RedFlash

It's official: Jevan Snead will go pro. Just announced on ESPN. I personally think he needed another year of develoipment, but if Snead thinks he's ready, then so be it.

I love haters. 13.

Congrats to Dawson. Maybe we can get a certain former Pittsburgh Pirates 2b eliminated from the HOF.

I don't mind the idea of small ball like the M's are setting up, but you still need to have that threat to go deep. And without Branyan they have nobody that scares you.

Who was the Cardinals bidding against? At least the Cubs are not the team in the NL Central that can make a stupid finanical decision.

Maybe, but where the heck is the power on that team if they don't resign Branyan? I mean if Branyan doesn't come back the M's leading power source is Jose Lopez with 25 followed by Junior Griffey, Gutierrez at 18, Ichiro at 11. So that team won't be scaring anybody with the longball that's for sure.

I think I leaning towards liking the deal when you consider that if you trade certain guys like Buff, Versteeg, Barker, etc you have enough talent on the farm to replace them in the lineup (Beach, Aliu, LaLonde) not to mention I think the Hawks have enough picks between the next two drafts (12 in total, 5 in 2010, 7 in '11) to replace the said prospects. As long as the deal does not include the following (excluding the automatics of Kane, Toews, Hossa, and Keith) Sharp, Hammer, and Seabrook, I think I am ok with Kovy deal. I'm nearly convinced Sharp is the most likely guy to go. It's a nice chunk of change in the cap and they've got enough forwards to make up for him. I think the Thrashers are going to want young quality talent on reasonable deals (Sharp is 28) which might eliminate Sharp from the discussions. Not to mention the Thrashers Assistant GM is a former assistant with the Blackhawks (Rick Dudley) is likely to ask for young players/prospects since e knows the system. So I think Sharp is reasonably safe. I could see Atlanta asking for Sharpie, but I think Atlanta is likely to wanted younger talent.

I think I leaning towards liking the deal when you consider that if you trade certain guys like Buff, Versteeg, Barker, etc you have enough talent on the farm to replace them in the lineup (Beach, Aliu, LaLonde) not to mention I think the Hawks have enough picks between the next two drafts (12 in total, 5 in 2010, 7 in '11) to replace the said prospects. As long as the deal does not include the following (excluding the automatics of Kane, Toews, Hossa, and Keith) Sharp, Hammer, and Seabrook, I think I am ok with Kovy deal.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/04/bears-are-expected-to-announce-that-lovie-smith-will-be-back/

I agree. I don't think the Hawks should risk the chemistry of the team, but since we are talking about McD and Wirtz they may acquiring a talent like Kovy as a way to enhance the Hawks chances at winning it all. Not to mention it would force them to trade a few of their young talent with decent contracts to help released (ie Barker,, Versteeg) some salary cap burden. Like most I prefer to trade certain players for draft picks, but I could see McD/Wirtz making a play for Kovy.

Okay, for the sake of argument, I could see picking up a guy like Kovalchuk and dumping longer term contracts like Sharp and Versteeg. But that only works if you assume the Hawks will have no interest in signing him beyond this year. Which I don't know how they could do under the cap. So, I'm still against it because it would upset the apple cart and probably not be that much of an improvement. Chemistry is very important in hockey, and I'd be worried about taking a couple forwards out and subbing in a new guy and then someone like Hendry or another guy from Rockford. If we're going to trade some of our skill guys, which I agree will have to be done after the season, it needs to be for draft picks. Well while traveling the Blackhawks boards, there's seems to be an opinion that any deal would start with Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker, two young players who are NHL ready and players that are definately replaceable. But I'm torned, you make this trade and you are literally putting ALL OF THE EGGS into one basketballand going for it this year. But if you don't win it this yr, then you take a step or two back beginning next yr. On the other hand you have the drought and who knows if you get another opportunity like this. Knowing the higher ups (McD and Wirtz) I could see them make this play to enhance the chances of Hawks raising Lord Stanley. We'll see. (Note: I didn't know Ecklund had this rumor, I read it on ESPN and CBC.)

Anybody hear about the Hawks being interested in Ilya Kovalchuk?

The problem I have is that Butler is a SF and not a SG, so who plays were would be what I be asking.

http://www.blogabull.com/2010/1/2/1230967/im-hearing-caron-butler-and-mike Apparently there is Caron Butler and change for Kirk Hinrich and change deal rumor that is floating around right now. I don't know what to make of it, tho.

Stupid double post.

http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=TU_01_01_05&id=2772142010 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team Forwards (13) David Backes Dustin Brown Ryan Callahan Chris Drury Patrick Kane Ryan Kesler Phil Kessel Jamie Langenbrunner Ryan Malone Zach Parise Joe Pavelski Bobby Ryan Paul Stastny Defensemen (7) Erik Johnson Jack Johnson Mike Komisarek Paul Martin Brooks Orpik Brian Rafalski Ryan Suter Goaltenders (3) Ryan Miller Jonathan Quick Tim Thomas Yes Kane and no Buff.

What a clusterf----of games between the Big 10 and the SEC. Both conferences should be embarrassed by the representatives in both games. Auburn escaping NW, and PSU outlasting Les Miles/Jordan Jefferson stupidity. Both games were excitingly awful.

I cheer for all Big Ten teams in bowl games even Michigan and OSU, dont understand why fans of Big Ten teams cheer against conference rivals in bowl games. The whole ending to the Nwestern/Auburn game was just a comedy of errors. It was almost like the other team was saying, "here you win" Yeah that game was simply so bad it was funny to watch. Then to see Auburn's whiffed on giving Chiznik a gaterade bath, was priceless.

What an effort for Dunsmore, and an incredibly pathetic "tackling" showcase by Auburn.

Wow, what a INT by Northwestern. :shock:

:banghead: There is no way the Bears can justify bringing the whole coaching staff back. I really don't mind bring most of the coaching staff back, but Ron Turner cannot under any circumstance return. He simply don't know how to use a QB properly. You don't have to fire Turner, just don't render him a contract.

I agree but if Houston is asking for Thomas along with the expirings then the Bulls should ask for Landry or Scola. At this point I don't know if Houston is asking for Thomas.

Run for no gain, run for 2 yards, run for 2 yards, then punt is my guess. Which is followed by Favre completing a 60+ td pass to win the game.

I hate the fact that ESPN and all of their "football analysts" are going to use that drive to continue their stick job of Favre.

To be the best you have to beat the best. While it is a cliche' it is also true. Even tho the series went five last yr, the Hawks show the can play with the Wings and even beat them. First round or Conference Finals it doesn't matter when the Hawks face them, they'll likely have to face them at some point. I look forward to a playoff series with the Wings.