Eagles Lure Asante Samuel Away From Patriots

Asante Samuel will play for the team he beat in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philladelphia Eagles.

Asante Samuel has such good hands and terrific instincts that the All-Pro cornerback rarely drops the ball, one reason why he has 16 interceptions the last two years.

The Eagles instincts were on the ball, too, that Samuel was the kind of playmaker they desperately needed to strengthen a defense that recorded an NFL-worst 19 takeaways in 2007.

Philadelphia got its first one of 2008, signing the free-agent cornerback to a six-year contract on Friday and ending Samuel's five-year stint in New England.

"I just want a chance to be able to win and get back to the Super Bowl," Samuel said. "That's why I picked the Philadelphia Eagles."

Samuel, an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection this past season, knows something about making timely picks. Samuel, who won two Super Bowl rings, has 22 career interceptions in 75 games.

"We regarded Asante as the No. 1 available free agent in the NFL," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said.

The Eagles wasted little time making an offer, reportedly worth around $57 million with $20 million guaranteed, on the first day of the free agent period.

The Eagles badly needed a shutdown corner - or a "pick magnet," as his agent called him - like Samuel. Philadelphia had only 11 interceptions last year and failed to score a defensive touchdown to go along with its abysmal takeaway record.


Free-Agent Central Keep up to date with all the comings and goings of the NFL free agency period and check out Alex Marvez's blog for all the latest notes, rumors and analysis. Samuel, a fourth-round draft pick in 2003, also tied the NFL career playoff record with three interceptions returned for TDs.

He was protected by New England last year by the franchise player tag. When asked if he felt underappreciated in New England, Samuel declined to comment.

"You just have to try to block it out of your mind," said Samuel of the tag.

Samuel tied Denver's Champ Bailey for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions in 2006 and returned two more picks for touchdowns in the postseason against the Jets and Colts. His 12 total interceptions in the 2006 regular season and playoffs were the highest combined single-season total in Patriots history.

Samuel kept New England's perfect 2007 regular season alive in late November against the Eagles. He returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown and had a second pick off A.J. Feeley that halted a late Philadelphia drive in New England's 31-28 victory.

Samuel also won a Super Bowl ring when the Patriots beat the Eagles by three points in the Super Bowl in 2005.

So did the Patriots really know all of Philadelphia's signals before the game?

"This is over," said coach Andy Reid, with a laugh.

The acquisition means the Eagles will likely trade or shift positions for either Lito Sheppard or Sheldon Brown.

Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is reportedly unhappy with his contract. The Eagles denied a report earlier this month that Sheppard, who signed a five-year extension in 2004, had asked for or been given permission to seek a trade.

Reid said Samuel will be the starting left cornerback, or, what was Sheppard's starting job.

"When you have an opportunity to get the best one in the business, then you need to look at that," Reid said.

Samuel hoped Sheppard and Brown would be on the roster and felt the trio could give the Eagles perhaps the best secondary in the NFL.

Samuel said the Eagles were on the top of a list of four teams he considered visiting. After the Eagles gave him a hard sell on the first day free agents could sign, Samuel decided to stay in Philly.

"When you come to one that makes you happy, why wait around?" Samuel said.

Samuel is the latest in a line of former New England Super Bowl winners who have moved on, joining Deion Branch, Adam Vinatieri, David Givens and Daniel Graham.

Samuel did allow New York's David Tyree to get loose for a touchdown and the cornerback muffed a potential clinching interception with less than 2 minutes left in the Giants' 17-14 upset win in the Super Bowl. The stinging loss was still tough for him to get over.

"He'll have a chance to recover twice this year," Reid said.

The Eagles finished in last place in the NFC East at 8-8, the same division that includes the Giants and the Dallas Cowboys, whose 13-3 record was the best in the conference.

NBA highlights from February 28th

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And Your Top Play! Kobe and the Lakers run the Showtime fastbreak!

"Freak Show" Moving Elsewhere

The Freak show is over in Philadelphia.

After four mostly disappointing and injury-plagued seasons where he only showed glimpses of his feared pass rushing ability, the Eagles released defensive end Jevon Kearse on Thursday.


Kearse was in the middle of a $66 million, eight-year deal signed in 2004 that made him at the time the highest-paid defensive end in NFL history.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection failed to live up the lofty expectations set when he signed. His ineffective performance last year led to reduced playing time and finally landed him on the sideline, despite his big salary. Juqua Thomas replaced Kearse in the starting lineup.

Kearse recorded only 3 1/2 sacks in 14 games last season after missing most of the 2006 season with a knee injury. The move had been expected since the end of the season and comes a day before the NFL free-agent signing period begins.

Kearse, nicknamed "The Freak," played in 45 regular season games for the Eagles and recorded 133 tackles and 22 sacks. He was due to earn $6.46 million next season.

"We tried to work out a restructure with the Eagles and it didn't work out," Drew Rosenhaus said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine. "He had a wonderful career there."

Rosenhaus did not immediately return a message on Thursday.

The Eagles also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with safety J.R. Reed and tendered a one-year contract to restricted free agent cornerback Joselio Hanson.

If another team signs Hanson to an offer sheet, the Eagles have seven days to match that offer. If they choose not to match, the Eagles will receive a second-round draft choice as compensation.

Early in his career with Tennessee, Kearse was one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers. He had 36 sacks in his first three season and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1999.

"I'm a freak of nature," Kearse said when he signed with the Eagles. "I do a lot of things ordinary people wouldn't be able to do. As far as performance and playing my position, I'm a freak out there."

Kearse twice earned All-Pro honors, but injuries started to catch up soon after his early success. Kearse missed 12 games with a broken bone in his left foot in 2002, sprained the same foot in 2003 and missed nearly three games.

Kearse was off to fantastic start in 2006 with the Eagles, recording 3 1/2 sacks in the first two games. But he sprained multiple ligaments in his left knee during Philadelphia's overtime loss to the New York Giants in Week 2.

Rams Cut Issac Bruce

For the second time in three years, the St. Louis Rams released wide receiver Isaac Bruce. This time they may be cutting ties for good with the last player remaining from the team's 1995 move from Los Angeles to St. Louis.


"It's a tough choice for the franchise," coach Scott Linehan said on the team's Web site, stlouisrams.com. "It's like anything else. We make decisions as a franchise on the business side and that's the part that makes it the most difficult."

Linehan said the "possibility is always open" for Bruce to re-sign with the Rams.

Bruce's agent, Jimmy Sexton, didn't immediately return a telephone message from the AP.

Gus Frerotte, the backup quarterback the last two seasons, also was released on Thursday. The moves came hours before the start of free agency.

The 35-year-old Bruce had been due a $2 million roster bonus on Friday and the Rams were unsuccessful in attempts to restructure his contract. He signed a $15 million, three-year deal in March 2006, billed as an opportunity to finish his career with the Rams, five days after he was cut in a similar salary cap move.


Bruce is third on the NFL career list with 14,070 yards receiving, trailing only Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. He's sixth in receptions with 942, has been to four Pro Bowls and caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the Rams' Super Bowl victory over the Tennessee Titans in 2000.

Bruce was second on the team last season with 55 catches and had a 13.3 yards-per-catch average and four touchdowns. He has eight 1,000-yard seasons with the team and had 119 receptions for 1,781 yards and 13 touchdowns in 1995.

The 36-year-old Frerotte, also a 14-year veteran, made three starts when starter Marc Bulger was sidelined by injury and played in nine games overall in two seasons. Last year, he threw seven touchdown passes with 12 interceptions.

The move frees up $1.9 million heading into free agency while leaving the Rams with only two quarterbacks, Bulger and Brock Berlin, on the roster. Frerotte had been due a $500,000 roster bonus on Friday.

Erroneous Report States Brett Favre Retires

Green Bay's Website Earlier Today Said Mistakenly that Brett Favre had retired.


Brett Favre's retirement lore is becoming almost as popular as his on-the-field heroics.

On Thursday, the Packers' official Web site briefly reported he was retiring, but the page under the breaking news section was live for only a few minutes.

"There's nothing to it," Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb told The Associated Press. "People who handle our Web site had set up a dummy page in the event he was to retire. They were asked to take down that page."

A call by The AP to Favre's agent, Bus Cook, was not immediately returned.

Cook told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Favre, in his annual rite of winter, had not made up his mind whether to return for his 18th season. The three-time MVP's decision one way or the other is not expected this week.


Several Internet sites have screen captures of the page that show Favre's picture with a caption saying, "Packers quarterback Brett Favre has announced that he will retire."

The page also had a blank area to enter the story's text and details on general manager Ted Thompson holding a "brief press conference" to talk about the announcement.

This is not the first time a team put major news on its Web site, and then promptly removed it.

On Oct. 23, 1999, the news that Don Baylor had been hired as Cubs manager appeared on the team's Web site, and was subsequently removed within hours. The team denied the story, but on Nov. 1, Baylor was hired.

NBA highlights from February 27th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 27th!


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Two Top Plays Today!

Tyson Chandler finishes the fastbreak!


History At The Boston Garden! LeBron James becomes the youngest player to score 10,000 points!

Scott Spiezio Released By Cardinals

Utilityman Scott Spiezio was cut by the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, released after being charged in a six-count complaint involving drunken driving and assault in a December car crash.


"We had heard some things about this," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "Ultimately nothing was ever confirmed to the level it was today. To have this warrant put out there, it completely changes the landscape of what we're dealing with."

A warrant was issued Tuesday for Spiezio, who missed more than a month last year while getting treatment for substance abuse. The warrant was recalled Wednesday after Spiezio's attorney appeared in court, and the arraignment was continued to March 26.

The Orange County district attorney charged Spiezio with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, assault and battery.

"We anticipate a successful resolution to this misdemeanor matter," attorney Paul Meyer said.

The 35-year-old Spiezio did not play in Wednesday's exhibition game against St. Louis University at Jupiter, Fla.

"Scott and I will have a statement at a later date," Spiezio's agent, Barry Meister, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

"Scott is clean and sober and has been for a significant period of time and is fully prepared to continue his career. He has had no problems at Cardinals camp, is in great shape and was and is looking to have a great 2008 season," he said.

Police said the accident occurred Dec. 30. The maximum penalty is two years in state prison.

"We've never been able to talk to him," Irvine police Lt. Rick Handfield said. "The detective has expressed an interest in having Mr. Spiezio come to California."

Spiezio won World Series championships with Anaheim in 2002 and St. Louis in 2006. He has cultivated a hard-rocking image during his 12 seasons in the majors and plays in the heavy metal band SandFrog.

He batted .272 in 119 games with 13 homers and 52 RBIs in 2006. Last year, he appeared in only 82 games because of injuries, illness and treatment, managing only four homers, 31 RBIs and a .269 average.

Spiezio was entering the final season of a two-year, $4.5 million contract. He was released the same way most players are cut, for failure "to exhibit sufficient skill or competitive ability."

That means the Cardinals owe him this year's $2.3 million salary plus a $100,000 buyout of a $2.5 million team option for 2009 -- because of that, the likelihood of a grievance by the players' union is small.

Asked about Spiezio's release, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said, "I think it's a consistent message about what the team represents."

"It wasn't like he escaped last year without catching some heat and the organization acting to try to get him right," he said.

When the Cardinals activated him from the restricted list last September, Spiezio said, "I was out of control for a while. I learned a lot and I'm ready to start contributing in a good way now."

At the time, Spiezio said he'd been struggling with substance abuse for six or seven months, although he wouldn't disclose the substance, saying, "I'll save that for the book."

Spiezio is best remembered in Anaheim for a three-run homer in Game 6 against the San Francisco Giants that helped the Angels rally from the largest deficit ever in a potential Series-deciding game.

Spiezio played in Seattle for two seasons before joining the Cardinals in 2006 and helping them win the World Series that year.

Irvine police responded to a report of a single-car crash at 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 30.

Officers found a 2004 BMW registered to Spiezio had crashed into a curb and fence. The driver was seen running from the crash site, Handfield said.

A neighbor told police Spiezio arrived at their condo complex appearing disheveled and apparently injured. The neighbor said Spiezio allegedly assaulted him, causing significant injuries, Handfield said.

Mozeliak said that he and La Russa met with Spiezio and his agent before spring training started to discuss the accident. The GM said team officials did not know until Wednesday that alcohol was allegedly involved.

"We were led to believe that there was a chance that some of this was not going to gravitate to the level that it did today," Mozeliak said. "Obviously what came to light today changed how we looked at it. We decided we had to react."

Spiezio was devastated by the death of Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock, who was legally intoxicated when he crashed into the back of a flatbed truck last April.

Spiezio said the situation might have pushed him deeper into dependency.

"You've got to put yourself in the right situations, sometimes change friends or go out to breakfast with a friend and not to a place where you can start making bad decisions," he said in January. "I've got to be in a frame of mind where I can't lose focus in any way."

Let's Hope that Scott, for his sake, gets his situation resolved and gets his life straight.

Mushin Muhhamad Signs With Panthers: David Carr Released

Muhsin Muhammad Is Going Back to the Panthers. David Carr Isn't.

The Carolina Panthers released disappointing quarterback David Carr on Wednesday and came to terms with receiver Muhsin Muhammad on a two-year contract.

Carr was let go a year after he signed a $6 million, two-year deal with the Panthers following a five-year stint as a starter in Houston. But Carr struggled so badly when he took over for the injured Jake Delhomme last season that he was eventually demoted to third-string.

Carr leaves Carolina as Muhammad prepares for his second stint with the franchise. Muhammad was expected to sign his contract later Wednesday, a week after he was released by the Chicago Bears.

Muhammad was the Panthers’ second-round pick in 1996 and spent nine seasons with Carolina before being released in a salary-cap move. The Panthers struggled to replace him, leaving star receiver Steve Smith to face constant double-teams over the past few seasons.

It’s unclear what role Muhammad will have in his return to Carolina. He turns 35 in May and he was held to 40 catches with the Bears last season. But Muhammad remains one of the league’s top blocking receivers and he is close friends with Smith.

Carr’s release is no surprise. He was thought to be a significant upgrade over Chris Weinke as Carolina’s No. 2 QB. But Carr had a disastrous season after he took over as the starter in Week 3, when Delhomme suffered a season-ending right elbow injury.

