Greatest 33 Indianapolis 500 Winners

In this year’s “Month of May” series, on each day leading up to the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, a different topic about the race or about Indianapolis will be discussed. Each of these topics will be ranked to create special “fields of 33” regarding the Indy 500. I hope you enjoy, and I hope you learn something about Indianapolis and the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Today we will focus on the best of the best: the greatest 33 drivers to win the Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway created a similar list of the top 33 drivers of all time. However, some members of that “Field of 33” never won a race. So here is an updated version of the best to ever make Victory Lane at Indianapolis: The “Field of 33 Greatest Race Winners”

Miami Dolphins land a right tackle, and NFL and fantasy football follow-ups

The Miami Dolphins filled their OL woes on Sunday morning, signing former Atlanta Falcons right tackle Tyson Clabo to a one-year deal. The 31-year-old was released by the Falcons this off-season to help with salary cap numbers. He was one of four tackles to try out for the Dolphins last week; others include Bryant McKinnie, Eric Winston and Winston Justice. Clabo started all 101 games he played for the Falcons, including 16 games in each of the last five seasons at right tackle.
LeGarrette Blount (RB - New England Patriots) has agreed to a $1 million pay cut in his contract. Under his new deal, he is placed fourth behind Leon Washington, Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley on the Patriot's running back cap hit.
Daryl Washington (LB - Arizona Cardinals) has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, against his former girlfriend, the mother of his five-month-old daughter. The ex-girlfriend, in the police report, states that following an argument inside her apartment on Wednesday, Washington allegedly choked her. Police responding to the call noted marks on her throat. The report also said there is a current custody battle going on, and Washington has not been allowed to see his daughter.
Got any questions, comments, suggestions, tips, tricks or more concerning fantasy football and the NFL? Send them over to thefantasyfootballtoolkit@gmail.com. Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Adrian Peterson on 2500, DeAngelo Williams on the block and Daryl Washington's arrest

Daryl Washington (LB - Arizona Cardinals), was arrested Friday after being accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his daughter. Washington led the Cardinals in tackles with 134 (108 solo) as well as nine sacks last season. He recently signed a six-year contract extension with the team; but will miss the first four games of the 2013 NFL season due to violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Adrian Peterson (RB - Minnesota Vikings) has made some rather large claims over the course of this past week...that being 2500 yards on the ground in a single season is something he is close to, and he will likely hit this year. He would need to average 156 yards per game; Peterson found that mark and more 5 times last year. With the quarterbacks the way they are in Minnesota and no All-Pro receiver on the squad, injuries aside, he could do it.

DeAngelo Williams (RB - Carolina Panthers) is on the block. GM Dave Gettleman has publicly said, when asked about Williams and the running back situation, 'anything is possible'. By bringing in Tolbert, and drafting Kenjon Barner, who coaches have said is more of a weapon than a running back, it looks like DeAngelo Williams and his underwhelming career are over soon with the Carolina Panthers.

Have some hot tips from the NFL, or need some fantasy football advice? Send over all your questions, comments, suggestions and more to thefantasyfootballtoolkit@gmail.com....May the 4th be with you all....

McKinnie resigns, Ed Reed's surgery and Blounts blunt truth

After dipping his toe in the free agency waters that are the NFL offseason, Bryant McKinnie (OL - Baltimore Ravens) will remain a Baltimore Raven. The deal carries a maximum value of around $7million dollars, if all bonuses and clauses are met.

Ed Reed (SS - Houston Texans) of the Houston Texans went under the knife this week, undergoing hip surgery. The nine-time Pro-Bowler, left the Baltimore Ravens this offseason to sign a 3-year, $15million deal with the Texans.

LeGarrette Blounts (RB - New England Patriots) fantasy value continues to fall. While the New England Patriots needed another running back to fill Danny Woodheads' numbers, Blount is far from the same style back; and his playing time and, thus, fantasy numbers become more and more of a question. Goal-line situations and redzone scoring will be Blounts' areas this year, as Stevan Ridley should, and will, be the number one running back in New England.

Shoot me an email for questions, comments and suggestions! The Fantasy Football Toolkit

Field of 33 - Things You'll Say at Your First Indy 500

In this year’s “Month of May” series, on each day leading up to the Indianapolis 500 on May 26, a different topic about the race or about Indianapolis will be discussed. Each of these topics will be ranked to create special “fields of 33” regarding the Indy 500. I hope you enjoy, and I hope you learn something about Indianapolis and the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Today we will focus on the rookies. No, not the rookie drivers, but the rookie race attendees. I’ve now gone to the race 20 times in my life, so I’ve seen many 'newbie' fans walk into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on race day. Each year, I hear very similar comments from those attending the race for the first time. Here is the “Field of 33 Things You’ll Say at Your First Indy 500.”

