SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Mark Sandritter

HCA: Jake Rodgers' exit interview

2013-05-24T12:00:09Z

A number of players have left WSU in recent seasons, but most aren't heard from beyond the announcement that they are leaving. Jake Rodgers, however, gave some insight into his decision to leave during a phone interview with Christian Caple. Here are a few excerpts:

"It wasn't working out for me," Rodgers said in a telephone interview Thursday. "I wasn't enjoying myself anymore. I guess my heart wasn't in it, so it didn't make sense for me to stay here."

WSU coaches were disappointed when Rodgers informed them of his decision to transfer, he said, and tried to convince him to stay. As a fourth-year player with legitimate starting experience, he would have either competed for a starting spot or provided needed depth on the offensive line. But his decision was final.

Rodgers hasn't been granted his release yet, but will most likely wind up at Eastern.

"Getting to see more of my family and being able to play in front of them and everything ... having their support means a lot to me," Rodgers said. "I think (EWU) is a good program."

I'm assuming he made that comment in relation to transferring to EWU compared to say Fresno State. I would assume Rodgers' family in Spokane was able to see him play home games at WSU.

Football:

Rodgers explains decision to leave WSU - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - May 23, 2013
The feeling started last season, Jake Rodgers said, and only got worse as the offseason progressed. The former Washington State offensive lineman just wasn’t having fun anymore.

Tough stretches: Pac-12 North - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
Like every other team in this post, by virtue of playing in the North, the Cougars have a tough schedule.

Cougar Football Camp Dates Approaching - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State football will hold three different camps this summer. For more information, contact the WSU football office at 509-335-0250 or email football.camp@wsu.edu or visit wsufootballcamp.com.

Baseball:

WSU's baseball season comes to a close this weekend with a three-game series at Oregon State.

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Cougar Close Season at Oregon State - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Washington State (22-30, 8-19 Pac-12) baseball team travels to Corvallis, Ore., for a three-game Pac-12 series at Oregon State (43-9, 22-5 Pac-12)

HCA: Ranking WSU's wide receivers in the Pac-12

2013-05-23T12:00:05Z

Of all the position groups on WSU's roster, none may be as intriguing as the wide receiver group. With Marquess Wilson now in the NFL, the Cougars don't have a clear-cut No. 1 receiver. Dominique Williams flashed potential down the stretch, but he's one of only a few potential standouts.

Williams showed enough down the stretch to impress some as Kyle Kensing of the Saturday Blitz ranked Williams as the No. 7 wide receiver in the Pac-12. Brett Bartolone also cracked the list, checking in at No. 12. Not bad for a pair of soon-to-be sophomores.

Gabe Marks was not listed in the top 13 and he may be the best receiver on the roster. Kristoff Williams, Robert Lewis and others will also be in the mix next year. At this point you could make a legitimate for at least three players being WSU's top wide receiver. The good news is no matter who leads the way, WSU has plenty of talent at the position.

Fooball:

Ranking The Pac-12 Wide Receivers
He ended 2012 with his two best games, which were also the Cougars’ two best in conference, catching seven passes against UCLA and eight in the win over Washington.

Bowl schedule announced - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
Mark your calendars. The 2013-2014 bowl schedule has been announced (of course, participants are pending).

Pullman Police announced in a press release Wednesday that charges will be recommended against Idaho receiver Roman Runner and former Washington State receiver Mansel Simmons for their involvement in an altercation in the early hours of March 24.

Mike Leach's lawsuit:

There was some happenings in Mike Leach's defamation lawsuit against ESPN, Craig James and Spaeth Communications. If you wish to read about such things, there are three links below.

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Leach Attorney Hopeful for Positive Outcome in Hearing
The trial continues with former head coach of Texas Tech football, Mike Leach. His attorney's in court tWednesday for a hearing centered on a lawsuit filed against ESPN. One of Leach's lawyers, Steve Hiniger, said they have proof there was intention of actual malice against Leach.

Defendants in Leach lawsuit seek dismissals | Lubbock Online | Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Lawyers in former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach’s defamation lawsuit won one early agreement Wednesday afternoon, May 22, and it came early in what became more than three hours of arguments.

Mike Leach back in court Wednesday - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

Former Texas Tech Football Coach Mike Leach was back in court Wednesday for a hearing on a lawsuit involving ESPN, Spaeth Communications, and Craig James.

Hot Cougar Action: Cougars officially add Paris Taylor

2013-05-22T12:00:10Z

WSU has had a couple of players depart in recent weeks and while that impacts depth next season, it also may have also opened a spot in the 2013 recruiting class. With some room on the 85-man scholarship roster, WSU officially added safety Paris Taylor to the roster.