Looking tentative in the pocket, Carr lacked accuracy and then was sidelined with a back injury and two concussions. But even when Carr got healthy again, the Panthers used 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde and undrafted rookie Matt Moore ahead of him.

Carr finished with three touchdown passes, five interceptions and a passer rating of 58.3. Releasing him clears more than $2 million in salary-cap space.

“He did everything we asked, but unfortunately it didn’t work out like anyone had hoped or expected,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “David is an excellent person and we wish him the best.”

Moore and Brett Basanez, who missed all of last season with a wrist injury, are expected to contend for the backup job next season.

Muhammad is expected to catch passes from Delhomme, who is working his way back from reconstructive surgery. Delhomme’s top two targets were Smith and Muhammad during Carolina’s only trip to the Super Bowl in the 2003 season.

Muhammad, who maintained a home and business interests in Charlotte after his release three years ago, holds the team record for catches (578) and yards receiving (7,751) and touchdown catches (44).

His 102 receptions in the 2000 season were a team record until Smith had 103 in 2005.

NBA highlights from February 26th

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And Your Top Play! Michael Redd drains the long-range dagger!

Patriots Release Roosevelt Colvin

It was a big coup when the Patriots signed Rosevelt Colvin, but that era has come to a close.

New England released the linebacker on Tuesday. Drafted by the Bears out of Purdue in 1999, Colvin spent his first four seasons in Chicago and established himself as a pass-rushing threat from his outside linebacker position. He registered 10½ sacks in both 2001 and 2002.

The Patriots signed the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Colvin as an unrestricted free agent in 2003. He had two sacks in his first two games that season before suffering a hip injury. While he never returned to his original form, Colvin did bounce back to lead the Patriots with seven sacks in 2005 and 8½ sacks in 2006.

His 52½ career sacks rank fifth among active NFL linebackers.

Last season, Colvin started 10 of his first 11 games before being shut down with a foot injury.

The Patriots also released linebacker Oscar Lua on Tuesday. He missed last season, his first, with a knee injury.

NBA highlights from February 25

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 25th!


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And Your Top Play! DeShawn Stevenson hits the game-winning, buzzer-beating three!


Here's The Exciting final 14 seconds, ending with the Stevenson Dagger!

Martin Taylor Subject Of Death Threats Following Horriffic Injury To Eduardo

Birmingham defender Martin Taylor has been the subject of death threats after his challenge on Eduardo left the Arsenal star with a broken leg.

Croatian fans, angry at Eduardo being ruled out of the Euro 2008 finals, are among supporters who have posted threatening messages on various internet sites.

One website specifically set up after the incident during Saturday's 2-2 draw at St Andrews has already received 27,000 messages directed at the former Blackburn player.


And security personnel had to restrain Croatian journalists who ran onto the road and tried to get into Taylor's car as he left the club's Wast Hills training complex on Monday.

But Taylor has received many messages of support from people inside the game of football which Blues manager Alex McLeish claimed had helped to limit the psychological damage he could have suffered.

McLeish admitted that Taylor may have been unable to continue during Saturday's game had he not been given a red card by referee Mike Dean after the third minute incident.

Birmingham striker James McFadden is backing Taylor to put behind him the trauma of unintentionally breaking Eduardo's leg.

Taylor will have to wait at least a month before he can return to action after he collected an automatic three-match ban for his sending off.

The only good news on this injury is that Eduardo is expected to be back this year, but it will take a lot of work for him to recover from that type of injury.

I'm sure that Terry Taylor is sorry for what he did, in fact, he tried to apoligize right after the injury but it was too little too late.

Was the suspension enough? Sure. Taylor's sorry for what he did, and I'm sure he didn't do that on purpose.

Let's Hope Cooler Heads prevail on that side of the pond.

Bartolo Colon Looking To Replace Curt Schilling In Rotation

Former AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox and will report to spring training.

The 34-year-old Colon right-hander was 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA in 19 games last season with the Los Angeles Angels.

He has been slowed by injuries, opening last year on the disabled list with a partial tear in his right rotator cuff and later going out with problems in his elbow.

If healthy, Colon could take a spot in the rotation that opened when Curt Schilling got hurt.

NBA highlights from February 24

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 24th!


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And Your Top Play! Dwight Howard dunks on four Kings!

NBA highlights from February 23

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And Your Top Play! Andre Iguodala with the vicious tomahawk jam!

MLB Preview: NL West

Can Matt Holliday and Troy Tulwitski lead Colorado to the NL West Pennant?

The National League West was home to team and individual records last season. The Colorado Rockies went on a tear, going undefeated for almost the entire final month of the season, enabling them to beat their NL West rival San Diego Padres in Game 163, The Tiebreaker Game. The San Francisco Giants watched one Barry (Zito) fail to live up to his then record contract, while another Barry (Bonds) on a night in August, broke Hank Aaron's then Major League Record of 755 homeruns.

Things have changed, and yet things are so much the same.

For Barry Bonds, the least of his problems rigt now is not playing baseball. Joe Torre left his Yankee Pinstripes to bleed Dodger Blue. Arizona and Colorado, two suprise teams from the West, will be expected to replicate their success. Mark Prior, the former Chicago Cubs Ace who's career was wrecked by injuries, is now in the ultimate Pitcher's Park, Petco Park in San Diego.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
The Diamondbacks, if it wasn't for the Colorado Rockies, would have been the biggest underdog story in Baseball last season. This "No-Name Offense" led by Chris Young, Connor Jackson, Justin Upton, and Mark Reynolds, helped lead Arizona to 90 wins. The team had great pitching. Brandon Webb, the 2006 National League Winner, had opponents scoreless for 42 1/3 scoreless innings including three straight complete game shutouts. The team had Randy Johnson for a while, but when his back gave out on him, Arizona turned to Micah Owings, who hit two home runs in his first Major League Start! Juan Cruz and Doug Davis did a solid job in the bullpen.

Arizona's Rotation was bolstered this season with the trade for Dan Haren from Oakland.

Arizona's Offense has been improved by veteran Trot Nixon, who was on the Red Sox in 2004 and was with Cleveland last season.


COLORADO ROCKIES
The Greatest Underdog Story this season, the Colorado Rockies suprised everyone by going to the World Series by sweeping Philladelphia in the NLDS and Sweeping Arizona in the NLCS, before getting swept in the World Series by the best team in Baseball all season, the Boston Red Sox.

The Rockies were led on offense by National League MVP Runner Up Matt Holliday, and were led defensively by Rookie of The Year Troy Tulowitski.

Pitching Wise, Jeff Francis developed into an ace before our very eyes, and the whole rotation, even when they gave up a run, they were confident their offense, led by Holliday, would give them that run back.

Offensively, If Willy Taveras is injured for an extended period of time, expect Scott Podsednik, the catalyst of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox, to take over at leadoff and in center field. The Rockies will once again be driven by "The H factor" Todd Helton and Matt Holliday. These two will once again knock a bunch of homeruns at Coors Field, and that will enable Colorado to battle for the NL West Crown.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Joe Torre grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers Fan, managed the New York Yankees to four World Series Titles, before taking over in Chavez Ravine. Once Again, Joe Torre cost Grady Little his job. The first time was in 2003, when Aaron Boone hit the game winning homerun in Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS to send New York to their first World Series since 2001. Grady Little was fired by The Red Sox for his apparent Mismanagement of that game. Torre got Little fired again, this time because Torre just turned down an incentive-laced one year contract offer from the Yankees to take a three year deal to manage the Los Angeles Dodgers.

