>>Steelers, Brown Agree To Record Deal
(Pittsburgh, PA) — Antonio Brown is the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Brown and the Steelers have agreed to a four-year extension worth 68-million-dollars. The 28-year-old has eclipsed 100 catches and at least 12-hundred receiving yards each of the last four seasons.
>>Bears Not Expected To Tag Jeffery
(Lake Forest, IL) — Alshon Jeffery’s days with the Bears could be over. Multiple reports say the Bears are unlikely to use the franchise tag on the wide receiver. ESPN reports there’s a “strong likelihood” Jeffery will sign elsewhere. Jeffery played under the franchise tag last season.
>>NFL Scouting Combine Begins Today
(Indianapolis, IN) — The 2017 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway in Indianapolis today. The combine gives NFL executives and scouts a chance to watch and interview top prospects ahead of this year’s draft. The first on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium are set for Friday.
>>Virginia Suffocates UNC
(Charlottesville, VA) — Virginia’s defense dominated fifth-ranked North Carolina in a 53-43 win in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers closed the game on a 14-3 run to improve to 20-and-9. The Tar Heels scored their fewest points in a game since 1979. UNC dropped to 25-and-6.
>>Illinois Hosts Michigan State Tomorrow
(Champaign, IL) — Illinois’ regular-season home finale is tomorrow night against Michigan State. The Fighting Illini beat Nebraska on Saturday for their third straight win. The Illini are 17-and-12 overall and 7-and-9 in the Big Ten. The Spartans have won six-of-eight to run their record to 18-and-11.
>>Minnesota Wild Battling Mumps
(St. Paul, MN) — Another NHL team is dealing with an outbreak of the mumps. Jason Pominville and Zach Parise [[ puh-REE-see ]] of the Western Conference-leading Wild have both been diagnosed with the illness. The news comes after four members of the Canucks were hit with the ailment.
>>Report: Caps Trade For Shattenkirk
(Washington, DC) — The Blues are making a deal with the Capitals. According to ESPN, Washington is acquiring defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk from the Blues. The Caps are sending forward Zach Sanford, plus a first and second-round pick to St. Louis.
>>Cardinals’ Split-Squad Rallies Past Nats With Four-Run Eighth
(Jupiter, FL) — Nick Martini’s three-run double capped a four-run eighth inning as a Cardinals’ split-squad rallied for a 5-4 win over the Nationals in Jupiter. Luke Voit’s homer got the rally started. Lance Lynn allowed four hits and one run in two innings. Trevor Rosenthal also pitched two shutout innings.
>>Martinez, Wacha Lead Cardinals’ Split-Squad To Win Over Red Sox
(Fort Myers, FL) — Jose Martinez belted a pair of two-run homers to power a Cardinals’ split-squad to a 7-2 win over the Red Sox in Fort Myers. Starter Michael Wacha allowed four hits and an unearned run in two innings of work to get the win. The Cards play the Braves today.
>>Cubs, White Sox Play To Tie
(Mesa, AZ) — The Cubs and White Sox played to a 4-4 tie in Cactus League action yesterday. Addison Russell and Wilson Contreras homered for the Cubs. Jose Abreu launched a two-run shot for the Sox. Today, the Cubs host the Angels and the White Sox take on the Mariners.
>>Tebow Arrives At Mets Camp
(Port St. Lucie, FL) — Tim Tebow’s baseball journey is continuing at spring training. The former Heisman winner has reported to Mets minor league camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The 29-year-old had previously played in the instructional league and Arizona Fall League. He could see playing time in the Grapefruit League with the Mets.