Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 246 of 1503)

      Sidney Rice to make his 2010 debut on Sunday?

      November 19, 2010 /
      CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 20: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 20, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      The Vikings apparently have their answer.

      Just hours after numbnut Brad Childress reveled that the Vikings threatened receiver Sidney Rice with injured reserve if he didn’t play this week, NFL Network’s Steve Wyche reports that Rice is “almost certain” to lace ‘em up against the Packers on Sunday.

      Rice had been stalling about whether or not he would play because he becomes a free agent at the end of the year and doesn’t want to risk further injury. He’s missed the past 10 weeks after undergoing hip surgery in the offseason and if he winds up suffering another injury, it could wind up costing him millions on the open market next year.

      But the Vikings need him to play now, which is where the aforementioned threat came in. They’ve been saving a spot on their 53-man roster and they’ve grown impatient wondering whether or not he’ll play. The ball has been in Rice’s court for the past two weeks and per reports, he’s looked healthy in practice.

      What this means for the Vikings is simple: Brett Favre now has his deep threat back. But that doesn’t mean Rice will be effective right out of the gates. Don’t forget that he hasn’t played since Minnesota lost to New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game last year. He’s been able to practice, but obviously that’s not the same as playing in a real game. The defenders that he’ll be seeing on Sunday already have nine games under their belts and he still has to get up to game speed. It’s great for the Vikings that he’ll play, but it’s a little unrealistic to think that he’ll be the player he was last year when he hasn’t seen game action in nearly 10 months.

      External Sports, NFL

      Yankees’ offer to Derek Jeter more than fair

      November 19, 2010 /
      New York Yankees' shortstop Derek Jeter warms up before the Yankees take on the Texas Rangers in game four of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in New York. UPI/Monika Graff Photo via Newscom

      If SI.com’s Jon Heyman’s report is true, then the Yankees’ offer for shortstop Derek Jeter is more than reasonable.

      According to Heyman, the Yankees are on the verge of offering their captain a three-year, $45 million contract. Jeter is reportedly looking for at least a four-year deal, but given his age and declining skills, it’s hard to argue with whether or not the Yankees’ offer is fair.

      Jeter means more to the Yankees than what he does on the field, but it’s not as if the Bombers are low-balling him here. He’s no longer a strong defensive shortstop and he’s coming off a year in which he batted .270 over 663 at bats. He posted career numbers in 2009 but nobody expected him to repeat that effort in 2010, which he didn’t.

      In some respects, the Yankees have to overpay. Again, his contributions to the organization run deeper than his stat line and New York has to be willing to fork over a little more than Jeter would probably get on the open market. It’s about showing respect to the player that helped lead them to five World Series titles over the past two decades.

      But let’s get real here. Jeter wouldn’t get three years and $45 million on the open market – not at 36. It’s up to his agent to get the best deal possible and Jeter’s camp may wind up asking for more, but the Yankees’ current deal is certainly fair for all parties involved.

      External Sports, MLB

      Could Bill Parcells wind up with the Vikings next?

      November 19, 2010 /
      Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells at training camp at the Marriott Residence Inn in Oxnard, Calif. on Monday, August 9, 2004 Photo via Newscom

      You knew that somebody, somewhere was going to cast a line for the Big Tuna as soon as he escaped Miami.

      Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune speculates that the Vikings may be interested in Bill Parcells as soon as they fire Brad Childress if they decide to part ways with Brad Childress at the end of the year.

      A reporter from the Palm Beach Post saw an advance copy of the NFL Network film about Bill Parcells that will debut tonight. In it Parcells makes it clear that at the age of 69 he isn’t ready to ride off into the sunset.

      “Get me back out there,” Parcells says. “I can do this one more time. That’s how I feel.”

      Well, isn’t that interesting. Parcells most recently worked as a consultant for the Miami Dolphins and last coached in 2006 with the Dallas Cowboys. He is best remembered, however, for winning two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants.

      That is the same organization that Zygi Wilf has a huge fan of before he bought the Vikings in 2005. Already many have connected the dots that Wilf might be interested in bringing Parcells to Minnesota.

      Zulgad goes on to note that Wilf has been more than satisfied with the job president of player personnel Rick Spielman and vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski have done. Thus, it’s not even certain that Wilf would want to bring in Parcells. But there’s no doubt it’s an interesting thought.

      True-blue Giants fans love themselves some Parcells. The man can do no wrong and if Wilf still bleeds “Big Blue,” then he’s going to have at least a faint interest in hiring Parcells (especially after Childress gets done making a mess of everything this season).

      Will everything come together? Who knows – again, this is just speculation on Zulgad’s part. There needs to be more to this than, “Wilf was a Giants fan so surely he’ll be interested in Parcells.” But it’s not difficult to connect the dots here.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 NFL Week 11 Picks

      November 19, 2010 /
      CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 14: Brett Favre of the Minnesota Vikings talks to his offensive teammates in the huddle during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 14, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

      My college picks continue to be complete and utter garbage, but I’ve held my own in the NFL this season.

      After going 3-1 in Week 8 and 3-1 again in Week 9, I followed those performances up with another 3-1 week last Sunday. The 4-0 week continues to be my Everest, but who knows, maybe Week 11 is it. Maybe this is the Sunday I taste glory.

      Or maybe this is the week my college picks infect my NFL picks and I go 0-4. Should be fun either way.

