While I'll admit, I was pretty harsh of Kent when he left, but looking back on it, he was the same red ass type player that endeared Clark to Giants fans. Looking back on it, he was just as important to the team as Bonds, a bat they never replaced, and, at times, was a guy you wanted up in an RBI situation ahead of Bonds.
The game will miss him, and hopefully the Hall wont be too far away.
Well they did it - the 49ers went out and hired the most ho-hum candidate to replace the mad scientist, Mike Martz
Alot of people put blame on the lack of continuity with the offenses struggles. And I have seen others, compare new OC Jimmy Raye to the last OC SF fans have enjoy - Norv Turner.
But while Norv got some production out of Alex Smith and Frank Gore, I still thought his passing game left a little to be desired. The NFL is a passing league, one where the three wideout formation is a normal occurrence on any down not just third and long. (I will give him the benefit of the doubt that, the team's wide reciever situation at the time probably had alot to do with it.)
Now we welcome Jimmy Raye, fresh ink on a three year contract. Its easy to criticize this move - he's older, he has been an offensive coordinator more than once with little success, and was really the least sexy candidate interview (aside from Dan Reeves).
Hell - he coached for the niners - in 1977!
I decided to try and be a little more open minded. First off, he is likely to stick around, something I'm sure Singletarynot only wanted, but was worried about with younger coaches who were interviewed. He definitely has experience. And if you look at his last two stops as an OC, you see a Chiefs offense that was able to score despite not having alot of top tier offensive players, and you see a Raiders offense that he babysat the title while Norv called the plays.
So I am going to give the guy a chance. After all, he got 28 TDs and over 4,000 yards out of Elvis Grbac!
So bring it on Jimmy - I hope you have what it takes to keep this momentum they built at the end of the season going.
Was able to land a ticket to O.A.R.'s concert last Wednesday at the Warfield - they put on a great show!
They played a solid 2 hour set, complete with an encore that satisfied a thirsty crowd.
O.A.R. played alot of songs, and our personal highlight was when lead singer Marc Roberge put the mike into the crowd for an over anxious fan who, in turn, couldn't remember the words.
"Thats fucked up man," Roberge joked to the crowd.
First thought - I hope he didn't tell too many people he was giong to the concert. "Hey Ben, how'd that concert go last night? errr....."
They didn't Jam out as much as I like, but here was when they did:
(Sorry if the first half is a little shakey - it was late in the show and Mario wouldn't stop running to the bar)
I vowed mid show that next time they are in town, I'm not only buying tickets, but that I'm buying two extra and making my dad go - This hopefully will put some pressure on me to come through on that deal.
I also agree that, of all the powerhouse candidates they have brought in, Hue Jackson has the most intrigue. He could bring the crispness to the offense the defense had at the end of the year.
Matt Maiocco can't get a grip on which way they are leaning:
I am hoping they were just doing due diligence by interviewing Reeves. He has an impressive resume, but really this team should be looking forward, not backward.
Matt Barrows has done some interesting reports from the Senior Bowl:
Of those three, the biggest man crush I have had is on Raji. Franklin is our only real NT, and he is A. Not great and B. A free agent next year. Raji could be a great value pick at ten, and anchor the defense - especially keeping blockers off Patrick Willis.
There is alot of time between now and the draft, so who knows - Alan Branch was supposed to be a top ten pick, fell out of the first round - I wonder who will have that type of slide this year, which typically comes after the NFL Combine...
More great news: Adam Schefter of NFL Network wrote he thinks the 9ers are making run at being the team to bring back Mike Vick.
Is it too late to buy a Clark Haggins Cardinals Jersey?
I am so inspired to see a President in the white house that wants to bring politics into the Internet age. I hope they let him keep the blackberry and get a laptop for the oval office.
I can't say how frustrated I am that it takes government agencies so long to do anything paperwork related. In my company, we can open and process a claim in an hour. Try filing a claim with the Post Office after a mail truck hits your parked car. Or try waiting 30 days for a police report from Oakland, despite the fact officers drive around with cars with computers inside.
