The Trades section is being moved to the front this week because, well, yeah:
Trades:
The big news of the week is, of course, the Lee/Hallady deal. It's a big trade, involving four teams and eight players changing hands. First, a look at who went where:
Saturday, December 19, 2009
NFL Week 15 Preview
Dallas Cowboys @ New Orleans Saints
Spread: Saints, -7.5
o/u: 53.5
The Cowboy Collapse is two games deep, and this year it isn't Tony Romo's fault! At least not yet. Romo has actually played well so far in December. Unfortunately, this week he goes into a hostile Superdome against a Saints team that plays very well against the pass. Even if he still plays well this week, the defense and short-yardage game have been awful this month. I don't see that changing as long as Wade Phillips is in charge.
Pick: Saints 35 - Cowboys 17
Spread: Saints, -7.5
o/u: 53.5
The Cowboy Collapse is two games deep, and this year it isn't Tony Romo's fault! At least not yet. Romo has actually played well so far in December. Unfortunately, this week he goes into a hostile Superdome against a Saints team that plays very well against the pass. Even if he still plays well this week, the defense and short-yardage game have been awful this month. I don't see that changing as long as Wade Phillips is in charge.
Pick: Saints 35 - Cowboys 17
Saturday Morning News - 12/19/09
The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl is facing a political scandal as current and former employees claim they were encouraged to donate money to political candidates and then repaid for it. [ESPN]
Villanova is the 2009 FCS National Champion, beating Montana, 23-21, in the playoff final. [Philly.com]
NJ Devils G Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's NHL record for appearances by a goalie in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. [NJ.com]
Detroit Red Wings F Henrick Zetterberg will miss at least 2 weeks with a separated shoulder. [NHL.com]
Tiger Woods has been voted 2009 PGA Tour Player of the Year by his fellow golfers. [CNN]
Villanova is the 2009 FCS National Champion, beating Montana, 23-21, in the playoff final. [Philly.com]
NJ Devils G Martin Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's NHL record for appearances by a goalie in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. [NJ.com]
Detroit Red Wings F Henrick Zetterberg will miss at least 2 weeks with a separated shoulder. [NHL.com]
Tiger Woods has been voted 2009 PGA Tour Player of the Year by his fellow golfers. [CNN]
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday Morning News - 12/18/09
The St Louis Rams canceled Thursday's practice due to a swine flu outbreak. The team is back practicing today. [Bloomberg]
Former Falcon RB Warrick Dunn has bought a minority stake in the team and will be a limited partner in the teams ownership. [Atlanta Business Chronicle]
Pepsi has announced it will not buy ad time during Super Bowl XLIV, ending a 23 year run as an advertiser on the game. [CNN Money]
Denver Nuggets PG Chauncey Billups is currently listed as day-to-day with a groin strain. [Denver Post]
Former Falcon RB Warrick Dunn has bought a minority stake in the team and will be a limited partner in the teams ownership. [Atlanta Business Chronicle]
Pepsi has announced it will not buy ad time during Super Bowl XLIV, ending a 23 year run as an advertiser on the game. [CNN Money]
Denver Nuggets PG Chauncey Billups is currently listed as day-to-day with a groin strain. [Denver Post]
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Thursday Night Special - Colts @ Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Spread: Colts, -3
o/u: 43
This is the first game in Jacksonville this season that won't be blacked out. Who wants to bet all those previously empty seats are being taken up by traveling Colts fans escaping the cold in Indy? Sell-out crowd or not, Jacksonville has their work cut out for them. Indy is still unbeaten, but they might rest some players this week. With this being a short week, it wouldn't surprise me. Still, I'd expect the healthy starters to get at least enough time to build a healthy lead before Maurice Jones-Drew runs all over the backups.
Pick: Colts 28 - Jaguars 24
Spread: Colts, -3
o/u: 43
This is the first game in Jacksonville this season that won't be blacked out. Who wants to bet all those previously empty seats are being taken up by traveling Colts fans escaping the cold in Indy? Sell-out crowd or not, Jacksonville has their work cut out for them. Indy is still unbeaten, but they might rest some players this week. With this being a short week, it wouldn't surprise me. Still, I'd expect the healthy starters to get at least enough time to build a healthy lead before Maurice Jones-Drew runs all over the backups.