      Browns (3-6) @ Jaguars (5-4), 1:00PM ET
      The Browns have become a fan favorite of late and why not? They beat the Saints and Patriots and if it weren’t for a Chansi Stuckey fumble in overtime last week, they probably go on to beat the Jets too. In terms of being a competitive team, the Browns are “for real.” There’s no question. But they’re due to lay an egg and I think it’ll be this week in Jacksonville. The Jaguars certainly aren’t a great team by any stretch of the imagination and they needed a fluke Hail Mary touchdown last week after they collapsed in the second half against Houston. But this is a matchup that favors the Jaguars because neither team is very explosive. They can hang with teams that can’t turn games into a track meet. I think the Jags will limit Peyton Hillis and get the best of the Browns this week.
      THE PICK: JAGUARS –1

      Lions (2-7) @ Cowboys (2-7), 1:00PM ET
      I think it would be a mistake to hop on the Cowboys’ bandwagon again after one win. I agree that it was a big win over a formidable opponent in the Giants, but the ‘Boys aren’t above overlooking a team like the Lions – even when they’re sitting at 2-7. The Lions have struggled all year but they’ve covered every week outside of a loss to the Vikings in Week 3. For those that have been burned several times by the Cowboys, you know laying seven points is too much with this team. Detroit will keep it somewhat close and cover (either with a legit cover or of the backdoor variety that they’ve become accustomed to doing).
      THE PICK: LIONS +7

      Packers (6-3) @ Vikings (3-6), 1:00PM ET
      I have no problem saying that I hope the Packers send Brett Favre home with a nice parting gift in the form of a blowout defeat. But this game reeks of Lord Favre magic. The Vikings have looked hapless for most of the year and Favre’s play has been downright pathetic at times. But this might be his last chance to stick it to the Packers and you know he’s going to make the most of the opportunity, especially with the game being played on his turf. That said, Minnesota needs to figure out where its pass rush went or else Aaron Rodgers will shred the Vikings’ suspect secondary. The Vikes don’t want a shootout – they want to control the clock and take their chances in the vertical passing game when opportunities present themselves. As much as it pains me to say it: Minnesota plus the points.
      THE PICK: VIKINGS +3

      Ravens (6-3) @ Panthers (1-8), 1:00PM ET
      The best picks are usually the ones where you want to throw up as soon as you make them. And picking the Panthers this week already has me reaching for the trashcan and my stomach rumbling. There’s absolutely no reason to take Carolina this Sunday. They’re down their top three running backs, they’re starting a quarterback in Brian St. Pierre that has only attempted five passes in his career and their defense sucks (to put it mildly). Baltimore should roll, which is why I’m taking the Panthers in a no-way-they-should-cover situation.
      THE PICK: PANTHERS +10.5

      Season Record: 19-16-1

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 College Football Week 12 Picks

      November 19, 2010 /
      AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett of the Arkansas Razorbacks warms up before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 65-43. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

      If you’re not fading my ass by now, then there’s something definitely wrong with your think tank.

      Over the past three weeks I’ve gone 0-4, 1-3 and then 0-4 again last week. The worst of it is, I wasn’t even close last Saturday. I said the five points that you had to lay with Utah was a gift against Notre Dame and the only gift was my pick of the Utes (who laid down nicely against the Irish). Georgia hung with Auburn for most of the game but then went quietly into the night. Florida and Texas were jokes, as were my picks of them to cover.

      Whatever. I’m now 14-22 on the year with little hope of turning this thing around. If you don’t fade me now, then forever hold your peace.

      No. 13 Arkansas @ No. 21 Mississippi State, 7:00PM ET
      If the Bulldogs can’t get their 18th-ranked running game going then they’ll have a tough time keeping up with Ryan Mallett and Arkansas’ high-powered offense. Mississippi State’s defense has played well this season but its offense lacks that big-play potential. I think the Bulldogs will make a game of it early but eventually the Razorbacks will be too much for MSU to handle. The Hogs are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall and 8-1 ATS in their last eight conference games.
      THE PICK: ARKANSAS –3

      Purdue @ No. 12 Michigan State, 12:00PM ET
      The Spartans are probably overdue for a slip up but with a Big Ten title in their sights, I don’t think they fall this weekend against a punchless Boilermaker team. The home team is 9-2-1 against the number in the last 12 meetings between these two programs and Purdue is just 1-5 ATS in its last six trips to East Lansing. The Boilermakers might have a tough time slowing down MSU’s explosive running game and don’t expect Sparty to let up in the fourth quarter when they’re up big. There’s no time for them to take their foot off the gas when they need two victories to secure a Big Ten crown.
      THE PICK: MICHIGAN STATE –20

      No. 10 Oklahoma State @ Kansas, 12:00PM ET
      Kansas’ wins this season were against the following: Georgia Tech, New Mexico State and Colorado (which they trailed by 28 in the fourth quarter and need a miracle comeback to win). Their victory over the Yellow Jackets was impressive, but this is a team that has largely been blown out against good and even average teams. They lost 55-7 at Baylor, 59-7 against Kansas State and 45-10 against Texas A&M. I know they somewhat held Nebraska in check last week but Oklahoma State’s offense is too explosive for the Jayhawks to keep things close this Saturday. The Cowboys roll.
      THE PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE –24

      Ole Miss @ No. 5 LSU, 3:30PM ET
      I have a buddy who always picks the No. 16 seeds against the No. 1 seeds in the March Madness tournament every year so that if one day it happens, he can claim that he “called the upset.” I feel like him right now when it comes to LSU. For weeks I’ve been saying that LSU will fall to a suspect opponent but every time I pick against them, they win and cover easily. The one time I picked them to cover was against Auburn and – surprise! – that was the Tigers’ only loss of the year. But I’m going back to the well at least one more time: Ole Miss plus the points.
      THE PICK: OLE MISS +16.5

      Season Record: 14-22. I don’t know what to say, so I think it’s best if I don’t say anything and just bow my head in shame.

      College Football, External Sports

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