I have not been inspired by politics ever. As a kid I like Clinton, but it was more because he had so much swagger, and things were going well when he was around. But Barack is progressive. and I hate to use that word for obvious reasons, but it's a quality I look for in people, and especially LEADERS.
And my progressive, I mean he has his plans on the Internet, by keeping the public informed. He sees what is going on - TV and print are slowly dying, and the Internet is the future of communication. His entire agenda is laid out on whitehouse.gov - no secrets, nothing to hide.
There are still plenty of people out there that have their minds made up, and wont give him a chance. I can't wait to see what he has in store next for us - even though the doubters will probably be unhappy with any move he makes, I'll be watching with plenty of hope.
AGE - 19 Madison Bumgarner (LHP) San Francisco Giants - TOP '08 LEVEL: A (Augusta) A year ago, Bumgarner was a live arm, a projectable body, and a name to file away for the future. He only started throwing breaking balls late in his high school career, and the rudimentary secondary stuff plus his low arm slot had scouts -- including me -- assuming he was a long way away from the majors. His slider made enormous strides in his first full year in pro ball, and his changeup is now solid-average, no small feat for a pitcher who throws from a low 3/4 slot. He's unusual for pitchers of his ilk in that his arm action is fairly short and compact; many pitchers who throw from below 3/4 get long in the back, almost slinging the ball, and have trouble turning over a changeup or staying on top of breaking balls as a result. His command and control are both above-average, and he was aggressive in going after South Atlantic League hitters, who stood little chance against him. The Giants were careful with Bumgarner in 2008, but there's a good chance he finishes this year in Double-A and shows up in the majors at some point in 2010.
RANK #8
AGE - 22
Buster Posey, (C) TOP '08 LEVEL: A- (Salem-Keizer)
Posey presents a very balanced set of tools that, given his position, make him among the most valuable properties in the minor leagues. A recent convert from shortstop who also pitched a little in college, Posey is a plus defensive catcher with a plus arm (he pitched in the low 90s), soft hands, and a lot of energy at a position that demands it. At the plate, he has a compact stroke, excellent bat control, and a good eye, so while he doesn't project to hit for more than average power, he should make plenty of hard contact and end up a doubles hitter with 15-20 home runs per year. The combination of a projected plus hit tool and currently plus defense make him a very high-probability prospect -- he plays in the big leagues no matter what, be it as a quality backup if he never improves at all or as a star everyday catcher if he reaches his offensive ceiling.
RANK - #26
AGE: 20 Tim Alderson (RHP) TOP '08 LEVEL: A (San Jose) Alderson was one of only two high school pitchers from the 2007 draft to start the year in high-A -- Rick Porcello was the other -- and he had the added challenge of pitching in the hitter-friendly California League, although San Jose is itself a pitcher's park within that circuit. He spent the entire year there at age 19 and was outstanding, ending the season on a six-start run where he walked one batter over 37 innings while fanning 28. He sits with a solid-average fastball at 90-94 mph with the promise of more velocity in the future, and his hard curveball is already plus, with tight rotation and a late two-plane break. With Bumgarner making so much progress with his secondary stuff, he's passed Alderson for a couple of reasons. One is Alderson's funky delivery; he lands on a slightly stiff front leg, and to get the ball to his glove side, he ends up throwing across his body due to a low arm slot. His changeup really hasn't progressed through one year in pro ball, leaving him vulnerable to lefties. The delivery works, so the Giants aren't likely to alter it; if the changeup improves at all with use, his plus-plus command and out-pitch breaking ball give him the upside of a No. 2 or 3 starter.
