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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.
Free agent P Mat McBriar underwent surgery this week to remove a cyst in his left knee.
The cyst, rare in athletes, was discovered two weeks ago as the cause of his "drop foot" condition late in the season. McBriar is confident that he will make a full recovery in time to play the 2012 season. His preference is to re-sign with the Cowboys.
Free agent ILB Bradie James is not expected back with the Cowboys in 2012.
James is the only player to lead the franchise in tackles for six consecutive seasons, but he's clearly lost a step at age 31. Sean Lee has emerged as a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker, and the Cowboys drafted Bruce Carter in the second round last season.
According to the team's official website, it would be "quite a shock" if free agent TE Martellus Bennett returns to the Cowboys in 2012.
Bennett cleaned out his locker after the season, shaking hands with teammates as if to say goodbye for good. Although Bennett has been an underachiever, he certainly has the talent to nail down a starting job on the open market. He should be owned in all Dynasty leagues.
ESPN Dallas' Bryan Broaddus "would not be surprised" if the Cowboys' front office allows free agent Laurent Robinson to walk this offseason.
A former scout, Broaddus appears to be reading tea leaves as opposed to gathering inside information. Robinson's comments about staying in Dallas suggest the Cowboys would have a chance to keep him even if they don't make the highest offer.
Free agent Laurent Robinson reiterated Tuesday that his first choice is to re-sign with the Cowboys.
"I'm loving wearing this jersey," Robinson said. "... But we'll see on March 13 when free agency starts. Hopefully my dream can come true and I can stay a Cowboy." Robinson's wife is ready to look at houses, envisioning her husband "possibly retiring in Dallas." Robinson will certainly attract more attention on the market this year than last.
DeMarco Murray (broken right ankle) says he's ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
"I've been working hard to strengthen my ankle," Murray said. "I'm definitely ahead of schedule." Murray was scheduled to resume running on February 6, and might even be on track to get in some work at OTAs. He is expected to be 100 percent for training camp.
The player rep for Laurent Robinson made it clear this week that he expects the free agent to attract plenty of interest this offseason.
Perhaps Robinson won't be an easy sign for the Cowboys after all. "He's got the age, height, speed and people can see what he can do," said the agent. Robinson wants to return to Dallas, but it sounds like he may explore the market to establish his value first.
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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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.