Alex Rodriguez drops lawsuit

After several months of legal battles, Alex Rodriguez has decided to take a step back from the courtroom. Last season, Rodriguez and other MLB players were linked to performance-enhancing drugs lab in South Florida. As a result, Rodriguez was initially suspended for a record 211 games. A few months ago, Rodriguez had his suspension reduced to 162 games- the equivalent of one regular season.

So what made A-Rod, as he is known, drop the appeal? Did he accept his wrong doing?

Schilling diagnosed with cancer

One of the most toughest and resilient pitchers in the game of baseball has been diagnosed with cancer. Curt Schilling, a 3-time World Series Champion, now has another challenge to look forward to. Schilling gained a tough reputation in the "bloody sock" game.

Schilling played for 20 seasons. The first half of his career was spent with the Philadelphia Phillies. Although he was the staff ace, Phillies were a mediocre team for most of Schilling's tenure. It wasn't until he was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks that Schilling tasted winning. In fact, he went on to win the World Series in 2001 with the Diamondbacks. He later joined the Red Sox and won two World Series championships in 2004 and 2007. It was then that he solidified himself as one of the best playoff pitchers. 

Schilling, who is now an ESPN analyst, has released a statement: “We’ve been presented with another challenge, as I’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer. Shonda and I want to send a sincere thank you and our appreciation to those who have called and sent prayers, and we ask that if you are so inclined, to keep the Schilling family in your prayers.

If Schilling went in to Yankee Stadium on numerous occasions and dominated the Yankees, then cancer should be easy.

Beckham to open new MLS franchise in Miami

Nearly seven years ago, David Beckham joined the MLS as a player. Leaving behind an illustrious career in Europe at the age of 32. Now, almost at the age of 40, Beckham wants to re-join the MLS as an owner. In fact, he has his eyes set on Miami. 

Beckham made the announcement official today while meeting with the mayor of Miami, Carlos Gimenez, and other city officials. The only roadblock will be financing for a new stadium. Not only will the city of Miami want a stadium in place, in order to approve the franchise, but the MLS, as well. 

If Beckham gets the green light for a franchise, this will not be Miami's first MLS franchise. In the late 90's, the Miami Fusion inaugurated only to be contracted a few years later. The Fusion played in Lockhart Stadium, which was used for Broward County high school football games. 

A decade later, the MLS is so much better financially and competitively. Each franchise has a stadium that was recently built, or that can hold at least 40,000 people in attendance. This is the standard that the MLS will hold David Beckham and his partners to.

Can MLS in Miami survive a second time around?

Eric Decker to test free agency

After becoming a top-tier receiver over the last two seasons, Eric Decker wishes he had another chance at the Super Bowl. Decker, Denver Broncos wide receiver, was targeted five times, but caught the ball once for six yards only. This performance will not help Decker's case in free agency. 

Ever since Peyton Manning joined the Broncos in 2012, Decker became a bigger part of the offense. Before Manning, Decker ran routes for Tim Tebow, who would carry the ball more than pass it. Over the last two years, Decker has accumulated 172 receptions and 2,352 yards. Very few receivers have better numbers in that time span. This should help his cause.

So where do you think Decker will land? How does he stack up against other receivers?

Seahawks an example

Now that the Seattle Seahawks raised the Lombardi Trophy to cap off a dominating season, all general managers across the league go to work. Teams are going back to the labto determine what the blueprint for their respective teams will be. The Seahawks built their team like everybody else: Through the draft and free-agency.

So what set the Seahawks apart from everyone else? Well, let's start with the head coach- Pete Carroll. After a mediocre tenure as an NFL head coach with the New York Jets in the '90s, Carroll packed his bags and took his talents to college football. It was there that Carroll found his winning ways. Carroll brought a winning and positive attitude to the Seahawk organization.

Through the draft, the Seahawks obtained their most notable players: Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman. Both of these players were not drafted in the first round. In fact, Wilson wasn't getting the attention Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Ryan Tannehill got in 2012. Sherman, on the other hand, was drafted in 4th round. He now is the best cornerback in the game. This is the kind of stuff that separates an organization from others. Only few front offices have the ability to evaluate talent well.

So what should your team focus on for next season?

Something's got to give

Ever since I started following football in my elementary years, I always heard the same thing from NFL analysts: "Defense wins championships." This year's Seattle Seahawks have nearly epitomized this statement. The Seahawks, who play in the noisiest stadium in the NFL, led the league in turnovers. In fact, their secondary, better known as "The Legion of Boom," led the league in passing yards allowed per game. Richard Sherman, whose known for his trash-talking ability, also backs up his mouth with his play. He led the league in Interceptions eight. Aside from putting up numbers, Sherman made some of the best receivers look awful throughout the year. In his last appearance, Sherman limited Michael Crabtree to 52 yards. This time around, Sherman and the rest of "The Legion of Boom," will have to face 3 Pro Bowl-caliber receivers and an up and coming Tight-end.

On the other hand, Peyton Manning, who gets better with age, is coming off his best season at the age of 37. Aside from great receivers, Manning has solid running backs at his disposal. Manning, who leads the best offense in football, has the best passing instincts in the game. He picks secondary apart and has made some of the great Defensive Backs look bad. 

Well, very seldom do we see the best defense versus the best offense in the Super Bowl. So does "defense win championships?" Or does a great offense beat a great defense?

Too early for the panic button

The two-time defending NBA Champions have not got off to a strong start. Although the Miami Heat are 4-3 to start the season, they are leading a mediocre Southeast division. Their last loss came against the Boston Celtics on a last minute shot. Through 7 games, the Heat are averaging slightly over 100 points allowed a game. So now the defense is in question. Defense, which has always been the blueprint for a Pat Riley team.



Lebron James, who was supposed to be on Celtic's guard Jeff Green when he beat the Heat at the buzzard, has made his displeasure for the team's defense known. Now, this isn't a blame everybody else situation. James is including himself. This is great and he's showing he's matured as a leader.

The good thing about basketball is that there isn't that many days off and you get to go back to the hardwood quickly. The Heat, whom offensively are one of the best teams in the NBA, tip-off tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks.

What do you guys think? Will the Heat woes continue? Or was this just a little bump in the road?