RANK #34 AGE: 18
Angel Villalona (1B) TOP '08 LEVEL: A (Augusta) It may be unfair to drop Villalona this far, given his youth, but we do have more insight now into just how raw of a prospect he is. Villalona played almost all of 2008 at age 17, and was the youngest player in the full-season Sally League, where he showed plenty of power but also demonstrated problems with pitch recognition that aren't going to go away if he's just pushed up the ladder. Villalona can murder a fastball or any mistake in his hitting zone, but he struggles with anything soft and away and with better off-speed stuff. Once he's behind in the count, he's not coming back. He drew just 15 unintentional walks this year in exactly 500 plate appearances (but was walked intentionally three times, so he was clearly feared). He's not all-or-nothing, as he has a pretty wide hitting zone and can adjust a little bit to some breaking balls. The Giants have already moved him to first base -- no small task -- and conditioning will always be a concern, as he's thick-bodied already and was not in great shape for spring training in 2008. He would just now be entering his senior spring if he had been born in the U.S., and yet already has a year and a half under his belt in pro ball, so we can't evaluate him by the same standards we might use for other hitters. The upside is still there and is tremendous -- four- or five-hole hitter, lots of power, probably never a good OBP -- but it's going to take some time.
It is a nice change of pace to have some Giants Minor Leaguers actually be PROSPECTS, not just young baseball players....
UPDATE: Law has posted the top prospects by teams - here are hte Giants and A's top players: San Francisco Giants 1. Madison Bumgarner, LHP 2. Buster Posey, C 3. Tim Alderson, RHP 4. Angel Villalona, 1B 5. Conor Gillaspie, 3B 6. Henry Sosa, RHP 7. Nick Noonan, 2B 8. Roger Kieschnick,RF 9. Rafael Rodriguez, RF 10. Edwin Quirarte, RHP
Oakland Athletics 1. Brett Anderson, LHP 2. Trevor Cahill, RHP 3. Michel Inoa, RHP 4. Vin Mazzaro, RHP 5. Chris Carter, 1B 6. Sean Doolittle, 1B 7. Gio Gonzalez, LHP 8. Adrian Cardenas, 2B 9. Aaron Cunningham, OF 10. Josh Donaldson, C
Not only that, but the most accomplished OC we've interview besides Linehan is also in the mix for the TB job
Great day to be a Niner's Fan!
But don't worry - we'll be interviewing more candidates - none of which are from the teams that just exited the PLAYOFFS according to Barrows: http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/49ers/archives/018709.html
Also, I wanted to say a little something about AnquanBolden's actions Sunday:
Boldin, who had four catches for 34 yards while All-Pro teammate Larry Fitzgerald caught nine balls for 152 yards and three touchdowns, sprinted out the back door of Arizona's locker room before some of his elated teammates had made it off the confetti-strewn field from the Halas Trophy presentation.
If this is true, then just add Anquan to the list of players I would never take on my team.
If you can't pumped up about going to the Super Bowl - what exactly is your motivation?
If you are arguing with the offensive coordinator because he's letting Larry the Legend run wild against the Eagles and holding YOU, who has been banged up all playoffs, out, and you can't be happy you just won the biggest game of your life - then you are just selfish. Even TO was happy to play in the Super Bowl and he at least waited to be an ass until they LOST.
It's almost like other athletes don't watch their peers make asses out of themselves and make the necessary adjustments. This is almost worse than Owens - while TO might be the biggest whiner in the game, ultimately he wants what most athletes wants - to win.
Bolden has shown he doesn't care about that - so I say the Cardinals ship him to the Browns, or the Raiders, or the Chiefs, or some other rundown, trifflin' franchise who has no opportunity of competing. THEN, Anquan will be happy with his extra millions, extra catches, and extra losses.
He acts like Luca Brasi MADE him sign that 4 year extension two years ago.
You would think after I saw him lay motionless on the ground against the Jets (for what seemed like a week), to be told not only will you come back from this gruesome injury, but will play in the Super Bowl, that it would be more than enough to ask. Apparently not. So get on with your bad self Anquan - loser. Because thats what a loser attitude sounds like to me.
"I was not given any explanation why I was taken out," Boldin said Monday, during an interview on ESPN's NFL Live, when asked what led to the sideline confrontation. "Like any competitor I wanted to know why." "I didn't leave through a back door. I tried to get in and out as quickly as possible to beat the media," he said. "I didn't want the story line to be me and Todd getting into it." BUT, like Kurt Warner's heated exchange with the Cardinals OC, it wouldn't have been as big a deal had Anquan actually stuck around to celebrate with his teammates - but that isn't something a bad teammate would think of.
