Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11 • 
1, 2, 3 ... , 9, 10, 11
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:52 am
Eli is making moves. And money
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported today that Eli has earned a $250,000 bonus for each playoff win and stands to make another $500,000 if the Giants win on Sunday.
That's more than the usual $20K or so players get for each playoff win. By a lot.
Anyway, thanks for everyone who chimed in on the Q of the D. My take:
-- Hiring Spags was TC's move, gang. TC called around, TC conducted the interview and got the higher-ups' approval. So kudos to TC, not Reese, on that one.
-- Hedgecock was pure luck -- that the Rams crazily dumped him, that the Giants still needed a FB and that he was available in the waiver process. Good job by Reese to lock him up.
-- I'd say the draft, top to bottom, ranks up there, along with resisting the temptation to overspend in free agency. That set the table for a group of hungry, young players who would listen to TC and the leadership council willingly.
It'll be a cast of thousands out there at the stadium tomorrow... We'll get you the news as it happens.
The NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported today that Eli has earned a $250,000 bonus for each playoff win and stands to make another $500,000 if the Giants win on Sunday.
That's more than the usual $20K or so players get for each playoff win. By a lot.
Anyway, thanks for everyone who chimed in on the Q of the D. My take:
-- Hiring Spags was TC's move, gang. TC called around, TC conducted the interview and got the higher-ups' approval. So kudos to TC, not Reese, on that one.
-- Hedgecock was pure luck -- that the Rams crazily dumped him, that the Giants still needed a FB and that he was available in the waiver process. Good job by Reese to lock him up.
-- I'd say the draft, top to bottom, ranks up there, along with resisting the temptation to overspend in free agency. That set the table for a group of hungry, young players who would listen to TC and the leadership council willingly.
It'll be a cast of thousands out there at the stadium tomorrow... We'll get you the news as it happens.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:06 am
QUOTE(southshoresoxfan @ Jan 9 2008, 02:09 PM) *
Where is Chris Long really going to play here though? Take Seymour or Warrens spot? No. Convert a DL to MLB at the number 7 pick? Doubt it. Convert him to OLB and cut Rosey? Maybe but I dont know. I think Chris Long is a beast but number 7 is real high. I would love to spend it on a guy that is guaranteed a starting job on our defense.
You don't have to cut Rosey to have a spot for Long. I think if you rotate him in at OLB on 1st/2nd down and then use him as a 3rd down pass rusher then he'd see the field as much as anyone on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, Colvin is only signed for one more year, and most of us probably would agree it would take time for Long to make that transition. The timeframe seems good to me. But it doesn't matter, because I don't see Long lasting to #7 - in particular I don't see him falling past the Jets at 6.
QUOTE(southshoresoxfan @ Jan 9 2008, 02:09 PM) *
I think if Jake Long slips then you take him.
I absolutely agree. I've been on the Jake Long bandwagon in other threads when I thought we might be picking higher than 7. If he's there at 7 I think he's a no-brainer. The weakest position on the team right now is RT. Long slides in there as a rookie and eventually swaps with Light.
QUOTE(southshoresoxfan @ Jan 9 2008, 02:09 PM) *
Go Gholston if you think hes the next Merriman type and can see Rosie leaving. If he times well and wants to play some OLB then he could be a monster.
If McFadden falls to 7 you say screw it and take him just because you can.
I don't think Laurinaitis is the perfect fit for this defense but hes a smart, fast, butkus award winner. His size is not an issue for me. He has a lean long build but the kid carries close to 250 pounds. Probably the best football player available at 7.
I wish there were some A+ corner prospects in this draft.
The rest of this seems spot on. I think if the team trades back it's going to be to take one of the corners (Talib, Jenkins) and which one will likely be determined in large part by combine numbers. DBs seem to fluctuate more than just about anyone but RBs/WRs based on their performance at the combine.
Where is Chris Long really going to play here though? Take Seymour or Warrens spot? No. Convert a DL to MLB at the number 7 pick? Doubt it. Convert him to OLB and cut Rosey? Maybe but I dont know. I think Chris Long is a beast but number 7 is real high. I would love to spend it on a guy that is guaranteed a starting job on our defense.
You don't have to cut Rosey to have a spot for Long. I think if you rotate him in at OLB on 1st/2nd down and then use him as a 3rd down pass rusher then he'd see the field as much as anyone on the defensive side of the ball. Plus, Colvin is only signed for one more year, and most of us probably would agree it would take time for Long to make that transition. The timeframe seems good to me. But it doesn't matter, because I don't see Long lasting to #7 - in particular I don't see him falling past the Jets at 6.
QUOTE(southshoresoxfan @ Jan 9 2008, 02:09 PM) *
I think if Jake Long slips then you take him.
I absolutely agree. I've been on the Jake Long bandwagon in other threads when I thought we might be picking higher than 7. If he's there at 7 I think he's a no-brainer. The weakest position on the team right now is RT. Long slides in there as a rookie and eventually swaps with Light.
QUOTE(southshoresoxfan @ Jan 9 2008, 02:09 PM) *
Go Gholston if you think hes the next Merriman type and can see Rosie leaving. If he times well and wants to play some OLB then he could be a monster.
If McFadden falls to 7 you say screw it and take him just because you can.
I don't think Laurinaitis is the perfect fit for this defense but hes a smart, fast, butkus award winner. His size is not an issue for me. He has a lean long build but the kid carries close to 250 pounds. Probably the best football player available at 7.
I wish there were some A+ corner prospects in this draft.
The rest of this seems spot on. I think if the team trades back it's going to be to take one of the corners (Talib, Jenkins) and which one will likely be determined in large part by combine numbers. DBs seem to fluctuate more than just about anyone but RBs/WRs based on their performance at the combine.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:07 am
Yes, it's unlikely.
Miami tabs Dorsey, and IF the Rams or Raiders fall in love with Sedrick Ellis, the other takes Jake Long AND Atlanta & KC end up taking QBs AND the Jets take McFadden (or deal the pick to someone - like Jerry Jones - who would)... it could happen.
I know I'm gonna regret this, but I see Katzenmoyer when I watch Laurinaitis. I just do. Yet, I want the Pats to "cash in" on this pick, as you don't get many chances to draft top-10 talent while also winning Super Bowls. An impact player with this pick makes the Pats a legit contender to claim most SB by any franchise. Yes, that's a long way off, but a top-10 pick who plays like a top-10 player would be very, very nice.
Miami tabs Dorsey, and IF the Rams or Raiders fall in love with Sedrick Ellis, the other takes Jake Long AND Atlanta & KC end up taking QBs AND the Jets take McFadden (or deal the pick to someone - like Jerry Jones - who would)... it could happen.
I know I'm gonna regret this, but I see Katzenmoyer when I watch Laurinaitis. I just do. Yet, I want the Pats to "cash in" on this pick, as you don't get many chances to draft top-10 talent while also winning Super Bowls. An impact player with this pick makes the Pats a legit contender to claim most SB by any franchise. Yes, that's a long way off, but a top-10 pick who plays like a top-10 player would be very, very nice.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:13 am
On being in the ring with Stone Cold Steve Austin
When I was in eighth grade my dad brought me and my friends to the ring before the show started, and we were running around faking like we were having a match and going crazy. Next thing you know Austin’s music came on, and he charged down to the ring. Everyone got out but me. He grabbed me, and he knew I knew what I was doing a little, so he threw me off the ropes.
As I ran from the ropes back toward him he yelled, “Duck!” and threw a clothesline. I ducked just in time. Then he gave me a Stone Cold Stunner [knee in groin, face lock, etc.]. I sold it and just lay there. My friends ran in and were like, “I can’t believe you’re not dead!” It was a great experience. People dream of getting the opportunity to do that.
http://www.thewrestlingpost.com/2006/11/ja...wwe-legend.html
Just as a quick aside, teams ahead of the Patriots that might draft Long include: Raiders, Rams, and Dolphins. Possibly the Jets if McFadden gets picked by someone that trades up.
Like I said, I think they have a better shot at landing Gholston, and he fits their system better, and fills an actual need. Long is a beast, but he's a bit of a tweener in the 3-4. If he shows up at the combine at a legit 290-295, he might be making his case to play DE in the 3-4.
QUOTE(Beomoose @ Jan 5 2008, 06:35 PM) *
Yeah, and Brady went in the 6th. No, scouting reports and mock drafts can't predict the future. But the NFL doesn't exactly have a magic mirror on wall either. And like I said, its not merely his projection as incentive. Assuming Ohio wins Monday (for sake of argument), he's going to be asking himself what the upside of another year in college, where could go down with injury or fall out of the limelight, is compared to first-day Daft money at worst, top 5 money at best. Anyway, we'll see.
I think Dopson's point is different. What scouting reports and mock drafts do you base your statment "Gholston projects as top five" on? Mel Kiper might think that, but that's irrelevant to whether NFL teams project him to go that high
Speedsters Johnson, Avery debut on top 25 Big Board
Jr.
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Insider
Updated: January 2, 2008
* Comment
* Email
* Print
There have been several fantastic performances during the bowl season, but three individual standouts in particular have caught my attention.
East Carolina running back Chris Johnson rushed for 223 yards and a score and also had a receiving touchdown in the Pirates' win over Boise State. Johnson debuts this week on my top 25 Big Board as the top running back in the senior class because of his speed, power running and versatility. Also debuting this week is Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery, who had 10 receptions for 120 yards against TCU. Like Johnson, Avery has tremendous speed (4.35 in the 40-yard dash) and has great hands and will be an asset on a team that uses three- and four-receiver sets.
[+] Enlarge
Bruce Davis
Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire
UCLA's Bruce Davis, top, will be an ideal DE/OLB in a three-four defense in the NFL.
On defense, UCLA linebacker Bruce Davis was outstanding against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl with seven tackles, 3½ for loss, including 2½ sacks and a forced fumble.
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same
Disruptive force along the interior. If there is one non-skill position player fans should watch, Dorsey is the one because, despite constant double-teams, he is always making plays or opening up space for his teammates.
2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same
Top-drawer left- or right-tackle prospect.
3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: Same
A 3-4 defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country.
4. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: Same
He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during testing.
5. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: Same
Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor.
6. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 7
Unbelievably talented player who is primed for a breakout season.
7. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4½, 310) | Previous: 9
Exceptional pass-blocker with superb technique.
8. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2½, 231) | Previous: 6
Big-play performer who always seems to be around the ball.
9. Fred Davis, USC (6-4, 253) | Previous: 13
Productive, consistent and multi-talented. He's caught five or more passes in eight of 13 games, while also doing a very capable job as an inline blocker. Davis stretches the deep middle of the field with big plays, while bringing excellent physical and athletic skills to the tight end spot.
10. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (6-5½, 318) | Previous: Same
Top-drawer talent, possessing superior athleticism and good feet to neutralize outside pass-rushers.
11. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: Same
He has the skill set to become a super blue-chipper. Rivers isn't spectacular, but he's a solid all-around player.
12. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: 17
He's a polished pure passer, but durability and mobility are concerns.
13. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU (6-1, 225) | Previous: 14
Showed tremendous potential in 2005 before taking a step back as a junior. Highsmith re-established himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC.
14. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 217) | Previous: 19
TD-maker who plays fast with pads on. Sweed is out for the season following a wrist injury, but he proved his playmaking skills over his career.
15. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (6-5, 339) | Previous: 20
Light on his feet for a huge bookend, Otah is still developing. He played only one year in high school and two at the junior college level. He also played basketball in junior college and is a tremendous athlete. His upside and potential are going to excite offensive line coaches in the NFL.
16. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11½, 202) | Previous: 8
He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.
17. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC (6-4, 266) | Previous: 18
A strong finish to 2006 carried over to 2007. Jackson is a decent pass-rusher but is solid against the run. He's also strong at the point of attack.
18. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (5-10½, 185) | Previous: 16
Not only a very good cover man with superior recovery ability (runs in the 4.38 range) and the aggressiveness to get the job done in run support, McKelvin has made a name for himself as the top return man in the entire nation. He's also stood out this season in games against the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State and Georgia. With his speed and versatility, McKelvin will bring a great deal of value to a football team.
19. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (5-10½, 200) | Previous: Unranked
Fast and versatile, Johnson is a decisive and hard-nosed runner with game-breaking ability. He's also an excellent pass receiver and dangerous kickoff returner. His 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash will turn some heads at the combine and at individual workouts.
20. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA (6-2¼, 233) | Previous: Unranked
A difference-maker who will be an ideal DE/OLB in a three-four defense in the NFL because of his athleticism and ability to put pressure on the quarterback.
21. Early Doucet, WR, LSU (5-11½, 205) | Previous: 24
Super-talented, is LSU's go-to option this season, although he has been slowed by injuries. Still he has the quickness and natural receiving skills to play on the outside or as a slot receiver in the NFL.
22. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana (5-10½, 183) | Previous: 12
Not only a skilled coverman, but Porter -- a four-year starter -- is a dynamic punt returner as well.
23. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 251) | Previous: 15
Speed rusher with the talent to rank as one of the more feared sack artists in the nation.
24. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska (6-5, 345) | Previous rank: 25
For a bookend offensive lineman, Nicks is extremely light on his feet. After stops at New Mexico State and a junior college, Nicks dramatically improved his draft stock in 2007.
25. Donnie Avery, Houston, WR, Houston (5-11, 185) | Previous: Unranked
Possesses excellent hands, has great footwork and is very dynamic in the open field after the catch. Also has blistering speed in the 40-yard dash, 4.35.
DROPPED
Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech (6-4½, 259) | Previous: 21
Played with a lot more consistency in 2007. Ellis has 8½ sacks and 38 quarterback hurries heading into the Orange Bowl.
Mike Hart, RB, Michigan (5-8, 200) | Previous: 22
He may not look impressive when it comes to size and speed, but Hart is a true gamer. Not only does he take great care of the ball, but Hart is deceptively strong and has been extremely consistent throughout his career.
Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa (6-0½, 208) | Previous: 23
A big cover cornerback who has played safety as well. He's one of the fastest corners and has great recovery speed, which is needed in the NFL.
Click here to send a question to Mel Kiper for possible use on ESPNEWS.
When I was in eighth grade my dad brought me and my friends to the ring before the show started, and we were running around faking like we were having a match and going crazy. Next thing you know Austin’s music came on, and he charged down to the ring. Everyone got out but me. He grabbed me, and he knew I knew what I was doing a little, so he threw me off the ropes.
As I ran from the ropes back toward him he yelled, “Duck!” and threw a clothesline. I ducked just in time. Then he gave me a Stone Cold Stunner [knee in groin, face lock, etc.]. I sold it and just lay there. My friends ran in and were like, “I can’t believe you’re not dead!” It was a great experience. People dream of getting the opportunity to do that.
http://www.thewrestlingpost.com/2006/11/ja...wwe-legend.html
Just as a quick aside, teams ahead of the Patriots that might draft Long include: Raiders, Rams, and Dolphins. Possibly the Jets if McFadden gets picked by someone that trades up.
Like I said, I think they have a better shot at landing Gholston, and he fits their system better, and fills an actual need. Long is a beast, but he's a bit of a tweener in the 3-4. If he shows up at the combine at a legit 290-295, he might be making his case to play DE in the 3-4.
QUOTE(Beomoose @ Jan 5 2008, 06:35 PM) *
Yeah, and Brady went in the 6th. No, scouting reports and mock drafts can't predict the future. But the NFL doesn't exactly have a magic mirror on wall either. And like I said, its not merely his projection as incentive. Assuming Ohio wins Monday (for sake of argument), he's going to be asking himself what the upside of another year in college, where could go down with injury or fall out of the limelight, is compared to first-day Daft money at worst, top 5 money at best. Anyway, we'll see.
I think Dopson's point is different. What scouting reports and mock drafts do you base your statment "Gholston projects as top five" on? Mel Kiper might think that, but that's irrelevant to whether NFL teams project him to go that high
Speedsters Johnson, Avery debut on top 25 Big Board
Jr.
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Insider
Updated: January 2, 2008
* Comment
There have been several fantastic performances during the bowl season, but three individual standouts in particular have caught my attention.
East Carolina running back Chris Johnson rushed for 223 yards and a score and also had a receiving touchdown in the Pirates' win over Boise State. Johnson debuts this week on my top 25 Big Board as the top running back in the senior class because of his speed, power running and versatility. Also debuting this week is Houston wide receiver Donnie Avery, who had 10 receptions for 120 yards against TCU. Like Johnson, Avery has tremendous speed (4.35 in the 40-yard dash) and has great hands and will be an asset on a team that uses three- and four-receiver sets.
[+] Enlarge
Bruce Davis
Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire
UCLA's Bruce Davis, top, will be an ideal DE/OLB in a three-four defense in the NFL.
On defense, UCLA linebacker Bruce Davis was outstanding against BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl with seven tackles, 3½ for loss, including 2½ sacks and a forced fumble.
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU (6-2, 292) | Previous: Same
Disruptive force along the interior. If there is one non-skill position player fans should watch, Dorsey is the one because, despite constant double-teams, he is always making plays or opening up space for his teammates.
2. Jake Long, OT, Michigan (6-6, 320) | Previous: Same
Top-drawer left- or right-tackle prospect.
3. Chris Long, DE, Virginia (6-4, 282) | Previous: Same
A 3-4 defensive end with great bloodlines who understands leverage and uses his hands as well as any D-lineman in the country.
4. Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College (6-4, 223) | Previous: Same
He has the size and arm to wow the NFL brass during testing.
5. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC (6-1, 297) | Previous: Same
Tampa Bay Bucs-style DT with superior quickness and a nonstop motor.
6. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina (6-4, 298) | Previous: 7
Unbelievably talented player who is primed for a breakout season.
7. Sam Baker, OT, USC (6-4½, 310) | Previous: 9
Exceptional pass-blocker with superb technique.
8. Dan Connor, LB, Penn State (6-2½, 231) | Previous: 6
Big-play performer who always seems to be around the ball.
9. Fred Davis, USC (6-4, 253) | Previous: 13
Productive, consistent and multi-talented. He's caught five or more passes in eight of 13 games, while also doing a very capable job as an inline blocker. Davis stretches the deep middle of the field with big plays, while bringing excellent physical and athletic skills to the tight end spot.
10. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (6-5½, 318) | Previous: Same
Top-drawer talent, possessing superior athleticism and good feet to neutralize outside pass-rushers.
11. Keith Rivers, LB, USC (6-3, 233) | Previous: Same
He has the skill set to become a super blue-chipper. Rivers isn't spectacular, but he's a solid all-around player.
12. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville (6-3, 223) Previous: 17
He's a polished pure passer, but durability and mobility are concerns.
13. Ali Highsmith, LB, LSU (6-1, 225) | Previous: 14
Showed tremendous potential in 2005 before taking a step back as a junior. Highsmith re-established himself as one of the top linebackers in the SEC.
14. Limas Sweed, WR, Texas (6-4, 217) | Previous: 19
TD-maker who plays fast with pads on. Sweed is out for the season following a wrist injury, but he proved his playmaking skills over his career.
15. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh (6-5, 339) | Previous: 20
Light on his feet for a huge bookend, Otah is still developing. He played only one year in high school and two at the junior college level. He also played basketball in junior college and is a tremendous athlete. His upside and potential are going to excite offensive line coaches in the NFL.
16. Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida (5-11½, 202) | Previous: 8
He has excellent recovery speed and the toughness you look for in a cornerback. His size allows him to match up with an opponent's No. 1 wide receiver.
17. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC (6-4, 266) | Previous: 18
A strong finish to 2006 carried over to 2007. Jackson is a decent pass-rusher but is solid against the run. He's also strong at the point of attack.
18. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy (5-10½, 185) | Previous: 16
Not only a very good cover man with superior recovery ability (runs in the 4.38 range) and the aggressiveness to get the job done in run support, McKelvin has made a name for himself as the top return man in the entire nation. He's also stood out this season in games against the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma State and Georgia. With his speed and versatility, McKelvin will bring a great deal of value to a football team.
19. Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina (5-10½, 200) | Previous: Unranked
Fast and versatile, Johnson is a decisive and hard-nosed runner with game-breaking ability. He's also an excellent pass receiver and dangerous kickoff returner. His 4.35 speed in the 40-yard dash will turn some heads at the combine and at individual workouts.
20. Bruce Davis, LB, UCLA (6-2¼, 233) | Previous: Unranked
A difference-maker who will be an ideal DE/OLB in a three-four defense in the NFL because of his athleticism and ability to put pressure on the quarterback.
21. Early Doucet, WR, LSU (5-11½, 205) | Previous: 24
Super-talented, is LSU's go-to option this season, although he has been slowed by injuries. Still he has the quickness and natural receiving skills to play on the outside or as a slot receiver in the NFL.
22. Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana (5-10½, 183) | Previous: 12
Not only a skilled coverman, but Porter -- a four-year starter -- is a dynamic punt returner as well.
23. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn (6-3, 251) | Previous: 15
Speed rusher with the talent to rank as one of the more feared sack artists in the nation.
24. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska (6-5, 345) | Previous rank: 25
For a bookend offensive lineman, Nicks is extremely light on his feet. After stops at New Mexico State and a junior college, Nicks dramatically improved his draft stock in 2007.
25. Donnie Avery, Houston, WR, Houston (5-11, 185) | Previous: Unranked
Possesses excellent hands, has great footwork and is very dynamic in the open field after the catch. Also has blistering speed in the 40-yard dash, 4.35.
DROPPED
Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech (6-4½, 259) | Previous: 21
Played with a lot more consistency in 2007. Ellis has 8½ sacks and 38 quarterback hurries heading into the Orange Bowl.
Mike Hart, RB, Michigan (5-8, 200) | Previous: 22
He may not look impressive when it comes to size and speed, but Hart is a true gamer. Not only does he take great care of the ball, but Hart is deceptively strong and has been extremely consistent throughout his career.
Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa (6-0½, 208) | Previous: 23
A big cover cornerback who has played safety as well. He's one of the fastest corners and has great recovery speed, which is needed in the NFL.
Click here to send a question to Mel Kiper for possible use on ESPNEWS.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:15 am
McFadden one of 14 juniors among top 32 prospects
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=3122337
Updated: January 14, 2008
The following is my updated list of the Top 32 NFL draft prospects, including the top underclassmen already declared and undecided WR DeSean Jackson.
The deadline for underclassmen to submit their paperwork to the NFL is Jan. 15, but it typically takes the league several days to release the final official list. Once it does I will provide another updated top 32 as well as an updated first-round mock draft.
As for this week's list, plenty of players are moving up. Boise State OT Ryan Clady, Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston, Miami S Kenny Phillips, South Florida CB Mike Jenkins and USC OT Samuel Baker have all jumped into the top 13. The biggest slide in the latest rankings is by Miami DE Calais Campbell, who has fallen out of the top 20 after ranking in the top 10 earlier this season.
