Patrick Roy will re-join his old team, the Avalanche. This time as the head coach, according to reports. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy is set to become the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, according to a Denver Post report citing his brother, Stephane Roy.

“They’re discussing the final details of an arrangement. Colorado is going to be very happy. Patrick is looking for a new challenge,” said Stephane Roy, the younger brother of his famous sibling.

[...]

Stephane Roy, who played briefly in the NHL, posted on his Facebook page Monday night, “For all my friends I’d like you to know before the official news spreads that my older brother will be the new coach of the Colorado Avalanch(sic).”

Patrick Roy has been coaching the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League since 2005. He has a Memorial Cup championship to go along with a 307-128-32 record.

Neither Patrick, nor the Avalanche have confirmed the deal, but his brother added that team vice president Joe Sakic — a teammate of Roy’s when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup both in 1996 and 2001 — had been at Patrick’s home in Florida the last few days.

Patrick played for the Avalanche from the time he was traded from the Montreal Canadiens in the middle of the 1995-96 season until retiring in 2003. He won two Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a playoff MVP award with Colorado. He was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2006.

Redskins GM Bruce Allen said it was “too early to tell” whether Robert Griffin III would be ready for training camp. (The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Washington Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said Monday that it’s “too early to tell” whether star quarterback Robert Griffin III will be ready to participate in the team’s training camp in late July, hedging on previous bullish comments from head coach Mike Shanahan.

“It’s great to hear the building is on schedule, ahead of schedule, and I’ve heard all those same phrases for our quarterback,” Allen said at a tour for reporters of the team’s under-construction training camp site in Richmond, Va, according to The Washington Post’s Mark Maske.

“It’s too early to tell right now. He is doing everything that the doctors want him to do. He’s a great worker. I think that’s why there’s so much optimism that he’ll be ready at the beginning. But it’s really too premature to speculate on where his medical condition is until we give him a physical when training camp starts July 25.”

Griffin was plagued by injuries late last season. In the Redskins’ 24-14 playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, tore his ACL, LCL and meniscus in his right knee. He had surgery on Jan. 9 to repair those ligaments.

In an interview in April, Shanahan predicted that Griffin would “set a record for coming back.”

“He’s over at the facility, rehabbing all of the time. He’ll set a record for coming back because that’s how hard he works,” Shanahan said, according to Pro Football Talk. “He is ahead, but there’s a process. It takes time. Robert will do it the right way and we’ll find out in July exactly where he’s at. He will not come back until he’s 100 percent.”

The Redskins open the season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football on Sept. 9.

Pacers coach Frank Vogel tried to quell a controversy that had brewed between him and LeBron James ahead of the Pacers’ Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Heat. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel on Monday addressed a controversy that stemmed out of a slightly misleading quote attributed to him about LeBron James.

The back-and-forth between James and Vogel began on Sunday, when reporters questioning James quoted Vogel as saying the Heat were “just another team” — something to which James took exception.

Vogel’s words were actually much less combative, as he said after the Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals that the Heat were “the next team in our way.”

“Sorry sports world, the words ‘just another team’ never came out of my mouth,” Vogel said on Monday, according to NBA.com. “Great respect for LBJ and the champs. Looking forward to [a] great series.”

Still, James took exception to Vogel’s original comments when they were relayed to him by reporters on Sunday.

“We’re not just another team,” James said. “I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. That’s not true. He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re a great team. If we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. You have to prepare for us.”

This isn’t the first time that the Pacers and Heat have exchanged blows in a war of words before a playoff series. Last season, Vogel was fined $15,000 by the NBA after calling the Heat “the biggest flopping team in the NBA.” Indiana lost that series after taking a 2-1 lead. The Pacers won two out of three regular-season matchups with the Heat this season.

Game 1 of the Easter Conference Finals is Wednesday night in Miami.

Knicks point guard Pablo Prigioni could leave the team and return to Spain. (Ron Hoskins/Getty Images)

New York Knicks point guard Pablo Prigioni could leave the team this offseason and return to Spain, the New York Post’s Marc Berman reported on Monday. Berman reported that Prigioni’s wife, Raquel, wants to return to the country, where her husband played from 1999-2012.

After the Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers on Saturday, Prigioni sounded noncommittal on a return to the team.

“I think it’s not the moment to talk about that now,’’ Prigioni told reporters after the game. “It’s painful to lose. It’s painful to start the vacation now. This is about the team. Now I stay quiet.”

According to Berman, Prigioni signed a one-year deal with the Knicks with the purpose of testing out life in the United States for his family. Raquel, who is from Spain, encountered a tough adjustment period because she does not speak English.

Prigioni, 36, ended up playing a key role off the Knicks’ bench this season, averaging 3.5 points and three assists per game in just 16.2 minutes. He started in 10 of the Knicks’ 11 playoff games.

Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley said the team’s first game in its new stadium would likely come against the Packers. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley told a local news station that the team’s first game in its new stadium in 2016 will likely come against its biggest rival, the Green Bay Packers.

“The way the league is structured, we’ll probably — our very first regular-season game will likely be against the Green Bay Packers,” Bagley told local NBC affiliate KARE 11. “So it will be good to see Adrian Peterson break loose and score the first touchdown in the new stadium and run over Clay Matthews on his way to the end zone. We’ll see. Hopefully we’ll have the last word when we get to opening day in 2016.”

The Vikings unveiled photos of their new stadium’s design a week ago Monday, which the organization said would make it capable of hosting more events than any other stadium in the world. Groundbreaking for the new 65,000-seat stadium will take place in October 2013, and the new stadium is scheduled to open in the 2016 season. The stadium is expected to cost $975 million.

In 2003, the NFL scheduled the Vikings to be the Packers’ first opponent in the remodeled Lambeau Field. The Vikings spoiled the party, beating the Packers 30-25 that day.

Kevin Durant tweeted a message of support for victims of tornadoes in Oklahoma. (Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

An expansive, powerful tornado ripped through an area near Oklahoma City on Monday, leaving at least 37 dead, according to The Associated Press. The tornado demolished the town of Moore and left its mark on the entire Oklahoma City area.

Monday’s tornado prompted an immediate outpouring of support from the Oklahoma City Thunder and its biggest star, Kevin Durant, who tweeted a message of support for the victims.

Praying for the victims of the Tornadoes in OKC these last few days..Everybody stay safe!

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 20, 2013

The Thunder also tweeted out a message urging prayers:

#PrayforOklahoma

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 20, 2013

Rob Gronkowski’s arm infection is gone after successful surgery. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s infection cleared up after a fourth surgery on his left arm, according to multiple reports.

NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Wilkening both reported, citing league sources, that doctors were able to determine that the infection in Gronkowski’s arm is gone and that no further surgery on his arm is planned. Gronkowski initially suffered the arm injury last November and had been plagued by recurring problems ever since.

The surgeries aren’t yet over for Gronkowski, however. He is expected to need back surgery this offseason to address chronic back pain. Gronkowski recently underwent an MRI to examine a previously injured disk in his back that was bothering him last season, which revealed damage to a different disk.

As of now, the Patriots expect Gronkowski to be ready for training camp.

The 24-year-old Gronkowski missed five games near the end of last season after breaking his left forearm blocking during the final, meaningless extra point of a 59-24 Patriots win over the Indianapolis Colts. He re-injured the forearm during New England’s 41-28 AFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Houston Texas and missed the rest of the Patriots’ playoff run.

In 11 regular-season games last season, Gronkowski had 55 receptions for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy and the team could face fines as well. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks could face fines from the National Football League for multiple players being suspended in a season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy after Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin was suspended last week, reports NFL.com.

Irvin will miss the first four games of the upcoming season after reportedly testing positive for Adderall, which is a drug more commonly used for the treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

The Seahawks have had more PED suspensions than any other team in the NFL since head coach Pete Carroll took over the team in 2010.