I'll admit - I tend not to watch until playoffs, but this years Sharks team is a treat, and I wonder if people outside San Jose are paying attention.
Sure, hockey nuts know they have been rolling, but check this out: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290115018 The Sharks lost in regulation at home for the first time since Feb. 14, 2007, in which they went 28-0-3 at home.
Daaaaaaamn Gina! That's almost an entire season's worth of games without losing at home!
I know this much - I will be keeping a much sharper eye out for the Sharks than I do the Warriors...
Come on Bay Area - it's time to embrace this team - they are an NHL powerhouse with a serious chance to win Lord Stanley's Cup this year. Compare that to the Warriors, Giants, A's, 49ers and Raiders. the best team after San Jose in this area is PROBABLY Saint Mary's hoops - scary thought.
It was just brought to my attention, thanks to my personal Internet hall monitor (Mess), that Patty Mills is getting some national attention.
Right now his picture is on the front of ESPN.com's College Hoops page is a picture of a Saint Mary's Gael right next to UCLA's Darren Collison?
Word?
Anywho, this is what Jay Bilas had to say about Mills, giving him third team mid-season All-American spot:
Patrick Mills, Saint Mary's: Mills is incredibly quick and fast, and he has been tearing it up in the West Coast Conference. Mills is averaging 20 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 steals while shooting 41 percent from the floor and 88 percent from the line. Mills is playing in near-blackout conditions, and when he gets on television against Gonzaga, the masses will be able to see why he has merited a third-team position.
As a sports fan, I have always concluded the best time of the year for sports was September, more specifically the Sundays where you can flip from a baseball game in the middle of a pennant race over to an NFL game – is there anything sweeter?
Well, now, having become such a GM geek that I enjoy the offseason almost as much as the games themselves, I am finding myself enjoying these winter months even more since it has the MLB and NFL off seasons overlap. But while baseball is shifting gears just making the finishing touches on their teams, the NFL is gearing up for a huge offseason.
This has been one of the best free agent classes in recent memory. Just look at a list of some of the elite players out there:
Albert Haynesworth: Possibly the best player on the market, a DT who can stuff the run, occupy blockers, rush the passer, and anchor a defense.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh – The only #1 receiver on the open market (unless Owens or Plaxico become cap casualties), distancing himself from Chad Johnson as more of a receiver and less of a distraction.
NnamdiAsomugha – He has become a truly dominant cover corner, an All-Pro corner stuck in the Black Hole, He’d be ecstatic to leave (he was one of the more outspoken Raiders when Deangelo Hall was let go), but will likely be stuck there another year under the dreaded franchise tag.
Julius Peppers: He appears as dangerous as ever, posting a career high with 14.5 sacks last year. He is an ideal add for any team trying to generate a pass rush – people have been trying to focus on stopping him since he entered the league.
Terrell Suggs: An excellent “fall back” options for teams searching for a pass rush (HellooooooNiners!), he can play either OLB or DE, and can align in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. The same cannot necessarily be said for Peppers or Haynesworth.
Ray Lewis: The Ravens heart and soul is a free agent, and while most couldn’t ever see a team like them letting him go, they also have three starting linebackers who are free agents, and Lewis is the oldest of the three. That being said, if he has the gas in the tank, I doubt guru Ozzie Newsome lets the team’s leader depart.
Bart Scott: Scott has also been a force in the Ravens defense, and he is looking for a pay raise. I imagine he will be on the open market, while the team will opt to keep Lewis.
Darren Sproles: Sproles made himself a ton of money during the Charger’s 08 playoff run. I personally think the team should franchise him, then go into ’09 with Sproles, LT, and Jacob Hester, and evaluate if LT is past his prime and if you can run the rock with Sproles and Hester sharing the duties in the future.
Brandon Jacobs: It seems like the Giants would be foolish to let this guy go. He can run against any defense and is a touchdown machine. Unlike other running backs, Jacobs doesn’t have a lot of miles on him, thanks to New York’s perfection of the shared back system. I would bet on Jacobs returning, but if the team doesn’t slap him with the Franchise tag, he should get some interesting offers.
