Rams Not Tipping Hand About First-Overall Pick

By Justin Worsley

The St. Louis Rams have plenty of holes, but are showing no definite signs as to who they will draft with their first overall pick, if they even keep it.

A with the draft being only hours away, there have been numerous reports that as many as ten teams have contacted the Rams about acquiring the first overall pick.

Quarterback Sam Bradford, the consensus first-overall selection for the Rams, fills a major need, but with Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen also available, the Rams could afford to trade down in order to acquire more draft picks, bolstering their team.

St. Louis is coming off of a 1-15 campaign which includes the NFL's worst scoring offense, averaging 10.9 points per game. During the off-season, the Rams released aging quarterback Marc Bulger. Bulger has been the opening day starter for the Rams every season since 2003, but has been riddled with injuries as of late.

The one shining star of the Rams is running back Steven Jackson, who ran for 1,416 yards last season.

Other potential prospects for the Rams include defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, but the Rams may be wearing about spending a first-round pick, not to mention the first-overall pick on a defensive tackle. In the past decade, the Rams have used their first-round draft pick three times on a defensive tackle. None of the players lived up to the Rams expectations or lasted more than five seasons on the team.

Halladay Throws Second Complete Game To End Phillies 3-Game Losing Streak

By Justin Worsley

Pitcher Roy Halladay continues his dominating campaign for the Phillies, throwing his second consecutive complete game and earning his 16th career shut-out as he improves to 4-0 on the season in Philadelphia's 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Halladay allowed only five hits and his ERA has improved to 0.82 for the season.

Helping Halladay on defense included a clutch catch on a pop-fly by Shane Victorino, robbing a home run by Troy Glaus. First-baseman Ryan Howard also snagged a grounder in the ninth-inning. With bases loaded and only one out in the seventh-inning, Chase Utley and Juan Castro made a double play to preserve the shutout.

Jayson Werth drove Raul Ibanez home after both players hit back-to-back doubles in the second-inning. Werth drove in Ryan Howard in the sixth-inning off of a second double.

The Phillies (9-5) wrap up their three-game series against the Braves. Jamie Moyer (1-1) is expected to start the game.

Vikings Sign Sheppard

By Justin Worsley

The Minnesota Vikings have added depth to their thin cornerback position by signing cornerback Lito Sheppard to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Sheppard, a nine-year veteran, has made two Pro Bowls with the Philadelphia, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career. Sheppard spent last season in New York playing for the Jets.

The signing reunites Sheppard with head coach Brad Childress, who served as Philadelphia's defensive coordinator between 2003-2005.

Sheppard could start immediately for the Vikings across from fellow cornerback Antoine Winfield as incumbent cornerback Cedric Griffin recovers from surgery on his left knee. Griffin injured his knee during the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints in January.

The Jets released Sheppard on March 4 after a disappointing, injury plagued season. The Jets traded with the San Diego Chargers that same day to acquire Antonio Cromartie.

Roethlisberger Suspended Six Games

By Justin Worsley

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethisberger may have been able to evade punishment from the police, but not NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Roethlisberger, who has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman for the second time in nine months, was suspended for the first six games of the season by Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Roethlisberger must also undergo a comprehensive behavioral evaluation. The suspension could be reduced to four games if Roethlisberger undergoes the evaluation as well as good behavior.

"The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that I may impose discipline 'even where the conduct does not result in conviction of a crime' as, for example, where the conduct 'imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person'," Goodell wrote in his letter to Roethlisberger informing him of his suspension. "As the District Attorney concluded, the extensive investigatory record shows that you contributed to the irresponsible consumption of alcohol by purchasing (or facilitating the purchase of) alcoholic beverages for underage college students, at least some of whom were likely already intoxicated. There is no question that the excessive consumption of alcohol that evening put the students and yourself at risk."

The Steelers, who were willing to suspend Roethlisberger as well for conduct detrimental to the team, has installed a "zero-tolerance policy" in the wake of Roethlisberger's actions as well as wide receiver Santonio Holmes recent run-in with the law. Holmes was traded to the Jets last week for a fifth-round pick in tomorrow's NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh has also placed Roethlisberger on the trading block. Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowl rings as a Steeler, has high value due to his arm strength as well as his ability to rally his team in the fourth-quarter. The Steelers traded with Tampa Bay for quarterback Byron Leftwich earlier today.

The Steelers are hoping to earn a top-ten pick in tomorrow's draft. Several teams in the top-ten need a franchise quarterback, including the Rams, who hold the first overall pick in the draft.

Tebow Declines Invitation To NFL Draft

By Justin Worsley

Tim Tebow has announced today that he will watch the NFL Draft from his Jacksonville home with his family instead of attending the three-day event in New York.

Tebow, one of the top-five quarterbacks in the draft, won the Heisman Trophy in 2007 for Florida, however, many scouts believe Tebow lacks the tools to play quarterback in the NFL, including his long delivery and some accuracy issues.

Tebow has spent his post-collegiate career redefining his mechanics, including his wind-up as well as taking snaps under center. When he debuted his new throwing pattern at Florida's pro-day, many scouts were impressed, but still skeptical.

The draft, which begins Thursday at 7 p.m. will tak eplace at Radio City Music hall. 17 players have accepted draft invitations including fellow quarterback Sam Bradford.

Tebow is projected by many anaylists to be taken in the late second-round or early third-round, however, there could be a team willing to take a risk on drafting Tebow in the first round, including his hometown football program, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Leftwich Returns To Pittsburgh

By Justin Worsley

In the wake of a potential suspension of franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Steelers have brought back a familiar face.

The Steelers traded away their seventh-round draft pick to Tampa Bay to acquire Byron Leftwich, who served as Roethlisberger's backup during Pittsburgh's 2008 Super Bowl winning season.

Roethlisberger is currently awaiting discipline from either commissioner Roger Goodell or by the Steelers organization stemming from a sexual assault charge brought up by a 20-year-old college student from Georgia last month. It was the second time in nine months that someone has claimed Roethlisberger sexually assaulted them, in both cases Roethlisberger evaded criminal charges.

The Steelers also have quarterbacks Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon on their roster, all four quarterbacks were on the team in 2008.

Leftwich was selected seventh overall in the 2003 NFL draft by Jacksonville. In his career he has passed for 10,218 yards and 58 touchdowns.

Kobe Signs Extention

By Matthew Klein
The Knicks can cross off Kobe Bryant off their wish-list as he signed a three year extension with the Lakers Friday. Bryant, 31, signed the deal which will keep him on the team he has played for his whole career till the 2013-14 season. Bryant could have opted out of his deal which would have let him become a free agent with the likes of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. "It's something that could have been done much earlier" said Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak.

Bryant, who is one of the most popular Lakers of all time and has helped lead them to four championships wanted to wait for the team to sign Pau Gasol so he would be assured he has the pieces to help him out in the future. "I thought it was only a matter of time and that it would get done sooner or later" Gasol said to reporters.

The focus now will set to whether Phil Jackson will be the coach for next year. "I don't think the organization's position with Phil has changed" said Kupchak. The Lakers will wait till after the season is over to do that as they want no distractions while they move toward the playoffs to defend their championship.