Archive for January, 2009
It Sounds Like Matt Cassel, Tom Brady Could Share Patriots’ QB Duties in 2009
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
by Ryan Wilson
Filed under: Patriots, AFC East, NFL Fans, NFL Injuries
Last week Gretz pointed out that the Patriots could very well put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel. Obviously, this move has everything to do with Tom Brady, who suffered a season-ending knee injury roughly 10 minutes into Week 1.
If tagged, it means that Cassel’s in line for more than $14 million to either reassume his role on the bench, remain the team’s starter, or some combination of the two. In December, NBCSports.com’s Tom Curran wrote that, according to a source, Brady’s rehab was behind schedule, he might need another surgery, and if it came to that, it could cost him his 2009 season.
A day later, SI.com’s Peter King, via his source, refuted Curran’s account, but admitted that “Now I was also told that they wouldn’t be surprised — these people close to Tom Brady — that the Patriots might be placing a story … that could end up getting them more … more value for Matt Cassel in the offseason when he becomes a free agent.”
And then there’s this update, from this morning’s Dan Patrick Show:
It Sounds Like Matt Cassel, Tom Brady Could Share Patriots’ QB Duties in 2009 originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
by Matt Watson
Filed under: Athletics, AL West
It’s really going to happen: Jason Giambi is going home. Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that Giambi has agreed to return to the A’s on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million, with a team option for 2010 worth $5 million or a $1 million buyout. Once he passes his physical tomorrow, the deal will become official.
The A’s now have a logjam at first base and DH with Giambi, Jack Cust and Daric Barton, who’s now the odd man out. Still, it’s not hard to see why the A’s jumped on bringing Giambi back.
Pat Burrell, whose offensive numbers were nearly identical to Giambi’s last year, looked like a bargain when news broke that he agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal. Billy Beane, king of capitalizing on market inefficiencies, should get the same production for almost half the price. Granted, Burrell is six years younger than Giambi, but Giambi has shown little sign of decline the last few years, at least at the plate.
Jason Giambi Returns to Oakland originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Coaches Think There Could Be 7 or 8 Big Ten Teams in NCAA Tourney
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
by Matt Snyder
Filed under: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Big Ten, March Madness, NCAA Basketball Coaches
I’ve been trying to impress upon the FanHouse readers for a little while that the Big Ten is back to being a strong conference this year, but it seems to me the coaches are getting a bit ahead of — or maybe too proud of — themselves for it being early January.
Illinois coach Bruce Weber said as many as seven teams will play in the tournament. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo predicted as many as eight.
Alright, guys, step away from the microphone.
In order for a conference to get eight bids, there’s going to have to be a ton of unusual circumstances. First of all, the top eight teams are going to have to basically win every single game over the bottom three. With Indiana and possibly Iowa, I could see that. Northwestern, though, has enough potential to win four or five conference games. Second of all, the teams must all have built stellar non-conference resumes, and Penn State, to name one, did not.
Coaches Think There Could Be 7 or 8 Big Ten Teams in NCAA Tourney originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Basketball Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Linesman Thor Nelson Wants Kyle Brodziak to ‘Get His [Expletive] Head Up’
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
by Adam Gretz
Filed under: Islanders, Oilers, NHL Fans, NHL Videos
Back in December, Ted Starkey passed along the accusation from Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller that an NHL referee told him to perform a seemingly impossible physical act of self-gratification during a game. Miller’s crime? Asking a question. Miller wouldn’t acknowledge which referee it was, and there’s no audio or video to confirm or deny his claim (though, why would he make it up?)
On Monday night, another NHL player was on the receiving end of some zebra-issued profanity. And this time we have the (NSFW) video to prove it.
With the Oilers leading the Islanders 3-2 late in the third period, Edmonton forward Kyle Brodziak skated through the neutral zone and collided with linesman Thor Nelson, much to the chagrin of Nelson.
A suitable response from Brodziak would have been to “get out of the [expletive] way.”
(H/T HFBoards for the video and that last line)
Linesman Thor Nelson Wants Kyle Brodziak to ‘Get His [Expletive] Head Up’ originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Chicago Sun-Times Writer Wants Michael Vick as the Chicago Bears’ 2009 Quarterback
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouseby Matt Snyder
Filed under: Bears, NFC North, NFL Media Watch
Carol Slezak, a writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, is trying to start a push for the Bears to sign Michael Vick when he is released from prison on July 20. In what appears to be an effort to avoid the inevitable venom headed her way in initial reactions — which most likely range from “you’re kidding me,” to profanity-laced tirades — she loaded this sucker up with disclaimers. Here’s an example:
Let’s assume he will leave federal prison rehabilitated in every way. Let’s assume he has learned the serious nature of his crimes and is repentant. Let’s assume he is drug-free. Let’s assume that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates him. Under these circumstances, is there any reason why the Bears shouldn’t be interested in him?
That’s a ton of assumptions, but I’ll be a good sport. There’s nothing more frustrating in writing when people can’t slice through all the technicalities and hear you out. To answer her last question, I have a few reasons.
