Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 301 of 1503)

      Bills to keep Marshawn Lynch now?

      October 4, 2010 /
      Buffalo Bills' running back Marshawn Lynch runs for a 12-yard gain against Washington Redskins' safety Kareem Moore during the first quarter at FedEx Field in Washington on August 13, 2010. UPI/Kevin Dietsch Photo via Newscom

      Either the Bills are playing a serious game of cat-and-mouse with other teams or they truly intend to keep three starting running backs on their roster this season.

      ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Bills are planning on keeping Marshawn Lynch past the NFL’s October 19 trade deadline. According to Schefter, the Bills contemplated trading the former first round pick last week but ultimately decided to hold off.

      Of course, this could just be GM Buddy Nix’s way of using the media as a tool to increase Lynch’s trade value. If it’s documented that the Bills plan on keeping Lynch, that may entice other teams to get more aggressive in their pursuit of him. Or again, Nix just really enjoys the company of Lynch, Fred Jackson and rookie C.J. Spiller.

      Given the way they played on Sunday against the Jets, it would behoove Nix to hang onto Lynch until he can get top value for him. A fourth or a fifth rounder next year isn’t going to help a team so desperately thin on talent. Maybe if Nix holds out long enough, he can trade Lynch for a third rounder next offseason, which could turn out to be a starter down the road. But he’s not going to get a third rounder right now, especially not after the Broncos acquired Laurence Maroney for a fourth.

      The Bills may just have to be patient here.

      External Sports, NFL

      2010 MLB Postseason Schedule

      October 4, 2010 /
      Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay (L) and Jayson Werth celebrate clinching their division championship after beating the Washington Nationals in their MLB National League baseball game in Washington September 27, 2010. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      It took the full 162 games to decide things in the NL West, but now that the Giants have finally knocked off the Padres, we now know the matchups in the first round of the 2010 MLB playoffs.

      Here’s a complete schedule for both the NLDS and ALDS.

      American League Division Series

      Rangers vs. Rays
      Game 1: Rangers at. Rays, Wednesday, October 6 (TBS, 1:37PM ET)
      Game 2: Rangers at. Rays, Thursday, October 7 (TBS, 2:37PM ET)
      Game 3: Rays at. Rangers, Saturday, October 9 (TBS, 6:07PM ET)
      Game 4: Rays at. Rangers Sunday, October 10 (TBS, TBA)
      *Game 5: Rangers at. Rays, Tuesday, October 12 (TBS, TBA)

      Yankees vs. Twins
      Game 1: Yankees at. Twins, Wednesday, October 6 (TBS, 8:37PM ET)
      Game 2: Yankees at. Twins, Thursday, October 7 (TBS, 6:07PM ET)
      Game 3: Twins at. Yankees, Saturday, October 9 (TBS, 8:37PM ET)
      Game 4: Twins at. Yankees, Sunday, October 10 (TBS, TBA)
      *Game 5: Yankees at. Twins, Tuesday, October 12 (TBS, TBA)

      National League Division Series

      Reds vs. Phillies
      Game 1: Reds at. Phillies, Wednesday, October 6, (TBS, 5:07PM ET)
      Game 2: Reds at. Phillies, Friday, October 8, (TBS, 6:07PM ET)
      Game 3: Phillies at. Reds, Sunday, October 10 (TBS, TBA)
      Game 4: Phillies at. Reds, Monday, October 11 (TBS, TBA)
      *Game 5: Reds at. Phillies, Wednesday, October 13 (TBS, TBA)

      Braves vs. Giants
      Game 1: Braves at. Giants, Thursday, October 7 (TBS 9:37PM ET)
      Game 2: Braves at. Giants , Friday, October 8 (TBS, 9:37PM ET)
      Game 3: Giants at. Braves, Sunday, October 10 (TBS, TBA)
      Game 4: Giants at. Braves, Monday, October 11 (TBS , TBA)
      *Game 5: Braves at. Giants, Wednesday, October 13 (TBS, TBA)

      * – If Necessary

      Outside of the Yankees, who have struggled of late, the pitching staffs for all of these teams are solid and thus, I don’t see any sweeps in the first round. Anything could happen of course, but pitching is the key this time of year because the bats tend to shrink.

      Should be an exciting first round.

      External Sports, MLB

      Todd Collins was a tad rusty to his return to the field

      October 4, 2010 /
      EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 03: Todd Collins of the Chicago Bears lays on the field after getting injured against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 3, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

      For much of the offseason, the Bears were actively pursuing a veteran quarterback to back up Jay Cutler and after Todd Collins’ performance last night in Chicago’s 17-3 loss to the Giants, they might want to keep searching.

      The Bears knew they weren’t getting much when they signed Collins two weeks before the season started. But they hoped that a) they would never have to play him and b) if they did, he would show some of the veteran poise that made him a reliable backup in other cities.

