By Adam Cancryn Former All-American-turned-NFL washout Maurice Clarett is the unlikely ambassador who could vault U.S. rugby sevens into the national spotlight. Maurice Clarett is training for a comeback. Yes, that's a story we've heard many times before. There was 2004, when the Broncos took a third-round flyer on the Ohio State running back, even though he hadn't played in a year. Then came 2005, when those same Broncos...

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By Adam Cancryn The inevitable rise of writer-centric sports sites, and what it means for the rest of us. Kinglandia. That's the working title for Peter King's new standalone NFL website, a Sports Illustrated offshoot aimed at turning his stardom into a lucrative franchise. It's also a particularly appropriate title, given the site's place within a major shift taking root across journalism; call it the medievalization of...

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By Adam Cancryn Marshall Henderson is loud, fun and a personification of our changing attitude toward college athletics. Has there ever been a player so brash — and yet so beloved — as Marshall Henderson? The Ole Miss guard (by way of Utah, through Texas Tech and South Plains Junior College) defies all convention, especially in an old-school college basketball world built on the bronzed pillars of team play, scrappiness...

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  By Zach Ricchiuti Brazil's national team has a long way to go if they dream of capturing World Cup glory on their home soil. When Brazil won the right to host the 2014 World Cup, fans around the world rejoiced. It would mark a return to the game's spiritual home, surrounded by a carnival atmosphere that's unmistakably South American. But while the the country as a whole is ready for the tournament, there are still...

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http://bleedingyankeeblue.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-phil-hughes-is-on-mission.html By Joe Schackman Robinson Cano will be a free agent in 2014. So how big is that contract going to be? Robinson Cano is in new territory. There have been 42 $100+ million contracts in MLB history, and excluding relief pitchers, they’ve covered every position on the diamond. Except second base. Seventeen to infielders, 12 to outfielders and 10...

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Via EuroNews By Zach Ricchiuti Bayern's manhandling of Arsenal made it clear just where these two sides sit in the hierarchy of European soccer. As an Arsenal fan, I try to avoid writing articles about them. If I did, they’d be mostly reactionary, angry and bitter pieces peppered with some disbelief over how they could possibly through away a game (coughBLACKBURNcough). But Arsenal’s utter capitulation to Bayern Munich...

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By Zach Ricchiuti On the sad state of affairs that is U.S. television's soccer coverage. Readers, prepare for a rant. I am angry. I am angry and disappointed with a lot of things really, but for right now, I’m especially angry and disappointed at the quality of soccer coverage in America. Basketball, football and baseball fans, you have no idea how lucky you are. Turn on the radio in the morning and there will be at least...

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www.amazinavenue.com By Joe Schackman Why is Michael Bourn still sitting at home? It has something to do with his agent. Scott Boras is likely the first person that comes to mind when you think of a sports agent. And with good reason; he’s built his reputation on helping the some best baseball players in the world ink some of the biggest contracts in history. Of the four $200 million deals ever signed in Major League Baseball,...

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Via ESPN.com By Michael Bennett The saga of Manti Te'o and controversy surrounding Chris Culliver only emphasize how far we have to go when it comes to homophobia in sports. I swore to myself that I wouldn’t contribute to the Manti Te’o frenzy. Every day there is some “new development,” saying this guy faked a phone call, or that guy was in on it the whole time; This guy is gay but “confused,” and that guy is “faaaar...

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