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?
LIVE VIDEO: NBCSports.com shows Washington-New York, with alternate camera angles, HD views and more.
PBT: Jeremy Lin wasn't his hot self on Saturday, but he still led the Knicks to victory.
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.
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -England defender Joleon Lescott preserved Manchester City's two-point lead in the Premier League by scoring a second-half winner in a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday.
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.
ASSOCIATED PRESSQ: What possible moves could the Dodgers do that would be a surprise to you?
— Oliver Santos, Covina, Calif.
A: From what I’m hearing and reading, a surprising move by the Dodgers would be to spend big money on one of the elite free agents. I just don’t think that will happen, unless it’s to keep Manny Ramirez.
They also want to retain Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake, but they won’t go overboard, especially in terms of contract lengths, to keep any of those three players. Ramirez faces an interesting decision on accepting or rejecting salary arbitration by Sunday. The latter two appear to be heading elsewhere.
The other major issue is the starting rotation, especially in light of Chad Billingsley’s fractured left fibula, which could delay his 2009 season. That comes on top of the expected losses of Derek Lowe and Brad Penny in free agency, and Greg Maddux to retirement.
So as of now, their rotation is Hiroki Kuroda, Clayton Kershaw and question marks. Assuming they won’t meet CC Sabathia’s demands, two likelier options are Andy Pettitte and Randy Johnson on one-year deals.
Knowing Joe Torre’s strong bias to pitching when constructing a roster, you can bet the bullpen will be addressed as well. Takashi Saito’s elbow is a question mark, and Joe Beimel won’t be re-signed, so there are at least a couple of spots to fill. Two solutions from within could be James McDonald and Scott Elbert.
Juan Pierre will be dealt if they can find a taker — possibly for a high-salaried third baseman or shortstop, depending on what happens with Blake and Furcal. But you have to think nobody will take Andruw Jones at $18 million.
Q: Will the Texas Rangers ever get to the playoffs again?
— B.C., Fort Worth, Texas
A: As a former Rangers beat writer — and this was before the Johnny Oates/playoff years of 1996-99 — I understand your frustration, B.C. There is a long history of mediocrity in Arlington, despite the efforts of a lot of good baseball people.
Part of the problem is the unavoidable combination of weather and ballpark. The summer heat does take its toll; it’s no coincidence that the Rangers’ two worst months throughout their history are July and August.
And Rangers Ballpark, as beautiful as it remains 14 years after its opening, is a very tough place to pitch. It’s pretty fair to left field, but the jet stream blows out to right center, and a sun-baked field plays very, very fast.
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.
 | Video |
 |
Mad Dog Minute: C.C. should make the Yanks sweat Dec. 08: Why Sabathia should make the Yankees wait it out and keep playing hard ball against the economic super power from the Bronx. |
HardballTalk headlines |
 | Interactive |
 |
 | Slideshow |
 | Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
| Slideshow |
 | The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
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.
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.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings