Big 12 Tournament Update

The Big 12 tournament is officially underway at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. The quarterfinal round took place yesterday, featuring some close finishes and plenty of controversy.

Kansas 91   Texas Tech 63

The biggest blowout of the day came from the biggest mismatch of the day. Kansas shot a Big 12 record 66 percent from the field, torching Tech for 57 second half points. Ben McLemore scored 24 points for the Jayhawks, while Dejan Kravic led the Red Raiders with 20 points. This will be the final game of the season for Texas Tech, which will need to make a decision this offseason on whether or not to retain interim coach Chris Walker, who replaced Billy Gillispie when he resigned due to health reasons.

Iowa State 73   Oklahoma 66

This game had plenty of intrigue as both Oklahoma and Iowa State are fighting for an NCAA tournament berth. The Sooners built an eight point halftime lead and led for most of the game, only to watch the Cyclones go on a 12-point run in the second half to come back. Iowa State got a monster game from Melvin Ejim, who had 23 points and 12 rebounds. Both OU and ISU should make the NCAA tournament, as the Cyclones picked up another impressive win and the Sooners have a strong body-of-work from both their non-conference schedule and fourth place finish in the league.

Kansas State 66   Texas 49

Kansas State star Rodney McGruder had a huge game for the Wildcats, scoring 24 points and adding seven rebounds. The Wildcats held the Longhorns at arm’s length throughout the game and limited Myck Kabongo to only two points. Texas, which finished the year with a 16-17 record, will miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years.

Oklahoma State 74   Baylor 72

This was the game of the day. The Cowboys took control early and held a 42-24 halftime lead, only to watch Baylor mount a furious rally in the second half. Baylor’s Gary Franklin was able to convert a four-point play late to tie the game up. On the next possession, OSU’s Phil Forte got the ball in lane and was fouled by BU’s Deuce Bello on what appeared to be a clean block. Forte made both free throws, but Baylor still had a final shot. Pierre Jackson – who had 31 points – got a decent look from three, but his attempt hit the back iron. The loss puts Baylor’s NCAA tournament chances in serious jeopardy.

The semi-finals of the tournament will take place today. Kansas faces Iowa State at 6:30 p.m. and Kansas State faces Oklahoma State at 9:00 p.m.

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Sean Smith Signed by Chiefs to 3 Year Deal Worth $18 Million

Just minutes ago the Kansas City Chiefs signed cornerback Sean Smith to a 3 year deal for $18 million, with $11 million guaranteed. Smith was highly sought after in the free agent market even though he only has 5 TOTAL interceptions in his ENTIRE career. The Kansas City Chiefs have shown once again today that they are going to be very aggressive in the acquisition of free agents, as they are most likely going to look for an offensive lineman in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Sean Smith played cornerback for The University of Utah and was drafted in 2009 by the Miami Dolphins where he had an average career. He had an excellent performance in the 2009 Sugar Bowl vs the Alabama Crimson Tide where he made 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and a game changing knock down which may have influenced his position in the draft. Sean Smith elected to skip his senior year in college to enter the 2009 NFL Draft where he was selected late in the second round by Miami.

This move could have possibly been a reaction to the free agency movement of the Denver Broncos, who signed an amazing deal with star wide receiver and the last great white hope at his position Wes Welker this week. With Peyton Manning throwing the ball to Wes Welker, every team in the AFC West had better stock up at the cornerback and safety positions.

NFL experts have been impressed with The Kansas City Chiefs free agency moves thus far, and most say that the Chiefs got Sean Smith for a great price, one that was much lower than he was hoping for at the beginning of free agency. Sean Smith is a large cornerback who could develop into an elite player. He is almost a sure start opposite cornerback Brandon Flowers. Smith can also play wide receiver and return kickoffs.



