Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. James Neal Jersey . This week, they discuss Johnny Manziel, George Springer, Rory McIlroy and the Boston Red Sox. Dave Naylor, TSN - My thumb is down to Cleveland Browns draft pick Johnny Manziel for last weekends Las Vegas adventure, partying it up with Rob Gronkowski and a pool full of bikini-clad young women in a scene out of spring break. Apparently, Justin Bieber couldnt make it. Look, I know what some of you are thinking - what 21-year-old male wouldnt enjoy a weekend like that? And we dont judge them the same way. True enough, but when youre about to become the most scrutinized NFL quarterback since a guy named Tebow, you might want to lay just a bit low. Once youve proven youre Joe Namath on the field, you can act a little more like Joe Namath off it. But this was the first weekend after mini-camp. Theres going to be enough pressure on Manziel without giving people reason to believe he is really more about being Johnny Fratboy than Johnny Football. Steve Simmons, Sun Media - My thumb is up to George Springer, rookie outfielder with the Houston Astros and its not just because he hit seven home runs in seven straight games this week or because he became the first freshman to accomplish this in 77 years. Its up because of what happens almost every time Springer hits a home run. The Astros win and, if not, theyre in the game. The lousy, laughable, displaced Astros, the one team were supposed to disregard in the American League, are suddenly not a laughingstock. They have a 6-2 record when Springer hits a home run. Houstons not going to challenge for the playoffs or anything, but it may not lose 100 games for the first time in four seasons. And that, by itself, makes baseball better. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated - My thumb is up, perversely, to Rory McIlroy, who is adept at going low. He opened the Memorial tournament with a 63 Thursday after doing a one-eighty earlier in the week on ex-fiancée Caroline Wozniacki. And by one-eighty, I dont mean just calling off their wedding. Reportedly, he broke up with the tennis star in 180 seconds, via telephone. A three-year-relationship ended by a three-minute call. Talk about going low. Well, it could have been worse. He could have texted her…and used an emoticon. A devastated Wozniacki lost her first-round match at the French Open while a buoyant McIlroy enters todays round in Ohio six shots off the pace. Dave Hodge, TSN - My thumb is down to the Boston Red Sox for making Major League Baseballs career leader in failed drug tests - Manny Ramirez - the star attraction at Fenway Parks celebration of the 2004 World Series championship team. The Red Sox explained that Manny was chosen to throw out the first pitch because he was the 04 World Series MVP, so, sure, that was one reason to pick him. Time does not permit me to list all the reasons not to pick him. Shea Theodore Jersey .com) - Maria Sharapova rallied for a three- set win over Ana Ivanovic on Saturday to capture the season-opening Brisbane International tennis tournament. David Perron Jersey .C. Lions 35-14, was named the CFLs offensive player of the week Tuesday. Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record. http://www.goldenknightsnhlshop.com/brendan-leipsic-golden-knights-jersey-c-8/ . - Bryan Price sat down in the cushy chair.Roger Goodell doesnt want to stand pat with the PAT. Hes suggesting potential changes in the extra point that, well, might have some legs. The NFL commissioner says the extra point kick after touchdowns, which had a success rate of nearly 100 per cent, is too automatic. Sure is. And with few teams attempting 2-point conversion plays until desperation hits late in games, the old 1-pointer from 20 yards is the way coaches go. All that does is draw yawns. So Goodell wonders if the league can add excitement by making some major adjustments to the extra point, suggesting perhaps making a touchdown worth seven points instead of six, with teams having the option to run a play for another point. But failing on that play would cost them a point. Gimmicky, for sure. But if Goodell likes the idea ... A look at how changes to the extra point would affect football: HOW AND WHO? Passing any changes to the playing rules in the NFL is, unlike the extra point kick, no snap. The competition committee meets with the players union at the NFL combine in February, where any new proposals or ideas are discussed. Its not unusual for the players to have input in potential adjustments, as they did recently on defenceless player penalties. The powerful committee, chaired by Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay, meets for about a week in early March and comes up with any proposals, whether from the teams or union or, yes, the big boss. At the league meetings later in March, the committee presents potential changes for discussion by all 32 owners, who can either vote on them or table them. McKay said Tuesday: "We do anticipate the topic being discussed." KICKING AROUND? The idea of toying with the extra point is not entirely new. John Mara, owner of the New York Giants and among the most influential members of the competition committee, says "it came up for brief discussion in past meetings, but no action was taken." It took the NFL years to come around on the 2-point conversion, which can be a pass or run play from the 2-yard line -- and under Goodells apparent preference, could be worth one point if the kick is eliminated. The 2-pointer existed in the old AFL from 1960-69, and college football has had it since 1958. But it was defeated several times in NFL owners votes before it passed in 1994 as part of a package of changes to help the offences. T.J. Tynan Jersey. YEA AND NAY Coaches will hate any changes, particularly ones that would mean more decisions for them to make. They so rarely go for the 2-pointers until the fourth quarter, and are reluctant to do so then because, well, theres nothing automatic about those attempts. Indeed, less than half (33 of 69) worked in 2013. "I will say this: Since 2000, I believe, over 99 per cent of the extra points are made," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "Its almost a given that it is going to be made. Im sure that the competition committee will address it. As a coach you have to play how the rules are." Short-yardage backs such as All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert of Carolina shouldnt mind the elimination of PAT kicks. Nor should running quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton, whose improvisational skills would be a huge advantage. Kickers? They probably will shrug and practice their field goals -- which is what they normally do regarding extra points anyway. WHO STAYS, AND WHY Rosters would get slight revamping, with teams likely keeping at least one power back active every week and having two on the roster. Often, those guys also play on special teams, so their presence wouldnt throw a lineup out of whack. PRACTICE WONT MAKE PERFECT Teams would work even more on their short-yardage packages, beginning in training camp. They would use their PAT offences in other situations on the field in games, too. While going for a fourth-and-2 near midfield is less rare than it once was, it might become all the more common when coaches know the more times they attempt such plays, the more seasoned their players will be when trying for the extra points. WILL IT HAPPEN? Its impossible to gauge the owners thinking, and a three-quarters majority is needed to pass any rules changes. "I know a lot of times when were at owner meetings, those things are brought up, and its great when youre in those meetings because you hear all the different opinions that are brought up with that," Jaguars coach Gus Bradley said. "Im sure there will be discussions about that. Im excited about hearing all those." Goodell doesnt get a vote. Then again, it sounds like he already has cast his. NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Cheap Jerseys From China Discount NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Black Jerseys ' ' '