The other Seahawks suspended were cornerback Brandon Browner, safety Winston Guy, tackle Allen Barbre and guard John Moffitt. All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman had his suspension last season reversed on appeal.

Carroll said he’ll re-evaluate his PED policy.

 ”It’s not right yet,” Carroll said. “We have to figure it out through education, or finding other ways,” according to KJR-FM, via NFL.com.

Former Rutgers coach Mike Rice is receiving treatment for anger management. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Former Rutgers head coach Mike Rice is receiving counseling for anger management and is getting help from former NBA player John Lucas, reports ESPN.com.

Rice has spent the past two weeks at John Lucas’ Wellness and Aftercare Program in Houston and where he is working with former college players who are going through Lucas’ pre-NBA draft camp.

“He’s doing great,” Lucas said. “His attitude has been phenomenal and our kids love his intensity and his passion for the game. He’s happy to be having this chance to give back a little bit.”

Rice was fired in last month after videos surfaced of him verbrally and physically abusing players during practice, including throwing basketballs at their heads and calling them gay slurs. Athletic director Tim Pernetti subsequently resigned as well. Former Los Angeles Lakers assistant Eddie Jordan was hired to replace Rice.

More from ESPN.com:

Lucas is a former NBA standout whose career was derailed by substance abuse issues. His facility, which opened more than two decades ago, helps athletes and coaches conquer a variety of problems, including issues with drugs and alcohol, addictions to food and sex, weight and work ethic issues along with anger management.

Bucs cornerback Darrelle Revis says he will be ready for the season opener. (J. Meric/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis said Monday he plans to be the same player that he was before he was injured.

Revis was a three-time first-team All-Pro with the New York Jets before tearing the ACL in his right knee last season. He was traded to the Bucs in March and then given a $96 million contract with none of it guaranteed.

“The first time I step out there, I’ll be fine,” Revis said, according to NFL.com.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said he agrees with that assessment.

“That’s how we’re planning,” Schiano told Kremer. “I mean, we have faith that he’s gonna recover. And look, if it isn’t exactly that way right away, then we’ll adapt; 85- or 90 percent of Darrelle Revis is still better than most 100 percent other corners, right?”

Revis says he now can cut and change directions in drills as his rehab remains on schedule.

“I call it just getting ready for Week 1,” Revis replied. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the Jets, the Bills, it doesn’t matter who it is. We go to go out there and play as a team and win.”

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman says owning a team is a good investment. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The National Hockey League is arguably the least popular of the four major North American sports, but if you were to ask NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, investing in one of the league’s teams, or any team for that matter, could net you millions.

Bettman visited he New York Stock Exchange with the Stanley Cup and then did an interview with CNBC to discuss the growth of the league.

Bettman was asked about buying a hockey franchise as an investment, and whether it would be a good business move.

“For most sports teams we probably do better than the Dow,” Bettman said. “It’s a good, stable investment.”

“We’ve had a different Stanley Cup champion each of the last eight years,” Bettman said.”We have a game now that probably has the best competitive balance in all of sports. We don’t take hockey fans for granted. We have the best sports fans in the world.”

Jets running back Mike Goodson reportedly met with team about his weekend arrest. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

New York Jets running back Mike Goodson met with team on Monday to discuss his weekend arrest, reports ESPN.com.

Goodson was arrested Friday morning during a traffic stop in New Jersey after the car he was a passenger in was stopped in the left-center lane of Route 80.

Goodson was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a loaded handgun, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Goodson was released on $50,000 bail after spending more than 12 hours in jail.

The team is currently going through organized team activities and those are voluntary. Goodson did not participate or even see the OTA’s, according to the report.

Jets owner Woody Johnson said the team still is investigating the matter.

“We’re at a point of investigating the facts,” Johnson said to USA Today. “[General manager] John Idzik met with him this morning, he’ll meet with the coaches today. We’ll try to get the story on what the facts are and go from there. We’re trying to win games and do the right thing. Truth, justice and the American way. We live by it, we really do.”

