Morning Jolt: Flacco miffed at Ravens
Monday, April 4
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Even his backup is in Joe Flacco's wage class. [Flacco] expressed disappointment Saturday that the Ravens have decided to wait on a contract extension until next offseason. Flacco, who enters the final year of his contract in 2012, said he he deserves an extension this offseason after quarterbacking the Ravens to playoff wins for three straight seasons. "I think I've established myself," Flacco told The Baltimore Sun before Haruki Nakamura's Japan relief charity event at Ripken Stadium. "If you're not confident with who I am, I'm not sure what a year is going to make." ... A first-round pick in 2008, Flacco is scheduled to make $4.5 million this season and $4.6 million in 2012. In comparison, the Ravens gave Marc Bulger $3.8 million last season just to be a backup. (Baltimore Sun)Comment
On Sunday in Boston, Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey did not play in what turned out to be a 101-90 loss to the Celtics. According to a source close to the situation, Stuckey was benched because he refused to enter the fourth quarter of Friday's game against the Bulls. "This is a growing process, and we've had a slight setback," Kuester said after the game of Stuckey's not playing. When Kuester was asked if things were being handled internally, Kuester said, "Yes." On Friday, Stuckey started the fourth quarter and was removed for Tayshaun Prince with six minutes remaining. Kuester called for Stuckey to come in two minutes later, but the guard refused to re-enter. (The Detroit News)Comment
Shaka Smart finds himself in an enviable position. Smart has become the hottest new name in college basketball during the past few weeks and as such, he figures to attract the interest of every major school with a coaching vacancy. At this point, it seems only a matter of where he will end up and when the hiring will be announced. Among the most interested spectators in this ongoing drama are those at N.C. State. Although Smart doesn't have as lengthy a resume as some of the Wolfpack's more desired targets -- especially Texas' Rick Barnes and Arizona's Sean Miller -- he does have the kind of name recognition that will stir immediate excitement among an impatient fan base. He also has the kind of charisma and Final Four cache that would likely convince State's returning players -- including, perhaps, enigmatic freshman forward C.J. Leslie -- to come back for next season. (Wilmington Star News)Comment
Must-See Photo
Skylar Diggins and Notre Dame derail Maya Moore and the UConn Final Four Express in the women's national semifinal Sunday night, topping the Huskies 72-63. (AP)
Must-See Video
Now that's how you deal with a bully.
Cat Catches Bully Bird - Watch more Funny Videos
Game To Watch
The 11th-seeded Bulldogs try to accomplish what they couldn't last year and win the men's title when they face Kemba Walker and UConn in the national title game, 9:23 p.m. ET, CBS
- Butler Bulldogs
- Connecticut Huskies
SI Vault: More Final Four
This Day in Sports
- 1988 -- Danny Manning leads Larry Brown's Kansas team to the national title with an 83-79 win over Oklahoma
- 1974 -- Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's all-time home run record by hitting his 714th career round-tripper
- 1994 -- "Tuffy" Rhodes helps the Cubs win on opening day by hitting three home runs
