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.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has 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.
APQ: Why is it that the Spurs are not making any moves? They obviously need a lot of help and Pau Gasol would have been a great boost had they tried to acquire him. Any take on their situation?
— Ram, Kerala, India
A: We're at the annual time of year when the Spurs are too old, too slow and unathletic. Then comes the playoffs and Tim Duncan. Coach Gregg Popovich is now so good and confident he can rest his players without recrimination throughout the season and does the best job at it. The Spurs are not in great position to make moves with an untouchable Big Three making virtually all the money and a solid group of role players. They are an excellent organization and Popovich and R.C. Buford don't spend all the time telling everyone how good the so-called Spurs way is. They could tweak something, but hardly have the need for a major change.
Q: With so many teams that need a point guard, what's up with Steve Francis? No way the guards Houston has are better than him.
— Craig, Gaithersburg, Md.
A: I've wondered about him as well. He's way down the list at Houston and I do believe he could help a team. But he's probably not in great shape for playing so little and got a bad rap as disruptive elsewhere. I think he gets a shot somewhere next season.
Q: Is LeBron closing the gap on Kobe? Heck, has he already surpassed Kobe?
— Bryant, Chicago
A: I don't see it quite yet, but you are right, LeBron has been terrific this season. Also, he's been much less of a difficult person to be around. Perhaps it was the Olympic experience, but he was much nicer to others last summer and it's carried over into this season. More importantly, he's improved his shot, if not completely his late game free throwing. It shows how much he wants to be better, but I'd still take Kobe. Though LeBron is closing the gap.
Q: What do you think the Bobcats will do before the trading deadline? Will Michael Jordan change the current roster? I believe that they just need time to come together as a team. They have a great starting five.
— Carl Chavez, Manila, Philippines
A: They have made some moves that have helped a bit in Jason Richardson and Nazr Mohammed. But they are a financially careful organization. The probably don't see the chance for much or any playoff run, so I suspect they will sit on their money, get another draft pick and cap room and wait for Adam Morrison to return. The test for them is whether they'll spend the money.
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
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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.
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.
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