Taylor, who played high school football in Florida, comes to WSU after one season at Los Angeles Pierce College. He missed the end of his freshman season due to a knee injury, but has three years of eligibility and a redshirt season. Taylor also has plenty of size as WSU listed him at 6'4 and 205 pounds. Just for reference, Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor was listed at 6'4 and 217 pounds as a freshman at Virginia Tech.

Kyle is naturally on vacation, but he will have a full evaluation once he returns from Las Vegas. Until then, you can watch Taylor's freshman highlights via WSU.

Football:

Bye week analysis: North Division - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
Grade? D+. Washington State, in Year 2 under Mike Leach, could use some scheduling help. The off weeks don't offer much.

Jake Rodgers leaves WSU - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - May 21, 2013
An offensive lineman has left Washington State’s football team. The school confirmed that Jake Rodgers, a fourth-year junior who attended Shadle Park High School in Spokane, has chosen not to play for the Cougars next season.

Shadle Park grad Rodgers no longer with Cougs | KREM.com Spokane
PULLMAN -- On the heels of his first season as a full-time starter on the offensive line, Shadle Park grad Jake Rodgers has left the Washington State football program.

Cougar Football Adds Safety Paris Taylor to 2013 Signing Class - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University football signed safety Paris Taylor to a Financial Aid Agreement, head coach Mike Leach announced Tuesday.

Giro d'Italia 2013 Stage 17: TV schedule, map, route and more

2013-05-22T10:00:02Z

After back-to-back wins, Movistar Team will attempt to win its third straight stage on Wednesday as the Giro d'Italia continues with Stage 17.

More: A look back at Stage 16 Who's rising? Who's falling? Complete Giro d'Italia coverage More coverage from Podium Cafe

Stage 17 could be a day for the sprinters, at least initially. The first 190 kilometers of the stage are mostly flat before a climb near the end of the 214-kilometer stage. With the climb at the end, some separation may occur in the peloton. That said, the climb isn't significant enough to cause major separation, which could lead to an exciting finish.

In the Stage 17 preview from Cycling News, analysts expect riders to go full gas from the bottom of the final climb. If that happens, the stage could very well end up in a bunch finish. Cycling News also has a stage profile and a map of the stage which begins in Caravaggio and ends in Vicenza.

via Cycling News.

Vincenzo Nibali of Astana Pro Team continues to lead the general classification. He finished in the lead pack in Stage 16 and holds a 1:26 advantage over Cadel Evans of BMC Racing Team. Nibali will attempt to retain the lead with an individual time trail looming on Thursday in Stage 18.

Stage 18 is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. ET. Television coverage will be available in the United States beginning at 9:30 a.m. on beIN Sport. The network is carried on most cable providers in the United States including Comcast, Dish Network, DirecTV, Time Warner and Verizon FiOS.

Green Bay's JC Tretter breaks his ankle

2013-05-21T23:01:44Z

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman JC Tretter is expected to miss several months after breaking his ankle during a drill on Monday, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

More on Tretter's injury Complete Packers coverage from Acme Packing Company

According to his agent, Alan Herman, Tretter fractured the lower end of his fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle during OTA practice on Monday. The injury occurred during a fumble recovery drill as Tretter's cleat got stuck in the turf as he attempted to slide for a ball. Tretter is expected to undergo surgery this week and could miss up to six months. Herman questioned the Packers' decision to run the drill.

"Why they're practicing a fumble drill, I don't know," Herman said, via the Journal Sentinel. "There's not supposed to be contact. That's a silly drill. Why have big 300-pound guys slide like that in OTAs?"

Tretter, a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, was expected to play a backup role for the Packers this season. While his recovery will most likely continue into the season, Tretter may be back by the end of the year. He will likely open training camp on the physically unable to perform list. If he remains on the PUP list to begin the season, he would be eligible to return after six games.

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• Santa Clara, Houston awarded Super Bowl 50, 51

• Jets to decide QB before camp?

• Rob Gronkowski's surgery is successful

• NFL, Microsoft partner for interactive broadcasts

• Ben Muth: How to generate pressure with 4 rushers

• RG3's wedding registry broken down by position

Eagles receive NFL support for stadium 'revitalization'

2013-05-21T22:32:18Z

New stadiums are the trend around the NFL and while the Philadelphia Eagles won't be replacing Lincoln Financial Field anytime soon, they will be doing some renovations. Eagles President Don Smolenski announced a "revitalization project" on Tuesday following the NFL owners' meetings.

