The Checkdown

Forget Matthew Stafford. Mark Sanchez is the most interesting quarterback in the first round. Multiple teams, including the Jets, Broncos, Jaguars, Redskins, Seahawks, and Browns, have all been mentioned has having interest in the former USC Trojan.

Danny Nicklin looks at the QB sagas and other storylines that will dominate ESPN's weekend draft coverage...

So, you finished 0-16 last season and you're only a few days from making the first overall pick of the draft: What franchise-altering change is at the top of your to-do list? Unveil new uniforms, duh.

Not to be outdone by the Lions' new duds, the Jacksonville Jaguars unveiled an equally uninspired logo/uniform update Wednesday afternoon. The Jags have simplified their look, cleaning up the lines and eliminating the yellow/gold from their game day outfits....

Oscar-nominated actor and Hollywood megastar Brad Pitt has played a lot of roles in his day; You can soon add major league general manager to that list. Pitt is slated to star as player-turned-GM Billy Beane in the biopic,"Moneyball."

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, "Moneyball" will follow Beane as he builds the Oakland A's on a slim budget. Beane started as the A's GM in 1998 and became a part owner of the team in 2005....

There's going to be a lonely telestrator in the NBC broadcast booth this fall: Legendary NFL commentator John Madden announced his retirement from broadcasting on Thursday.

Looking past his often-mocked passion for Brett Favre and his proclivity for onomatopoetic catch phrases, Madden has hit the microphone with some real gems over the years....

The best fantasy owners are restless by nature; never happy with their rosters, constantly scouring the waiver wire, looking to snag the next big game-changer. With the 2009 Fantasy Baseball season just a week old, there's a handful of players who have already climbed out of relative obscurity and are being added to rosters everywhere.

Here's six largely undrafted guys who are off to hot starts that may or may not last...

Because I'm sure the Chicagoland fans were looking for one hub to host all of their local teams, ESPN introduced ESPNChicago.com.

Yeah, that's not a joke. ESPN eliminated any hurdle a Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks or Fire fan might have in accessing scores, news and any other information they apparently would otherwise have trouble tracking down. (That last one is the soccer team. I had to look it up.)...

T.O., great grammar and a couple of guys without last names highlight today's sports headlines.

Anthony May breaks down the headlines -- and the headline writing -- in the latest edition of "Leading Off"...

When the Atlanta Braves take the field for their home-opener on Friday, they'll be greeted by the Washington Nationals, 50,000 fans and 40-foot-tall cow.

Outlandish sponsorships are nothing new to baseball -- who can forget the "Spider-Base" incident of '04 -- but this 15,000-pound, tomahawk-chopping addition to Turner Field is pushing stadium advertising into uncharted territory....

Let's face it, in life, there are certain things you never do. Don't put tin foil in the microwave. Don't try to remake classic songs like "Sweet Home Alabama" and "MMMBop". You don't push the big red button, and you do not recreate boring sports in crappy online video games.

Steve Turney reviews ESPN.com's Masters-themed "Putting at Amen Corner"...

In my search for opening day I stumbled on something, that at first I would ignore, but soon demand more. By mistake I landed on the NCAA Women's Final Four game featuring #3 Louisville and #1 Oklahoma. I joined in as Louisville was on a 7-0 run, resulting in their first lead of the second half.

As the game went back and forth it was easy to see that this was not only competitive but highly-emotional basketball. It was what all sports should be. It even came down to a final second shot as Louisville won the game 60-59....

The start of baseball season brings many things to mind: freshly-cut grass, perfectly manicured diamonds, not to mention insanely overpriced beer and peanuts. It also indicates the time of year when you want to stock up on your long underwear, blankets, and ponchos.

In fact, one MLB opener has already been postponed. The White Sox were set to play the Royals on Monday in Chi-town, but the game has already postponed due to snow. ...

this off-season, I've read articles saying that there are two players that are the "best hitters in baseball." However, my issue is, there can only be one "best hitter" in the game. But who is it? Albert Pujols or Manny Ramirez? Someone else? Let's investigate.

Just when you thought St. Patrick's Day was over, the NBA scores a slam-dunk with its first ever NBA 'Green Week'. But there was no leprechauns to be found, not even Earl Boykins.

This is a well-thought out program by the NBA. The NBA Green Initiative was conceived after the NBA partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council. From April 2-10, the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, and Chicago Bulls will wear green-colored uniforms and showcase taupe-colored warm-up shirts made from 100 percent organic cotton....

The Final Four has two teams facing-off in one of my favorite match-ups. Michigan State and UConn are fighting for a chance to play in the National Championship, but their different styles of play could create chaos on the court.

Michigan State will play with pride and passion, while UConn will bring the raw talent that Jim Calhoun has brought to the University of Connecticut....

Welcome to the first edition of "Headliners," where we preview an upcoming game broadcast -- both the in-game action and the storylines the coverage teams will be following.

ESPN's coverage of the ceremonial MLB season opener promises to be more about the 'occasion' than the teams involved....

While it's way too early to tell what Jay Cutler's impact will be in terms of wins and losses for the Chicago Bears, it's never too early to look at his influence in the realm of fantasy. I mean, it is called fantasy football.

So, here's a 'Pick Six' of players who could be influenced by Cutler blowing into the Windy City...

It's been an unavoidable story all week - John Calipari leaves Memphis for Kentucky. An 8-year, $31.65 million dollar deal was enough to lure the top college coach to Lexington. Replacing the recently-canned Billy Gillispie, Calipari gets a chance to helm a legendary program, something he calls "a dream."

But what does UK get? More wins? Probably. A better recruiter? Certainly. But a more 'marketable' coach?...