George Washington’s basketball court gets a makeover. (Photo courtesy of GW athletics)

When college basketball teams come to the nation’s capital to play George Washington, the court will give those teams quite a history lesson.

The school unveiled their new court which is design to incorporate three structures that are very familiar to D.C. residents: the Capitol building, the White House and the Washington Monument.

The school released the sketch on Monday, a day after the school’s graduation ceremonies.

“I was born and raised in the Capital region, so this city is special to me,” GW coach Mike Lonergan said in a statement. “This new court design has added meaning as I have spent the majority of my life in our nation’s capital first as a student then as coach. We will play with great pride on this new floor.”

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will have his ailing shoulder looked out. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will have his ailing left shoulder looked by team doctors to see if there is any extensive damage to it, reports the New York Daily News. 

The reports says that the team is hoping that the injury is not serious and won’t require surgery.

Anthony had been playing with pain almost the entire postseason and was hurt in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics when Kevin Garnett pulled his arm trying to set a screen.

Anthony also had been dealing with a knee injury and had fluid drained from his right knee two months ago. The report says he won’t need surgery on the knee.

More from the Daily News:

Anthony originally injured his shoulder during an April 14th win over the Indiana Pacers. When the Knicks eliminated Boston in Game 6, Anthony reported that his left arm “popped in and out.”

He refused to use the injury as an excuse even though Anthony, the NBA’s scoring champion, struggled to make shots.

In the Knicks second round series loss to the Pacers, Anthony made 65 of 150 shots including 39 points on 15 for 29 shooting in Game 6.

Jose Mourinho will no longer be the head coach of Real Madrid at the end of the season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

La Liga soccer club Real Madrid said coach Jose Mourinho will be relieved as head coach at the end of the season, the team said on Monday. Real Madrid’s President Florentino Perez revealed that Mourinho and the club mutually agreed to part ways once the 2012-2013 season comes to an end. Mourinho is expected to be replaced by former Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

The 50-year-old coach led Madrid to win three trophies while at the helm including winning the Primera Division, Copa del Ray and Spanish Supercopa leagues. Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals and lost to rival Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Ray final.

Perez said the club and Mourinho believed it was “the right time” to bring their relationship to an end.

The NFL and NFLPA are close to changing the NFL’s calendar year. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The NFL and NFLPA are on the verge of pushing the NFL Draft back to May and moving the start of the league year to before the NFL Scouting Combine, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Both sides have had dialogue about resetting the league’s calendar in an attempt to create a year-long continuum.

The discussed proposal adjusts the current schedule to begin the NFL Scouting Combine in March and free agency at the beginning of April, with the draft taking place in May. The players and the NFLPA were allegedly stalling at the idea of having free agency being backed up, leaving players with uncertain futures.

According to Schefter, the NFL and NFLPA are close to putting these calendar changes in for the next three years.

The Bills are taking Mario Williams’ off-field problems “seriously.” (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills are remaining mum on Mario Williams’ off-the-field issues but the Bills are reportedly taking the defensive end’s issues “seriously.” Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone told reporters Monday that he has spoken to defensive end Mario Williams about his off-the-field problems. Marrone said the Bills will not comment on personal matters and his conversations with Williams will “remain private”

Earlier this month, Williams filed a lawsuit against his ex-fiancée for a $785,000 engagement ring after the couple had broken off the engagement. Williams’ fiancée, Erin Marzouki, is refusing to return the 10.04 carat ring and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, is claiming Williams’ emotional instability is the reason why the engagement ended. Buzbee released a three-page series of text messages allegedly exchanged between Williams and Marzouki that reveals Williams as having suicidal thoughts.

“I took 3 hydrocodones this morning and no one knows,” Williams allegedly texted Marzouki. “I’m going to take 2 more on the plane and fade away.” He allegedly went on to text, “No money in the world should leave me with suicidal thoughts.”

Williams refuted the claims Buzbee made, claiming the Bills prescribed and dispensed the painkillers.

Bryan Colangelo will move away from basketball operations of the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Toronto Raptors President and general manager Bryan Colangelo will make a transition from basketball operations to the front office, Yahoo! columnist Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday. According to Wojnarowski, the Raptors are also preparing a “major” financial offer to current Nuggets general manager and reigning NBA Executive of the Year, Masai Ujiri.

Colangelo will be moved to the corporate side of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment in what Wojnarowski calls a “significant” position. MLSE, who owns the Raptors, the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and Major League Soccer team Toronto FC, recently hired former AEG executive Tim Leiweke as president and CEO. Leiweke, who is based in Los Angeles, said he was friends with Phil Jackson, who was linked to having interest in a front office position with the Raptors.

The Raptors finished 34-48 last season.

José Mourinho will leave Real Madrid after the last game of the season. (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, will announce that head coach José Mourinho will leave the club after the last game of the season.

It has been rumored that Mourinho, 50, could return to Chelsea after leaving Madrid. Mourinho managed Chelsea from 2004-07.

Mourinho joined Madrid in 2010. He signed a contract with Madrid last summer that would have kept him with the squad until 2016. Mourinho joined Madrid after coaching Inter Milan.

Real Madrid just fell in the Copa del Rey final to crosstown rival Atlético Madrid on Friday.

There you have it RT @guillembalague Florentino Pérez will announce that Mourinho will leave Madrid after the last game of the season.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 20, 2013

Chad Johnson, seen with his attorney in August, last played in 2011 with the New England Patriots. (Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/MCT)

Ex-NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson, formerly known as Chad “Ochocinco,” was arrested in Florida after violating his probation,  according to a report from TMZ.

Broward County had issued a warrant earlier this month after Johnson failed to report to his parole officer on two separate occasions. The wide receiver appeared today in a Broward County courtroom, where a judge ordered him to be arrested and jailed, according to the report. Johnson was out of the state of Florida before being called to court.

Chilly in Pasadena 😡

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) May 16, 2013

The 35-year-old Johnson was a member of the Miami Dolphins when he was arrested last August after being accused of head-butting then-wife Evelyn Lozada in a vehicle. Johnson pleaded no contest and received probation. The Dolphins released Johnson after the arrest.

Johnson has not played a down in the NFL since the 2011 season, when he was a member of the New England Patriots. He last took the field in the Patriots’ loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Anthony Gose played 56 games for the Blue Jays last season. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays are recalling outfielder Anthony Gose from Triple-A Buffalo, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

Gose, 22, has a .227 average with the Buffalo Bisons this season. He was in a 7-for-44 slump before Toronto made the move.

The outfielder made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays last season and played 56 games, finishing the season with a .223 average. Gose also added one home run, 11 RBIs and 15 stolen bases in 2012.

To make room for Gose, the Blue Jays sent pitcher Mickey Storey to Buffalo. Storey appeared in two games and allowed three runs in 3.2 innings.

Anthony Gose called up by Jays. Mickey Storey sent to Buffalo.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 20, 2013

Kobe Bryant denied rumors he was planning to announce his retirement on Monday. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant took to Twitter early Monday morning to dispel any notion that he was planning to announce his retirement.

After Bryant said that he was planning a major announcement on his Facebook page this weekend, rumors popped up on Twitter and other social sites that he was going to retire. The announcement ended up being that he and his wife, Vanessa, were partnering with non-profit Sports Spectacular for what Bryant called a “great cause.”

But on Twitter, Bryant added a firm debunking of any retirement rumors:

Really?? Me. Retire?? Soon, but not yet Vino still has work to do #35 #OG #kbvff

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) May 20, 2013

It appears as if the rumors came from a tweet sent by a fake account purporting to be that of Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bryant, 35, underwent surgery in mid-April to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his left leg and is expected to miss six to nine months.

Skylar Diggins got a new Mercedes as a graduation present from Jay-Z’s sports agency. (Instagram/@rocnation)

Jay-Z might be new to the sports agent business, but he already knows how to spoil his clients.

The hip-hop mogul’s new agency, Roc Nation, bought new client Skylar Diggins a brand new Mercedes as a graduation present. Diggins, the former Notre Dame women’s basketball star and new Roc Nation client, graduated from the university this weekend.

Both Roc Nation and Diggins posted pictures of the white Mercedes, complete with red bow, to their Instagram accounts.

Diggins signed with Roc Nation in late April, becoming the third high-profile client of Jay-Z’s fledgling group. The agency has also recently nabbed New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz as clients.

The Tulsa Shock recently made Diggins the third overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

Dwight Howard is reportedly interested in signing with the Rockets and Mavericks this offseason. (Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images)

Soon-to-be free-agent center Dwight Howard will give “strong consideration” to signing with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, CBS Sports’ Ken Berger reported on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping for a quick decision from Howard on whether he will re-sign with the team, but it appears likely that the process will be drawn out.

According to Berger, Howard is most intrigued by the Rockets, who would need to make a few moves to be able to sign Howard. Berger reported that Howard likes the Rockets’ roster, which includes a young star in James Harden and a complementary, 26-year-old 7-footer in Omer Asik.

Before he was traded to the Lakers last offseason, the Rockets were involved in discussions to acquire Howard from the Orlando Magic.

The Mavericks would also have to make a few minor moves to be able to get under the salary cap and sign Howard.

The one advantage the Lakers have in upcoming negotiations with Howard is the ability to offer him more money to stay in Los Angeles. Under the collective bargaining agreement, Howard can sign a five-year, $118 million contract to stay with the Lakers, or a four-year, $87.6 million deal with another team. The Lakers, however, will be hamstrung in any attempt to improve their roster if they re-sign Howard.

After the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Howard didn’t give any indication of whether he was planning to re-sign with the team.

“For me, I’m going to do what’s best for myself, what’s going to make me happy,” Howard said. “At the end of the day, I can’t control who likes me and who dislikes me but I have the right to be happy. That’s what I’m going to do. That’s the biggest thing right there.”

Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel said the team’s offensive system has been easy to pick up. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback EJ Manuel said in a radio interview Sunday that the team’s offensive scheme has been extremely simple to learn under new head coach Doug Marrone and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

Manuel said that the Bills’ offense has been easier to learn than the offense at Florida State.

“The funny thing is it’s easier to learn than the offense I had at Florida State,” Manuel, the Bills’ first round draft pick, told SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to ESPN.com. “It’s a true West Coast-type progression offense. That’s really what I wanted when I was coming through the pre-draft process. I wanted something that I could just go in and say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, check it down and run it. That’s it, it’s that simple. I love it.”

“The learning curve for me is a lot shorter simply because of what I had at Florida State,” he added. “[That offense is] more complex and a little bit harder to catch on and learn. This offense is very simple. I’ve done a great job with it.”

The Bills selected Manuel with the 16th overall pick in the NFL Draft, making him the only quarterback selected in the first round. Marrone has said that Manuel will compete with returning backup Tarvaris Jackson and veteran Kevin Kolb.

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and fiancee Rebecca Liddicoat, engaged since October 2010, have set a July 6 wedding date. (Stephen Cohen/Getty Images)

Since Robert Griffin III’s wedding registry went public earlier this month, the Washington Redskins quarterback has apparently been showered with gifts from fans.

RGIII, whose wedding date with Rebecca Liddicoat is set for July 6, tweeted a picture on Sunday to thank fans for buying all of the items on the couples’ Bed Bath & Beyond registry.

He then responded to criticism by clarifying that he never asked the fans to buy the items.

Thank you to the Fans who are helping buy ALL the items from our wedding registry at Bed Bath & Beyond … say.ly/MLw5Rbg—
Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 19, 2013

I didn't ask the fans to buy me anything. They found it on their own and decided to get what they could. SMH at all these Debbie downers—
Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 19, 2013

The 23-year-old has been engaged to Liddicoat, a Colorado native who he met at Baylor, since October 2010.

