Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc: Syracuse is among a solid group of No. 1 seeds in our latest tournament projections, but the middle of the pack is much more murky.
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.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
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.
ReutersEXPECT THE SAME:
Boston Red Sox
2008 wins: 95
Predicted 2009 wins: 95
New additions Brad Penny and John Smoltz must prove healthy enough to help the pitching staff. And Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew have to stay injury free.
Shortstop Julio Lugo underwent surgery March 17 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, leaving Jed Lowrie as the starter until he returns.
Philadelphia Phillies
2008 wins: 92
Predicted 2009 wins: 92
The Phillies have to be concerned over the ace of their rotation, Cole Hamels, who has experienced some elbow tightness this spring. Hamels received an anti-inflammatory shot in his arm on March 17, but he probably still won’t be ready for the season opener.
Pat Burrell’s gone, but he’ll be replaced in left field by the one major addition the Phillies made in the offseason, Raul Ibanez, who signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract.
Toronto Blue Jays
2008 wins: 86
Predicted 2009 wins: 86
Cito Gaston is back for a second tenure as manager, and that’s a positive. After Roy Halladay, the rotation has some major question marks.
A strength is a very good bullpen that remains intact from last season, but if the starters go to tatters, these relievers are going to get worn down to where they become a liability and not an asset.
Oakland Athletics
2008 wins: 75
Predicted 2009 wins: 75
In an attempt to overtake the Angels, the A’s had a busy offseason, trading for Matt Holliday, and signing free agents Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera. Eric Chavez is coming off a shoulder injury, and it’s not certain he’ll be ready for opening night, but if he regains his health, that’s a big plus for the A’s.
While the offense has been upgraded, the starting pitching was dealt a blow when Justin Duchscherer, the lone veteran in a young rotation, found out he needs exploratory surgery on his right elbow. The surgery is expected to keep him out a minimum of six to eight weeks even if no significant damage is found.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
HBT: Prince Fielder is gone and Ryan Braun will likely miss a third of the season because of a failed PED test. Can Milwaukee stay in contention until he gets back?
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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.
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.
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