      Unfortunately the Bears did have to play Collins last night and even more unfortunate was how he fared. He completed just 4-of-11 passes for 36 yards and was intercepted once before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter after taking a shot from a defender.

      His performance was a painful reminder for the Bears about how unsettled the backup position is behind Cutler. They had drafted former Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour in April, but he failed to impress this spring and was eventually claimed off waivers by the Bengals. That leaves Chicago with Collins, who had to play last night because Jay Cutler was suffering from concussion-like symptoms at halftime, and No. 3 Caleb Hanie.

      At this point, the Bears don’t have many options (we’re talking the Brian St. Pierre’s of the world), which is troubling to say the least. Cutler’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, but with the new concussion rules that the NFL has, who knows if he’ll be medically cleared to play for Chicago’s next game. And if he can’t go, that means another four-plus quarters of Collins.

      Granted, the Giants’ pass rush is fierce and it was Collins’ first game in quite some time. But nobody wants to see that again. Not Bear fans. Not NFL fans. Not even Todd Collins fans.

      Suddenly Brian St. Pierre doesn’t sound that bad.

      External Sports, NFL

      Jonathan Sanchez saves Giants, who reach postseason for first time since ‘04

      October 3, 2010 /
      San Francisco Giants Freddy Sanchez reacts after scoring a run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning of their MLB National League baseball game in San Francisco, California October 3, 2010. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

      In the end, the Giants’ most inconsistent starter over the past couple of years was the one who saved their season.

      Jonathan Sanchez lasted only five innings on Sunday, but he held the Padres to no runs on three hits as the Giants shutout San Diego 3-0 to win the NL West. Sanchez also sparked what had been a lifeless offense the past two days by roping a triple in the third inning off Mat Latos and scoring on a Freddy Sanchez (photo) single two batters later. Aubrey Huff doubled home Sanchez to give the Giants a 2-0 lead, while rookie Buster Posey homered in the 8th to cap the scoring.

      The Giants have been waiting a long time for the talented Sanchez to put it all together and they were rewarded for their patience. He was nearly traded several times over the past two years, but credit GM Brian Sabean for knowing what he had and not selling low. He finished the year 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and obviously saved his best performance for last.

      It’s kind of amazing that the hero wound up being Sanchez and not Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain. That’s not a knock on Sanchez, but I’m sure many Giant fans thought it would have been Cain that won the deciding game on Friday night and not Sanchez on the final day of the season. And heading into today, I’m sure there were plenty of fans that thought Lincecum would have to save the season in a one-game playoff with San Diego on Monday. But Sanchez truly bailed the Giants out after Cain and Barry Zito were hit hard in their respective starts the past two days.

      The Giants will now face the Braves next Thursday in San Francisco, while the Phillies host the Reds starting on Wednesday. General baseball fans may not be thrilled with the match ups, but it’s great to have new teams like the Reds and Giants completing in the postseason. Three of these four teams have great fan bases (sorry Atlanta fans, but on a whole you’ve proven that you don’t give a crap) and the energy in Cincinnati and San Francisco right now is fantastic.

      This is, without a doubt, the best time of year in sports. Football and playoff baseball? Outstanding.

      External Sports, MLB

      Injuries are starting to catch up with the Saints

      October 3, 2010 /
      NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. of the Carolina Panthers (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

      How does a winless, hopeless and inferior Carolina Panther team take the defending Super Bowl champs to the brink before finally succumbing to defeat?

      Injuries – that’s how.

      There’s definitely something wrong with the Saints and while we could try to search for a deeper meaning to their recent struggles, I think the reason is simple. They’re just too banged up on the offensive side of the ball and we better get used to lackluster wins like their 16-14 victory today until they’re healthy again.

      Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas were both sidelined for New Orleans against Carolina and it showed. Drew Brees still managed to complete 33-of-48 passes for 275 yards and a touchdown, but the Panthers knew New Orleans couldn’t run the ball so they stayed back in coverage and allowed Brees to complete underneath passes. To Brees’ credit, he took what the defense gave him and led his team to a much-needed victory following last weekend’s overtime loss to the Falcons.

      But Brees isn’t 100% either. He wore a brace on his sprained knee and although it didn’t look like it affected him too much, he was still hampered. Brees’ injury coupled with Bush and Thomas being held out, and suddenly the Saints look incredibly vulnerable.

      Of course, this is the price that the defending champs pay. Every game is the opponent’s Super Bowl and when injuries pop up, you just have to deal with them and find ways to win. That’s what the Saints did on Sunday and while it wasn’t pretty, at the end of the day victories are all that matters.

      Speaking of injuries, Panthers’ receiver Steve Smith suffered a high ankle sprain today and at the moment, there’s no timetable for his return. This news must make rookie Jimmy Clausen incredibly happy, as Smith has lived in the rookie’s ear for the past two weeks. I thought Smith may murder Clausen and leave his body on the Superdome carpet after Clausen wasn’t paying attention to the playclock and the Panthers had to burn a timeout.

      External Sports, NFL

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