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.
HOUSTON ASTROS
2005 finish: 89-73, 2nd place in NL Central, wildcard
Manager: Phil Garner (3rd season)
Free agents: RHP Roger Clemens, C Brad Ausmus, RHP Russ Springer, IF Jose Vizcaino, OF Orlando Palmeiro
On the block: None
Looking for: A starting pitcher if Roger Clemens retires. Offense from either first base or a corner outfield spot, relievers
What’s going on: The big roster question marks are Roger Clemens and Jeff Bagwell. Clemens hasn’t given an indication on playing or retiring. He is a big chunk of the budget, which already has $63 million committed to five players (Andy Pettitte $17.5 million, Bagwell $16 million, Lance Berkman $14.5 million, Roy Oswalt $11 million, Craig Biggio $4 million). Lose Clemens, and the Astros lose an icon. But they would gain $18 million to get another top-quality starting pitcher, plus another much-needed bat. Bagwell will continue to rehab his shoulder in hopes of being an everyday first baseman again. The club also wants to re-sign Brad Ausmus, and probably will do so. Arbitration-eligibles Morgan Ensberg and Brad Lidge could be locked up with long-term deals for big raises over their 2005 salaries. Lefty Scott Eyre is one free-agent reliever possibility. Manager Phil Garner received a one-year contract extension, and is signed through 2007. Role players Orlando Palmeiro and Jose Vizcaino are expected to return.
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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.
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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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