Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 765 of 1503)

      Childress: No chance on reconsidering Favre

      July 30, 2009 /

      Judd Zuglad of the Minnesota Star-Tribune posted a quote on his Twitter page from Vikings head coach Brad Childress that said:

      “There is not a chance from my standpoint,” Childress said of Favre talks resuming.

      Of course, NFL.com’s Jason La Confora writes that Childress would welcome Brett back under the right conditions.

      Let’s see, in the past 24 hours Brett Favre has called Vikings coach Brad Childress to say he’s done, then he began telling various former coaches, media people, analysts, whomever, that he’s gonna keep throwing the ball, and how hard the decision was and that if somebody called him Nov. 1, well, heck, he’d probably have to listen and think about it some. So, in essence, it’s just the same old thing. This guy doesn’t know how to retire. Giving up football is so counter to his very nature that he’s becoming the poster boy for wishy-washy antics (John Kerry was dubbed a flip-flopper for far less, it seems), and drawing criticism for self indulgence.

      Maybe the NFL is a league of skeptics, but I spoke to a lot of people who think it’s far from over. Injuries will occur and the opportunity to ride in as a savior could well develop. A lack of production from the quarterback position — a recent tradition for the Vikings and a reality across the league — could well put Favre right back in Minnesota, and there are people within that organization who believe that Childress would welcome him back under the right conditions.

      Personally, I hope Childress means what he said about not reconsidering signing Favre. On one hand, he owes it to his players to field the best team possible to win. But on the other, he owes Sage Rosnefels and Tarvaris Jackson the opportunity to compete against each other in training camp knowing that Favre isn’t going to come in once all the hard work has been put in and stake the starting job.

      It wouldn’t be fair to Rosenfels or Jackson if Favre skipped all the two and three-a-days, then was named the starter just because he’s Brett Favre. The Vikings gave Brett a chance to play and he decided not to. Cool, it should be a done deal in Minnesota then and hopefully Childress sticks to his guns.

      NFL

      The Giants overpaid for Freddy Sanchez

      July 30, 2009 /

      It’s no secret that the San Francisco Giants have one of the worst offenses in baseball this year. They’re ninth in the NL in batting average (.258) and dead last in runs scored (398), on-base percentage (.307) and slugging percentage (.691). Given how bad their offense is, the actors that played Roger Dorn, Jake Taylor and Pedro Cerano from “Major League” would compile a better lineup than the puss (save for Pablo Sandoval) that the Giants fill their lineup card with on a nightly basis.

      So when you read or hear that San Fran traded for Pirates second baseman and ’06 batting champ Freddy Sanchez on Wednesday, it’s easy to think that the Giants just added the equivalent of Mickey Mantle’s bat to their lineup.

      There’s no question that Sanchez is a dramatic upgrade over the players that San Fran has tried at second base this year, which include Emmanuel Burriss, Kevin Frandsen, Juan Uribe, Matt Downs and Eugenio Velez. And there’s no question that the Giants are better today than they were yesterday, just based on the fact that Sanchez will actually take pitches (something Giants hitters avoid at all cost), drive gaps and get on base.

      But make no mistake: Brian Sabean still overpaid.

      Continue reading »

      MLB

      Edwards reports to camp late, fails physical

      July 29, 2009 /

      The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Browns’ receiver Braylon Edwards reported to training camp a day late and when he did arrive, failed a team physical.

      Because Edwards missed practice time at the team’s mandatory minicamp in June with an undisclosed injury, he was notified by coach Eric Mangini to report to training camp on Monday — four days earlier than non-injured veterans.

      When Edwards did not show up, the Browns placed him on the “reserve/did not report” list. Edwards could be fined as much as $17,000 for reporting one day late. Edwards arrived on Tuesday and after failing his physical was transferred to the “active/non-football injury” list.

      A couple of months ago when Edwards showed up for OTAs it appeared that he and the Browns were moving in the right direction, at least in terms of him playing out the final year of his contract in Cleveland. Not that this news means that he’ll get traded now, but this certainly isn’t something that the Browns want to deal with a couple days before training camp opens.

      I don’t understand why Edwards would report to camp on Tuesday knowing that his coach wanted him there on Monday. One could suggest that he’s rebelling after the Browns tried to trade him this past offseason but again, he showed up to OTAs and was a professional about the situation. So I wonder why he showed up late and thus, risked receiving a fine.

      NFL

      Phillies acquire ace Cliff Lee from Indians

      July 29, 2009 /

      Jayson Stark is reporting that the Phillies have officially acquired Indians’ ace Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for four minor leaguers.

      Triple-A right-hander Carlos Carrasco, Single-A righty Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson — the likely heir apparent to Victor Martinez — and shortstop Jason Donald will be sent to Cleveland.
      The trade is pending physical exams.

      The Phillies weren’t required to give up pitcher J.A. Happ or the three prospects they balked at trading for Roy Halladay — outfielders Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, and pitcher Kyle Drabek.

      The Phillies get an ace (and a former Cy Young winner) and don’t have to give up prospects Kyle Drabek or Dominic Brown? Or J.A. Happ? Wow. Complete victory. That’s not to say that the Indians were losers in this deal because they are trying to acquire more young talent to restock their farm system. But it’s amazing that Philly was able to get the second best arm on the trade market without giving up their best prospect.

      The Phillies are now set for another World Series run with a rotation that now features Lee, Happ, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer. The Dodgers still have the best record in baseball, but this move might put Philadelphia in the driver’s seat in the NL.

      As for the Indians, fans have come to trust GM Mark Shaprio’s judgment when it comes to trades, but they must be a little disappointed that they didn’t get Drabek or another young arm (i.e. the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw). But the reality is that one good season doesn’t mean that a team can get a haul for a specific player. Lee was outstanding last year and is an excellent pitcher, but he isn’t Roy Halladay and therefore the Tribe still did well to get Carrasco and Knapp, even if they couldn’t land Drabek.

      MLB

      Ravens to revisit trade for Marshall?

      July 29, 2009 /

      A Yahoo Sports report suggests that the Ravens may revisit the idea of trading for Broncos’ disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

      This comes after the Ravens were unsuccessful in getting veteran Drew Bennett(notes) to return. Bennett passed a physical last week, but then complained about an old knee injury before deciding to not play.

      Bennett’s decision and Mason’s retirement earlier this month have left the Ravens in a lurch at wide receiver. The Ravens think Mason’s retirement was partly a ploy to help get more money from the team. (Mason had asked to renegotiate his deal earlier in the offseason.)

      The Ravens have declined to comment. However, team history would indicate they aren’t likely to make the deal. General manager Ozzie Newsome doesn’t like to give up high draft picks, could be concerned about Marshall’s history of off-field problems and likely wouldn’t want to pay the large contract Marshall is seeking.

      I have a hard time envisioning Newsome pulling the trigger on a trade for Marshall, but considering how thin the Ravens are at receiver I certainly wouldn’t rule the idea out.

      Even after losing defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, productive linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard to the Jets this offseason, Baltimore still has the makings of one of the better defenses in the league. They also have a solid running game and assuming he doesn’t fall victim to the dreaded sophomore slump, Joe Flacco should only improve in his second year as well.

      So with all of that in mind, Newsome may feel as though his team is only one missing piece away from making another run at the Super Bowl. Receiver is the obvious need and Marshall is a dynamic playmaker. But whether or not he’s worth the risk of acquiring (especially in exchange for high round draft picks) is a decision I don’t envy Newsome for having to make.

      NFL

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