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.
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.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM
2005 finish: 95-67, 1st place in AL West
Manager: Mike Scioscia (6th season)
Free agents: LHP Jarrod Washburn, C Bengie Molina, RHP Paul Byrd, LHP Jason Christiansen, OF Tim Salmon, IF/OF Lou Merloni
On the block: 1B Darin Erstad, OF Steve Finley, OF Juan Rivera
Looking for: Power hitter at first base and/or designated hitter, relievers, especially a left-hander
What’s going on: In light of all the uncertainty up the freeway, the Angels wisely extended the contract of Mike Scioscia through 2009 with an option for 2010. However, they will have to get by without longtime bench coach Joe Maddon, who is the Devil Rays’ new manager. Their search for a big bat has gone two ways — at free agent Paul Konerko, and at a possible deal for Manny Ramirez, who wants out of Boston and has the Angels at or near the top of his list. Catcher Bengie Molina is expected to attract a lot of interest in the free-agent market, and probably won’t return, as the Angels have top prospect Jeff Mathis on the way, along with Jose Molina and Josh Paul. Jarrod Washburn also will get his share of offers, and won’t be back, as the Angels made little effort to lock up him long-term during the 2004 season. They thought Paul Byrd was going to be easier to sign, but he has received a handful of multi-year offers, so they will have to pay to keep him, or turn to another free agent, or one of their young arms Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver and Chris Bootcheck. Closer Frankie Rodriguez, John Lackey and Scot Shields could get multi-year deals to avoid arbitration. Left-handed setup man Scott Eyre is one bullpen possibility, but several teams are interested.
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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.
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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