Archive for March, 2010
The Baltimore Ravens' 2009 season was one of angst and disappointment in the early going, as they threw away a hot start and struggled until the end of the season.
Fans can blame an inconsistent passing offense, a missed field goal, a boatload of penalties, and Joe Flacco's wavering health, but in the end, these inconsistent Ravens still found themselves in the playoffs.
They even were able to get past ...
The Back-Up Plan: Who Gets The Job If Orioles 2B Brian Roberts Can’t Go?
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Zachary Ball in MLB
How does any team replace a player who has averaged 46 doubles over the last six years, 39 stolen bases over the last four, and made two All-Star appearances?
More importantly, how do you replace a guy like that when you are the Orioles, and the player in question is Brian Roberts?
That is the dilemma currently facing the Orioles as they draw ever closer to Opening Day 2010.
Roberts has been sidelined ...
Detroit Red Wings Goaltending May Be The Best Duo in Hockey, Really
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Matt Hutter in NHL
Alright, before we get into this, let me clarify a couple of things first in the hopes that people will actually read the article before posting flabbergasted responses to the headline.
1. I do not believe the Red Wings have the two best goalies in hockey.
2. I do not believe the Red Wings goalies represent the best statistical duo in the NHL. That honor, amazingly, goes to the Phoenix Coyotes.
Paying careful ...
"Players play, coaches coach, and owners own", the phrase quoted perhaps by every disgruntled member of the NFL at one point.
The expression is meant to say that everyone needs to do their own job, and do it well, some just happen to do it a bit more well than others. Often times, the owners of the NFL go uncredited, while some of course are in it simply for the money, ...
Will John Lackey Tip the Balance of Power Northward in the AL East?
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Jeffrey Brown in MLB
Let’s set the debate aside for the moment over the Red Sox's shift in philosophy.
Volumes were written this winter (here and elsewhere) about the front office’s desire to transition the team more towards pitching and defense.
What can be said with near certainty is that once Theo and Company decided to head in this direction, it was clear the club should spend its $80 million on pitcher John Lackey instead of ...
NY Yankees: Phil Hughes Wins Fifth Starter Job, Time To Shine
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Doug Rush in MLB
This week, the race for the Yankees' fifth starter spot finally ended.
In what started out as a five man race, ended up having one clear winner for the job.
Phil Hughes won the fifth and final starting job for the 2010 season and will be in the rotation with CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, and Javier Vazquez.
Some of the pitchers Hughes beat out were Chad Gaudin, who the Yankees traded ...
Say what you want about George Steinbrenner and his management style, but I guarantee that the Joba Chamberlain debacle would not have happened under his watch.
The word came down today that Phil Hughes has won the fifth starter spot over Joba. It's the right decision–I'm not arguing that. The problem is that the Yankees have spent the last three years messing with Joba's head and because of it, he may ...
Oakland and The Veteran Quarterback: Is Donovan McNabb a Good Addition?
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Raider Card Addict in NFL
For any fan of the Raiders, history serves as a good teacher on experience. Oakland, and for a short while in LA has had a hard time home-growing their own quarterbacks.
With the lone exception of Ken Stabler and Tom Flores, the Raiders have always found gold or silver in their hunts with other teams. From the Bills, the Raiders found Daryle Lamonica. With the Patriots and the 49ers giving up, ...
Columbus Blue Jackets: Entertaining, Loyal Fanbase Fills the Nationwide Arena
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Eric Felkey in NHL
When the Columbus Blue Jackets opened in Nationwide Arena on Oct. 7, 2000, I don’t think many people in central Ohio could anticipate the impact the expansion hockey team would have on the area.
After all, Columbus is a football town. Always has been, and always will be. Even the recent (at the time) 1999 Final Four run from the Ohio State basketball team only fleetingly captured ...
Yankees Take Next Step in Destroying Joba Chamberlain’s Career
Posted: 25th March 2010 by Jordan Schwartz in MLB
So it was all for nothing.
The innings limits, the pitch limits, the extra days off between starts the Yankees forced Joba Chamberlain to undergo during the second half of 2009—that rendered him impotent come the playoffs—under the guise that they were "protecting his arm" so that he could at long last become a full fledged starter this season...it was all a lie.
Tossed aside because of 3 2/3 spring innings.
That's how ...