What did the Dodgers do after the luring of Torre to LA? They Signed Japanese Pitcher Hiroki Kuroda to a three year contact. Kuroda will compete with the rehabbing former San Francisco Giants Ace Jason Schmidt for the final rotation spot. Offensively they went out and signed Andruw Jones to replace Juan Pierre in Center. Andy LaRoche will compete with Nomar Garciaparra for the starting Third Baseman's job. Russell Marting will continue to mature behind the plate. This may be Jeff Kent's final Season, as he may retire at the end of this season. He holds the record for most homeruns by a second baseman, passing Hall Of Famer Ryne Sandberg.

SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Padres were one half inning away last season from killing Colorado's Dreams of a postseason appearance. They had an 8-6 run lead entering the bottom of the 13th inning, and they had Trevor Hoffman, the only closer in history with 500 saves, on the mound.

Rockies Fans know what happened next.

Hoffman gave up extra-base hits to the first three batters. Colorado second baseman Kazuo Matsui began the inning with a double. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki followed with a double of his own, scoring Matsui. Holliday then hit a triple, scoring Tulowitzki. The score was now tied 8-8 with no outs. The Padres then intentionally walked the next batter, first baseman Todd Helton. Jamey Carroll came up to bat, having replaced 3rd Baseman Garrett Atkins earlier in the game. His sacrifice fly to shallow right field allowed Holliday to break from third. Holliday slid into home head-first and to the outside of Padres' backup catcher Michael Barrett, whose left leg extended across the plate. Barrett could not hold on to the throw from right fielder Brian Giles, and the ball dribbled toward the backstop. During the slide, Holliday's right hand wedged under Barrett’s foot, his face hit the dirt hard, and he lay stunned on the ground.

It is that point in the play where some viewers questioned whether Holliday actually touched home plate. If he had not, then arguably Barrett could have retrieved the ball and tagged him out. The Rockies would then have had two outs with Helton still safe on base, and right fielder Brad Hawpe coming to bat.

As Barrett tried to gain control of the ball, home plate umpire Tim McClelland called Holliday safe. That call officially ended the game, and the final score was Rockies 9, Padres 8. Hoffman was credited with his 5th loss of the season.

The Padres will come back focused and ready to play in 2008. The 2008 Padres have an incredibly deep rotation, starting with Jake Peavy. Peavy won the pitching Triple Crown in 2007, leading the National League with 19 wins, 240 strikeouts, and a 2.54 ERA. On October 23, Peavy won the Players Choice Award for Outstanding NL Pitcher. He added the NL Cy Young -- a unanimous choice -- on November 15, becoming just the 10th National League player in history to win the Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote.


Let's Not forget about Greg Maddux. "Mad Dog" who has both 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins. Maddux has an incredibly deep repetoire of pitches, making it a nightmare to be an opposing hitter. I remember when he was with The Cubs. watching Maddux get his 3,000th strikeout against Omar Vizquel of the San Francisco Giants. Maddux may join his brother Mike and be a Major League Pitching Coach after he retires.

Chris Young is another great pitcher. Young ended the 2007 season as the Major League leader in opponent batting average, and hits per nine innings. Young battled injuries late in the season and surrendered the ERA leadership to Jake Peavy in his August 30 start.

Randy Wolf will be in number four hole, and expect the number five spot in the rotation to go to Mark Prior. Prior, who was on the mound when Chicago self destructed during Game Six of the 2003 NLCS, appears to be on the fast track to recovery. Prior will no longer have to deal with that bandbox of a ballpark in Wrigley Field, and will get to regroup with former Cubs Greg Maddux, Michael Barrett, and Todd Walker.

Offensively, expect a lot of small ball from San Diego. There won't be a whole lot of Fence Swinging, as Petco Park is the closest thing to a Pitcher's Paradise in Baseball. Expect the defense of San Diego to improve, as Jim Edmonds will play Center Field for perhaps the final time this season.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
These are Tough Times now for McCovey Cove Baseball Fans. Barry Bonds, the guy that helped put people inside both Candlestick and AT&T Park, is not with the team and is battling the government on perjury charges. The Giants tried to Barry in Left Field by signing Aaron Rowand to a five year, $60 Million Contract. Rowand, who was another member of the 2005 White Sox, will have pressure on him to help San Francisco be competetive without Barry Bonds. Good Luck. Barry Zito Lost 13 Games in The National League After Coming Over From The American League! It can't get any worse than that for a pitcher like him. Expect him to do somewhat better this time around.

San Francisco won't lose 100 games, but they're too old to be competetive. They should be for high draft picks to replace this aging team.
MY PROJECTED ORDER:
COLORADO
SAN DIEGO
ARIZONA
LOS ANGELES
SAN FRANCISCO

That Concludes this MLB Preview. In Our Next MLB Preview, We Will Preview The American League Central. Will Detroit recover from their underacheiving season last year? Can Cleveland suprise Once Again? Will Chicago's improved bullpen help win more games? Can Kansas City stay out of last place? Find Out All This and more in our next MLB Preview.

Cowboys Win Zach Thomas Sweepstakes

The Zach Thomas sweepstakes are over.

The seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, who was released by the Dolphins last week, has agreed to a deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas flew to Indianapolis on Friday to meet with owner Jerry Jones and president Stephen Jones, who were there for the NFL combine.

The move is somewhat shocking in that, at one point, Thomas had considered canceling his meeting with the Cowboys after meeting earlier this week with the Patriots and Saints.

Thomas remains in Indianapolis with his new employers and could take a physical as early as Saturday.

There were numerous reports, including ones in the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, that said Thomas and the Cowboys had agreed on a $3 million, one-year deal.

Thomas' family members are lifelong Cowboys fans, and that may have played a part in the decision.

Thomas is a native of Pampa, Texas, and then went to Texas Tech. The Dolphins selected the 5-foot-11 linebacker 154th overall out of Tech in 1996, and he led them in tackles 10 times and is the teams' career leader in that category.

Thomas missed most of last season because of concussions and migraines and was placed on injured reserve against his wishes in December because of nagging migraines, an aftereffect of an Oct. 21 car crash.

He played 168 games in Miami, the most by a defensive player in Dolphins history. He had a career-best 165 tackles in 2006.

NBA highlights from February 22nd

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And Your Top Play! Chris Wilcox explodes down the lane! Check Out The Hillarious Call from Kevin Calabro!

NBA highlights from February 21st

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And Your Top Play! Manu Ginobili hits the game winner!

Big Ben & Wally's World Coming To Cleveland To Support The King

In an 11 player three-team blockbuster trade, the Cavaliers acquired Chicago's Ben Wallace and Joe Smith, Seattle's Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West before the trade deadline closed on Thursday, two league sources confirmed.

