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 three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
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.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
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.
AP file
ST. LOUIS - Tony La Russa is saying great things about Scott Rolen about this winter. The St. Louis manager just isn’t saying them to his star third baseman.
Caught up in a feud during the Cardinals’ run to the World Series, the two strong-willed personalities have been silent around each other since winning the championship.
“We haven’t talked, we haven’t spoken,” Rolen said. “I went home and we went about our lives. I don’t think there’s a conversation that’s going to take place.”
Rolen was absent from a fans’ dinner in St. Louis this week because of a conflict. La Russa accepted an award in the All-Star’s place.
“I love Scott Rolen,” La Russa said.
When a glove autographed by Rolen was auctioned, La Russa began the bidding at $1,000.
Their problems started in the stretch when Rolen ignored advice from La Russa and the team’s medical staff. Rolen insisted on playing despite being hampered by soreness in his surgically repaired left shoulder, and he slumped in September.
Rolen began the playoffs in a 1-for-15 rut, prompting La Russa to bench him the Gold Glover in two games.
“I learned from that experience that I’m a pretty stubborn, hardheaded guy,” Rolen said. “I thought, I’ll try to remember that on Sept. 4 instead of October.”
Rolen bounced back in the World Series, leading the Cardinals with a .421 average, 14 total bases and five runs scored as they beat Detroit in five games.
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A month away from the start of spring training, Rolen said he’s feeling fine.
“I’m a different guy sitting here today than last offseason when I was hopeful and optimistic,” Rolen said. “I’m doing everything I’ve done in the past. I’m totally free from any limitations.”
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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Jeremy Lin hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds left to overcome a dreadful second half and lift the New York Knicks to their fifth straight victory, 100-98, over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Doron Lamb hit a 3-pointer with 3:18 left to put No. 1 Kentucky ahead to stay, and the Wildcats took a big step toward a Southeastern Conference regular-season title by beating Vanderbilt 69-63 Saturday night for their 17th straight win.
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.
