We take a quick look at some headlines around the world of pro football...

PETERSON WINNING RACES (ProFootballTalk.com)
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who is recovering from a season-ending ACL injury, is apparently making progress. Teammate Percy Harvin stated that Peterson beat him twice in uphill sprint races this week.  It doesn’t mean he’ll be ready for Week One, but it is a good sign just five months removed from surgery…MORE

TITANS IMPRESSED BY JOHNSON (TitansOnline.com)
The Titans organization is on the record saying how impressed they’ve been with running back Chris Johnson on and off the field this offseason.  “He's been here every day competing, working hard. He's been here some days when he hasn't had to be here,” said GM Ruston Webster…MORE

HARBAUGH DENIES PURSUIT OF MANNING (NFL.com)
Despite being reported by many media outlets as being one of the finalists to land free agent quarterback Peyton Manning this offseason, head coach Jim Harbaugh says otherwise.  "It's an erroneous perception that we were flirting with Peyton Manning," he said. "I keep hearing that over and over again. It's silly, and it's untrue. It's phony”…MORE

WALLACE NOT HAPPY WITH STEELERS (TribLive.com)
Steelers’ wide receiver Mike Wallace has yet to sign his first-round restricted free agent tender that would guarantee him a $2.16 million raise for this season, bringing his salary to $2.742 million. He missed the fourth consecutive voluntary practice earlier this week and isn’t expected to attend offseason workouts, including mandatory minicamp next month…MORE

DOLPHINS ON HARD KNOCKS (Sun-Sentinel.com)
After an offseason of negative headlines culminating with a protest outside the team's training facility, the Miami Dolphins hope to reshape their image nationally from the inside out.  The Dolphins are the latest subject for the HBO show, "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins"…MORE

PRO BOWL STAYS ALIVE, FOR NOW (ESPN.com)
After receiving a promise from players that the game will be more competitive, the NFL will hold the Pro Bowl Jan. 27 in Honolulu, a week before the Super Bowl.  Commissioner Roger Goodell had made it clear that canceling the game was a possibility after the uninspired play of this year's 59-41 AFC victory. After discussions between the league and the players' union, the NFL announced Wednesday that Aloha Stadium would host the Pro Bowl for the third straight year…MORE

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Following are the results from the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery, which was conducted Wednesday at the Disney/ABC Times Square Studio. The New Orleans Hornets, who had a 13.7 percent chance of obtaining the first selection, will have the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, which will be held in Newark, N.J. at the Prudential Center on Thursday, June 28, 2012.

Round 1 Picks 1-30
1	New Orleans	16	Houston (From New York)
2	Charlotte	17	Dallas
3	Washington	18	Minnesota (From Utah)
4	Cleveland	19	Orlando
5	Sacramento	20	Denver
6	Portland (From Brooklyn)	21	Boston
7	Golden State	22	Boston (From L.A. Clippers via OKC)
8	Toronto	23	Atlanta
9	Detroit	24	Cleveland (From L.A. Lakers)
10	New Orleans (From Minnesota via L.A. Clippers)	25	Memphis
11	Portland	26	Indiana
12	Milwaukee	27	Miami
13	Phoenix	28	Oklahoma City
14	Houston	29	Chicago
15	Philadelphia	30	Golden State (From San Antonio)

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Mat Latos wife Dallas has come with a great idea for a Reds Drinking Game:

FOLLOW DALLAS ON TWITTER (@DallasLatos)

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As good as the Reds offense has looked lately, the struggles at the top continue to hold down the team
(from Lance McAlister):

Reds are hitting .166 in leadoff spot....30th in MLB.
A's are 29th hitting .199.
Reds OBP from leadoff spot is .200. Orioles are 29th at .258.
Reds have 52 K, 9 BB, 1 SB from leadoff spot

From leadoff this year
29 starts: Cozart 25 for 127 .197/.233, 6 BB, 30 K
8 starts: Stubbs 3 for 36 .083/.215, 2 BB, 13 K
6 starts: Phillips 5 for 24 .208/.240, 1 BB, 4 K
3 starts: Heisey 2 for 14, .143/.143, 0 BB, 4 K
2 starts: Harris 0 for 8, .000/.000, 0 BB, 1 K

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Though the official field won't be set until next week for the 2012 Belmont Stakes, the list of contenders to challenge Kentucky Derby-Preakness Stakes winner I'll Have Another on June 9th is taking shape. Here's DRF.com's projected field as of today for the 144th running of the Belmont:

2012 Belmont Stakes possible starters

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Check out 2012 Kentucky Wildcat seven-foot commit Willie Cauley-Stein in action...

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It's amazing how blessed we are in the US and there were many that fought for it. To all that have served thank you and Happy Memorial Day.  The freedom and liberties that we enjoy everyday are because of the men of the women who served, and some cases died serving, our country.

For sports fans it’s hard to imagine some of the athletes on our favorite teams being amongst the brave soldiers defending our great nation, but there have actually been thousands that did just that.

Here is just a handful that I’ve dug up some quick facts on…

Ted Williams - The baseball Hall of Famer was not only considered as one of the greatest hitters to ever live, but he was also a pilot in the WWII, as well as the Korean War, and flew as John Glenn's wingman.  The Red Sox great was assigned to Marine Corps Fighter Squadron (VMF) 311 during Korea flying the F-9F Panther. He flew 37 combat missions in 1952-1953.

Jack Lummus - This New York Giants end earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima in 1945. The Marine Corps First Lieutenant died when he stepped on a landmine after singlehandedly dispatching several dozen Japanese.