The Cavaliers sent Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons to the Bulls, and Donyell Marshall to the Sonics. Seattle also gets the expiring contracts of Chicago's Adrian Griffin and Cleveland's Ira Newble.

The trade marks the end of the Wallace experiment in Chicago, where the $60 million signing two years ago never fulfilled expectations. He'll try to revive his career alongside James, who has been desperate for an improved supporting cast. Smith, a 6-foot-10 forward, has been one of the Bulls' most consistent players, and Szczerbiak gives the Cavs a consistent outside shooting threat to go with Daniel Gibson.

NBA highlights from February 20th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 20th! Click on the video to check out the debuts of both Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd with their new teams!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!



Two Top Plays Today! Baron Davis drains the Game Winner!


Shaq rises in Phoenix for the facial!

Spurs Make Reactionary Trade

Kurt Thomas used to defend against Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. Now Kurt is Joining The Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs have reached agreement with the SuperSonics that will bring them center Kurt Thomas in exchange for guard Brent Barry, center Francisco Elson and a 2009 first-round draft pick, league sources said Wednesday.

The teams are in the process of finalizing the deal with league officials.

By acquiring Thomas, the Spurs get some needed size to help them counter Phoenix’s Shaquille O’Neal and Houston’s Yao Ming. They also are expected to drop under the luxury-tax threshold, possibly saving them about $2 million. In exchange, San Antonio will send the Sonics a portion of the savings.

While Barry has been sidelined with a calf injury, Ime Udoka has taken his place in the rotation and proven to be a dependable contributor with his defense and 3-point shooting. Elson’s inconsistency limited his role with the Spurs this season.

The Sonics, who also considered an offer from the Orlando Magic for Thomas, have now generated three first-round draft picks from Rashard Lewis’ sign-and-trade deal last summer.

Ryder caps biggest comeback in Habs history

The Montreal Canadiens' fans were rewarded for their faithful support with the biggest comeback win in the storied team's history.
Michael Ryder and Alex Kovalev each scored twice and Montreal rallied from five goals down to beat the New York Rangers 6-5 in a shootout Tuesday night.


Saku Koivu beat Henrik Lundqvist with a forehand deke on the Canadiens' second shootout attempt and Cristobal Huet stopped Brendan Shanahan, Chris Drury and Jaromir Jagr to the delight of the sold-out Bell Centre crowd of 21,273.

The Canadiens, who celebrate their centennial in 2009, stormed back from a 5-0 deficit early in the second with five unanswered goals.

"I don't think a lot of people expected it," said Ryder, who scored the first two of four straight even-strength goals by Montreal as the Canadiens pulled within one.

Kovalev, who scored Montreal's third goal 9 seconds before Mark Streit scored, rolled onto his back amid a wild ovation after he tied it with his team-leading 29th goal at 15:38.

"When I was laying down, I could see that there was nobody sitting," Kovalev said. "It's unbelievable. The fans have always been great to me. It definitely makes you give more back and I'm trying to play as hard as I can for them. A game like this, we just had to keep playing and you never know what will happen."

Shanahan scored twice to reach 20 goals for the 19th straight season and Jagr became the 10th leading scorer in NHL history with four assists to help stake the Rangers to their big lead.

Brandon Dubinsky and Sean Avery scored goals 14 seconds apart in the first, and Drury scored his 20th goal 28 seconds after Shanahan's second goal of the game to give New York a five-goal lead 5:03 into the second.

"We got caught on our heels and allowed them back into the hockey game," Rangers coach Tom Renney said. "I give the Montreal fans a ton of credit. That's what you're supposed to do, you're behind your team and they did a great job of that and this hockey team, which is very dangerous, certainly fed off of that and took what we gave them."

Shanahan scored New York's third goal of the first period and the first of two power-play goals 28 seconds apart by the Rangers early in the second to extend the streak that he began in 1988-89 with 22 goals in his second season with New Jersey.

Ryder drew Montreal within 5-1 with his 10th goal at 8:28 before cutting the lead to three with his second in a row at 12:52.

The Canadiens struck for two goals 9 seconds apart to cut the lead to 5-4 just 6:52 into the third.

Dubinsky opened the scoring with his 11th goal 8:50 into the first period on a rink-length give-and-go play with Jagr off a turnover by Montreal in the Rangers' zone.

Jagr also had a hand on the Rangers' next goal as Avery put away a rebound of Carey Price's pad stop on Jagr shortly after the faceoff that followed Dubinsky's goal.

Shanahan chased Price, who allowed three goals on 11 shots, with his 19th goal at 13:56. He got his second of the game against Cristobal Huet 4:35 into the second with Chris Higgins serving a double minor for high-sticking.

Shanahan, who also played for St. Louis, Hartford and Detroit over the course of the streak, surpassed Marcel Dionne last season for sole possession of the second-longest streak in NHL history.

He trails only Gordie Howe, who scored at least 20 goals for 22 straight seasons with Detroit from 1949-50 to 1970-71.

"It shows a kind of consistency over a long period of time and a certain degree of luck in terms of health," Shanahan said. "It's company I'm certainly proud to be in."

Jagr moved ahead of Ray Bourque on the career points list with an assist on Shanahan's first goal before adding another on Shanahan's second of the game to finish the game with 1,581 points - nine behind Phil Esposito, who is ninth overall with 1,590.

The game was delayed for a few minutes with 2:36 remaining in the third when a few hundred "Go Habs Go" signs given away to the sold-out crowd of 21,273 by a hardware retailer rained down onto the ice after Canadiens defenseman Mike Komisarek was called for his second minor penalty in a row.


Notes
Dubinsky fought with Komisarek late in the first period. ... Price had won three straight starts, including back-to-back wins over Philadelphia on the weekend.

NBA highlights from February 19

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 19th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


Two Top Plays Today!
Jason Richardson with the super-slam over Manu Ginobili!


Paul Pierce throws it down on Marcus Camby!

Nets Ship Kidd to Mavs in eight-player deal

The Jason Kidd era is over in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Nets and Dallas on Tuesday completed a trade sending the All-Star to the Mavericks, who now have one of the NBA's best point guards as they look toward the playoffs. This will be Kidd's second stint with Dallas.


The eight-player deal, in the making since before the All-Star break, sends Kidd, forward Malik Allen and guard Antoine Wright to Dallas for point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop and swingman Maurice Ager, plus retired forward Keith Van Horn and Trenton Hassell. New Jersey also gets two first-round draft picks and $3 million.

Van Horn and Hassell replace Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George in an original trade proposal. Stackhouse's presence in the deal was muddled by plans to get him back to Dallas — within the rules, although in a way the league frowned upon — and George used his veto power to block his involvement.

Trade rumors had followed Kidd since last season when the Nets nearly pulled off a deal to send him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Last month he publicly demanded to be traded, starting a new round of rumors that have hung over the team for the last three weeks.

New Jersey was 23-30 and tied with Philadelphia for the sixth-best record in the Eastern Conference entering Tuesday's games. The Nets have lost 14 of their last 20 games.


Kidd is averaging 11.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.1 rebounds. Harris, the next most prominent player in the deal, is averaging 14.4 points and 5.3 assists.

Nets president Rod Thorn said as the Nets struggled this season, Kidd lost some of the intensity that defines him as a player, making it imperative that the team trade him.

