WADA officials arrive in Jamaica for anti-doping audit

KINGSTON (Reuters) - Three high-ranking officials of the World Anti-Doping Agency have arrived in Jamaica to conduct their audit of the country's anti-doping programs after weeks of criticism following positive tests from several high-profile athletes.

WADA's director of education programs and development Rob Koehler, director of standard harmonization Rune Andersen and manager of program development Kerwin Clarke all arrived in Kingston from Canada on Monday.

They refused to answer any questions on arrival and were taken to a meeting with Jamaica's Anti-Doping Commission(JADCO).

Thomas Vanek: I didn’t want to be part of Sabres’ rebuild

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Thomas Vanek knew it was coming. When Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier began trading away veterans like captain Jason Pominville, Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold last season, he saw the writing on the wall. It was only a matter of time before he would be next.

It’s been a while since Vanek and the Sabres experienced any sort of success. His first two years in the NHL, the team went to the Eastern Conference Final. Since then, it’s been two first round exits mixed in with playoff-free seasons. So as he entered the 2013-14 season, it wasn't a matter of if Vanek would be on the move, but when. His infamous seven-year deal that almost sparked a barn fight expires this coming summer and, given the direction Regier’s taking the team, the 29-year old Austrian wanted to move on.

Vanek said he was shocked when he received the news after 8 p.m. ET Sunday night from Regier. But he wasn’t surprised.

Lyoto Machida Now Open to Fight with Anderson Silva

COMMENTARY | Lyoto Machida was regarded as a potential middleweight title contender as soon as he dropped down from light heavyweight. He put a stamp on that sentiment at UFC Fight Night 30 with a head kick knockout of the always tough Mark Munoz. "The Dragon" made news after the fight by stating at thepost-fight press conference that he would be willing to face his teammate, Anderson Silva, if it were for the middleweight title.

Of course, before that fight can take place, "The Spider" has to get through the man who took the 185 pound belt from him, Chris Weidman, at UFC 168. Even if that happens, there's no guarantee Machida will be next in line.

Jol downplays Dempsey loan to Fulham speculation

Fulham manager Martin Jol downplayed rumors suggesting American midfielder Clint Dempsey is in line for a winter loan to the London club.

"It’s unbelievable speculation, which is nice," he told reporters. "I never talk about players, especially when they are not here."

Dempsey starred for Fulham between 2007 and 2012 before moving to Tottenham in the summer of 2012. He spent less than a year with Tottenham before returning to the United States in August 2013 to join the Seattle Sounders as the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer.

Kevin Durant says he’s not so obsessed with winning a championship this season

For basketball fans of a particular age, Michael Jordan represents the ideal of superstar comportment and attitude. That belief extends to his quality of play, certainly, but primarily focuses on his single-minded focus and take-no-prisoners approach to winning. For Jordan, everything related to himself and the team had to lead towards winning a title. If it didn't, it did not suit his aims.

To a certain extent, any great player who does not evince this same level of determination (like, say, LeBron James) is thought to be lacking. Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant, however, has never thought to be less than intensely focused on his goals. While Durant has a deserved reputation as a nice guy, he's also one of the fiercest competitors in the NBA.

However, it's possible that Durant has occasionally let his intensity get the better of him. In an interview with Darnell Mayberry for The Oklahoman, Durant explains that he's trying not to be quite so obsessed about winning a title in 2013-14:

Redskins name protestors approach team bus in Denver

Protests of the Washington Redskins name are following the team around the country. This past weekend in Denver, protestors got up close and personal with the team.

As the Redskins team bus approached Sports Authority Field at Mile High, some of the estimated hundred-plus protestors approached the bus, bearing signs and seeking to get attention for their cause.

“We caused those players on the buses to have to stop," Glenn Morris of the American Indian Movement of Colorado told the Washington Post. "Those players had to stop and take notice that there are Native people in Denver, Colorado, who are opposed to what they’re doing ... And we were saying to them as predominantly African American players, you should understand the history of this team. And you should understand your own personal role in continuing racism through this team. And we hope that we piqued their conscience and got them to think a little bit about that, and their own personal role in this national debate.”

Minnesota Vikings Flop on Primetime Once Again

COMMENTARY | The final score of Sunday night's fiasco between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers was about the only thing that was respectable from the standpoint of the purple and white. Those who didn't watch the game may believe that the Vikings played an inspired game in the 44-31 Packers' victory, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

 

The Vikings were dominated offensively and defensively and if not for two garbage touchdowns against the Green Bay reserves, the final score would have been much more indicative of how the game was actually played.

 

Yes, Christian Ponder was ineffective for the most part, and the team's final two drives definitely padded his stats, but the real story on Sunday night was the defense, or lack of, as the Packers scored on all eight possessions and never punted once.