Pigskin Blink - May 2nd 2013

Why did Geno Smith (QB - New York Jets) really fire his agents? Rumors have been swirling about a possible argument and incorrect handling which led Geno to fall into the second round; finally being scooped up by the New York Jets in the second round. Justin Blackmon (WR - Jacksonville Jaguars) has been suspended for the first four games of the upcoming 2013-2014 NFL Season because of violation to their substance abuse policy. The starting wide receiver is expected to lose almost $300,000 in salary, plus over $10 million in remaining bonus salary on his contract. And Al Harris (CB - Green Bay Packers) officially retired yesterday.

Month of May - 33 Biggest Controversies

It’s the Month of May!!!

Image courtesy of IndyStar.com

In just under four weeks, the 97th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race will take place in Speedway, Indiana. Defending race winner Dario Franchitti will attempt to tie the record for most 500 victories by securing his fourth trip to victory lane.

But there is so much more to the Indy 500 than a race. It is a tradition. It is a lifestyle. It is a legend.

It is the greatest spectacle in racing.

In the days leading up to this year’s running, hopefully ESPN and public access media will help portray the excitement and meaning of the Indianapolis 500.

But I doubt they will. So I’ll gladly take the reins, because until you have physically been there and been a part of the festivities, you cannot fully understand what Indy means – to the drivers, to the fans, to Hoosiers…to everybody.

But what is it that makes Indianapolis so awesome? Is it the traditions? The drivers? The innovations? The memorable moments? The things you do while at the race? The bricks? The milk?

The answer is all of the above.

And with that, it’s time to begin this year’s “Month of May” series leading up to race day on May 26. Each day, a different topic about the race or about Indianapolis will be discussed. For example, topics can include the greatest drivers, greatest races, greatest traditions, best things to bring to the track, best race week activity, etc. Each of these topics will then be ranked to create special “fields of 33.” I hope you enjoy, and I hope you learn something about Indianapolis and the Indy 500, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

Pigskin Blink - May 1st 2013

The Tim Tebow experiment is over in New York, and Dwight Freeney values himself by half of what he did in February; now looking for 4 - 4.5 million dollars a year.

Jason Collins - Modern-Day Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson, Jim Abbott, Magic Johnson, Nancy Lieberman, Janet Guthrie, Oscar Pistorius.

These men and women broke barriers in professional sports with regards to race, gender, and physical disability. They remain as icons to those who came after them. 

African-Americans look up to Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier in baseball and allowing them to one day play in the majors. Those born with physical disabilities see Jim Abbott pitching in the majors with one hand or Oscar Pistorius running in the Olympics with prosthetics and know that they too could make it to the top. Young women see Janet Guthrie compete in a male-driven sport of auto-racing or Nancy Lieberman getting double-teamed in a men’s professional basketball league.

These men and women are an inspiration to the rest of the sporting world. These are just a few of the many out there who have made an impact on countless young, aspiring athletes worldwide.

Yesterday, the world got another barrier-breaker and inspiration in Jason Collins.

2013 NFL Draft - Mock Draft

Why look at a mock draft when you can get FIVE at once? That's what 360 Sports Network brings you! Five different mock drafts combine together to make one consensus mock. In our latest podcast, the experts explain their picks and give insight of what you can expect on draft night! Who will your team pick?

Meet the Experts: Greg Beshero (3SN), Alex Dellaverson (3SN), James Dotson (3SN), Matt Henderson, Dan Massaro (The CalfMuscle).

2013 NFL Free Agency Recap

Greg and James break down some of the big signings and non-signings from the 2013 NFL off-season. Before the NFL Draft, teams must start to fill their rosters. Players with new homes include Nnamdi Asomaugha, Wes Welker, Greg Jennings, and Steven Jackson. What teams won, what teams lost, and what signings just don't make sense?

What's Wrong With Sports: Snowy Baseball

Baseball season has begun! That means 162 games over the next six months. And that doesn’t even include the extra month for playoffs in October (and into November).

When you think of baseball, what do you think of? Eating a hotdog in left field while soaking in the summer sun? Or bundled up avoiding snowflakes in 30 degree weather?

I think it’s quite obvious which scenario is more synonymous with the great American pastime. Then why is it that the season begins with snow still on the ground? Why is it that the most important games of the year, those playoff and World Series games, are played in 30-40 degree weather more often than not? The legitimacy of a World Series champion is compromised in my mind due to weather.

Why not fix this? There are a couple of very simple options that could make a baseball season that doesn’t last until the near winter months.

 

In the Headlines for All the Wrong Reasons

The Final Four begins today!

Now let me guess, upon reading that the Final Four is nearly here, your first thought was something along the lines of “oh ya, that’s right!” instead of “I know, I’m excited!”  Am I right?

College basketball has been in the news ALL WEEK, yet there has been no preview of the Final Four matchups. There has been no talk of the “Don’t call us Cinderella” Wichita State Shockers taking on #1 overall Louisville. There has been no talk of John Beilein never defeating Jim Boeheim.

Absolutely nothing.  Yet college hoops is in the news not only on sports channels but on national news as well. When that happens, you know that there is something wrong with sports right now.

