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By Bryant | December 5, 2008 | Mariner Melee

It's December and right on time the rumors start flying around like frisbees at a dog park.So far the Mariners have been linked to Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Pat Burrell, and have made available J.J Putz.Unfortunate as it is, none of the free agents we have been connected to suit us all that well. Burrell, Junior, and Dunn would all be asked to DH without a doubt, a position none of them want to play. But if they play any other position besides DH they would be costing us many runs with their below average defense. Its understandable why the Mariner are looking into these guys. Gmz wants to add power to this team and each of them has or has had power. When it comes right down to it, if the money and number of years is reasonable, then the deal should be made. Adam Dunn 3 years...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Mariners, MLB, Seattle Mariners, Winter Meetings

Final: Chargers 34, Raiders 7

By Jeff Williams | December 5, 2008 | Chargers Confidential

Nothing like a little Raider blow-out to make a Chargers fan feel a little better about an otherwise disappointing season. I can't exactly explain the phenomenon, but I can say that it can take any Chargers fan frown and turn it upside down. Remember when the Chargers went 1-15, with that single win coming against the Raiders? A lot of Chargers fans called that a .500 season, and almost felt content with that number-1 draft pick. Anyway, nothing like playing the Raiders to bring back the offensive punch that had gone limp, and the ferocity in the pass defense that had gone tame. Still, I'm left wondering, "Why couldn't they play like this consistently over the previous 12 games?" It's not as simple as just blaming a very bad opponent. For what seems to be the first time all season, the Chargers made significant adjustments to their...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: afc west, chargers, football, jeff williams, nfl, oakland, raiders, san diego

Should Melvin abandon pursuing Sabathia?

By David Hannes | December 5, 2008 | Brewers Bar

Yes, I said it. Brewers' GM Doug Melvin should move on.Simply put, Sabathia is going to drag this out as long as he can...and, in doing so, Melvin won't be able to pursue any other free agent starting pitchers. Since only the Yankees, Giants and Angels are the Brewers' only competition, the GM's of the other 26 teams are off and running locking up starters...or getting ready to.Case in point--the Braves have already added Javier Vazquez to their rotation via trade...and are on the verge of signing the Jays' A.J. Burnett to a free agent contract. That is two fewer available options for the Brewers now...and going from the AL to a potential wild card foe.As for trading for another starter, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy seems to think that Melvin won't likely make any big deals at the Winter Meetings. I concur. McCalvy goes onto say that the Brewers would really...

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Sharks Pay Tribute to Former Coach by Dominating His New Team

By MJ Kasprzak | December 5, 2008 | The Cold Shoulder

Let me get one thing straight: Ron Wilson deserves a lot of credit for the Sharks' current success. He helped develop a lot of young players, and he got more out of Joe Thornton than anyone had in Boston. More than that, his focus on fundamentals and everyone fulfilling their defensive responsibilities made Todd McLellan's job easier. That being said, I was leading the charge in calling for him to lose his job this off-season. He just was not the man to take this team to the next level. This team was not going any further year after year, they played tight in key games, they would stop being aggressive if they had a lead in the second-half of a game...all recipes for disaster.In the 2006 playoffs, Wilson had his team enter the third period playing to hang on to a 2-1 lead in Edmonton when a victory would have...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Devin Setoguchi, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, NHL, NHL Pacific, Patrick Marleau, Ron Wilson, San Jose Sharks, Todd McLellan

Krejci's Shorty Leads Bruins Past Lightning

By DJ Abisalih | December 5, 2008 | The Bear Cave

After four days off, the Boston Bruins looked to extend their winning streak to three games, as they took on the Tampa Bay Lightning at the St. Pete Times Forum. Despite falling behind early, the Bruins faught back with goals in the second and third period, while getting 30 saves from Tim Thomas for a 3-1 victory. Fast starts have been a bit of an issue recently for the Bruins, and that trend continued Thursday night. Ryan Malone banked the puck off of the left wing boards to Vincent Lecavalier in the neutral zone. Lecavalier carried the puck down the left side of the ice and into the offensive zone. With the Boston defense caught in an awkward position, Lecavalier held onto the puck, forcing Tim Thomas to commit to a shot. Once that happened, a passing lane opened up to Martin St. Louis, who slammed the first goal into...

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Are the Raiders This Bad or Did Bolts Improve?

By Rich Campbell | December 5, 2008 | Chargers Confidential

The game isn't even over yet, at least on the clock. But as we approach the end of the third quarter with the Bolts up by 20, it would be remarkable to see Oakland make it a game. So, the question going through the heads of Charger fans is... huh?Where was this team last week? Or the week before? The answer is that they were there, but they weren't playing the Raiders. But it is not just the opponent. The Chargers D has another week of Ron Riveria in charge. The Bolts wisely moved Shawn Phillips back to his natural position. Early on, the offensive line blocked for L.T. well enough to force openings deep that Philip Rivers and Steven Jackson exploited.Also, let's face it. This is NOT the first time this year the Chargers have played a game this complete. They also did it against New York and New...

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Should Tony George have bit his tongue?

