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.
CINCINNATI REDS
2005 finish: 73-89, 5th place in NL Central
Manager: Jerry Narron (1st full season)
Free agents: RHP Ramon Ortiz, IF Rich Aurilia, OF Jacob Cruz, IF Luis Lopez
On the block: OF Wily Mo Pena, OF Adam Dunn, OF Ken Griffey Jr., OF Austin Kearns, 1B Sean Casey, C Jason Larue
Looking for: Starting pitching, backup infielder
What’s going on: The combination of GM Dan O’Brien and manager Jerry Narron remains in place, but who knows if that will remain the case through 2006 with an impending change in ownership. Desperate for quality starters, they figure to lock up ace Aaron Harang with a long-term deal. They also must make a decision on Adam Dunn, who made $4.6 million in arbitration in 2005. That decision is tied to several other potential ones, including dealing any one of a group of five outfielder/first base types for four spots: Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Sean Casey, Wily Mo Pena and Austin Kearns. Griffey will be coming off yet another surgery, and likely will remain a Red unless he asks to go elsewhere. Pena is best-suited as an American League DH. Kearns has been a perennial underachiever. Felipe Lopez is due a big raise in arbitration, but could get a long-term deal instead. They did not exercise Rich Aurilia’s option, and he still wants to play every day, so he will go elsewhere. Ramon Ortiz’s option also wasn’t picked up, which should tell you something considering how badly this team needs starting pitching.
|
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 |
 |
HardballTalk headlines |
 | Interactive |
 |
 | Slideshow |
 | Unbreakable records in baseball A look at the most unbreakable records in baseball including Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters. |
| Slideshow |
 | The top tools of baseball You hear a lot about the tools of baseball, but who are the best hitters, fielders and pitchers? We break it down. more photos |
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.
NBC Sports TV and livestream listings
/peacock_7788aa.gif){kind=small}