Pick: Colts 28 - Jaguars 24
Thursday Morning News - 12/17/09
Cincinnati Bengals WR Chris Henry has died, the result of injuries sustained after falling out of the bed of a pick-up truck. [My FOX NY]
Ottowa Senators C Jason Spezza will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn knee ligament. [Reuters]
The NHL is looking into holding a second outdoor game next season in Canada. [ABC11.com]
Tiger Woods has been named Athlete of the Decade by the Associated Press. [NBC New York]
Ottowa Senators C Jason Spezza will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn knee ligament. [Reuters]
The NHL is looking into holding a second outdoor game next season in Canada. [ABC11.com]
Tiger Woods has been named Athlete of the Decade by the Associated Press. [NBC New York]
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday Morning News - 12/16/09
CMU's Butch Jones has been hired to replace Brian Kelly as head football coach at Cincinnati. [Cincinnati.com]
The Ohio State WR Duron Carter and DE Robert Rose have been ruled academically ineligible for the Rose Bowl. [Digital Sports Daily]
The Big Ten Conference announced it will explore expansion to 12 teams. [Chicago Tribune]
The NFL has cleared the Washington Redskins of tampering in contract negotiations for Albert Haynesworth. [Washington Times]
Tracy McGrady made his season debut last night, playing in an NBA game for the first time since having microfracture surgery nine months ago. [Hoops World]
The Ohio State WR Duron Carter and DE Robert Rose have been ruled academically ineligible for the Rose Bowl. [Digital Sports Daily]
The Big Ten Conference announced it will explore expansion to 12 teams. [Chicago Tribune]
The NFL has cleared the Washington Redskins of tampering in contract negotiations for Albert Haynesworth. [Washington Times]
Tracy McGrady made his season debut last night, playing in an NBA game for the first time since having microfracture surgery nine months ago. [Hoops World]
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
NFL Week 14 Wrap-up
With the season winding down, and a significant number of teams playing poorly, lets take a look at some coaches on the hot seat:
Rookies Get a Second Chance, Right?:
Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs
Haley has a Belichick pedigree, which isn't necessarily a good thing. He also has the career advantage of bringing his QB from last season with him to his first job as a head coach. That also may not be a good thing. After throwing 21 TDs to only 11 picks last season with the New Engalnd Patriots, Matt Cassel is 13-13 so far this season. There have been bright spots this season, though. They took Dallas to OT before the Cowboy Collapse began. They also played strong against Jacksonville, who is in line for a playoff spot. Haley's saving grace may be the fact that he inherited a team in turnoil. He was bringing in a new system that only his QB knew, and had to deal with problems with his running backs, eventually cutting Larry Johnson. I'd expect Haley to be back next year, and for the Chiefs to be an improved team after having a year under his system.
Rookies Get a Second Chance, Right?:
Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs
Haley has a Belichick pedigree, which isn't necessarily a good thing. He also has the career advantage of bringing his QB from last season with him to his first job as a head coach. That also may not be a good thing. After throwing 21 TDs to only 11 picks last season with the New Engalnd Patriots, Matt Cassel is 13-13 so far this season. There have been bright spots this season, though. They took Dallas to OT before the Cowboy Collapse began. They also played strong against Jacksonville, who is in line for a playoff spot. Haley's saving grace may be the fact that he inherited a team in turnoil. He was bringing in a new system that only his QB knew, and had to deal with problems with his running backs, eventually cutting Larry Johnson. I'd expect Haley to be back next year, and for the Chiefs to be an improved team after having a year under his system.
Tuesday Morning News - 12/15/09
The NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox will be the opening game of the 2010 season, playing at Fenway Park on April 4th. [Yankees.com]
The NFL is planning on holding two games in London next season and already has two teams who have agreed to be the home team. [BBC]
Houston Rockets F Trevor Ariza has been suspended one game for attempting to elbow Toronto's DeMar DeRozan. [Houston Chronicle]
A Belgian court has suspended the one-year anti-doping bans of tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse, citing administrative errors. [ABC Grandstand Sport]
The NFL is planning on holding two games in London next season and already has two teams who have agreed to be the home team. [BBC]
Houston Rockets F Trevor Ariza has been suspended one game for attempting to elbow Toronto's DeMar DeRozan. [Houston Chronicle]
A Belgian court has suspended the one-year anti-doping bans of tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse, citing administrative errors. [ABC Grandstand Sport]
Monday, December 14, 2009
MNF Preview - Week 14
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
Spread: Cardinals, -3.5
o/u: 44.5
When these teams faced off in Week 1, they were two different teams. The 49ers were starting a different QB, and the Cards receivers, their best weapon, were all banged up. Now the Cards have a healthy offense, and the 49ers returned Alex Smith to a starting position. The healthy receivers have helped the Cards more than Alex Smith has helped the 49ers, though. He may have brought Vernon Davis and the passing game into the forefront, but he hasn't brought wins. He also can't solve the consistency issues on defense. Those are issues the Cards will be able to exploit, and with the win this week, they lock-up the NFC West.
