Athlon’s Essential Eleven Links of the Day

This is your daily link roundup of our favorite sports posts on the web for August 17.

• Former Major League pitcher Tommy John disagrees with the plan to shut down Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg in September.

• The Onion has a funny look at Tim Tebow’s “favorite target” at Jets camp.

• NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah previews this weekend’s NFL preseason action.

• Mandatory.com lists some entertaining movies for those of you missing the Olympics.

• Inside the ACC looks at the effects of the North Carolina academic scandal.

• Notre Dame is breaking out a pretty unusual helmet for the Miami game at Soldier Field this season.

• The American League MVP and Cy Young votes will be highly debated.

• Nike is planning a 16-team college basketball tournament in 2017 to celebrate founder Phil Knight’s birthday.

• Check out Chiefs fan Steve Graham, who has the Kansas City logo on his glass eye.

• Ryan Tannehill will start for the Dolphins tonight against the Panthers.

• We are SO ready for college football to begin. Check out these top highlights from last season.

--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com

---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman)

August 16

• Mariners ace Felix Hernandez tossed a perfect game against the Rays, and that established an MLB first with three “perfectos” in one season.

• Bleacher Report’s Ian Casselberry analyzes the the very costly 50-game suspension of the Giants’ Melky Cabrera.

• Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel has won the starting quarterback gig at Texas A&M.

• Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley is footing the athletic bill for many kids in his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan, where the school district was going to charge athletes to participate.

• Always nice to enjoy your morning cereal….from the Stanley Cup.

• It was just a “friendly”, but the USA soccer team racked up an historic win in Mexico.

• The NFL Referee's Association is still bickering with the league, who seems content to start the season with replacement refs.

• It looks like Maryland will go with a true freshman at quarterback after C.J. Brown’s season-ending injury.

• FOX Sports releases its preseason Heisman watch.

• Former Georgia coach Jim Donnan has been charged with helping to orchestrate an $80 million Ponzi scheme.

• Russell Westbrook messes with Team USA and Oklahoma City teammate James Harden’s epic beard in this new ad.

--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com

---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman)

August 15

• Because of a nationwide helium shortage, the long-time Nebraska tradition of releasing balloons after the first touchdown has been put on hold.

• Speaking of touchdown routines, Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey has found an interesting way to encourage his team not to celebrate.

• For fans of The Big Lebowski, this moment had to be epic. The Dude abides.

• Chadd Scott of ChuckOliver.net looks at the future of the ACC.

• How serious is the spleen injury to Cowboys tight end Jason Witten?

• It looks like the new Champions Bowl will either be played in New Orleans or in Arlington, Texas.

• The new NBA2K13 game will feature the 1992 “Dream Team.”

• The Red Sox clubhouse is a mess…again.

• If you’re a Vikings defender at training camp, do not touch 28.

• The North Carolina academic scandal continues to raise more questions.

• Check out who’s taking batting practice in Toronto: Charlie Sheen. He doesn’t have much of a swing, but at least Rick Vaughn has finally learned that we wear caps and sleeves in the league.

--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com

---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman)

August 14

• Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher had arthroscopic knee surgery this morning but still expects to be ready for the season opener against Indianapolis.

• The Red Sox nation is mourning the passing of Boston legend Johnny Pesky, who was a player, manager and broadcaster for the club during a career that lasted more than 60 years.

• Mark Blaudschun has the scoop on new Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco.

• I was told to check out this amazing photo with water and a hair flip. It definitely is…quite the picture.

• San Diego State head coach Rocky Long may not have his team punt this season. Awesome.

• There seems to be some secrecy in Gainesville regarding a shoulder injury to quarterback Jeff Driskel.

• Former Red Sox pitcher Derek Lowe may have looked a little strange in a Yankees uniform, but the veteran pitcher notched his first save since 2001 in his New York debut.

• Mandatory.com looks at some strange fast food items from around the globe.

• FOX’s Ken Rosenthal details the promotion of heralded Orioles prospect Manny Machado to the majors at age 20.

• John Carvalho calls out the AJC’s reporting on an investigation regarding Auburn commit Reuben Foster.

• Former Bears and 49ers defensive tackle Anthony Adams is now an NFL free agent, and he’s thinking about pursuing his first love — the NBA. Check out his hilarious hoops video.

--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com

---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman)

August 13

• FOX Sports’ Greg Couch looks at some of the biggest winners from the London Olympics, including the fans.

• After Rory McIlroy’s dominant PGA win, the Tiger Woods comparisons are bound to begin.

• Many people are inspired by the Olympics and want to be more athletic. This diver is going to need a little more training.

• USC’s Lane Kiffin is giving up his vote in the Coaches’ poll after lying to the media about selecting his Trojans No. 1.

• Bleacher Report’s Barrett Sallee examines the Auburn quarterback battle.

• First it was Chris Johnson of the Titans. Now Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson thinks he could beat Olympic Champion Usain Bolt in the 40-yard dash.

• Here are some amazing photos from the end of the Olympic Games in London.

• Andrew Luck had quite the debut with the Colts.

• FOX MLB insider John Paul Morosi says goodbye Olympics, hello MLB. He’s bullish on the Rays and thinks the Red Sox “are toast.”

• Should Doug Collins be the next Team USA basketball coach?

• Either James Bond or Marty McFly was navigating through McCovey Cove outside at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

--- Email us with any compelling sports-related links at links@athlonsports.com

---By Patrick Snow (@AthlonSnowman)