Griffin’s father said this week that the Offensive Rookie of the Year’s rehab from a torn ACL is going “extremely well.”

Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith said he wants to re-sign with the Knicks after opting out of the final year of his contract. (Ron Hoskins/Getty Images)

New York Knicks shooting guard J.R. Smith is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract, in which he is currently slated to earn $2.8 million.

But after the Pacers eliminated the Knicks from the NBA playoffs on Saturday. the volatile 27-year-old said he would like to “retire a Knick,” according the New York Daily News‘ Peter Botte.

Smith joined the team midway through last season after a stint in China during the lockout, signing a two-year, $5.7-million deal.

The most the Knicks can offer him is an “early Bird exception” starting at four years, $4.9 million per year, according to Botte.

From the report:

After blossoming during the regular season — averaging a career-high 18.1 points and winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award — Smith struggled in the postseason, shooting 33.1 percent.

His reported late-night partying throughout the playoffs caused controversy, and he even took the blame for the Knicks’ second-round woes himself.

Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has spent time on the disabled list during each of the last four seasons. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz left Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in the second inning with a strained right hamstring, the team announced.

Ruiz appeared hobbled after taking off from first base on an attempted hit-and-run play, then came up limping while heading into third after a single by Freddy Galvis.

He was replaced by Erik Kratz, who filled in for Ruiz during his 25-game suspension to begin the season for a positive 2012 amphetamines test.

The Phillies could call veteran Humberto Quintero, who served as Kratz’s backup while Ruiz sat out, up from Triple-A if Ruiz is placed on the disabled list — which is likely the case for strained hamstrings.

The 34-year-old Ruiz, a free agent after this season, snapped a nine-game hitting streak that had raised his batting average to .240.

He had no home runs, two RBI and a .571 OPS entering Sunday’s game after hitting .325 with 16 homers, 68 RBI and a .935 OPS during his career season last year.

LeBron James said he didn’t understand what Pacers coach Frank Vogel meant when he said of the Heat, “They’re just the next team that’s in our way.” (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

LeBron James delivered a strong message to Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel on Sunday, three days before James’ Miami Heat take on Vogel’s team in the Eastern Conference Finals: “We’re not just another team.”

After beating the Knicks on Saturday to set up the rematch of last year’s second-round series, Vogel said of the Heat, “They’re just the next team that’s in our way and that’s how we’re approaching it.”

Asked if his ears perked up when hearing that, James told reporters, “Absolutely. I’ll be ready.”

Fox Sports Florida’s Chris Tomasson posted the full transcript of James’ comments:

“We’re not just another team. I don’t understand what he’s saying. But we’re not just another team. It’s not true.’’

Another reporter asks what he said.

LeBron: “He said we’re just another team in their way. We’re not just another team. We’re a great team. We’re very confident. We’ll be ready for them. But if we’re just another team, you really don’t prepare for just another team. We’re not just another team. You got to be prepared for us.’’

Before last year’s series, which the Heat won in six games after falling into a 2-1 hole, Vogel called Miami “the biggest flopping team in the NBA.” The Pacers won two of the teams’ three meetings during the 2012-13 regular season.

Jets cornerback Dee Milliner has new agents after firing his previous one weeks after the draft. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Jets rookie cornerback Dee Milliner can now focus on getting a contract done because he has a new agent after being required to wait for a league-required five business days to hire new representation, reports the SportsBusiness Journal.

The time period actually ended Thursday after Milliner fired his previous agents, Impact Sports on May 10.

Milliner fired Impact Sports and lead agent Tony Fleming after falling out of the top-five in the 2013 NFL Draft. Milliner ended up signing with agents Pat Dye and Bill Johnson on Thursday.

“I know that everything was done to ensure that Mr. Milliner would be drafted as high as possible,” Fleming said to NFL.com. “Dee was the first cornerback selected, and he was drafted ninth overall to the New York Jet. This is a tremendous accomplishment. I wish Mr. Milliner future success in his professional career.”