Thorn said he first noticed it in December, an indirect reference to an incident in which Kidd sat out a game against the New York Knicks with a migraine, a move some considered a one-day walkout to force a trade.


Kidd spent the first two-plus seasons of his career in Dallas. The Mavs drafted him third overall in 1994 and he was the NBA's co-rookie of the year in 1994-95. He was traded to Phoenix in 1996, then went from the Suns to New Jersey before the 2001-02 season. He helped the Nets reach the NBA finals his first two seasons, but they haven't made a long playoff run since.

The Mavericks have been among the NBA's top teams the last few years, but have fallen short of a title. They're trading Harris' promising future in hopes that Kidd, who turns 35 next month, has enough tenacity and leadership to push them over the top.

Dallas has been eyeing Kidd for a while, and owner Mark Cuban may have accelerated the process after seeing other top Western Conference teams make pivotal additions.

This is the third big trade involving a Western Conference power as the teams prepare for the stretch run. Before the All-Star break, Shaquille O'Neal was dealt from Miami to Phoenix and Pau Gasol went from Memphis to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Kidd trade seemed done earlier last week until George vetoed it. Stackhouse's talk of being bought out and re-signing with the Mavs also didn't sit well with league officials.

The big winner in this is Van Horn, who has been out of the league the last 1 1/2 seasons. Dallas still owned his rights, so his involvement is essentially to make the numbers work. He'll be signed then traded — and, like Kidd, he'll be heading back to his original team. It seems highly unlikely he'll actually play for the Nets.

Kidd's arrival should be a boon to reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki, providing him with the easy baskets he used to get when teamed with Steve Nash. His presence also will open things up for Josh Howard, plus let Jason Terry spend more time at shooting guard.

Harris' numbers have gone up in each of his four seasons, helping him earn a five-year contract worth roughly $42 million before this season. However, he's nowhere near the distributor Kidd is, nor is he liable to get a triple-double. He may eventually have that well-rounded of a game, but the Mavericks decided they couldn't wait.

Losing Diop hurts Dallas' front line, as he is the primary backup to starting center Erick Dampier. However, Diop — who is a free agent after this season — had fallen out of favor lately.

George, also headed toward free agency, was in his second season with the Mavericks. He never found his niche because of injuries and a logjam at the small forward-shooting guard spots. Ager was another in that crowded mix. In his second year from Michigan State, he never worked his way into the rotation and recently was sent to the NBA Development League.

Allen was averaging 5.4 points in almost 16 minutes per game for the Nets.

Finally, Dallas has worked all the kinks out and this deal will finally happen. The Mavericks have, still, one of the best point guards in the NBA, and they didn't have to give up much important talent. Probably the only important player New Jersey got was Devin Harris.

Harry Caray 1914-1998

Today is the tenth anniversary of the passing of the greatest broadcaster in Chicago Cubs history, Harry Caray. Caray was a legend in Wrigley Field, always finding stuff to talk about when nothing was going on or when the Cubs were trailing big.

One Such Example...Harry Caray and Steve Stone talk about Crackerjacks! Enjoy!

Harry Caray was so bitter about not recieving that prize! He never forgot the pain and anguish from being lied to!

Here's Another Video showing Harry's Memorable Calls and Screw-Ups! Enjoy!


Harry's right. Cubs fans Have been waiting forever for that World Series Pennant. Hopefully the drought ends this season!

Kyle Kendrick Traded To Japan

Watch The Clip Below!


There are still eight months left in the 2008 season, but the rest of the 29 teams are going to need the time if they're going to top the prank the Phillies played on young Kyle Kendrick over the weekend.

The setup went like this: Manager Charlie Manuel called the 23-year-old pitcher into his office and told him he had been traded to the Yomiuri Giants for a player named "Kobayashi Iwamura." The ruse, expertly orchestrated by Brett Myers (who else?), worked so well that Kendrick was shocked into silence for most of the trick. Couldn't even stop to realize that MLB and Japanese teams never swap players.

So many things went into staging this that it's hard to pick just one favorite aspect.

Among the contenders:

• The sheer number of people who were complicit in bringing Kendrick to the verge of tears. From the team's traveling secretary to the Comcast cameraman to the PR people and writers who helped stage a fake news conference, it was a fine reminder of how much downtime there can be at spring training.

• The fake trade papers/travel arrangements. If Kendrick doesn't know not to sign anything without talking to his agent first, then I have a few business proposals I'd like to discuss with him. (If anyone else is interested most of the ideas have to do with either hot plasma TVs or slippers for housecats.)

• Manuel's weird sadist glee over the whole incident. "I would have loved to see him fly to Japan and get off the plane," the Phillies manager said afterward. "That would have been the best. As a matter of fact, I would have paid his fare." Quick show of hands: Who else is glad that Weird Ol' Chuck isn't their boss?

• How fast the prank has already spread. Kendrick's Baseball Reference page has already been bought by a sponsor who left "Good luck in Japan Kyle!" as a message. "Good luck living this down!" might have been a more appropriate tag.

• The howling Phillies clubhouse. Because it's always fun to laugh at the young'un. Did that scene remind anyone else of the Goodfellas clip where all the gangsters bust on Henry Hill after Pesci's "funny, how?" bit?

What about you?

Which part of the prank did you enjoy the most?

NBA highlights from February 17

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 17! Click On The Video below to see highlights from the All Star Game!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays From The All Star Game!


Rasheed Wallace blocks David West twice!


LeBron James catches the alley-oop and slams it in!


LeBron James with the monster one-handed jam!


Dwyane Wade with the amazing reverse lay-in!


Dwight Howard leaps high for the powerful slam!


Dwight Howard gets the second alley-oop and finishes with a one-handed dunk!


Here Was The Top Play Of The All Star Game! The King Saves The Best For Last! LeBron James charges through the defense and slams it in over Dirk Nowitzki!

Ryan Newman Wins 2008 Daytona 500

Click On The Video Below To See The Crashes and the exciting finish to the 50th running of the Daytona 500!


Ryan Newman snapped an 81-race winless streak Sunday, using a huge push from teammate Kurt Busch to give car owner Roger Penske his first Daytona 500 victory.

Penske, the most successful owner in open wheel history with 14 wins in the prestigious Indianapolis 500, now has a victory in NASCAR's showcase event.


It only took him 23 years to get it.


It came in the historic 50th running of The Great American Race, and it came in thrilling fashion.


The Penske cars were quiet for 199 of the 200 laps, letting Joe Gibbs Racing stars Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch race each other in a battle of Toyotas. With one lap to go, it appeared Stewart finally would get a Daytona 500 win in his 10th try.

For The Second Year In A Row, A Late Pass determined the winner of the Daytona 500.

NBA highlights from February 16th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 16th! Click On The Video Below to check out the results from the Higher Shooting Stars Competition, The Playstation Skills Challenge, The Slam Dunk Contest and the Three Point Shootout!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays From All Star Weekend!


Gerald Green parties like it's his birthday!


Dwight Howard takes flight on All-Star Saturday Night!


Chris Paul sets a Guiness World Record!


Watch The All Star Game Tonight On TNT!