Scouts Inc. Top 32 Draft-Eligible Prospects
Player Position School Height Weight Speed
1. Darren McFadden* RB Arkansas 6-2 212 4.40
2. Chris Long DE Virginia 6-3 1/4 266 4.80
3. Glenn Dorsey DT LSU 6-1 1/4 310 5.10
4. Matt Ryan QB Boston College 6-4 5/8 221 4.80
5. Jake Long OT Michigan 6-7 309 5.30
6. Sedrick Ellis DT USC 6-1 1/4 305 4.95
7. Ryan Clady* OT Boise State 6-6 317 5.15
8. Vernon Gholston* DE Ohio State 6-3 5/8 255 4.65
9. Brian Brohm QB Louisville 6-3 225 4.78
10. DeSean Jackson** RB California 6-0 179 4.35
11. Kenny Phillips* S Miami 6-1 3/4 203 4.45
12. Mike Jenkins CB South Florida 6-0 200 4.49
13. Malcolm Kelly* WR Oklahoma 6-4 217 4.50
14. Samuel Baker OT USC 6-5 312 5.30
15. Derrick Harvey* DE Florida 6-4 1/2 250 4.65
16. Andre' Woodson QB Kentucky 6-4 219 4.84
17. Aqib Talib* CB Kansas 6-1 1/2 201 4.50
18. Limas Sweed WR Texas 6-4 3/8 219 4.45
19. Keith Rivers OLB USC 6-2 3/4 236 4.60
20. Jonathan Stewart* RB Oregon 5-11 233 4.50
21. Dan Connor OLB Penn State 6-3 228 4.60
22. Calais Campbell* DE Miami 6-7 5/8 279 4.80
23. Fred Davis TE USC 6-3 1/2 245 4.84
24. Mario Manningham* WR Michigan 6-0 188 5.05
25. Kentwan Balmer DT North Carolina 6-4 1/2 297 5.05
26. Rashard Mendenhall* RB Illinois 5-11 225 4.55
27. James Hardy* WR Indiana 6-5 1/2 218 4.58
28. Ali Highsmith OLB LSU 6-0 221 4.55
29. Jeffrey Otah OT Pittsburgh 6-6 339 5.3
30. Pat Sims* DT Auburn 6-3 7/8 310 4.96
31. Early Doucet III WR LSU 6-0 210 4.56
32. Quentin Groves DE Auburn 6-3 1/2 249 4.45
* Denotes draft-eligible underclassman; ** Denotes undecided underclassman
Todd McShay is the director of college football scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:18 am
McFadden one of 14 juniors among top 32 prospects
http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3122337
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The following is my updated list of the Top 32 NFL draft prospects, including the top underclassmen already declared and undecided WR DeSean Jackson. The deadline for underclassmen to submit their paperwork to the NFL is Jan. 15, but it typically takes the league several days to release the final official list. Once it does I will provide another updated top 32 as well as an updated first-round mock draft. As for this week's list, plenty of players are moving up. Boise State OT Ryan Clady, Oh ...
Read full story
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
0 / 1500
Cancel
Member comments together with Member Names may be used on TV and other ESPN media platforms.
* Comments (1-32)
o
jmhanson21
jmhanson21 (8 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
There is no way that Mario Manningham runs a 5.05 second forty. Please, tell that to the Florida secondary.
o
jj302401
jj302401 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
typos aside, i dont think this is intended as a pick-for-pick first round mock draft. it lists the top 32 prospects in the upcoming draft in the order of their value as a whole and not the order teams will pick them. there arent even going to be 32 picks in the first round this year...
o
chawkfreek0606
chawkfreek0606 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Mcshay is an idiot! Don't beleive anything he says about anyone from the West coast. This article has Desean as RB. He's a wr. He probaly still thinks Oregon started B. Leaf for the Sun Bowl. I know you work for Eastern sports network but come on!
o
heavyhitter86
heavyhitter86 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I am praying Aqib Talib falls to the Giants. definitely won't happen though, but man it would be sweet if it did.
o
griffey_84
griffey_84 (11 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Wow.. Todd I used to think you knew what you were talking about.. but Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart ranked over Felix Jones?? interesting
o
g2ther2thee2theg
g2ther2thee2theg (13 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
If Rashard Mendenhall is No. 26 based on the premise of an assumed 4.55 40, he may end up being a Top 10 pick because he runs easily in the 4.4-4.5 range.
o
chulo8185
chulo8185 (13 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
desean jackson is decided, and he isn't a RB
o
psjlee
psjlee (15 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Mario Manningham clocks in with a blazing 5.05 40 yard dash, huh.
o
bosoxforlife6
bosoxforlife6 (16 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
dmc to miami?
o
llevazster
llevazster (1 day ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
manningham is not 290 and a 5.05 40...i dont think? its not like hes mike williams...
o
thescreeningroom
thescreeningroom (1 day ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
according to this chart, Manningham is the largest and slowest wide receiver in the history of the draft.. 5.05 40 time? 297 lbs?
Please fix this typo.
o
UFsteve29
UFsteve29 (2 days ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Heres what I think will happen, Miami will get Dmc trade him for 2-3 good oline / dline players, ding ding?
o
Kim P. Sullivan
Kim P. Sullivan (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Do a complete first round and a second round.
o
gnwood69
gnwood69 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Ellis is described as a one gap player, who struggles when teams run right at him...You have him going to the jets, who struggle against the run, and two gap. ?????.
o
IMPORTEDHAYESBOYY
IMPORTEDHAYESBOYY (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I hope the niners win out and screw all of u pats fans over. hahahaha.
o
TheNIM23
TheNIM23 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
No Antoine Cason huh? Interesting....
o
waveridr10
waveridr10 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
After the game Lawrence Jackson just had for USC not having him projected as first-round pick in ludicrous...this guy has been a beast for our defense for 3 years now and needs to start gettin some love. Maybe when he records 3 sacks in the Rose Bowl he will get projected higher.
o
PeterMason2000
PeterMason2000 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
The Dolphins must trade their first pick. They should take the opportunity to trade down in the draft at every opportunity, and collect some 2009 draft choices as compensation. They should also trade any of their current players of value for draft picks in 2009 and 2010. Then, with a large inventory of draft selections, and possibly another #1 draft choice, because they will be awful in 2008 too, they begin the rebuilding process. Invest $$ in the scouting department and make damn sure the 2009 draft class is like the super draft classes that spawned the 70's Steelers, 80's Niners, and 90's Cowboys. Extra picks in the 2010 draft will help fill in holes after the 2009 class. By 2011, they should be serious playoff contenders and get to the Super Bowl by 2012 or 2013. Yes, this is a long term solution, but it will work.
o
1108003
1108003 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
if seau retires it would make sense for the pats to take laurinaitis or maualuga but mabey they would have to trade down.
o
1108003
1108003 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
matt ryan over andre wodson?
o
rmporter757
rmporter757 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Idk if todd replies like some others do, but saying neither campbell or k phillips out of miami enter the draft, do you see anyone who could continue miami's first round streak? Maybe Taveras Gooden? And how do you see darnell jenkins?
o
aj2RED
aj2RED (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
McFadden to the Raiders? Geez-us McShay.....writing things like that can ruin your draft cred.....I hope it happens....but they NEED an OT or DT. If McFadden is still available @ number 4 i wouldn't be mad if the Radiers take him, but that is a BIG IF!!!!
o
moswald25
moswald25 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
The Pats should take McFadden.....That would be sick
o
adamsuelter
adamsuelter (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
mike jenkins to the chiefs at 10? might be a little early? youre better than that mcshay
o
12jg34
12jg34 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I see the Dolphins taking a lineman too, probably Dorsey. I really can't see the Dolphins taking a QB with the first pick unless John Beck completely is horrendous this year. Beck was a second rounder, not somebody the dolphins took a late round flier on. Selecting a QB would signal that the Dolphins' front office doesn't know what they're doing (which they don't, but they don't want to tell others that)
o
scott76
scott76 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Prediction: The Jets do whatever it takes to trade up and get McFadden. Who ya offering JETS nation?
o
DeSplinter
DeSplinter (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Where is ND's Trevor Laws? He is the dominant DL this year.
o
BostonfanXI
BostonfanXI (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
titus-the Pats lose their own pick not the pick they got from SF.
o
TapCollectibles
TapCollectibles (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Dolphins will take QB #1 THIS IS A no brainer
Rams are not taking a tackle with 3rd overall period
Chris Long,Glenn Dorsey will be there choice
o
mikefitz928624
mikefitz928624 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
and even more importantly, the Pats already have Warren and Seymour at DE, why would they pick another. It makes more sense for them to take a LB or CB especially is Samuel leaves
o
jdeceust
jdeceust (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
New England gets San Francisco's 1st round pick. Thats why they get the 2nd overall and not just the 32nd overall
o
titusramrod781990
titusramrod781990 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
ok that will not happen for the pats. dont they lose their first round pick because of spygate? was this issue somehow forgotten? so if the pats lose their first round due to making the playoffs in the penalty clause who takes #2? what pick would then be the pats next pick?
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
http://myespn.go.com/s/conversations/show/story/3122337
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The following is my updated list of the Top 32 NFL draft prospects, including the top underclassmen already declared and undecided WR DeSean Jackson. The deadline for underclassmen to submit their paperwork to the NFL is Jan. 15, but it typically takes the league several days to release the final official list. Once it does I will provide another updated top 32 as well as an updated first-round mock draft. As for this week's list, plenty of players are moving up. Boise State OT Ryan Clady, Oh ...
Read full story
Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted
0 / 1500
Cancel
Member comments together with Member Names may be used on TV and other ESPN media platforms.
* Comments (1-32)
o
jmhanson21
jmhanson21 (8 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
There is no way that Mario Manningham runs a 5.05 second forty. Please, tell that to the Florida secondary.
o
jj302401
jj302401 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
typos aside, i dont think this is intended as a pick-for-pick first round mock draft. it lists the top 32 prospects in the upcoming draft in the order of their value as a whole and not the order teams will pick them. there arent even going to be 32 picks in the first round this year...
o
chawkfreek0606
chawkfreek0606 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Mcshay is an idiot! Don't beleive anything he says about anyone from the West coast. This article has Desean as RB. He's a wr. He probaly still thinks Oregon started B. Leaf for the Sun Bowl. I know you work for Eastern sports network but come on!
o
heavyhitter86
heavyhitter86 (10 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I am praying Aqib Talib falls to the Giants. definitely won't happen though, but man it would be sweet if it did.
o
griffey_84
griffey_84 (11 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Wow.. Todd I used to think you knew what you were talking about.. but Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart ranked over Felix Jones?? interesting
o
g2ther2thee2theg
g2ther2thee2theg (13 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
If Rashard Mendenhall is No. 26 based on the premise of an assumed 4.55 40, he may end up being a Top 10 pick because he runs easily in the 4.4-4.5 range.
o
chulo8185
chulo8185 (13 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
desean jackson is decided, and he isn't a RB
o
psjlee
psjlee (15 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Mario Manningham clocks in with a blazing 5.05 40 yard dash, huh.
o
bosoxforlife6
bosoxforlife6 (16 hours ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
dmc to miami?
o
llevazster
llevazster (1 day ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
manningham is not 290 and a 5.05 40...i dont think? its not like hes mike williams...
o
thescreeningroom
thescreeningroom (1 day ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
according to this chart, Manningham is the largest and slowest wide receiver in the history of the draft.. 5.05 40 time? 297 lbs?