The Jets next selection in the draft, quarterback Geno Smith, also fired his agents after the draft.

Bulls guard Nate Robinson will be a free agent this summer. (Issac Baldizon/NBA/Getty Images)

Chicago Bulls guard Nate Robinson was forced into action during this postseason because of numerous injuries to three starters.

He responded well, averaging 16.3 points in 33.7 minutes in 12 playoff games.

It might be his last appearance with the team, according to Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after making $1,146,337 this past season. Robinson has indicated that he would like to return to the team but knows there is ”limited space.”

From CSN Chicago:

However, with Rose’s expected return next season, Hinrich having another deal on his contract and rookie point guard Marquis Teague needing at least the opportunity to develop in game situations, it’s unlikely that next season will be in Chicago for the instant-offense scorer and fan favorite.

If it was up to Robinson, though, the little man with the big heart would be back in the Windy City.

“I would love to. Honestly, I really would, but knowing the guys we have here, I know it’s probably limited space for me. But we’ll see how it goes. Talk to my agent and stuff like that and figure out what’s the best plan for me,” the loquacious speedster said. “I love this team, I love these guys and if I could stay here, it would be wonderful.”

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick calls his critics “ignorant” and says they don’t know anything about football. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has seemingly had enough of his critics saying that he is not good at reading NFL defenses.

Vick unloaded against those critics this week in a Philadelphia radio interview calling those critics “ignorant” along with a few other choice words.

“I’m really tempted right now to just say ‘no comment’ to that because, like I said a second ago, you don’t last 12 years in the NFL not being able to read the defense,” Vick said on 97.5 The Fanatic this week. “Those people who are talking and saying that are just ignorant, and they know nothing about football. Unless they turn on the film and watch my game and see what goes on, then they’ll replace those comments with the right comments.”

Vick also knows he could be right on the bench if he does not curb his turnover issues. Vick has fumbled 32 times in his last 35 games, losing 12 of those. He threw 10 interceptions last season and was sacked 28 times.

“Chip (Kelly) told me how to run with the football the other day,” Vick said. “He taught me how to run with the football and how to carry the football, and I think it’s something that you just have to work on.”

The Cardinals placed Jaime Garcia on the DL with a shoulder strain. (Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals placed left-handed pitcher Jaime Garcia on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain, the team announced.

Pacers point guard George Hill missed Thursday’s Game 5 with a concussion. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

After sitting out one game with a concussion, Indiana Pacers starting point guard George Hill has been cleared to play in Saturday night’s game against the New York Knicks.

Hill missed Game 5 of the Pacers’ second-round playoff series on Thursday, which the Knicks won to cut Indiana’s series lead to 3-2. He averaged 17.3 points in the series’ first four games, including a 26-point outburst in a Game 4 win.

Hill started 76 games for the Pacers during the regular season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

The team released a statement on its website regarding his health, writing that he passed the NBA’s required concussion tests:

Over the last two days under the care of the Indiana Pacers’ medical staff, George Hill has participated in each step of the NBA’s Return-to-Participation Exertion Protocol as part of the NBA’s Concussion Policy. During the process, George remained symptom-free after each step including his workouts earlier today. After consultation with Dr. Jeffrey Kutcher, the NBA’s Director of Concussion Management, the Pacers’ team physicians have cleared George to play in tonight’s game.

David Beckham gets quite the sendoff as retirement nears. (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

In his final game after announcing his retirement last week, English soccer star David Beckham was removed in the 82nd minute and given a memorable send-off.

Visibly in tears throughout the moment, Beckham — playing for Paris-Saint Germain in their last home match of the season — was embraced by teammates as the match temporarily stopped and then thrown into the air in celebration.

Beckham, 38, played for 20 years for seven different professional teams, including Manchester United and the MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy, as well as the British national team.

[Wilson: Beckham's skills with the ball were long overshadowed by his celebrity]