OshiomoghoAtogwe – I have kept an eye on this guy for three reasons – Mr. G’s agency reps him, the 49ers desperately need a good free safety, and when they play the Rams, Atogwe always seems to be making plays against them. Here is OJ making a play that Mark Roman CANNOT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-dEMWJs8h8
Antonio Bryant: He had a breakout year for the Buccs. They have been searching for Joey Galloway’s replacement, and they found him here. Odds are they won’t let him get away.
ChanningCrowder: Interesting MLB – had a productive year for the Dolphins, but doesn’t seem to garner a lot of interest. Maybe Joey Porter steals his thunder.
Jordan Gross: A sturdy LT, could solidify ANYONE’S offensive line. The Panthers tagged him last year, but could let him reach the open market in ’09.
DeAngelo Hall: Deemed expendable by Al Davis, Hall went the Redskins and became one of the better cornerbacks on the team. The team could look to keep him, but Hall may look for another big deal.
Dunta Robinson: A very solid cornerback battled injuries. He could be poised for a big return – if he can stay on the field.
And those are just the gems of free agency-and I didn’t include a two time Super Bowl quarterback who is playing this weekend in the NFC championship game, and the starting quarterback for the team with the NFL’s best record...
It will be interesting to see where the dominoes fall. I’ll be talking QB possibilities in another post.
My 49ersOffseason Every year, when images of free agents dance in my head, I like to overlook the market and project who we should go after. I would say it’s a prediction, but I have no knowledge on what the team thinks, just who I think is A. Attainable and B. fits the team’s needs.
Current roster:
The team will need to be tell some players goodbye. The team should allow Ronald Fields walk as a UFA to make room for KentwanBalmer on the field, and open a roster spot to draft a REAL NT prospect.
Mark Roman has been the weakest link in the secondary for two years, and with his complete lack of ball skills, should be let go.
Other cap casualties include Jonas Jennings (If you are going to pay someone big money to play right tackle, then he should actually play).
Alex Smith (I would keep him around for a cheaper deal – much cheaper) It appears he could stick around, especially if Scott Linehan becomes the new OC.
J.T. O’Sullivan showed some potential to move the ball – unfortunately, too often he moved it to the other team. He’s probably hoping Martz lands somewhere that needs QB.
Bryant Johnson has some skills, but doesn’t belong higher than 2nd on the depth chart, 3rd if you have a solid core of receivers. He probably walks due to the development of Josh Morgan and Jason Hill.
DeShaun Fosterdoesn’t fit the team’s secondary back needs and will likely leave.
One year of Barry Sims was enough for me, back up or not.
Last, seeing as he couldn’t keep active, Tully Banta-Cain should probably get cut unless he agrees to lower his salary.
Now seeing as we cut some of the dead weight, I think the team needs to focus on keeping Takeo Spikes around. He did a much better job than any of the other MLB candidates last year, plus helped create turnovers, something this team is starved for. He wants to stay, and I don’t see any reason for the 49ers not to return the favor.
Now – lets take a look at those FREE AGENTS!
Now while there a lot of sexy names out there, I think the team should go after players to solidify them on one side of the ball.
The defense was very solid at the end of the year, and with a few tweaks, the unit could be a dominant force next year. Two players could help them make that jump:
Suggs: The team is in desperate need of pass rushers. The problem was less glaring this year, with ParysHaralson putting on some pressure and Justin Smith helping fill the hole BY left. A guy like Suggs just puts more pressure on an offensive line, and could be the force this team needs to get the defense off the field.
Atogwe: You can tell from my analysis those were two of my favorite free agents, since I went to the lengths of posting highlight films of theirs. FS has been a hole for the 49ers since Merton Hanks left the team. There has been a number of players to rotate there, and while Mark Roman was a nice player while the team was rebuilding, the talent level has passed him by. Atogwe adds another dimension to the secondary (Most notably someone who doesn’t get easily burnt on deep routes and has enough ball skills NOT to knock the ball away from his own teammates).
Some lesser known players I think would help Singletary make this team relevant in 2009.
FBLeonard Weaver: Hopefully Singletarydoesn’t hold any grudges against Weaver for his 114 yards receiving and two scores. If he doesn’t, Weaver can come in an fill a hole the team has had at fullback since Fred Beasley’s play fell off.
RB CorrellBuckhalter: Buckhalter would be a nice compliment to Frank Gore. While he is 30 years old, he doesn’t have a lot of miles on him and he can take some of the secondary back duties along with Michael Robinson. This is a position I would like to see the team draft a back in the later rounds with some potential.
RETJustin Miller: Allen Rossum would be fine to keep around, but he’s getting older. Miller was a dynamic return man for the Raiders, and maybe the 49ers can steal him from across the bay.
I think a RT is needed, but there aren’t any names out there that scream to fill the hole. Probably the best fit would be Dolphins RT Vernon Carey.
TJHoush is very tempting, but I wonder if he'd want to come to a team like the 49ers if a playoff team offered anything close to the same contract.
This type of offseason allows the team to truly draft BPA once the NFL draft rolls around. I think that with the tenth pick, the team will obviously get a talented player, and I think there will be plenty of difference makers to choose from. It would be a shame to overvalue a guy based on need, when that’s the type of thinking that typically gets a team in trouble on draft day (see Alex Smith, Vernon Davis).
Me and a couple buddies were able to shake off the dust and finally get out to Moraga to see Saint Mary's take on hated rival Santa Clara.
It wasn't the best game - the Gaels were barely able to make 1/3 of their shots, some sloppy turnovers, and the Broncos were out for blood.
And then the guy that sells the tickets made everyone go home happy - except for the Broncos that is.
Patty Mills didn't make alot of shots, he had some bad turnovers, had some lay ups blocked, and didn't even seem to be a focal point of the offense towards the end of the game - until the last shot, they set the, got him open and he drained a three with less than three seconds left to give the Gaels a scrappy 62-63 win.
I think Mills showed he's as cool as the other side of the pillow, hitting nothing but net despite having gone 3/12 from beyond the arc before the game-winner.
This was a nice win to see, because in past years, we couldn't close games in which we didn't shoot lights out. This game, the defense kept it close, with Omar Sahman actually being a defensive difference maker and Saint Mary's showing the ability to get boards and some easy buckets from inside the paint. In past years, this would be have been a letdown loss that gave Gonzaga the window to walk away with the conference.
I told the boys Friday, and I will state it again - if SMC ends up in the tournament anywhere near the left coast, we HAVE to go - even if its just to see them dumped in the first round...
(On a side note, it was AWESOME to see people tailgating in the parking lot before a big WCC home game. Maybe the school will finally devote the money to making it a top flight program so we don't lose the nice roll we're on)
So far, the three candidates are former Rams head coach Scott Linehan, Colts receivers coach Clyde Christensen, and the most recent interviewee, former Browns offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
Wait, who? We fired Martz and are talking to a failed head coach who drove our best receiver (Isaac Bruce) out of St. Louis, a wide receivers coach, and an OC who just got fired after failing to score a touchdown in his final 6 games of 2008.
I'm glad the team has heeded my advice of making sure, if we fire Martz, to bring in someone measurably better. None of these candidates seem to fit that mold.
The most interesting candidate thus far is Chudzinski. While he had a down year this year, after watching some Browns games on the NFL Sunday Ticket, it didn't seem like play calling was the issue - the Browns seemed to fail more to a lack of effort by their star players. Braylon Edwards dropped alot of passes, and Derek Anderson seemed sluggish.
Plus, Chudzinski has a history of working well with tight ends - he was the TE coach in San Diego when Antonio Gates decided to get SILLY, and he was the offensive coordinator last year when the Browns were a high powered offense that went 10-6. From what I've seen, he seems like the best candidate since he's had recent success, and he just got fired, so his chances of bolting for a head coaching vacancy in a year or two are slim.
