Scouting The Sports NCAA Top 25 Team Rankings Week 14
November 30, 2008 by admin · 49 Comments
“Beating The AP Poll To The Punch Every Week!”
- Alabama (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Florida (3)
- Texas (4)
- USC (5)
- Utah (6)
- Penn State (7)
- Ohio State (8)
- Boise State (12)
- Texas Tech (9)
- Ball State (14)
- TCU (15)
- Georgia Tech (20)
- Cincinnati (17)
- Brigham Young (16)
- Mississippi (25)
- Michigan State (19)
- Georgia (10)
- Oregon (N/R)
- Pitt (22)
- Oklahoma St (13)
- Missouri (11)
- Boston College (24)
- Oregon State (18)
- Florida State (21)
( ) = Previous Ranking
(N/R) = Previously Not Ranked
Rumors: White Sox Shopping Vazquez, Jenks, and Dye
November 29, 2008 by admin · 38 Comments
SI.com – The White Sox should be one of the more interesting teams this winter, as they appear to be one contending team taking offers on some of their better players, including outfielder Jermaine Dye, closer Bobby Jenks and pitcher Javier Vazquez. Sox GM Ken Williams has historically been the most aggressive GM, and word is that he and manager Ozzie Guillen would like to make the team younger and faster. The Mets are a team that could use all three of those Sox players. However, talks with the South Siders have been slow. While the White Sox presumably have some interest in the Mets’ top four prospects — outfielder Fernandez Martinez and pitchers Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz — teams that have dealt with the Mets say the team from Queens is clutching tightly to them, leading to speculation they are more likely to fill their needs via free agency. While Jenks and Dye would help any team, the Mets don’t appear to covet Vazquez, an innings eater who is drawing interest from other National League clubs. The Reds have shown an interest in Dye, and the report in WCKY in Cincinnati that a deal of hard-throwing pitching prospect Homer Bailey and another prospect for Dye was discussed has not been denied. Bailey’s stock has to be down, but the Sox are one team that seems to be able to harness the talents of hard throwers (see Jenks and Matt Thornton). SI.com
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Eli: What Will The Blue Jays Do?
November 28, 2008 by admin · 35 Comments
What Will The Blue Jays Do?
Blue Jays interim CEO Paul Beeston told the Toronto Star earlier this week that the Blue Jays will not be players in the free agent market. This comes as a surprise to many who have heard the Jays mention Rafael Furcal, Jason Giambi, and Raul Ibanez as possible targets. However, sponsorships are down and while season tickets are “consistent,” the plummeting value of the Canadian dollar might force more season ticket holders to forego their tickets.
The Blue Jays can spend at least 24 million dollars on the market. That is the money that would have gone to A.J. Burnett if he hadn’t opted out of his contract. The Blue Jays could pursue a guy like Felipe Lopez to help out at shortstop, but his price might rise now that several teams are going after him. The Blue Jays will need a number two starter behind Roy Halladay, and who would be a better stop-gap than Randy Johnson? Bringing in Johnson would not only sell tickets, but it would allow Dustin McGowan to come back strong in the four or five spot of the rotation. While this is merely speculation, it would limit the amount of trades the Blue Jays have to make, a weakness of GM J.P. Ricciardi’s.
As for low-cost players they could trade for, they could work a deal, with prospects of course, to acquire Jason Marquis. Marquis is in the last year of his three year deal and is coming off a strong 2008 going 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 29 games. Marquis has averaged 15 wins over the last five seasons, and will only make 9.87 million dollars in 2009.
If Ricciardi does not make improvements, he will be an early candidate to be fired if the Blue Jays are not off to a good start in 2009.
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.
Eli’s MLB Rumors is a ScoutingTheSports.com Affiliate
Gilbert Arenas Almost Went Back To Golden State
November 28, 2008 by admin · 36 Comments
(Lawrence Jackson/AP Photo)
SF Chronicle – Injured Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas said Tuesday that a second tour of duty with the Warriors was more than likely to happen had his own team low-balled him during free agency this past summer. “I was close to going back,” Arenas said. “If (the Wizards) would have flinched any, I would have gone back to Golden State. … My injury, they felt like they didn’t have to throw any money at me because there was nobody there. And then they found out (Baron Davis) opted out and realized (the Warriors) were still looking at me. “I was surprised (by the Warriors’ max offer) because I talked to BD the night before and he said he wasn’t leaving. What surprised both of us was Elton Brand opting out (from the Clippers).” – SF Chronicle
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The Siedler’s Week 13 NFL Power Rankings
November 26, 2008 by admin · 40 Comments
(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
The Siedler’s Week 13 Power Rankings
This week in the NFL fans saw the scoreboard get lit up! Quarterbacks dominated the headlines and their respective games; many teams kept pouring on the points. The 1972 Dolphins got to pop their annual champagne, and we continue to see teams peaking at the right time. Thus, let us begin…
1. New York Giants ( 10-1, 3-0 NFC East) Previous (2)
No Brandon Jacobs or Plaxico Burress? No Problem. Eli had another clutch day in the desert, just like he did back in February. The Giants have the talent to run the table and finish the year with eighteen wins.
2. New York Jets (8-3, 3-1 AFC East) Previous (6)
J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets! Broadway Brett has brought a veteran presence that has New York playing loose on offense. Running back Leon Washington is a home run threat any time he touches the ball, and the defense continues to force huge turnovers.
