PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted NFL agent Leigh Steinberg is "committed to fighting for his client," potential first-round pick Paxton Lynch. ESPN's Todd McShay has been critical in his assessment of Lynch, and Steinberg on Thursday wrote on Twitter, "Hope public knows that Todd McShay, self-proclaimed draft guru never played, coached, scouted in college or NFL." Steinberg added, "Everyone entitled to opinion, but Todd McShay's vitriolic assessment of Paxton Lynch's ability is absurd. Doesn't work for a team!" Florio wrote it is "nice to know that Steinberg has teeth and that he's willing to use them in defense of his clients." While the draft process "is a crapshoot, players need strong advocates," and in this case "that's what Steinberg was" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 4/21).
BRIGHT LIGHTS: In Houston, David Barron notes the Astros will be featured on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" telecast this weekend against the Red Sox at Minute Maid Park, and it "indicates at least the recognition that the ballclub is on the way back." Other than the season opener in '13 against the Rangers, the Astros' debut AL game at Minute Maid Park, the team "has not appeared on an ESPN Sunday night game since Sept. 23, 2007, against the Cardinals" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/22).
RADICAL DISCUSSIONS: In London, Charles Sale noted BT Sport is "considering broadcasting their exclusive live coverage of the Champions League final" on YouTube to "boost viewing figures." But the YouTube discussions "suggest a radical change of approach for the broadcasting of a final" (London DAILY MAIL, 4/20).
ON THE WAY OUT: FS Midwest's Pat Parris "is leaving" the net to "become a news anchor" at Tucson-based KGUN-TV. Parris has "been an anchor, reporter and occasional play-by-play announcer" at FS Midwest for nearly 15 years (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/22)....Bay Area News Group reporter Jeff Faraudo has taken a "voluntary buyout," and Friday will be his last day of his 30-plus years at the company. He wrote, "It's been a blast! And rarely a dull moment" (IBABUZZ.com, 4/21).
