Need to catch up with whats happening in the world of sports and pop culture? Dont worry, I got you.1. So much Olympic greatness to discuss, but only 20 questions. Where do I begin?2. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, seems like a good place to start. After his final event, he announced his retirement. Are you buying that he wont return in 2020?3. Speaking of 2020, theres no doubt Katie Ledecky will compete again in four years -- she returned home this year with five medals (four gold and one silver). Does the 19-year-old have a chance to threaten Phelps Olympic medal count?(28), or is his legacy untouchable? As great as Phelps is, Ive never seen anyone dominate the pool like Ledecky. Shes her only competition!4. Nothing could overshadow Phelps Rio run, but how awesome is swimmer Joseph Schoolings story?5.?The moment that brought me the most joy was when Simone Manuel won gold in the 100-meter freestyle. With her historic victory, she became?the first African-American woman swimmer to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. But do you know how profoundly significant Manuels win is for American history, too??6. I love everything the Final Five represent. Before they arrived in Rio, they were dubbed?the greatest gymnastics team of all time?and finished the team competition with a nearly 10-point margin. Safe to say experts were correct in their assertion? I think so.7. And wow, Simone Biles. Three golds down, two more to go. Any doubt shell win the beam and floor? Nah.8. Call me old-fashioned, but I miss the Perfect 10 scoring in gymnastics. Dont you agree that 15.839 just doesnt have the same cool factor? Bring back the Perfect 10!9.?Usain Bolts Jamaican roots dont stop the world from rooting for him like hes our own, and can you blame us? When you become the only person?to win a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter, I think youve earned the right to become a citizen of the world.10.?If Ledecky owns the water, and Bolt owns land, do you know who owns the sand? Kerri Walsh-Jennings. The 38-year-old beach volleyball player is 26-0 at the Olympic Games and two wins away from her fourth Olympic gold. #Legend11.?Is anyone more infallible on hardwood than Team USAs womens basketball? Answer: absolutely no one.12.?But what is happening with Team USA mens basketball? Theyve had some nail-biters recently, and theyre not looking so unbeatable. Its clear the world has closed the gap, but Team USA is still the runaway favorite. Hopefully they dont succumb to an upset.13.?Speaking of upsets, days later Im still trying to reconcile the U.S. womens soccer teams loss to Sweden. Have you come to grips with this stunning loss, yet?14.?And my goodness, Hope Solo. What were you thinking? Not cool.15.?But you know what I still cant get over? What South Africas Wayde van Niekerk accomplished yesterday, breaking Michael Johnsons 17-year-old record for the 400-meter. It was mind blowing, but I was more impressed by how it all happened. A Lane 8 runner breezed past the rest of the field in unprecedented fashion. Unbelievable.16.?Did you hear about the Olympian who left Rio with silver and a diamond? Its a pretty sweet love story.17.?Can I please ask: what satisfaction is gained by criticizing Gabby Douglas? I truly dont understand the incessant bullying at her expense. We should be lifting her up, not tearing her down.18.?In non-Olympic news, Alex Rodriguezs days in pinstripes are over. Its safe to say he didnt have the most graceful exit from the game. But is he to blame for how the Yankees treated him?19.?Which 2016 retiree had the best all-around career: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps or Alex Rodriquez? Thats a debate for the ages.20. After re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James is now the highest-paid player in the NBA. In a world in which talent and compensation are supposed to be directly linked, what in the heck took so long?Shana Renee is the founder and editor-in-chief of?All Sports Everything?and a passionate New York Jets, Knicks and Yankees fan. Follow her sports talk on Twitter at?@ItsShanaRenee. Zapatillas New Balance Baratas . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. New Balance Outlet España . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. http://www.newbalancebaratas.es/ . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. New Balance Baratas España . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Comprar New Balance Rebajas . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- There could be more last-minute additions to the Atlanta Falcons roster, possibly before training camp opens Thursday.General manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn already believe they have a stronger roster after an 8-8 finish in Quinns 2015 debut. Quinn said he expects stiff competition at several positions, including right guard, linebacker and tight end.The Falcons signed tight end Arthur Lynch and wide receiver Corey Washington on Wednesday and announced the retirement of safety Charles Godfrey.The moves left the Falcons with 88 players, two below the maximum.Lynch, from the University of Georgia, was a fifth-round pick by Miami in 2015 who was signed to Denvers practice squad last year. Washington had five receptions for 52 yards with the Giants as a rookie in 2014. Godfrey had 12 tackles and a forced fumble in eight games with Atlanta last season.Following Tuesdays release of wide receiver and return specialist Devin Hester, Dimitroff said theres no major push to reach 90 players. He said hes still looking at free agent defensive end Dwight Freeney.Quinn said he and Dimitroff also have discussed re-signing outside linebacker Brian Schofield.The 29-year-old Schofield had 30 tackles and two sacks for Atlanta last season.There already have been changes at linebacker. Second-year player Vic Beasley Jr. will play outside linebacker in the base defense and will be an edge rusher in nickel packages.Rookies Deion Jones and DeVondre Campbell and free-agent signees Courtney Upshaw, Sean Weatherspoon and LaRoy Reynolds are expected to add speed at linebacker. Jones, a second-round pick from Louisiana State, and Campbell, a fourth-rounder from Minnesota, earned compliments for the way they picked up the defense in the offseason.Even Paul Woorrilow, the teams leading tackler each of the last three seasons, could be pushed by the new talent.ddddddddddddWeve been pleased with the progress of Jones and Campbell, Quinn said Tuesday. Were going to have a battle on our hands with Worrilow and Spoon and Reynolds and some of the other guys.I love the speed weve added defensively. I cant wait for that part of our game to come to life. Its going to make differences in the way we rush, the style that we play. Were probably going to play some more man to man, knowing we have the ability to do that.Quinn said Chris Chester will open camp as the starting right guard. Rookie Wes Schweitzer and Mike Person are other candidates. Tackle Tom Compton also will be given a look at guard.Because of the signing of free-agent center Alex Mack, Quinn listed offensive line as one of the teams strengths. That claim hasnt been made by a Falcons coach in several seasons.Quinn also likes his talent and depth at running back and tight end, where Devonta Freeman and Jacob Tamme are the returning starters.Freeman was a breakout star in 2015, when he rushed for 1,056 yards and had 73 catches for 578 yards. Second-year player Tevin Coleman could play a bigger role behind Freeman.Tamme was third on the team, behind Julio Jones and Freeman, with 59 catches for 657 yards in 2015. Rookie Austin Hooper of Stanford will join Levine Toilolo, D.J. Tialavea and Lynch in the competition with Tamme.I love our group of tight ends, Quinn said. I feel thats for sure one (strength). Weve got some big guys, weve got some pass-catchers.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