Please fix this typo.
o
UFsteve29
UFsteve29 (2 days ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Heres what I think will happen, Miami will get Dmc trade him for 2-3 good oline / dline players, ding ding?
o
Kim P. Sullivan
Kim P. Sullivan (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Do a complete first round and a second round.
o
gnwood69
gnwood69 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Ellis is described as a one gap player, who struggles when teams run right at him...You have him going to the jets, who struggle against the run, and two gap. ?????.
o
IMPORTEDHAYESBOYY
IMPORTEDHAYESBOYY (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I hope the niners win out and screw all of u pats fans over. hahahaha.
o
TheNIM23
TheNIM23 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
No Antoine Cason huh? Interesting....
o
waveridr10
waveridr10 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
After the game Lawrence Jackson just had for USC not having him projected as first-round pick in ludicrous...this guy has been a beast for our defense for 3 years now and needs to start gettin some love. Maybe when he records 3 sacks in the Rose Bowl he will get projected higher.
o
PeterMason2000
PeterMason2000 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
The Dolphins must trade their first pick. They should take the opportunity to trade down in the draft at every opportunity, and collect some 2009 draft choices as compensation. They should also trade any of their current players of value for draft picks in 2009 and 2010. Then, with a large inventory of draft selections, and possibly another #1 draft choice, because they will be awful in 2008 too, they begin the rebuilding process. Invest $$ in the scouting department and make damn sure the 2009 draft class is like the super draft classes that spawned the 70's Steelers, 80's Niners, and 90's Cowboys. Extra picks in the 2010 draft will help fill in holes after the 2009 class. By 2011, they should be serious playoff contenders and get to the Super Bowl by 2012 or 2013. Yes, this is a long term solution, but it will work.
o
1108003
1108003 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
if seau retires it would make sense for the pats to take laurinaitis or maualuga but mabey they would have to trade down.
o
1108003
1108003 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
matt ryan over andre wodson?
o
rmporter757
rmporter757 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Idk if todd replies like some others do, but saying neither campbell or k phillips out of miami enter the draft, do you see anyone who could continue miami's first round streak? Maybe Taveras Gooden? And how do you see darnell jenkins?
o
aj2RED
aj2RED (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
McFadden to the Raiders? Geez-us McShay.....writing things like that can ruin your draft cred.....I hope it happens....but they NEED an OT or DT. If McFadden is still available @ number 4 i wouldn't be mad if the Radiers take him, but that is a BIG IF!!!!
o
moswald25
moswald25 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
The Pats should take McFadden.....That would be sick
o
adamsuelter
adamsuelter (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
mike jenkins to the chiefs at 10? might be a little early? youre better than that mcshay
o
12jg34
12jg34 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
I see the Dolphins taking a lineman too, probably Dorsey. I really can't see the Dolphins taking a QB with the first pick unless John Beck completely is horrendous this year. Beck was a second rounder, not somebody the dolphins took a late round flier on. Selecting a QB would signal that the Dolphins' front office doesn't know what they're doing (which they don't, but they don't want to tell others that)
o
scott76
scott76 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Prediction: The Jets do whatever it takes to trade up and get McFadden. Who ya offering JETS nation?
o
DeSplinter
DeSplinter (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Where is ND's Trevor Laws? He is the dominant DL this year.
o
BostonfanXI
BostonfanXI (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
titus-the Pats lose their own pick not the pick they got from SF.
o
TapCollectibles
TapCollectibles (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
Dolphins will take QB #1 THIS IS A no brainer
Rams are not taking a tackle with 3rd overall period
Chris Long,Glenn Dorsey will be there choice
o
mikefitz928624
mikefitz928624 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
and even more importantly, the Pats already have Warren and Seymour at DE, why would they pick another. It makes more sense for them to take a LB or CB especially is Samuel leaves
o
jdeceust
jdeceust (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
New England gets San Francisco's 1st round pick. Thats why they get the 2nd overall and not just the 32nd overall
o
titusramrod781990
titusramrod781990 (2 months ago)
Report Violation | Ignore User
ok that will not happen for the pats. dont they lose their first round pick because of spygate? was this issue somehow forgotten? so if the pats lose their first round due to making the playoffs in the penalty clause who takes #2? what pick would then be the pats next pick?
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:38 am
Pryor adds LSU, sets Michigan trip
Vaunted quarterback will visit Ann Arbor on Jan. 18
Posted: Tuesday January 15, 2008 4:53PM; Updated: Tuesday January 15, 2008 5:04PM
Print ThisE-mail ThisFree E-mail AlertsSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators Facebook
Terrelle Pryor
Terrelle Pryor isn't sure whether he is going to make any more visits following his trip to Michigan on Jan. 18.
John Albright/Icon SMI
ADVERTISEMENT
By Mike Farrell, Special to SI.com, Rivals.com
The nation's No. 1 player, Jeannette, Pa., quarterback Terrelle Pryor, has had quite a busy week since the U.S. Army All American Bowl. He's added a recruiting mentor, he's shuffled a few of his official visit dates and he's now interested in a new team. Here's the latest on Pryor.
"I'm taking my official visit to Michigan on Jan. 18, that's this upcoming weekend," he said. "I was supposed to go to Penn State but that's changed. I'm not really sure where I'm going on Jan. 25 and if I'll even take a visit in February. Right now it's Michigan as the only one scheduled."
Pryor has been allowing his new mentor, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, to help with the process now that it is getting more hectic.
"I've had to get a second cell phone because things have been so crazy," said Pryor. "It's really getting busy now."
Pryor has already visited Ohio State and is considering Florida, Oregon and now LSU for an official visit on Jan. 25 -- and that could be his last visit.
"LSU is new," he said. "Charlie spoke to them and then I spoke to coach Gary Crowton and I liked a lot of what he was saying. I wouldn't say they're as high up as the others because I am just learning about them, but I like what they're talking about in changing the offense for me."
Crowton was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon while Dennis Dixon was emerging, so he has utilized the spread offense. Pryor also likes what he's hearing from Oregon.
"They've been saying some good things as well," he said. "Oregon has had me interested for a little while now. Florida is in there as well, and they obviously run a quarterback-friendly offense."
As for Penn State, the school Pryor has been to the most, he's still not sure where the Nittany Lions stand.
Vaunted quarterback will visit Ann Arbor on Jan. 18
Posted: Tuesday January 15, 2008 4:53PM; Updated: Tuesday January 15, 2008 5:04PM
Print ThisE-mail ThisFree E-mail AlertsSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators Facebook
Terrelle Pryor
Terrelle Pryor isn't sure whether he is going to make any more visits following his trip to Michigan on Jan. 18.
John Albright/Icon SMI
ADVERTISEMENT
By Mike Farrell, Special to SI.com, Rivals.com
The nation's No. 1 player, Jeannette, Pa., quarterback Terrelle Pryor, has had quite a busy week since the U.S. Army All American Bowl. He's added a recruiting mentor, he's shuffled a few of his official visit dates and he's now interested in a new team. Here's the latest on Pryor.
"I'm taking my official visit to Michigan on Jan. 18, that's this upcoming weekend," he said. "I was supposed to go to Penn State but that's changed. I'm not really sure where I'm going on Jan. 25 and if I'll even take a visit in February. Right now it's Michigan as the only one scheduled."
Pryor has been allowing his new mentor, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, to help with the process now that it is getting more hectic.
"I've had to get a second cell phone because things have been so crazy," said Pryor. "It's really getting busy now."
Pryor has already visited Ohio State and is considering Florida, Oregon and now LSU for an official visit on Jan. 25 -- and that could be his last visit.
"LSU is new," he said. "Charlie spoke to them and then I spoke to coach Gary Crowton and I liked a lot of what he was saying. I wouldn't say they're as high up as the others because I am just learning about them, but I like what they're talking about in changing the offense for me."
Crowton was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Oregon while Dennis Dixon was emerging, so he has utilized the spread offense. Pryor also likes what he's hearing from Oregon.
"They've been saying some good things as well," he said. "Oregon has had me interested for a little while now. Florida is in there as well, and they obviously run a quarterback-friendly offense."
As for Penn State, the school Pryor has been to the most, he's still not sure where the Nittany Lions stand.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:41 am
What's Ahead
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/dr_z/01/14/playoffs/2.html
Snow is predicted for Green Bay. Good for the Packers, bad for the Giants. Some teams are more skilled in operating in it.
"It's the same for both teams," New York coach Tom Coughlin said, which is like a guy watching someone fighting a shark and saying, "Well, it's wet for both of them."
The teams met in the second week of the season. Green Bay won, 35-13, but it was a one-point game for three quarters. Then Favre put together three touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. It was the dawning of a new era for him, which could be labeled, his "short and accurate career." He threw underneath. He completed his first 14 passes of the second half, and he went 29 for 38 on the day. The 76 percentage was his highest in his last 28 games, at the time.
That's what the Giants have to contend with Sunday, plus the now-serious Packer ground game.
But their own Eli Manning has become a careful, take-what-they-give-you quarterback these days, especially in the postseason. They have plenty of weapons of their own, including a very effective big guy-fast guy running back tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. The latter looks too good to be true. He's got Tiki Barber moves, plus more power than his size would suggest, and against Tampa Bay and Dallas, he was more effective than the big guy. The question is: Will the Giants make him the focus of their attack? He's a rookie, don't forget.
Well, the Giants have real heart now, and they're playing with the type of confidence that nine straight road wins have produced. I think they'll give the Pack a spirited battle. GREEN BAY 31, NEW YORK 26
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:48 am
Yankees will have 66 in camp
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1200461830290230.xml&coll=1
The Yankees announced they have invited 26 nonroster players to spring training, bringing the total number of players schedule to report to camp to 66. The non-roster invites include nine pitchers, five catchers, five infielders and seven outfielders.
Some names of note include right-hander Alan Horne, the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year for the Trenton Thunder last year; outfielder Austin Jackson, ranked by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Yanks organization; and former Seton Hall Prep star and one-time top prospect Eric Duncan.
Advertisement
The other invitees are pitchers Daniel Giese, Steven Jackson, Daniel McCutchen, Mark Melancon, Heath Phillips, Darrell Rasner, Scott Strickland, Billy Traber; infielders Bernie Castro, Nick Green, Cody Ransom, and Marcos Vechionacci; outfielders Justin Christian, Colin Curtis, Brett Gardner, Jason Lane, Greg Porter and Jose Tabata; and catchers Kyle Anson, Jason Brown, Jesus Montero, P.J. Pilittere and Austin Romine.
Pitchers and catchers report to camp in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 14.
-- Lisa Kennelly
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1200461830290230.xml&coll=1
The Yankees announced they have invited 26 nonroster players to spring training, bringing the total number of players schedule to report to camp to 66. The non-roster invites include nine pitchers, five catchers, five infielders and seven outfielders.
Some names of note include right-hander Alan Horne, the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year for the Trenton Thunder last year; outfielder Austin Jackson, ranked by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Yanks organization; and former Seton Hall Prep star and one-time top prospect Eric Duncan.
Advertisement
The other invitees are pitchers Daniel Giese, Steven Jackson, Daniel McCutchen, Mark Melancon, Heath Phillips, Darrell Rasner, Scott Strickland, Billy Traber; infielders Bernie Castro, Nick Green, Cody Ransom, and Marcos Vechionacci; outfielders Justin Christian, Colin Curtis, Brett Gardner, Jason Lane, Greg Porter and Jose Tabata; and catchers Kyle Anson, Jason Brown, Jesus Montero, P.J. Pilittere and Austin Romine.
Pitchers and catchers report to camp in Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 14.
-- Lisa Kennelly
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:50 am
Buster Oney says- Twins should just keep Santana
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster
If you've ever watched the show "Deal Or No Deal," then you kind of get an idea of the situation Minnesota general manager Bill Smith is in, as he decides when to swap Johan Santana.
The million-dollar deal is off the table. It's not happening. Quite simply, Smith is not going to get a deal as good as the deal that Oakland got for Dan Haren. Because Santana is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees is willing to give up the boatload of young players that Smith really wanted for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, while paying Santana a $125-$150 million extension.
