SB Nation Boston: All Posts by Ken DeCelles

Bjoern Werner to enter NFL Draft

2013-01-03T23:56:53Z

Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner will forego his final year of eligibility and will enter the 2013 NFL Draft, according to a report from Joe Schad of ESPN.

The German-born Werner played only two years of organized football in high school before he was discovered by Florida State at a Connecticut prep school. After playing a part-time role as a freshman, Werner busted out on the national scene his sophomore year, starting all 13 games for the Seminoles. Werner recorded 37 tackles, 11 TFL, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Werner had just as good a year this past season for FSU, leading a front four that was among the best in the country. Werner had 42 tackles, 18 TFL and 11 sacks this year. Werner was named as a first team All-ACC and consensus All-American.

His decision to go pro seemed like a foregone conclusion to many as he is projected as a possible top five pick in some mock drafts. In their latest mock drafts for CBSSports.com, Rob Rang had Werner going fifth overall to the Detroit Lions while Dane Brugler had Werner even higher, going third overall to the Oakland Raiders.

Lamarcus Joyner staying at Florida State, will not enter NFL Draft

2013-01-03T22:51:10Z

Florida State star strong safety Lamarcus Joyner will remain with the Seminoles for his senior year and not enter the 2013 NFL Draft.

The 2012 first team All-ACC selection started all 14 games for the Seminoles this year and helped lead Florida State to the No. 2 overall defense in the country. Joyner was fifth on the team with 51 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and six pass breakups. Joyner was also one of Florida State's top special teams performers last season, averaging 23.6 yards per kickoff return.

In a statement released by Florida State, Joyner was excited about returning to Tallahassee next season and competing for a national championship in 2013:

"Coach Fisher and I aren't finished with what we started here. He said from day one I was going to be one of those guys that was going to help turn this program around. We've started down the right path so far but we're still not finished. This wasn't a decision I could make just for myself but for my family in order to help them down the road, which is why I'm going to stay at Florida State for my last season."

Joyner's return will help ease the sting after running back Chris Thompson, defensive end Bjoern Werner and cornerback Xavier Rhodes declared for the NFL Draft after Florida State's 31-10 Orange Bowl victory over Northern Illinois on New Year's Day.

2013 NBA standings: Heat remain atop Southeast, Magic continue slide

2013-01-03T22:09:33Z

The Miami Heat remain two games ahead of the Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast Division while the Orlando Magic's losing streak has pushed their deficit to over 10 games.

After a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, the Heat rebounded nicely winning their next two games against the Orlando Magic and an overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James almost recorded a triple double in the victory against the Mavs, recording 32 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Magic are trending the other way as their losing streak stretched to seven games after losses to Toronto, Miami and Chicago on Wednesday night. Jameer Nelson had 32 points to lead the Magic while Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Miami's lead over second place Atlanta remained at two games while the Magic sit in third place 11 games behind the Heat. Charlotte and Washington bring up the rear of the division, sitting 14.5 and 18 games behind the Heat respectively.

The full Southeast Division standings are below:

Southeast	W	L	PCT	GB	CONF	DIV	HOME	ROAD	L10	STRK

Heat	22	8	.733	0.0	10-5	5-1	15-2	7-6	8-2	W2

Hawks	20	10	.667	2.0	13-4	8-2	11-5	9-5	6-4	W1

Magic	12	20	.375	11.0	5-14	2-4	7-11	5-9	3-7	L7

Bobcats	8	23	.258	14.5	6-9	2-5	5-12	3-11	1-9	W1

Wizards	4	26	.133	18.0	2-19	2-7	3-12	1-14	1-9	L3

2013 NBA standings: Hawks keep pace with Heat

2013-01-03T21:29:43Z

After winning two of their three games around the New Year's Day holiday, the Atlanta Hawks kept pace with the Southeast Division-leading Miami Heat sitting just two games back of the defending NBA Champions.

Atlanta sandwiched victories over the Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Hornets with a loss to the Houston Rockets on New Year's Eve. The Hawks starting 2013 on a good note, defeating the Hornets by a score of 95-86. Josh Smith led the Hawks with a double-double, recording 23 points and 12 rebounds in the victory while Al Horford added 20 points in the victory.

The Hawks and the Heat are still the class of the Southeast with third-place Orlando sitting 11 games behind Miami. Charlotte and Washington are even further back of Miami, trailing the division leaders by 14.5 and 18 games, respectively.

The full Southeast Division Standings are below:

Southeast	W	L	PCT	GB	CONF	DIV	HOME	ROAD	L10	STRK

Heat	22	8	.733	0.0	10-5	5-1	15-2	7-6	8-2	W2

Hawks	20	10	.667	2.0	13-4	8-2	11-5	9-5	6-4	W1

Magic	12	20	.375	11.0	5-14	2-4	7-11	5-9	3-7	L7

Bobcats	8	23	.258	14.5	6-9	2-5	5-12	3-11	1-9	W1

Wizards	4	26	.133	18.0	2-19	2-7	3-12	1-14	1-9	L3

Kansas has 2 players headed to NFL Scouting Combine

2013-01-02T17:56:52Z

The Kansas Jayhawks will send two players to the NFL Combine, as safety Bradley McDougald and offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson both received invites, according to a report from Matt Tait from KUSports.com.

After spending the first two years at wide receiver, McDouglad was able to easily move over to the other side of the football. This year, McDouglad was second on the team in tackles with 92 and was tied for the team lead with three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Hawkinson was a consistent presence for the Jayhawks at either tackle position during his career in Kansas and set a school record with 48 consecutive starts for the Jayhawks in his career. Scouts like Hawkinson's combination of size and athleticism and could find himself taken in the middle rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft.

The NFL Combine will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN from Feb. 23-26.

Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones promises 'uncomfortable' offseason

2013-01-02T17:26:22Z

Dallas Cowboys' owner and general manager Jerry Jones said in an interview with Jasmine Sadry of KRLD-FM that the Cowboys are in for an uncomfortable offseason.

Jones told Sadry that the Cowboys missed a giant opportunity on Sunday, telling Sadry,

"I'm very disappointed. I thought we missed a great opportunity (to win Sunday)," Jones said. "... I can assure fans that it's going to be very uncomfortable for the next couple of weeks and months at Valley Ranch."

Jones also said that, "Change is necessary at 8-8. A change will happen."

The Cowboys had a chance to clinch a playoff spot on the final week of the season for the second year in a row but failed to do so. They lost to the Washington Redskins 28-18, giving the NFC East division crown to one of their biggest rivals.

Jones refused to comment about whether head coach Jason Garrrett will be stripped of his play-calling duties next year or if defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will be back with the organization.

Even with the threats of change, Jones continued to back starting quarterback Tony Romo, who threw three costly interceptions against the Redskins. Romo's screen pass thrown off of his back foot late in the fourth quarter was intercepted by Rob Jackson and ended any chance for the Cowboys to come back and win.

Houston Rockets sign James Anderson, waive Daequan Cook

2013-01-02T17:02:36Z

The Houston Rockets have signed free agent wing James Anderson according to a report from Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Anderson was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 20th overall selection of the 2010 NBA Draft, but was never able to find a consistent spot on the roster. In 87 games over the course of three seasons with San Antonio, Anderson averaged 3.7 points per game with the Spurs in just 11.3 minutes per contest.

After being waived in late December by the Spurs, Anderson signed with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League before being picked up by the Rockets a few weeks later. Anderson's deal will be for three years, with the first year guaranteed.

To make room for Anderson, the Rockets have waived veteran wing Daequan Cook. Cook played in 16 games with the Rockets this season, starting one and averaged 3.4 points per game.

Fiesta Bowl 2013: Adam Davis overcomes injuries to star for Wildcats

2013-01-02T15:18:44Z

After almost giving up the game of football due to chronic back issues, Kansas State defensive end Adam Davis is having a memorable senior year as he gets ready for the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.

In an interview with Kellis Robinett of the Wichita Eagle, Davis was almost rendered immobile due to a slipped nerve and a pinched nerve in his back after coming to Kansas State in 2010 from Hutchinson CC. The injury kept Davis from doing even the most simplest of tasks and made even sleeping and standing difficult.

Surgery was scheduled for Davis to repair his back, but a pain free life wasn't guaranteed and stepping on a football field again was considered a longshot. Davis seriously considered about quitting football due to the pain, telling Robinett,

"I felt like, because of the pain I was in, I should quit," Davis said. "I just hated it. It was going down my leg every day so I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stand straight up. I was bent over all day, every day. It was just miserable. I just felt like I didn't want to play no more."

But before he did, Davis had a conversation with his mother and decided to give football another chance. Davis had an up and down campaign during his junior year while reacclimating himself to the game, but really turned it on his senior year became one of Kansas State's top performers. Davis recorded 53 tackles, 7 and a half sacks and forced four fumbles for the Wildcats this year, and enjoyed his time on the field, taking full advantage of his second chance.

"To me, making plays is just about having fun. I'm goofy on the field. It's serious out there, but I have fun with my teammates. They know if I'm acting goofy it's going to be a good game. That's the way I play, just happy on the field."