Steel Cage Match for the Television Championship: Devon (c) vs. Robbie E
Steel Cage Match: Crimson vs. “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan