Aaron Hernandez: What We Know

As you know, Aaron Hernandez was lead away from his house this morning in handcuffs. MR Hernandez was previously under investigation for being associated with a dead body that was found near his home. Allegedly, the body of "Odin Lloyd" was found in a car very near the property.

The Statement The NFL

The NFL released this statement via their website today: "The involvement of an NFL player in a case of this nature is deeply troubling. The Patriots have released Aaron Hernandez, who will have his day in court. At the same time, we should not forget the young man who was the victim in this case and take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy to Odin Lloyd's family and friends."

Reaction From The Patriots

Aaron Hernandez was released from the Patriots roster just two hours after being brought in on charges. As fans of the NFL it is hard not to remember when a similar situation took place with Ray Lewis. The key difference being that that was some 10 years ago and Ray Lewis was able to continue playing with the Ravens after only having plead guilty to obstruction of justice. The bottom line is that the establishment stuck with Ray who was eventually found innocent and the Patriots immediately dropped Hernandez. Could this mean the worst for Aaron and his probability of being innocent? It may be too early to speculate.

Brian Billick Responds To The Media Circus

Coach Brian Billick says this about the situation as it stands, "As I'm watching the scenes unfold here it would be well advised for the local authorities to keep in mind what has gone on before. This is all well and good to have this kind of sideshow they're presenting now, but if it doesn't go their way, if there isn't a conviction, this is going to come back and embarrass the local authorities. But they chose to deal with it this way."Stay tuned in to this one. Details are developing by the minute.

Top NFL Running Backs

For a position that some would say is being slowly phased out over time, running backs still deliver some of the most electrifying plays on Sundays. We have put together a top 10 of the best running backs the NFL has ever seen. Check out who landed the top spot and be sure to let us know who made your all time top 10.

O.J. Simpson

Infamously known for his exploits in the early nineties, 'The Juiceman' as he was affectionately called was one o the greatest to ever play the position. Being the first running back to ever rush over 2,000 yards in 1 season makes O.J. one of the greatest of all time.

Franco Harris

Franco was a great running back who had the esteemed privilege to be with the Steelers of Pittsburgh for four trips to the Super Bowl. Being a part of a true "Dynasty" is something that very few other players can claim. With a career of 100 touchdowns it is easy to see why Franco Harris made the list.

Barry Sanders

Dancing with the stars legend, Barry Sanders was a truly remarkable NFL running back. Playing college ball at Oklahoma State, Mr Sanders was awarded the Heisman Trophy in his junior year and quickly became a candidate for the NFL Draft. Over ten years Sanders accumulated over 15,000 yards.

Jim Brown

Brown is one of the few running backs in the NFL that has actually completed a few passes for touchdowns during his time playing. Jim Brown was part of a legendary draft year in 1957 and went on to produce big numbers and stand out form the pack against some of the other big names that came into the lague at the same time. It is truly unfortunate that some younger readers may not remember such a legendary running back.

Tony Dorsett

Tony was a Heisman winner and is also one of the two Dallas Cowboy elite that makes the top 10 running backs list. Tony Dorsett had a 12 year career at the position which speaks to his durability and athletic prowess on the field. Before ending his career in Denver, Dorsett racked up 16 yards and was a true terror from rookie year and on.

Greatest of All Time: Jordan vs. Kobe vs. Lebron

On the heels of a second straight championship for Lebron James, fans and experts alike start pondering who might be the greatest player in the history of the NBA. With all due respect to the incredible talents of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and a slew of other NBA greats, this conversation seems to revolve around three players: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. Here is a look into each player's statistics and their impact on the game.

Lebron James

What the stats say: At 28 years old, King James has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments that include four NBA MVP titles, two NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, nine All-Star selections, a scoring championship and Rookie of the Year honors, just to name a few. The Akron, Ohio native is currently 32nd overall in points scored with several years left before he even begins considering retirement. The former number one pick will pass 30,000 points with ease and poses a serious threat to Kareem's all-time point's record.

His impact on the game: While still struggling to recover from the public relations nightmare that followed 'The Decision', Lebron remains the most polarizing figure in the game. He has yet to capitalize on his brand the way MJ and Kobe have, but at 28 years old there is plenty of time left. Many will argue that the decision to create a 'super team' with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will have a negative impact on the way people view his legacy, but only time will tell.

Kobe Bryant

What the stats say: The Black Mamba may be down, but don't count him out. After suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon that ended his season, Kobe is expected to recover to play at least one more season for the Lakers. Anybody that doubts his return need only to look at the all-time points leaderboard to realize he is one half season away from leapfrogging Michael Jordan for third all-time. Seemingly obsessed with besting Jordan, Kobe will no doubt return to take down his closest comparison. While Bryant was slower in his development than King James, he has managed to compile five NBA Championships, two NBA Finals MVP Awards, 15 selections to the All Star Game, two scoring championships and an MVP Award in 2008.

His impact on the game: Kobe overcame a tough legal battle that turned many fans against him, returning a better, more focused basketball player. While the debacle still leaves a sour taste in the mouths of many NBA fans, Kobe's impact has been evident. From wildly successful sponsorships, shoe lines and even a brief rapping career, Kobe's brand is diverse and lucrative. His Jordanesque style of play has yielded an 81-point performance and has caused opponents to create new defensive schemes to deal with him.

Michael Jordan

What the stats say: "His Airness" still reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of most NBA fans, although his legacy is being threatened by the likes of Kobe and Lebron. The stats say it all for MJ, who owns six NBA Championship rings and has taken home six NBA Finals MVP Awards, five NBA MVP honors, 14 All-Star selections, 10 scoring championships and an NCAA Championship to boot. Let's not forget the man stepped away from basketball for a year and a half to pursue a baseball career.

His impact on the game: As if his stats didn't speak loudly enough themselves, Jordan's legacy is unmistakable. Delivering some of the most clutch performances ever witnessed, Jordan became the epitome of a superstar. His flashy style led to lucrative sponsorship deals, movie roles and one of the most successful shoe lines in the history of footwear.

The Greatest of All Time?

While Kobe and Lebron have made valiant efforts to overtake Jordan, their stats don't quite match up and the scope of their impact on the game falls far short of Air Jordan, the greatest player in the history of the NBA.

Are the Dolphins Ready to Take Over the AFC East?

The competitive pool in the AFC East has just gotten larger. For more than a decade, the division has been dominated by the New England Patriots, led by the cerebral tandem of Coach Bill Belichick and Quarterback Tom Brady. The Dolphins, the Bills, and the Jets have had to endure New England’s historic run, year after year, with hopes of sneaking into the playoffs as a wild card team. But time moves on and new competitors will emerge. The 2013 NFL season may show fans a glimpse to the future of the AFC East division.

A Productive Season In Store For The Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins used the offseason to add firepower on both offense and defense. In doing so, they parted ways with offensive tackle, Jake Long, and running back Reggie Bush. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is coming off a strong rookie season and was rewarded with the addition of wide receiver Mike Wallace from Pittsburgh. Tannehill throws the long ball just as good as anyone else in the league. Arming the offense with an explosive receiver like Mike Wallace ensures higher productivity and game-breaking plays.

Money Is No Object

Wallace has had four amazing seasons with the Steelers. He was considered to be the biggest free agent available in the market this offseason. Coach Philbin and General Manager Jeff Ireland didn’t waste any time going after Wallace, offering him a lucrative five year, $60 million contract. At the other end of the field, wide receiver Brian Hartline will look to remind fans why the dolphins agreed to pay him $31 million dollars for five years. After accumulating 74 receptions for over 1,000 yards last season for the Dolphins, Hartline has earned Philbin’s trust as a reliable asset. The addition of Wallace takes the pressure off of Hartline as the primary receiver and will give him more opportunities in the red zone.

A New Ferrari Offense For Miami

The Dolphins didn’t stop there. They also added free agent wide receiver Brandon Gibson and tight end Dustin Keller. The core of receivers that the Dolphins have formed is an immense improvement from last season. Ryan Tannehil now has the weapons he needs to have a breakthrough season.

Big Moves On Defense

The Dolphins have also revamped their defense with players that can significantly improve the pass rush. For starters, they signed former Raven Linebacker, Danelle Ellerbe, to a five year deal. They also signed defensive end Dion Jordan. Jordan is an athletic specimen who can play multiple positions on the field. But the Dolphins feel he can blow by offensive tackles with their 4-3 defensive set and add an intense dynamic with sack leader Cameron Wake.

Replacing The Missing Pieces

To replace the loss of leading cornerback Sean Smith, the Dolphins acquired former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes to play opposite Richard Marshall. Marshall is coming off an injury plagued season, but assures he is ready to bring recognition to the defensive game plan. According to the Bleacher Report, Marshall missed 12 games after signing with the Dolphins last season, but he should be healthy and ready to solidify a cornerback corps that needs some continuity this season. 2013 draft picks Jamar Taylor and Will Davis will compete with R.J Stanford and Nolan Carroll for the No. 3 and No. 4 defensive backs positions.

The Dolphins were certainly the most active team in the off season. By adding five new offensive starters and four more on defense, Philbin feels like they have built the championship core needed to overthrow the Patriots in the division.

Heat Win! Heat Win! Heat Win!

Well it seems like LeBron and his Miami Heat were able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The spurs started early, they quickly brought the score up to 11/4 in their favor. But for whatever reason, they were not able to claim the sought after NBA Championship for San Antonio.

NBA Finals: A Retrospective

As we take a look back at this epic competition between the two best team in the league; we pay particular attention to the amazing plays and players that made this 2013 Finals competition so memorable. The series was hyped for weeks prior to it actually starting. The LeBron/Heat haters came out of the woodwork. Quick to discount any and every prediction that the Miami team made. However, in the end; The Heat were able to play better then the Spurs and eventually claim the ultimate prize in the NBA for their home team, the Miami Heat.

Bad Fans Besmirch The Heat

This win comes just after an insane comeback in overtime that cause many fans of the popular basketball team to deemed to be let back into the stadium. Apparently, some of the fans that had left early demanded to be let back in once the tides of battle turned in their favor. They were left high and dry when the attendants told them "No Re-Entry".

At the end of the day, a few fare weather fans don't make or break a winning franchise. The Heat clearly we're the superior team and they ended up claiming the championship trophy because of it. Way to go Heat, we'll see you next season!

Where Will Monta Ellis Land?

Where Monta Ellis Will End Up With His New Free Agency

With Monta Ellis on the hunt for a new team; the speculations on where he will end up has began. When it comes down to it there are quite a few great fits for Ellis and any of the prospects would be lucky to have such a talented guard on the roster.

Could The Lakers Be The One?

Lakers center Dwight Howard and Ellis are good friends and they have both stated that they are interested in being on the same team, but the Lakers would only be able to get him through a sign-and-trade deal, which is unlikely. Dwight Howard will become a free agent in July 1, though the Lakers have expressed an interest in keeping him on.

The Answer May Be In Monta's Roots

27-year-old Monta Ellis, who played high school basketball at Lanier in Mississippi, is sporting impressive averages of 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.1 three points in 37.5 minutes from the prior season, which was his eighth since being initially drafted in 2005. He played all 82 games for the Milwaukee Bucks last season, and he finished the season ranked 11th in scoring. He is likely to be approached by many teams, and this move is expected to make him one of the most highly pursued free agents.

The Fallout From The Ellis Decision

Monta Ellis' decision may additionally affect Brandon Jennings, point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. Brandon Jennings will become a restricted free agent on July 1, and at this point the Milwaukee Bucks will be able to match any offer that Brandon Jennings receives. J.J. Redick, backup guard, will be an unrestricted free agent like Monta Ellis. It is also believed that the Milwaukee Bucks may be able to use the $11 million they were going to put towards Monta Ellis' contract to update their roster. The upcoming season will be the Milwaukee Bucks' first under their new coach Larry Drew.

Fair Weather Fans Demand To Be Let Back In To Heat Game

In an embarrassing turn of events some fans ended up leaving the game when they thought the ending was predictable. Toward the end of the final quarter Miami Heat fans started to leave in an attempt to beat the traffic and save face when confronted with boasting Spurs fans. However when the Heat began to turn the tides of victory in their favor, said fans turned around and demanded to be allowed back into the stadium.

Would You Have Let Them Back In The Stadium?

Here is the question: Is this acceptable behavior from a sports fan? How do you feel about fans that are quick to turn their coats and walk out when faced with a loss? Let's specify something real quick. No one is talking about moms and dads that are trying to get kids home for school the next day during a regular season game. We are talking about the NBA Finals.

Too Big Too Fast?

The fan atmosphere in Miami has got to be partially to blame. A candle that burns too fast quickly finds itself smothering under the weight of its own wax. Could this be the same case for the fans in Miami who were basically given a championship team? This sort of speculation happens often when it comes to the "Miami debate". Is the fact that Miami bought and paid for this talent as opposed to slowly cultivating and developing it over time? Situations like this give the impression that the answer to that question is "Yes".

The Fare Weather Fan Conundrum

Say what you will about the Heat. What they did the other night, coming back from an almost assured loss was incredible. Bravo to Lebron and the entire gang. But how can they be expected to play their hearts out when the fans can't even be trusted to stay and support the team when they are faced with a potential loss in the finals. For franchises steeped in tradition and rich history that sort of fare weather fan syndrome is not tolerated. I can only hope that the same line of thinking will soon be applied to the fans in Miami.