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      Willis McGahee to have knee surgery

      August 11, 2008 /

      According to the Carroll County Times, Baltimore Ravens’ running back Willis McGahee will undergo arthroscopic surgery to his left knee as soon as Monday.

      McGahee’s knee has been bothering him since shortly after reporting to training camp in Westminster, and he hasn’t been practicing lately. This is regarded as a clean-up medical procedure.

      Because it generally takes two weeks to a month to recover from a knee scope, McGahee could possibly return for the Sept. 7 season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.

      Yet another hit to the Ravens offense. McGahee was incredibly productive last year (his first year in Baltimore) and was expected to have a huge role in the offense again this season. Given the uncertainly at quarterback (who’s the starter, Kyle Boller or Troy Smith?) and the retirement of Pro Bowl left tackle Jonathan Ogden, the Ravens offense faces a ton of questions.

      Even if McGahee plays in the opener, he likely won’t be 100%. He might not even be 100% until the midway point in the season, that is, if he doesn’t suffer any setbacks when he does return.

      On the flip side, I’m intrigued at Ray Rice’s potential. Scouts and pundits deemed him too small to play in the NFL, but the former Rutger’s product his a hard-nosed runner and he’s blessed with terrific speed. He won’t be able to take on a full rushing load, but maybe Rice will emerge as a quality compliment to McGahee throughout the season.

      JP’s Fantasy Spin: A scope is no big deal, so McGahee should be back for the start of the season, but be sure to draft Ray Rice as a handcuff.

      Fantasy Football, General Sports, NFL

      49ers’ defense gets boost with addition of LB Takeo Spikes

      August 11, 2008 /

      The San Francisco 49ers signed inside linebacker Takeo Spikes, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. To make room for the signing, the team also released LB Brandon Moore.

      Spikes, 31, and the 49ers had been talking since March after he was released by Philadelphia after just one season. He was due to make $5 million in 2008, and the Eagles felt they could use that money elsewhere since they liked their younger linebackers.

      Spikes started 14 games for them last year before tearing a rotator cuff and having surgery. The 49ers’ doctors had to check out his shoulder Sunday before the club would agree to a deal. When Spikes visited their headquarters in March, he was rehabbing the shoulder and couldn’t pass a physical.

      Spikes has lost a step over the years, but playing inside linebacker in Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense doesn’t require sideline-to-sideline ability. This move solidifies the run defense a bit, but the question remains if whether or not the 49ers will get enough of a pass rush from their front seven. Either way, Spikes is a terrific leader and it brings a lot of experience to San Fran’s defense.

      Even though it didn’t transfer to wins, the 49ers had a very productive offseason in 2007 and did so again this year. With the additions of Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, Tully Banta-Cain, Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes and DROY Patrick Willis (photo), San Fran has vastly improved its defense over the past two offseasons.

      Fantasy Football, General Sports, NFL

      Couch Potato Alert: 8/11

      August 11, 2008 /

      – The Aaron Rodgers era officially begins Monday Night in Green Bay when the Packers take on the Bengals in their first preseason game. Don’t expect him to play much, but it’ll be interesting to see how he handles his first series as the number one guy. The game airs on ESPN at 8:00 PM Eastern.

      – The New York Yankees, fresh off of getting swept in Anaheim this past weekend, head to Minnesota to face the Twins. The Twins are just a half game back of the White Sox in the AL Central, and the Yankees need to get their act together before it’s too late and they miss out on the playoffs. This is definitely an important series for both teams.

      – The Olympics can be seen throughout the week on NBC, USA, CNBC, MSNBC, and The Oxygen Channel. There’s enough activity going on to the point where something’s always on.

      – Team USA’s basketball team looks to build off their dominating performance yesterday when they take on Angola Tuesday at 8:00 AM Eastern. The game will be aired on the USA network. That’s damn early for those of us on the West coast!

      Couch Potato Alert, Television, The Olympics

      Kapler’s walk-off highlights wild Sunday for MLB

      August 11, 2008 /

      – Gabe Kapler got one hit out of seven at bats. That one hit was a walk-off homer against the Nationals in the bottom of the 13th inning. This was the Brewers fifth straight win, and put them just four games back of the Cubbies in the NL Central. Kapler was just one of four players Sunday who ended the game with a game-winning hit.

      – Chone Figgins got an RBI single against Mariano Rivera to complete a sweep of the Yankees. Tony Pena Jr. picked the perfect time to break out of an 0-17 slump on Sunday; he singled in the 10th inning to drive in Mark Teahen and lead the Royals to a 5-4 over the Twins. The Dodgers suffered a heartbreaking loss to the rival Giants Sunday when Eugenio Velez hit an infield single that drove in Aaron Rowand in the ninth inning for the game winning run. The Dodgers were up 4-3 heading into the final inning.

      – Brandon Webb was able to collect his MLB-leading 17th win in an all-around impressive game Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Webb put in six solid innings, and even drove in a couple of runs to help his own cause in a 6-1 victory.

      – Cliff Lee isn’t far behind Webb, Lee won his 16th game of the season in a masterful performance in Toronto Sunday. The Tribe finished a sweep of the Blue Jays with a 4-0 win. Lee pitched eight shutout innings and continues the lead the American League in wins and ERA.

      – The Tampa Bay Rays won their 71st game of the season, a franchise high. Who would have thought they’d be so good this year? They’ve always reminded me of the Detroit Lions of baseball. The talent was always there, but I never thought they’d get their act together. Congrats Tampa!

      MLB

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