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Gregg Rosenthal looks at the varied paths the supporting cast of the Saints have taken to get to the big game.
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Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Brandon Roy are just a few big names on Monday's Injury Report.
Matthew Pouliot touches on overrated and underrated players at second base in the Strike Zone.
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John McNamara looks at Steve Stricker's brilliance at the Northern Trust Open and his rise to the second best golfer in the world.
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Giants SS Kenny Phillips says he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from September microfracture surgery. Dr. James Andrews, Phillips' surgeon, and the Giants' club physician agree that Phillips' recovery has gone well so far. However, he's only just began running in a pool and hasn't been cleared to jog on land yet. He won't begin doing so until March 29, exactly six months after the operation. It's going to be hard for the Giants to count on Phillips as they approach the offseason.
Broncos signed RB Bruce Hall, formerly of the Bills. Hall, 25, offers very little speed at 5'11/210 and has bounced around since going undrafted in 2008 out of Ole Miss. He won't make the 2010 roster.
Chiefs waived ILB Weston Dacus. Dacus was waived/injured last August and spent the 2009 season on I.R. He didn't fit Kansas City's 3-4, but could latch on with a 4-3 club this spring.
Chiefs waived OLB Justin Rogers. Rogers, 26, was on and off K.C.'s roster all year. The SMU alum has backup-caliber pass-rushing abilities, but could resurface as a special teamer.
Tom Brady's $3 million offseason roster bonus is due on March 5. As ESPN's Mike Reiss notes, the presence of the bonus in Brady's deal at the start of the new league year could expedite talks on a long-term extension. The Pats would likely prefer to sign Brady to a new contract before paying the bonus rather than after it. Brady is expected to command at least $15M annually on his deal, which will probably span at least five years.
The Giants have have been awarded Taylor off waivers from Denver. Taylor was originally a sixth-round draft choice by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2007. In two seasons with the Chiefs, Taylor played in 18 games with one start. Although he has primarily played left tackle in this career, has also filled in at the guard and tackle spots on the right side. Taylor was waived by Kansas City on Sept. 4 and signed by Denver on Dec. 9. He was on the active roster for one game but did not play.
Corey Perry scored a goal and added two assists in the Ducks victory over the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 Monday night. Perry is continuing to have a remarkable season as he has 56 points in 59 games for the Ducks. He's on a four game point streak with two goals and four assists. Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne each had a goal and an assist in the contest.
Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers managed to stop 27 of the 31 Coyotes' shots as Edmonton fell to Phoenix 6-1. Drouin-Deslauriers continues to have a rough season as this was his third straight lose. He has lost ten of his last 12 games dating back to December 31st, 2009. His record falls to 11-19-3.
Dustin Penner scored his 23rd goal of the season as the Oilers fell to the Phoenix Coyotes 6-1 Monday night. Even though the Oilers have had a lackluster season, Penner continues to have a good campaign with Edmonton as he has 46 points in 58 games. Robert Nilsson recorded the lone assist on the third period goal.
Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 33 shots as the Phoenix Coyotes beat down the Edmonton Oilers 6-1 Monday night. Bryzgalov continues to impress this season, as this was his 31st victory, ranking him fourth in the league. He has won five of the last six games. If he continues to play the way he has lately, Phoenix could be a very scary team come playoff time. In fact, with this victory they matched their win total from last season, with 36 victories.
Matthew Lombardi had a career night as he scored two goals and added three assists as the Phoenix Coyotes dominated Edmonton 6-1 Monday night. Lombardi's five points give him 40 points on the year. Robert Lang scored a goal and recorded two assists in the victory, while Jim Vandermeer added a goal and an assist. Radim Vrbata and Ed Jovanovski each potted the other tallies for the Desert Dogs.
Craig Anderson was great stopping 32 of 34 Blues' shots as Colorado defeated St. Louis 5-2. Anderson's surprising season continues, as this is his 29th victory of the campaign. This was a very good start for him to carry over from his shutout against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Monta Ellis came down awkwardly on an off-balance shot and left Monday's game with an apparent left knee injury. He was able to walk off the court, though he was in obvious pain. The injury occurred when he got hung up with teammate Andris Biedrins -- check back soon for an update on his status.
Pistons guard Ben Gordon was mentioned in a three-way trade rumor in the Arizona Republic, between Detroit, Phoenix, and Philadelphia. The 76ers would get Gordon (as if they need another SG), the Suns would get Andre Iguodala and Chris Wilcox, and apparently the Pistons would land Amare. This is just one idea floated out among many, so don't read too much into it.
