Free Agency Day 2 News

- According to a report from El Periodico, Ricky Rubio has decided not to come over to the United States to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves and will remain with DKV Joventut for the next two seasons.

- According to David Lee's agent Mark Bartelstein has said that there are over 12 teams interested in his client. It has been reported that the Thunder and the Grizzlies are the two favorites at this point.

- Allen Iverson has made it known through his representatives that he is interested in signing with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple sources.

The Grizzlies front office is said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team's youth movement.

- The Knicks will try to use their $5.7 million mid-level exception on Grant Hill, who accepted an invitation to New York Monday for a recruiting visit, according to a source.

"Hill's a class act," Mike D'Antoni said Wednesday. "He didn't miss a game last year. I think he's one of the best free agents out there."

Shaq is in Town, With a New Motto

Shaq is a Cav...and the Big Aristotle has a new saying to go along with his new digs.

Shaquille O'Neal was introduced as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

"This is something I couldn't turn down. You guys already are a damn good team."

"I'm able to play any style. I'm not here to demand 40 or 50 shots. Thirty (laughing). I'm just coming in to do my part."

O'Neal was asked about his interest in law enforcement, but said his focus is clear.

"Right now, my motto is 'Win a Ring for the King.'"

More NBA News

- Clearing the way for No. 1 pick Blake Griffin, the Clippers have agreed to trade power forward Zach Randolph to Memphis for former Clipper Quentin Richardson, The Times learned today.

Because of salary-cap rules, the deal can't be completed until next week.

- The Detroit Pistons made the biggest early splash in free agency on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

- The Dallas Mavericks opened the free-agent period early Wednesday by letting guard Jason Kidd know that they are prepared to sign him to a three-year deal, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

NBA Free Agency Is Under Way

Here are the latest tidbits with the start of the free agency period, which began at 12:01 am on July 1st.

- Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva flew to Detroit on Wednesday morning for a meeting with Pistons president Joe Dumars.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that the pair are "moving rapidly toward deals" with the club.

Both Gordon and Villaneuva are unrestricted free agents, meaning that they are free to sign with any team they wish without Chicago and Milwaukee respectively having any say

- Since the price tag will be too high, David Lee of the New York Knicks is said to be close to taking a deal from either the Thunder or the Grizzlies.

- Rasheed Wallace is being pursued by many teams this offseason, some key teams being discussed are the Celtics, Spurs and the Magic.

- Determined to make the first splash of the NBA's free-agent negotiating period early Wednesday, the Portland Trail Blazers are making a strong push to sign Hedo Turkoglu, the prized free agent of the summer.

Vince Carter is a part of the Orlando Magic!

Its official VC will be in Orlando next year.

Although this means they will not be abe to resign Hedo Turkoglu, the Magic are trying to make sure they do not lose a chance at the championship again.

This also comes one day after the Cavs traded for Shaq.

Keep it here for the best up to date news.

Draft Day Rumors

Ok here are the latest rumors:

*Memphis receives:
#5 pick
#6 pick

Minnesota receives:
Devin Harris

New Jersey receives:
Ricky Rubio
Craig Smith

- Sources say the Bucks are now leaning strongly toward Brandon Jennings at No. 10. So much for that green-room drama he was facing. Over the past 48 hours the Bucks have really fallen in love with Jennings, and it's possible they would take him even if Jonny Flynn were still on the board.

- There are two theories in play that explain why the Thunder might not be taking Ricky Rubio after all.

The first is the smokescreen theory. It says that the Thunder are very tight-lipped and all of the recent leaks about Rubio are uncharacteristic of a Sam Presti team. They say that the Thunder are leaking Rubio hoping that a team like the Wolves who are hot for him would trade an asset to move up two spots.

The second theory is the Arn Tellem theory. Tellem is the agent for Russell Westbrook and some believe that he's been exerting major pressure on Presti not to take Rubio. Westrbrook wants to be a point guard and would be unhappy if he was moved to the 2.

- Report out of Houston - Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier are being offered to Memphis for the #2 pick.

- The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have discussed a possible trade.

League executives indicate that Phoenix could send Amare Stoudemire to the Warriors for a package that would include Andris Biedrins and the No. 7 pick in the draft.

- The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee,

This Just In

Minnesota and Memphis haven't talked about a trade for the No. 2 pick yet, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation.

Memphis owner Michael Heisley and GM Chris Wallace are scheduled to meet Wednesday night to discuss their options.

As for the Timberwolves, they want to get to No. 2 to draft Ricky Rubio, but are trying to figure out who would drop to them at No. 5 if they stay put.

If Memphis keeps the No. 2 pick and takes Hasheem Thabeet, Oklahoma City picks James Harden at No. 3 and Sacramento takes Stephen Curry or Jonny Flynn at No. 4 ... then Rubio would be there at No. 5.

The other Wolves scenario where they'd at least get Thabeet could occur if Memphis picked Tyreke Evans at No. 2, Oklahoma City picked Rubio at No. 3 and Sacramento picked Flynn or Curry at No. 4. In that instance, Thabeet would fall to No. 5.

As much as Minnesota wants Thabeet and Rubio, the source said it may be too difficult to pull it off.

Big Rumors Surrounding the NBA Draft

Here are the rumors I am hearing through the grape vines. Take them with a grain of salt, as much chatter is always prevalent around this time.


-- Major talks out of Boston have Rajon Rondo on the block. The Celtics front office have come up and said this publicly. I got word yesterday there are discussions which include Rudy Gay and Mike Conley going to Boston in exchange for Rajon Rondo, and Brian Scalabrine. The logic here is the Celtics are worried with Rondo's development and after a good post season do not want his ego to get in the way of progress. Then again, why trade your best point guard who just had a monster postseason...

-- You will be hearing a lot about the New York Knicks in the next 24 hours and on. The trade talks with the Knicks are abundant starting with David Lee and Wilson Chandlers name being thrown around. Yesterday before Washington made their trade with the Timberwolves, they asked the Knicks for Chandler in exchange for the 5th pick according to rumors, the Knicks declined. New reports say that the Knicks may send cash to the Timberwolves for the 28th pick overall. The deal would give the Knicks the 8th and 28th picks in Thursday's draft. There are also talks that the Knicks will acquire former top lottery pick Darko Milicic for Quentin Richardson.

-- The Dallas Mavericks are looking to make a deal on draft day including Jerry Stackhouse. Teams like Chicago with Kirk Hinrich, Detroit with Tayshaun Prince, the Nets with Vince Carter and several other teams are looking to dumb names with long term contracts.

-- The Houston Rockets are offering Carl Landry to try and get a pick in the top 13.




*** i will continue to post should i get more news through out the day

Pre-NBA-Draft News

With the NBA draft 24 hours away the trades and rumors are aplenty. Yesterday we saw two major moves that will have serious impact on the upcoming NBA season.

The San Antonio Spurs, obviously frustrated with their quick exit of the playoffs to the hands of their rival Dallas Mavericks made a big trade to make sure that does not happen again.

The Spurs acquired Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto. It was later determined that the Detroit Pistons were also involved as Oberto will go to Detroit and Amir Johnson will go to the Bucks.

This trade gives the Spurs a scoring wing player they have lacked for sometime now. To go along with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the Spurs with this trade have once again become, at least on paper, a dominant team in the Western Conference.

The Washington Wizards unloaded their 5th overall pick in tomorrows draft as intended, along with Oleksiy Pecherov, Etan Thomas and Drius Songaila to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The wolves give up Randy Foye and Mike Miller, and now have the 5th and 6th picks in the draft.

Now the big question on everyones mind is what will the Wolves do with the back-to-back lottery picks. Many believe Stephen Curry is all but drafted already, but the second pick is still in the air. Big man Jordan Hill is being thrown around as is Tyreke Evans even Ricky Rubio if he falls.

This draft is the first in a very long time that every pick after the first is unknown by a large margin. We should expect fireworks of July 4th proportions.

I'm Back

Had to much to go recently so this was put on hold, but i am back now and i will be writing again. NBA draft is 24 hrs away i have several pieces in the works. Stay tuned

Cutler At Odds With Fans

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has already begun alienating fans in Chicago, according to the Tribune.

Cutler has apparently begun refusing to sign autographs for fans while attending baseball games at Wrigley Field.

"His lack of appreciation for fans will be his undoing in Chicago," a reader said in an e-mail to the Tribune's David Haugh.

Kimbo Slice to Fight in TUF

Kimbo Slice, the controversial heavyweight who in 2008 headlined the most-viewed mixed martial arts card in history, will be one of 16 contestants on the forthcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s reality TV series.

Dana White, the UFC’s outspoken president, has repeatedly mocked Slice for his lack of fighting ability. Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, became a cult figure by competing in street fights that were posted on YouTube. Slice’s “bouts” drew tens of millions of views and led him to turn professional.

He fought for the now defunct Elite XC, garnering massive media attention but getting mocked by White and others affiliated with the UFC for a lack of ability.

White has called him a “joke,” a “bum” and “not a real fighter,” among other less than kind descriptions. He said that Slice would “get murdered if he fought in the UFC” and suggested that his lightweight champion, 155-pound B.J. Penn, would “annihilate” the 230-pound Slice.