2013 NCAA Tournament Bracket Predictions

The brackets are out! The 2013 NCAA Tournament has now officially begun! Now it's time to break down those brackets and see who can make the run to the Final Four. March Madness is here! But, before you fill out your brackets, check out our predictions podcast. Let us help make your bracket the best that it possibly can be. We helped over 30,000 people each of the last two years in filling out their brackets, let us help make yours the best it can be! James likes the Hoosiers, Alex is picking the Cardinals. After you check out our opinions, let your own be heard! Comment, tweet, email, let us know what you think! Or better yet, put your opinions to the test by joining the 3SN Bracket Challenge by clicking HERE.

3SN Bracketology

Each year, Joe Lunardi predicts what the NCAA Tournament brackets will look like. Our own bracketologist James Dotson is setting up his own brackets. Let's see who better predicts what the Committee does for March Madness! It's Dotson vs. Lunardi! There's one difference in the 68 teams: Lunardi has California in the tournament. Dotson says there's no way they deserve a bid, and he puts Virginia in their spot. We'll find out who's right!

2013 ACC Tournament Preview

The Atlantic Coast Conference is all about the Duke Blue Devils this year. With their star Ryan Kelly in the lineup, Duke has not lost this season. They have the target on their back, can they get the automatic bid? Maryland, North Carolina, and Miami all have legit chances to take down the Blue Devils.

2013 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Preview

The A-10 is a potential five-bid league! That’s because many teams formerly known as “mid majors” are in the conference. These teams know how to win the big game when it matters most, and they all have made significant runs in the NCAA Tournament before. Just look at the coaching history: Rick Magerus, John Chaney, Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens. Enjoy.

2013 SEC Tournament Preview

When’s the last time that a two-seed in a power conference, nevertheless the SEC, didn’t make the tournament? Well, that’s quite likely unless the Kentucky Wildcats step it up. But they’re not alone! The 3-seed Mississippi Rebels and the 4-seed Alabama Crimson Tide are also on the bubble, but on the outside looking in, and 5-seed Tennessee is in danger of missing out as well. 6-seed Missouri is considered to be securely in.

2013 Southland Conference Tournament Preview

The Southland tournament will be everybody vs. the lumberjacks. Stephen F. Austin is no doubt the team to beat in the conference this season, going 26-3 on the season. Their SOS is not very good, but they have beaten the teams they need to. They had two conference losses this season, both on the road to SE Louisiana and to the 2-seed Northwestern State.

2013 Pac-12 Tournament Preview

The Pac-12 tournament is up for grabs again, and it’s pretty much anybody’s tournament to win. UCLA stands alone at the top of the conference, three teams tied for second. The Pac-12 is a three-bid league for sure, but could expand to as many as five. Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and Cal need to all show me something before I'll put them in the dance.

2013 Big 12 Tournament Preview

Kansas sits at the top of the Big 12 Conference, but at least five others are more than capable of knocking them off. A high scoring offense like Iowa State or a shut down defense of K-State could do the trick.

2013 Conference USA Tournament Preview

The Memphis Tigers are back in action yet again as the regular season champions of Conference USA. They went undefeated 16-0 in the conference and are 27-4 overall this season. If you take out their non-conference loss to Xavier two weeks ago, the Tigers haven’t lost since a 9 point loss to #6 Louisville on December 15. Southern Miss is the only team with a chance to knock off Memphis, and they're squarely on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament.

2013 Big West Conference Tournament Preview

What a battle the Big West tournament could be this year! The difference between the one-seed and the eight-seed is just four games! Long Beach State is the defending regular season and conference tournament champions, and they got the #1 seed this year as well. Can they repeat? Pacific, Hawaii, UC Irvine, and Cal Poly are all ready to pounce on the auto-bid opportunity!

2013 Big Sky Tournament Preview

The Big Sky Conference is a two-team race yet again. The defending champs Montana will have to fight off the 2-seed Weber State if they want to go dancing again. And of course, they split their regular season games. So it’s a toss up for who can get that automatic bid!

2013 Big Ten Tournament Preview

Teams like Purdue and Iowa need big wins to get an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Some teams in the Big Ten are hot (Ohio State) while others are sort of in a stall mode (Michigan State, Indiana, Michigan). A low seed (even #12 Penn State) could make some waives in the B1G Tournament!

3SN Live - 7:30 pm

360 Sports Network will be broadcasting LIVE from the Crane Room in New Castle, PA, to discuss the big topics of the day in sports! NFL free agency and the Road to the Final Four are on the top of the agenda tonight. How do you feel about Wes Welker in Denver? Does a team like Kentucky deserve to make the dance? We answer your questions and more LIVE at 7:30!

2013 Big East Tournament Preview

It's the biggest and the most competitive tournament in all of college basketball. Many claim that it is more difficult to win the Big East Tournament than the NCAA Tournament. Be that the case or not, we actually are witnessing the last ever "true" Big East basketball tournament. Who will get the honors of winning the last one? Otto Porter and the 1-seed Hoyas? Maybe Peyton Siva and Louisville? Could an 8- or 9-seed make the run to the top like has been done many times before? All we know for sure is that ANYBODY can win, and that's what will make this final Big East Tournament one we will never forget.

2013 Mountain West Tournament Preview

What an impressive performance yet again by the Mountain West Conference. Four teams are definitely into the NCAA Tournament, and a fifth is very possible. Who gets the automatic bid, though? Colorado State? UNLV? Can New Mexico get up to a 2-seed in the tournament? Does Boise State go dancing or will San Diego State spoil the show?

2013 SWAC Tournament Preview

A lot is happening in the SWAC, and not much of it is good. Regular season champion Texas Southern and Arkansas - Pine Bluff are banned from post-season play, as are the defending tournament champion Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils. Only one team in the tournament has a winning record (Southern University). Does anybody else have a chance? Can Grambling State win their first game of the season?

2013 WAC Tournament Preview

The Western Athletic Conference is up for grabs this season, and there is a lot of question marks heading into the Tournament in Las Vegas. Top seed Louisiana Tech had an 18-game win streak this season, but lost their last two of the season. #2 Denver rattled off ten straight wins to finish the year and get a share of the regular season crown. And defending conference tournament champion New Mexico State is right there ready to pounce as well. The difference might be "Sim and Sy"

2013 MEAC Tournament Preview

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference shocked the world last year when 15 seed Norfolk State took down the 2-seeded Missouri Tigers in the first round of the tournament. Many experts thought Missouri should have been a 1-seed, yet the Cinderella Spartans struck! They have now begun their encore, going 21-10 for the year and a perfect 16-0 in the conference on the way to the #1 seed in the MEAC Tournament. They are the overwhelming favorites to get the automatic bid again for the MEAC. But can NC Central pull off the upset?

2013 MAC Tournament Preview

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference shocked the world last year when 15 seed Norfolk State took down the 2-seeded Missouri Tigers in the first round of the tournament. Many experts thought Missouri should have been a 1-seed, yet the Cinderella Spartans struck! They have now begun their encore, going 21-10 for the year and a perfect 16-0 in the conference on the way to the #1 seed in the MEAC Tournament. They are the overwhelming favorites to get the automatic bid again for the MEAC. But can NC Central pull off the upset?

2013 Colonial Tournament Preview

The Colonial Athletic Association Tournament is going to look very different this year compared to previous championships. Many teams we’ve become familiar with seeing in this tournament will not be competing in Richmond for a chance at the automatic bid for the conference. Defending champion Virginia Commonwealth has moved to the Atlantic 10 conference, Old Dominion and Georgia State are both ineligible for the tournament because of their departures from the conference next season, UNC Wilmington and Towson are the latest victims of APR issues, thus being banned from postseason play by the NCAA.  So, that leaves only seven teams playing for the conference title instead of 11 or 12 like normal. Is another George Mason special coming? How about Northeastern or the Delaware Fighting Blue Hens?

2013 Summit League Tournament Preview

Nate Wolters and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits opened a few eyes last season with their near-upset in the NCAA Tournament. This year there are two other teams with SD State in the Summit League that can possibly make some noise. Will it be Wolters again? Or can North Dakota State or Western Illinois become the new representative for the conference?

2013 West Coast Conference Tournament Preview

Kelly Olynyk or Matthew Dellevadova? Gaels or Bulldogs? St. Mary's or Gonzaga. That's what is being debated for the West Coast Conference Tournament. Can Gonzaga get the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, or can the Gaels pull off the upset?

2013 America East Conference Tournament Preview

The America East championship will kick off with Vermont attempting to defend their Tournament title from 2012. Like last year’s tournament, Stony Brook won the regular season title and the #1 seed in the America East tournament. The Seawolves will look to get back to the tournament again this year and make up for last season’s disappointing finish. Catamounts or Seawolves?

2013 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Preview

The America East championship will kick off with Vermont attempting to defend their Tournament title from 2012. Like last year’s tournament, Stony Brook won the regular season title and the #1 seed in the America East tournament. The Seawolves will look to get back to the tournament again this year and make up for last season’s disappointing finish. Catamounts or Seawolves?

2013 Southern Conference Tournament Preview

Davidson has been the power house in the SoCon for years now. Can a team like Charleston spoil the run for the Wildcats?

2013 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Preview

Before we begin “March Madness” with the NCAA tournament, we must first analyze “Arch Madness” of the Missouri Valley Tournament in St. Louis. The defending regular season champion Wichita State will have the #2 seed while the defending tournament champion Creighton Bluejays (under POTY candidate Doug McDermott) will have the #1 seed. Those two are by far the favorites to represent the conference in the championship game, but does a team like Northern Iowa have a chance to make it a three-bid league?

2013 MAAC Tournament Preview

Just about anybody can win the MAAC this year, especially when the top five teams are separated by just two games in conference! Niagara? Loyola? Rider? The one-bid league is up for grabs!

3SN Live - March!

Welcome to March! 3SN will be answering your questions live at 7 PM from the Crane Room. Topics include March Madness, Dennis Rodman, Blackhawks, worldwide sports, and much much more! Tweet us your questions (@3SNetwork) and be a part of the show!

2013 Northeast Tournament Preview

Robert Morris has the #1 seed for the NEC tournament, and they also have a guy named "Lucky" on their side. They'll need plenty of it to get to the NCAA tournament, especially to get past Long Island. They have an NBA prospect named Jamal Olasewere.  Anybody could get the automatic bid from the NEC.

2013 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Preview

The Murray State Racers took the Ohio Valley Conference and all of the NCAA by storm with their 30-1 season. However, there is a new sheriff in town. The Belmont Bruins and their high-octane scoring offense make the move from the Atlantic Sun and immediately take a conference championship. The Bruins could have an at-large bid, but they are going for the automatic qualification. Can Murray State or Eastern Kentucky stop them and possibly make the OVC a two-bid league?

2013 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament Preview

The first conference to crown a champion and give out an automatic birth to the NCAA Tournament is the Atlantic Sun Conference. Florida Gulf Coast the the presumed favorite, but a Stetson vs. Mercer rematch from the season finale seems to be in the cards. Which team of balance will represent the Atlantic Sun in the dance?

2013 Patriot League Tournament Preview

It's deja vu in the Patriot League this year! All four first round games in the 2013 Patriot League Tournament are identical to the 2012 matchups. Bucknell is the top seed in the tournament. Is that the end of the similarities? Or can Bucknell use the home court advantage to go dancing? Lehigh has been without potential first-round pick C.J. McCollum since early January. He might be back, he might not. It will be tough for Lehigh to make the tournament again without him. If Lehigh cannot do it, it would likely be regular season champion Bucknell who would get the automatic bid. They have home court advantage in the Patriot League Tournament. Don't sleep on the Leopards of Lafayette, however.

2013 Big South Tournament Preview

The Big South Conference Tournament is wide open this year! Any of the twelve teams could get the auto-bid into the NCAA Tournament. Charleston Southern struggles to win away from home, Gardner-Webb has bad losses but is has won seven straight, and High Point has one of the best feel good stories of the year in Allan Chaney. Will it be one of these three teams, or maybe a Cinderella?

2013 Horizon League Tournament Preview

Detroit and Valparaiso have been dominant all year. Last year, Valpo won the regular season title but were ousted in the conference championship by Detroit. Valpo yet again is the #1 seed in the tournament. Can Broekhoff, Van Wijk, and the Crusaders knock off Ray McCallum and the Titans this year?

2013 NL West Preview

Spring Training has begun for the 2013 MLB season! That means it is time to do our own training: previewing the upcoming season for the fans! Who will reach the World Series in 2013? See how we think your team will perform this season. In this episode of the 2013 MLB Preview Show, we analyze the National League West. Will the San Francisco Giants end up top of the division again? Can they hoist the World Series trophy for a second straight year? Or will the Dodgers or Diamondbacks spoik the fun? See what our experts think!

2013 NL East Preview

Spring Training has begun for the 2013 MLB season! That means it is time to do our own training: previewing the upcoming season for the fans! Who will reach the World Series in 2013? See how we think your team will perform this season. In this episode of the 2013 MLB Preview Show, we analyze the National League East. Will the Nationals end up top of the division again? See what our experts think!

The Biggest One

What's wrong with sports? Just look at what happened today in the NASCAR Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

On the last lap, Regan Smith leads Brad Keselowski toward the checkered flag. Keselowski can't get around him, Smith chops him, and "the big one" occurs. Over a dozen cars end up crashing across the start/finish line.

All drivers walked away without major injury. However, at least 15 (maybe 17 according to some sources) were injured. A couple were seriously injured, one confirmed with head trauma. Kyle Larson's car got airborne and went into the catch fence. His engine literally went right through the catch fence and ended up in the stands. A tire flew over the fence as well and landed about ten rows up.

Everybody is pointing the finger at who or what is responsible.  CNN blames Keselowski for starting the wreck. NASCAR analysts confirm it was Smith's fault (and he said he would block like that again). Fans on twitter say the fence should be stronger or that the fans should be moved back.

Point the finger wherever you want, but one thing is clear: something needs to change.

3SN Live

Join us at the Crane Room Bar and Grille for another great installment of Dot and Dellav on 3SN Live! We'll be live at 8:00 EST tonight!

Danica on Pole

Racing’s posterboy…um, poster-woman…is top of the charts this week!

Danica Patrick qualified on the pole for the Daytona 500 (196.434 mph). She is the first woman to ever sit on pole in a NASCAR event.

Danica is making headlines for her on-track performance. This comes as a relief to many, and yet as a further irritant to others, whether they be fans or racers or have no care for the sport whatsoever.

2013 NL Central Preview

Spring Training has begun for the 2013 MLB season! That means it is time to do our own training: previewing the upcoming season for the fans! Who will reach the World Series in 2013? See how we think your team will perform this season.

