Ronaldo in transvestite scandal

Brazilian football star Ronaldo has been caught up in a sex scandal with three cross-dressing prostitutes.

The AC Milan footballer has been recovering after surgery in Brazil

Having dropped off his girlfriend at her house in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night, the 2002 World Cup winner picked up three prostitutes.

When they all booked into a motel, the AC Milan striker discovered that the prostitutes were in fact men.

According to Rio police, he alleges that the transvestites then tried to extort money from him.

Local press reports quoted one of the prostitutes, Andreia Albertine - otherwise known as Andre Luiz Ribeiro Albertino - as saying that Ronaldo had threatened to hit him, on discovering that he was a transvestite.

'Extortion'

Ronaldo "reported that Andreia had taken his car documents and demanded $30,000 [£15,000]", said Rio police superintendent Carlos Augusto Nogueira.

Albertino is accused of taking the footballer's documents

He added: "Ronaldo admits the facts. He said he just wanted to amuse himself, that's not a crime. To pay to have sexual relations isn't illegal.

"There's a strong chance that Ronaldo has been the victim of extortion."

When the footballer refused to pay the prostitute, the latter claimed that Ronaldo had taken drugs, and had threatened to hurt the three transvestites.

Under Brazilian law, while pimping sex workers and running establishments where sex is sold are illegal, prostitution itself is not.

In a statement Ronaldo is reported to have denied ever using drugs, and reiterated that he was a victim of extortion.

The three-time Fifa world footballer of the year is in Brazil recovering from knee surgery.

He told police he was having some psychological problems linked to his injury.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7374317.stm

Rivals.com 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Now that the 2008 NFL Draft is in the books, we're taking a shot at predicting the first round of the 2009 draft.

The teams are listed in our predicted order of finish, and unlike some organizations we have included underclassmen in our mock.

RIVALS.COM 2009 NFL MOCK DRAFT

1. Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia*
Stafford is entering his third year as a starter. Scouts say he is the best pro-style quarterback prospect since Carson Palmer. He can throw with velocity, from different release points and moves well in the pocket.

2. Fili Moala, DT, USC
The 300-pounder is stout and his value goes far beyond numbers — he makes his teammates better, too. He is versatile enough to play in any defensive scheme.

3. Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Many were surprised the Tennessee native decided to return, but the move will likely make him a top-10 pick. He has made 34 consecutive starts and is a left tackle at the next level.

4. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
A proven ball-hawk, Jenkins will likely be the first corner off the board in 2009. He has good size, speed and athleticism, but what makes him special is his propensity for big plays.

5. LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh*
McCoy has the speed of Tony Dorsett, but he's surprisingly physical. He has a higher ceiling than any other back on the board. Even though he is a true sophomore, he is three years removed from high school because he spent one year at a prep school.

6. Maurice Evans, DE, Penn State*
Very strong at the point of attack for a player who is such a good pass rusher (12½ sacks in '07). He uses good leverage and is considered a smart player. Some feel he's a better long-term prospect than Chris Long.

7. Rey Maualuga, MLB, USC
He's not as technically sound as many other linebackers, but is a big play waiting to happen. He has more than ample speed and athleticism, and can be as good as it gets at the point of attack.

8. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech*
Another sophomore who could turn pro because he redshirted his first year in Lubbock. He mixes incredible hands with stellar athleticism and surprising quickness and speed. Such a natural, it's amazing that he's only played receiver for two years.

9. Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State*
Wells is more of a traditional big back but has plenty of speed, just enough wiggle and does not shy from contact. A real chore to defend in the fourth quarter.

10. Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Looking for a potential combine warrior in 2009? Johnson could be it. He's only made one college start, but scouts swear by the former basketball player's athleticism and upside.

11. Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn
No interior lineman in the country plays consistently better than Marks. He is outstanding against the run and shows flashes as a pass rusher. Some think he's a Warren Sapp-type.

12. (from Carolina) Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
He replaced former first-round pick D'Brickashaw Ferguson as the Cavs' left tackle, and soon he will follow in Ferguson's footsteps by hearing his name called in the first round.

13. Taylor Mays, FS, USC*
Mays has linebacker size (6-4, 215) and plays with linebacker-sized ferocity while he patrols the middle of the field. He can run, too.

14. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland
Bey hasn't been that productive with the Terps, but he has great size (6-3, 200 pounds), good hands and big-time speed.

15. Greg Middleton, DE, Indiana
NFL teams covet pass-rushing ends, and Middleton – who led the nation with 16 sacks last season – is just that. He was a consensus All-Big Ten selection.

16. Victor Harris, CB, Virginia Tech
Unlike former teammate Brandon Flowers, Harris decided to return for his senior year. He has tremendous ball skills and is a legit 4.3 40-yard dash guy, which will only boost his stock in the postseason.

17. George Selvie, DE, South Florida
Considered a little on the light side, but is highly productive. Named Big East defensive player of the year in 2007. Has a great first step and very good athleticism.

18. Alex Boone, OT, Ohio State
Returns for his third full season as the Buckeyes' left tackle. He has prototypical size, but can get stronger. It's unclear if he's best suited for the left or right side in the NFL, but this will be a very telling season for Boone.

19. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama*
No offensive tackle - not even Oher - has more upside than Smith. However, Smith is battling weight issues that have slowed him. He could be a special left tackle, much in the mold of Flozell Adams, who can protect and run block with the best of them.

20. Travis Beckum, TE, Wisconsin*
Could be next year's Dustin Keller — he is a tad undersized, but is a terrific athlete. He's a real threat in the passing game and can be physical in the run game when pushed.

21. Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia
Owens lacks prototypical size, but has the quickness teams look for in penetrating linemen. Recorded 22 quarterback hurries in 2007 and he nearly declared off of that campaign. He made a good decision to return.

22. C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson*
Many scouts like teammate James Davis better, but Spiller is similar to Felix Jones. He has outstanding explosiveness, is a tougher-than-expected runner and can be a real threat in the passing game.

23. Herman Johnson, OG, LSU
Johnson checks in at 6-7, 351 pounds. He can overpower opponents and may be able to play some right tackle, although most see him as a right guard.

24. Percy Harvin, WR, Florida*
Would be much higher on the list, possibly ahead of even Crabtree, but scouts are concerned about the spate of injuries. Even with the injuries, he's considered a tough player. He'll run in the mid 4.3s at the Combine if healthy.

25. James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio State
He can do it all — stop the run (121 tackles), get into the backfield (five sacks) and even drop into coverage. The only knock from scouts is that he needs to become more physical. Some teams were able to run the ball right at him last year.

26. Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
He suffered an injury-plagued season in '07, but has been the team's most consistent playmaker. He's a pass-rushing demon who could be a star in the right 3-4 defense at the NFL level.

27. Kyle Moore, DE, USC*
Scouts love his versatility but would like to see more production. Moore has a great frame and even drops into coverage at times.

28. Mike Mickens, CB, Cincinnati
A solid contributor from Day One, Mickens is a sure tackler who plays the run and the pass well. He always finds himself around the ball (six interceptions in 2007), but needs to get stronger.

29. Derek Pegues, S/CB, Mississippi State
Pegues converted from corner to safety as a sophomore and has blossomed since. He became a difference-maker late last year for the Bulldogs.

30. Ladarius Webb, CB, Nicholls State
This is the small school defender with the best chance to jump up the boards. He's 5-11, 185 pounds, has great ball skills and is also a fantastic return man.

31. Rudy Carpenter, QB, Arizona State
Dennis Erickson knows how to coach up quarterbacks, and Carpenter has a better skill set than most of his former protégés. If injuries come out OK, he'll rise.

32. Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri
Coffman split tight end duties the past two seasons with fourth-round pick Martin Rucker. Coffman runs crisp routes, has reliable hands and is a plus-athlete.

* - Denotes underclassman.

Source: http://nfldraft.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=802821

Giants send struggling pitcher Barry Zito to bullpen

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Barry Zito was demoted to the bullpen Monday by the San Francisco Giants, who hope the former ace can correct his problems by working in relief.

Zito, who only 16 months ago signed a $126 million, seven-year contract with the Giants to lead their rotation, was informed of the move in a meeting with manager Bruce Bochy.

“I’m certainly not happy with it, by any means,” Zito said. “But this is the bed that I’ve made. I have to lay in it for the time being and I have to overcome. I trust management and I trust what their decisions are.”

The left-hander has lost his first six starts this season and has a 7.53 ERA that jumped considerably after Zito was tagged for eight earned runs in a 10-1 loss Sunday to Cincinnati.

The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner with Oakland, Zito lasted just three innings against the Reds and was booed frequently by the crowd at AT&T Park during his shortest outing of the year.

“It’s good sometimes just to back off,” Bochy said. “It’s happened to a lot of great players, position players and even pitchers. We just felt at this point it’s time for him to sit back, miss a start and help us in the pen.”

A three-time All-Star and San Francisco’s opening-day starter this season, Zito is only the third pitcher since 1956 to go 0-6 before May, joining Texas’ Dave Stewart (1984) and Detroit’s Mike Maroth (2003).

The durable Zito has made 247 consecutive starts without missing a turn due to injury, the longest streak in the majors. He made his only big league relief appearance last season.

Zito’s next turn in the Giants’ rotation would have been Saturday in Philadelphia. Instead, San Francisco plans on using Pat Misch against the Phillies. Misch was recalled from Triple-A Fresno when right-handed starter Kevin Correia was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Because Zito started Sunday, Bochy indicated he wouldn’t be available to pitch in relief until the Giants play the Phillies beginning Friday.

“We’ll watch and see how things go,” Bochy said. “Right now we’re just going to leave it at, that he’s going to be helping us out of the bullpen.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-giants-zito&prov=ap&type=lgns

Who wants to be a Raider?

The $16 million, $17 million or $18 million (depending on the contract) question that nobody could answer truthfully Thursday at the annual NFL draft luncheon: Which one of you top prospects wants to be a Raider?

Sadly for the once-proud Oakland Raiders, the answer is none of the five yet-to-be signed players in attendance (newly minted Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long is the exception) at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers really wants to join the franchise.

Or as one agent put: “Sure, somebody is going to want to go fourth overall because of the money, but they’re not going to like the prospects once they get there.”

There is no greater indictment of a team than the stricken look that comes upon a player’s face when he realizes he must go to the Raiders, the NFL’s wasteland. Sure, plenty of players, such as safety Gibril Wilson, cornerback DeAngelo Hall, defensive tackle Tommy Kelly and running back Justin Fargas, lined up to take the money. That’s why when the Raiders pick at No. 4 overall on Saturday, some player will manage a smile for the cameras. And if he smiles, he should get an Oscar with his Raiders jersey.

Draftees are probably thinking through scenarios where they can avoid becoming Raiders. Take running back Darren McFadden, who has drawn a lot of interest from the Raiders and the New York Jets, who pick No. 6 overall. The thinking in that camp is if LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey goes No. 2 overall to St. Louis, Atlanta at No. 3 might trade with the Jets at No. 6, giving New York a clear path to him.

Over where Ohio State defensive tackle Vernon Gholston was sitting, his camp was hoping that either he or Virginia defensive end Chris Long would go No. 2 to the Rams. Then Dorsey would go No. 3, McFadden No. 4 and Gholston would end up at No. 5 (to Kansas City) or at No. 6 to the Jets.

Even Long, the son of Hall of Fame Raiders defensive lineman Howie Long, really has no desire to follow in his father’s footsteps. Part of that is the automatic pressure that goes with being a Raider Legacy (boy, is that an odd term these days), but much of it is because even his father knows that the Raiders just aren’t run well anymore.

Or as one person close to Chris Long said mockingly in recent days: “There’s no way you can tell what the Raiders are going to do because not even (owner) Al (Davis) knows what he’s doing.”

Ouch.

About the only player unconcerned with the fate of being No. 4 is Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. He was asked to give a mock draft for the top six picks. When he got to No. 4 he said with comfort, “You know they’re not taking me,” an obvious reference to the fact that Oakland took quarterback JaMarcus Russell at No. 1 overall last year.

Ryan has the most uncertain Saturday of the lot. There’s talk that he could end up with Atlanta, Kansas City or Baltimore at No. 8. When asked how he’d feel if he took an Aaron Rodgers- or Brady Quinn-type fall in the draft, Ryan took the moment in stride, giving a very professional response.

“Five years ago, if you told me I’ll be a first-round pick, I’d take it and be happy. If you told me a year ago I’ll be a first-round pick, I’ll take it. Anywhere in the first round would be great,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m not sitting too long, but I’ll be excited with whoever takes me. It’s going to be exciting, no question.”

Whoever goes No. 4 to Oakland, it’s hard to believe they’ll feel the same way.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-draftraiders042408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns