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.
Eleven shots separated Phil and Tiger Sunday at Pebble Beach as Lefty secured his 40th Tour win. Jason Sobel had 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.
DETROIT TIGERS
2005 finish: 71-91, 4th place in AL Central
Manager: Jim Leyland (1st season)
Free agents: RHP Jason Johnson, OF Rondell White, OF Bobby Higginson, 2B Fernando Vina
On the block: 1B/DH Dmitri Young, C Ivan Rodriguez, 1B Carlos Pena, IF Omar Infante
Looking for: Starting pitcher, closer, left-handed reliever
What’s going on: Jim Leyland has gone back to the grind after a six-year absence following a nasty case of burnout in Colorado, where he walked away from $4-plus million. His staff has a decidedly Pirates’ feel to it, with former skippers Gene Lamont and Lloyd McClendon, plus Don Slaught, Rafael Belliard and Andy Van Slyke. The only non-Pirate is new pitching coach Chuck Hernandez, who came from the Devil Rays staff. GM Dave Dombrowski has said a starter and a closer are the top two priorities, which means they likely will make runs at A.J. Burnett, Kevin Millwood and the other top free agents. They would like to unload a big contract such as Dmitri Young’s, but may not find a taker. Tied to Young is the future of Carlos Pena, who could be dealt if Young isn’t. Ivan Rodriguez could attract some interest, and after his bad season and clubhouse distractions, could be moved. He does have a no-trade clause, however. Brandon Inge could get a long-term deal to avoid arbitration. Jamie Walker’s $1.25-million option was picked up, so he will be back in the bullpen. Gary Knotts was released, and none of the free agents will be back.
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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.
INTERACTIVE |
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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.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
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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