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The Patriots are trying to move up into the top 10 of the draft -- but low in the top 10. Executives from two teams tell me New England offered its first-round pick and middle of three second-round picks (the 23rd and 47th picks overall) to Jacksonville for the eighth pick in the draft. Jacksonville GM Gene Smith, I'm told, said no ... but I also hear the Patriots might be looking to Green Bay at nine to move as well. Who might be the object of their affection? I'm told it may be a surprise, because smart money would say the target is LSU's Tyson Jackson, the best 3-4 defensive end in the draft and the only end versatile enough to play every spot on the defensive line. But I'm not sure it's Jackson. I think it might be an offensive player. Sorry to be so cryptic, but I truly don't know.

SI.com

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A day after the Major League Soccer commissioner raised the subject, Yankees President Randy Levine blasted back. "Don Garber discussing Yankee attendance must be a joke," Levine said yesterday. "We draw more people in a year than his entire league does in a year. If he ever gets Major League Soccer into the same time zone as the Yankees, we might take him seriously. "Hey Don, worry about Beckham, not the Yankees. Even he wants out of your league," he said. Speaking Thursday to the Associated Press Sports Editors, Garber said he'd noticed the unfilled seats at New York's two new stadiums. Told of Levine's comments, Garber explained his remark. "When I mentioned the New York Yankees yesterday, my comments were part of a larger assertion that all businesses -- even the most successful sports entities -- are experiencing some impact from the economic downturn," Garber said through a spokesman.

Associated Press

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There is little chance the Jazz will re-sign both Carlos Boozer (if he goes through with the stated plan to opt out) and Paul Millsap at power forward, setting the stage for an interesting, risky call. Boozer is the All-Star, Millsap the backup. But Boozer will command a much larger salary, and Millsap just averaged an encouraging 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 30.1 minutes in the regular season. It gets especially problematic if a team gives Millsap, a restricted free agent, a quick offer sheet and puts Utah on the clock early in the process.

SI.com

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Duke's Gerald Henderson is the last of the ACC's underclassmen to make his NBA plans public. Henderson, a 6-foot-4 junior wingman, has until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to make it official, but he's likely to wade into the pool with an announcement Saturday. The Blue Devils' annual basketball banquet will be held tonight. While dozens of NBA mock drafts exist, there's much speculation that Henderson will be the first ACC player selected.

Charlotte Observer

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Inter Milan have confirmed that Adriano's contract has been cancelled with immediate effect. The Brazilian striker went missing after going on international duty in Brazil and refused to return to his Serie A side. Adriano has suffered a number of personal issues over the last few years and has stated that he wishes to take a break from the game. His agent Gilmar Rinaldi had been in talks with Inter about canceling the contract and they reached an agreement to settle the matter.

soccer365.com

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The latest on the third Affliction event is that it will happen at the earliest in August. Affliction VP Tom Atencio, who was in Russia for an opening of an Affliction store, told the Russian M-1 Global website on Thursday that he is still working on the date, but hopes it will take place in August. Like the first two Affliction events, Fedor Emelianenko is expected headline. No opponent has been determined, though Atencio would like to see former UFC champ Josh Barnett fill that spot. Early reports stated that Affliction 3 would boldly go head-to-head against UFC 100 on July 11, but the plan has been scrapped for obvious reasons.

mmafighting.com

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Rumors persist that #9-Kasey Kahne is exploring options outside of Richard Petty Motorsports even though he has one year left on his contract. It began with rumors that his primary sponsor, Budweiser, was stepping away after this season. The beer company knocked that one down in a hurry. Kahne did his best to dispel speculation that he is looking last weekend at Phoenix.

jayski.com

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John Tortorella faces disciplinary action from the NHL after throwing a water bottle from the Rangers' bench into the stands at 6:33 of the third period of last night's Game 5, 4-0 defeat to the Caps. The head coach, who would not answer questions about the incident, could be suspended by commissioner Gary Bettman for tomorrow afternoon's Game 6 at the Garden. The Rangers' public relations representative threatened to end last night's postgame press conference if questions on the subject continued. Tortorella, who may have thought he had been doused by a beer or spat upon during a television timeout, wheeled toward the stands and threw a bottle over the high glass protecting the bench. With his suit jacket wet, Tortorella then grabbed a stick out of the hands of Aaron Voros and appeared ready to joust with a spectator before he assistant coach Jim Schoenfeld grabbed him. Security guards and D.C. police arrived on the scene, and though they escorted a few fans away from their seats, no one was ejected. There does not appear to be video evidence of what provoked Tortorella.

New York Post

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Andres Romero, the defending champion of the Zurich Classic, has been disqualified after the first two rounds for signing an incorrect scorecard. Romero shot what he thought was a 3-over-par 75, pushing him to 5 over for the tournament. That score would have missed the cut, projected at 1 under. Romero told officials at the scorers' table he made a five at the par-5 18th. The 2008 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year didn't remember the one-stroke penalty he received for hitting his first shot into the water.

golf.com

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