The UFC president has repeatedly insisted he would not allow Slice to compete in the UFC unless he won his way onto the show by competing on “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Slice has called White’s bluff and will appear on Season 10 of the highly rated Spike TV series, White has confirmed. Fighters live in the same house and train together, and then fight during the show in a bid to earn a UFC contract.

His appearance, along with that of former UFC light heavyweight champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans as coaches, should guarantee massive ratings.

“It should be interesting, given some of the things I’ve said about him,” White said.

Slice, who has a 3-1 professional record, appeared in the main event of the first MMA card shown on network television in the U.S. when he fought James Thompson on May 31, 2008, on CBS.

Slice won by third-round stoppage in a bout that attracted a record 6.5 million viewers and remains the most-viewed MMA bout in history.

But Slice hasn’t fought since Oct. 4, when he was knocked out by a jab from late replacement Seth Petruzelli, a light heavyweight, just 14 seconds into another fight broadcast on CBS. The plug was pulled on Elite XC, which reportedly lost millions of dollars, in the aftermath of the fight.

White promised “some major surprises” as he announced on a Thursday conference call that Jackson and Evans, each of whom is a former light heavyweight champion, would serve as coaches on Season 10.

He declined to say anything further but urged reporters on the call not to miss media day, which is Tuesday at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas.

White worked hard to keep Slice’s appearance on the show a secret, hoping to have unveiled him Tuesday. Season 10, which is being called “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,” was originally slated to feature a cast of eight heavyweights and eight middleweights, but the UFC quietly informed the middleweights who tried out that it was going with an all-heavyweight show.

And unlike in recent seasons, where the competitors had to win a fight to earn their way into the house, there will be no such arrangement this time. All 16 fighters – Spike and the UFC are keeping names of the others a closely guarded secret – will automatically move into the house.

Though White goes to great lengths to insist that nothing on the show is scripted, it’s virtually guaranteed that Slice won’t fight early in the competition. Having him around and alive in the competition is going to keep ratings elevated.

If Slice is able to advance to the live Dec. 5 finale, with a chance to earn a UFC contract with a win, ratings would likely be the largest in Spike history.

Draft Day Recap

The big news was not the first pick overall by the Lions, everyone knew Matt Stafford was getting picked about 4 months ago. The real question was who was going next? and what big names would be finding new homes.

The big names people expected to move, Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin remained with the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals respectively.

The New York Jets made their key move and traded up to the 5 hole and got their man, USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. They also traded to be the first pick on the 3rd round and selected Shonn Greene, running back from Iowa.

The New York Giants began the process to replace Plaxico Burress by drafting 2 wide receivers in the draft, 1st round pick out of North Carolina, Hakeem Nicks and 6'6 wide out Ramses Barden from Cal-Poly. The Giants also drafted Clint Sintim, linebacker out of Virginia.

The big surprises to me were Michael Crabtree falling to the San Francisco 49ers at pick 10, the Oakland Raiders selecting Michael Mitchell in the 2nd round when he was projected as a 5th rounder, and frankly...Eric Mangini helping the Jets land Sanchez.

Now we wait and see who will pan out. Will Stafford win a game with the Lions and will he live up to his ridiculous *potential* 78 million dollar contract.

NFL season is 5 months away.

Mayor Bloomberg Defends New Yorks Ticket Prices

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has defended the new ballparks of New York's two MLB teams, brushing back fans who have criticized high ticket prices.

"Don't ever think sports is anything but a business," Bloomberg said.

"These are great additions to the skyline of New York," Bloomberg added.

"We put next to nothing into these two stadiums," Bloomberg said of the new stadiums for the Yankees and Mets.

Jason Kidd Wishes He Chose San Antonio

Jason Kidd decided to remain with the Nets as a free agent in 2003, passing over what could have been a golden opportunity to join the Spurs.

"It may be a silly excuse, but I wanted to try to win a championship on my own, and we had that opportunity in New Jersey," Kidd told the Dallas Morning News. "Then, the Nets went in a whole different direction.

"San Antonio did everything right. I just didn't make the right decision at the time."

Unsure of whether or not Kidd was really expressing regret, the News then asked if he wished he had joined the Spurs.

"Well, they've won two championships since then," Kidd said. "I might have had a ring by now."

Derrick Rose Wins Rookie of the Year

Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls is the recipient of the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the 2008-09 T-Mobile NBA Rookie of the Year, the NBA announced today.

Rose received 111 first-place votes (574 points) from a panel of 120 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Memphis' O.J. Mayo finished second with 246 points and New Jersey's Brook Lopez finished third with 127 points.

Selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft 2008, Rose led first-year players in assists (6.3 apg) and was second among rookies in scoring (16.8 ppg), to go along with 3.9 rebounds in 37.0 minutes. Rose shot .475 from the field and .788 from the free throw line. He started 80 of 81 games (missed one game due to injury on March 24), and finished the season in the top three in several categories all-time among Bulls rookies, including total points (3rd, 1,361), scoring (3rd, 16.8 ppg) and assists (3rd, 6.3 apg).

A three-time T-Mobile Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month selection (Nov., Dec., March), Rose scored in double digits 71 times including 32 games of at least 20 points.

Tony Gonzalez to the Eagles?

According to Don Banks of SI.com, the Eagles are leading the race to land tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Chiefs.

The Falcons were previously believed to be the front-runners to land Gonzalez.

Kansas City reportedly wants a second round pick for the tight end, but Philadelphia is only willing to give up a third-rounder

Just Relax

Four innings into the New York Yankees 2009 Major League Baseball season it happened, panic and hysteria broke out amongst Bronx Bomber fans across the country.

The second key offseason pick-up C.C Sabathia gave up a hit to the Baltimore Orioles the cynics were out in full force. I began receiving text messages and phone calls around 7:45pm on April 6th. Was this the right move? and how can a guy who just signed the largest contract ever for a pitcher be this dreadful in his first start.

Not to mention the amount of pressure that the boys in pinstripes are already under, missing the playoffs for the first time in 14 years, star third baseman out for the first month of the season, a new stadium about to open and all this during the biggest financial debacle in half a century.

First game jitters, thats what I posed to everyone who grabbed their inhaler and began the uprise of stock for Rogaine. First of all Sabathia was pitching in a new uniform, in a new league, and in a new atmosphere.

After pitching with the Brewers for half of last season, single handedly taking them to the playoffs-pitching of three days rest multiple times, it was Sabathia who was ready for a ring and thus chose the New York Yankees for what could be the next six years.

In his first start of the season Sabathia fell short of opening expectations, velocity on his fastball never reached over 92 mph, not to mention he was missing his spots with the pitch, bad. His slider wasn’t sliding enough and his change up could not fool the likes of Brian Roberts and Adam Jones.

And lets not forget the heating pad, as soon as YES panned to the Yankees dugout and saw Carsten Charles putting a heat bad around his mid section all hell broke loose. “What happened to his ribs? Did he break something? Is there a problem already? Is this the Carl Pavano curse?” and every other question imaginable was asked. How could the Yankees ever succeed when their gigantic in size and wallet pitcher was already pitching like a bust of years past known as the toad, Hideki Irabu.

Of course Mark Teixiera’s 0-4 night did not help the Yankees, as the new first baseman fell on his face in front of his home crowd who booed him unmercifully.

So what do you take from your star starting pitcher whose smile is as wide as the horizon and heart big enough to fill a stadium himself? FIRST GAME JITTERS.

Last season Sabathia was god-awful for the Indians at the start, posting a crooked number in the loss column for himself in April with an E.R.A nearing double digits. He finished with another team, in the playoffs and in the Cy Young award discussion.

After one game the newspapers were all over the hefty lefty and the Yankee organization. Sabathia never one to shy away from the media during the good and the bad stood by his locker deterred and visibly upset, he took responsibility for his mistakes and did not come with the cookie cutter answers. For this I commend him, rarely have we seen an athlete stand in front of the media and take the brunt of the blame on his shoulders. Maybe its because his shoulders are so broad that he can hold the load or maybe its because that the Yankees have never had a pitcher like C.C Sabathia.

Five days following the Sabathia meltdown he took the mound against the Kansas City Royals. His first inning went 1-2-3 a featured two strikes outs. A different pitcher apparently had emerged through the wreckage in Baltimore. C.C recording his first strikeout as a Yankee and now it was time to roll. He proceeded to shut the Royals down tossing 7.2 innings, giving up only six hits, striking out six, walking none, giving up no runs and most importantly securing his first win as a Yankee. This was the C.C Sabathia the Yankees back up the Brinks truck for. All of a sudden Sabathia is a hero and the papers love him.

Like I said first game jitters, it takes some time to get accustomed to your surroundings. For Sabathia it took one game, he then proved to the baseball world that he is indeed on top of his game. His next hill to climb? Open up the new $1.6 billion home of the team that signed him on April 16th.

Get Your Buffalo Wings Ready?

Sorry people, things have been going on lately.

Anyway...to my shock last week, Terrell Owens signed with the Buffalo Bills. Really? All the places I thought my favorite player would go...THE BILLS!? In a way it makes no sense to me, its a place that doesn't fit the Terrell Owens mantra.

The Cowboys were that big ego, superstar aura, the Bills seem to fall short.

Then you have to think why he chose the Bills, was it the most money for a one year contract? Or was it the only team that came forward, because it damn sure cant be the team he thought he was going to win with. Today Owens made a request for his #81 and he got it.

He will be paired with Trent Edwards and Lee Evans, he is certainly the biggest name in Buffalo since Jim Kelly. How will the T.O saga go in Buffalo? In my opinion he will play well, he might even make the Bills relevant and a bubble playoff team. I see him getting close to 1000 yards about 8-10 touchdowns, and then moving on to another team next year.

Get your popcorn ready.

Breaking News - Terrell Owens Released

Well the bad boy in Dallas is gone.

After all of the hoop-lah, it has finally happened, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have released Terrell Owens.

He left the 49ers, Eagles and now the Cowboys after being labeled a recluse and now will have to find a new home in hopes of continuing his hall-of-fame career. The first team that pops into your head is the Al Davis run Raiders. Where WR's go to rot.

Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, etc.

After Jerry Jones all offseason swore to the media that T.O was going no where, this happens.

Where will he go? That is the million dollar question.

I will be updating this as we get more info.

Warner, Housh, Ward Signed

- Well the man that took the Cardinals to the Superbowl has finally come to terms. Kurt Warner got what he wanted, two years $23 million. Mind you this is not what the Cardinals offered him, this is what Warner told the Cards what he wanted. He also told the Cards that this was a "hometown discount" because the 49ers were offering him 26-27 million a year. At least he didnt commit career suicide by going to San Fran.

- T.J Whose-your-mamma has found a new home. Seattle. T.J. Houshmandzadeh signed a five year deal and now will play near his college home, and play with Matt Hasselbeck.

- Derrick Ward has left the New York Giants where he won a Superbowl, to get the opportunity to start with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Ward will battle with Caddillac Williams for the starting job in Tampa Bay.

Matt Cassel Going to Kansas City

Well the quarterback woes are over in Kansas City, or so we think.

In another blockbuster move, the Patriots unload their "season saviour" of last year and ship Matt Cassel to the Chiefs in exchange for their 2nd round draft pick this year.

They already sent Mike Vrabel to Kansas City yesterday and now give them a quarterback because they assume Tom Brady will be 100% at the start of the season.

All Kansas City needs to do is give Cassel some more offensive weapons and have Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez want to play and this team could do some damage.

NFL Signings and Trades

Well NFL is back and the free agents are finding new teams quickly.

- Albert Hayensworth was signed by the Washington Redskins, 7 years 100 M.

- Deangelo Hall was also signed with the Redskins 5 years 54 M.

- Kellen Winslow was traded from the Browns to the Bucs for draft picks

- Lito Sheppard was traded to the New York Jets from the Eagles.

- Bart Scott was signed by the New York Jets 6 years 48 M.

- Kerry Collins re-signed with the Titans 2 years 15 M.

- There is a rumor that Brian Dawkins is going to the Broncos for a 2 year deal.

- Fred Taylor signed with the Patriots 2 years 5 M.

- Patriots trade Mike Vrabel for an undiscoled draft pick.

- Jason Brown goes to the Rams

Recent Baseball Signings

- Tom Glavine signed a one year $1 million deal with the Atlanta Braves

- Garrett Anderson signed a one year $2 million deal with the Atlanta Braves

- Ken Griffey Jr. returns to Seattle, signing a one year $2.5 million deal

- Orlando Hudson signed a one year $3.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB - Money, Money, and More Money

On this date 46 years ago, Willie Mays signed a new contract for $100,000, becoming the highest paid player in baseball.

In the day and age that we live in today, with baseball salaries being through the roof, we have to reflect on where we have come from. In 1963 when Mays received that contract from the San Francisco Giants, $100,000 was like $1,000,000 today.

Have the salaries gotten too high? Are these players over paid?
Major League Baseball has seen salaries rise astronomically since the mid 90’s. Kevin Brown signed the biggest contract in MLB history in 1998, when the Los Angeles Dodgers gave him a modest seven year deal worth $105 million. Since then $100+ million contracts have been quite common.

Most notably Alex Rodriguez received a $252 million deal from the Texas Rangers in 2001, he then received a new deal with the New York Yankees in 2008 where he was awarded a 10 year $275 million contract which with incentives could go up to $305 million.

New York Yankees short stop, Derek Jeter was given a 10 year $189 million contract in 2001. In 2006 Barry Zito was given the largest contract for a pitcher by the San Francisco Giants. A whopping seven year $126 million deal, which thus far has been the largest over-payment for a player since the Dodgers gave relief pitcher Darren Dreifort a five year $55 million contract in 2001. In the same year the Colorado Rockies gave Mike Hampton a stellar eight year $121 million contract, which the Rockies paid the Braves to take him off their hands after just two years.

2007-2008 winter meetings brought the next enormous deal for a pitcher in baseball, when the New York Mets inked up a $137.5 million contract for six years.

Then in the 2008-2009 offseason the New York Yankees struck it rich when they gave C.C Sabathia the newest largest contract for a pitcher in baseball history. $161 million deal over seven years, and then proceeded to give first baseman Mark Teixeira a hefty eight year $180 million contract.

But now comes the economic stand point from the whole situation and big question is thrown out there, are these players over paid. Well it all depends on what that player will end up making for the team he plays for. If Alex Rodriguez makes the Yankees $30 million in a season, he technically is under paid because he makes $28 million a season. That is how baseball contracts are measured, merchandise sales, luxury box and season ticket sales and other endorsements all play into the idea of the cost for a player. As long as you see thousands of number 13 jerseys at Yankee Stadium and all across the world at a cool $154.99 a piece, the Yankees and other teams with their player contracts will be doing just fine.

It just goes to show you where these contracts have gone. Just think, four decades ago a games pay for Alex Rodriguez was the largest contract in the game, now there are players in baseball making more money then some countries.

Manny = Kobe

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp did a bit of campaigning today for Manny:

"I compare him to Kobe Bryant," said Kemp. "He makes everybody around him better. Manny's the Kobe Bryant of baseball. Of course we want him back and of course we need him. He's a freak."

A Legacy Forever Ruined

Cheater, steroid user, fake, no respect, LIAR.

These words will forever be linked to the name Alex Rodriguez, from February 7th 2009 till infinity.

Once praised as the air apparent to be the greatest of all time, is now a mere asterisk in the minds of millions of baseball fans. When Selena Roberts out-ed the 12 time all-star and three time most valuable player, the name Alex Rodriguez would never be the same again.

In America there are certain things that tick people off, rapist, murderer, and it seems like cheater is in the same category. Not to put Alex Rodriguez in the same vein as a murderer but in the minds of baseball purists that is just where his name falls. He no longer will be looked at as the clean player to finally absolve baseball of the steroid era, nor would he now be the “REAL” homerun king. Instead Barry Bonds is still sullied and Hank Aaron still holds the long ball crown, and if A-ROD gets there which barring injury he more than likely will, the number will mean nothing in the eyes of the fans.

In my previous article I mentioned what players said and how I believe that there must have been an agenda behind just Rodriguez’s name being leaked, and there was, Roberts is releasing a book chronicling A-ROD’s celebrity status and his downfall. Now it seems like this list will not be released and Rodriguez will be the only man named off this infamous list. He is the only one scorn by the wrath of four sources that breached the trust and faith of every single player in Major League baseball today.

Let’s look at the situation this way. The four sources that leaked the information to Roberts knowingly broke the law. They threw away the notion of confidentiality, which in the case of these tests and what the players were being tested for would have never complied with should they have known that one day names would be mentioned and careers would be tarnished. And that is exactly what happened here. Rodriguez’s career has been tarnished like a metal bike left out in a monsoon.

On Tuesday February 17th 2009, Alex Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in Tampa for Yankees spring training where he will face the media publicly for the first time since his interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons on the 9th of February. He, just like Andy Pettitte last year and Jason Giambi the year prior to Pettitte will face the media and try to answer the steroid filled questions thrown at him and try to clear the air. The press conference is another step in Alex Rodriguez’s road to recovery, much like a person in AA sessions, this is just another step.

It is here where the world expects Rodriguez to be truthful once again and try to put back together the reputation and legacy that right now is in shambles like a disco ball that fell to the dance floor. With him will be sitting Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada according to Yankee sources who have said they want to be there to support their team mate, just like they did for Andy Pettitte last spring training.

Veteran Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has come out and said “To me, he doesn’t have to say anything, he has my support regardless.”

Longtime catcher Jorge Posada made his feelings known to the media as well, “Alex is my teammate and Alex is going to be my friend forever. I’m going to support him any way I can.”

Familiar with the situation surrounding Rodriguez, Pettitte has supported his fellow colleague. “Alex is my teammate; he’s like family to me,” Pettitte said. “I’m going to try to help him and pull for him in any way possible. Anything negative toward him isn’t going to come from me. I want to try to encourage him and pick him up at this time, not kick him down.”

On the bright side for A-ROD this is a good thing, seeing the marquee names supporting him like this, yet there is one name that hasn’t come out and said something to help matters, the one that matters most in New York, number two, Derek Jeter. Jeter publicly said he would not speak on the matter until spring training, so tomorrow everyone is expecting the captain to speak, and for Alex’s sake, he better support him 100 percent.

But I must go back to the issue at hand and that is the name, Alex Rodriguez. There will be no excuses from fans and A-ROD alike; he has admitted to doing the steroids to live up to his hefty contract given to him by the Texas Rangers, but what he did was wrong. Fans will boo him unmercifully at home and especially on the road. Signs on asterisks and needles and catch phrases with “A-ROID” will be staples in every game Rodriguez plays in. And there is nothing he can do about it. He brought this upon himself and he will have to live with the fact that his legacy, reputation and name will forever be etched into the minds of fans as a cheater.

A-ROD GATE

Like Richard Nixon in the early 70’s, Alex Rodriguez has orchestrated a scandal to rock the very core of the baseball world.

On February 7th 2009 Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for 2 types of steroids in 2003, Testosterone and Primobolin. The story was broken by Selena Roberts who confirmed the positive tests through four sources.
Now here is where the controversy starts to bubble.

Roberts has been doing the media circuit and has publicly stated that she knows the person who leaked this information is committing a crime. This source had access to PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL information that must have had ulterior motives to release these names. Out of the total 104 names on this “tested positive for steroids list” only Alex Rodriguez was out-ed.

Rodriguez sat down with Peter Gammons of ESPN on February 9th 2009 where he admitted to using banned substances in an interview that lasted over 30 minutes. A-ROD clearly emotional and distraught through out the interview did answer all the questions and in my opinion took the proper first step to diffuse this C-4 type of situation.
Much like Nixon and his “Dirty Tricks” A-ROD apparently was using his own “magic” from 2001 to 2003 as he told Gammons in the sit down. Feeling the need to live up to his massive 10 year – 252 million dollar contract, with exorbitant amount of pressure building upon his shoulders, Rodriguez decided to take steroids.

Much like the Watergate scandal there was a leak of information, which too was classified. But I once again bring up the fact that the agenda this source had when only releasing Rodriguez’s name, is absolutely preposterous. Either leak each and every of the 104 names or none at all. How could anyone be content with just one name, however much weight that name holds. Equality and fairness, this era no doubt will be labeled the “steroid era” and a tainted period in baseball, but withholding names and putting a blanket over the entire league as potential users will be a crime in and of itself.

Now retired Sean Casey has come out and said he felt betrayed by the Players Association for the leakage of Alex Rodriguez’s name from “the list.” Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has come out and said in his blog that he wanted every name out there if A-ROD’s name was to be released. And Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman has said that he wants the names of everyone on “the list” exposed because those who have never touched any type of human growth hormone or steroid would like to clear their name.

Everyone wanted Alex Rodriguez to just come out and admit what he did and dish out all the “good stuff.” He went further than the actual Sports Illustrated report by admitting to doing the roids for not just one year, but three. He gave us the why, the where, the how, the when just not the who. You must give him credit for taking the whole steroid fiasco further than anyone else who was put in his situation.

Barry Bonds has denied his steroid use all though there are positive tests, lied to a grand jury and is now fighting for his freedom in a court room.

Roger Clemens has taken the “deny till I die” policy and is tossing and turning at night wondering if the three needles Brian McNamee had stuffed in his basement in a old Coke can will be tossed as evidence. He too is facing jail time for his steroid use.

Rafael Palmero wagged his finger then three days later was tested positive for steroids. Mark McGwire showed the world his Androstendione in his locker, a steroid precursor, as well as Jose Canseco coming out and saying he personally injected Big Mac with roids.

The other 103 names on “the scarlet letter forever on your forehead” list for now should consider themselves lucky. I’m sure there are big names on that list, maybe not as big of fish like A-ROD but I’m positive a shocking name or two will be on there.

This dark cloud in baseball history that is upon us will forever stain the culture of the sport, and encyclopedias will chronicle this cycle of madness forever. Alex Rodriguez will have to do a lot to get back in good graces with the fans of baseball, but it all starts now.

Unlike President Nixon, A-ROD will not pick up and leave office, he will continue to be the greatest baseball player in the game today, and prolong his journey to becoming legendary.

Bears Looking at Matt Casell?

A lot of people believe that the Patriots will trade Matt Cassel, and the Bears have admitted that solving their quarterback situation is tops on their offseason list.

"At some point, the Bears will have to address their quarterback situation. There were times last season when Kyle Orton appeared to have a good handle on things, but after sustaining an ankle injury, he was not the same productive player," Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post wrote.

"The Bears need a marquee player on offense, someone they can build around and make all the other pieces fit. They need someone they do not have to manage but who can run a complete offense. The need is there, but I doubt the Bears will be serious players. They have the 18th pick in the first round, but they hate to part with picks.

Giants Preparing 3 Year Offer for Manny

According to Peter Gammons, the San Francisco Giants are putting together a massive 3-Year deal for Manny Ramirez.

This coming after Ramirez agent Scott Boras has told the LA Dodgers to hurry up with an offer.

Ramirez recently spoke with Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, and the slugger described his situation this way:

"We're in the seventh inning and I'm waiting for my pitch."

Curt Schilling and Derek Jeter Respond To A-ROD Situation

For the first time ever, I can actually say I agree with Curt Schilling.

Schilling has come out and said that all the names, not just Alex Rodriguez should be released off the 104 name list of steroid users.

"I'd be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible," former Boston ace Curt Schilling wrote on his blog Sunday, referring to the number of players who were tested but assured confidentiality.
"In my opinion, if you don't do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever," he wrote. "It appears that not only was it 104, but three of the greatest of our, or any, generation appear to be on top of this list."
Mike & Mike in the Morning

Yankees teammate Derek Jeter, speaking from the club's spring training site in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, said Rodriguez should be given "the benefit of the doubt."
"My intitial reaction is let him respond" to the report, Jeter said, according to Newsday. "Give him the respect to respond to it before you pass judgment."

Sean Casey Violated By A-ROD Report

Sean Casey, who spent last season with the Red Sox before opting to retire this offseason, has admitted that he feels violated by the recent leak of drug test results.

"A little bit, because it was supposed to be a survey test and those results were supposed to be confidential," Casey said. "The only reason we opened up the collective bargaining agreement was on those terms."

Casey expects more names to be released, "especially because of the witch hunt with Bonds and Clemens."

Amare Says He Would Say Yes To Detroit

Amar'e Stoudemire told Don Shane of WXYZ that being traded to Detroit is something he would welcome and that Phoenix's interest in trading him has to do with financial issues.

"It would be phenomenal," said Stoudemire about joining the Pistons. "I think the fans here have been probably the top fans in the world since I’ve been in the NBA. They’re always cheering their team on and every time we come here, their always loud and rowdy, so it would be fun to play here."

Warriors Pursuing Amare

The Warriors are intent on pursuing Suns forward Amare Stoudemire, who appears likely to change addresses before the Feb. 19 trade deadline passes.

"They've gotten very active with the Stoudemire stuff," said one NBA source of Golden State.

If the Warriors aren't able to land Stoudemire, sources also claim that they'll try to get involved with another young big man.

Ray Lewis Thinking Jets?

Ray Lewis talked with the NFL Network while in Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, and said the Jets are an "attractive" option with Rex Ryan, his defensive coordinator in Baltimore, now Jets head coach.

"That's a great opportunity, reason being we've been together for years," Lewis said. "We won a Super Bowl together and the mentality that we both need to sit down and understand each other and understand what's best for our defense and what's best for our team.

"That relationship by itself is a match, because of the relationship me and Rex have always had. That opportunity by itself looks attractive, seems attractive."

Houshmandzadeh Wants to be an Eagle

During an interview with Mike Missanelli on ESPN 950 in Philadelphia, T.J. Houshmandzadeh said he could potentially be interested in playing in Philadelphia.

"If the Eagles are interested in me, let's put it like this. If they'll be interested in me, I'll be interested in them," he said when asked if the Eagles would be his top choice.

"I think McNabb is a fine quarterback," he said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league, probably, I can't even think of another quarterback that has performed throughout his career the way he has and would be put in a situation like he was put in in Baltimore, but he bounced back very well."

Jeter to Play Against His Own Team

Derek Jeter will play for the United States against his Yankees in a warmup for the World Baseball Classic.

"Hopefully, I won't see any pitches inside," Jeter joked Thursday. "It will be funny. It will be fun."

Jeter played for the U.S. team in the initial WBC three years ago.

"I had a good time," Jeter said. "I enjoyed myself. I think the first time around we really didn't know what to expect. Once you got there and you started to play, you realized how special it was."

3-Point Shootout Contestants Revealed

The Toronto Raptors' Jason Kapono will seek to become the third player to capture three consecutive titles in this year's Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, at US Airways Center, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

Kapono will be joined by Eastern Conference All-Star reserves Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic, Mike Bibby of the Atlanta Hawks, Roger Mason of the San Antonio Spurs and Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat.

My money is on Kapono to repeat with Roger Mason as a sleeper and Danny Granger being a big big sleeper.

Today's Baseball News

- Manny Ramirez has declined the Los Angeles Dodgers 1 Year - 25 Million Dollar offer. There are talks that the Giants are now the favorite.

- The Dodgers missing out on Manny, will now focus their sights on Adam Dunn, Randy Wolf and Orlando Hudson.

- The Chicago White Sox have made a 1 year - 8 Million Dollar offer to Bobby Abreu.

- There are still no offers for pitcher Ben Sheets.

- Reports from the Wall Street Journal are saying that Citigroup might be pulling their name from the New York Mets new stadium. Citi Field might become blank Field for opening day. If Citigroup pulls out the Mets are losing out on 400 Million Dollars.

