been charting zone entries and zone exits throughout

NEW YORK -- Jameis Winston smiled and laughed, posing for pictures with the other Heisman Trophy finalists and the big bronze statue that he is expected to take home. And when it came time to answer questions from the media on Friday, the Florida State star quarterback did so confidently and without hesitation, even when his protection broke down. Winston and four of the other six Heisman finalists -- Texas A&Ms Johnny Manziel, Auburns Tre Mason, Boston Colleges Andre Williams and Northern Illinois Jordan Lynch -- met with reporters at a Midtown Manhattan hotel for short interviews. Alabamas AJ McCarron was in Baltimore accepting another award. Florida State officials tried to limit questions that were even vaguely related to the rape accusation against Winston. The state attorney closed the investigation last week, saying there was not enough evidence to win a conviction. The 19-year-old, who hasnt spoken directly about the details of the investigation, seemed unfazed by the questions that did come his way. He said he was fine remaining silent about the case. "I knew I did nothing wrong. I knew I could respect the process and Id eventually be vindicated. It was more about me being silent for my family because I didnt want to put my family in those situations. "We had so much respect for Mr. (Tim) Jansen and everything going around and knew I did nothing wrong and everything would be OK." Winston was the only Heisman finalist to show up with his lawyer, Jansen, who strolled in with the Florida State entourage for the media availability. Winston looked like a college student going to class: Black Florida State sweatsuit with garnet trim, and a matching backpack hanging off his shoulders. Winston is the overwhelming favourite to win the Heisman after a sensational season, leading No. 1 Florida State to the national championship game against No. 2 Auburn. But the celebration of his record-breaking performance has been muted by a year-old sexual assault allegation that went from dormant to active last month. The Tallahassee Police gave its finding to prosecutors, who took three weeks to investigate further and decide not to press charges. Documents and reports, including the accusers accounts to police, have been made public. They are less-than-flattering to Winston. On Friday, the accusers attorney, Patricia Carroll, asked Floridas attorney general to independently examine the rape investigation, claiming it was riddled with problems. A few hours later, Winston was taking questions, mostly about football and the Heisman and being in New York city for the first time. He was asked about dealing with "off-field issues" and two other questions that were indirectly related to the investigation. "It was stressful, but youve got to look forward," he said. Soon after, Florida State sports information director Kerwin Lonzo said: "Hes only answering football questions and about the Heisman. Move on." Winston then left the media session too soon. Each finalist was supposed to rotate through three tables of reporters. Winston came back for a second session and Florida State spokesman Elliott Finebloom apologized for the miscommunication. Winston said he had yet to work on an acceptance speech, talked about how he and his mom took Mason out to dinner on Thursday night in Florida, when both were at the ESPNs college football awards show, and how he worked as a scout-team version of Lynch when the Seminoles were preparing to play Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl last season. Winston would be the second straight freshman to win the award after Manziel last year, and hed be the third Florida State player -- the first since Chris Weinke in 2000. What can he do for an encore next year? "Hopefully," he said, "I can do it over and over again." Nike React Discount . The closer wasnt available. The road trip, a disaster to that point. Nike React Clearance . LeBron James believes hes a major reason for their early failures. http://www.cheapnikereactaustralia.com/. - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night. Nike React Sale Australia . Every. Single. Game. Thats 1,230 in total to cover the regular season. The man is Corey Sznajder, a soft-spoken 23-year-old Salisbury University grad who lives in Annapolis, Maryland and has been charting zone entries and zone exits throughout the NHL. I love big projects, he said. No kidding. At the 2013 Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, I met Eric Tulsky, who presented research on the value of controlled zone entries (short answer: about twice as valuable to enter with control of the puck rather than dumping it in) and Sznajder had charted a couple hundred games that were included in that study. Nike React Sale .com) - Quarterback Cardale Jones will return to Ohio State next season. NEW YORK -- The Rangers bought out the contract of veteran forward Brad Richards on Friday, creating much-needed salary-cap space and parting ways with New Yorks de facto captain one week after the club was eliminated from the Stanley Cup finals. Both the Rangers and Richards agent, Pat Morris, confirmed the move. "Tough last few days," Richards said in a statement released by the team. "I loved being a Ranger and living in New York and playing at MSG in front of great fans. Ive met many new friends, excellent teammates and staff, and I have memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. "(General manager) Glen Sather, the management and owner, Mr. Dolan, are all class acts. I want to thank them for letting me be a part of New York life and the Rangers family. With this decision finalized, I can now look forward to starting the next chapter in my career." The 34-year-old Richards had six years remaining on the nine-year, $60 million deal he signed in 2011, and this move will remove his $6.67 million salary-cap charge. He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Richards will receive two-thirds of the remaining money to be paid out over 12 years -- a total of $12.6 million. Richards will also be paid $8 million in signing bonuses over the next three seasons. He didnt have to clear waivers before the buyout because his contract had a no-movement clause. The Rangers used their second and final compliance buyout on Richards after using the first on former defenceman Wade Redden last year. They had to be used before July 1. "We would like to thank Brad for everything he has done for our team on and off the ice during his time here," Sather said in a statement. "This was an extremely difficult decision to make because of how much respect I have for him. "Brads leadership and guidance for our young players was invaluable to the organization. We are grateful to have had the professionalism and experience he brought as an example for our team to folllow.dddddddddddd Brad has been a very good player for us and an even better person. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours." New York has numerous unrestricted and restricted free agents this summer, and will need as much cap space as possible to bring back key players and perhaps add others on the market. "Were going to work on putting a good team on the ice, but every year is different," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said Monday when the Rangers cleaned out their lockers. "Next years team is going to be different, and youve got to go through the same process. Its going to be a challenge to make the playoffs, and then you take it one series at a time." Richards was demoted to the fourth line in the finals against Los Angeles. "I am a big fan of Brad Richards," Vigneault said. "He is a classy, classy individual. If you look at Brads overall season he had a real good year. "I am very happy with what he brought to the table. A veteran player from Day One that was a real good extension of the coaching staff in the dressing room. He should walk away from this season very pleased with how he played and how he contributed to our team." Richards had 20 goals and 31 assists in 82 games this season -- the lowest point-per-game average of his career -- and added five goals and seven assists in New Yorks 25 post-season games. He had only one assist in the five-game finals loss to the Kings. Richards took on a bigger leadership role after captain Ryan Callahan was traded to Tampa Bay for St. Louis in March. His voice carried in the room even as his play declined as the playoff run got deeper. In 210 regular-season games with the Rangers, Richards had 56 goals and 95 assists. He was benched in last years post-season by former coach John Tortorella during New Yorks second-round loss to Boston. Richards earned his contract when he hit the free-agent market after having 28 goals and 77 points during the 2010-11 season with Dallas. ' ' '