The Mets might be the only team ready and willing to absorb the double-barreled cost of Santana, but they really don't have a great package to offer for the left-hander; executives with other teams regard Phil Humber and Mike Pelfrey as middling prospects.
In fact, if you think of the game "Deal Or No Deal," any $750,000 deal is off the table, too. Smith only has what he regards as subpar offers on the table. We know this, because otherwise he would've pulled the trigger already, when the Yankees dangled Phil Hughes or when the Red Sox structured separate proposals around Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury.
So if you are Smith, what do you do? Do you take a subpar deal? Or do you simply go to spring training and prepare to start the season with Santana?
If I was in Smith's shoes, I'd keep Santana. Because to trade him would be to forgo the opportunity to contend in 2008, when the Twins have a chance to be a good team, with Francisco Liriano returning, with Joe Nathan closing, with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young hitting in the middle of their lineup.
If the Twins struggle early, Smith could dangle Santana again during the season -- and odds are he could get offers in quality to what he has now from the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets, and maybe even better, depending on the level of desperation of the teams involved. For example, if Andy Pettitte is distracted in the lawyered-up life he must live these days and struggles, and the Yankees are dying for a frontline pitcher like Santana, they might relent and give up Hughes and Ian Kennedy (depending on the development of other minor league pitchers). If the Red Sox were hit by injuries at the front of their rotation, the outlook of their ownership might change. The Twins may look more favorably on the Mets' farm system by July, and find that there are pieces that they like more in the summer than they have this winter.
Santana has a full no-trade clause and there have been reports that he could reject any deal once the season starts, but executives involved in these conversations are not concerned with that. They believe it would be very hard for Santana to walk away from a trade if the Mets or Red Sox or Yankees offered him the record-setting contract, despite what he may feel now.
If this were "Deal Or No Deal," Smith still would have the $500,000 slot, the $400,000 slot, nothing better. He should just continue to say no deal and play out the Santana game.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:56 am
Buster Oney says- Twins should just keep Santana
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster
The Mets might be the only team ready and willing to absorb the double-barreled cost of Santana, but they really don't have a great package to offer for the left-hander; executives with other teams regard Phil Humber and Mike Pelfrey as middling prospects.
In fact, if you think of the game "Deal Or No Deal," any $750,000 deal is off the table, too. Smith only has what he regards as subpar offers on the table. We know this, because otherwise he would've pulled the trigger already, when the Yankees dangled Phil Hughes or when the Red Sox structured separate proposals around Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury.
If I was in Smith's shoes, I'd keep Santana. Because to trade him would be to forgo the opportunity to contend in 2008, when the Twins have a chance to be a good team, with Francisco Liriano returning, with Joe Nathan closing, with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young hitting in the middle of their lineup.
Santana has a full no-trade clause and there have been reports that he could reject any deal once the season starts, but executives involved in these conversations are not concerned with that. They believe it would be very hard for Santana to walk away from a trade if the Mets or Red Sox or Yankees offered him the record-setting contract, despite what he may feel now.
Last edited by on Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:04 am; edited 1 time in total
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:00 am
Note: Wright Booed at Knicks Game
it was an impersonator there trying to pick up chicks… strangely enough, the boos seemed to help in that regard… only in NY
Reply to this comment
Comment by Jaded1983
2008-01-16 09:40:32
ugh…
Reply to this comment
Comment by ravi3
2008-01-16 09:41:44
The Knicks fan will boo anything that reminds them of their team…The Mets and Knicks both happen to use the state colors of NY
Reply to this comment
Comment by gowrightgo
2008-01-16 09:42:37
Stupid thread but even stupider would be any fans booing Davd Wright.
Yankee fans should not bother…I certainly doubt we would boo Jeter at a Giant game or Ranger game
Mets fan are too smart to be booing him. He was essentially an MVP candidate for the team and was one of the few hitting on all cylinders during the collapse.
Maybe Isiah turned around to face the crowd at the exact time they flashed David’s image. Or maybe it was Dolan who showed up at the exact time David’s image went up. Clearly Knick fans are comfortable booing. They do that alot in that building for the home team
that wasnt actually Maine at the knick game though
http://www.metsblog.com/2008/01/16/note-wright-booed-at-knicks-game/#comments
According to a variety of eyewitnesses, David Wright was booed quite heavily last night while at MSG during the Knicks-Wizards game.
…Carlos Beltran was booed while at MSG earlier this off-season, as was John Maine…frankly, at this point, a player from the Mets getting booed at MSG no longer should constitute as news…
…i have had fans e-mail to say that most fans at MSG are typically Yankees fans…obvious, since any time a player from the Yankees has been to MSG they get cheered…i have no idea if this is true or not, but i’m willing to believe anything…
In the Daily News, Ian Begley catches up with Wright, and talks with him about steroid-allegations against Roger Clemen
2008-01-16 09:28:17
Let’s face it, any Met deserves to get booed until they show us something otherwise. The wounds of 2007 are still very fresh in people’s minds. I talk about it with random fans all the time. The Collapse isn’t something that just fades away in the offseason.
I’m glad it makes the newspapers when things like this happen.
Reply to this comment
Comment by Vinnie
2008-01-16 09:31:25
Please Knicks fans don’t have the right to boo anyone besides themselves. People forget the years before Omar and how bad we were. Remember Roger Cedeno, Roberto Alomar, Mo Vaughn?
Reply to this comment
Comment by extrawhitemeat
2008-01-16 09:41:05
I will go on record and admit that I was excited, yes excited, when we re-signed Roger Cedeno.. I thought he was a poor man’s Johnny Damon.. I had visions of him and Ricky running wild in 1999 and thought he would reek havoc on the base paths..
Outside of a few relationship choices.. I have never been more wrong in my entire life :-)
(Comments wont nest below this level)
Comment by Hit The Weights Zeile
2008-01-16 09:45:09
sadly i shared those same hopes when they resigned cedeno. obviously when they got alomar i was pumped since i figured the guy was nasty for the past like 10 years then suddenly for no good reason just blew.
Reply here
Comment by bigchart333
2008-01-16 09:29:33
u know what, screw them…the Knicks friggin BLOW and shouldn’t be booing ANYBODY except the players that put the crappy product on their own court
and every Yankee fan i know respects and even kinda LIKES D Wright…it’s hard NOT TO….
screw the knicks, i tried being as loyal as possible, but there’s a team coming to NY next year that will be much better for years to come (as long as they wake up and fire that dingbat Lawrence Frank)
Reply to this comment
Comment by Charlie
2008-01-16 09:34:57
Anyone who actually pays/supports the Knicks at this point should be booed. What a disgrace!
Reply to this comment
Comment by gbaked
2008-01-16 09:36:02
it was an impersonator there trying to pick up chicks… strangely enough, the boos seemed to help in that regard… only in NY
Reply to this comment
Comment by Jaded1983
2008-01-16 09:40:32
ugh…
Reply to this comment
Comment by ravi3
2008-01-16 09:41:44
The Knicks fan will boo anything that reminds them of their team…The Mets and Knicks both happen to use the state colors of NY
Reply to this comment
Comment by gowrightgo
2008-01-16 09:42:37
Stupid thread but even stupider would be any fans booing Davd Wright.
Yankee fans should not bother…I certainly doubt we would boo Jeter at a Giant game or Ranger game
Mets fan are too smart to be booing him. He was essentially an MVP candidate for the team and was one of the few hitting on all cylinders during the collapse.
Maybe Isiah turned around to face the crowd at the exact time they flashed David’s image. Or maybe it was Dolan who showed up at the exact time David’s image went up. Clearly Knick fans are comfortable booing. They do that alot in that building for the home team
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:01 am
David Wright no fan of cheats
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/16/2008-01-16_david_wright_no_fan_of_cheats-2.html?ref=rss
BY IAN BEGLEY
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Wednesday, January 16th 2008, 4:00 AM
David Wright Rothstein for News
David Wright said he was a big fan of Roger Clemens growing up. The Mets third baseman even got his autograph.
He'd like to be able to say the pitcher he faced was not using performance-enhancing drugs, but Wright isn't sure what to make of the Rocket's alleged steroid use detailed in the Mitchell Report.
"Being a player I want to believe Roger," Wright said Tuesday night during halftime of the Knicks-Wizards game at the Garden. "But as much as I respect him...if there's some sort of evidence (that he used steroids) I think he should be punished."
Wright said he wants to see conclusive evidence before making up his mind on Clemens. But if allegations by Clemens' ex-trainer Brian McNamee prove true, Wright said the Rocket's legacy would be tarnished. McNamee said that he injected Clemens with steroids in the 1998, 2000 and 2001 seasons.
"One-hundred percent, I think so," Wright said. "I like to give the benefit of the doubt until there's some sort of hard evidence.
"I'm a big fan of guys that have played before, but I lose a lot of respect for guys that try to beat the system and cheat," the Mets' 25-year-old third baseman added. "I believe that innocent until proven guilty, so if there's some proof out there that it happened then you deal with it then."
Wright didn't watch Tuesday's congressional hearing on the Mitchell Report that included testimony from Sen. George Mitchell, Bud Selig and Donald Fehr. Clemens and McNamee are expected to testify on Capitol Hill on Feb. 13.
Wright said that baseball's drug-testing policy is making it much tougher to cheat, but he added it can get better. Wright, a two-time All-Star entering his fifth season in Flushing, said he'd be in favor of adding testing for HGH, if a reliable test could be created.
"I think 99% of the players would be all for it," Wright said. "I'd love to get to a point where you can test for everything."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2008/01/16/2008-01-16_david_wright_no_fan_of_cheats-2.html?ref=rss
BY IAN BEGLEY
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Wednesday, January 16th 2008, 4:00 AM
David Wright Rothstein for News
David Wright said he was a big fan of Roger Clemens growing up. The Mets third baseman even got his autograph.
He'd like to be able to say the pitcher he faced was not using performance-enhancing drugs, but Wright isn't sure what to make of the Rocket's alleged steroid use detailed in the Mitchell Report.
"Being a player I want to believe Roger," Wright said Tuesday night during halftime of the Knicks-Wizards game at the Garden. "But as much as I respect him...if there's some sort of evidence (that he used steroids) I think he should be punished."
Wright said he wants to see conclusive evidence before making up his mind on Clemens. But if allegations by Clemens' ex-trainer Brian McNamee prove true, Wright said the Rocket's legacy would be tarnished. McNamee said that he injected Clemens with steroids in the 1998, 2000 and 2001 seasons.
"One-hundred percent, I think so," Wright said. "I like to give the benefit of the doubt until there's some sort of hard evidence.
"I'm a big fan of guys that have played before, but I lose a lot of respect for guys that try to beat the system and cheat," the Mets' 25-year-old third baseman added. "I believe that innocent until proven guilty, so if there's some proof out there that it happened then you deal with it then."
Wright didn't watch Tuesday's congressional hearing on the Mitchell Report that included testimony from Sen. George Mitchell, Bud Selig and Donald Fehr. Clemens and McNamee are expected to testify on Capitol Hill on Feb. 13.
Wright said that baseball's drug-testing policy is making it much tougher to cheat, but he added it can get better. Wright, a two-time All-Star entering his fifth season in Flushing, said he'd be in favor of adding testing for HGH, if a reliable test could be created.
"I think 99% of the players would be all for it," Wright said. "I'd love to get to a point where you can test for everything."
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:09 am
Larry Rozner wonders why the Cubs aren't involved in the Santana talks.
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster
• Rockies owner Charlie Monfort is unsure whether Colorado can keep Matt Holliday long term, writes Troy Renck. In short, if the Rockies stick to their current business plan, there is almost no chance they will be able to keep the Scott Boras client.