- The Baltimore Orioles have signed Ty Wiggington

- The Nationals have offered Adam Dunn a contract

Dodger Offer Manny 1 Year Deal

A two-year, $45 million offer three months ago didn't get it done. So on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers made a new offer to Manny Ramirez -- for one year and $25 million, according to a major league source.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirmed to ESPN.com that he met with Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, on Monday and presented the new offer in person.

Colletti declined to confirm any details of the offer. But the offer was confirmed by another source with knowledge of the discussions. It's believed that Ramirez and Boras were given a 48-hour deadline to accept the offer.

Boras and the Dodgers have haggled since November over Ramirez's worth, but they have been hung up mostly by the four to six years Boras has been looking for. So clearly, the Dodgers decided it was time to change tactics.

By offering Ramirez $25 million, they apparently believe they're sending a clear message that they want him back -- since that would make him the second-highest paid player in baseball this year, behind only Alex Rodriguez. It would also give Ramirez a chance to go back into the free-agent market next winter, when, presumably, the economy will have improved.

Matt Cassel Peed On

New England quarterback Matt Cassel was in line for the bathroom at ESPN's Super Bowl party on Friday night and reportedly got peed on.

A drunken man tried to cut Cassel in line, but he wasn't ready to concede his spot. "Matt told him to wait his turn and headed into the urinals," a source told the New York Daily News.

Soon after, the man barged in and peed directly on Cassel's leg.

After security tossed out the man, Cassel headed back out into the crowd.

Matt Cassel Drawing Strong Interest

Rising star Matt Cassel has been the hot topic ever since Tom Brady went down after week 1.

Cassel lead the New England Patriots to a winning record but falling just short of the playoffs due to tie breakers. He now will most likely need to find a new home, because Tom Brady is scheduled to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next season.

Scott Pioli new general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs, who was with the Patriots last season, seems that Cassel can fill the QB void that has plagued the Chiefs for decades.

Tyler Thigpen and Quinn Gray are just not cutting it for me.

Other teams looking to maybe lure Cassel include the Jets, Lions, Vikings, 49ers, Panthers, Buccaneers and Bears.

Manny Gets an Offer

So its not the one he probably had it mind...

The Worcester Tornadoes offered Manny Ramirez a two-year, $24,000 contract this week.

The deal would pay Ramirez $3,000 per month during the season; he earned $110,000 a day last season.

What Happens If Ramirez Joins Pujols?

The biggest free agent left on the market is ready to pull out his dread locks if he does not find a suitor soon.

As of last week super agent Scott Boras came out and publicly stated that there are "multiple suitors" for his malcontent outfielder Manny Ramirez. Ramirez, Boras and the rest of the baseball universe is waiting patiently to see which pond the big fish lands in.

On January 29th, Albert Pujols admitted to speaking with Manny Ramirez a lot,
"I speak with Manny every three days and he tells me, 'Man, no one wants to sign me." When you have the backing of an Albert Pujols, that has to be a positive and nothing short of a formula for success. "I'm not an agent or general manager, but I can't understand how Manny has not signed" said Pujols.

Since "Phat Albert" has endorsed Manny Ramirez to wear red and white, maybe Ramirez finds it in his heart to not want 25+ million dollars and give St. Louis a break.

"Maybe St. Louis doesn't have the money to sign him, but he could give them a discount because St. Louis is a great city that supports its players," said Pujols.

Lets look at this from another stand point, Albert Pujols is the only thing relevant when associating with the Cardinals, bringing in Manny will bolster the lineup and make them a prime team to watch. A 1-2 punch of Manny and Albert in my opinion is 100 times more scarier and potent then Manny and David Ortiz. Pujols is a better overall hitter than David Ortiz, and just as clutch. Pujols has the ability to not just hit home runs but he has the capability to spread the ball around the field and launch the ball over the fence as well. With a 3-4 of Manny and Pujols, they will protect each other thus not allowing pitchers to shy away from one to get to the other. Each strike fear into the pitcher 66.6 feet away from him.

Although this is just a thought circulating through the baseball wire it is something to ponder, and should this magically happen, the Cardinals could have an offense to be reckoned with. The middle of their line up would look as such, Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols, Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel. Not too shabby, especially in the National League.

Then again, Pujols is not the only one trying to court Manny to sign with his team. A mob of 40 or so Mets fans stood outside the teams network studio pleading for the Wilpon's and Omar Minaya to bring Manny to Queens.

"He's got the skill set we need, and the attitude and swagger to play in New York," said Justin Killian, a 36-year-old lawyer who helped organize the rally on nyfuturestars.com. "He'll be like the rain man, just go up and hit."

Personally I would like to see Manny Ramirez in Queens, playing for the Mets and helping that team not choke away a third season. But also I would like to see them win and maybe face the Yankees in the World Series. Then again I wouldn't mind watching the combo of Pujols and Ramirez on FOX every Sunday either. What will happen, lets wait and see.

Joe Torre Kept A-ROD From Being a Dodger

When Alex Rodriguez was a free agent last offseason, Joe Torre advised the Dodgers not to touch him. Could this have stemmed from the continuous beef Torre and Rodriguez had in the previous seasons? A-Rod has publicly said that he was personally offended when Torre dropped him to 8th in the lineup against the Tigers in the playoffs.

1st NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

1. Detroit Lions: Andre Smith, T, Alabama
2. St. Louis Rams: Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia
3. Kansas City Chiefs: Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
4. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
5. Cleveland Browns: Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Jason Smith, T, Baylor
7. Oakland Raiders: BJ Raji, DT, Boston College
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rey Maualuga, LB, USC
9. Green Bay Packers: Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
10. San Francisco 49ers: Everette Brown, DE, Florida State
11. Buffalo Bills: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
12. Denver Broncos: Brian Cushing, LB, USC
13. Washington Redskins: Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
14. New Orleans Saints: Alex Mack, C, California
15. Houston Texans: Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
16. San Diego Chargers: Michael Oher, T, Ole Miss
17. New York Jets: Jeremy Maclin, WR/KR, Missouri
18. Chicago Bears: Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
20. Detroit Lions (from DAL): Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
21. Philadelphia Eagles: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
22. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
23. New England Patriots: Louis Delmas, S, Western Michigan
24. Atlanta Falcons: Alphonso Smith, CB, Wake Forest
25. Miami Dolphins: Larry English, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois
26. Baltimore Ravens: Percy Harvin, ATH, Florida
27. Philadelphia Eagles (from CAR): Peria Jerry, DT, Ole Miss
28. Indianapolis Colts: James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
29. New York Giants: Clay Matthews, LB/DE, USC
30. Tennessee Titans: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
31. Arizona Cardinals: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB, Ohio State
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyson Jackson, DT, LSU

Antonio Pierce Believe Burress Will Be Back

Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce believes that embattled wide receiver Plaxico Burress will return to the team next season.

"I think it comes down to how he goes about his business," said Pierce. "He holds the decision. If he does everything he needs to do, I don't think he's played his last game as a Giant. Mentally and demeanor-wise, if they thought he was so bad, they would've never signed him to that long-term contract. He's made some bad choices and that was a very bad incident. But once you get in trouble like that, everything else you've done gets magnified 100 percent.

"I know that Plaxico loves football. It's all he knows. Sometimes when it looks like you might lose that opportunity, it can have a powerful effect on a person."

Fitzgerald Willing To Be Ultimate Team Player

Larry Fitzgerald accepted a four-year, $40 million deal from Arizona last year when he could have made considerably more on the open market so he could leave the Cardinals cap space, and Fitzgerald would like to help the Cardinals again.

Fitzgerald is willing to restructure his contract so that the Cardinals can redo Anquan Boldin’s and keep him in Arizona long-term. Boldin wants his deal redone and said during the season that he never would re-sign with Arizona again, but many around the league believe that as long as the Cardinals make a sufficient offer, then Boldin will agree to stay.

Warner's Words Of Wisdom

Veteran quarterback Kurt Warner gave his Cardinals teammates some advice recently as they prepare for next weekend's Super Bowl.

"Enjoy the moment," said Warner, who has played in two Super Bowls.

"You don't want to shut yourself off and look at everything as a negative."

Bill Cowher Turns Down Chiefs

Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher has reportedly turned down an offer to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.

"It's not going to happen," according to a source close to Cowher.

The same source said Cowher has reiterated over the past few months that he has no desire to coach in 2009

Joe Torre Harsh Word on Yankees in New Book

Joe Torre didn't need "incentives" to lead the New York Yankees, so he left.
Torre's incentives to expose the salacious side of his former team are another story.
According to two newspaper reports, Torre blasts the team he managed to four World Series titles in a book set to be released Feb. 3.
Teammates frequently called Alex Rodriguez "A-Fraud," and the third baseman was obsessed over his rivalry with shortstop Derek Jeter, "The Yankee Years" reveals, according to the New York Daily News and New York Post.
In the book written by Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci and published by Doubleday, Torre also says Yankees general manager Brian Cashman "betrayed him on several fronts," the Daily News reports.
It's in stark contrast to Torre's former stance, in which he said Cashman supported him throughout 2007 negotiations, which ultimately failed.
And it goes beyond the widely reported 2007 meeting in which Cashman met with the Steinbrenners to discuss Torre's future with the team, a talk in which the GM was said to have remained neutral as the drawbacks to extending Torre's tenure were discussed.
In a later confrontation with Torre, Cashman confirmed he was quiet when the subject of offering Torre his desired two-year deal instead of one came up, the book says.
Cashman wouldn't comment on the book when contacted Sunday by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Cashman, who said he's in regular contact with Torre, told Olney he didn't know the context of the portrayal and didn't know if the reported comments were from Torre or Verducci.
"I think Brian Cashman wanted me back," Torre said in Oct. 2007, as he announced he wouldn't return for the Yankees. "We have a close relationship. We felt we worked hard at trying to get this thing straightened out."
After completing a three-year, $19.2 million contract with the Yankees, Torre signed a three-year, $13 million contract to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers in Nov. 2007, the same month the book deal with Verducci was announced.
His Dodgers deal came two weeks after having walked away from the Yankees when they offered a one-year contract worth $5 million plus $3 million in performance incentives he termed "an insult.''
"I don't think incentives are necessary," he said then. "I've been here a long time and I've never needed to be motivated. Plus, in my [previous] contract, I get a million-dollar bonus if we do win the World Series, so that's always been there."
One source familiar with the book told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that it's "inaccurate'' to suggest that Torre used it as a forum to get even with the Yankees or settle old scores.
The source said some of the controversial angles being reported in the New York tabloids have been taken out of context or "overblown.''
"Joe is very honest in the book,'' the source said, "but he doesn't make any personal attacks. In terms of him name-calling, that's not his style.''
The book is not a first-person tell-all, but rather, a third-person narrative by Verducci, who interviewed dozens of players and team personnel while researching for the book, the source said.
Torre is currently in Hawaii on vacation. According to the Daily News, he is scheduled for the "Late Show With David Letterman" on Feb. 3, as well as a book signing that day at the Yogi Berra Museum in New Jersey.

Steelers Advance to 7th Super Bowl

And then there is the Steelers who made Joe Flacco look like the Division I-A quarterback from Delaware that everyone thought he was going to be like when he was drafted. Flacco threw three interception the last of which was thrown to Troy Polamalu who promptly took the ball into the endzone and ended the game outright. The Ravens vs. Steelers game was nothing short of a hard hitting fiesta where it was more like human demolition derby than a football game.

Everyone on the defensive side of the ball played unbelievably well, but it was Joe Flacco's inability to make things happen for the Ravens that ultimately cost them the game. Ben Roethlisberger was able to escape out of the pocket and avoid pressure at all times and making plenty of plays with his feet. And when plays broke down his receivers were smart enough to get themselves open for a positive play. Roethlisberger has come a long was since entering the league and I feel it culminated yesterday the way he played, that he is now at the elite level of quarterbacks in the NFL.

We can not mention the Steelers and Ravens game without bringing up the vicious hit on Willis McGahee by Steelers safety Ryan Clark. The hit was a shoulder to the head and almost a helmet to helmet that left both players hurt, but left McGahee motionless on the field. When he was hit the ball was jarred and his right leg fell to the side of him as his arms were at a 90 degree angle as he lied on the floor. A hit that was like the one put on Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin earlier in the season against the Jets.

Cardinals Shock Eagles; Going to 1st Super Bowl

The Cinderella story that is the Arizona Cardinals continue their dance as there are still pages to be written. And the Steelers keep adding to their historic legacy, as they now will be attending their seventh Super Bowl.

Besides the fact that Kurt Warner is the face of the AARP and has been collecting social security for about 10 years, he still is one hell of a quarterback. And he showed us that yesterday by picking apart the Philadelphia's secondary and also being able to find Larry Fitzgerald any time he wanted in the first half.

All Fitzgerald did against the Eagles on Sunday was break the receiving record in a post season game, held by Jerry Rice, by getting a whopping 419 yards. Amazing.

Larry Fitzgerald became the fourth man in NFL history to record three consecutive 100-yard receiving games and the first to do it in the same postseason. He also was the third player to have three TD receptions in an NFL/conference championship game and the first to do it in the opening half.

And the defense for the Cardinals, where has this come from, in two game the Cardinals defense has stopped arguably the best running tandem in the league in Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, and then stop Brian Westbrook, and hold Donovan McNabb at bay and pick him off as well. Could this defense really be the defense that stops the all mighty powerful Steelers?

The biggest surprise of this game for me was the progression of the offense. Everyone knew that the Cardinals offense was lethal, but down the stretch everyone wanted to know how this team that hasn't made the playoffs in a long time and has been a bottom feeder was going to react to the pressure of the playoffs. Well Steven Breaston, and an injured Anquan Boldin fused with Larry Fitzgerald and old man river [Warner] and took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.

The Cardinals advanced to the first Super Bowl in franchise history. They are the first team with nine wins or fewer in the regular season to reach the Super Bowl in a non-strike season since the 1979 Los Angeles Rams.

Who would have thought that 20 weeks ago we would be talking about the Steelers and the Cardinals in the Super Bowl? Steelers were a favorite but the Cardinals were still that team that I picked every year and always disappointed, well not this year. Could this really be a story book ending for the Cardinals?

They remind me of the New York Giants of last year, for the fact that they have been the under dog all playoff long and no one saw them coming much like the Giants of '07-'08. Can they end the way they did?

The Steelers are the big bad wrecking crew and are already a six point favorite in Las Vegas and have the defense to back it up. Time will tell...

Is there still time for Cinderella to finish her last dance, or has the clock already struck midnight?

Blockbuster NBA Trade Rumor

There was a rumor floating around today that a big 7 man blockbuster trade could be in the works. The details are as follows:

The Suns trade Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, Robin Lopez to the Raptors for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, and maybe even Jamario Moon as cap filler.

Interesting, if I am the Raptors and this is true I pull the trigger immediately.

Cowboys to Release Owens?

Improving locker room chemistry will be the highest priority for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason and that will force serious discussions between Wade Phillips' coaching staff and owner Jerry Jones about whether to release controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens, according to team and league sources.

"I think we all know that chemistry is the problem with this team more than the schemes or anything else,'' a Cowboys source said. "Are we going to continue to allow talent to outweigh everything else in the decisions we make with players and putting the roster together? We're like the Redskins used to be when they signed every player they wanted. There's more to it than talent. It has to be more about the team.''

"The big one [Owens] didn't get discussed yet, but I'm sure it will and real hard.''

The Cowboys released twice-suspended cornerback Pacman Jones last week and Tank Johnson is expected to depart through free agency. Both decisions are at least partly related to the renewed emphasis on creating a different atmosphere in the locker room. The Cowboys began their ill-fated 2008 season with three players on the roster who had been suspended by the league or their previous teams -- Jones, Johnson and Owens.

At least two sources believe that vice president Stephen Jones will attempt to convince his father that Owens should be finished with the Cowboys. But Jerry Jones just last year invested a $12 million signing bonus in Owens, which means there would be salary-cap fallout. In fact, Jerry Jones has suggested that there might be enough damage that the team would find it difficult to sign NFL sack leader DeMarcus Ware to a new contract.

Eli to Cash In?

Eli Manning's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2009 season, and the Giants are expected to soon make a move to keep the quarterback in New York for the foreseeable future.

Several NFL sources say that Eli's next deal could be worth a league-high $15 million per season, which would be $1 million more annually than his brother, Peyton.

Peyton signed a seven-year, $98 million deal with the Colts in 2004.

Several agents and personnel people believe that Eli appears to be in line for a seven or eight-year contract worth $110 million-$120 million with $40 million in guarantees.

LeBron and Howard to Coach Rooks and Sophs

Dwight Howard and LeBron James have been asked by the NBA to coach the rookie-sophomore game during February's All-Star festivities.

The exhibition will be held on Friday night, the beginning of All-Star Weekend.

"That should be cool, a lot of fun," Howard said.

Knicks Try To Pedal Off Curry

Marc Stein of ESPN has been told that the Knicks tried to sell the Heat on a trade for Shawn Marion that centered around Eddy Curry.

Curry will make $9.7 million this season, and his contract runs through the 2010-11 campaign.

Not surprisingly, Miami wasn't very interested in the deal.

Texas Rangers Seeking Suitors for Michael Young?

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that Rangers shortstop Michael Young asked for a trade back in December when club officials requested that he play third base in the upcoming season.

According to Rosenthal, Young was "absolutely livid" that the Rangers would request such a move just months after he was awarded his first Gold Glove. The team was simply hoping to clear a spot for top prospect Elvis Andrus, but now they've got a real problem on thier hands. GM Jon Daniels is expected to explore trade opportunites, but a deal seems unlikely at this point. White Sox GM Ken Williams has already said that he "would not waste time" discussing the possibility. The asking price would be far too high for most clubs.

Week In Review For MLB

Perhaps the best signing of the week, the Rays inked Pat Burrell to a two-year, $16MM contract. For a guy coming off four straight .875 or higher OPS seasons, that's a great deal, especially when you factor in that he won't have to play in the field. The Rays biggest problem in 2008 came against LHP, which Burrell absolutely crushes. Great signing for Tampa.

From the best signing to the longest: The Angels signed manager Mike Scioscia to an extension through the 2018 season! Talk about the organization putting faith in you...

More bargains this week, as the A's signed Jason Giambi to a one-year deal worth $4.5MM, with an option for 2010 at $5MM. Very affordable signing by Oakland; nice move.

The Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract this week. If Bradley can stay healthy, this move will likely work out just fine. However, given his injury history, it's a bit uncertain how he'll be able to handle playing in the outfield every day for the Cubs. Still, if he can come close to matching his ridiculous 2008 production (.999 OPS), he'll be a very welcome addition to the middle of the Cubs' order. The Cubs also completed their swap of Jason Marquis for Luis Vizcaino.

The Braves continued to improve their starting pitching when they signed Kenshin Kawakami to a three-year deal this week. The terms of the contract are still unknown, but given Kawakami's success in Japan, he'll be another big step up for the Braves' pitching staff.

Kawakami wasn't the only Japanese player to sign this week; the Orioles reached an agreement with Koji Uehara on a two-year, $10MM deal that could reach $16MM total with incentives. The Orioles are also on the verge of signing Gregg Zaun to a one-year contract.

Boston may have had the busiest week of all. They signed Rocco Baldelli and John Smoltz (yes, John Smoltz) to one-year deals, and did the same with Takashi Saito.

It's tough to imagine Smoltz outside of Atlanta, but he'll be calling a different city his home for the first time in 2009. Baldelli will receive a base salary of $500K, while Smoltz's base is $5MM and Saito's is believed to be $1.5-$2.5MM. I like all of these signings by Boston.

Another icon finding a new home will be Trevor Hoffman; he signed a one-year deal worth $6MM with the Brewers this week.

The Mets added to the back-end of their rotation, agreeing to terms with Tim Redding on a one-year, $2.25MM deal for the 2009 season. Nice, affordable signing for the Mets.

The Indians also made an inexpensive signing, when they inked Carl Pavano to a one-year, $1.5MM contract. If Pavano can remain healthy and have any sort of rebound, the Indians have a bargain on their hands. Nice low-risk, high-reward type signing.

One pitcher not attempting to make a comeback will be John Patterson; he retired this week after struggling with health issues ever since his strong 2005 campaign.
The Reds signed Jerry Hairston Jr. to a one-year, $2MM contract with another $2MM in incentives.

A couple of Yankees notes: They would like to move one of their corner players, but prefer to keep Nick Swisher over Xavier Nady. Also, Andy Pettitte rejected their offer of one year at $10MM. I'm surprised, because at this point I can't imagine him finding a better deal than that.

The Phillies found themselves with a sudden hole in the bullpen when J.C. Romero was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance. Romero claims he did nothing wrong. Sergio Mitre joined him the next day.

More Than A Win Up For Grabs On Sunday

As the Giants and the Eagles prepare for their divisional playoff game, the mayor of each city placed a traditional wager on the outcome.

If the Giants win, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will send five cheesesteaks from popular shops across Philadelphia.

If the Eagles win, New York City Mayor Bloomberg will send a giant, New York-style cheesecake from Manhattan's Carnegie Deli.

Call It Upset Saturday!

In case you have been trapped inside your room that has no television, radio, cell phone or window...the underdogs all won on Saturday.

The Cardinals of Arizona thumped the Panthers from Carolina, 33-13. Larry Fitzgerald has his way with the Panthers secondary making spectacular catch after spectacular catch. The defense of Arizona, that I "poo-pooed" in my last blog entry forced a mind boggling five interceptions by Jake Delhomme. The upset story of the year, I guess you can call them the Cinderella or George Mason of the NFL playoffs. They now await the victor of Sunday's epic show down of the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants.

The Ravens also took care of business and beat the Tennessee Titans 13-10 on a field goal by Matt Stover in the last minute of the game. The Defense came to play of the Ravens, (what else is new) and Ray Lewis put a hurting on plenty of Titans. The Ravens are now in the same boat as the Cardinals as they were under dogs and on the road for both of their games in which they have come out on top. They now wait for the winner of the San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

My Take On the Divisional Match-Up's

We first take a look at the battle of the NFC East where the Philadelphia Eagles who are coming off a playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings, take on the 12-4 and defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants.

After their win last week, the analysts and many fans have all come out in flocks and proclaimed the Eagles as the most dangerous team in the playoffs. And I simply ask why? What have the Eagles done this season and in the playoffs that have made them so ferocious? Their main weapon, Brian Westbrook is not 100% and after him their wide receivers fail to make me tremble. Westbrook has come out and said he is not practicing all week but he will start. Sure Donovan McNabb has played well over the last six weeks since he was benched but after the screen and check down to Westbrook he has nothing. Over the week already I have gotten many emails and text messages asking me how in the world the Giants are going to beat the Eagles, and I have said the same thing over and over. The running game for the New York Giants is second to none. Earth, Wind and Fire will torment the Eagles and their front line. In the first game against the Eagles the Giants running game ran for a modest 219 yards with a spiffy 4.9 yards per carry average. In the second game against the Eagles this season the Giants running game ran for a normal 88 yards. Besides the running game for the Giants the game plan will center around short passes to Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon. The gaping hole for the Giants will be that #1 wide-out they lack, Plaxico Burress. Then again as long as everything goes to plan Eli Manning will not have to throw the ball more than 25 times because the running game will pace and soften the Eagles. Therefore there is no reason to worry about the Eagles secondary that much. These teams know each other, maybe better than any two teams know each other in the NFL. Giants win in a run dominated game, 24-13.

The San Diego Chargers have their hands full with the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend as Troy Polamalu and defensive player of the year James Harrison will torment Phillip Rivers all day. The Steelers will have two concerns in this game, 1. Stop Darren Sproles. When you see #49 in the game put eight in the box and stop that man. He is the big threat as LT is hurt and most likely will not play or see very limited action in this contest. Sproles has become one of if not the biggest play maker in the NFL. The #2 concern for the Steelers will be how Big Ben Roethlisberger will fair coming off his concussion. Roethlisberger the last time he suffered a concussion back in 2006 in his first game back he played terrible. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has said that Big Ben will play and will start. This being the case, look for Willie Parker to have a huge game. The Chargers front four are not run stoppers as the Chargers allow over 102 yards per game this year. The defense for the Steelers I believe is superior to the Chargers. Yes, the Chargers held Peyton Manning and the Colts to only 17 points but I feel like their secondary this year has lacked play making ability as Antonio Cromartie has not played up to his expectations. Troy Polamalu is a huge play maker and I see him being a big factor in the outcome of this game. As will James Harrison. This is the big stage and its my gut feeling that Harrison wants to show everyone why he was the DPOY. And so I give the win to the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-17.

The Ravens and the Titans will square off as the once undefeated Titans will look to get that running game off the ground and dominate like they once did. But the way the Titans went into the playoffs losing the last two out of three games makes me a bit worried. Albert Haynesworth returned to practice as did Kyle Vanden Bosch. The Ravens played great against the Miami Dolphins and dismantled them 27-9. Ed Reed had two interceptions, one which he took to the house. He has cemented himself as the best defensive play maker in the league. Ray Lewis and the rest of that Ravens defense will be hunting to get to Kerry Collins as well as stopping the run as they have done so well all year. The Titans will look to give the ball to Chris Johnson and Lendale White more than they will pass unless this game gets out of hand quickly. That being the case I feel the defense that has carried the Ravens all year will be top notch and will provide enough cushion for the Ravens to make plays on offense. Joe Flacco has played great and has found his guy Derrick Mason in plenty of key situations. Think about this when the Titans will need to make a play and the run game hasn't been working, Kerry Collins has only thrown for 12 touchdowns all year. My upset pick of the week is this, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans 24-10.

The Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers will be the blow out game of the weekend. The Panthers high powered offense will have the Cardinals defense spinning. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will have huge games. I see over 200 yards for them combined as well as three touchdowns. Then there is Steve Smith, the little wide receiver that catches everything, anytime the Panthers need a big play he somehow gets open and makes a 50 yard catch. The Cardinals are feeling good for making the playoffs and winning a game, but now have their hands full. Kurt Warner will have to try and pick apart a secondary that has been outstanding all year. There has only been one pass interference call all year on the Panthers secondary. Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston will have to carry the reigns as Anquan Boldin is hurt and wont be 100% for the game. He has said that he will take injections to numb the pain and then try and play. I cant see how the Cardinals have this game close. The Panthers have too many weapons. Carolina destroys the Cardinals of Arizona 38-17.

An exciting week of football is ahead, can the Ravens and their defense win again and prove to everyone that defense really does win games? Can the New York Giants continue to win and try to repeat as champions? Will the Chargers shock the world again? and will Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart continue to show everyone how great they really are and run their Panthers further into the playoffs? All these questions will be answer this Saturday and Sunday. Stay Tuned!

Why Indy and Atlanta Lost Last Weekend

Well after a crazy wild card weekend, where I went 2-2 we will look at the next week as the divisions are up for grabs. I want to look at the wild card games and discuss why my two picks of Atlanta and Indianapolis were wrong.

Now besides the fact that they lost the games, certain things happened in each of these games that caused these surprising loses. Both of these teams going into the weekend were the Las Vegas favorites. Atlanta had certain things going for them, a top three running back in Michael Turner was ready to carry the load, but somehow the Cardinals were able to keep him at bay and hold him to just 42 yards on 18 carries with one score. Matt Ryan, the rookie of the year was tossed into the fire and saw how different the playoffs were. His first pass in the playoffs was intercepted and it all went downhill from there. Ryan threw two interceptions and 199 yards, as his rookie stature came out. On the other side the Cardinals played better than I thought they would. The catch by Larry Fitzgerald was phenomenal. Fitz caught a 42 yard touchdown pass jumping over two defenders and flopping to the ground with the ball. But what happened with Arizona? The disgruntled Edge, threw up 73 yards along with Tim Hightower who contributed with 23 yards and a score. The defense for the Cardinals played great, three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Kurt Warner played like a veteran, two touchdowns only one interception and over 270 yards through the air. So now the Cardinals move on and play the Carolina Panthers.

