Month: January 2009 (Page 24 of 61)

      Rumor: Cowboys interested in Ravens’ Ray Lewis

      January 19, 2009 /

      The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Dallas Cowboys might possibly be interested in linebacker Ray Lewis, who becomes a free agent this offseason.

      Ray LewisWord around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys are very interested in obtaining Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis if he becomes a free agent. The speculation is that the Cowboys are willing to give Lewis a three-year deal worth between $27 and $30 million, with $25 million guaranteed.

      Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team’s problems inside the locker room.

      The Ravens are expected to begin negotiations with Lewis, who is in the last year of his contract, as soon as the season is over. Fellow linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are also in the final years of their contracts.

      Suggs’ decision to play against the Steelers was a courageous one. Oh, and by the way, he happened to come up with two big sacks.

      If the Cowboys are willing to dole out upwards of $30 million to acquire Lewis than the Ravens might have to let him walk. Scott is highly underrated and Suggs is one of the premier pass-rushers in the league. Both players are also younger (Scott is 28, Suggs is 26) than Lewis and Baltimore can’t afford to lose all three players.

      It’ll be interesting to see whom the Ravens attempt to keep. Lewis is older, but he proved this year that he can still play at a high level and you can’t replace his leadership. Again though, Scott and Suggs are younger and are just as valuable (if not more valuable on the field) as Lewis.

      The Ravens have some tough decisions this offseason.

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

      At this point, even Kobe thinks LeBron is the MVP

      January 19, 2009 /

      There’s no doubt that LeBron James is having the best season of his young career. It’s not so much that his numbers are better — it’s the Cavs’ winning ways that have LeBron atop the short list for this year’s MVP. He even has the vote of the player who’s in second place (at least on my list).

      Bryant seemed mildly uncomfortable when asked for his MVP choice near the season’s halfway point.

      “LeBron,” he said. “Leave me alone about that stuff.”

      He then expanded upon his thoughts.

      “I’m a big fan of his, obviously,” he said. “I just think the world of him. Playing with him this summer [at the Beijing Olympics], and seeing his work ethic and what he’s about, I just think he’s terrific.”

      It probably kills the competitor in Kobe to admit that, but it just goes to show the nature of the MVP race right now. LeBron has improved defensively, is superior in most statistical measures, and he has guided his team to a great record despite not having as much help as Kobe does.

      Tonight’s game at the Staples Center should be a good one. I hope we are treated to more than a handful of possessions where the two superstars guard each other.

      NBA, Television

      Couch Potato Alert: 1/19

      January 19, 2009 /

      MLK Day is a great day for basketball action as the NBA has games going all day. I’d recommend watching the Nuggets/Rockets at 2 PM, flipping between the Pitt/Syracuse game and the Suns/Celtics at 7 PM and 8 PM, respectively, and capping the night with the Cavs/Lakers tilt at 10:30 PM. Don’t forget that the Australian Open starts today — coverage is on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel.

      All times ET…

      NBA
      Mon, 2 PM: Nuggets @ Rockets (NBA TV)
      Mon, 8 PM: Suns @ Celtics (TNT)
      Mon, 10:30 PM: Cavs @ Lakers (TNT)
      Wed, 7:30 PM: Celtics @ Heat
      Wed, 8:30 PM: Jazz @ Rockets (NBA TV)
      Wed, 10 PM: Cavs @ Blazers
      Thurs, 8 PM: Celtics @ Magic (TNT)

      College Hoops
      Mon, 7 PM: #8 Syracuse @ #4 Pittsburgh (ESPN)
      Wed, 7 PM: #21 Villanova @ #3 UConn (ESPN)
      Wed, 9 PM: #9 Clemson @ #6 North Carolina (ESPN)
      Thurs, 7 PM: #18 Purdue @ #20 Minnesota (E360)

      NHL
      Mon, 8 PM: Wild @ Blackhawks (Versus)
      Tues, 7:30 PM: Capitals @ Senators (Versus)
      Tues, 10:30 PM: Canucks @ Sharks (TSN)
      Wed, 7:30 PM: Bruins @ Maple Leafs (TSN)

      College Basketball, Couch Potato Alert, NBA, NHL, Television, Tennis

      Super Bowl XLIII Odds released: Steelers 7-point favorites

      January 19, 2009 /

      Odds are out and according to TheSpread.com, the Steelers are 7-point favorites over the Cards.

      Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers won the AFC North crown with a 12-4 record, and were 9-7 against the spread. They held opponents to 13.9 points a game this season – ranking them No. 1 in the NFL in total defense and points allowed.

      Oddsmakers from online sports book Sports Interaction have made the Steelers a 7-point favorite over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, and have established the over/under total at 47.

      The Cardinals were NFC West Champions this year despite finishing with an average 9-7 regular season record. They too were 9-7 against the number this season and won most of their games with their prolific offense, scoring 26.7 points per game and averaging 292.1 passing yards per game.

      Fellow TSR writer John Paulsen and I were talking about the game and we both came to a similar notion that Pittsburgh fans will likely push the spread up before kickoff. If the spread gets closer to 10, I would lean towards the dog and just hope that Kurt Warner doesn’t turn the ball over and give the Steelers easy scoring opportunities. If the spread drops, I would probably jump on the Steelers and assume their defense would put the clamps down on ‘Zona’s passing game.

      The over/under total has been set at 47, which seems rather high to me. The Steelers don’t score a ton of points and one would figure that their defense would limit the Cards to 20 points or fewer. Regardless, both the line and total seem pegged right by odds makers.

      NFL, Super Bowl

      Marbury renews offer to give $1 M back in buyout deal

      January 19, 2009 /

      The Stephon Marbury Buyout Watch continues.

      The banished Marbury told The Post yesterday his $1 million giveback is back on the table. Marbury said he’s waiting to hear back from Knicks president Donnie Walsh on his proposal.

      Marbury, who is training in Los Angeles, says he has a firm offer from at least one club, allowing him to change his negotiating stance for the first time in seven weeks. The Celtics are the leading candidates to sign Marbury, according to a source.

      Marbury had taken the $1 million giveback off the table during their stormy Dec. 1 meeting. Marbury put it back in play because at least one team has now made a commitment to him, allowing him to make the $1 million back.

      Walsh last offered Marbury to take $3 million less. Marbury has been told by Knicks officials the matter is in owner James Dolan’s hands and he’s been awaiting word for several days.

      Marbury also fears Dolan won’t accept his offer until after March 2, when he’d be no longer eligible for a playoff roster.

      Let me get this straight — all this drama for a measly $2 million? I realize that this is a ton of money to normal people, but this is pocket change for James Dolan. Is $2 million worth the distraction of keeping Marbury on the roster? My guess is that the Knicks main problem with buying out Marbury is that they might be helping the Celtics in the process. But it’s not like the Knicks are a serious playoff contender — why not get rid of the headache?

      As for Marbury, I don’t know why he hasn’t taken Dolan’s offer of a $3 million pay cut. He’s jeopardizing his ability to prove he’s worth a three- or four-year contract after this season. No one is going to sign him to a long-term deal if he doesn’t play (and play well) for the remainder of this season. Surely that’s worth $2 million to Starbury, right?

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