More: More on the project from Bleeding Green Nation

"We are excited to have received league support today for our stadium revitalization project at Lincoln Financial Field," Smolenski said. "We will share the details of this project with our fans in the coming weeks."

The details of the renovations are still unknown although Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer speculated an HD upgrade to the video screens as well as upgrades to the concourses, suites and other areas could be possible. There is also the possibility the team could add more seats to the stadium which currently holds just under 66,000 for football games.

The upcoming season will be the Eagles' 11th season playing in Lincoln Financial Field which opened in 2003. Philadelphia wasn't the only team to receive support from the NFL, as the Atlanta Falcons received a $200 million loan for their new stadium project.

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• Santa Clara, Houston awarded Super Bowl 50, 51

• Jets to decide QB before camp?

• Rob Gronkowski's surgery is successful

• NFL, Microsoft partner for interactive broadcasts

• Ben Muth: How to generate pressure with 4 rushers

• RG3's wedding registry broken down by position

Miami loses Super Bowl bid, what's next?

2013-05-21T21:48:15Z

It wasn't necessary a surprise when Miami was shut out of a Super Bowl bid on Tuesday, but the vote does not bode well for the city's future hosting prospects.

More: Houston, San Francisco land Super Bowl bids

Miami has hosted 10 Super Bowls, most recently in 2009, but after Tuesday's vote, the city could go a decade or more between hosting duties. Its weather and local attractions make Miami an ideal host city, but as Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said on Tuesday, it will take more than warm temperatures to secure another Super Bowl bid.

"I think they'll realize that Miami, the weather alone won't bring Super Bowls and other marquee events," Ross said, via NFL.com. "And I'd like to see marquee events in Miami because we deserve to because it's the greatest city in the country."

The issue is the current condition of Sun Life Stadium. The building has hosted five Super Bowls since opening in 1987, but is considered to be outdated by modern standards. With modern marvels popping up around the NFL, it's hard for an outdated stadium to contend. Ross and the Dolphins pushed for stadium renovations, but were denied public financing.

Ross was willing to fund 70 percent of the renovation privately, but the renovation plans were canceled when Florida lawmakers denied a bill for public financing. A Super Bowl can bring millions of dollars to the host community, but Florida voters are still burned after funding Marlins Park, a project that's considered to be one of the worst stadium financing deals in history. Miami-Dade County mayor Carlos Gimenez said the Marlins' deal had an negative impact on the Dolphins' attempt to secure public funding.

"There's a much more tangible public benefit," Gimenez said in March of the Dolphins' proposal, via The New York Times. "But the Marlins' stadium has created such an adverse appetite for another deal because the Marlins have really poisoned the well."

Even if the organization does receive public financing down the road, Miami will face stiff competition for another Super Bowl bid. The NFL has rewarded cities with new stadiums recently with Dallas, Indianapolis and New York all receiving Super Bowl bids. San Francisco and its new stadium project received a bid on Tuesday while Minnesota and Atlanta are among the cities working on new stadium projects. When it comes time to vote for the host cities in 2018, 2019 and beyond, there will be a number of cities with strong bids.

Miami has been a mainstay in the Super Bowl rotation, but it's hard to see another Super Bowl coming to the city anytime soon.

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• Rob Gronkowski's surgery is successful

• NFL, Microsoft partner for interactive broadcasts

• Ben Muth: How to generate pressure with 4 rushers

• RG3's wedding registry broken down by position

Marcell Dareus missing from Buffalo Bills OTAs

2013-05-21T20:52:40Z

The Buffalo Bills are two days into their second OTA session of the offseason, but defensive tackle Marcell Dareus is not among the players participating. Dareus is skipping the voluntary practice sessions, according to the team's official website.

More: Dareus under pressure in 2013 Buffalo Rumblings

While the workouts are voluntary, attendance rates around the league are generally close to 100 percent. Dareus' absence is interesting, considering his position on the team. The former No. 3 pick developed into a solid starter for the Bills, but Brian Galliford of Buffalo Rumblings argued no player on the Bills roster is under more pressure than Dareus.

He came to the NFL with high expectations as many expected him to develop into one of the league's dominant defensive tackles. That hasn't happened yet, but entering his third year, Dareus is expected to take the next step in his development. He's the only player drafted in the top seven of the 2011 NFL Draft to not be selected to a Pro Bowl. Missing OTAs doesn't mean Dareus won't take the next step, but it may put even more pressure on Dareus to perform at a high level next season.