Matt Maiocco had some things to say about Chudzinski and his work with tight ends, and how it could affect perennial dissapointment Vernon Davis:
I'll be interested to hear what other coaches come in to interview, as it appears chemistry with head coach Mike Singletary will be a huge deciding factor in who becomes the next OC.
Matt Barrows of the Sac Bee seems to think Linehan is the favorite in the clubhouse, and also has some thoughts on this incomingoff season:
Interesting Nuggets: The possibility of drafting USC's Rey Maualuga or Florida's Percy Harvin. Both address needs, and while niether adress the team's biggest holes (RT, Safety, Pass Rushing OLB, QB) , they are both excellent college players who would be solid additions to the team, as well as present the best possible value at pick #10. I would be happy to see either on the team, depending on who else is on the board, of course
Barrows also dropped a sick Harvin highlight film on us:
And I have to applaud Barrows for his take on Tim Tebow. I personally wuoldn't mind drafting Tebow and SLOWLY trying to develope him into an NFL QB - but I have long agreed that he gets so much man-love from the press that it is rediculous.
Here is what Barrows had to say:
"I know this won't win over any readers in the Sunshine State, but if I hear another word about what a great guy Tim Tebow is, I'm going to hurl my body out of a third-story window. I've never heard two grown men gush over another man like announcers Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis did Thursday night. To paraphrase Brennaman: To spend just 15 minutes with Tebow is to improve your life. What?!!? Are you freakin' schoolgirls? It sounded like those two had joined a Tim Tebow cult, and by the end of the broadcast I was urging them to drink the Kool-aid. Oklahoma fans must have tuned in and thought they were getting the Gainesville, Fla. broadcast. They hardly said anything about the Sooners quarterback, who, you know, actually won the Heismann this year. The icing on the cake came in the end when, after hours of listening to The Amazing Tales of Tebow, the golden boy was slapped with a taunting penalty. Doh!"
BURN! That being said, I have no problem nabbing Tebow in the third round or later...
I am watching the Ravens-Titans playoff game right now, and Ray Lewis just killed FB Ahmad Hall as he got the first down to get the Titans out of their own end zone.
Whew - his helmet flew off like it was Madden 09. Ray Lewis and crew sure brings an intensity that it doesn't seems like many other teams have.
Let me just say this - I know sportsbook.com bugged my house, and purposely blocked me from entering their site - because 8 minutes after kickoff, the site was up and running
My Ravens bet, while never booked, is hitting through halftime...
UPDATE: The Ravens pull out a squeaker, 13-10. Of course, they forced a timely turnover when they needed it most (And of course, they wont the turnover battle 3-0). I love watching this team.
I have to admit - seeing big Ole #99 hitting third and playing left is a sexy idea, but in all reality, it wouldn't work.
First, like the article said - they cannot afford him.
Second, after doing a little poking around, he is a type A free agent. While the Giants first pick is protected because its a top 15 pick, they would lose their second rounder and hinder the youth movement they are trying to build.
In other words? I'm already over Manny.
Plus, the Giants can contend in a weak NL West without him. Would Manny really make them title contenders?
Which lead me to Ken Rosenthall, who is reporting Nick Swisher is available:
Nick Swisher might not be a Yankee for long. The signing of free agent Mark Teixeira eliminated any chance of Swisher playing first base, and the team's outfield surplus almost certainly will lead to a trade. Both Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing significant interest, according to major-league sources. The Yankees are not in a rush to trade either; their only desire is to make the best possible deal. The versatility of both players is appealing; Nady plays both outfield corners and first base, while Swisher plays all three outfield positions and first. Nady, 30, is a free agent after next season. Swisher, 28, is signed through 2011 with a club option for '12. Either would be more affordable to the Giants than Ramirez. Swisher also would fit for the Braves and Pirates.
The minute I heard Tex was going to the Yankees, I called for a bay area reunion for Swisher and the Giants - if nothing else but Swish doesn't belong on a team with facial hair constrictions.
He is signed long term, is only 28, can play all three outfield positions AND first base, and has hit 35 home runs in a season. Not to say he can hit 25 at Pac Bell, but he can field, he can get on base, and he can put a charge into a ball left out over the plate
I couldn't imagine him being to expensive - the Yankees aren't going to start him, and they can use pitching - something the Giants can afford to part with - and I seriously doubt any the team's starting five pitchers wold be necessary to get a deal done.