Curry had 25 points and nine assists in the Warriors' 127-117 loss to Dallas on Monday night. Curry has averaged 20.3 points on 45.0 percent shooting over his last 12 games, though Golden State is just 2-10. He's learning on the job and playing well, and may get a chance to score more if Monta Ellis is sidelined.
Morrow scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the Warriors' 127-117 loss to Dallas on Monday. Morrow returned Saturday after missing 10 games with a sprained right knee, and he looked like he never left on Monday. With little to no bench and Monta Ellis potentially missing some time with a knee injury, keep an eye on Morrow.
Howard scored a season-high 25 points off the bench Monday night in the Mavericks' 127-117 win at Golden State. Howard has been an enigma since missing much of the early season while recovering from ankle surgery. He's shooting under 40 percent this season but exploded on a night when Dirk Nowitzki was in foul trouble, potentially a good sign in the future for Dallas.
Ginobili had a team-leading 21 points in Monday night's 101-89 loss to the host Los Angeles Lakers. Ginobili has scored at least 20 points in three of four games this month but scored nine in the Spurs' previous game, a 98-81 win at the Staples Center over the Clippers on Saturday night.
Scot Shields (knee) has not been cleared to begin a throwing program and is likely to miss the start of spring training. Shields underwent knee surgery late last season. "I don't know how quickly I'll get on a mound. We'll probably have to take it slow," the setup man said Monday. "We've got a whole month-and-a-half or two months to get ready. ... I know my body. It's close to being 100 percent and we've still got two months." He's aiming to be ready for full-time action by Opening Day -- April 5.
The Seattle Mariners say Lee is recovering from minor left foot surgery and will be limited when pitchers and catchers report to spring training this month. The team announced Monday that its biggest offseason acquisition had surgery Friday in his native Arkansas to remove a bone spur that broke loose and was floating in his left foot. Lee was acquired from Philadelphia this winter in a complicated four-team deal. His injured foot is not in a cast, and he is continuing his upper-body exercise program. The Mariners says the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner will "gradually return to all normal baseball activities" over the next two to three weeks. Seattle's first workout for pitchers and catchers is Feb. 18.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Skip Schumaker's new two-year deal is worth a total of $4.7 million. Schumaker will earn $2 million in 2010 and $2.7 million in 2011. He requested $2.75 million and was offered $1.45 from the Cardinals when arbitration figures were exchanged in mid-January, so it seems like a nice deal for GM John Mozeliak and Co.. The 29-year-old hit .303/.364/.393 last season and will start at second for the Redbirds this year.
Nationals signed LHP Shawn Estes to a minor league contract. Estes hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2008, when he posted a 4.74 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings with the Padres. He turns 37 in a few weeks and isn't likely to have a great impact this year.
The Giants have offered a minor league contract to free agent righty Todd Wellemeyer, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Wellemyer has also attracted interest from the Mets and Rockies in recent weeks. The 31-year-old batted elbow issues last season and finished with an ugly 5.89 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 122 1/3 innings for the Cardinals. He told a St. Louis radio station last week that he is in great physical shape.
Tyler Greene expects to get a fair crack at the Cardinals' starting third base gig during spring training. David Freese is the unquestionable favorite, and Greene will have to really put on a show in camp to change that. Greene, 26, hit just .222/.270/.324 in 108 at-bats on the big league level last season. "I'm going to compete as hard as I can and make it as tough on them as I can at the end of spring," he said Monday. At least the kid has the right attitude.
ESPN's Chris Low says "it would probably be an upset" if JUCO transfer Cameron Newton doesn't win the Auburn quarterback job.
Newton, a former five-star recruit, certainly has the talent to make fantasy owners drool, and he's our front-runner as well. However, don't count out Tyrik Rollison and Neil Caudle.
ESPN's Ted Miller lists Kansas State transfer quarterback/wide receiver Chris Harper as one of his Big 12 players to watch this spring and fall. We love Harper's potential at quarterback under Bill Snyder. Snyder's best teams have had a quarterback (Michael Bishop) that can run and pass, which Harper can do.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg lists Ohio State running back Jaamal Berry as one of his players to watch in 2010. Berry redshirted last year after suffering a hamstring injury before the season began. As Rittenberg points out, Brandon Saine and Daniel Herron played well last year, but if Berry is as good as advertised, he could be the game changer the Buckeyes are looking for.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg lists Kevin Newsome as the most likely candidate to replace Penn State starting quarterback Daryll Clark this fall. Newsome and incoming freshman Robert Bolden are our top two candidates to win the job. Newsome has a clear advantage in terms of experience. Not only did he serve as Clark's understudy last season, but he also spent a year at prep school before arriving in Happy Valley.