Rocky Bleier - He served in the Army during Vietnam. The Notre Dame standout was as an infantryman. He suffered severe leg wounds in combat, but overcame his injuries and went on to a great 12-year career with the Steelers.

Bob Feller – The Indian enlisted in the Navy two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served on the battleship Alabama in the Pacific. Despite serving for four years, he went on to an impressive Major League career as he won 266 games and struck out 2,581 batters during his 18-year career. He also hurled three no-hitters.

Christy Mathewson - The Hall of Fame pitcher, accidentally inhaled poison mustard gas in World War I, which led to his contracting tuberculosis that killed him in 1925.

Pat Tillman – We all remember the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive back who served in the Army from 2002 to '04. On April 22, 2004, he was killed in a friendly-fire incident while on patrol in Afghanistan. Tillman opted to walk away from his NFL career and join the military after being inspired by the events of 9/11.

Al Blozis - The All-Pro tackle for the New York Giants was killed in France in World War II.

Yogi Berra – He was a New York Yankees' farm hand when he was drafted. He operated a machine gun on a Navy rocket boat off Omaha Beach on D-Day.

DID YOU KNOW?
-- 416,800 American servicemen died during the war and 133 were Major League baseball players (COMPLETE LIST)

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BroBible.com looked at some of the best ways to cure a hangover...

They listed my favorite - EGG MCMUFFINS
Greasy egg-and-cheese combo that is time-tested to, at the very least, ease the pain of one (or several) too many.

COMPLET LIST

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Here’s a quick take on all the impending quarterback battles to watch as training camp approaches (incumbent list first):

Mark Sanchez vs. Tim Tebow (NYJ)
The circus that is the New York Jets brought Tim Tebow to the show and with the media presence there things could get ugly.  The Jets are a run-first team and that won’t change, but if Sanchez can’t cut down on his turnovers (26 last year) his leash will be short. Expect Tebow to be used in certain packages, but Sanchez should still easily remain the primary guy under center.

Kevin Kolb vs. John Skelton (ARZ)
Last season’s free-agent addition of Kevin Kolb did not pay dividends for the Cardinals in 2011. Kolb only played in nine games due to injury and threw just nine TD’s with eight interceptions while averaging just 217 passing yards per game, including just one 300-yard day. Skelton developed chemistry with the team’s start wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and went 5-2 as a starter down the stretch. Kolb is currently listed atop the depth chart, but this job is up for grabs this preseason.

Tavaris Jackson vs. Matt Flynn (SEA)
The team was able to lure Green Bay backup Matt Flynn to the Emerald City and the newcomer will have a leg up on Tavaris Jackson heading into training camp. Flynn is mostly unproven, but did show flashes of brilliance in minor action last year for the Packers. The Seahawks are not the Packers though so he’ll have to prove he can do well on his own. Jackson will get his chance again if Flynn falters.

Matt Hasselbeck vs. Jake Locker (TEN)
The 36-year old Matt Hasselbeck is clearly nearing the end of his career.  After the team invested heavily in Jake Locker in last year’s draft it’s only a matter of time before they give the youngster a crack. Hasselbeck is still capable of winning games though so it might take an injury or a slow start to make the Titans’ brass pull the trigger. It’s not a matter of if, but when Locker gets a look.

Matt Moore vs. Ryan Tannehill vs. David Garrard (MIA)
They wanted Peyton Manning or at least Matt Flynn, but the Dolphins had to settle on free agent David Garrard to build depth at the position. That led to the team drafting Ryan Tannehill earlier than many teams projected him.  He is very raw, but the rookie should benefit from his college coach, Mike Sherman, now serving as the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator. Veteran incumbent Matt Moore help a team that started 0-7 finish with some respectability a year ago while passing for 2,497 yards and 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions. It’s anybody’s job, but it would be surprising if Moore was not the starter come Week 1.

Blaine Gabbert vs. Chad Henne (JCK)
It is sink or swim time for second-year quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who was dreadful at times as a rookie. The team has added some weapons to throw to, highlighted by first-round pick Justin Blackmon.  With a big contract Gabbert is going to be given every chance to succeed, but Chad Henne will be chomping at the bit to get a chance of his own. This could be both of these players last legitimate crack at a NFL starting job if they falter. Gabbert is the guy for now, but he likely won’t be for long.

Colt McCoy vs. Brandon Weeden (CLE)
You don’t spend a first-round pick on a 28-year old quarterback unless you guy to play him right away, but this is the Browns so you never know. All signs point to rookie Brandon Weeden starting over veteran Colt McCoy, who has thrown for 20 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in two years with the team over 21 starts. During that span McCoy has had just one 300-yard game. Weeden won’t have a ton of weapons, but if fellow rookie Trent Richardson is as good as advertised he could find some moderate success quickly.

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After an embarrassing brawl at the end of last year’s Crosstown Shootout between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center, the game will reportedly be moved to US Bank Arena for the next two years, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Neither school has confirmed the move and the two issued a joint statement in a press release yesterday stating that no official agreement has been reached and announcement will come at a later date.

The paper states that the rivalry game will be played on Dec. 18, 19 or 20 and will be televised on one of the ESPN channels, with an official announcement expected in June. 

The last time UC and XU played each other at the downtown arena was Jan. 29, 1987 when the building was known as Riverfront Coliseum and served as UC’s home court.

MY TAKE: I don’t have a problem with the move, but I don’t believe that moving it to a neutral location where the fan base will be closer to 50/50 is going to help make it a less hostile environment. I definitely side with keeping the game around more than suspending indefinitely altogether.

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