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.
Euro Roundup: First-place Manchester City won 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday on Joleon Lescott's goal in the 63rd minute, maintaining its two-point lead over Manchester United in the Premier League.
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.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Brian Urlacher showed up for voluntary workouts with the Chicago Bears' defense for the first time this offseason.
"Any time you are out practicing football it is a big plus to have Brian Urlacher out here," Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich said Wednesday. "It was fun to see him out here. He picked up right where he left off from the minicamp."
Urlacher had attended mandatory three-day minicamp May 30-June 1 but had skipped voluntary drills and the team conditioning program due to dissatisfaction with his current $56 million contract.
Bill Johnson, Urlacher's agent, has been involved in talks with the Bears to extend his contract. The Pro Bowl linebacker's appearance Wednesday fueled speculation that talks are progressing.
Urlacher did not talk to reporters after practice, and Bears officials said nothing is imminent regarding a new deal.
At last weekend's fan convention, Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said it helps a player to be at voluntary workouts if they want a new contract.
"You know, it's not a written rule that we have, but I think to most teams — and we feel the same way — it makes sense," Phillips said. "If you want us to engage in any kind of discussions, whether anything gets done or not, it makes sense that you're here and showing your side of your obligation to the club."
The Bears have reportedly offered Urlacher a one-year extension worth $5 million in bonus money with $1 million more per year through 2011, contingent on his playing time.
It's not clear whether Urlacher will be available for next week's final voluntary practices, but Babich said he isn't concerned.
"From my point of view, when it comes to Brian Urlacher I know that if he's not here, he's doing what he has to do away from here to be the best player he can be," Babich said.
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.
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.
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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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