• The Angels are encouraged by Ervin Santana's strong showing in winter ball, writes Bill Shaikin.
• Arthur Rhodes signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. The signing may give the Mariners enough depth to cover themselves if they make the long-discussed trade for Erik Bedard, writes Larry Larue.
• Kirk Saarloos is being brought back to Oakland, writes Susan Slusser.
• Rickie Weeks is feeling good, writes Tom Haudricourt.
• Anibal Sanchez doesn't know when he's going to be ready to pitch, writes Joe Capozzi, but it won't be at the start of spring training. • Dan Wheeler reached an agreement with the Rays.
• The Braves' stadium deal in Gwinnett was a lucky coincidence, as Tim Tucker writes. There will be a homegrown touch for Gwinnett patrons, writes Terence Moore.
• Scott Rolen relishes the possibility for a fresh start, as Derrick Goold writes. It's easy to like Rolen, writes Ken Fidlin. Rolen said there will be plenty of time to cast stones in the feud he has with Tony La Russa later on, as Cathal Kelly writes.
• It's still possible the Reds could go back to Florida, writes John Fay, and maybe even Sarasota. More meetings are scheduled, writes Hal McCoy.
• Bob Nutting's overhaul has brought a year of change in Pittsburgh, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
• The Mets are bringing back Jose Valentin, writes Mark Hale.
• The Yankees will have 66 players in camp.
• The Red Sox have some encouraging prospects, writes Nick Cafardo. Hideki Okajima is looking forward to his homecoming. Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson are feeling special, having been mentioned over and over again in the Johan Santana trade talks, writes Michael Silverman.
• Sid Bream has joined the Pirates. The Pirates are also bringing back Rich Donnelly.
• Curtis Granderson will be inducted into his alma mater's Hall of Fame. The Tigers won't get too comfy about their offensive capabilities, writes Lynn Henning.
PED ZONE
• In past hearings, we've seen congressmen bark at Bud Selig that maybe he'd better resign and suggest to Don Fehr that he just doesn't get it, and compared with those standards, Tuesday's hearing was a lovefest. And that is earned, to a degree: No one can question the fact that baseball has worked on toughening its drug-testing policy since 2002.
But there were a lot of questions left unasked and unanswered by the committee members, many of whom seemed completely ill-prepared to pose one or two simple and focused queries. Here are some of the lines of questioning that deserved to be pressed:
For Selig: In his prepared statement, he indicated that he fully embraces the recommendations of former Senator George Mitchell, including independent oversight. But as he answered the one set of questions about that, it became clear, through his disassembled answer, that his version of independent oversight might be completely different than how Mitchell might define it. It's a key point, of course; to have a third party -- someone other than employees or associates of MLB or the union administering the drug-testing program would be an enormous step forward.
For Fehr: There was not a single question about the suggestion in the Mitchell report, given by a former player, that Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 man the last couple of decades, tipped off a player to an upcoming test.
For Mitchell: He acknowledged that he did not provide specific information to players about allegations about them before issuing his report; rather, he merely invited them to talk about allegations connecting them with performance-enhancing drugs. No committee member asked him why this was so -- for example, if he believed so strongly in the evidence provided by Kirk Radomski or Brian McNamee, then why wouldn't he just write the players involved and detail the allegations precisely? What reason would Mitchell have for not taking that last step before issuing a report which would effectively damage the players' reputations?
And nobody asked Mitchell about the unusual relationship he had with federal investigators as he proceeded with what was private investigation. Why would federal investigators compel McNamee and Radomski to cooperate with Mitchell, and under what authority could they provide information to Mitchell -- information that is apparently not accessible to the public at large?
• Brian Sabean and Peter Magowan of the Giants seem to be in jeopardy of facing some kind of discipline from the commissioner, based on the answers he gave to committee chair Henry Waxman. When Selig was asked if Sabean should have reported the Greg Anderson situation to the Commissioner's Office, he gave a two-word response: "Of course." And he went on to say that he's going to review the conduct of those on management side in the same way he is going to review the conduct of the players named within the report.
Issuing penalties for action not taken by management would draw the commissioner onto a very, very slippery slope, because there really hasn't been a history of consistency in how MLB has dealt with this kind of stuff. For example, within the Mitchell report, there is a reference to the July 1995 Los Angeles Times piece in which Selig and two general managers and two star players were quoted talking about what was portrayed as a growing steroid problem -- and according to the Mitchell report, there was absolutely zero follow-up from MLB on that. A decade later, Padres general manager Kevin Towers became the first major league baseball official to say publicly that he suspected one of his own players, Ken Caminiti, of steroid use, and he suggested that in the past, everybody in the sport had a sense of what was happening -- and reportedly, the response from baseball executives was to admonish him for speaking out.
Should the Giants have handled the Anderson situation different? Of course. But given the context of the times, if you began sanctioning any baseball officials for failure to act, you'd have to start at the top and work your way down through a whole lot of people. But, as Ray Ratto writes, Selig and the Giants seem to be stuck in an unforgiving spot. Ratto notes within his piece that when a Giants assistant trainer gave information about Anderson to the head of MLB security, absolutely nothing was done.The pressure on Selig to take action against Magowan and Sabean dramatically increased as Waxman spoke, writes Zachary Coile and Henry Schulman. The Giants' reputation took a hit, writes Ann Killion.
• Based on the numbers provided by a Massachusetts congressman, baseball seems to suddenly have a ton of players being diagnosed with ADD, as Amy Shipley writes. Two years ago, some players and management officials privately predicted this would be the case, as the sport prepared to deal with the onset of the ban on stimulants.
• Shortly after it was revealed that Miguel Tejada is going to be the subject of a Department of Justice inquiry, his brother was killed in a motorcycle crash.
Drayton McLane is not going to judge Tejada too quickly, he says. Tejada apparently had experience with lying and cheating, writes Richard Justice.
• Selig and Fehr came clean, writes Rick Telander. I do wish the congressmen had pressed Selig and Fehr and asked them specifically what they feel they did wrong, and when. While admitting culpability, Fehr also pointed out that Congress had unwittingly contributed to the supplements problem more than a decade ago.
You got the feeling that the congressmen were resting up for the Feb. 13 hearing, writes Jim Litke.
Selig's legacy is steroids, writes Jay Mariotti. Reputations continue to wash up on the baseball shoreline, writes Phil Rogers.
There is simply no accountability in the game, writes Mike Imrem: Selig and Fehr acknowledged that the steroid mess happened on their watch, and yet they are still holding their jobs. There was no outrage or intrigue at this hearing, writes Bob Ford.
• George Mitchell played to a friendly crowd, writes Thom Loverro.
• Roger Clemens' lawyer won't plead the Fifth. The pitcher is starting to sound like Richard Nixon, writes Bob Klapisch.
• Newly acquired Troy Glaus has connections with the PED conversation, writes Bernie Miklasz.
• The Mets' David Wright is no fan of cheaters.
AND OTHER STUFF
• I got to know Jason Garrett in the one season I covered the NFL for the New York Times, and it's not surprising he's getting offered a head-coaching job so quickly; his curiosity is insatiable, and his manner and his knowledge are extraordinary. And, by the way, he is a huge baseball fan.
• Vanderbilt is preparing for a clash with arch-rival Tennessee
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:17 am
Examining the goods
Gee, Redsox writer calling The Yankees "a light weight". Are you kidding me? How about Stinking Coco Crisp and Jon lester who projected to be # 2 or # starter in the majors? Crisp's got no arm unlike Melky and too expensive for Twins liking. Hughes is better than Lester period. Hughes projected to be a #1 starter like Buccholz.
Boston Herald Redsox Beat Writer call The Yankees package for Santana a "Lightweight and Cabrera is nothing special"
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1066595
Red Sox
Package: Pitcher Jon Lester [stats], outfielder Coco Crisp [stats], minor league infielder Jed Lowrie, minor league pitcher Justin Masterson
OR
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Masterson, Lowrie, possible fourth prospect
What Twins want added: Pitcher Clay Buccholz; or Lester with Ellsbury
Skinny: Lester is a solid middle-of-the-rotation bet while Ellsbury has All-Star potential. There’s a question of how much the Twins believe in Lowrie. Also, Twins question the lack of a majors-caliber pitcher in the Ellsbury deal.
Yankees:
Package: Pitcher Phil Hughes, outfielder Melky Cabrera, pitcher Jeff Marquez
What Twins want added: Pitcher Ian Kennedy
Skinny: Hughes is the top talent of any deal out there, but without (and maybe even with) Kennedy, the package is lightweight. Cabrera is nothing special.
Mets
Package: Minor league outfielder Carlos Gomez, and minor league pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Phil Humber and Deolis Guerra.
What Twins want added: Minor league outfielder Fernando Martinez
Skinny: Risky package, filled with blue-chippers, but way younger than the Yanks’ and Red Sox’ deals. Martinez might become an offensive stud, but he’s not a sure bet.
Last edited by on Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:03 am; edited 1 time in total
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:27 am
The race to acquire Twins ace Johan Santana has sputtered to a near halt in the last couple of weeks as the Minnesota brass continues to mull offers from the Red Sox [team stats], Yankees and Mets, while waiting for something new to develop. Here are the offers the Twins reportedly have on the table, with some commentary from a couple of experts from “Baseball America.”
Red Sox
» Return to Article
Comments (10)
nick blasioli
the yankees should make the deal for santana...they have not improved their team from last year...when, they bombed out.....
#120188 - Jan 15, 2008 10:37 AM EST
Report Abuse
The KiiD
Ellsbury and Cabrera are very comparable so you saying that melky is nothing special, while ellsbury could be an all-star talent is ludicrous! they're might be a slight edge given to ellsbury but lets be honest... he's a glorified singles hitter with little pop. cabrera has far better defensive skills then ellsbury that come close to equaling his talent level. the yankees deal far outweighs the others.
#120195 - Jan 15, 2008 10:41 AM EST
Report Abuse
The_Kiid
Ellsbury and Cabrera are very comparable so you saying that melky is nothing special, while ellsbury could be an all-star talent is ludicrous! they're might be a slight edge given to ellsbury but lets be honest... he's a glorified singles hitter with little pop. cabrera has far better defensive skills then ellsbury that come close to equaling his talent level. the yankees deal far outweighs the others.
#120199 - Jan 15, 2008 10:42 AM EST
Report Abuse
Cheese
Can't see the Twins taking so many question marks from the Mets, plus they're the youngest group.
#120223 - Jan 15, 2008 10:56 AM EST
Report Abuse
Dave G.
The Kiid must've made the error so I'll correct it for him. Ells has far better defensive skills and even more so after playing CF for a full season than Melky which makes Ells a far better choice for the Twins. The package with Ells is much bettor than the Yanks package. C'mon, outside Hughes, who of the rest of the package would you take? exactly none of them. Even Coco is better than Milky. If Twins are smart they'll take one of the Boston packages.
#120568 - Jan 15, 2008 1:22 PM EST
Report Abuse
Dave G
I hate trying to post on this! The Yanks SHOULD make the deal, but you have to have the Twins accepting and it won't happen with the weak package the Yanks are offereing. The Kiid must've made the error so I'll correct it for him. Ells has far better defensive skills and even more so after playing CF for a full season than Melky which makes Ells a far better choice for the Twins. The package with Ells is much bettor than the Yanks package. C'mon, outside Hughes, who of the rest of the package would you take? exactly none of them. Even Coco is better than Milky. If Twins are smart they'll take one of the Boston packages.