ESPN's Brian Bennett lists Cincinnati receiver Vidal Hazelton as one of his Big East players to watch in 2010. Many fantasy owners hoped Hazelton would be able to play in 2009, but he was forced to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. In his absence Armon Binns, another big tall receiver, emerged as one of the Bearcats top receivers, taking a bit of the fantasy luster off the ex-Trojan receiver.
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg believes Miami transfer Robert Marve is the front-runner to claim the open quarterback job at Purdue. We certainly aren't going to disagree. Beyond Marve, Purdue looks awfully thin at quarterback. As we've stated previously, our money is on this former Cane to win the starting job.
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Carl Edwards returns to Daytona International Speedway for his sixth Daytona 500, and his 11th overall start at the 2.5- mile superspeedway. Edwards' average start at Daytona is 17.2, his average finish is 19.7. His best finish at Daytona is second place, captured in July 2008. His best finish in the Daytona 500 is 12th in his first start in 2005. Edwards started the 2009 Daytona 500 16th and ran as high as second place. On lap 125 Edwards was caught up in a multi-car accident and the No. 99 Aflac Ford suffered damage to the splitter. Shortly after his Ford was mended the race was red flagged and ultimately called due to rain. He finished the race in 18th place.
The first race of the season was shaping up to be a successful one for Greg Biffle and the 3M team until Biffle spun on the first lap of a green-white-checker finish while challenging Kevin Harvick for the lead. Biffle had been a top-10 contender for most of the night after drawing a fifth-place starting position at the draw party. Following the spin, Biffle was credited with a 15th-place finish.
Bobby Labonte and the No.71 TRG team got the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season got off to an eventful start in TRG's first ever Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. After being caught up in a wreck on the final lap of the race, The TaxSlayer.com/Adobe Road Winery Chevrolet finished in 18th position. Labonte battled tight conditions most of the evening, and prior to the final lap carnage, was running in the 12th position. -TRG Motorsports
Robert Richardson, Jr. will be competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series races at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. The largest task at hand is the running of his first Daytona 500. He will qualify 15th, of 54 drivers, during Saturday's session to determine his starting spot in Thursday's Gatorade Duel 150s. In a guaranteed starting spot driving the No. 38 Mahindra Tractors USA Ford for Front Row Motorsports with Doug Yates, Richardson is coming in to the event wide-eyed with anticipation and excitement. He got his first taste of Sprint Cup competition in last November's event at Talladega Superspeedway. Driving the No. 36 for Tommy Baldwin Racing, Richardson finished a commendable 18th place in his Sprint Cup debut.
Tony Stewart took full advantage of his time in Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. The driver of the No. 14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet came from his 13th-place starting spot in the non-points race to lead twice for six laps, and he made other drivers who tried their hand at the lead work hard to hold onto it. Stewart ended up ninth, but the result was not indicative of the overall performance. "I wouldn't say we had a very strong car, but we did get good track position," said Stewart after logging his 10th top-10 finish in 11 career Budweiser Shootout starts.
Marcos Ambrose's fastest lap in the No. 47 Kroger Toyota Camry fielded by JTG Daugherty Racing was the 14th quickest time (47.429 sec. - 189.757 mph) out of 54 cars that attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500. He will start seventh in the second Gatorade Duel, which is a 150-mile qualifying race. "That was way better than what we practiced (Friday)," Ambrose said. "We really had a good pick-up overnight -- the car was a lot better to drive. It's like wrestling a bear in there for a couple laps. These suspension packages to qualify here are very aggressive and I'm just pleased that I kept it on the straight and narrow."
Robert Garrigus has been added to the field of this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Garrigus gains entry to the field after the withdrawal of Briny Baird.
Briny Baird withdrew on Monday from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Baird has played in three events so far this season and currently he is in 71st place on the Tour's FedExCup Points List
On Monday morning, Kevin Chappell was added to the field of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Chappell played mostly on the Nationwide Tour last year, but he made the most of his start in last year's AT&T when he finished in a tie for sixth place. He has played in two Nationwide Tour events this season, with his best finish being a T-9 at the Michael Hill New Zealand Open.
Tom Pernice Jr. was added on Monday morning to the field of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Pernice gains entry to the field via a sponsor's exemption. His only start of the season was at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished in a tie for 48th place.
James Nitties has withdrawn from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Nitties has played in the last three events on the PGA Tour and is still looking for his first made cut on the season.
Richard S. Johnson withdrew on Monday morning from the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Johnson has played for the last four weeks on the PGA Tour and has made the cut in all four events, with earnings that have him in 72nd place on the Tour's Money List.
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