The Mad Scientist and the Value Man break down the National League Central Division from top to bottom. There is a definite team at the top of the division, and a definite at the bottom. How it shakes down in the middle of the pack is yet to be determined.

HAVE A DAY, Soni!

The 360 Sports Network wants to extend congratulations and good luck to New Castle native John Sansone. A true freshman, “Soni” will begin the 2013 collegiate baseball season as the starting second-baseman for the #9 Florida State Seminoles.

Sansone was a member of the 2012 WPIAL Class A Champion Neshannock Lancers baseball team. He earned Pittsburgh All-State Player of the Year accolades and was drafted in the 39th round by the Detroit Tigers. He took the trip down to Tallahassee, however, to join the Seminoles’ historic program.

Anybody who says that you cannot do something, look at John Sansone. He jumped onto the scene at Neshannock immediately, hitting more home runs than a senior teammate who was drafted later that year. Many have said that a player from a small school in western Pennsylvania couldn’t possibly compete in a top college program, especially in the ACC, especially as a freshman. They started him at third base, moved him over to first base for a while, and then spent the entire spring with him at second. He battled for his spot, and won it. He never gave up, kept battling, and all of his hard work has paid off.

Congratulations Soni!  Everybody back home will be watching you compete like you always have! Thank you for your hard work and being an inspiration for so many young guys in the New Castle area. Good luck, and HAVE A DAY!

3SN Live - Valentines Day Flying Solo

Post-Super Bowl XLVII Analysis

The Baltimore Ravens are World Champions! Some are not too happy about the outcome of Super Bowl XLVII, whether because of the referees or the power failure or just because Ray Lewis won another ring. We analyze the big game and look forward to the future of the Ravens and of the NFL as a whole.

NCAA Student-Athlete Problems

What's wrong with sports? Student-athletes are no longer in existence. The student part is completely gone, and all that matters is the money. Between Kevin Hart wanting to be a part of "the show" by making a fake recruiting story, and college athletes leaving early for the money (and/or because they cannot pass a class), things are in need of change.

What’s Wrong With $ports: Money

There’s an old saying: Money is the root of all evils.

In sports, this has never been more of the case. There is more emphasis on the money surrounding the game than the game itself any more. It's not just one specific sport, but practically everything associated with athletics starts with moola. Just look at some of things happening in the world of sports in the a 72-hour span this week:

• Over $1 billion dollars gambled on the Super Bowl, just as much on prop bets such as “Gatorade color” or “length of the Harbaugh handshake” or “length of the National Anthem” as the game itself. 
• $8 million dollars for a 60 second commercial ($4,444 per FRAME) during the Super Bowl. $4,444 per frame to watch the GoDaddy nerd make out with the supermodel. Take that $4 million commercial and give it to charity or something please? 
• Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco demanding top five QB salary and in his interview basically saying he didn’t care that it would mean likely losing major contributors like Anquan Boldin and Jacoby Jones. 
• A guy betting all he has to his name in Silver Linings Playbook on an Eagles game and a dance competition. (Okay, this isn’t within 48 hours, but I saw the movie for the first time last night. Great flick, an absolute must-watch!) 
• High school prima donnas getting up on stage and putting a hat on to say where they will go to play college ball. Do you know how much money goes to the school (and yes probably the player) by media going and shoving a camera in the young kids’ faces?

However, all of these are nothing compared to the latest scandal in sports: a match-fixing ring that affected over 600 soccer matches worldwide since 2008.

Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time.

It started with Randy Moss saying he was the best of all time. Then Jerry Rice replied that he's letting the fans (and his rings) speak for themselves. Then Terrell Owens decided to speak up that Rice is 1a and he is 1b on the list. Finally, Cris Carter gets his Hall of Fame bid at last.

But it got us all debating: Who really are the best WRs of all time? We asked you, the fans, to give us your top five wideouts of all time. We compiled your picks and completely from your votes created a top ten list of the best receivers in NFL history. See where your favorite made the list!

What's Wrong With Sports - NFL Hall of Fame

On Saturday, the day before Super Bowl XLVII, up to seven new members will be named as the 2013 induction class for the NFL Hall of Fame. 15 modern era players/coaches/contributors as well as two senior nominees are among those in consideration for induction by the Selection Committee. To be elected, a finalist must receive a minimum positive vote of 80%.

There are too many things wrong with this system. Some of the greatest players in NFL history are having to wait year after year to get into the Hall of Fame. The system needs to change.

To (Sp)Read, or Not to (Sp)Read?

With the success of the option attack this season in the NFL (see San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington for starters), many people believe that this will indeed be the new offense of many teams over the next few years. Some believe that organizations are looking more for that style of play now (see the hiring of Chip Kelly from Oregon’s spread system) and within a few years we could see the option offense as the commonplace.

Others believe that this is just not feasible; that there is too much attrition on the running quarterback for the attack to work long term. For proof there, see Robert Griffin III tearing his knee up in the regular season and not being able to run (or throw) in the playoffs. Pocket passers are much more protected, so they will stay healthier for a longer period of time. Thus, teams will stay with a passing attack.