#120579 - Jan 15, 2008 1:25 PM EST
Report Abuse
Jay T
As for Melky and Ellsbury, Ells is the better centerfielder. Melky has the better arm and is really suited for RF with his skill set. Marquez of the Yanks would not be a good fit for the Twins because he is a sinker ball pitcher and the Twins play on aritificial turf. However, Hughes is the real stud of the packages.
#120635 - Jan 15, 2008 1:42 PM EST
Report Abuse
bigfreddy2000
As a twins fan, I'm some what impartial as to which deal is better. I would have to go with one of the sox deals though. We do have a hole in the OF, and ellsbury would be my choice to fill that hole. On the other hand, if we trade santana, we'd be losing him, along with silva and garza, all in one off season. That's 3/5 of our rotation, leaving us with a weaker and super young pitching staff, leading me to believe that as much as the twins want ellsbury, there isn't enough pitching in the deal to push it through. The twins are very dependent on pitching and defense. That's why I think the deals aren't going through...we just don't know if we want to risk our pitching depth to get an all-star potential player in ellsbury, because we usually pride ourself in pitching depth and defense.
#120730 - Jan 15, 2008 2:20 PM EST
Report Abuse
Gilby
After losing Garza and Silva I think it's vital the Twins get a pitcher back for Santana. If the Sox can combine Lester and Ellsbury they will have a deal. However, I don't think the Sox will do that (they're just in it to drive up the price for the Yankees) so the Yankees offer of Hughes and Cabrera (and whoever else) is the best for them. The Twins need a pitcher, and who would you rather have, Lester or Hughes? If I was a Twins fan then I'd be yelling "bring Hughes to town"
#120881 - Jan 15, 2008 3:34 PM EST
Report Abuse
PJ
Here's a nickel's worth of free input regarding Santana and the deal status. "Approaching free agency, Pedro Martínez was traded to the Boston Red Sox in November 1997 for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas, Jr., and was soon signed to a six-year, $75,000,000 contract (with an option for a seventh at $17 million) by the Sox general manager Dan Duquette, at the time the largest ever awarded to a pitcher." Duquette consummated the deal for Martinez with two minor league blue chip prospects; each of the deals (Yanks, Sox & Mets) are much too rich. The Twins demands are much too lofty and they simply don't have the leverage that everyone seems to be ascribing to them.
Red Sox
» Return to Article
Comments (10)
nick blasioli
the yankees should make the deal for santana...they have not improved their team from last year...when, they bombed out.....
#120188 - Jan 15, 2008 10:37 AM EST
Report Abuse
The KiiD
Ellsbury and Cabrera are very comparable so you saying that melky is nothing special, while ellsbury could be an all-star talent is ludicrous! they're might be a slight edge given to ellsbury but lets be honest... he's a glorified singles hitter with little pop. cabrera has far better defensive skills then ellsbury that come close to equaling his talent level. the yankees deal far outweighs the others.
#120195 - Jan 15, 2008 10:41 AM EST
Report Abuse
The_Kiid
Ellsbury and Cabrera are very comparable so you saying that melky is nothing special, while ellsbury could be an all-star talent is ludicrous! they're might be a slight edge given to ellsbury but lets be honest... he's a glorified singles hitter with little pop. cabrera has far better defensive skills then ellsbury that come close to equaling his talent level. the yankees deal far outweighs the others.
#120199 - Jan 15, 2008 10:42 AM EST
Report Abuse
Cheese
Can't see the Twins taking so many question marks from the Mets, plus they're the youngest group.
#120223 - Jan 15, 2008 10:56 AM EST
Report Abuse
Dave G.
The Kiid must've made the error so I'll correct it for him. Ells has far better defensive skills and even more so after playing CF for a full season than Melky which makes Ells a far better choice for the Twins. The package with Ells is much bettor than the Yanks package. C'mon, outside Hughes, who of the rest of the package would you take? exactly none of them. Even Coco is better than Milky. If Twins are smart they'll take one of the Boston packages.
#120568 - Jan 15, 2008 1:22 PM EST
Report Abuse
Dave G
I hate trying to post on this! The Yanks SHOULD make the deal, but you have to have the Twins accepting and it won't happen with the weak package the Yanks are offereing. The Kiid must've made the error so I'll correct it for him. Ells has far better defensive skills and even more so after playing CF for a full season than Melky which makes Ells a far better choice for the Twins. The package with Ells is much bettor than the Yanks package. C'mon, outside Hughes, who of the rest of the package would you take? exactly none of them. Even Coco is better than Milky. If Twins are smart they'll take one of the Boston packages.
#120579 - Jan 15, 2008 1:25 PM EST
Report Abuse
Jay T
As for Melky and Ellsbury, Ells is the better centerfielder. Melky has the better arm and is really suited for RF with his skill set. Marquez of the Yanks would not be a good fit for the Twins because he is a sinker ball pitcher and the Twins play on aritificial turf. However, Hughes is the real stud of the packages.
#120635 - Jan 15, 2008 1:42 PM EST
Report Abuse
bigfreddy2000
As a twins fan, I'm some what impartial as to which deal is better. I would have to go with one of the sox deals though. We do have a hole in the OF, and ellsbury would be my choice to fill that hole. On the other hand, if we trade santana, we'd be losing him, along with silva and garza, all in one off season. That's 3/5 of our rotation, leaving us with a weaker and super young pitching staff, leading me to believe that as much as the twins want ellsbury, there isn't enough pitching in the deal to push it through. The twins are very dependent on pitching and defense. That's why I think the deals aren't going through...we just don't know if we want to risk our pitching depth to get an all-star potential player in ellsbury, because we usually pride ourself in pitching depth and defense.
#120730 - Jan 15, 2008 2:20 PM EST
Report Abuse
Gilby
After losing Garza and Silva I think it's vital the Twins get a pitcher back for Santana. If the Sox can combine Lester and Ellsbury they will have a deal. However, I don't think the Sox will do that (they're just in it to drive up the price for the Yankees) so the Yankees offer of Hughes and Cabrera (and whoever else) is the best for them. The Twins need a pitcher, and who would you rather have, Lester or Hughes? If I was a Twins fan then I'd be yelling "bring Hughes to town"
#120881 - Jan 15, 2008 3:34 PM EST
Report Abuse
PJ
Here's a nickel's worth of free input regarding Santana and the deal status. "Approaching free agency, Pedro Martínez was traded to the Boston Red Sox in November 1997 for Carl Pavano and Tony Armas, Jr., and was soon signed to a six-year, $75,000,000 contract (with an option for a seventh at $17 million) by the Sox general manager Dan Duquette, at the time the largest ever awarded to a pitcher." Duquette consummated the deal for Martinez with two minor league blue chip prospects; each of the deals (Yanks, Sox & Mets) are much too rich. The Twins demands are much too lofty and they simply don't have the leverage that everyone seems to be ascribing to them.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:28 am
Rockies Inquired On Santana
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
Courtesy of Ken Rosenthal, we knew on December 19th that the Rockies had inquired on Dan Haren. On Monday Dave Krieger of the Rocky Mountain News also quoted Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd as saying "We stuck our nose in on the Santana thing." (Hat tip to Aaron Gleeman for the link).
O'Dowd didn't get far trying to acquire Johan Santana, because he prefers to play on the East Coast. Perhaps a deal involving some combination of Franklin Morales, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ian Stewart, and Dexter Fowler would've intrigued the Twins otherwise? Here's a look at an MLB.com Top 50 Prospects list compiled with votes from 20 members of the scouting community. Morales ranks just a few spots below Jacoby Ellsbury.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:36 am
Buchholz on roids
"The talented pitcher gained 13 pounds during the offseason and now tips the scale at 191, which, he says, is a lot better than the 178 pounds he weighed when he left Boston last September."
http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_sox16_01-16-08_VG8KML6_v10.287a96b.html
"The talented pitcher gained 13 pounds during the offseason and now tips the scale at 191, which, he says, is a lot better than the 178 pounds he weighed when he left Boston last September."
http://www.projo.com/redsox/content/sp_bb_sox16_01-16-08_VG8KML6_v10.287a96b.html
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:51 am
Do you The Yankees have similar type of program like The Red Sox' annual rookie development program ?
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/01/16/encouraging_prospects/
I'm bit of jealous that Redsox prospects are already working out together and having fun in Boston College Alumni Stadium meanwhile The Yankees prospects are doing nothing and relaxing. I would like to see Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez and rest of Yankees prospects working out together , building chemistry and getting stronger. This is the reason why I think Redsox replace The Yankees as model franchise in baseball. I'm bother by this.
Example- Top Redsox prospect Clay Buccholz
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/01/16/encouraging_prospects/
"He's had a really good winter. We tested him the other day. He went to the API [Athletes' Performance Institute] in Florida and he's been making gradual progress. He's up to 190 pounds and he looks as though he's grown an inch. Physically, he's put on some weight in his shoulders and his chest."
"My shoulder feels great," said Buchholz, who acknowledges he was very disappointed to learn he wouldn't be on the postseason roster. "I don't feel the fatigue anymore.
"I know what it's going to take for me to stay on the team this year. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into being prepared for 162 games, and that was my offseason this year, that was [what] I put all the dedication toward. I think I'm right at 191 [pounds] right now, actually. It's better than the 178 I was last year.
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/01/16/encouraging_prospects/
I'm bit of jealous that Redsox prospects are already working out together and having fun in Boston College Alumni Stadium meanwhile The Yankees prospects are doing nothing and relaxing. I would like to see Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez and rest of Yankees prospects working out together , building chemistry and getting stronger. This is the reason why I think Redsox replace The Yankees as model franchise in baseball. I'm bother by this.
Example- Top Redsox prospect Clay Buccholz
http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/01/16/encouraging_prospects/
"He's had a really good winter. We tested him the other day. He went to the API [Athletes' Performance Institute] in Florida and he's been making gradual progress. He's up to 190 pounds and he looks as though he's grown an inch. Physically, he's put on some weight in his shoulders and his chest."
"My shoulder feels great," said Buchholz, who acknowledges he was very disappointed to learn he wouldn't be on the postseason roster. "I don't feel the fatigue anymore.
"I know what it's going to take for me to stay on the team this year. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into being prepared for 162 games, and that was my offseason this year, that was [what] I put all the dedication toward. I think I'm right at 191 [pounds] right now, actually. It's better than the 178 I was last year.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:21 am
Who is Tony Sparano?
Hey Buster you think the offers are subpar, or is saying that Twins Smith thinks they are subpar? Any chance you can get the number one pitching prospect in baseball from the Yanks or an outfielder with excellent five homer power how can that be subpar?
Smith overplayed his hand by demanding too much from New York and then letting the Red Sox dictate the terms. As soon as the Red Sox bluff was called early on Smith was trapped. Back down and he can kiss the GM job goodbye. Let Santana go for draft picks and also say goodbye. His only real option left is to trade Santana at the deadline but any deal that doesn't net talent the equivalent of the original Yankee offer will be seen (deservedly so) as a failure and miscalculation on the part of Smith.
The Yankees haven't overpaid in prospects in nearly 20 years and yet GMs still deal with them on that assumption. Talk about a slow learning curve.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-5-69/Who-is-Tony-Sparano-.html
January 16, 2008 7:30 AM
Cowboys fans are still trying to figure out when assistant head coach Tony Sparano became such a hot commodity. He worked his way up from tight ends coach to offensive play-caller in four years, but remained in Bill Parcells' witness protection program, which prevented coaches from making eye contact with reporters and neighborhood children.
New Orleans, San Diego and Cleveland all tried to make Sparano their offensive coordinator at some point, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones exercised his veto power each time. Sparano was devastated when he wasn't allowed to follow Sean Payton to the Saints in 2006.