1. He gets out of freaking federal prison on July 20. That means he’ll have roughly six weeks to join the team, learn the offense, and develop a rapport with a sub-par, at best, receiving unit.
Chicago Sun-Times Writer Wants Michael Vick as the Chicago Bears’ 2009 Quarterback originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
by Matt Snyder
Filed under: Cubs, NL Central, MLB Biz
I honestly can’t remember what it was like with the Cubs’ ownership firmly in place. We’ve been dealing with talks of the ownership for the past few years, things ranging from Mark Cuban’s involvement to Sam Zell trying to sell Wrigley Field and the Cubs separately to the situation handcuffing any possible trade talk with the Padres for Jake Peavy. Like the presence of Mark Prior for years, it’s lingering without any positive returns.
Anyway, it appears the sale of the Cubs from the Tribune Company may be seeing a proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.
The Chicago-based media conglomerate has been evaluating bids since the beginning of December and could make a decision within a week to 10 days, sources said.
Just when we get our hopes up, however, there is a caveat.
But one source cautioned that the process of narrowing the auction to one bidder still could be derailed, and Tribune Co. could pull the team and its landmark stadium off the market.
Sigh. Can’t we just get this crap overwith already and allow Jim Hendry to add payroll?
Sale of Chicago Cubs to Finally Conclude? originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Canada Holds Off Sweden to Claim Fifth Straight World Junior Championship
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
by Bruce Ciskie
Filed under: NHL General, NHL Draft, NHL Fans
FanHouse is keeping hockey fans updated on the happenings at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Ottawa.
When it was all said and done, the best team won the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Again.
Canada claimed their fifth straight gold medal Monday night with a 5-1 win over Sweden at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. The hosts were never seriously threatened during four of their six games in the tournament. When they did face adversity, they stepped up their game and won in spite of it.
Monday night, the Canadians were outshot by Sweden, but goaltender Dustin Tokarski (NHL rights: Tampa Bay) was at his very best. Looking like he did in the second and third periods against Team USA last week, Tokarski stopped 39 of 40 shots on the night. P.K. Subban (Montreal) gave Canada the lead just 38 seconds into the game, and Tokarski took it from there.
Canada Holds Off Sweden to Claim Fifth Straight World Junior Championship originally appeared on Fanhouse NHL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
by Tom Ziller
Filed under: Cavaliers
Waiting For Next Year has the scoop on the new alternate jersey the Cavaliers will roll out. It’s the team’s fifth this season; WFNY has photos of the previous four (orange, blue, white and French’s mustard). In honor of Boobie Gibson Bobblehead Night and LeBron’s ongoing theological battle over Sunday’s traveling call, the Cavs will wear this shirt on Wednesday.
(OK, OK … I’m no Skeets. The real jerseys are here.)
Cavs Unveil Fifth Jersey of the Season originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Rice’s James Casey Declares for NFL Draft, But What Position Will He Play?
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
Filed under: Rice, Conference USA, NCAA FB Prospects
The most intriguing pro prospect in college football, Rice’s James Casey, has declared for the NFL draft. And if you’ve never heard of Casey and you’re not sure why he’s the nation’s most intriguing pro prospect, let us count the ways:
1. He’s 24 years old.
2. He only played two years of college football.
3. He’s a ridiculously good all-around athlete, having spent four years as a minor league baseball player and one season as a javelin thrower on Rice’s track team.
4. He was so versatile at Rice that he started his first spring practice at safety, then got moved to defensive end, and also lined up at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, fullback and running back. Oh, and he also played special teams.
And it’s that last one that is the most interesting of all, because we really have no idea what position the 6-foot-4, 235-pound Casey will play in the NFL. After setting a Conference USA single-season record for catches with 111 last year, one would assume he’ll play wide receiver or tight end, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Rice’s James Casey Declares for NFL Draft, But What Position Will He Play? originally appeared on Fanhouse NCAA Football Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Frerotte Thinks He Should’ve Played Against the Eagles, People With Brains Agree
Closed Published January 6th, 2009 on FanHouse
by Shane Bacon
Filed under: Vikings, NFC North, NFL Playoffs
If you keep up with sports media, and by “keep up” I mean read anything, you have heard the claims over the last two days that the Vikings would have won their playoff game against Philadelphia with anyone behind center not named Tarvaris Jackson.
Jackson went 15-35 for only 164 yards, no touchdowns and one interception, which was so badly thrown it almost looked like he thought Asante Samuel was a wide receiver. The Eagles won and the Vikings are headed to a long off-season and it appears nobody in Minnesota can smile.
Now even backup quarterback Gus Frerotte, who played in 11 games this season and would have continued to start had he not hurt his back against the Lions in Week 14, is complaining about what happened, saying he may have been the answer.
“I just don’t know what to think right now,” Frerotte told Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports. “It was a very frustrating experience, because I felt like I should’ve been the one playing. That might sound selfish, but I think I would’ve given us the best chance to win. I’m going home to St. Louis [on Monday] to be with my family and figure out where things stand, but the way things played out at the end really makes me question things.”
Frerotte Thinks He Should’ve Played Against the Eagles, People With Brains Agree originally appeared on Fanhouse NFL Blog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.