UMaine lineman Cole put on CFPA watch list
ORONO, Maine — University of Maine defensive lineman Michael Cole has been named to the 2013 College Football Performance Awards Football Championship Subdivision Defensive Line Award Watch List.
Cole is the third Maine player to earn a spot on the 2013 CFPA Watch List, following quarterback Marcus Wasilewski and tight end Justin Perillo.
Last season, Cole recorded seven sacks in just five games to go along with 20 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. Cole’s 7.0 sacks unofficially led the CAA, as he did not appear in enough games to officially qualify for the recognition. Heading into 2013, Cole stands 6.5 sacks away from tying the all-time school-record of 27.5 sacks in a career.
The preliminary watch list highlights thirty-eight returning performers, vying for the top individual defensive end and defensive tackle awards in the Football Championship Subdivision. The winners will be announced on Jan. 8, 2014.
Steelers’ Adams expected to make full recovery
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Mike Adams is expected to be released from a hospital by Tuesday and should make a full recovery after being stabbed twice during an attempted carjacking over the weekend.
“He’s very blessed to be in the position he’s in, in that we expect a full recovery from him,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Monday. “I visited with him a couple days this weekend. He’s got great team support and family support. He realizes, of course, how fortunate that he is. We’re just glad that he’s going to be OK.”
Tomlin said Adams will be cleared to resume football activities in about six to eight weeks.
Adams, 23, told Pittsburgh police officers he was standing near his truck about 3 a.m. Saturday when he was confronted by three men. One of them had a knife and another one had a handgun. Adams said they tried to carjack him, but he did not have his car keys with him. One of the men held the gun to Adams’ face while another one stabbed him twice, before the three men fled.
Adams then sought out help at a nearby restaurant in Pittsburgh’s South Side and taken to a hospital, where he had surgery for stab wounds to his stomach and left forearm.
No arrests were made.
Adams, who started six of 10 games he played as a rookie last year, is expected to be the Steelers’ starting right tackle.
Vegas site claims Mayweather bet $6 million on Heat
Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather is betting nearly $6 million on the Miami Heat to beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night, according to pregame.com.
Mayweather has not confirmed the bet. The online handicapping service claims to have a source.
“Good source from my HeavyHitters Vegas crew alerted me that Floyd Mayweather has laid over $5,900,000 on Heat -7 tonight in Vegas,” the website wrote on Twitter.
Pregame.com uses the name Vegas Gambling Stream as its Twitter handle. It is a gambling website that displays odds, sports books and gambling advice.
Raptors’ coach Casey will keep his job
Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey will retain his job for next season despite the recent hiring of new general manager Masai Ujiri, the Toronto Sun reported.
Although assistant general manager Ed Stefanski, some scouts and other front office employees are out, the Sun reported, based on sources, that Casey has already spoken with Ujiri and Raptors CEO Tim Leiweke. Apparently Casey was told he will not lose his job.
His contract runs through next season.
The Raptors won 23 games in Casey’s first season as head coach in 2011-2012, and won 34 games this past season.
Kings announce Malone as new coach
Sacramento Kings new owner Vivek Ranadive announced Monday that the team hired Michael Malone as its head coach.
“Michael Malone is one of the best and most talented coaches in the game,” Ranadive said in a statement. “As Vice Chairman of the Warriors, I developed a great relationship with Coach Malone and witnessed first-hand how instrumental he was to the success of the team. His work ethic, passion, and vision for the game will create an entirely new culture and style of play. Hiring Coach Malone is our first step in giving the best fans in sports the excellence they deserve.”
The Kings confirmed media reports of Malone’s hire Sunday. Malone is the franchise’s 25th head coach, 14th in the Sacramento era.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Malone replaces Keith Smart, who was relieved of his duties Friday, shortly after the sale of the team was completed. The Kings went 28-54 last season.
Malone is starting his first head-coaching gig. He spent last season as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, one of the league’s surprise teams. He has previous experience as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks (2003-05), Cleveland Cavaliers (2005-10) and New Orleans Hornets (2010-11).
Giants’ Cruz denies he’s headed to reality TV
He hasn’t reported to work since the end of the 2012 season, but Victor Cruz of the New York Giants denied Monday that he’s set to be the star of a reality show.
Cruz, a restricted free agent staying away from voluntary workouts with the Giants as a commonly used negotiating ploy, is expected to report to the Giants for the start of training camp next month. He rejected what the Giants called a “lucrative long-term” contract in March, owner John Mara said. Cruz received a first-round tender offer of more than $2 million for 2013.
New York Daily News reported Cruz was ready for reality TV.
“I definitely want it to be my show,” the News quoted Cruz saying. “My own thing, something that I can contribute to and something I like to do, I can be comfortable with, and an easy show, something people like to watch and that people can be in tune with on a daily basis.”
Cruz said he’s still focused on football, posting to his Twitter account (@TeamVic) that he isn’t doing reality TV.
Kings GM search expands to Mullin, Bird
Chris Mullin and Larry Bird are among the candidates on the radar of the new management hierarchy of the Sacramento Kings, who under owner Vivek Ranadive are seeking a replacement for ousted general manager Geoff Petrie.
Mullin worked in the front office of the Golden State Warriors and Bird for the Indiana Pacers. The Hall of Fame players had some success turning around franchises that had fallen on hard times.
Bird retired as team president of the Pacers following the 2012 NBA Draft, citing the long, arduous hours taking a toll on him physically.
Mullin is an NBA analyst for ESPN television.
Talks were considered exploratory, according to CBS Sports Network. Ranadive is said to be seeking a track record of strong results in a smaller NBA market from his basketball operations hire.
The Kings hired head coach Michael Malone, who was introduced Monday.