Parcells continued to lean on him heavily while barely acknowledging his important role in public. On the few occasions Sparano was allowed to talk to reporters, he was so paranoid that he didn't say much of anything. "Keep it positive" was always his closing line.
Two months ago, Sparano expressed an interest in Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland's alma mater, Baylor. In a strange but predictable twist, the perennial Big 12 doormat (and my alma mater as well) never considered Sparano.
Three weeks later, he's interviewing for three head coaching vacancies in the NFL. You've heard people call this a copycat league, and that also applies to coaching searches. While Parcells was using Arthur Blank to make another owner jealous, he dropped Sparano's name.
The Ravens soon caught wind of Sparano, and decided to fly him in during the Cowboys' recent getaway weekend. A source familiar with the Ravens' coaching search described Sparano's interview as "unbelievable."
Against Parcells' will, I've had the pleasure of getting to know Sparano pretty well over the years. His wife, Jeannette, is fiercely protective of him and reports everything she hears on local sports talk radio. Sparano's two sons, Tony and Andy, play defensive end and center for the University at Albany.
During his five years in Dallas, Sparano has coached five Pro Bowlers in Jason Witten, Flozell Adams, Larry Allen, Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis. Witten has told me several times that he thinks Sparano would make an excellent head coach.
"He just has this presence that commands respect," Witten said. "He'll stay all over you, but he's never doing it just for show."
Even after Sparano became the offensive line coach in 2005, Witten constantly went to him with questions. In 2006, Sparano called plays and coached the offensive line at the same time.
The Cowboys finished with 425 points, their most since 1995, and had a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers. Of course, that didn't keep Sparano from being demoted when Jones hired Jason Garrett to be the offensive coordinator.
Sparano, who was given the assistant head coach title, could've felt resentment toward Jones and the new regime. Instead, he threw himself into helping with the transition. Sparano was coach Wade Phillips' sounding board on the few occasions Phillips made sounds.
He rededicated himself to his offensive line duties and was rewarded with three Pro Bowlers. After working for Marty Schottenheimer, Tom Coughlin and Parcells, experienced some culture shock working for the laidback Phillips.
Now, it's back into the meat grinder. Parcells has vowed to stay away from the practice field, but you can bet he'll offer some feedback. The good news for Dolphins fans is that Sparano is pretty much the opposite of Cam Cameron, who doesn't wear his passion on his sleeve.
I don't anticipate him throwing Coughlin-style tantrums, but he's been known to use colorful language to drive home a point. As long as Parcells sticks around long enough to help provide the foundation, Sparano will eventually win in Miami.
There are some who think the Cowboys would miss Sparano more than Garrett. I think those folks are pretty astute.
Hey Buster you think the offers are subpar, or is saying that Twins Smith thinks they are subpar? Any chance you can get the number one pitching prospect in baseball from the Yanks or an outfielder with excellent five homer power how can that be subpar?
Smith overplayed his hand by demanding too much from New York and then letting the Red Sox dictate the terms. As soon as the Red Sox bluff was called early on Smith was trapped. Back down and he can kiss the GM job goodbye. Let Santana go for draft picks and also say goodbye. His only real option left is to trade Santana at the deadline but any deal that doesn't net talent the equivalent of the original Yankee offer will be seen (deservedly so) as a failure and miscalculation on the part of Smith.
The Yankees haven't overpaid in prospects in nearly 20 years and yet GMs still deal with them on that assumption. Talk about a slow learning curve.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:23 am
Examining the goods
Boston Herald Redsox Beat Writer call The Yankees package for Santana a "Lightweight and Cabrera is nothing special"
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1066595
Gee, Redsox writer calling The Yankees package for Santana "a light weight".? Are you kidding me? How about Stinking Coco Crisp and Jon lester who projected to be # 2 or # starter in the majors? Crisp's got no arm unlike Melky and too expensive for Twins liking. Hughes is better than Lester period. Hughes projected to be a #1 starter like Buccholz.
I wonder if the Red Sox beat writer formed his opinion after Melky robbed Manny of the game tying homer two years ago...
Boston Herald Redsox Beat Writer call The Yankees package for Santana a "Lightweight and Cabrera is nothing special"
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1066595
Gee, Redsox writer calling The Yankees package for Santana "a light weight".? Are you kidding me? How about Stinking Coco Crisp and Jon lester who projected to be # 2 or # starter in the majors? Crisp's got no arm unlike Melky and too expensive for Twins liking. Hughes is better than Lester period. Hughes projected to be a #1 starter like Buccholz.
I wonder if the Red Sox beat writer formed his opinion after Melky robbed Manny of the game tying homer two years ago...
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:24 am
The funny thing is that the real culprit of this disaster is Brian Sabean. If he didn't make that historically awful trade a few years ago there wouldn't be this unrealistic assumption in Minnesota that every trade should be highway robbery. If the Twins had a more realistic starting point they could have gotten a good, fair package from New York. Instead, we are in this endless stalemate.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:36 am
Dolphins hire Sparano as head coach, replacing Cameron
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3199065
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: January 16, 2008, 11:00 AM ET
* Comment
* Email
* Print
Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano is the new Miami Dolphins head coach.
Mosley: Who is Sparano?
Wonder why Tony Sparano was such a hot commodity on the coaching carousel? Matt Mosley explains. Hashmarks
The two sides on Wednesday morning completed work on what ESPN.com has confirmed is a four-year contract worth about $2.5 million to $2.7 million per year.
Not counting the interim tenure of Jim Bates in 2004, Sparano becomes the sixth head coach in franchise history. In his first NFL head coaching job, Sparano inherits a team that won just one game in 2007; has obvious holes on the offensive side, including uncertainty at quarterback; and an aging defense.
On the positive side, the Dolphins own the top overall selection in the 2008 draft, and can either exercise it to choose a top-shelf prospect, or perhaps trade the choice for additional picks in the lottery. Sparano also will be surrounded by a strong support group of front-office executives he knows well.
Tony Sparano
Sparano
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, who most recently worked in the Dallas personnel department as vice president of college and pro scouting, is familiar with Sparano and his coaching style. And Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells hired Sparano as an assistant when Parcells was the Dallas head coach.
Sparano, 46, also interviewed for the head coach openings in Atlanta and Baltimore.
Although he has worked in the league only nine seasons, Sparano is widely respected for his offensive acumen and his demeanor with the players. Before joining the Dallas staff in 2003, Sparano was on the staffs of Cleveland (1999-2000), Washington (2001), and Jacksonville (2002).
Before landing his first NFL position, Sparano worked 15 years in the college ranks and was head coach at New Haven from 1994 to 1998.
He worked primarily with the Cowboys' offensive line this season. But when Parcells was the coach, Sparano had much broader responsibilities. Although he didn't hold the title of coordinator, Sparano called the team's plays in 2006. Parcells is known to hold Sparano in high regard.
Sparano is expected to pursue several current Dallas assistant coaches, some of whose contracts with the Cowboys have expired, for key positions on his staff.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3199065
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: January 16, 2008, 11:00 AM ET
* Comment
Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano is the new Miami Dolphins head coach.
Mosley: Who is Sparano?
Wonder why Tony Sparano was such a hot commodity on the coaching carousel? Matt Mosley explains. Hashmarks
The two sides on Wednesday morning completed work on what ESPN.com has confirmed is a four-year contract worth about $2.5 million to $2.7 million per year.
Not counting the interim tenure of Jim Bates in 2004, Sparano becomes the sixth head coach in franchise history. In his first NFL head coaching job, Sparano inherits a team that won just one game in 2007; has obvious holes on the offensive side, including uncertainty at quarterback; and an aging defense.
On the positive side, the Dolphins own the top overall selection in the 2008 draft, and can either exercise it to choose a top-shelf prospect, or perhaps trade the choice for additional picks in the lottery. Sparano also will be surrounded by a strong support group of front-office executives he knows well.
Tony Sparano
Sparano
Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, who most recently worked in the Dallas personnel department as vice president of college and pro scouting, is familiar with Sparano and his coaching style. And Dolphins vice president of football operations Bill Parcells hired Sparano as an assistant when Parcells was the Dallas head coach.
Sparano, 46, also interviewed for the head coach openings in Atlanta and Baltimore.
Although he has worked in the league only nine seasons, Sparano is widely respected for his offensive acumen and his demeanor with the players. Before joining the Dallas staff in 2003, Sparano was on the staffs of Cleveland (1999-2000), Washington (2001), and Jacksonville (2002).
Before landing his first NFL position, Sparano worked 15 years in the college ranks and was head coach at New Haven from 1994 to 1998.
He worked primarily with the Cowboys' offensive line this season. But when Parcells was the coach, Sparano had much broader responsibilities. Although he didn't hold the title of coordinator, Sparano called the team's plays in 2006. Parcells is known to hold Sparano in high regard.
Sparano is expected to pursue several current Dallas assistant coaches, some of whose contracts with the Cowboys have expired, for key positions on his staff.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:37 am
Of the last 3 games ( Pats - Bucs - Dallas ) this is easily the Giants toughest challenge.
I see no other choice for us defensively than to rush at least 5 guys and tight press coverage on the WRs, knock them out of their routes and disrupt the quick passing game. But we also need to stop Ryan grant and screen passes. Its a tall order.
Basically...I think we need at LEAST a +2 turnover margin to win this game.
We must double our rushing yardage, I dont want to see Eli throwing up 25+ passes vs that secondary.
We also need our DBs healthy. If Ross and Madison are hurt.......I dont see how we can do this. Ross at LEAST played until the 2nd half vs dallas. If McQuarters was playing DB the whole game.......ouch.
How much do we have left in the Tank after the WAR in Dallas? The X-factor for the Giants has been their confidence and energy. We have peaked at the perfect time.
I see no other choice for us defensively than to rush at least 5 guys and tight press coverage on the WRs, knock them out of their routes and disrupt the quick passing game. But we also need to stop Ryan grant and screen passes. Its a tall order.
Basically...I think we need at LEAST a +2 turnover margin to win this game.
We must double our rushing yardage, I dont want to see Eli throwing up 25+ passes vs that secondary.
We also need our DBs healthy. If Ross and Madison are hurt.......I dont see how we can do this. Ross at LEAST played until the 2nd half vs dallas. If McQuarters was playing DB the whole game.......ouch.
How much do we have left in the Tank after the WAR in Dallas? The X-factor for the Giants has been their confidence and energy. We have peaked at the perfect time.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Re: Twins betting Santana Stakes still 3-horse race
RedMagma Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:38 am
That article is such biased bullshit. I can't believe that kinda shit gets printed.... why? So the new england dimwits can eat it up and then call into talk radio and announce that the Red Sox deal is stronger?
What a joke. Lester has proved nothing, and has had severe health and body problems. They aren't his fault, but they are there and real. And Ellsbury has all-star potential????!?!? Is that a joke?! He will never hit more than 10-15 HR's in his best major league season.
What a joke. Lester has proved nothing, and has had severe health and body problems. They aren't his fault, but they are there and real. And Ellsbury has all-star potential????!?!? Is that a joke?! He will never hit more than 10-15 HR's in his best major league season.
RedMagma- Posts : 3654
Join date : 2007-12-24
Page 10 of 11 • 1, 2, 3 ... , 9, 10, 11
Similar topics» Injuries force Pats to play without starters Neal, Kaczur
» sn
» Senator Mitchell leave Disney and Angels to join Redsox in
» Tracy Ringolsby On Curt Schilling
» Cashman Holds Court At Theo's Party
» sn
» Senator Mitchell leave Disney and Angels to join Redsox in
» Tracy Ringolsby On Curt Schilling
» Cashman Holds Court At Theo's Party
Page 10 of 11
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum