UUUUUUUUU

Say it aint so, Juan!

One of my favorite players to root for, Juan Uribe, has become a Dodger

He might be the first Dodger I cannot Boo - after what he brought this team the past two years, he practically deserves a statue

BUT - I agree with Sabean for not re-signing him. Sabean kept the more popular player who had the better year - I would be willing to bet, if the Dodger are intending on Uribe starting 140+ games, they will be regretting that contract. As its been since the start of last off season, Sabean gets another A+ for this non move

ARE THEY who we thought they were?

Well, the 49ers have been eliminated from the playoffs. After hopes of a ten win season and a playoff game, they go into the final two weeks playing for their first non-losing season since Mariucci was the head coach.

Now the question is – was this season another wasted year?

Not so fast. Sure, I, among other people, am disappointed. They let very winnable games slip through their hands against the Vikings, Texans, Titans, Colts and Seahawks, losing those 5 games by an average of 4.2 points a game. Even if they pull out 2 of those 5 games, they stand at 8-6 and just 1 game behind the Cardinals and tied with the Giants for the final wild card spot.

But they didn’t and they aren’t, so now all we can hope for is an 8-8 season and two first round draft picks. But this season, the team has improved quite a bit.

Under the Nolan era, there were some 7-9 seasons, but those teams were not nearly as competitive as this ‘09 version. A great indicator is the points scored vs. points allowed stat.

The team has also taken steps forward in many areas this season. The defense has played the best it has in years, shown by our ability to stay in tight games. This defense held Peyton Manning to 18 points, including a trick play to score their only TD. They have scored more points in 14 games this year than they have in 2 of the past 4, and will easily pass their 2006 number of 298. And the first time since the team went into the tank, they have a plus in the point differential column, scoring 13 more points than they’ve allowed.

The past 4 years? Try negative 42, -145, -114, and -189. They have only given up 269 points this year, or just over 19 points a game, down over 5 points a game from the past 4 years average.

Another positive from 2009 was the development of playmakers. We all knew Frank Gore was a solid back and that Patrick Willis could tackle anything, but going into this year that was about all the team had. This year, the team finally got returns from sixth overall pick Vernon Davis.

- Davis, once whispered as a bust, has burst onto the scene, tying the NFL lead with 11 TD receptions and third in yardage among Tight Ends.

- Michael Crabtree, despite a depressing holdout that lasted deep into the season, has stepped on the field and shown a lot of promise. I can only imagine what a full offseason of training camp and a strong understanding of the playbook could do for his production.

It’s the most, wonderful time, of the year…

It’s here, and it’s heating up – BASEBALL’S HOT STOVE.

I haven’t posted a blog since the Giants traded for Ryan Garko, and I decided that since I don’t have a job, it’s really silly I haven’t been able to sharpen my pencil and post a blog topic.

While disappointing we didn’t get to see Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Zito in a short series was a disappointment, he 2009 season was a huge success – the team remained competitive until the final weeks, the team identified Pablo Sandoval as building block for the offense, and the team was able to watch some of its young players take steps in the right direction.

Now it’s the off season, that short few months between the last out of the World Series and pitchers and catchers reporting in February where teams scurry frantically to improve, pay too much for free agents and feel free to make trades. 

Giants trade for Ryan Garko

Who could have seen that coming?

I knew I started this blog for a reason...

Now all we need is a second baseman who isn't an automatic out.

Just to show I'm not crazy...

Here is a link to the rumor mill showing the Giants are looking into trades with the Indians - more likely for Ryan Garko, more preferably for Victor Martinez.

Henry Schulman also throws out my man Scutaro as a possibility.

Andrew Baggarly also throws Garko's name out there, to go along with names we've heard a lot the past month - Nick Johnson and Freddie Sanchez.

Sabean also took his young players to task for not producing more, including Kevin Frandsen.

Looking at the trade landscape, it seems the best the Giants will do is picking up a second baseman, maybe a first baseman, and hoping that Rowand, Schierholtz and Winn can round out the outfield and be enough to make the playoffs.

Judd Apatow - love him or love to hate him

Whichever category you fall in - you can't deny the dude knows funny.

I just got finished reading a cool interview of Apatow from the SF Chronicle - a good read.

I didn't realize how many movies he's had a stake in - all of them pretty funny.

Sure, he may have overexposed Seth Rogan - but you can't fault the guy for being loyal...

Sam's potential trade targets

There are a lot of names being throw out there - here are some bats I think the Giants should target to improve this offense - it wouldn't take a lot to just get it near average.

Marco Scutaro - he is having one of his best seasons, has always been a clutch hitter and good defender. He could play second and hit second and provide a nice boost to the line up, offensively and defensively.

Scott Rolen - If the Blue Jays are serious about becoming sellers, he becomes a target - he is is paid handsomely, signed through next year, and a premium glove. While I am not crazy about Big Panda's glove at first, Rolen hitting behind him would be a definite upgrade.

Ryan Garko - the Indians first baseman is a right handed hitter with good power - he could share time with Ishikawa, wouldn't cost too much, and again, represent an upgrade to the line up with a little more pop.

Mark Teahen - a cheap option to upgrade second base, with the ability to flip him out to right, left, first and third, if needed.

Kevin Kouzmanoff - He has good power numbers, would likely be available since the Padres are nowhere near competition.

There aren't a lot of available bats this year - probably because so many teams are in it - but hopefully something gets done - that actually helps the team score!

Trade deadline watch...

Well, things are heating up

The A's apparently have gotten things started, trading Matt Holliday for a top flight third base prospect.

This shouldn't be the end for the A's - they still have some valuable trading chips. I mean, face it A's fans - the A's are atrocious - why hold out hope that Jack Cust will turn this team into a winner?

I say they slang Cust, Orlando Cabrera, maybe even Adam Kennedy or Jason Giambi, and try to restock the farm system as much as possible. With the current Economics the A's have, they should trim their major league payroll as much as possible - then add payroll when they think they just need to add a few pieces to their core.. OR, shocker, actually keep a young player they develop, for a nice change of pace.

Keith Law seems to think the A's made a good deal...

The Giants on the other hand - seems like alls quiet on the western front. The only recent news is that the Nationals (aka Nubinals) are scouting the Giants AA team, according to Henry Schulman...

Found it interesting the Giants never called on Holliday, according to Susan Slusser. Perhaps they watched him play against the Giants and look almost as bad as Jack Cust in the field.

But Schulman is pretty sure the Giants will make a deal before the deadline. Right now, the question is who? As long as it improves the team and doesn't donk off one of their top prospects, I'm all for it.

Only time will tell - I'll try and monitor the rumor mill as best I can until then...

GM-ing thoughts...

When I first started this blog, I thought it would mainly be me critiquing front office moves and signings, etc. While it has turned into a blog about anything I think passionately about, I do have some thoughts on recent ramblings throughout the NFL...

1. The Ravens need a receiver, especially now that Derick Mason is making noise about retirement. Fabian Washington is NOT happy, and I don't blame him.

Think they had trouble passing before? Imagine a WR core of Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams. So what should they do?

Well, there are rumors that Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver, but he would cost at least a first rounder, probably more, then a big contract extension.

Why not make a play for Marvin Harrison? His agent says he still wants to play, and he could be a stabilizing force for that crew. Sure, he is no longer a #1 receiver, but neither is Isaac Bruce, and sometimes just getting a guy who has good hands, runs precise routes and takes pressure off the younger guys can be just what the doctor ordered.

There are some that argue Harrison might be done - so then there is also Amani Toomer. Again, not a #1, but someone who can fill the void left by Mason.

#2. Raiders - thanks for continually being a joke. The team cut rookie 6th rounder Stryker Sulak without giving him a contract!

Granted, sixth round picks don't make a lot of impact. But to cut a 6th rounder defensive end just because you signed Greg Ellis? You haven't even seen how he looks in pads! What a joke...

Here are the defensive ends on the Raiders roster: Ellis, Derrick Burgess, Derrick Gray, Greyson Gunheim, Jay Richardson, Matt Shaughnessy, Trevor Scott, and Desmond Bryant.

Other than Burgess and Ellis, I don't see one unexpendable guy on that list that isn't at least worth giving the rookie a deal to try out during training camp. Sulak had 10.5 sacks last year - here's to hoping someone picks him up and he sacks Jamaracus Russel three times, if Russell is still in the starting line up by the time they play. Honestly, this is probably the best thing that could have happened to the kid - good luck!

Lost in all of this, is my third point:

3. Is the Eagles 2002 draft maybe the best draft of the 2000's? PFT posted it last night, and I was surprised just how productive it was!

Here is the rundown: Lito Sheppard (first round), safety Michael Lewis (second round), cornerback Sheldon Brown (second round), running back Brian Westbrook (third round), center Scott Peters (fourth round), receiver Freddie Milons (fifth round), linebacker Tyreo Harrison (sixth round), and defensive end Raheem Brock (seventh round).

Now the Eagles made the mistake of letting Brock go, who has since become a productive player for the Colts. But that draft netted them two starting cornerbacks (one pro-bowler), a Pro Bowl Safety, Pro-Bowler/Offensive machine Brian Westbrook, and a starting defensive end (that ended up playing for someone else).

Can anyone come up with a better draft in the 2000's for me? I'd be hard pressed to come up with one...

I love technology

Who doesn't love technology - think about it - without the advances we have come to know and love, we couldn't text a person who talks too much on the phone and we couldn't avoid calls by seeing who is calling - among millions of other convenient little things we've come to know and love.

Well, the UFL is trying something new, and it could forever change the art of quarterbacking. A Miami based company has developed a wristband that can display the plays to a quarterback on a small flexible screen implanted in the wristband. Think about it - mixed up players can take a look to see what route they are running, and QBs would have a much easier time grasping the plays.

This looks pretty cool, and if they develop it right, it could be the single greatest invention football has seen since the sideline headset or the TV first down marker. I hope they get it right!