Michael Crabtree Falls to 10 in NFL Draft; Headed to San Francisco

In a mind-boggling move that could have only come from the twisted mind of a crusty old man like Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders took Darrius Heyward-Bey with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. While Heyward-Bey is a serious physical specimen and the fastest player in the draft, this pick makes no sense at all for the Raiders when Michael Crabtree was still on the board. Crabtree was universally touted as the top receiver in the draft, and arguably the best overall player. But the Raiders, as usual, went with the fastest player they could get. Davis falls in love with speedsters, and usually proceeds to mess up his team in the process by making such demands. The Raiders screwed up royally with this one, and the San Francisco 49ers made out like bandits getting a top-3 talent like Crabtree at pick No.10. Here’s Crabtree’s interview that came just after he was selected:

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LeBron Goes Up For A Monstrous Alley-Oop

The Cleveland Cavaliers are rolling, as expected, through their first-round series against the No.8-seeded Detroit Pistons. In all fairness, Detroit has not played that badly. Their defense has kept games close for at least big portions of them. But Cleveland is just too good. They continue to end up running away with it, and it doesn’t help matters to let LeBron James drive the ball down your throat like this. Check out this HUGE alley-oop from passer Mo Williams, and LeBron’s maniacal scream right after. Go to YouTube to watch it in HD.

Ovechkin’s Amazing Goal From Game 5 Against Rangers

The Washington Capitals have been a major disappointment thus far in the postseason, losing their first two games at home and going into game 5 against the New York Rangers down three games to one. There is no one to really blame on their failures against the No.7-seeded Rangers; it can pretty much be chalked up to outstanding goaltending by New York’s Henrik Lundqvist. But now the Caps have a chance to pull off the upset after staying alive with a 4-0 game 5 win. They will need to win another game in New York but if they can, it would be hard to bet against them in game 7 at home. Hart Trophy candidate Alexander Ovechkin could be an easy scapegoat for their series deficit, but the man is doing just about all he can to get the puck in the net. He has an astounding 38 shots on goal in the five games, but only two goals. However, his second goal was quite an amazing play that is generating serious buzz. He shifts around one defender, drags the puck through another’s legs, and as he’s losing his edge unleashes a wicked backhand from a few feet out to beat Lundqvist. Check it out here:

Youkilis Hits Walk-Off Home Run To Send Red Sox Past Yankees

Friday night’s opener of the Red Sox – Yankees season series could not have gone better for Red Sox Nation. For the first time ever, the Red Sox defeated the Yankees by tying the game with a home run in the ninth inning, then winning with a walk-off home run extra innings. Kevin Youkilis went deep off Damaso Marte in the bottom of the 11th, launching the ball over the green monster seats and out of Fenway Park. Jason Bay hit the game-tying home run to center field off Mariano Rivera, who blew his first save of the season.

Ramon Ramirez (2-0) pitched a scoreless 11th inning to earn the win, and has yet to allow an earned run in 10 1/3 innings. In five innings, the Red Sox bullpen allowed two earned runs, both off Hideki Okajima in the seventh. Jon Lester turned in his second straight quality start, allowing two earned runs in six innings, throwing 114 pitches. Lester struck out seven, allowed seven hits, and walked three in the no-decision.

For the Yankees, Joba Chamberlain pitched 5 1/3 shaky innings, allowing nine hits and four walks, but inducing four inning-ending double plays to exit the game with the lead. Chamberlain threw 91 pitches and struck out two. Every Yankees starter had at least one hit, including two each for Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon and Mark Teixeira.

The Red Sox and Yankees will square off again at 4:10 p.m. this afternoon, with Josh Beckett opposing A.J. Burnett. Justin Masterson will oppose Andy Pettite in the Sunday night finale.

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