Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets on Monday, after the quarterback once popular for his evangelical views never meshed in a season with the National Football League club. Tebow arrived in a hail of celebrity 13 months ago after leading the Denver Broncos to a surprise division title and playoff upset of Pittsburgh in 2011. He departed three days after the Jets selected quarterback Geno Smith in the second round of the NFL Draft, giving them six quarterbacks on the roster -- including 2012 starter Mark Sanchez -- until they dumped Tebow.

The Kansas City Chiefs have the top pick in Thursday's National Football League Draft and a strong talent pool to consider, including blockers who could offer protection for new quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs have said they have narrowed their choices to four candidates but refused to name them or reject the option of trading the top pick if the right offer comes along before Thursday night's annual allocation of college talent.

Defending champ Juan Monaco crushed Robby Ginepri 6-1, 6-0 in the quarter-finals Friday of the US Clay Court Championships, setting up a re-match of last year's final with John Isner. Only this time Monaco and runner-up Isner will meet in the Houston semi-finals after Isner booked his spot with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Ricardas Berankis earlier in the day.

Steve Stricker is hoping he can come in from the cold this week to finally get to grips with Augusta National, a course he says has overwhelmed him in the past. The 46-year-old "quiet man" of US golf has played in 12 Masters and has just a tie for sixth place in 2009 to show for it. Last year was typical when he could only tie for 47th. This year, though, Stricker has decided to drastically cut back on his schedule and, instead of playing in the week before the year's first major, he spent the time at home up north in Madison, Wisconsin, where winter still has a grip.