By Christopher Estrada | December 5, 2008 | Indy Racing Revolution

Some people are kvetching over a recent comment by IRL founder Tony George to SportsBusiness Daily. In the interview, George answered a question about the IRL being a profitable stand-alone business in the negative. When he was asked if the league would be profitable in 2013, he replied: "It has to be or there won't be a 2013." IMS Radio Network reporter Kevin Lee has a brief commentary on the remark at his blog on WFNI-AM's website (1070thefan.com); he believes that it was nothing more than, in his words, "an off-the-cuff throwaway remark" and that as long as the Indy 500 continues to rake in the dough, the IRL will be fine. That being said, I'm personally not sure if that's such a "throwaway." The current economic recession appears to be on a getting-worse-before-it-gets-better kind of path -- at least in the mind of the consumer. In the IndyCar Series, they're...

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The Winter Meetings

By Anthony Amobi | December 5, 2008 | Oriole Magic

As most fans know, the Winter Meetings are upon us and they will commence next week in the City of Sin -- Las Vegas Nevada.With the market being ever so slow, one can assume there will be deals done and trades consummated, we all know the Orioles are still in a serious need of rebuild of their current roster. That being said, although most fans would love to see Burnett or Teixeira on the team, there needs to be a lot more done.Oriole Nation is waiting to see what MacPhail and the Front Office will come away with when all is said and done next week. Can the Orioles pull off another deal where one of their tenured veterans can be traded for multiple prospects?Obviously the team needs a) pitching, pitching, and more pitching, b) a shortstop, c) another big bat, preferably at first base.Right now, I know people like...

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Great Debates: Giants, Titans...and then who?

By Anthony Hall | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Every week in MVN Outsider's Great Debate, we take a look at different sides of an ongoing debate in the NFL. MVN Outsider writers will offer key points to support opposing perspectives on the issue, and we'll also ask a group of football bloggers to chime in with their thoughts on the matter. This week's Great Debate is: After the Giants and Titans, who is the best team in the NFL?Greg Trippiedi offers up three reasons why the Ravens are the third best team in football:NFC Teams who aren't the Giants are flawed... There are more good teams in the NFC than the number that will be allowed into the playoffs, but outside of the Giants, and those crazy Philadelphia Eagles, every team is flawed. The Bucs will have bouts of inefficent offense from time to time. The Vikings have produced very poor special teams play, and have received sub...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

The NFL third-quarter review

By Andrew Strickert | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Three quarters of the NFL regular season have been played and we head into what should be an exciting fourth quarter. Nineteen teams are in strong contention for postseason play. The Giants, Titans, Cardinals and Broncos each have three-game leads in their divisions and are on the verge of clinching. They'll be jockeying for position in the home stretch for the best seedings. The other four division races are a lot closer. The Steelers, Jets and Vikings each have one-game leads and the NFC South is extremely close. The Panthers and Bucs are tied with 9-3 records and will face each other Monday night, with the Falcons on their heels and only a game behind them at 8-4. Here's a look at the current standings, remaining schedules and the remaining strengths of schedule. AFC division leaders: Tennessee Titans (11-1) Browns, Texans, Steelers, Colts 26-22 (.542) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) Cowboys, Ravens,...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

Sean Avery: Is This it for the Super-Pest?

By Bryan Thiel | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With just two small words and a healthy dose of alliteration, Sean Avery may have effectively ended his own NHL career before any of his rivals--namely Dion Phaneuf--had been offered the chance.That's not to say that Phaneuf would ever adopt that kind of mindset, but when one utters the words "sloppy seconds" about your significant other, you tell me if you can keep yourself on an even keel. The master of the face-to-face screen, Avery remains suspended indefinitely by the NHL and Comissioner Gary Bettman following his hearing earlier today, with no decision handed down yet from Bettman.While Sean Avery offered an apology for his actions and came off as remorseful, representing himself as a quality player, the question is "has enough become enough already"?After all, a "good kid" as Glenn Healy called him, can only step over the line a few times before he gets labeled as a bad...

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Race for the top draft pick

By Patrick Patterson | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

There is great excitement all over the NFL as the playoff races come into clearer focus. However, for the teams at the bottom of the NFL, there is another race going on. They are treading the thin line between playing for pride and knowing that each loss gives them a better chance at a blue chip player in the 2009 draft. Here is how the top 5 should shake up.1. Detroit Lions: Right about now the Lions would lose to a division II NCAA team. There is no doubt that they will be the team on the clock the moment the season ends. Projected finish 1-15. (0-16 just isn't possible, is it?)2. Seattle Seahawks: This draft position actually hinges on their game with the St Louis Rams. This is not how a great coach like Mike Holmgren should go out, but with his retirement already a done deal it will...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, NFL, NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks

Auburn Tigers: The Worst Team in the SEC

By Austin Baird | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Flickr/tsgwin

In the wake of a losing season that was capped off with an embarrassing 36-0 shutout at the hands of cross-state rivals Alabama, it was tough to imagine worse times developing for the Auburn Tigers anytime in the near future.Somehow, that's exactly what happened: the Tigers sealed their fate for the next few years, and made their future even more grim. When news broke on ESPN.com that 10-year head coach of the Auburn Tigers Tommy Tuberville was fired, I assumed the early reports were jokes, poking fun at the bipolar nature of Auburn.Minutes later, I realized the reports were legitimate and that the good 'ole Tigers really are living up to their repuation as the conference's laughing stock.Even with a handful of questionable firings around the conference and the NCAA as a whole, Auburn's postseason decision is unquestionably the most untimely, the worst in the short run and possibly the...

Read more | 8 Comments | Tags: Auburn, Bobby Petrino, NCAA, NCAA Football, SEC Football, Tommy Tuberville

It Comes Down to This: A Look at the Conference Championship Games

By Bo Vandy | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

After all is said and done, this weekend is almost always one of the most important weekends in the College Football season. This is the weekend that some of the major conferences determine their champions. The Big 12, and SEC Championship games will take center stage, since the winners of those two games will most likely face off for the BCS National Title. But there are other Championship games that will prove to be fascinating as well.MAC Championship Game: Ball State (12-0, 8-0) vs Buffalo (7-5, 5-3)Friday, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2var iamInit = function() {try{initIamServingHandler(234,156,323617,"http://cdn.pis.picapp.com/IamProd/Resources/Css/css2.css")}catch(ex){}}()No this game won't have any National Championship implications. In fact the winner of this game probably won't even play in a BCS bowl game. However, this game has two of the biggest story book teams from this season. On the one hand, you have Ball State who has romped through their schedule, with a 12...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Alabama, Ball State, Boston College, Buffalo Bulls, Conference USA, East Carolina, Florida, MAC, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, Virginia Tech

NBA Stock Market: Smith returns to surging Hawks

By Joe Boikess | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Rajon Rondo dunks as Bill Belichick looks on (flickr.com/Eric Kilby)

Wednesday night was a busy one in the NBA, and here's some teams and players that are on the move...Rising:Atlanta Hawks - Without Josh Smith, the Hawks' most complete player and best defender, the Hawks floundered after starting the season 6-0. He made his return last night against Memphis, and his presence opened up the floor for Joe Johnson and Mike Bibby, who combined to shoot over 65 percent from the field. Smith was active defensively from the start, finishing with a couple steals and a block in addition to 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes. The Hawks are a much better team with Smith in the lineup, and they'll need him as they prepare to tackle the Texas triangle beginning on Saturday in Dallas.Rajon Rondo - In guiding the Celtics to their league-best 18th win of the year on Wednesday, the wiry point guard got...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Rajon Rondo, Utah Jazz

Week 14: Studs and Duds

By Jay | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

StudsQBGus Frerotte- The Vikings defense took a big hit this week as the "Williams Wall" is likely going to be suspended for this game. That will mean Kevin Smith will have more running room and the Lions should score some points. On the flip side, Adrian Peterson should have a huge game against the Lions defense and Frerotte should have a good game as well. There should be a lot of points scored in this game. Jay Cutler- Cutler was a shoe in as a starter earlier this year, but he hadn't been a great play until last week. The Chiefs defense is dreadful and this game is at home. Start him with confidence. RBKevin Smith- As mentioned earlier, the "Williams Wall" is likely going to be suspended for this game and Smith should be able to take advantage. Look for 100 yards and a TD. Matt Forte- Jacksonville is...

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Peter Gammons checks in with Fire Brand

By Evan | December 1, 2008

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Gammons, who may, before all is said and done, be known as the most popular and influential baseball journalist in the history of the sport. Getting his start at the Boston Globe and spawning the Sunday Baseball Notes section of which Nick Cafardo currently pens, he has been in Sports Illustrated and ESPN and appears regularly on ESPN television programming. He is a Hall of Famer, having...

7 recommendations | 56 Comments

An Open Letter To Plaxico Burress

By Fresh (WC) | December 3, 2008

Dear Plax, Ive done some pretty stupid things in my day. .Once I decided to set off fireworks in my parent's dining room. In retrospect, that was a pretty bad idea. It cost me a long summer indoors, and that sucked. But imagine if my stupidity would have cost me $27 million dollars and potentially my freedom. Take a minute to let that sink in. One minute, I'm a 31 year old millionaire that plays a game for...

6 recommendations | 13 Comments

Stuff From All Over

By athooks | December 2, 2008

Thing1: We're coming up on the one year anniversary of Albert Pujols being named "Immigrant of the Day" by ILW.com. At this point, I'd link directly to their feature on El Hombre, but apprearntly they haven't figured out how to build a linkable page into their site. But if you search the site, you can read all about José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (full name). Congratulations, big guy! Thing 2: I wasn't sure where to put...

5 recommendations | 11 Comments

New Fire Brand feature: Depth Chart

By Evan | November 29, 2008

Linked in the menu above, we now have a organizational depth chart available for your perusal. This is not a top prospects chart. Some of our top prospects are further away from the majors than some of the fringe guys. This is in order of people that we could dip into the pool of over the next couple years. Obviously this is subject to trades and free agent signings. Here is a link to the...

4 recommendations | 10 Comments