GM Brian Sabean has had a very solid off season, and I am not the only one who thinks so. If the team does nothing else, they have improved the line up with a full season of Pablo Sandoval and Edgar Renteria, improved the bullpen, and strengthened the starting rotation. While adding a large veteran presence, he has done nothing to hinder the youth movement. Acquiring a guy like Swisher could push this scrappy team over the top to contend in 2009.
So far, there has been very little other than speculation coming from Santa Clara - and really no names have given me any hope that they will do a better job than Mike Martz did.
Singletary has spoken to the hearts of 49ers fans, trying to dismiss that he is a "three yards and a cloud of dust" coach and especially when saying he wants to mirror the offense of beloved Bill Walsh.
The one coach Singletary has mentioned wanting to talk to, Tom Rathman, brings back more fond championship memories, but figures to be a risky pick for OC and may not even be let go by Al Davis.
But everything else seems to contradict that open minded balanced team. Singletary wants a team that can "impose its will," on other teams, being able to run the ball when the other team knows its coming.
THAT sounds like a Mike Nolan, "tackle #69 is eligible," unimaginative type offense to me...
Matt Barrows has some interesting thoughts on the position, including throwing Scott Linehan's name into the hat
I really like the idea of bringing Rathman back to coach the RBs (Frank Gore would probably love him) and be the OC in waiting, taking on a bigger role with the offense and the philosophy, so that when we eventually lose the man ahead of him, we have a replacement ready to step in.
At this point, I really don't have a candidate I'm endorsing for the job, mainly because we don't know who is being considered. All I know is this is Singletary's single most important decision of his short head coaching career. The right move could catapult them into contention, the wrong move could make the offense look like i did when Norv Turner left (yikes)!
Usually I complain that there isn’t any news during the winter vacation season (Christmas and New Years), but one of two things have happened – either baseball executives aren’t taking any breaks, or the rumor mill refused to die down when news is traditionally slow.
Anyone who reads this blog (AKA The person I asked to check it out today) will know I post the blogs I’m following on the right, and they are showing the Giants to be interested in both Manny Ramirez and Joe Crede.
Wow. This really isn’t the offseason most expected.
I am also torn. The Giants veterans were the boring ones to watch last year. While these moves almost certainly make them the favorites to win the west, it also doesn’t leave a lot of open spots for young players to develop.
Lets look at the pros on cons:
Signing Manny/Crede Pros: This gives the team of the most feared hitters in the game, and makes the entire line up better by giving the team a legitimate #3 hitter and moving other hitters down in the line-up. It improves the team defensively as well, since Crede is a good glove at third, and Manny can probably do as well as Fred Lewis in left. The downside of hindering the youth movement is offset if management has already determined young players like Nate Schierholtz or Lewis are no more than part time players, with no reinforcements at AAA. So why not splurge for short term splurge contention, while mixing in young players over the next few years when our biggest contracts run out.
Cons: This looks a lot like a couple years ago – Have the big bat in the middle of the line-up, fill it in with good veteran hitters who play good defense, and fill the stadium with people who want to see Manny hit a homerun. This seems to be a departure from last year’s youth movement and you have to wonder if investing in Manny will lead to contention, or another Bonds-esque headache.
Also, a big offseason haul does not make teams instant contenders. While these pieces seem to fit, there is no guarantee the team will gel. It’s just as likely the Diamondbacks have THEIR young players finally put it together and become the team everyone thought they were going to be last year, When Justin Upton was tearing the cover off the ball and they looked like they were going to walk to 100 wins and a Brandon Webb Cy Young.
Verdict? I figure people should just lay back and see how things play out. This could make the 2009 Giants a title contender, or it could blow up in their faces. Or maybe GM Brian Sabean decided he wasn’t going to sit on his hands and let the Dodgers keep Manny without making sure the price tag is steep enough.
Here is what Ray Ratto had to say about it in today’s Chron…
