Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 214 of 1503)

      Yankees interested in Manny Ramirez?

      December 24, 2010 /

      Manny Ramirez dropped off the face of the MLB planet last year but he’s still somewhat newsworthy – especially when the Yankees are interested.

      According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, the Yankees have had internal discussions about signing Man-Ram. The club is looking for a right-handed bat to add to their bench, although even Curry admits that a deal with Ramirez is unlikely. He’s a poor defensive outfielder and even at his age, it’s doubtful he’ll want to come off the bench. The Bombers already have a DH in Jorge Posada, so he wouldn’t be a fit there either.

      The Bombers are pretty set in the outfield with Curtis Granderson, Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner. They still need to add a starting pitcher (or three), but leave it to the Yanks to try and acquire as many bats as possible. If their pitching is as bad as it current looks on paper, they’ll need as much offense as possible.

      Assuming Ramirez doesn’t sign with NY, he could land with the Rays, who are interested in signing the 38-year-old.

      External Sports, MLB

      Steelers closing in on AFC North title

      December 24, 2010 /

      When a team suffers a loss and needs a good pick-me-up, the Carolina Panthers often offer the perfect remedy.

      A week after losing at home against the Jets, the Steelers rebounded on Thursday night to beat the Panthers 27-3. Ben Roethlisberger completed 22-of-32 passes for 320 yards and one touchdown, while also adding a second score on the ground. On his lone passing touchdown of the night, he read blitz and quickly hit Mike Wallace for a 43-yard score to give Pittsburgh an early 10-0 lead. Thanks to the Panthers’ brutalness, the Steelers went on to collect their easiest win of the year.

      With the win, Pittsburgh is now in position to wrap up the AFC North and clinch a bye in the first round of the playoffs if it can beat Cleveland on January 2. And actually, the Browns could help the Steelers well in advance if they can knock off the Ravens this Sunday in Cleveland.

      As for the Panthers, the season couldn’t end fast enough for them and John Fox. Their roster is so devoid of talent and it’s tough to evaluate young players like Jimmy Clausen when he has no support around him. Carolina’s running game isn’t bad, but who does Clausen have to throw to? Defenses double-team Steve Smith, leaving Clausen to throw to fellow rookies who are trying to learn the game along with him. And forget protection – Clausen doesn’t have any.

      Of course, by this time one would think he would look a little better than he has. He has little to no pocket presence and his accuracy is suspect at best. His decision-making might be coming along a little, but he still does some things that make you want to pull your hair out (like taking a sack on a 4th and 5 in the second quarter instead of just heaving one in the direction of a receiver). Maybe he’ll develop into a solid starter one day but as of right now, he’s showed zero signs of developing. (Again, that’s not all his fault either.)

      The Panthers will have an awfully different look to them next season, that’s for sure.

      External Sports, NFL

      Is Peyton Hillis starting to wear down?

      December 23, 2010 /

      The Browns may be without their only offensive weapon this Sunday when they host the Baltimore Ravens. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, running back Peyton Hillis missed practice on Wednesday and is suffering from a knee injury.

      It’s actually a little early in the week to know whether or not Hillis will be available this weekend, although he was seen limping around team headquarters on Wednesday, which obviously isn’t a good sign. Coach Eric Mangini downplayed the injury and if he did just need a day off, who could blame him after the season he’s endured?

      To date, Hillis has compiled 311 offensive touches on the year, which is only slightly higher than his previous mark of 82. He never touched the ball more than 111 times in a season while at Arkansas and it wouldn’t be shocking if he were starting to wear down after his first season as a featured player in the pros. He’s also had nagging injuries throughout the year that probably haven’t had the chance to fully heal.

      But if he’s healthy enough to go this Sunday, expect him to be in uniform. He shredded the Ravens for 180 total yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and with the Browns out to play spoiler against their division rivals, they’ll need Hillis to play. Obviously they don’t want him to risk injury, but have you seen the guy play this year? He’s like a cartoon character; a real freak of nature.

      If he can cut down on the fumbles (he leads the league with eight), Hillis could go on to have a solid career. He’s certainly the best thing the Browns have going for them on the offensive side of the ball and his blue-collar persona fits the city of Cleveland perfectly. (And to think, they only had to give up a third-string quarterback to acquire him from Denver.)

      External Sports, NFL

      Mark Sanchez has torn cartilage in shoulder

      December 23, 2010 /

      According to the New York Daily News, the arm soreness that Mark Sanchez has been experiencing this week is actually a cartilage tear in his right throwing shoulder. It doesn’t appear that he’ll need surgery or miss any games, but it can’t be a good thing when quarterbacks play with tears in their shoulders.

      No wonder he couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn the pas couple of weeks – the dude’s shoulder had a tear in it. What? The injury happened in the first quarter of last week’s game? So his brutalness against the Patriots and Dolphins was actually all him?

      The NYDN speculates that the injury could hamper Sanchez for the remainder of the season, although he wasn’t much of a passer before the injury so maybe the tear will improve his game. After all, he played pretty well in the second half against the Steelers last Sunday so maybe the injury will be a good thing in some bizarre, that logically doesn’t make any sense kind of way.

      The injury comes at a bad time for the Jets’ offense, as receiver Santonio Holmes is also playing through turf toe. Both he and Sanchez have a rough matchup this Sunday against the Bears, who have a tendency to feast on offense that don’t hail from the Foxboro, Massachusetts area. We’ll see how the injury affects the duo this weekend.

      External Sports, NFL

      Broncos’ Elvis Dumervil cited for assault

      December 23, 2010 /

      And the season from hell continues for the Denver Broncos.

      According to KDVR in Denver, Elvis Dumervil (who was placed on injured reserve before the season with a torn pectoral muscle) was cited for assault following the Broncos’ loss to the Raiders in Week 7. He allegedly tussled with a parking attendant outside Invesco Field and was cited for both assault and disturbing the peace.

      As the report notes, Dumervil hasn’t gotten into any real trouble since being selected in the fourth round of the 2006 draft out of Louisville. He apparently has some speeding violations and was once busted for not having proof of insurance, but nothing that would warrant punishment from the league for this assault situation.

      Dumervil wasn’t the only Bronco to find himself on the wrong side of the law this year. Back in November, DJ Williams was arrested by Denver Police for DUI and less than two weeks ago, Perrish Cox was busted for charges of sexual assault. This past Monday, Kevin Alexander was arrested for assault and battery and was released by the team shortly thereafter.

      Is it just me or do players usually find themselves in bad headlines when their team is having a horrible year? This of course doesn’t apply to Cincinnati Bengal players, who find themselves in bad headlines no matter what kind of season they’re having. But it just seems like when it rains it pours for NFL teams. And it hasn’t stopped raining on the Broncos since they started 6-0 last year.

      External Sports, NFL

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