Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
APRHP Carl Pavano, Yankees
Pain: His first season in New York ended after 17 starts because of tendinitis in his right shoulder. Based on the numbers — 4-6, 4.77 ERA — it's easy to conclude the end did not come a start too soon.
Prognosis: The Yankees can't be sure how sound his shoulder is because a bad back had kept Pavano from pitching in spring training through the end of last week. He'll begin this season where he ended the last one — on the disabled list.
3B Scott Rolen, Cardinals
Pain: When the 6-5, 240-pound Rolen collided at first base with the Dodgers' Hee Seop Choi last May 10, no one would have figured Rolen would not hit another home run the rest of the season. The resulting arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder kept him out for barely a month, but he struggled after his return. Though the Cardinals hoped Rolen would regain his swing without another surgery, his season ended July 21. A month later, he decided to undergo a second shoulder procedure. Even then, it was not certain he'd be 100 percent by opening day.
Prognosis: He hasn't suffered any setbacks, but the Cardinals can't be sure when Rolen will return to the form he showed in the first half of 2004, when he hit .339 with 18 homers and 80 RBIs. Rolen keeps telling reporters he's coming along fine and will be ready on opening day. But until he hits a few home runs — he didn't have any in his first 12 spring games — doubts will remain.
DH Frank Thomas, A's
Pain: A troublesome left foot and ankle have bothered Thomas for the past two years and limited him to 105 at-bats last season, none after July 20. By then, he was having trouble walking. He spent the postseason with his foot in a walking cast.
Prognosis: Thomas had not run the bases or faced major league pitching in batting practice until last week, so the A's can't be counting on much from him, at least not early. Still, there's reason to believe Thomas has some hurt left in his bat based on the fact he hit 11 homers in his first 71 at-bats last season.
DH Jim Thome, White Sox
Pain: After struggling with a bad back, hand problems and elbow tendinitis, Thome made a second trip to the disabled list last July 1. The Phillies weren't certain when Thome would return, and his season officially ended in August with surgery on his right elbow. He had a .207 average and only seven homers.
Prognosis: Even though Thome had not homered through the first three-plus weeks of exhibitions, he has been swinging free and easy. A scout says Thome has displayed good hands and extension, positive signs that he will be able to provide the power the White Sox were looking for when they traded for him in the offseason.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
DeMarco: Plug in a well-heeled ownership group and negotiate one of those mega-bucks TV deals that are going around, and the Dodgers could become the west coast version of the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox.
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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.