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.
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.
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.
TEXAS RANGERS
2005 finish: 79-83, 3rd place in AL West
Manager: Buck Showalter (4th season)
Free agents: LHP Kenny Rogers, OF Richard Hidalgo, DH Greg Colbrunn, RHP Steve Karsay, C Sandy Alomar Jr., RHP Doug Brocail, RHP John Wasdin
On the block: 2B Alfonso Soriano, OF Kevin Mench, 3B Hank Blalock, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, 1B/DH Phil Nevin
Looking for: Starting pitching, relievers, corner outfielder
What’s going on: John Hart backed away from the GM role, temporarily surfaced as a possible candidate for the same job in LA, but is back in an advisory capacity. Twenty-eight-year-old Jon Daniels was promoted to replace Hart, but you have to wonder how much real authority he will have working with owner Tom Hicks and manager Buck Showalter. As much as the Rangers need starting pitching, it’s hard to imagine Kenny Rogers being re-signed after a tumultuous season. They will try to add at least one free agent starting pitcher and one setup man, and possibly two each. Alfonso Soriano remains the club’s best bargaining chip for pitching, and there is a second base prospect ready in Ian Kinsler. If not Soriano, then Kevin Mench appears the likeliest to go, as he has attracted a lot of early attention in trade talks. Adrian Gonzalez, who is stuck behind Mark Teixeira, also could go. They would like to deal Phil Nevin and his $10-million salary, but that could prove difficult. Teixeira could get a long-term deal. Rod Barajas and Gary Matthews Jr. also could attract interest in the trade market, or remain in time-share situations with Gerald Laird and Laynce Nix.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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