"The Stack" is back on this Wednesday and we have a slightly shorter post today as we prepare for our big NFL mock draft preview tomorrow so be sure to check back for that.  It's going to be good.  Now let's get right to it and see what made "the stack" for today, Wednesday, April 25:

1. Metta World Peace suspended

The suspension is in and has been handed down to Los Angeles Lakers forward Metta World Peace, and the NBA has suspended World Peace for.... seven games.  Seven games?  Seven games?!!  Are you kidding me?!!  What is the NBA doing?  Perhaps they determined that the elbow was more accidental than intentional, but seven games, really?  Given World Peace's history and how he acted right after the elbow, the NBA should have suspended his butt for 29 games.  That would have ensured that World Peace would have been suspended for the last regular season game and the entire playoffs should the Lakers play all seven game series.  The NBA has no spine.  Commissioner David Stern has no cojones.  What a disgrace.  The NHL suspended Phoenix Coyotes LW Raffi Torres 25 games for his hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa.  The NBA should have at least done the same.  Let the conspiracy theories flow out.  The NBA wants the Lakers to go deep into the playoffs.  That's what they'll say.  I'm not saying that.  All I'm saying is that the suspension should have been a lot more.

2.  NFL notes

The Indianapolis Colts have confirmed that the number one overall pick is going to be Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, exactly what we all thought.  No real intrigue or mystery there...NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he expects the punishment for the players involved in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal will be handed down soon.  Goodell says the players "embraced" the program.  Whether you agree with it or not, the fact is that some players like Jonathan Vilma took it too far and will most likely be suspended...Finally, the Atlanta Falcons have emerged as the favorite to land Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel.  A trade is being discussed and this would be a huge move by the Falcons to upgrade a secondary that has struggled at times and has to deal with Drew Brees and the Saints.  Expect a deal to be done soon, perhaps even before the NFL Draft Thursday night.

3. Devils force game seven

No baseball news today, though we'll try to get to more of that in the days and weeks to come.  The season is still very young people.  We turn our attention to the ice where we will have another game seven as the New Jersey Devils beat the Floirda Panthers 3-2 in overtime.  The Devils had a 2-0 lead and once again let the lead slip away before Travis Zajac scored the game-winning goal off a nice pass from Ilya Kovalchuk.  The Devils outshot the Panthers 42-16 and the game still went to overtime.  Game seven is going to be awfully entertaining and even if the Devils win, I don't think they can get very far unless they stop giving up leads.  I don't know if it's that they get too comfortable or too complecent or what, but that has got to stop.  And in a game seven, despite his age, I like Martin Brodeur to step up in net for the Devils.

NHL game tonight:

Washington @ Boston 7:30 PM ET NBC Sports Network

NHL games Thursday (both game sevens):

Ottawa @ New York Rangers time TBD

New Jersey @ Florida time TBD

4. Baltimore Ravens 2012-13 schedule highlights

We are suspending the team-by-team schedule highlights the next two days as we prepare for the NFL Draft, but today, we continue our team-by-team breakdown of the 2012-13 NFL schedule with the Baltimore Ravens.  The Ravens don't have too much time left to make a run with this crew led by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.  Is this the year?  The full schedule is here.  Let's take a look at the highlights:

• The Ravens open up at home on Monday night against the Cincinnati Bengals at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.  This is the second time in three years that the Ravens will open up on Monday night.  Two years ago they played against the Jets in the same time slot in New York
• All Ravens fans look to see when they play the rival Pittsburgh Steelers.  Week 11 is the first meeting in Pittsburgh.  They won't have to wait long for the second meeting, which will be two weeks later in week 13 in Baltimore.
• The first three home games for the Ravens will all be home, night nationally televised games (Cincinnati Week 1, New England week 3 on NBC @ 8:20 PM ET and Cleveland, Thursday week 4 8:20 PM ET NFL Network)
• Overall, four nationally televised games, the three mentioned above and the Steelers week 11 on NBC.  Chances are the Ravens will get one more game assuming they play well.

More team-by-team schedule highlights next week.

Coming up tomorrow: First round NFL mock draft plus other things to watch for in the draft. 

Comments and suggestions on what to write about are always welcomed and appreciated.