EhDubya

ah crap, are you serious? I was afraid of this. Devlin is a better QB than Clark and was stuck in the depth chart behind Clark next year, leaving only his senior season for full playing time. This sucks he's not better than clark. he's a better passer but clark can do a lot more as far as escaping sacks, running the sprint option and scrambling for yards. clark is a better all-around qb than michael robinson and seems to be a good fit with the style that galen hall has created. i wish they'd gotten devlin more reps, but realistically he was not going to play much, especially in big/close games. i don't blame him for transferring, he'll get to play 2 years somewhere rather than just 1 year at penn state. i do blame the staff for not getting a viable option at qb last year, and this year's qb recruit doesn't look to be much of anything. they need to start looking for pretty good qb's who are stuck behind other guys right now, try to get them to transfer by next season (so they sit that one out) and then become the starter in 2010. it's either that or you're starting a true freshman or a crappy soph in 2010. as it is they're going to have a crappy true freshman as backup in 2009. Drake isn't recruited as a QB though. I know what you mean, if staff strikes out on Newsome (doubt it) or Boyd, then Drake stays a QB. But we will definitely bring in at least 1 QB. Remember back to when Henne chose Michigan, staff scrambled for QBS and ended up with Clark, Morelli, Cianciolo, DiMichelle, and Suhey. Not all those guys ended up QB or even on the campus, but when they need to fill a depth chart, they will. The problem is, how this changes the offense for next year. With a Freshman as the #2, Clark runs a whole lot less. Like, 0%. 5% only if he's scrambling. Will Brackett move back to QB? I doubt it, but you never know..

For the PSU fans on the board: Pet Devlin is transferring. Already left the program. What timing. Clark and his concussion history going against perhaps the best Defense in the country. Who is the backup? Cinaciolo? Sheesh... I'd hope they just put Williams under Shipley the rest of the game.

This will be my last response on this, so sorry to rehash and old debate... but if you recall in my OP, I said that "numbers won't convince me that the ACC is the 2nd best conference", or something to that extent. Look, to be an elite conference, you have to have at least 1 elite team. The ACC doesn't. Lets pretend that the AL Central has 5 deceidedly average teams, the Twins, Tigers, Indians, Sox, and Royals. ALl of these teams are .500 or barely over, and none has more than 85 wins. The AL East has the Red Sox and Rays at 100+ wins, and the Yankees have 95. The Jays and Orioles are bad teams. Now, no one realistically considers any team from the AL Central to contend for a title, but no teams in the division are "awful". The AL East has 3 teams that are built for a push in the playoffs, but they have 2 "awful" teams. Seems that by your reasoning the AL Central could be considered a more elite division than the AL East because they have less "awful" teams. And I don't buy it. The ACC has ZERO elite teams (not even remotely close, actually), therefore, they are NOT an elite conference. Thats my point, and that is all :D

fontenot? i'm surprised we haven't heard about more teams inquiring about him. I highly doubt the Phils were interested in Fontenot, unless they were planning on moving him right away. Utley is only going to miss a couple weeks, at most. They were interested in DeRosa for the same reason we all love him- his versatility. He would be their Burrell replacement in LF, and could play 3B, 2B, RF, etc.. I'd be willing to guess they'd be interested in Pie, or Reed Johnson, maybe Guzman, or even Fukudome?

Note where I wrote: "probably". Of course its a relative argument. Still, those teams that lost to the teams you mentioned could've happened due to looking ahead to other tough games (Florida) or just looking past a good team after beating tough teams (Penn State, USC). At any rate, just because you rank all of the ACC teams as mediocre (or barely above mediocre), that shouldn't mean its a tougher conference than the SEC or Big Ten because they have a (small) handful of below average teams. Its just my opinion (and the rest of the straight thinking world) that you are wrong.

There are not enough numbers in the world to tell me that the ACC was the #2 conference in the country this year. I actually watched the teams. USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, Penn State, Texas Tech, and Ohio State all probably go undefeated if they were in that conference.

If so, it surely complicates things, because you then almost have to either take Cedeno out of the deal (if SD wants him) or find someone else to back-up in middle infield. I'd guess that to a contender -- the only team willing to maybe give up a vet for a prospect -- Theriot may have more value because he can play short and second. If Toronto believe they are a contender, Scutaro, McDonald, Hill, Inglet aren't enough. Maybe a guy like Brad Mills is possible, but I doubt it. Cleveland might also be able to use a middle infielder -- and I suppose Theriot can move to third. Maybe Zach Putnam, but probably not David Huff, could be pried away for Theriot. I don't see how he makes the difference for Peavy. It seems Towers may be looking for something along the lines of the Harden deal. Marshall isn't quite as appealing as Gallagher, Murton & Patterson probably don't match Vitters & Pie (but Beane may have been high on Murton) and they could probably add Castillo to match Donaldson. But it is also sensible for SD to want another potential major league pitcher, so that probably is the mis-match. Towers might be willing to take Marshall, Pie, Vitters and Ceda, but that last name is a bit tough to add in right now. That's a pretty big opportunity cost for Gregg. But maybe Towers can't find anyone interested, and he'll take Ascanio. I would love to watch Theriot field a ball that takes him to the left side of the bag and try to throw the runner out. Love it.

I have a bad memory... did Z really predict a World Series, or just a Cy Young (or both)?

If a 3rd team is involved, that cuts the available teams in half, because if I'm the GM of a NL team, theres not way I help the Cubs add Peavey to that rotation. No chance.

We need to get a truly feared #3 hitter, but, obviously, they are tough to come by. Holliday seems attainable, but I consider it highly unlikely. Since that is out... Sign Furcal, trade for Brian Roberts. Use Pie, Cedeno, Fontenot - whoever, just get it done. Resign Edmonds to a cheap, incentive-heavy contract. SS Furcal 2B Roberts 1B Lee 3B Ramirez LF Soriano CF Edmonds/Johnson C Soto RF DeRosa/Fukudome Obviously, we still lack a true #3 hitter that I wish we could land, but getting a true high OBP top of the lineup could be what we need. DeRosa would have a beat on the starting RF job, but he could still be so valuable to us in resting Ramirez and other guys. I'd like to get a better CF, but see little options out there. An Edmonds/Johnson platoon would get the job done in the first half, and then perhaps a trade could be made later. Either Theriot/Cedeno can be utility INF if/when Furcal is out, (if one isn't traded). If Hoffpauir isn't traded for BRob, he can take over Ward's PH spot (with more ABs). Basically, I think this team needs a new top of the lineup, and better left-handed hitting. Switch hitters would be nice.

Ironically, it was done against Houston, the club that Wood dominated for 20 Ks and what should have been our last no-hitter. In my mind, the Cubs now have two guys in staff who have reached that elite status of domination.

...would he have passed Piazza's record of 35 HR by the all star break, or shortly after?

I'm really sick of people posting before thinking. Or doing the smallest bit of homework. That Bonds guy is clean too! Injuries finally caught up to him, that's all! He's never failed a test!

Josh Vitters says hello. It would be nice to find a firstbasemen with a high pick.

The Spikes are awful, but what do you expect from a Pirate-run team? Their higher-ups don't seem to care, so why should anyone else? ... You State College guys... where do you plan on watching playoff games? Bar, home, other? Myself and a friend will probably find some stools at Champs. Or maybe the new Sports Cafe, if LaVar gets it up and running by then.

Great reporting. I could be wrong, but that quote is from a caption, which I believe is generally done by an editor. What I'm saying is, I don't believe the reporter had anything to do with that quote.

The guy who owned Jackson has had him for 2 years already, and I think he's tired of him. He has a top 3 pick so there is a chance he could get him again, anyway. I owned Addai and Brady last year. Because I pick first, I basically have the option of taking one of them if I want without being handicapped by our Keeper fees. Thanks for the help guys, but what do you think? Draft is tonight... anyone worried about Jackson's holdout? I am leaning towards RB, which is safer, IYO? Jackson or Addai?

Hey guys, got a dilemma for you. In my 12 team league, LT, Peterson, Westbrook, and Peyton are all being kept, and I have the first pick after that. My league scores 6 pts for every TD, so an elite QB is always nice to have (I had Brady last year). We start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR and 1 RB/WR. I feel like I don't want to take Brady again and then wait until near the end of the 2nd round to start making up RB and WR - the pickings will be slim. But is it too foolish to pass up? My question is, would I be crazy to pass up Brady for Steven Jackson or Joe Addai? Thinking then maybe I could get one of Romo, Brees, or Palmer later. Please help, be honest, my draft is tomorrow and I'm on the clock! Thanks..

good point. pujolspower 2nded In the same vein, I vote for any of the following: CurleyPower SpanierPower JayPaPower

Pretty crazy how the game works, on a personal level. Yes, Rich Harden appears to be a very nice upgrade for this team and bolsters their chances for a historic World Series run, and the middle-of-the-day, hope-you-enjoyed-your-time-in-the-spotlight-Melvin timing. Its very exciting. But don't forget how it could affect other aspects, too. Everyone here was extremely lucky to have a poster like Mr. Gallagher, and this community is (likely) losing a valuable and significant contributor eventually after everything settles down. I hope I am not assuming too much, but it happens. This was a situation that we, as fans, may have to wait years (used to it) to have such a similar opportunity to enjoy, so I want to thank you, Mr. Gallagher, for your generous sharing, and remind you of the class act son that you raised (who can count an army of Cubs fans along with the new A's followers who will be supporting and cheering on his career). One day Sean is just living the life of a ball player, messing around with teammates eating bugs on bets to entertain. I am sure he was well-liked in the clubhouse, as were the other guys. I'm happy for Murton, he could thrive in this new situation, eventhough I'm admittedly uninformed of the Oakland outfield. I hope no spots are set in stone, he earns one and never looks back, then turns it into a respectable contract from someone when it comes up. This is a trade that I truly hope both sides ends up being overly satisfied with.

Aramis just took 3 days off to visit family in the DR, when he wanted even more. I can almost guarantee that he will not be in NY for the game, he won't even be in the country.

Ride it out until after the all-star break. Marmol started slumping once all the talk about Hurdle naming him to the team popped up. Maybe he's feeling too much pressure. Once the weekend is over, and he can clear his head, he can get back on track to the larger goals set for this season, i.e. division, pennant, ws.

Still don't understand why Lou seems unwilling to split up Fuku and Edmonds. Thought that was a driving force in the signing?

Why is Colvin ranked so highly by everyone? Because he was a first round pick? Where is Harvey then? He seems pretty disappointing so far, and the way its going, I doubt he ever sticks in the bigs (lucky to get his cup). That pick always had my scratching my head. Was never sold on him going that high. Would love to be wrong.

Thanks. The 2 questions are unrelated actually, the Fukudome question relates to a photoshop project, and the jersey question is for a friend.