Pick: Cardinals 28 - 49ers 24
Spread: Cardinals, -3.5
o/u: 44.5
When these teams faced off in Week 1, they were two different teams. The 49ers were starting a different QB, and the Cards receivers, their best weapon, were all banged up. Now the Cards have a healthy offense, and the 49ers returned Alex Smith to a starting position. The healthy receivers have helped the Cards more than Alex Smith has helped the 49ers, though. He may have brought Vernon Davis and the passing game into the forefront, but he hasn't brought wins. He also can't solve the consistency issues on defense. Those are issues the Cards will be able to exploit, and with the win this week, they lock-up the NFC West.
Pick: Cardinals 28 - 49ers 24
NFL Sunday Recap - Determination
Call it what you will - drive, determination, perseverance. Some players have it, and some players don't.
Drive:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he'll probably never be the back he was in 2006, when he rushed for 1,815 yards and 28 TD, caught three more, and passed for two, Tomlinson continues to be a scoring threat. He may have only rushed for 50 yards against Dallas this week, but his 1st quarter score would give his team the lead early enroute to a 20-17 win. It was his 10th of the year, extending his record streak of double digit TD seasons to 9, having done it in every season he's been in the NFL. The win also gave the Chargers their 16th straight win in December. It's a streak that may not last much longer. His 3.9 yards per carry this season is the lowest of his career, and Darren Sproles has taken many of his receptions out of the backfield. The fact that he's become a little injury-prone over the last few seasons could mean his career is coming to a close, but he should see decent production over the next season or two.
Drive:
LaDainian Tomlinson
Though he'll probably never be the back he was in 2006, when he rushed for 1,815 yards and 28 TD, caught three more, and passed for two, Tomlinson continues to be a scoring threat. He may have only rushed for 50 yards against Dallas this week, but his 1st quarter score would give his team the lead early enroute to a 20-17 win. It was his 10th of the year, extending his record streak of double digit TD seasons to 9, having done it in every season he's been in the NFL. The win also gave the Chargers their 16th straight win in December. It's a streak that may not last much longer. His 3.9 yards per carry this season is the lowest of his career, and Darren Sproles has taken many of his receptions out of the backfield. The fact that he's become a little injury-prone over the last few seasons could mean his career is coming to a close, but he should see decent production over the next season or two.
Monday Morning News - 12/14/09
Global consulting firm Accenture is the first sponsor to drop Tiger Woods, ending a six year relationship with the golfer. [LA Times]
Former NHL goalie Mertin Gerber was injured in a Russian KHL league game, suffering a spinal contusion. Gerber was originally diagnosed with a compression fracture of his fourth cervical vertebra, but further testing showed the injury was less serious. [Russian Hockey Fans]
The house of former Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly is believed to have been egged by Cincinnati fans on Saturday night. [Rivals.com]
Former NHL goalie Mertin Gerber was injured in a Russian KHL league game, suffering a spinal contusion. Gerber was originally diagnosed with a compression fracture of his fourth cervical vertebra, but further testing showed the injury was less serious. [Russian Hockey Fans]
The house of former Cincinnati head football coach Brian Kelly is believed to have been egged by Cincinnati fans on Saturday night. [Rivals.com]
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Sunday News - 12/13/09
Heaisman Trophy results: 1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama(1,304 points, 227 1st place votes) 2. Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford(1,276, 222) 3. Colt McCoy, QB, Texas(1,145, 203) 4. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska(815, 161) 5. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida(390, 43) Ingram is the first player from Alabama to win the Heisman in the closest vote in the award's history. [ESPN]
BJ Penn retained his UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Diego Sanchez by stoppage in the fifth round at UFC 107. [Sherdog]
Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC Heavyweight Championship, beating Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision. [Miami Herald]
Stanford head football coach Jim Harbaugh has signed a contract extension to reamin with the school through 2014. [The Stanford Daily]
Kansas University has hired Turner Gill to replace Mark Mangino as head football coach. [Lawrence Journal News]
BJ Penn retained his UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Diego Sanchez by stoppage in the fifth round at UFC 107. [Sherdog]
Vitali Klitschko retained his WBC Heavyweight Championship, beating Kevin Johnson by unanimous decision. [Miami Herald]
Stanford head football coach Jim Harbaugh has signed a contract extension to reamin with the school through 2014. [The Stanford Daily]
Kansas University has hired Turner Gill to replace Mark Mangino as head football coach. [Lawrence Journal News]
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