I disagree. I think that the spread, option attack will become the standard offense in the NFL. While some teams will likely still remain with their pocket passers, most will take their chances with the “gimmicky” offense.

March Madness Comes Early This Year

We’re just about a month away from the most exciting time of the year: March Madness!

But guess what people…the madness has already been here for a while now. The only thing in college basketball that has been certain is uncertainty itself. Every game (except maybe ones with record-low scoring Northern Illinois) features two teams that can easily come out on top by the end of the night. No team can stay at the top of the rankings. New teams are taking over the reins while perennial some perennial powerhouses are slipping away. 

And that’s just why this sport is so amazing!

But what does that mean for us, the fan? Is this a good thing to see this much of a diversion from the norm in college hoops? And how do we fill out our oh so important brackets for the tournament?

3SN Live - Greatest NFL Players Debate

3SN will be LIVE at 7:00 Eastern from the Crane Room Bar and Grille. Tonight, during Super Week, we'll be previewing the Super Bowl of course. We will also get the input of the fan: Who are the top five WRs and top five RBs of all time? Randy Moss thinks he's the best, do you agree? LET US KNOW! Tweet the show (@3SNetwork) or tweet the hosts Dotson (@3SNdot) and Dellav (@3SNdellav) directly to have your voice be heard!

NCAA Reports Newest Rules Violators: The NCAA

Over the years, fans have scratched their heads at odd rules and where silly little violations have occurred. West Virginia had to report a violation for their players wearing too MUCH padding at a practice. Joe Paterno reported what ended up being a violation for, while taking his typical walk around campus, watching a player throw the football around outside of his dorm room. Urban Meyer got in trouble for wishing a recruit good luck in his upcoming game! Oh, and don’t forget about the spread to go with your bagels…

Most of those can go overlooked due to the harsh and necessary actions against institutions, dating all the way back to the West Point academic cheating scandal. Recent punishments against North Carolina, Miami, USC, and Penn State have shown all members of the NCAA that they need to shape up their act.

Maybe the school members aren’t the only ones in need of shaping up. Maybe the NCAA as a whole should do so first. Maybe they should practice what they preach.

Fantasy Football Pro-Bowl Selections!

Today is the NFL's Pro-Bowl, and I thought we could look back and have our own little fantasy football edition during the week of lawl that is Pro-Bowl and Senior Bowl week. The selections are based on a number of factors, including standard point scoring, performance leading into the playoff weeks and championship week of fantasy football as well as season averages.

Top Ten Super Bowl Conspiracies

Is nothing what it seems? You hear it more and more every year from sports fans: The NFL is fixed. Proof of that fact, according to conspiracy theorists, is in the big game. Since the first Super Bowl, some questionable results in the Super Bowl have caused people to claim that the whole game was a set-up. From Joe Namath's guaranteed win in Super Bowl III to this year's "Harbaugh Bowl" we can see the possibility of some questionable outcomes.

We break down the top ten Super Bowl conspiracy theories from the past 47 years. Does your "the NFL is against us" story make our list? Who tops the list for the biggest conspiracy in Super Bowl history? Find out in our newest podcast!

IndyCar Changes Moving Series in Right Direction

The IZOD IndyCar Series has been practically extinct since the open-wheel split with CART nearly two decades ago. However, the past few seasons have shown light as the seats are becoming more filled and the TV ratings are soaring. There is still much work to be down, though. New IndyCar Series race director Beaux Barfield has made a few changes here and there to help improve the on-track show, and so far has been a major success. His latest change might very well be the most beneficial change of all.

Super Bowl XLVII Preview

It's almost here! The biggest day of the year! Super Bowl Sunday is approaching, and we're here to get you ready for the Harbaugh Bowl / Super Baugh / whatever joking name you want to give.

Jim Harbaugh's 49ers, with mid-season replacement Colin Kaepernick behind center, will take on John Harbaugh's Ravens, with linebacker Ray Lewis who has announced his imminent retirement. It's a Super Bowl full of stories! But the question becomes: who will end up hoisting Lombardi's Trophy?

Women of the NFL - Guess What, They're Right!

Another Patriot woman has opened her mouth and caused controversy.

Last year after the Super Bowl, Tom Brady’s wife Gisele Bundchen lashed out at her husband’s teammates. “My husband cannot (bleep) throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time!” She, like so many others, was critical of key drops on the final drive of the Patriots’ 21-17 defeat. Deion Branch, Aaron Hernandez, and Wes Welker all dropped passes on that final drive.

A year later, and Welker is making headlines again. This time, instead of being the target of a player’s wife’s comments, it is HIS woman who is doing the yelling.

Anna Burns Welker posted a (now deleted) strongly-worded status on her Facebook page after her husband’s team lost 28-13 in the AFC Championship this past weekend. “Proud of my husband and the Pats. By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis’ Wikipedia page. 6 kids, 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. Yay. What a hall of fame player! A true role Model!”