Mike Bibby Traded To Atlanta

The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to acquire veteran point guard Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings.

Hawks owner Michael Gearon Jr. says the Hawks are to send four players to the Kings. Among them are 2007 first-round pick Shelden Williams and starting point guard Anthony Johnson.

The Hawks also would send guard Tyronn Lue and veteran forward-center Lorenzen Wright to the Kings.

Gearon says the deal is expected to be completed Saturday.

Bibby missed the start of the season with a thumb injury but is averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 assists in 15 games.

Three Point Shoot Out & Slam Dunk Contest Are Tonight!

The Three Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest Are Tonight!

Take A Look At Kapono Making It Look Easy Practicing For the Foot Locker 3-Pt Shootout!



Take A Look at Defending Slam Dunk Champion Gerald Green's Suggestion To Rudy Gay!


Jamario Moon Gives You A Dunk Contest Sneak Preview!

Moon hid that second dunk from us! I think He'll use it tonight!

Watch the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three Point Shootout Tonight on TNT!

NBA highlights from February 15th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 15th! Click On The Video to see the result of the Rookies-Sophomores Game!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays From The Rookies-Sophomores Game!


And Your Top Play! Sean Williams throws the oop off the glass to himself!

Fomer Rams Player Takes Advantage Of Spygate

A lawsuit filed Friday by a former St. Louis Rams player and others seeks millions of dollars in damages from the alleged taping of Rams practices by the New England Patriots before the 2002 Super Bowl.

The Patriots won the game 20-17 in the Superdome.

The $100 million suit, filed on behalf of former Rams player Willie Gary in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, names the Patriots, team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick.

Have You wondered where all those "New England Patriots: 19-0" shirts, caps, and jerseys went to? Find Out Below!

Ever Wonder What Happens To Shirts Like These After The Super Bowl?

The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl and ended the season with a perfect 19-0 record -- at least it looks that way in Nicaragua.

The NFL donated 290 Patriots hats and an equal number of team jerseys trumpeting the slogans "Super Bowl Champions, 19-0" to impoverished children from two small communities in southern Nicaragua.

Thursday's gifts could not change history -- the Patriots lost the Feb. 3 game to the New York Giants 17-14 -- but they made a lot of youngsters in the communities of San Gregorio and Buena Vista very happy, said Miriam Diaz, spokeswoman for the humanitarian organization World Vision, which arranged the donation with the NFL.


"They (Patriots) lost, but the children won," Diaz said.

The only "football" most of the children know is soccer, but they were very enthusiastic about the U.S. version of the game once the rules were explained to them, she said.

"They were very happy to receive the hats and jerseys," Diaz said. "They said they did not expect such a surprise."

Neither did the Patriots.

Dallas Should Be Ashamed!

There Was No Love For Dallas On Valentine's Day. Dallas lost To Phoenix Last Night on both the hardwood and the ice rink.

In Hockey, The Phoenix Coyotes Defeated The Dallas Stars 5-2.




In Basketball, Amare Stoudemire was just too much for Dallas as the Phoenix Suns beat the Mavericks 109-97.

Dallas Should Be Ashamed! Never mind they were on the road for both of these games, but the fact that they lost to the same city in Two Different Sports in Mind Boggling! I Can't remember the last time anything close to this ever happened!

Dallas Should Be Ashamed!

NBA highlights from February 14th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 14th! Click On The Video to see the results of the final two games before the NBA All Star Break!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Top Play! Amare Stoudemire rumbles for the power jam!

MLB Preview: AL West

Can Jarrod Saltalamacchia help Texas win the AL West?

The Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim have the longest team name in The History Of Baseball. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has the longest player name in The History Of Baseball. The Mariners have a Young Ace in Felix Hernandez, and Oakland, in a rebuilding state, has lots of Young Players.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
The Angels have a Track Record of Success. They won The 2002 World Series against Dusty Baker's San Francisco Giants from the NL West. These Angels had Troy Glaus (2002 World Series MVP Now With The St. Louis Cardinals) and David Eckstein (2006 World Series MVP with The Cardinals, Now With The Toronto Blue Jays) and won the World Series. The 2008 Angels have Garret Anderson, Vladamir Guererro, who will torch the NL West. Add to that the newest Angel In The Outfield,Torii Hunter. The Angels Rotation is also set. They May Not Have Bartolo Colon anymore, but they do have John Lackey, Jared Weaver, and Jon Garland. Garland,acquired from the White Sox for Shortstop Orlando Cabrera, should have more wins and a lower ERA, considering he is no longer in the competitive AL Central.

SEATTLE MARINERS
The Seattle Mariners have a great one, two punch in the rotation in "King Felix" Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard. Bedard, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for Outfielder Adam Jones. Offensively, Ichiro Suzuki will carry Seattle from the Lead Off Spot. Richie Sexon, if healthy, will hit a lot of homeruns and provide stability at First Base. If Sexon isn't healthy, expect Brad Wilkerson, Former Expo and Ranger, to see time at First Base. The Loss of Jose Vidro and Adam Jones leaves a hole in the outfield that may be replaced by Wilkerson.

TEXAS RANGERS
You've Heard of a Quarterback Controversy, but have you ever heard of a Catcher Controversy? Both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are vying for the starting Catcher position. Texas has never had a catcher like Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Jarrod is a Switch Hitting Catcher Who's Capable Of Hitting 25-30 Homeruns, which is unheard of for a catcher! If The Season Started Today, Jarrod would win the starting job, meaning Gerald Laird would have to play another position (Like First Base, where the Rangers have little depth), he would be traded.

Pitching Wise, Kevin Milwood and Vicente Padilla form an adequate 1-2 punch in the rotation. Brandon McCarthy, the former White Sox Ace of the Future, forms a solid number three. Kason Gabbard, acquired from Boston for Eric Gagne, forms a good number four in his first full season in the rotation. Kameron Loe will vie for the final rotation spot.

Offensively, Texas is hoping Josh Hamilton keeps up with the sucess he had in Cincinatti. Texas was hoping for more offense in Right Field, which is why Sammy Sosa was not re-signed. Hamilton could reach the thirty homer plateau this season.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
The Athletics are young, trading away Ace Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks in the hope that Rich Harden can be an Ace. Rob Bowen will mature behind the plate, and Ryan Sweeney will play hard out in right field.

Oakland will through growing pains, but General Manager Billy Beane is getting ready for the future.

MY PROJECTED ORDER:
LOS ANGELES
SEATTLE
TEXAS
OAKLAND

That Concludes this MLB Preview. In Our Next MLB Preview, we will head back to the National League, analyzing the National League West. Can Joe Torre bring Chavez Ravine the Same Sucess he had in The Bronx? Can Matt Holliday and Troy Tulowitski carry Colorado to the NL Pennant Again? Will San Francisco Lose 100 Games without Barry Bonds? Find Out in the next MLB Preview.

Roger Clemens Walking Into Prison Bars

Roger Clemens. His Once Ceratain Hall Of Fame Status is now in question, possibly in doubt. Clemens yesterday was given the opprutunity to take back his webbed of falsehoods, but he kept going with his "I Never Took Steroids" "Andy(Petitte) Misremembers" our conversation, stuff like that.

