| As Super Bowl approaches, experts say NFL needs to tackle HGH issue
Athletes in Super Bowls have abused HGH for years without prudence, as they have throughout the National Football League and much of NCAA football: The Carolina Panthers just happened to be hapless enough to be the only ones to get caught, exposed in the Dr. James Shortt scandal involving illicitly prescribed HGH, steroids and associate chemicals. Growth hormone builds power, size and speed, especially in synergy with low-dose testosterone, and, despite much misinformation afloat, synthetic HGH cannot be reliably detected in a blood or urine PED screen. "Because it is so difficult to test for, it seems to be the product du jour for increasing performance," says Paul Doering, a University of Florida pharmacy professor and anti-doping official. "It's a drug manufactured to be exactly like what's in the body." In other words, the smoking gun for detection of systemic muscle doping in American football - growth hormone, anabolic steroids, insulin, GHB and more - comes before us routinely, on fields of cartoonish physiques and performances, parameters ever increasing.
Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference
ATLANTA (AP) -Nicklas Lidstrom's 10th All-Star appearance brought out a smile that belied what has become routine for the topflight Detroit defenseman. Joe Thornton is back for his fifth, and seemed miffed that anyone would pass up the chance to show off their talent in the ultimate hockey exhibition. Sidney Crosby and Lidstrom's Red Wings teammate Henrik Zetterberg were in line to start Sunday night in the NHL All-Star game, but injuries made that impossible. The elected goalies: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur for the Eastern Conference, and Vancouver's Roberto Luongo out West turned down invitations due to family commitments. A four-day break in the hectic 82-game schedule is a luxury that comes about just once a season, and the chance to spend it away from the rink is sometimes too much to give up.
Simpler better for Eli
ESPN "Monday Night Football" analyst Ron Jaworski said one big reason for Giants quarterback Eli Manning's turnaround has been a back-to-basics approach to the offense by Coach Tom Coughlin and coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "They've really toned down the volume of this offense," said Jaworski, a former Eagles quarterback. "As the season has progressed, they've become more of a power-running team. The offensive line coming off the football. Less formation variation. Less motion. "I believe they are simplifying the reads for Eli. And clearly, he's doing a better job of handling those reads." Jaworski said the Packers played bump-and-run coverage, and "he knew immediately where to go with the football." Before the playoffs, Manning had just 16 interceptionless games in 57 starts.
Jones - blamed poor performance on injuries (Allsport)
Max Jones has blamed a nightmare catalogue of injuries for Britain's poor performance in the World Championships. The British team will leave Canada with just two medals between them, which meant they finished a lowly joint 18th in the medal table, behind the likes of the Bahamas. Jonathan Edwards struck Britain's only gold in the triple jump, while Dean Macey grabbed a bronze in the decathlon. But virtually everything which could have gone wrong, did go wrong, to leave the team with their worst medal total in championship history. First injuries to Olympic medallists Katherine Merry and Darren Campbell, and world indoor champion Daniel Caines, meant the trio were unable to travel to Edmonton. Then Denise Lewis, the Olympic heptathlon champion, pulled out on the eve of her event with a stomach complaint.
Sheffield United v Manchester City - live!
Both teams are also on a shocking run of form, Sheffield United have won two of their last seven, while City have won two of their last nine (though they've only lost two as well). To make matters worse, Blades top-scorer James Beattie - who seems to have found his level in the Championship - is injured, leaving the returning-from-injury Rob Hulse likely to lead the line. His tally this season reads: played six, scored none. They're also missing Danny Webber and Chris Morgan, though Lee Hendrie is back from suspension and Ugo Ehiogu could make his debut. City are without Micah Richards but Sven has promised he'll do "everything to get through," including naming a first-choice side. But he did that against West Ham in City's third round replay which led to possibly the dullest game of football seen this year.
NBA PRO-CON: The East has a better starting All-Star lineup
The Western Conference has more elite teams than the Eastern Conference, but the East has the better starting lineup for the All-Star game in New Orleans on Feb. 17. Here's a position-by-position breakdown: -Center. Dwight Howard, Orlando (East) vs. Yao Ming, Houston (West): Edge goes to Howard, who is better suited for an up-tempo game. All-Star games are up-tempo by definition. Also, get used to seeing Howard as the East's starting All-Star center for a long time to come. -Power forward. Kevin Garnett, Boston (East) vs. Tim Duncan, San Antonio (West): They're even. Duncan's championship rings don't help here. Garnett's individual accomplishments match up very well against Duncan's. -Small forward. LeBron James, Cleveland (East) vs. Carmelo Anthony, Denver (West): Edge goes to James.
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