3. Tennessee Titans (10-1, 4-0 AFC South) Previous (1)
Titans got their first taste of adversity on Sunday, and really got dominated in every phase of the game. Tennessee must get back to what got them here, and that is pounding the rock with LenDale White. The good news; Detroit is up next.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3, 4-0 AFC North) Previous (4)
Steelers took care of business on a short week, and may have found a short yardage back in Gary Russell. The defense keeps playing at such a high level that it deserves some “Steel Curtain” love.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3, 2-1 NFC South) Previous (5)
The Bucs seem to like to put themselves in a hole against inferior opponents. Then suddenly awaken and own the rest of the contest. Ronde Barber ignited the comeback with an interception to the house.
6. Carolina Panthers (8-3, 2-2 NFC South) Previous (3)
Oh wait, I think Michael Turner scored again!
Huge step backward for the defense, and a missed opportunity to really hurt the Falcons chances of the postseason.
7. Indianapolis Colts (7-4, 2-2 AFC South) Previous (8)
This team is coming together at exactly the right time, and it showed in how they responded to San Diego’s best punches. Adam Vinatieri showed why is a hall of fame kicker with another clutch game winning field goal at the gun.
8. Washington Redskins (7-4, 2-2 NFC East) Previous (10)
Nice homecoming game for the old Seahawks quarterback; Jim Zorn. However, another former hawk was the difference as Shawn Springs made the key interception to seal the victory.
9. New England Patriots (7-4, 3-2 AFC East) Previous (11)
Back to back 400 yards passing games is quite impressive, especially for Matt Cassel. He has been much more than a fill in for Tom Brady, and the dangerous thing is, the Patriots believe they can go all the way now!
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-4, 2-2 NFC East) Previous (15)
Just give T.O. the damn ball! You have to give credit for Owens stepping up his game and recording 213 receiving yards and a momentum turning touchdown. Tony Romo is getting back into his groove, so what out!
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-4, 4-0 NFC West) Previous (7)
Arizona might want to find a running game to go with all their aerial attack passing offense. Tim Hightower needs to be more involved, and the defense struggles against better offenses.
12. Baltimore Ravens (7-4, 3-1 AFC North) Previous (14)
Baltimore seems to bring out the controversy in its opponents. They took great advantage of the Eagles debacle, and made both McNabb and Kolb “benchable” by how they played against Ed Reed and the defense.
13. Atlanta Falcons (7-4, 2-2 NFC South) Previous (13)
No doubt that the biggest offseason acquisition was Michael “The Burner “Turner. Matt Ryan loves being able to hand off and get twenty eight on the board without breaking a sweat.
14. Chicago Bears (6-5, 3-1 NFC North) Previous (17)
The Bears had a great bounce back win in St. Louis to remain in first in the North. Running back Matt Forte made a strong case for rookie of the year and is really the reason for Chicago’s turn around.
15. Minnesota Vikings (6-5, 2-2 NFC North) Previous (18)
This team ran all over the Jaguars, and started really fast scoring twice within the first four minutes of the game. The Vikings kept up with the Bears in what should be a great race down the stretch.
16. Miami Dolphins (6-5, 2-2 AFC East) Previous (9)
Message to Miami: That guy named Moss is pretty good; yea good enough to warrant double coverage.
17. New Orleans Saints (6-5, 1-2 NFC South) Previous (20)
If only Drew Brees could play defense.
18. Denver Broncos (6-5, 2-2 AFC West) Previous (12)
How bad is your defense if the Raiders make you look horrible?
19. Buffalo Bills (6-5, 0-3 AFC East) Previous (21)
Nothing like a soft Kansas City punching bag to take out your frustrations.
20. Green Bay Packers (5-6, 3-1 NFC North) Previous (16)
How does this defense let Lance Moore look like a pro bowler? Inconsistency had killed the Pack.
21. Philadelphia Eagles (5-5-1, 0-3 NFC East) Previous (19)
Message to Philly: Get a running back that can actually get one to two tough yards when you need it.
22. San Diego Chargers (4-7, 2-1 AFC West) Previous (22)
New Rule: The Chargers game will only be 58 minutes long to ensure three more wins on the year.
23. Houston Texans (4-7, 0-4 AFC South) Previous (25)
The Texans proved they had some pride by knocking off a lowly Cleveland team in the Dawg Pound. Kevin Walter has quietly had a terrific season.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7, 2-2 AFC South) Previous (24)
The defense has straight out given up on the season, and Del Rio might be out the door .
25. Cleveland Browns (4-7, 1-3 AFC North) Previous (23)
The Browns are worse than the Eagles, they have benched both their quarterbacks already.
26. Oakland Raiders (3-8, 2-2 AFC West) Previous (28)
About time the Cable guy gets Darren McFadden involved in the offense.
27. San Francisco 49ers (3-8, 2-3 NFC West) Previous (26)
You might want to double cover T.O. after the first hundred receiving yards.
28. Seattle Seahawks (2-9, 2-2 NFC West) Previous (27)
How can Matt Hasselbeck throw that pass after the defense came up with such a big time turn over.
29. St. Louis Rams (2-9, 0-3 NFC West) Previous (29)
The Greatest Show on Turf seems like such a distant memory.
30. Cincinnati Bengals (1-9-1, 0-4 AFC North) Previous (30)
The Bengals know that at least one team from Pennsylvania will always beat them and never tie.
31. Kansas City Chiefs (1-10, 1-2 AFC West) Previous (31)
The season just keeps on getting worse as the Chiefs give up the most points (54) in franchise history.
32. Detroit Lions (0-11, 0-4 NFC North) Previous (32)
New rule: If the Lions get up by seventeen, they just simply win the game.