Brian McNamee told his side of the story and came out looking like he was telling the truth.

The Biggest Loser in this trial is Roger Clemens. As Henry Waxman Said:" We Found Inconsistencies in Mr. Clemens's Account. During His Desposition, he made statements that we know are untrue."

It's A Shame That Roger Clemens's Legacy has been tarnished this badly. Even Worse is that it was of his own doing. If The Allegations are true, and Congress says Roger Clemens committed Perjury, Clemens will be walking right into prison bars, joining Barry Bonds.

Specter: Bill Bellichick Videotaping Opponents Since 2000

Bill Belichick has been illegally taping opponents' defensive signals since he became the New England Patriots' coach in 2000, according to Sen. Arlen Specter, who said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told him that during a meeting Wednesday.

"There was confirmation that there has been taping since 2000, when Coach Belichick took over," Specter said.

Specter said Goodell gave him that information during the 1-hour, 40-minute meeting, which was requested by Specter so the commissioner could explain his reasons for destroying the Spygate tapes and notes.

"There were a great many questions answered by Commissioner Goodell," Specter, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters after the meeting. "I found a lot of questions unanswerable because of the tapes and notes had been destroyed."

Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal; Goodell said he did not concur.

"He said that's always been his interpretation since he's been the head coach," the commissioner said. "We are going to agree to disagree on the facts."

Specter, from Pennsylvania, wants to talk to other league officials about what exactly was taped and which games may have been compromised.

"We have a right to have honest football games," he said.

Goodell noted that "we were the ones that disclosed" the Patriots' illegal taping of the New York Jets' defensive signals in Week 1 of last season. Further, Goodell said, they had an admission by Belichick.

"I have nothing to hide," Goodell said.

Goodell also told Specter that that he doesn't regret destroying the Spygate tapes or the notes.

"I think it was the right thing to do," Goodell said.

Still, Specter wants to know why penalties were imposed on Belichick before the full extent of the wrongdoing was known and the tapes destroyed in a two-week span. Asked if he thinks there was a coverup, Specter demurred.

"There was an enormous amount of haste," Specter said.

He scoffed at the reasons Goodell gave for destroying the tapes and notes, particularly about trying to keep them out of competitors' hands and because Belichick had admitted to the taping.

"What's that got to do with it? There's an admission of guilt, you preserve the evidence," Specter said. As for keeping the tapes out of the hands of others: "All you have to do is lock up the tapes."

Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team was fined $250,000 because of the Spygate incident. The Patriots also forfeited a first-round draft pick.

Specter has questioned the quality of the NFL's investigation into the matter and raised the possibility of congressional hearings if he wasn't satisfied with Goodell's answers. Specter also raised the threat of Congress canceling the league's antitrust exemption and reiterated that in the meeting with Goodell.

A league official clarified to ESPN's Chris Mortensen that the NFL's current proposal to Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh includes a legal guarantee that he will not be sued by the league or the Patriots for any information or material he would provide to the NFL.

As Goodell said, the proposal stipulates that Walsh must be truthful and return anything he took improperly.

Walsh has had no response, according to Goodell.

Walsh told The Associated Press last week during the Pro Bowl in Hawaii that he couldn't talk about allegations that he taped a walkthrough practice by the St. Louis Rams before the 2002 Super Bowl. New England, a two-touchdown underdog, won that game 20-17.

Specter said he, too, wanted to talk to Walsh and perhaps offer a different deal.

Goodell also said he reserves the right to reopen the investigation if more information is uncovered.

Prosecution: Barry Bonds Tested Positive In 2000

Home run champ Barry Bonds tested positive for steroids in November 2000, according to a court document filed Thurday by federal prosecutors in the perjury case against Bonds.

The legal filing says Bonds was asked about a document showing "Barry B" tested positive for anabolic steroids that November. Bonds denied that he was taking steroids at the time.

Federal prosecutors accuse Bonds of lying when he denied this and other that charges he used performance enhancers.

Bonds holds the single-season record for home runs, 73, set in 2001. He set the career mark last year with his 762th home run last year.

NBA highlights from February 13th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 13th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Your Top Play! Antawn Jamison with the timely tip!

Jason Kidd Dealt To Dallas

When Jason Kidd Gets Trible Double Number 100, It Will Be With his first team, The Dallas Mavericks.


Jason Kidd was so determined to make his way back to the Dallas Mavericks, he has contemplated wearing No. 2 on his jersey to honor a return to where his career started in 1994.

Despite Kidd’s doubts that the Nets and Mavericks would ever come to an agreement, two league sources close to the negotiations said an agreement in principle has been reached on Wednesday. After wavering for weeks, Dallas owner Mark Cuban has sacrificed some of his franchise’s future to chase a championship in the short term. The agreement would send five players, including point guard Devin Harris, and first round picks in 2008 and 2010, for the future Hall of Fame guard.

The two teams are still exchanging insurance information and going through the normal procedures with the league office to finalize the deal.

Kidd, who turns 35 next month, goes to Dallas with an unmistakable mandate: Bring a title for a team and career that are desperately seeking it. As part of the trade, the Mavericks would also send Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George, DeSagna Diop, Maurice Ager and $3 million to New Jersey. Along with Kidd, the Nets send reserve forward Malik Allen to the Mavs.

In a separate deal, the Nets are sending guard Antoine Wright to Dallas for a future second-round pick and possibly other considerations, one source said.
For New Jersey, president Rod Thorn brought back the three elements he most wanted for Kidd: a good young player (Harris), expiring contracts (Diop and George) and draft picks. What’s more, the Nets plan to buyout the rest of Stackhouse’s contract. Stackhouse can become an immediate free agent, but must wait 30 days to re-sign with Dallas.

One league source expected Stackhouse to return to the Mavericks.

For the Nets, this clears cap space next season. It will allow them to re-sign forward Nenad Krstic and start rebuilding the franchise after seven straight playoff appearances with Kidd. The Nets are still discussing a Vince Carter-Jermaine O’Neal trade with the Indiana Pacers, but two sources close to those discussions placed odds below 50 percent. According to one source, the Nets have gone so far as talking to O’Neal’s doctors in Indiana about the state of his troubled knee.

Despite Cuban’s public dismissals, the talks between the two teams were restarted on Sunday when the Mavericks lost to the Nets in New Jersey. After watching the Lakers and Suns make moves for Pau Gasol and Shaquille O’Neal, the Mavericks could no longer sit on the sidelines. There was an element of toughness and leadership that had been missing in Dallas, and team officials believe Kidd transforms them. Immediately, this trade solidifies the Mavericks, who are 34-17 and holding the third spot in the Western Conference playoff, as a serious championship contender.

When motivated, Kidd can still play the point-guard position at the highest level. He desperately wanted this trade and Nets officials knew that they could no longer function as a franchise until they honored his wishes.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 14: THE JASON KIDD DEAL IS OFF FOR NOW, DUE TO DEVEAN GEORGE EVOKING "THE EARLY BIRD RULE" SO FOR NOW, THE DEAL IS OFF.

NBA highlights from February 12th

Here Are Your NBA highlights from Last Night, February 12th!


Here Are Your Top Ten Plays!


And Here Is Your Top Play! Vince Carter throws down the 360 jam!