THE BUZZ: Buster, Harbaugh, Pitt

1. Buster Posey is not supposed to block the plate this season. Thats what the Giants say. But can you ask a catcher not to do something that hes already been trained to do? The Minnesota Twins dont think so. Theyve told Joe Mauer to go ahead and block the plate because its part of the business. The collision is coming. Brace yourself.

2. Andrew Luck doesnt need to hire a publicist. Not while Jim Harbaugh is in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine gushing about Luck to anyone who will listen. Harbaugh didnt go to Indianapolis for the Super Bowl but is there this week. He took a side trip to Bloomington to sit on the Indiana bench and act as a manager for his brother-in-law, Hoosiers coach Tom Crean. Harbaugh folded and unfolded chairs for time outs to the delight of observers.3. Jeremy Lin was humbled by the Miami Heat on Thursday. He looks like a guy who could use a break from the spotlight this weekend, maybe even sleeping in that fancy new apartment hes reportedly moved intothe one that has a view of the Statue of Liberty. But instead hell be in Orlando for the Rising Stars Challenge, coached by Shaq. Lins impact can be felt everywhere. On Friday morning Kwame Brown was a trending topic in the Bay Area. Why? Because he was signed after the Warriors cut Lin.
4. Ryan Braun won his appeal for violating baseballs drug policy and wont have to serve a suspension. MLB drug testers must either be too young to remember the OJ Simpson trial or are just plain stupid. DNA evidence in the Simpson trial was tainted when police forensic scientist Andrea Mazzola admitted to carrying a vial of Simpsons blood around in her lab coat. A MLB tester did the equivalent, taking Brauns urine home instead of sending it to the lab. This is how you run a billion dollar business? Sticking the urine on the shelf with the mayonnaise?
5. Billy Beane will take off the flip flops and khaki shorts on Sunday and don a tuxedo for the Academy Awards. Hell walk to red carpet to support Brad Pitt, telling the Chronicle Its got nothing to do with me. Except, of course, it has everything to do with Billy. Without him, theres no movie. Dont know if Pitt will winGeorge Clooney seems to be the favorite. But bet on Moneyball to win Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zailian did what few thought possible, turning Michael Lewis book into a very entertaining film.
NFL
T.O. will make his IFL debut on Saturday

Check out NFL.coms list of the top 100 draft prospects.

The Dolphins and Chiefs won their coin flipstoday. Here's the final 1st round draft order

Projecting the free-agent destinations for the Raiders FAs

Is Stanfords TE the next Rob Gronkowski?

Its important to look at the potential headaches that Peyton Manning could bring to a new team

Debate: Is Andrew Luck a cant-miss prospect?

Reggie McKenzie is talking to a lot of players at the combine

Do you think players at the Combine should race in the 40-yard dash? Could be coming soon.

As a team looking for a WR, do you think Mario Manningham is a good option ? Afraid youd overpay because of his big playoff run?

Tim Tebow is now friends with Jeremy Lin

NBA

Warriors may reconsider shopping Monta Ellis

Photo: The worlds biggest bandwagon fan

Of course: Jeremy Lin, the musical

Here are the rosters for tonights All-Star celebrity game

Ex-Kings F Shelden Williams was the victim of a prank

NHL

NHL.com ranks the desperation levels for your team and other contendersfair assessment?

What kind of impact, if any, did the Blue Jackets-Kings trade have on the Sharks?

Sharks win Most awesome mascot

MLB

Tony La Russa considering becoming a GM?

Freddy Sanchez plans to be ready by opening day, but will he be?

What is Brian Wilsons future in SF?

Not one but two Rays infielders are dating Playboy Playmates

As Krol says hes matured.

Here are five ways the As can get more attention

It appears that an international draft is inevitable for MLB

Did your favorite players have any thoughts on Twitter about Ryan Braun getting off?