Now look, I’m not going to get into a debate about whether or not Ray Lewis is a murderer. I’m not going to extend that to whether or not Ben Roethlisberger raped that girl, whether Kobe raped his accuser, and whether or not O.J. Simpson’s glove truly fit.

However, there are plenty of things that are indeed wrong about this whole situation, and they all stem from the fact that they deal with sports.

Top 3 Fantasy Football Running Backs from the 2013 NFL Draft

With the upcoming end to the 2012 NFL Playoffs with the Superbowl in two weeks between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, fantasy football owners are looking at the lonely lawls of February and March. However, in April, fantasy football seasons will begin again. Its time to get a preview of the top 3 fantasy football running backs and where they will fall come the end of April.

3SN + WBBW

James joins Ryan, Christian, and Ellis on SportsRadio 1240 and talks...EVERYTHING sports. Check out www.360SportsNetwork.com for all of your sports updates! Extremely passionate for a sport that nobody talks about? Become a writer for us!

Lockout is Over. Welcome Back, NHL!

Cartoon by Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press

Hey! Hockey is back!

What? You didn’t know that? Oh ya, you saw on SportsCenter the highlights from the first night of games. You saw the defending Stanley Cup champions get smoked. You saw a play or two make the Top 10.

That’s about it.

Many people believe that the lockout ruined the NHL – that any casual fans that they gained from the past couple of successful seasons will be lost, that fans will boycott games to get back at the owners, whatever.

In my opinion: this lockout will help hockey become MORE popular and successful. 

3SN Live - Sports Stories Gone Wrong

Lance Armstrong admits he took steroids. The girlfriend of Manti Te'o, who passed away in September, supposedly didn't even exist. What's happening in sports? We discuss the "collateral damage" that keeps getting caught up in sports. The worst collateral damage of all: the fans.

Livestrong?

So Lance Armstrong finally came clean that he in fact was dirty. He admitted to doping during his cycling career in an interview with Oprah Winfrey on Monday. Oprah questioned Armstrong extensively for two-and-a-half hours. The interview will be broadcast later this week on OWN.

Understandably, the Armstrong legacy is being tarnished from this doping allegation and now admission. However, it's the collateral damage that severely bothers me regarding Lance Armstrong.

Steroids? "HALL NO!"

So for only the eighth time in history, no player will be elected into the baseball Hall of Fame this year. Thanks to the “Steroids Era” in Major League Baseball, no players who would be good enough to enter the Hall are deemed “clean” enough to be enshrined forever. The voters have spoken: if there’s a possibility that you did steroids, then you will not be in Cooperstown. 

NFL Coaching Carousel

Seven head coaches fired so far in the NFL. Who will end up filling those spots? Will any of those fired find work again? Will they be replaced by retired coaches? Or maybe from the college ranks? Any coordinators getting a head coaching job? Canada? We debate and discuss the "silly season" of the NFL and predict who will fill the head coaching vacancies!

BCS Championship - 3SN LIVE

Dotson and Dellav get you all hyped up for the big game! Notre Dame vs. Alabama starts at 8:00, but we go LIVE at 6:00 to get you ready for the championship! Tune in, call in, or stop by the Crane Room for a great atmosphere!

2013 NFL Playoff Preview

It's time for the NFL playoffs! And we're here to get you ready for the four games this Wild Card weekend. We break down all four games and give you our predictions. But why stop there? We continue on the rest of the playoffs and on to the Super Bowl! Who do you think will advance? Who do you think will hoist the Lombardi Trophy? We debate. YOU decide!

Bill O'Brien and Penn State

James of 360 Sports Network joins the Ryan, Christian, and Ellis on Youngstown Sports Radio 1240 WBBW. They discuss head coaching issues in Cleveland and the rest of the country, and James talks about the possibility of Penn State coach Bill O'Brien making the jump to the NFL. Oh, and of course talk about the sanctions and Governor Tom Corbett suing the NCAA.

Check out www.360SportsNetwork.com for all of your sports updates! Follow us on twitter @3SNetwork! We love to debate, so come debate with us!

He Said / He Said - Bill O'Brien and Penn State

Seven head coaches in the NFL were fired on "Black Monday" after week 17. Of course, that meant that names would start popping up as possibilities to take over these head coaching positions.

That also of course meant that Bill O'Brien's name would pop up as a possible candidate. But, what wasn't as expected was the reports of O'Brien seemingly wanting so badly to leave the Penn State program.

So how do the 3SN Nittany Lions feel about this whole situation? Dot and Dellav sound off on the state of Happy Valley.

He Said / He Said - Who is the NFL MVP?

Peyton Manning. Adrian Peterson. We have two legitimate candidates not only for Comeback Player of the Year, but also for NFL Most Valuable Player. How can we differentiate between the two enough to give one the award and not the other?

That's what our experts try to decipher. Who deserves the MVP more? Who should win the NFL MVP? Dot and Dellav debate!