Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 592 of 1503)

      Mets pursuing Bay, Holliday

      December 16, 2009 /

      According to SI.com, the Mets have “tweaked” their offer to free agent Jason Bay to give him a possible five-year alternative and have jumped into the race for Matt Holliday.

      Mets GM Omar Minaya and Bay’s agent, Joe Urbon, spoke at length on Tuesday. Minaya is thought to have signaled a willingness to go to a five-year deal (at slightly lower dollars per year than the original four-year offer for close to $65 million), but with Bay still believed to be seeking a six-year deal from them, the Mets apparently have decided to dip back in on Holliday. The Mets, who are now believed willing to go to about $75 million for five for Bay, originally concentrated on Bay in the hope that they might be able to sign him quicker.

      Minaya is expected to talk to Holliday’s agent, Scott Boras, as soon as Wednesday. Mets people suggest there could be a trade option to fill their offensive gap, but it appears that Bay and Holliday are their two top targets to enhance their power.

      SI.com also reports that the Mets are trying to wrap up a deal with catcher Bengie Molina, but that talks are at a standstill because Molina wants a three-year deal for as much as $20 million. But New York is only willing to do two years at $10 million for the 35-year-old backstop.

      What’s interesting about SI.com’s report regarding Bay is that ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets are currently at four years for the former Red Sox (not five) and that the club isn’t actively involved in the Holliday sweepstakes.

      MLB

      Tiger Woods named AP Athlete of the Decade

      December 16, 2009 /

      Even though his personal life has, uh, taken a hit recently, Tiger Woods was named AP Athlete of the Decade on Wednesday.

      From the Huffington Post:

      He won 64 times around the world, including 12 majors, and hoisted a trophy on every continent golf is played. He lost only one time with the lead going into the final round. His 56 PGA Tour victories in one incomparable decade were more than anyone except four of golf’s greatest players won in their careers.

      Woods received 56 of the 142 votes cast by AP member editors since last month. More than half of the ballots were returned after the Nov. 27 car accident outside his Florida home that set off sensational tales of infidelity.

      Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor who won the Tour de France six times this decade, finished second with 33 votes. He was followed by Roger Federer, who won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other man, with 25 votes.

      Not that anyone needed a reminder, but this just goes to show you how dominate Woods has been over the past decade. Sex scandal be damned, Tiger has done legendary things in the world of golf over the past 10 years and it’s nice to see that he got recognition for what he’s done on the course.

      It’s also good to see that the media can separate a player’s personal life from his career. In a perfect world, athletes would be role models for our children because they’re always in the public eye. But we don’t live in a perfect world and therefore, the media has to be able to separate what the player does on the field from what he does off it.

      That said, how embarrassing for Woods. He receives this great honor, but he can’t even fully enjoy the moment because he’s in a hell of his own making. Every time he looks back on this award, he’ll immediately be reminded of his sex scandal. What a shame.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Golf

      Butch Jones leaving CMU to coach Cincinnati

      December 16, 2009 /

      According to Central Michigan beat writer Drew Ellis of the Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun, Butch Jones is negotiating with Cincinnati to become its next head football coach.

      If Jones reaches a deal, he will replace Brian Kelly, who left the Bearcats following a 12-0 season in 2009 and a Big East Championship. Kelly left Cincinnati to take over the head coaching position at Notre Dame.

      Jones replaced Kelly at Central Michigan after Kelly left CMU to become head coach of the Bearcats following the 2006 season, when he won a Mid-American Conference title.

      In three years as head coach, Jones has won two MAC titles and just recently led the Chippewas into the top 25 rankings for the first time in school history.

      ESPN.com is also reporting that Jones is heading to Cincinnati.

      If you’re Cincinnati, why not go back to the same well? CMU produced Kelly and Jones had an even better track record in Mt. Pleasant, so it makes sense that the Bearcats tabbed him to run their program.

      Jones did a hell of a job at CMU, especially with the development of quarterback Dan LeFevour. This past season, the Chippewas ranked 33rd in the nation in total offense and 17th in scoring offense. They averaged over 33 points per game and Jones runs a spread offense similar to the one Kelly does, so he should make a smooth transition. He’ll also love working with quarterback Zach Collaros, who much like LeFevour, runs well.

      While this is disappointing news for the Central Michigan program, at least Jones didn’t hide the fact that he was moving on to a bigger program. Kelly ditched his team right before a bowl game (sound familiar Cincinnati?) to coach the Bearcats, where as Jones has been upfront about the situation. With LeFevour graduating and Jones moving on, the Chippewas have to rebuild for next season.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      College Football, Fantasy Basketball

      Leon Hall chats with The Scores Report

      December 15, 2009 /

      The Bengals have been one of the best surprises of 2009, partly because quarterback Carson Palmer is healthy again and Cedric Benson has rejuvenated the team’s running game. But some would argue that the key reason the Bengals are on the verge of winning the AFC North has been the outstanding play of their young defense. Cornerback Leon Hall has emerged as the team’s most consistent defensive back over the years and is turning in a solid 2009 season. Through 13 games, Hall has racked up 53 total tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown. He recently sat down with The Scores Report to talk about the key to the Bengals’ defensive success, what it’s like being in the same locker room as Chad Ochocinco and more.

      The Scores Report: Your defense has been maturing as a group for the past couple of seasons now. What has been the biggest difference in the Bengals’ defense going from an improving unit to one of the best in the league?

      Leon Hall: Mike Zimmer. He really came to Cincinnati with an attitude that if a team gets any yards on us, they’re going to have to earn it. Every week we work hard to do that on Sundays.

      TSR: You have become Cincinnati’s most reliable defensive back the past two seasons. How vital is it for players to gain playing experience in their rookie season like you did?

      LH: It’s real important. I think it helps you get used to the speed that things come at you, real early in your career.

      TSR: Besides winning of course, what’s the one thing the Bengals have to do in order to reach the Super Bowl?

      LH: Prepare well each week, playing great defense and giving the ball back to our offense so they can score.

      TSR: Do you feel as though you’re playing at a Pro Bowl level at this point in your career or do you feel as though you’re still growing as a player?

      LH: I think I am always going to grow as a player. With every year of experience you gain more knowledge and ultimately keep getting better with hard work. As far as Pro Bowl, I’m not really concerned. I just try to perform great week in and week out.

      Continue reading »

      Interviews, NFL

      Roy Williams likes the Cowboys chances of beating the Saints

      December 15, 2009 /

      Roy Williams doesn’t believe that this Saturday’s game between the Cowboys and Saints will be the only time these two teams meet this season. He also likes his team’s chances of victory in New Orleans this weekend.

      From ESPN.com:

      “Might as well crown them, right?” Williams said with more than a hint of saracasm Tuesday. “They’re undefeated. It’s December. We don’t have a chance.”

      “This is a two-round fight, and this is just the first round, in my eyes,” Williams said. “I don’t know about everybody else, but I think we’re going to see this team in the playoffs down the road.”

      “If we pack our bags and show up in New Orleans on Saturday night,” he said, “we should be victorious.”

      Given that the Saints are undefeated and the Cowboys have dropped two in a row, Williams’ claims seem humorous. But let’s not forget that the Saints had to scratch and claw for their last two victories, which came against the struggling Redskins and the depleted Falcons. It’s not a stretch to think the Cowboys can win this Saturday.

      That said, New Orleans has been damn near unbeatable at home this season and Dallas is in the midst of another December collapse. Here’s hoping the game lives up to the hype.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

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