The shocking loss to the San Diego Chargers by MVP Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts was ridiculous. Darren Sproles had himself a field day racking up 328 all purpose yards tied for third all time in a playoff game. Ladainan Tomlinson scored a touchdown in the first quarter but then passed the ball off Sproles who carried the load the rest of the way. Tomlinson's injury seems to be much more serious than it originally was made out to be. Phillip Rivers had a bad game, no touchdowns, one interception and 217 yards threw the air. It was all Sproles all the time. For the Colts Manning did what he could 310 yards and a touchdown and no turnovers but the running game was not there and in the end it just was not enough. Norv Turner and his Chargers now face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Recent Tid Bits From the MLB

- The Giants may be considering two offers for Manny Ramirez. One for two years "with vesting and club options that could make it a four-year, $100MM contract." The other for 3 years, $63MM, with no options.

- Derek Lowe has not given up on a 5 year, $80MM offer, although that remains doubtful.
Barry Bonds had hip surgery and wants to return in 2009. Some still speculate he will pursue collusion charges.

- Tony La Russa is considering using Chris Carpenter as a closer.

- The Braves, Phillies, and Red Sox and perhaps the Brewers and Angels are all expressing interest in Derek Lowe. Lowe is still looking for $16MM per year and rejected the Mets offer of 3 years, $36MM, his highest offer to date.

Buster Olney feels Lowe may have missed out on the big money when the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett for 5 years, $82.5MM over him; however, as Heyman points out, Lowe has been far more consistent and durable: "He's won at least 12 games each of the past seven seasons and thrown at least 199 innings in six of those seven (he threw 182 innings the one year he didn't reach 199."

- Five teams have expressed interest in Ken Griffey Jr., according to Jon Heyman who confirms the Rays and Mariners are two of them. One other AL team and two NL clubs comprise the five.

For Griffey, Seattle would be a nostalgic return; however, the Rays would provide the convenience of playing two hours from his Orlando home.

Here We Go Again: Favre Edition

The NFL regular season has been over for less than a week but the speculation over New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre's future has already begun.

Favre said when he spoke to Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum on Monday, he told him "it may be time to look in a different direction" at the quarterback, Peter King of SI.com reported. King spoke to Favre on Friday about his plans.

Favre and the Jets finished the season by losing four of their last five. The skid cost coach Eric Mangini his job.

King said Tannenbaum asked Favre to take his time in thinking about the future.

"I'm going to do like Mike [Tannenbaum] says -- give it a few weeks and make a decision,'' Favre told King.

Favre told King that the Jets' doctors recommended he have arthroscopic surgery to repair his damaged right biceps if he plans to play next season. Favre declined.

Sorry NFL, Cowher Not Coming Back in 09

Bill Cowher doesn't plan to coach in the NFL next year, and will stay with CBS Sports as a studio analyst.

Cowher was recently wooed by the New York Jets, but said during "The NFL Today" on Sunday that he's taking it "year to year."
"It's a privilege and an honor to be a head coach in the National Football League," Cowher said. "And I have been flattered about the attention, but the timing right now is not right. I don't plan on coaching next year."

The Super Bowl winning coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006, Cowher took himself out of the running as a candidate for the Jets job on Dec. 30. He also was a candidate for the vacant Cleveland job, but asked to be taken off the list.

CBS Sports will broadcast the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami.

Cassel Gets The Tag?

The New England Patriots have decided to ensure that quarterback Matt Cassel won't be an unrestricted free agent, as scheduled in March.

Sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that the Patriots will use a franchise tag on Cassel that will give the team two options: Trade him if all goes well with Tom Brady's rehabilitation from a knee injury or keep him because all is not well with Brady.

The Patriots' intention to franchise Cassel was first reported by the National Football Post.

That would mean the Patriots would have about $29 million in salary cap space tied up in two quarterbacks, with Brady earning almost $15 million and Cassel guaranteed over $14 million.

However, the cap jumps to $123 million per team, which gives the Patriots $94 million to manage the rest of their roster.

Peyton Manning Wins MVP

AP just reported that Peyton Manning has won the MVP. Just like I said in my post right below with the breakdown of the SD vs IND game. Congrats Peyton.

Wild Card Weekend Breakdown

Well we enter a new year with some delightful football, a massive weekend of wild card action.

First of all we need to mention a couple things. Congrats to the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons for proving the entire world wrong and playing well beyond anyone’s imagination, even their own. The Dolphins went from a laughing stock that was 1-15 last year, to a playoff team and AFC East champions, way to "stick it to the man" Miami. Also the Falcons went from losers to winners, from Vick to Ryan, from dog fighting to playoff hopes. On the shoulders of rookie Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and wide out Roddy White the Falcons may make some noise this playoff season.

On to the breakdown of Wild Card weekend. The first game this weekend will be the Atlanta Falcons traveling to Arizona to face the Cardinals. This is the first time the Cardinals have hosted a playoff game since 1947. This game will turn out either of two ways, either we will see an epic shootout where the point total will be close to 75 or a blow out, where one team wins by 21 or more. The Falcons will try and do what they have done all year, surprise the NFL and use Michael "The Burner" Turner as much as possible. Turner is arguably the best off season move by any team and has played like a man possesed, especially last week when he finished the regular season with a 208 yard game. Both teams have a suspect defense but if you have to chose, you have to go with the Atlanta defense, lead by John Abraham. The offense as long as its not snowing favors Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals. The weapons for Warner are massive, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and booming onto the scene this year Steve Breaston. The Cardinals at home are always good, while the Falcons on the road are .500 at 4-4. Picking this game was tough for me as I have loved what Atlanta did this season and calling for them being a playoff team before the midway point this season. I have also at one point this season hailed Kurt Warner as the MVP around week 10. But this time I will go with the upset and pick the Atlanta Falcons to win in a shootout. Ryan is on a tear and no one of the Cardinals defense scares me enough to stop Turner and Michael Jenkins and Roddy White. Falcons win 35-28

Next we look at the Philadelphia Eagles at the Minnesota Vikings. I think the Vikings have no chance. Unless Donovan McNabb looks like he did the game he got benched the Eagles should cruise to victory. They are riding a high right now after spanking the Dallas Cowboys by a million the final game of the season, while the Vikings are gaining solace from beating a New York Giants team that played all back ups by two points. We know and the Eagles know how good Adrian Peterson is. He will be a factor but if the Eagles can stop him the Vikings will struggle to put up 14 points. The passing game along with the defense of the Eagles lately will prove to be a huge hill to over come. The key factor for the Eagles will be to hold Adrian Peterson to a modest game and making sure they get enough plays for Brian Westbrook. Westbrook is the key to that offense, as Westbrook goes, the Eagles go. I have the Eagles winning this game, much to the chagrin of us Giants fans, 24-13.

Moving on to the Miami Dolphins at the Baltimore Ravens. The fish from the sunshine state who have swam up the stream to success under the tutelage of Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano will find themselves in a defensive struggle in this one. The Ravens defense is fantastic, (what else is new) and rookie Joe Flacco is playing better than the Ravens could imagine. The running game from the Ravens has been surprising, as Willis McGhee, Leron McClain and Ray Rice have all contributed nicely this year. But it is the defense that paces the Ravens and I just do not see the Dolphins and comeback player of the year Chad Pennington able to beat this defense. However, if Sparano makes some adjustments and fires out the Wildcat version 5.403 they might have a chance. Otherwise I see the Ravens beating the Phins 17-6.

We now transition to the best game of the weekend, the Indianapolis Colts at the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers are feeling good, crushing the now coach-less Denver Broncos in the final game of the season to clinch the division and being the first team ever in the NFL to make it to the playoffs after starting the season 4-8. On the other hand Peyton Manning and the Colts are feeling better, winning the wild card and finishing the season 8-0. Some positive things to note, Ladanian Tomlinson looked like the LT of old in the last game scoring three touchdowns. Phillip Rivers rounded off a solid season and found Antonio Gates in the end zone several times. For the Colts it is still all about Peyton Manning and after the stretch of games he has played over the last two months it is my judgment that he is the MVP of the 2008 season. As far as this game goes, the Colts will know what they are facing as this will be the second time they are facing the Chargers this season. Their previous meeting in week 12 the Colts edged the Chargers 23-20. I foresee another huge game for Manning 300+ yards as the Chargers defense has been horrible all year and ranked in the bottom 10 all year. Rivers and company will be able to keep up offense wise but I think the defense for the Colts will win it. I see at least one touchdown coming from the defense of the Colts and that being the primary reason for the Chargers downfall. This will be a really close game until late I feel, a defensive touchdown by the Colts and late turnovers by Rivers lead to a Colts victory. Indianapolis beats San Diego one more time 27-20.

We now get to see NFL football on Saturday and Sunday so enjoy the games and get ready for some crazy-ness. Those on the bye weeks, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans will all be watching intensely...will you?