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Royals Spring Training Updates – Hochevar Moved To Bullpen

Despite being a former top overall draft pick, Luke Hochevar has struggled with consistency as a starter his entire career in Kansas City. Now it appears that the right-hander’s days as a starter with the Royals are over, as Kansas City announced that Hochevar will be moved to the bullpen.

Hochevar had been competing with Bruce Chen and Luis Mendoza for the final spot in the starting rotation along with James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis. Now the battle is between Chen and Mendoza. Chen has been steady for the Royals, and has the most wins of any pitcher with the organization over the past three years. Despite Chen’s consistency, Mendoza has to be the favorite. After a rocky start to last season, Mendoza has pitched very well and could be due for a big season.

Hochevar has baffled Kansas City fans with his inconsistency – at times he looks like a dominant starter, other times he looks like he doesn’t belong in the major leagues. Unfortunately, the bad has outweighed the good in his career, and the former top pick has a 5.39 ERA and a 38-59 record in 132 career starts.

While Mendoza and Chen are the front-runners to win the fifth starter’s spot, Will Smith has emerged as a dark horse candidate. Smith has a 1.29 ERA so far this spring and could be a potential starter down the road for Kansas City.

The emergence of Smith may lead to Kansas City considering trading Hochevar, as Kansas City already has a loaded bullpen. Greg Holland’s job as the closer and Kelvin Herrera’s position as his setup man are locks, and the Royals also have Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, Nate Adcock and Louis Coleman as relief pitchers. The loser of the Chen and Mendoza battle could also be used in relief, and it appears there isn’t much room for Hochevar. Don’t be surprised if the Royals try to shop Hochevar over the next couple of weeks.

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Wide Receiver Donnie Avery Signed by Chiefs

Donnie Avery, wide receiver, was signed by The Kansas City Chiefs today. Avery was drafted by The St. Louis Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft as the 33rd overall pick. Donnie Avery was a wide receiver for the University of Houston until joining the NFL where he enjoyed two good seasons as a Ram, catching 100 balls for 1263 yards and 8 touchdowns. Avery was sidelined in 2010 with an ACL injury and then dealt to the Titans where he was healthy enough to play in 8 games.

Donnie Avery, super star wide receiver in Indianapolis

The next chapter in the Donnie Avery story proved to be a great one as he was a stand out receiver opposite Reggie Wayne hauling in 60 receptions for 781 yards and 3 scores.

With the Chiefs, Avery will be competing for the number 2 slot with Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City's 1st round pick from 2011 who has yet to shine on the field.



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Chiefs Sign Anthony Fasano, Mike DeVito and Chase Daniel

No NFL team has been more aggressive in free agency than the Kansas City Chiefs. After making a big trade to land quarterback Alex Smith, the team has kept an aggressive mindset heading into free agency. Kansas City kept things rolling yesterday, signing tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive end Mike DeVito and quarterback Chase Daniel.


DeVito

Fasano, a former second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, has been productive in the NFL. Over the past five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Fasano has averaged 35 catches and four touchdowns per season. After releasing Kevin Boss last month, the only proven tight end on Kansas City’s roster was Tony Moeaki, who has had some injury issues throughout his career. Fasano should provide some nice depth at the position, and the Chiefs are now set at tight end.

DeVito has spent the past six seasons with the New York Jets, where he played under new Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. The former undrafted free agent has been a starter for the Jets over the past three seasons, and is known for his versatility.

The signing of DeVito may be a sign that the Chiefs will be letting go of Glenn Dorsey. Dorsey and the team could not come to terms on a new contract, and the former first round pick has become an unrestricted free agent. Dorsey has already planned a visit to the San Francisco 49ers, and it appears that his days as a Chief are numbered.

Former Missouri star Chase Daniel was the final free agent acquisition of the day. Daniel has spent his entire NFL career backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans and will provide some nice depth to the quarterback position behind Alex Smith. The signing of Daniel may mean that the team is not considering drafting a quarterback at any point in this year’s draft, and that the team will be resigning quarterback Brady Quinn.

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